Second chapter up! Hopefully, it's good.

-CW-

Pain.

Grief.

That was all Obi-Wan could feel at the moment. The Master breathed heavily, immobile from the extreme pain she was in. But it wasn't the pain Obi-Wan felt. No. It was the overwhelming grief, sorrow, and loss she was focused on. She was still in shock.

What had happened?

When?

How could she not have noticed? How could she not have known? It was all happening right before her eyes! All this time, Obi-Wan had known, yet refused to see it. Now, she was paying the price.

But most of all, what Obi-Wan wanted to know, was why?

Tears blurred her vision as Obi-Wan sank further into the darkness surrounding her. It was where she belonged.

'Is this death?' She distantly wondered, but she couldn't bring herself to care. What had she done?

No, it wasn't what she had done. It was what she, and the Jedi Order, hadn't done. She realized that now.

'A little too late.' She mournfully thought, drifting against the darkness. She curled into herself, furiously fighting against the tears that threatened to fall. But the pain! All these emotions...

Obi-Wan was known for keeping her emotions under control. She was not a firm believer in the mantra 'There is no emotion, only peace.' If she felt like it, Obi-Wan would have rolled her eyes from the many times she had been on the receiving end of that lecture. There were emotions. You only had to learn to control them. Don't let them control you. But that control had snapped and Obi-Wan found herself weeping openly. Her tiny body shook as she sobbed into her sleeve, where she had tucked her face in. So much death...So much pain...the fear...

Obi-Wan had witnessed the one thing she had never thought was possible.

She had watched as the Galaxy crumbled before her very eyes. Not only that, She had watched the very man she had come to know and love fiercely turn into the very thing he had sworn to destroy.

She was forced to fight him.

But Obi-Wan couldn't bring herself to kill him. No...That would only break her even more. So, Obi-Wan had done the only thing she could bring herself to. She surrendered her life to him. She allowed him to cut her down. Obi-Wan accepted her fate even though the Force had wailed and fought against Obi-Wan, trying to convince the Jedi Master to stand back up and fight.

She had refused the Force, cut herself from its protection and guidance, and was now paying the price. The Jedi accepted this, however, firmly believing this was what she deserved. Actually, Obi-Wan didn't believe she deserved death. No, becoming one with the Force was something that meant happiness to Obi-Wan, so she would not allow herself to tread down that path. She would remain in the darkness, and succumb to her grief until eventually, she would cease to exist.

Obi-Wan...

Obi-Wan started, snapping her head up when the melodious voice caressed her ear. A faint, comforting breeze swirled around the heartbroken Jedi, trying its best to ease the pain she was in. Obi-Wan fought against it, but she was too weak, and soon gave in.

It is not yet your time...

"Does it truly matter whether it is my time or not?" Obi-Wan softly inquired, her voice cracking. "I failed. I failed the Jedi, I failed the Force, I failed Qui-Gon, but worst of all, I failed him." This truth caused Obi-Wan to choke back another sob.

Another gentle breeze.

Wake, child.

This confused Obi-Wan. Wake?

"I'm dead." She whispered, and the horrid truth finally dawned on her. No longer was Obi-Wan in denial. She had been killed. Murdered. Dead. Gone.

'How strange.' She mused silently, slowly rolling over onto her back, one arm over her stomach while the other was splayed out by her head. Her shoulder ached from where she had been run through, and the burns she had received were making themselves known to the Master. She did nothing to to dampen the pain, however, welcoming it as punishment for her failure. 'At least...I was able to see him one last time.' A soft smile graced her lips. Even though Anakin had killed her, Obi-Wan held nothing against him.

Obi-Wan...

That voice was beginning to irk her. She wanted peace! Peace she knew she didn't deserve, but at least leave her alone! She had much to think over and ponder. Time to reflect.

You must wake, my child.

"No." Obi-Wan frowned.

She sensed a gentle reprimand in the wind but ignored it. Where was she anyway? Why couldn't she be left alone?

Obi-Wan. It is time for you to wake!

Suddenly, the Jedi felt herself falling and cried out in surprise and pain when her shoulder reacted painfully to the sudden drop. A light flared behind her, and Obi-Wan knew that was the way to return back to her world. She struggled, trying with all her might to fight against whatever was pulling her back. She couldn't go back! She wouldn't be able to handle all of the pain and grief that still threatened to overcome her.

"Obi-Wan!"

A familiar voice called out, and Obi-Wan froze, momentarily stunned to hear it.

"Master Kenobi! Please!"

"Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan whispered in surprise, no longer struggling. But she left...

"I don't know what's wrong!"

"Why won't she wake up?"

"Obi-Wan!"

"She can't be dead!"

"But I can't sense her!"

"NO!"

That last one sent icy chills down Obi-Wan's spine. Even though she had forgiven him and still loved him, Obi-Wan didn't know if she could handle seeing him again. This was too soon!

But, she had no choice. The light engulfed her and Obi-Wan knew no more.

-CW-

Ahsoka was about ready to panic. Poor Onyx was already scared half to death and Obi-Wan still wasn't responding! The Togruta had felt a sharp blast of fear shake her to the core when she had tried to grasp onto Obi-Wan's signature, only to find it nearly gone. It was slowly slipping away. Neither she nor Onyx had registered the arrival of Anakin until his shout echoed throughout the cavern and he materialized beside them. Ahsoka fearfully looked to him.

"Master...Obi-Wan..." Her voice wavered and trailed off. Anakin immediately fell to his knees and gently shook Obi-Wan's still body. She was so pale... Ahsoka could hear the Clones arrive and turned to see the stunned expressions that each wore. Especially Commander Cody, who had fought by Kenobi's side longer than any other Clone under Obi-Wan's command.

"Obi-Wan!" Anakin hoarsely whispered, having felt the sudden loss of Obi-Wan through the bond they shared. Anakin and the Clones had been held up by a large group of Separatist Droids and Battle Droids, but when Anakin had felt Obi-Wan's signature suddenly flicker then die out, he had gone wild. He couldn't recall exactly everything that had happened, but one moment, there were Droids everywhere, the next, they were nothing but shattered scrap metal. "Obi-Wan!" He frantically searched Obi-Wan for any wounds while trying not to appear frantic. The first thing he noticed, were the multiple singes and burns that decorated the tunic Obi-Wan wore. Blaster wounds?

No...

Anakin narrowed his eyes, seeing the burns that marred the smooth skin beneath the sleeve of Obi-Wan's tunic.

These were Lightsaber burns. Had Ventress actually managed to strike Obi-Wan without Anakin noticing? No...Anakin had been beside Obi-Wan when they faced Ventress, and not once did Ventress manage to land a blow on Obi-Wan. How, then, was Obi-Wan sporting these wounds? And why had she collapsed? Why wasn't she responding?

Worry and unbridled fear began to grow within Anakin as he stared at the woman lying deathly still before him. Obi-Wan couldn't be dead... He could still sense her, although her signature was very faint. If they didn't get help soon... Anakin straightened, but he never once removed his gaze from Obi-Wan.

"Cody, Rex," Authority and worry laced his tone, but Anakin ignored it. Tendrils of fear were oozing from both Ahsoka and Onyx next to him, and Anakin knew he would need to comfort them soon. "Contact-" He was unable to finish when the com-link Cody wore started beeping. The Clone snatched it from his utility belt and pressed the button. Holographic images of Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Aayla Secura, and Luminara Unduli appeared, Windu taking the initiative to speak once Cody came into sight.

"Commander Cody,"

"General Windu." Cody automatically responded.

"We felt a disturbance in the Force." Windu said. "Is everything-"

"Are General Skywalker and General Kenobi alright?" Adi Gallia cut in, earning a sharp glance from Windu. Anakin looked to Ahsoka, and she shakily nodded, knowing what he wanted her to do.

"Masters," The Togruta weakly greeted, her gaze flickering from the com-link to Obi-Wan.

"Padawan Tano, where is your Master?" Windu asked, a hint of irritation seeping into his tone. If Skywalker had run off again...

"He's here, Master Windu."

"Is he injured?" Adi Gallia inquired, noting the tense manner the Padawan held herself and the worry she didn't bother to hide.

"No..." Ahsoka shook her head. "But Master Kenobi..."

All four Masters tensed, and even Windu didn't try to hide his concern.

"The disturbance...It came from Kenobi, did it not?" Aayla asked, and Ahsoka nodded, releasing a shaky exhale.

"What happened, Padawan Tano?" Luminara asked.

"Master Kenobi...Suddenly collapsed, Masters." Ahsoka managed to say without wavering. "She won't respond..." She was about to continue when a Clone Commander suddenly appeared next to Aayla Secura.

"General Secura!"

The Twi'lek glanced over to her Commander.

"What is it, Commander?" Aayla hurriedly asked, the need to know if Kenobi was alright causing her to be slightly impatient.

"We have located General Skywalker and General Kenobi in the Crystal Caves." The Commander quickly informed her, as if sensing his General's urgency. "They appear to be trapped."

"We will send reinforcements and a medical shuttle immediately." Windu said, his tone final. "Skywalker, I know you can hear me. Don't let Kenobi go. If she slips away..."

Anakin cut the Master off, "I won't allow that to happen." He declared. Windu let the interruption slide as he curtly nodded.

"See that you don't. Master Gallia and I will personally accompany the shuttles down. Master Secura, Master Unduli, I trust you know what to do." He turned to face the other two Masters. Aayla and Luminara bowed in response.

"Of course, Master Windu." The two Masters bowed.

A sudden surge in the Force silenced them and Anakin felt hope rise within him as he returned his attention to Obi-Wan. She was coming to!

He then frowned. Something was wrong...Her Signature had changed. It was different than from what he remembered. Was that a good or bad sign?

"General-"

Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open and a powerful Force wave swept everyone off their feet, sending them sailing through the air a few feet before dropping them to the ground. The com-link flew from Cody's grasp and snapped when it hit a nearby crystal, leaving the four Masters above the planet to wonder exactly what had happened. But they knew one thing. They needed to get to Kenobi and Skywalker soon.

"What-?!" Anakin grunted when he crashed into the rocky ground, small rocks biting into his back as he skidded to a stop. He leaped to his feet, about to run over to Obi-Wan when he noticed her weakly picking herself off of the ground and slowly straightening, head bowed. There was another moment of silence as Obi-Wan remained standing, never once raising her head. Anakin's brow furrowed in worry. Something was off about Obi-Wan. Something was very wrong. "Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan flinched, her head snapping in his direction, red-ish brown hair whipping her face when she did. They stared at one another for a moment then Obi-Wan's blue orbs swerved over to examine the Clones before locking gazes with Anakin. There was confusion and a dazed look dancing within those eyes, Anakin could see. But deep down within those pools of blue, Anakin could also see fear. What did Obi-Wan have to fear?

The emotion was swept away from Obi-Wan expression, replaced with the look. Anakin knew this look. It was the same one Obi-Wan wore when out in the battle-field. The same look she would fix everyone with when she meant business. Anakin would have to admit, it was a little unnerving to see. It was a mask of calm, but her eyes sparkled dangerously, warning him and almost everyone else that they had better watch what they did or said. That look, however, was piercing him.

"Obi-Wan?" He slowly called, cautiously taking a step forward. A warning breezed through the Force and Anakin paused when Obi-Wan's eyes hardened, her hand reaching towards her utility belt where her saber normally would be. This affirmed that there was indeed something very wrong. Why would Obi-Wan feel threatened? Why was she getting ready for a fight?

"Who are you?" Obi-Wan lowly demanded to know, and alarm trickled through Anakin. Obi-Wan didn't recognize him?

"Obi-Wan?"

"Who. Are. You?" The Jedi repeated her previous question, punctuating each word firmly.

"It's me, Obi-Wan. Anakin." Anakin slowly replied, sensing Ahsoka and Onyx's growing worry. Even the Clones shifted uneasily at this. A brief ripple of recognition danced in the Force.

"An...akin?" Obi-Wan repeated, eyes slowly glazing over. "You...Where..." Confusion was evident in her smooth features as Obi-Wan studied her surroundings. "Where am I...What..." She raised a shaky hand up to cradle her head.

"Master?" Ahsoka softly called out, reaching out to touch the Master's shoulder. Obi-Wan's eyes widened a fraction as they looked to the Togruta standing beside her.

"Ahsoka?"

Anakin didn't like this one bit. Obi-Wan appeared to be concussed and her memory distorted.

"Obi-Wan, what is the last thing you remember?" He asked her, taking a couple cautious steps forward. He noticed the way Obi-Wan's gaze would snap back to him whenever he moved, warily watching him. He paused once again. Why was Obi-Wan watching him so closely? Had he done something? Thinking back to everything that had happened, Skywalker couldn't recall anything he had done to cause Obi-Wan to be wary of-oh.

The Droids.

Obi-Wan must have sensed his fear and abuse of the Force when he allowed his emotions to control him. He closed his eyes. Why couldn't he ever get himself under control?

"I don't...remember..." Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin was shocked. What was this? Obi-Wan was lying?! For what reason? And to him, no less? Did he not have her trust?

A pang of hurt ran through Anakin but he threw it aside, more concerned for Obi-Wan at the moment.

"Where are we?" She panted softly, leaning against Ahsoka in order to rest.

"The Crystal Caves." Ahsoka answered. Obi-Wan was silent.

'Crystal Caves...' Anakin heard in the back of his mind, where the bond he and Obi-Wan shared was. 'But that happened... a months ago...'

What? He shielded his thought and continued approaching his Padawan and former Master, stopping once he stood before them. He could tell Obi-Wan was severely weakened and in immense pain. She was struggling to keep her breathing steady as she leaned against Ahsoka, fighting to keep standing even though her shoulders drooped in exertion. Anyone could sense the pain Obi-Wan was in, which alarmed Skywalker. Obi-Wan had strong shields. They were nearly unbreakable, but if he was able to sense the pain leaking out from them...

"Obi-Wan!" He abruptly swooped forward, catching Obi-Wan when she collapsed once again. Obi-Wan limply fell against Anakin, too tired and weak to do anything. Even keeping her eyes open was too much for her. She felt numb, her limbs heavy as Anakin adjusted his hold on her. She cried out when he jostled her injured shoulder, sensing Anakin's worry and guilt from causing her pain. "Obi-Wan, what's wrong?" He worriedly demanded to know. "What happened?"

Obi-Wan simply allowed her head to roll against his shoulder, her strength slowly fleeing from her, rendering the weak Master helpless. She still felt close to death. She was light-headed, her vision dimming, and body growing more numb. She couldn't even lift a finger or think. It took up too much energy.

"Master?"

"O...n..yx..." Obi-Wan murmured, her words slurring.

"She needs medical attention now." Anakin stood, being careful not to shake Obi-Wan too much. Cradling her gently, but firmly against him, Anakin jerked his head to the side, signalling for the Clones to follow. Ahsoka and Onyx were right beside him, both watching Obi-Wan worriedly. Everyone was wondering the same thing.

What had happened? What was wrong with Obi-Wan?

-CW-

They had barely started their trek to the entrance of the Caves when Obi-Wan stirred one again and demanded to be let down. Anakin wouldn't allow it, which would normally irritate Obi-Wan, but to Anakin's surprise, she relented and slumped back against him, too tired to argue. She still appeared to be confused and was calling upon the Force for some answers. Not too long afterwards, Obi-Wan drifted into a healing trance to preserve what little energy she had left. Anakin enveloped the Force around the Master to help with the healing.

Windu and Gallia had better reach them soon, Anakin thought to himself. He didn't know how much longer Obi-Wan could last. The weakness Obi-Wan was displaying was disturbing for everyone to see. Moments where Obi-Wan would reveal her weaknesses were rare, and normally it was only Anakin, Rex, Cody, or Ahsoka who would catch them. Right now, Obi-Wan didn't seem to care. Or she was too far gone to even try to care. Tightening his hold, Anakin carefully shifted Obi-Wan in his arms and increased his pace. Ahsoka was lost in her thoughts when a small hand slipped into her's and she looked to find Onyx walking beside her, trembling from fear. Fear for his Master, Ahsoka knew. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, giving him a weak smile when he looked up at her.

"Everything will be alright, Onyx. You'll see." She whispered just loud enough for him to hear. Onyx only nodded.

-CW-

Nothing could ever go right, could it? Ahsoka growled in her mind. Adi Gallia and Mace Windu had finally arrived and blasted the blocked entrance to the Caves open, ushering everyone out and into the shuttles nearby. Anakin didn't hesitate to take Obi-Wan to the Medical shuttle, Ahsoka and Onyx close behind, the Togruta catching a brief glimpse of worry crossing the two Council members faces when they saw Obi-Wan. They had settled down when the Medical Clone, Kix, had entered and started looking over the unconscious Jedi Master.

"Trauma." Was the first word Kix said.

"Trauma?" Anakin repeated, not believing what he had heard.

"Has she experienced any traumatic events recently?" Kix asked, before mentally berating himself for asking a stupid question. Since the situation was serious to Anakin, he didn't even think about rolling his eyes at the question. Jedi always went through events that would be considered traumatic to almost everyone else out in the Galaxy.

"I don't think so." Anakin shook his head, thinking back over the recent missions Obi-Wan had been sent on. She had always returned uninjured and fine... Kix frowned and glanced back over at Obi-Wan.

"She's in severe emotional shock and-Kriff!" Kix suddenly swore when he glanced down at the datapad he held, startling everyone in the shuttle.

"What is it?" Anakin jumped up to his feet, worried when Kix raced back into the supply cabinet.

Ahsoka tightened her grip on Onyx when the boy curled up in her lap, trembling as he watched the Clone rush back to Obi-Wan and start scanning her shoulder.

"This isn't good." Kix muttered under his breath as Anakin leaned over his shoulder to see what was wrong. His eyes widened when he saw the lightsaber wound Obi-Wan was sporting. How the Force had Obi-Wan gotten that and how did she manage to make it to the Crystal Caves before collapsing?! "It goes all the way through her shoulder, but I'm not sure of the full extent of the injury. We will have to wait until we reach the Resolute." Kix informed Anakin. "I don't think there is much I can do about it other than binding her shoulder and using Bacta patches on the burns."

Anakin nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment. His head was spinning with all the information he had received. "Do what you can." He managed to say, slowly seating himself on the edge of the bed Obi-Wan was on, dazed. Why hadn't Obi-Wan said anything? Told anyone?

Did he really have to ask? Obi-Wan never put herself before others. She had probably kept silent because she had Ahsoka and Onyx with her and didn't want to worry them, or slow them down.

That was what happened before. They had made it to the Resolute, rushed Obi-Wan on board, and jumped into hyperspace. But, of course, trouble had to strike. Now, they were in the middle of a large battle, with no reinforcements other than Adi Gallia's forces. Mace Windu had remained behind in order to aid Aayla Secura and Luminara Unduli with destroying the Separatists blockade and right now, they needed their help in defeating these Separatists attacking them. Ahsoka sped through the hallway towards the Control Room when she had run into Rex, who was racing out of the Control Room with a few men.

"What's going on?" She asked, jogging beside them.

"The Separatists are boarding." Rex told her. "And they didn't come alone."

"Ventress?" Ahsoka guessed, but Rex shook his head.

"Another Sith. One General Skywalker didn't recognize."

"Another Sith?!" Ahsoka blinked in surprise, grasping both her sabers and skidding to a stop when the Clones took cover. So this was where the Separatists and that Sith were boarding, huh? They waited for a couple of tense moments when a red lightsaber suddenly punctured the wall and started cutting through. Ahsoka waited with baited breath, hiding herself from sight as she watched the lightsaber complete the circle then the wall blast away. It flew past Ahsoka and broke when it hit the wall at the far end of the corridor, causing Ahsoka to feel a bit fearful. Whoever they were up against was powerful.

A low voice drifted down towards them as the Separatist battle droids entered.

"Deal with the Clones and those Jedi. Leave Kenobi to me."

-CW-

Sorry, no action. But the next chapter will be a lot better!