Hello again ;)

Now, as I have said, some basic information about the story.

It is kinda AU. Events here take place before 'Attack Of The Clones'.

To be honest I don't really know how old Anakin and Obi-Wan are in Episode II, but here Anakin is 18. Obi-Wan is just Obi-Wan, you know.

And important (at least in my opinion) fact, Padmé is the Queen here and she had never met Anakin before.

I'll say again that it isn't a slash, just friendship.

I'm not sure if it turns out to be a romance, but if so it will be between Anakin and Padmé.

Moreover, if you are a fan of Mace Windu I'm sorry to say he's harsh here in this story.

I think I've told everything, if not, I'll write it in the second chapter. :)

Now, I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~ Chapter 1 ~~~

Obi-Wan left his quarters, heading right to the Council. They had another task for him. For him only.

The morning was really beautiful, but he has never felt beauty any longer since his best friend has gone missing. It is said a Jedi cannot dwell, nor let the feelings take over. But... how can he? He loved him. He started loving him with the day he'd sworn to Qui-Gon that he would train him.

Passing the doors of Anakin's old room, he stopped, taking a breath. He knows he shouldn't. But he has to go in there. He feels... better that way. Because only the empty quarters left.

He approached the door and opened them, getting into the dark, abandoned room. He felt tears in his eyes and beating of his broken heart. Coldness and emptiness have visited him long ago. This happened exactly six months ago. And since that day, nothing has changed, his world has been the same - ruined and gloom. He closed his eyes and made balls from his hands. Why does it still hurt so much?

Attachments. The only true enemy of every Jedi. No way to forget. No way to pretend. No way to escape this.

'There is no death, there is the Force'

But was Anakin really..? Still something tells him he is not. But he has never got an official permission to search for him.

His last look around the empty quarter. He felt like Anakin was still with him, here, in this room, sleeping peacefully. His spirit will always be with him. It's a pity he couldn't be when Anakin needed him. His guilt will never leave him, of that he was certain.

~~~o*o~~~

He finally reached his destination. As soon as he came into the room, Masters welcomed him. The atmosphere was odd, as always. Last time he saw Anakin was here, accompanying him when a new mission was being given to the young Padawan. He could have gone with him, done something to stop his leaving. He had known it had been a bad idea. A Padawan should be close to the Master, and vice versa. Now, only the memory left. And it wasn't good memory. It was painful. Sometimes he dreams about him and their adventures, missions and days spent together. But he cannot call them 'dreams' anymore, no. Nightmares. Only nightmares. Now, even their arguments weren't important, they all left as well as Anakin.

"Obi-Wan, we have a task for you." began Master Windu immediately. His face was serious.

"So I'm listening." he stopped in the middle of the room and looked straight into his eyes.

Mace nodded and cleared his throat. He realised Anakin had a point saying that Master Windu can't smile. He is always too serious.

"We need you to go to Naboo."

"Naboo?" he asked surprised. "This planet is neutral, what business has the Jedi Order there?"

"It is, indeed. But we have suspicions something is going on there. The plot against the Republic, probably." stated Plo Koon.

"The Republic and the Queen." broke in Master Fisto.

Obi-Wan stroked his beard, thinking. He had heard of these spectaculations before, but took it for rumours. It turned out to be more serious than he supposed.

"Fine, then. I can go there even right now." he smiled lightly and bowed, turning to the door. He needed something to do, to stop thinking. "I'm taking Ana..." he closed his mouth and eyes, realising what he wanted to say, cursing. "Never mind." his quiet, low whisper hid pain.

Six months and he still hasn't got used to... that was too much for him. Anakin was his brother, or sometimes even a son. His loss was too huge strike.

His heart broke many weeks ago. When the Jedi Council decided to label him 'dead'. But 'dead' didn't mean 'forgotten'. At least not by him. He can't forget. Not that he even wanted to. No, he does want to remember.

Just... why didn't they let look for him? If they had done it, everything would have been different. Perhaps he would have been here now with him. And they probably would have been arguing. But no. They will argue no more.

"Obi-Wan." stopped him Mace just as he was about to step outside. Jedi Knight turned to him and looked into his brown eyes. They were emotionless. "Your Padawan is dead. You must forget about him and focus on your duties to the Order." his tone sounded harsh. Too harsh in Obi-Wan's opinion.

"Yes, Master Windu." he just answered quietly and walked away, leaving others inside. He was angry, disappointed and sometimes even hateful.

How can he forget about his best and only friend? Don't they understand? He lost probably the most important person in his life, it can't be just forgotten that quickly and simply. But still, the feeling inside him was there, telling him not to lose hope. And this hope yet remains.

"Anakin, if you are somewhere there, please, forgive me everything." he whispered and got on the ship, wiping his tears.

~~~o*o~~~

Naboo. This was calm and quiet planet which lives its own life. He didn't understand why someone would want to destroy this peace.

He landed carefully and saw Queen Padmé with some of her servants waiting for him.

Leaving the ship he bowed respectfully and smiled lightly. Padmé answered him with the same.

"Master Kenobi, it's good to see you." she said.

Obi-Wan gave her a smile again. He wasn't a Master. He cannot call himself that after everything.

"It's good to see you too, your Majesty." just came a short response.

"Please, just Padmé. We are very glad the Jedi decided to help us."

"Yes, what exactly appears to be a problem?" he asked looking around. He felt soft wind and hear some birds chirping nearby.

"We're concerned about rumours which surely were heard by the Jedi Order."

"Indeed, they were. Are they true?"

"Unfortunately. My guards arrested one of these traitors and interrogated her not a long ago. She'd told us it would be the end of Naboo. They are against me and my whole family."

"Hmm, well... not happy news, I suppose. I promise the Jedi and me myself will do everything in our power to stop this. But can I go to this prisoner of yours first? I need to ask her some questions."

He was calm, he was even calmer than ever. It was just this feeling. Something was disturbing the Force. It wasn't bad though. He couldn't tell what was that exactly, but surely not bad.

"Of course. Tanrai, the old friend of mine will show you the way." she said and pointed to dark haired woman with green eyes. Smile appeared on her face and she bowed lightly. "But please, don't be too harsh. We don't want any harm to the prisoner." she added.

"Oh, my dear Queen, about this you don't have to worry. Tortures aren't methods of the Jedi." he smiled and turned away to follow Tanrai.

They went down the main corridor and passed big stairs leading to dungeons. It was dark there but cells were lightened up by small lamps on the cellar. He felt something odd but ignored it as they reached desired cell. Everything was very quiet.

"It's here. But be aware, she is kind of trouble. She is too smart, even for a Jedi."

"Not to worry, I know how to deal with bandits, she is no better than others, of that I'm sure." he smiled.

She bowed and walked away, standing next to the doors.

Obi-Wan came into the dark room, where there was tall, brown haired woman. She looked at him with murder in her yellow eyes. But she wasn't a Sith. She looked like a bounty hunter.

"Great, they sent a Jedi to me, what a nice surprise. I needed someone smart to talk to." she said and smiled, but it wasn't friendly. Indeed, she wasn't like bandits he had dealt with before. Her aura was more mysterious. She wasn't a Jedi, nor Sith, but still he felt her in the Force quite strongly.

"Don't get too excited. Tell me what you know and we'll make it quickly." he said immediately, his voice was serious.

She looked at him. A few seconds of silence took over. But then the woman disturbed it. She snorted clearly amused and shook her head.

"Are you joking, Jedi? Why should I make it easy for you?"

"Because I have better things to do than worry about you and you don't want to sit here for eternity, do you?"

She fell silent for a moment. This look on her face told him she is ready to cooperate, just needs some time to see that. This was a challenge he would gladly accept.

"None of your tricks will work on me." she hissed angrily.

"This isn't a trick. This is just an obvious fact. Do you think I wouldn't prefer to be somewhere else, like, other part of this planet where I wouldn't be suppose to look at your face? And I'm sure you want to finish this, for there isn't a chance to escape and you will have to sit here anyway so why don't you just tell me everything and hope for easier punishment?"

His voice made her think. He had a point and they both knew it. She sighed and nodded after a while but not exactly satisfied. It was enough for Obi-Wan to feel better. At least he could focus on something else.

"Fine, then. I will tell you everything I know. But if you make a favour for me." she smiled.

The Jedi Knight chuckled.

"A favour? Huh, that is getting even more and more interesting. What can I do for a bandit like you? Give you a comfortable cell?" he smiled nastily. This woman couldn't be serious, or could she?

Although he didn't know what was this 'favour' as she called it like that, he agreed. She wasn't dangerous, she was just reckless. And recklessness is something he could use right now.

This feature reminds him of someone... oh, Anakin, how much he misses him and even his irresponsible, improvised plans.

Everything reminds him of his beloved, lost Padawan. He couldn't even fight it. He hated the feeling. Feeling of foolish hope that his friend will find a way home and he will return. But it wasn't even possible. He isn't coming back now, nor is he ever...

"When you get to the place I will tell you to go, you will kill someone for me. And when you give me a proof you did so, I shall tell you more. Deal?" her voice was very certain. She definitely wasn't a type of comedian.

"... Deal." he said. He is always open to new challenges. He hasn't been on more serious mission since the day of Anakin's disappearance. Of course, there were some tasks but they were rather small, unsatisfying.

Obviously, he wasn't going to do this, but if it's the only way to discover more of the conspiracy, he could lie. He would eventually make up a plan, right?

It wasn't his style, but something was telling him it is going to be interesting. There was more than meets the eye. The Force is guiding him, and it guides him where he is needed. Everything is the will of the Force. Even... even his Padawan's death. He shall keep telling himself that. But with this fact he couldn't get over simply. He was too young to die. And what is worse than a death of a young man? A death of a lonely, young man.

~~~o*o~~~

Padmé and her servants were awaiting news from him. He was satisfied, he couldn't hide it. All he needs to do now, is to tell them everything he'd learned and go to the place, to destroy the conspiracy. Of course he knew some of the information she told him is just a lie, she isn't as smart as she thinks. But it was enough to finish the mission and return to Coruscant. It's not that he complains about his work. At least something keeps him from thinking about Anakin, being officially 'dead'. He was never going to win with this awful feeling of emptiness. If he could done more. He would have gone after him, or even with him. But no, it's the end. He is dead. And being 'dead' means he is with the Force but not with him. Not here, by his side and the Jedi Order where he belongs. Or rather... belonged.

"Master Kenobi. How did it go?" asked him the Queen as he stepped into big hall. He wished everyone would stop calling him that.

"Better than I predicted." he smiled. "I have enough information to stop the conspiracy. At least, an important part of it."

"Great. Where are they? And who?"

"Some of them hide within the forest nearby. They have many hideouts. But she said this one is very important. Their organisation has at least 16 members. If we can catch them all, we can stop this rebellion. That's all I know by now."

Padmé nodded seriously and thanked him with her heart. It meant a lot to her. She wanted the best for her people and family. A war on Naboo wouldn't be a good thing, not at all.

"I'm going there to find them." he stated preparing for the 'trip'.

"Master Kenobi..." she began quietly.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say thank you. For everything you're doing to stop this crisis. I'm very thankful." she smiled widely. Her teeth were so white. And her face looked like a shining star.

"Not a problem. I'm doing what is in my duties. The entire Jedi Order cannot let Naboo fall." he bowed with his head. Yes, he was sure of these words. And he felt good by doing this.

He turned to the door and made a step forward when the voice of the Queen stopped him again.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." he glanced at her quickly.

"Why are you here alone? I thought the Jedi don't go on such important missions alone. Don't you have a Padawan or someone?" she asked and immediately noticed hurt expression on Obi-Wan's face. It was when she realised she'd said too much. "Oh, I'm sorry if it is not my place, I just wanted to know. I shouldn't have, sorry."

"No." he shook his head. "It's alright. My... partner isn't with us anymore... He died." he whispered, stopping a tear which hopefully remained unnoticed.

Padmé's smile disappeared and she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. It must be hard for you."

"Yes. It is." he answered and turned away. "Excuse me, your Majesty. I need to go. Duties are calling."

"Sure. Go ahead. Good luck." she smiled, why did she even ask? If he is alone, he must have his reasons.

Obi-Wan responded as well and headed to the door, wanting to get over it as soon as possible.

~~~o*o~~~

'His name is Lars. Kill him and I will tell you everything you want to hear.' he heard her voice in his head, echoing loudly. And so he agreed. He got part of information, but the rest of it he will hear when he is done with his task. It isn't hard. He just must find this Lars, take something of his and show it to her to prove his death. Hopefully he will not be making this difficult. He mustn't be making this difficult. Or else, the royal family of Naboo will have a big problem and their lives will be in danger. More than now, of course.

He passed trees, rocks and other bushes listening to the directions she'd given. He had this odd feeling again, but now it was much stronger. Like... a connection. Should he ignore that? Or should he try to find out what it is?

He stroked his beard, thinking about the situation. It was too strange to just ignore it.

Then, all of a sudden branches over him made a small noise. He looked up and clenched his lightsaber to be prepared in case of an attack. Funny, it was what Anakin always did. Through all these years they were teaching each other. And he was thankful for that. He was thankful he had a chance to have such a wonderful friend.

But he wasn't allowed to think about the past, he had to leave it behind. Besides, he had to be careful here. Branches don't make noise by themselves.

He predicted next things very easily because shortly thereafter someone jumped on him from a tree. He felt hands gripping his throat but he managed to shook them off and kicked his attacker in the stomach, turning around. A tall man fell, his face buried in leaves. But he didn't give up. Obi-Wan activated his blue lightsaber when the young man got up from knees and looked straight into his eyes. The Jedi felt like his heart stopped for a minute. He couldn't believe his eyes. This man... it cannot be...

"Anakin?"

T.B.C

And what do you think? I'm afraid this entire story is a little messy but it's just my stupid opinion. I leave judging to you :)