See what happens when you guys bug me enough? Even in the midst of TONS of schoolwork and testing, I'll get stuff done for you. :D Thanks to Epic Duck for pushing me to write this. READ THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE BOTTOM AND REVIEW. NO REVIEWS MEANS NO UPDATES. :(

Anakin hurried through the streets of Mos Espa as quick as he could. Why did everyone have to be in his way? Today was the day he could fly the pod! This was going to be so wizard!

"Ah, Ani." Watto greeted. "On time for once. Well, finish painting the pod and then give it a little test. I'll be back in an hour. Have some business deals to settle, if you know what I mean. No flying the pod until I return."

"Yes, Watto." Anakin quickly, but skillfully painted the pod a bright red, then cleaned some of the racks that Watto had left out. When the Toydarian returned, Anakin was already buzzing with excitement.

"Alright, boy. Into the pod with you."

Anakin hoped that his was not a dream and then hopped into the pod-racer. It looked like a dream! Anakin quickly started it up. It took a couple of tries, but soon enough, it was running. He began flying it all around the yard.

After Watto saw how good the boy was with the racer, he got deep into thought. 'How could he let all of this money- I mean experience go to waste?'

When Anakin finally stopped, Watto had already made his decision.

"Wow! That was so cool!" Ani said as he got out of the pod and lifted the helmet off his head. "Can I do it again?"

"How would you like to do it in the actual races? The Clawdad race is in a week. I'll sign you up."

'Wow, I get to race in the Clawdad! This is a dream come true!'

"You can go home early today." Watto snapped as he disappeared into the shop to make some arrangements.

Anakin ran home as fast as his legs would let him.

"Mom! Mom!"

"Inside voices, Ani. I'm in the kitchen."

Anakin ran into the kitchen. "Mom. Watto said he's going to let me race!"

"He What?" Shmi looked over at him.

"You said to use inside voices." Ani pointed out.

"Anakin don't even joke. Did you say that Watto's letting you race? How did this happen?"

"He let me test run a pod after I fixed it up. He asked if I wanted to race it, and I said yes."

Shmi looked like she wanted to kill someone. "Anakin, go to your room and don't come out unless I tell you to."

"But mom-"

"No buts. Room now. We'll talk about this later."

Ani sulked into his small room. He threw himself onto the bed. 'What if she doesn't let me race?' He began to cry into his pillows and heard the lock on his door click. 'I must be in more trouble than I thought.'

-oOo-

"How in the Hell could you let him race? He's only eight!" Shmi yelled at Watto as he flew around the small shop. Shmi was flailing her arms out, trying to make her point clear.

"He's my property. I decide what I can do with him." Watto bluntly told her. "And as you are also my property, I suggest that you back down before I sell the boy."

"You sell him, and I'll kill myself. You wouldn't have anybody to do your work for you then." Shmi now calmly stated, but her eyes were fierce.

"I could just buy more." Watto said.

"A junk dealer of your reputation, not to mention funds, could never afford to buy another slave. You'd have to rely on gambling. And with your luck, you'll never win."

"I suggest being quiet. The boy will race and that is final." Watto flew into the back room. Shmi hanged her head. It was hopeless to fight it now.

-oOo-

Shmi slowly opened Anakin's bedroom door. She saw her little angel cuddled into his covers, still crying.

"Baby, are you okay? I'm sorry that I yelled at you. I was just mad at Watto." She came over and sat down next to him on the bed, smoothing his hair and wiping the tears from his eyes.

Ani looked up at her. "So, I'm not in trouble?" His voice was shaky as he asked the question.

"No, honey, you're not in trouble. I just don't want you racing. You could be hurt. But, I guess you must." She looked saddened by the last statement. "Do you want to come help me make some dinner?"

The boy nodded. Shmi strained, but eventually picked him up. "You are getting a bit too heavy for me to carry, Ani." She teased. He just cuddled his face into her robes. She took him into the kitchen and made their meal. She sat him down on one of the chairs and they ate their small meal in silence. Then they both went to bed, equally exhausted. After a few moments of serenity, sleep took then away.

-oOo-

"Come on, Ani! Keep up!" Kitster yelled back as the two ran through the busy Mos Espa marketplace.

"Hold on! Wait up!" Ani yelled as they turned the corner. They had just finished their duties and had the rest of the day to themselves.

"You got to hurry up!" Kitster impatiently stayed where he was for his friend to catch up.

"I bet I could easily beat you in a race!" Ani smiled as he ran up.

Kitster looked at his best friend. "You can barely keep up as it is. How are you going to race me?"

Anakin's smile turned devilish as he said the next words. "Then you have no worries of me winning."

Kitster pondered on this for a second, then took off running. "You're on!"

Soon, all Kitster could see was Anakin's sandy blonde head running in front of him. Out-of-breath, they stopped in front of the Cantina.

"I win!" He started doing a small victory dance before he ran inside. "Wow…" Both boys snuck around the Cantina with awe.

"Yeah, whoa." Kitster agreed. The two looked at the exotic dancers, the small fights with the pirates, and the many different colored drinks at the bar.

Ani started walking forward, in the direction of the band when he bumped into one of the younger men. He winced, waiting for the blow to the face, but it didn't come. He raised his bright blue eyes up at him.

The man was in his mid-30s. He just smiled at Anakin. "No harm, no foul, Kiddo."

"What?" Anakin was officially confused.

"I'm not hurt, and you're not hurt. Why add pain where there is none?" By this time, Kitster had caught up to his friend and was watching the scene.

The man saw the timid nature in both of the boys. "Here," He laid a couple of credits on the bar. "Two rubies for my friends here." He smiled warmly. At them and handed each child the non-alcoholic drink.

The drinks arrived soon after. Ani drank some of his before remembering his manners. "Thank you." He smiled his most charming smile at the man.

"You're very welcome, littun." The man smiled back at him.

Then Anakin realized what the man was wearing. The clothing may have been faded and beat up, but the patches still remained intact. The man was a pilot.

"You're-" Ani pointed at the patches.

"What? Oh, yes. This old thing." He chuckled a bit and smiled at the children. "I'm a deep space pilot. Well, I should say that I was one. Retired now."

Ani looked at him with admiration in his eyes. "I'm going to be a pilot once I grow up. Then, I'm going to take mom and Kitster off this dust ball."

He smiled at him. "I'm sure you will"

Ani finished his drink and looked up at the man. "Do you have any stories?"

"Stories?" The man put his hand on his newly shaven chin. "Hmmm… Well there was the time I accidently crashed on The Moons of Iego…"

"Where's that?"

"Well the Moons of Iego is where the angels are. They're the most beautiful creatures in the entire galaxy. They say that if you see one, you fall in love."

"Wow!" Ani and Kitster said together.

"Now you two should hurry back home." He got up. "I need sleep myself."

Anakin realized just how late it was. "Kitster! We said we would be back at seven. It's eight!"

Panicking, they thanked the pilot again, and rushed back for their homes.

Ani quickly opened the door to the shared living quarters. "Mom! I'm home!" He threw his small bag on the floor.

"Ani?" Shmi came running from the other rooms. "Oh, Anakin!" She hugged him tight. "You scared me. Where were you?" The smell of alcohol was present on the boy, but faint. "Anakin Skywalker, you have a lot of explaining to do."

Important Notice: I have no idea how to punish Anakin. I will not continue until I get several different ideas… I am completely clueless on how to do it. HELP!