Hi everyone! Sorry this took so long. I had to revise a few things and it took a little bit more time than I thought. Anyway, enjoy!
Ayame and Kamuro are mine. Everyone else belongs to their respective owners.
Anakin and Kamuro smiled as they watched their Masters reunite.
"You'd think that they hadn't seen each other in years," Kamuro said.
"When you love someone, a month can feel like years," Anakin said, absently. Kamuro knew he was thinking about his mother, whom Anakin hadn't seen in 10 years. Kamuro knew that Anakin had grown up a slave before he had met Master Qui-Gon and Senator Amidala, who was then Queen of Naboo. Kamuro looked back at his Master, as she and Obi-Wan shared a kiss.
"Mission success?" Ayame asked when she and Obi-Wan separated.
"For now," Obi-Wan replied. "There was still a bit of unrest when we left, but the talks were going well. We were just there to stop the fighting and keep the talk going."
"I'm just glad you're home," she said, and then looked at Anakin. "Both of you," she added. Anakin smiled at her. After leaving home and becoming Obi-Wan's Padawan, Ayame had become sort of a surrogate mother in his eyes. He knew his mother was still alive, but Ayame was able to be there for him in some difficult times while he grew into adulthood. She was as stern and as caring as his real mother, and Obi-Wan was the closest thing he had to a father. In truth, Ayame had started looking at Anakin as her son as well. Since she and Obi-Wan would probably never have children of their own, Ayame made less of an effort to suppress her motherly instincts when it came to instructing Anakin. They retired into the temple so that Anakin could submit their report on the boarder dispute. Kamuro went with him, so to give the Masters some much-needed private time, even more so since he knew that the private time was going to be short lived.
"How have things been since we left?" Obi-Wan asked as they walked towards their quarters.
"Relatively quiet, until this morning," Ayame replied.
"This morning?"
"There was an attack. Senator Amidala's ship was destroyed moments after she returned to Courescant," Ayame said.
"Is she alright?" Obi-Wan asked, alarmed.
"She's fine. Her double and some other security officers were killed. The Chancellor has asked that she be put under the protection of the Council. Master Windu has assigned you and Anakin to protect her until the assassin has been caught," Ayame replied, looking at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan's alarmed look became one of slight relief, and then disappointment.
"And I had an evening planned for us," he said quietly. "I suppose I can at least give you this." He reached into the pocket of his tunic and pulled out a small square box. Ayame accepted and opened it. Inside was a beautiful silver charm on a chain. The charm was their initials in Futhork, a traditional calligraphy used by the people of Naboo. The chain was the same silver, but it seemed a lot sturdier, seemingly able to hold up a lot more movement.
Practical, as always, Ayame thought with a smile. "Thank you, my love," she said quietly as he helped her put it on. Ayame reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box of her own. In it was a bracelet made from river stones she had picked up the last time she was on Alderaan. As she carefully placed it on his right wrist, he smiled at her.
"It's beautiful. Thank you," he said. The two shared a small smile and kiss.
"Happy Anniversary, Ben," Ayame said.
"Happy Anniversary, May," Obi-Wan replied. The two had started using nicknames for each other after their first year of marriage. It felt more intimate and comforting since they had such little time to spend with each other. Suddenly, their intimate moment was interrupted by the ring of Obi-Wan's holocom. They both sighed as Obi-Wan reached down, pulled it off of his belt, and activated it. It was Master Windu.
"Welcome back, Obi-Wan," he said. "I'm sorry to call you so soon after returning, but we have another assignment for you."
"Protecting the Senator, yes Master," Obi-Wan said. "Ayame has already appraised me of the situation." Windu was silent for a moment, and then smiled.
"Was I interrupting something?" he asked, a note of apology in his voice.
"Not at all, Master," Ayame said. Windu turned around and faced her.
"I truly am sorry to pull you to away, and especially on a day like this," he said, his voice now genuinely apologetic.
"Thank you, Master Windu, but we both know that our duty is to the Republic first. Besides, I can think of no one better to protect a friend like Senator Amidala. He and Anakin shall report to her apartment at once," Ayame said. Windu turned back to Obi-Wan, who nodded his consent.
"Very well then," Windu said. "Happy Anniversary, you two," he added after a moment. Obi-Wan and Ayame looked at each other and chuckled slightly.
"Thank you, Master," they said simultaneously before ending the call. The two of them looked at each other for a moment, and then Ayame sighed.
"I suppose you two had better get going," she said, brushing Obi-Wan's long hair from his face. Obi-Wan took her hand and held it against his cheek for a moment, closing his eyes, taking in her aura and relishing the feel of her skin on his. When he opened his eyes, her face was a picture of beauty. A gentle, caring smile was on her face and her hazel eyes sparkled.
"Be safe," she said softly. "Be well."
"I will," he promised, taking her other hand in his and holding them together. He gently kissed her on the forehead and, with a wrenching feeling in his heart, he turned and started walking away. As he did, Ayame's holocom went off. Ayame answered and was surprised to see Senator Amidala standing there.
"Senator Amidala! What a surprise!" Ayame exclaimed. Obi-Wan froze and turned around.
"Ayame," Padmé said, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry we didn't get to talk earlier."
"It's alright. You were otherwise occupied," Ayame replied.
"Yes, I suppose I was," Padmé said absently. "At any rate, I was wondering if you would like to come around later. We haven't seen each other in a while and I would like to talk with you again. Besides, I believe you and Obi-Wan have a reason to celebrate." Ayame smiled. Padmé was always the unconventional sort.
"My Lady, it would be an honor," Ayame said.
"I'll tell Captain Typho to expect you," the Senator said, and ended the call.
Ayame looked at Obi-Wan, who grinned.
"It would seem that the Force is on our side today," he commented. Ayame smiled, the first full blown smile she'd had all day. Putting her holocom away, she looked towards a large set of stairs to her left.
"You two can come out now," she called. A few seconds passed, and Kamuro and Anakin come out from behind a large marble pillar.
"How did you know we were there? I thought we did a good job masking ourselves," Anakin said. Ayame cocked an eyebrow at him.
"We're your Masters, boys. We always know when you're near," she said. "Now come on. Senator Amidala is waiting." As they walked back to the speeders, Ayame and Obi-Wan noticed a spring in Anakin's step. He was extremely excited to see her, and it showed. Ayame remembered how smitten he was with her when he was a boy. Ayame only hoped that it wouldn't affect how he performed as a Jedi. Not everyone can be as fortunate as we are, she thought, looking at Obi-Wan beside her. A look of worry was on his face as well as he watched his Padawan climb hurriedly into a speeder.
Only time will tell, I suppose. The four of them left together for Senator Amidala's apartment, not knowing what was ahead.
