A/N: Yes, this does switch to third person. You will see why later on. Also, I must warn you, there are some dark scenes in here with Watto being very nasty (there is a reason why this is rated T) and sappiness at the end….but bear with me, please. Once more, happy reading!

Watto was angry. In fact, Watto was the angriest Anakin had seen him since he and Kitster had vandalized his advertisement sign. They'd escaped that time, and Anakin's mother, Shmi Skywalker had covered for them (though he had been grounded for two weeks). His mother wouldn't be there now, she was at home, blissfully ignorant to her son's pain.

He hadn't meant to do it-it had just happened. It wasn't even a big deal-so what if he'd stared at a customer too long? What if the customer had been rich and he'd talked out of turn to her, and in doing so, spilt the secret? He hadn't meant to, but she had been so open, and nice-genuinely interested in him, and had asked about how Watto had treated him, and he was a horrible liar. It wasn't his fault, but Watto would never understand.

He floated over him now, as Anakin curled into a ball on the floor.

"How dare you, you impudent, horrible, ungrateful brat!" Anakin closed his eyes as the blows quickened. His whole body ached as it endured slaps, kicks, and punches.

Don't think about it…

Kitster had told him that after a particularly harsh beating, so Anakin didn't. He thought about how he'd fly away from Tatooine, become a Jedi, a big strong Jedi, and he'd come back and free all the slaves, he'd be a hero…just like his mother said he would be. And then he would travel the galaxy and be the first person to see every star system, every planet…he'd be a legend…away from Watto and the beatings, and most importantly…he'd be free.

It wasn't long before Watto picked him up and threw him onto the horrible hot sand.

"Be here before the suns rise tomorrow, or you'll regret it!" The door slammed. Anakin groaned, before a pair of hands pulled him to his feet. It was Kitster.

"Hey, Kits," Anakin murmured, leaning against his best friend.

"Hey Ani, boy, did you get it bad tonight. Here, let's get you home, your mothers worried."

"Is she ever not?" Anakin groaned; his mother was worried if he was a minute late.

"She has a reason to be, Ani. You know that." Anakin said nothing but let Kitster half carry, half drag him home. Anakin was vaguely aware of being heaved through the door into his mother's comfortable arms, and being placed on the hard mattress of his bed. He could feel Kitster holding his hand and his mother uttering soft reassurances as she dressed his bruised ribs. The pain was nothing new.

When he was bandaged, his mother sent Kitster to the kitchen to get something to eat. He would be staying the night, so she could explain to his mother why he hadn't come home, and maybe he could be spared her temper. Anakin had always felt bad for Kitster, he had never had a kind mother, rather, one that cared more for her well being than his. It was her loss; she had a wonderful son. But it was alright, Kitster had found a second mother in Shmi, and a brother in Anakin.

Anakin opened his eyes when he felt his mother's hand on his forehead.

"What happened, Ani? Was it one of his usual fits, or did you do something wrong?"

Anakin gulped. He had to confess. He couldn't lie to his mother.

"D-do you know about that rich lady Watto was going to help so his store would expand?" He asked, grasping his mother's hand tightly.

"Kari? What about her?"

"She came by tonight, and Watto was out so I tried to be a good host and everything. She didn't tell me much about herself, but was interested in me-and asked how Watto treated me-and I said he treated me just fine-but she asked me how Mom, and she wouldn't stop asking for details until I just-I just slipped!"

His mother sighed as she stroked his hair.

"You can't be blamed for that, Ani, you know Kit and I would tell someone, but with the Hutts in power, and Watto being our lifeline…we can't. What happened after you slipped?"

"She called me a weakling, Mom! She insulted you, too, saying you couldn't raise me right, so I told her she was a stuck-up bitch, and she overreacted. She blew the deal."

"Ani! I am trying to raise you right, my son, but if you retaliate so violently each time we are insulted, I'm afraid I'm not doing a good job." His mother said sternly.

"You are, Mother-I'm just stubborn." Anakin smiled and his mother relaxed. "I won't do it again."

"Please don't." She said, stroking his hair while glancing off into the stars outside the window. They were silent.

"When will this end, Mother?" Anakin whispered. It was a question that he had asked every time, after every beating, and his mother had always told him that it would end soon. But today his mother seemed different, wearier, and she didn't brush away the question as she always did.

"When time wills it, my son. Anakin, when you want something bad, the world will do everything to stop you. Every individual struggles against injustice, a struggle that every individual will win. So, you will surely win your struggle, my little Ani."

"I know that, Mother. I know. But what if you want something good, like becoming a Jedi?"

"If your desire is pure, and are willing to do anything to obtain it, then the world-no-the galaxy will struggle with you to achieve your goal."

Anakin smiled, and closed his eyes.

"How do you know?" Anakin could feel his mother smile as she caressed his cheek.

"I know better than anyone, my son. I know because that's how I got you."