Anakin trudged home in the darkness, glad to have something off his chest. But he still felt shocked,

How could this have happened? Why isn't he still with Cliegg and Owen? Why didn't they tell me about their financial difficulties, I could've helped him...? I could've helped her.

His body physically shivered as he thought of his mother, her force trace drifting off as he held her limp body in his hands. He heard the Tusken's screeches.

He shook that memory out of his head for now and continued walking.

Obi Wan spoke his goodnights to Rudy and Liesel before shutting the door to his room. He sat alone on the floor meditating. No later than 2 minutes his commlink buzzed. He pressed the button in it.

"Master Kenobi." He answered.

"Good evening, Master Kenobi" it was Master Windu.

"I trust you had a good time at Senator Amidala's", he probed with a hint of displeasure.

"Oh yes" Obi Wan "Senator Amindala was most hospitable as always" Mace Windu nodded.

"Is Skywalker around?"

"No, to be honest Master Windu, I don't quite know where he is"

Mace Windu let out an angry sigh

"That is, after he left Senator Amidala's, that is" Obi Wan said, correcting the thoughts that were evidently running through the Jedi's mind.

"Well, Master Windu, I'm sure you didn't ring just to chat"

"No, Master Kenobi, Yoda requests your presence. There is something pressing he wants to talk about."

Obi Wan reached the door of Yoda's chamber. He was about to knock when Yoda spoke out from inside the room.

"Come inside, Obi Wan"

Obi Wan took a seat to Yoda's side.

"You wanted to speak to me Master"

"Brought you here to talk about your visitor's I have."

Obi Wan nodded

"You've met them?"

"Yesss" Yoda croaked "Strong with the force they are. Especially the boy."

This had come to a surprise to Obi Wan, who had naturally thought Liesel to be stronger in the force, being directly related to her.

"But the girl. Mm. She is wise beyond years. Has your flair for storytelling, she does"

Obi Wan chuckled

"That she does. Master Yoda, I don't mean any disrespect but, what has this got to do with the situation."

"Keep them with you longer, you will. Clouded, their future is. Much pain is coming their way. Much pain…mm" Yoda closed his eyes. Obi Wan turned to leave.

"Obi Wan?" Obi Wan turned to face Yoda again.

"Your former apprentice, out for him, will you look? Much fear in him. Much fear"

"I always do Master Yoda. I always do"

Anakin slumped on his bed. Force! Why was everything so difficult sometimes! He reached over to the cupboard that held his belongings. He took down a box from the shelf. Cliegg Lars had given him some holo frames before he had left. He had never looked through it, it had been too hard. Anakin thought that tonight it might shed some light on his current situation. He blew the dust off the lid and opened it. He pulled out the first one. It was of him and Shmi, just after being sold to Watto. He quickly put it down, not wanting painful emotions to resurge. The second was an almost identical photo to the one in Padmé's apartment, except Obi Wan was replaced by Jar Jar Binks. The third refused to work. He'd fix it later. There was only one left. Anakin lifted it out. He pressed play. An image of his mother flickered. Then she began to speak.

"Ani, if you have found this projection, I assume I am no longer amongst the living. You may or may not have seen me since you left. I have no regrets sending you to the Jedi. I know it was not your destiny to stay here. You were born for the stars. You were born for the sky. You're a Skywalker. Anakin, I am already free. Even in slavery I was free. You set me free. What ever happened to me know I was happy. I love you Ani. There is one thing I must explain, one request I must make. You have a brother Anakin. His name is Rudy. Rudy Lars. He was born only a few years after you left. He looked like you. But unfortunately he was taken from us. Didn't have enough money for another son, they said. Please find him. Look after your brother."

The transmitter ended. He ran his fingers through his hair. It was as if his mother had guided him to that projection. If only he'd seen that earlier. He paced his room. Don't let your emotions run away from you Skywalker. Don't let them leave.

Rudy and Liesel sat on the side of the street, just outside the sweet store Obi Wan had taken Liesel to. With Anakin still in hiding after last night's "mystery incident" and Obi Wan on Jedi duties they were left to their own devices to amuse themselves. They shared a rather large candy between them both, watching the crowd move along to their places of work or to schools and the envious looks they gave the two teens.

Liesel nudged Rudy.

"Rudy, look over there". A large group of boys of their age and perhaps older were walking down the street with a determined look on their faces. Rudy glanced over and then gave Liesel a grin.

"What are they going to do, saumensch? They don't even know us"

Liesel rolled her eyes.

"Just try not to make eye contact and avoid any confrontation"

Despite her best efforts though, they were noticed.

A tall boy with brown hair and a band of freckles across his face came over.

"Hey lovers, do you know where you are?" The boy sneered.

"Coruscant" Rudy said wittily.

"What does that matter?" Liesel asked.

"Because, you, stupid girl, and your boyfriend are trespassing on my street"

Liesel felt her temple boil in her, rising up from deep in her emotions.

"First of all, this is not your street. Second I'm not stupid. Third he is not my boyfriend!

Liesel then slapped him on the face, hard.

The boy cursed and then , red faced, grabbed Liesel's arm. Rudy responded by winding the boy with a blow to his stomach. The fight was on. The boy's gang crowed around the pair, egging them on. Liesel tried to help her friend but was pushed back by the mob of boys. The boy was obviously winning, with blood dripping out of Rudy's lip and nose and a bruise that was already forming around his eye. He should've just accepted the fact that Rudy was no longer a nuisance and he had shown his place. But he didn't he just kept throwing punches. Rudy cried out in pain.

He's going to kill him

And he might of, had it not been for the shop owner.

"FRANCIS!" The man's face was flushed. He shoved his way through the crowd and with surprising strength, picked up the boy, Francis, and shoved him to the side.

"Your parents will be hearing from me again, Francis". Francis wiped his nose, sneered at Rudy and Liesel and said,

"See you, Lover-boy and thick head girl."

"Are you okay?" The old man asked as Francis and his gang wandered off.

Liesel nodded.

"I think he isn't though, could you get a doctor, please?"

The man nodded and hobbled inside.

Rudy just lay on the ground with his eye's closed.

Just kiss him Liesel. Just do it now, while he's not responding.

Liesel was leaning over Rudy when he woke up.

"Wow, saumensch, you smell even better when you're awake"

Liesel would have punched him, but considering he was injured, was content to sit and hold his hand until the paramedic's arrived.