Hello there!

7th chapter up! :) Apologies for it in advance. (yes, I'm not very convinced that this chapter is good enough, nothing new)

I have no idea when the next update appears. Please, enjoy and once again, sorry if it sucks.

Triggers:

Nothing has changed since the last time.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~ Chapter 7 ~~~

Anakin, still hidden in his arms, was crying silently but despite the sadness that seemed to be raining over the room, something did feel different. As if the sparkle of light ran across their strong bond.

The boy was on the edge, he was crying and wasn't even trying to hold back the tears that broke them both. However, Obi-Wan didn't mind it at all. They were going to recover. There was no other option. He will not let his apprentice down.

"Anakin." he whispered. The teenager looked up and faced him, his eyes still glassy. "I want to help you. You know that, right?"

A nod. He let out an inaudible sigh and tightened the embrace. He knew the request he was about to make would break his Padawan even more, but he had to take this risk. For him. For them both.

"You-- I want you to tell me about those... those men, Anakin. Please, tell me at least what they looked like. It's the only way to find and stop them." he felt how the teenager's body tensed. His breath quickened within two seconds.

Anakin glanced at him, eyes widened. His body started trembling. He couldn't help the rising panic.

'If you ever tell anyone, we'll find you and make ourselves sure you'll never say anything more.'

That was what they told him. The voice echoed in his head, making him cry more. He really didn't know them, no. But despite it, he was afraid. He didn't want to survive this one more time. He'd rather die. Not that it's any difference to him if he dies now or later.

He didn't care about life because his life was ruined. He was haunted by their ghosts every day.

Hungry, wrathful but also satisfied eyes. The scars. The voices. The pain. Everything he wanted to forget about.

"No, n-no... Master. No." he was mumbling, shaking his head in anxiety. "You can't... I can't... they will-- no!"

Obi-Wan felt the moment when his heart was torn apart, ripped off his chest. He saw the agony in his Padawan's eyes.

Why every time when he pieces everything together, it all must fall apart again?

He could read in the boy's eyes that he was too scared, he saw that memories returned.

The Force was unsteady. It was shrieking, just like Anakin's soul.

"Anakin. Anakin, please, calm down." he soothed. "I won't force you, alright? Just calm down and everything will be fine." he pulled him into another hug. He let go of the tears himself but quickly wiped them away. "You're safe."

He was frightened. Anakin's body was trembling so much and he couldn't help him like he would love to.

Felt helplessness when the person you love is falling down, is the worst thing one could experience, Obi-Wan knew it too well.

He had no idea if he should drop this subject or dig out something more. The decision wasn't the easiest one to make.

"Anakin, you're afraid of them, aren't you? Have they threatened you? Please, tell me, let me help you."

But Anakin has not responded. He has been staring at the wall, his gaze blank and fearful.

Obi-Wan was aware that he pushed too far. The last thing he wanted was to let his apprentice clam up again. Yet, he couldn't help it.

He was tired of the silence. Anything, he would love Anakin to say anything. He wanted to see his smile. But his memories of his Padawan's loud laughter and bright gaze, was only a distant illusion. He knew what should be done to make things good again. He knew.

Because those criminals should get what they deserved.

But even if they caught them, what would happen? They would probably get locked in prison, nothing more. And for what they'd done, the punishment should be much more serious. They deserve death.

Their blood should be shed, for everything, for breaking his Padawan's heart.

They should--

No. No.

'Calm down', his mind said. 'You're a Jedi, and a Jedi doesn't hate. A Jedi doesn't seek revenge.'

But... would it be really revenge? He just wanted justice. Justice for their crimes. Justice for hurting the only person he loved like a family. The person who was his family.

It was stronger than him, and he found it quite pathetic. Everything had started with his lecture about anger. Now, however, he himself was losing with it.

~~~o*o~~~

"He refuses to tell me anything about these... criminals." he was standing in the middle of the chamber, where every Jedi Master was looking at him.

He left Anakin alone after hiding every dangerous object that could be found in their quarters. Just in case if Anakin wanted to do something to himself. After all, he did break down. Because of him.

Force, why did he leave him alone? He should have taken him here. He would wait for him and be safe. He understood his decisions less and less. He had to ask himself why he couldn't act like the real Obi-Wan Kenobi - strong and reasonable Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Troubling, this is. Very troubling indeed." muttered Master Yoda, looking at the floor. His green face frowned in concentration.

"Does he still want to attend his classes?" asked Kit Fisto.

Obi-Wan couldn't say that he felt comfortable with talking about it when his Padawan was in such a bad state. He didn't at all. But it was the only way to get to those bastards that had hurt him. Only the Council could help him, for he himself wouldn't be strong enough to handle this.

He felt exhaustion of these past few weeks on his back. He was tired. Tired of everything. Of course, he couldn't say that he regretted taking care of Anakin, no. It was just... a lot to take in.

He was responsible for him, for his life and recovery. His every decision could make things better but also worse. It all felt like heavy stones which settled in his heart.

"I'm not sure. When I tried to speak to him, he clammed up. However, I don't think he wants that anymore." he let himself drop the subject of his Padawan's recent panic attack after his classes. "I think he was threatened, Masters."

Others nodded without any word of protest.

"Do you think he knew them?" asked Mace, his tone neutral, but Obi-Wan for once saw that he was regretful, too. It was a surprise, for sure.

"I have no idea, Master. However, I highly doubt it. I suppose he was just... a random toy to them." he almsot snarled, feeling his anger starting to burn deep inside. "I also believe Anakin wasn't their only victim."

"Yes. Doubt in it, there is not. Reacted as the first ones, we might have. Afraid of consequences, they started to be."

"They could have thought about them earlier." he whispered but no one heard him. He quickly returned to his calm state. He grunted. "They fear Anakin. They are scared that he would tell us anything which could lead us to them."

He knew that deep down, he was right. No matter what they could tell him, he did. When the Jedi are involved, it gets more serious. It becomes very urgent.

And that was good. The more searching is done, the closer he gets to the bottom of this. Yet, he still had nothing.

Besides, they must be aware of that as well as he or other Jedi. That's why they'd threatened him. That's why they had decided to poison his mind.

"Look for other way, we must." Yoda informed and he glanced at him. He understood the meaning of these words after a few moments.

What..?

The other way? There is no other way but to keep searching. One day, they will succeed.

"I beg your pardon, Masters but... we cannot give up on trying. What had happened to my Padawan may also happen to others if we stop." the Knight firmly protested, he couldn't let Anakin down. The boy relied on him. This case must be finished. It will.

"No one said anything about giving up, Obi-Wan." spoke Ki-Adi Mundi. "We've simply decided to slow down and take some time for reflections. The Force will show us the right path eventually."

Obi-Wan swallowed the frustration and remained silent for a longer time.

How can they say that? How can they leave Anakin, leave them, alone? What they'd done was wrong, everyone in this room knew this. Those men shouldn't be walking freely in the streets, hurting more people.

They should be brought to justice and judged by the strictest law that existed. There was no time to simply wait and see where it all goes.

"You can't do this, you can't. It isn't right. You mustn't just... sit here and hope for a better day! Anakin is one of us and he should get as much help as we can provide!"

He clenched his fists very tightly and didn't try to stop this rage which was slowly creating in his heart.

"You're pushing it, Obi-Wan." scolded him Mace and they all were now looking at his slightly red from anger face.

He didn't turn away from the black-skinned Jedi. He knew Mace as well as other Masters here was more experienced than him, but he didn't have a desire to adjust to their orders.

For the first time in forever, Obi-Wan Kenobi felt hot fury boiling in his veins. He felt it and it seemed to have fallen upon his mind, making everything unclear.

Yet, he was aware he couldn't show it that much. It would be the last thing he and Anakin needed.

"I'm sorry, Master Windu." he simply said, swallowing his every emotion. He forced a bow.

He could not control the intensity of the anger he started feeling, thoughts of his Padawan and the images he's still been remembering raged within him.

He was guilty of his suffering. He was the reason why it occurred. He should have heard him out and everything could have been different.

He should have chased after him. He should have stopped him somehow. It wouldn't have come to this.

~~~o*o~~~

He stood at the balcony of his dark apartment overlooking famous Jedi Temple. The blood-red sunset that enlightened it gave him shivers. It reminded him of the revenge. His revenge.

He grinned, showing his white teeth. His life has not been that exciting for a very long time. It was high time he changed it.

The task wasn't easy, but he had some experience. After all, he wouldn't be the first one to mess with that stupid Temple. The Jedi weren't that unpredictable as they thought.

It even wasn't about the prize, he has never done anything for money. They were useless. He had a lot of wealth, and although he found it helpful a few times, to get more has never been his priority.

For him, it was all about revenge. Revenge that shall crash his worst enemies. The Jedi, all of them, should pay. And the key to that, was Anakin Skywalker. He would love to see him broken, pleading for mercy. And Kenobi... that would be truly amazing to have him at his mercy, to leave him in fear.

He laughed hoarsely and hid inside his luxurious apartment. The lights were switched off, because he simply preferred darkness. Not that the good camouflage has been any issue here. No, he had no problems with it.

In the dark, though, people don't see anything, they don't know who is next to. They get scared. And when they are scared, they lose their minds.

He sat in the bedroom, preparing everything for the day of his returning. It will come soon. Sooner than they all expect.

His name will be known once again. This time, though, they will never forget about it.

~~~o*o~~~

"Anakin, are you here?" Obi-Wan called just as he walked into their shared quarters.

It was grim as always. Dull and quiet. The pain has been lingering here for so long that he couldn't even remember when was the last time he truly laughed. When he heard other sound than crying, actually.

"Anakin?" he repeated, quietly. Was he here? He didn't know.

However, he did know he would not forgive himself if something happened during his absence.

Since their talk, Anakin's state has improved, he had to admit. It wasn't as clear to others, for they had no idea what has been happening with the boy since that dark day, but for him, it was quite noticeable. He's been watching him every day, he's been watching his tries to overcome the trauma he'd endured.

He silently walked into his Padawan's room and looked around carefully. The door hissed behind him.

Then, he saw him. He was lying in the bed, face buried in pillows, body tightly wrapped in warm blankets.

"Padawan? Are you alright?" he asked, voice shaky. Anakin looked so... dead.

With a dreadful feeling in his guts, he approached him and sat on the boy's bed. Anakin did not stir, did not even give him a look. His eyes were closed but he wasn't asleep.

Obi-Wan gently touched the teenager's forehead to see if he didn't have a fever, he looked so pale and was shivering terribly.

Everything seemed to be normal. As normal as it was recently, of course.

"Can we talk?"

Anakin shifted, the mattress creaked under the weight of his too thin body. His glassy eyes looked at the Knight.

"What about?" he murmured weakly, from his voice Obi-Wan could tell he'd been crying.

"You tell me." he risked a slight smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Of course he knew what was wrong. Of course he didn't even think about pretending that nothing was happening here. But he cared. He cared even too much as for an experienced Jedi Knight.

"N-nothing."

"Anakin." he sighed and peered into his face. "Be honest with me. I'm here for you." his palm gently touched the boy's white cheek.

"I-I am honest, Master. There's-- It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

A slight nod responded, and a weak, quiet 'yes' followed.

"So can you look at me and say it once again?"

Exactly as he predicted, Anakin has not obeyed. He only closed his eyes and sniffed.

He wanted to let him know that he wasn't alone with it, that his Master will always be ready to help.

"Master, please... I don't want to... talk."

The young man blinked and inhaled. His shoulder has been better recently. That was good, maybe when he is able to come back to the lightsaber practice, he will cheer up.

"What do you want, then?" he tried to sound as gentle as he could. The moment of silence responded.

"... Forget." the whisper hid every kind of bad emotions he knew. Sadness, sorrow, grief and fear. Guilt and disappointment. Shame and helplessness.

"Oh, Anakin... Please talk to me. Please. Try to get it out. I want to hear your voice, nothing more." he wiped the youth's tears away.

Anakin opened his mouth but hesitated. He smiled to convince him, somehow. He was so close. As never before.

"I... I'm afraid..." the boy finally choked out.

"Of them?"

"... I just wanted to... to help her, Master..." he confessed what was bothering his heart and didn't even notice when he started sobbing.

Obi-Wan frowned. He brushed Anakin's braid off his face and looked at his tears in his blue like ocean eyes.

"Help whom?"

"The woman... they-- they wanted to hurt her. I rushed to... to help her." he let go of his sadness and cried now intensively.

"Is this how it happened?" he asked, determined to get the answer.

Anakin only nodded and lifted himself up. Blankets fell onto the floor. He, tearfully, looked at Obi-Wan and, to the Knight's surprise, swiftly buried his face in his arms. His thin body was shaking from too many emotions.

He embraced him, smiling at himself. Maybe he would be able to fix the past. It was incredibly good that Anakin has finally opened up more. These small steps they have taken, could be their great beginning.

"Don't be afraid, Anakin. You did well that you'd wanted to help that woman. That was very thoughtful of you." he soothed. Perhaps it wasn't the best way to make his Padawan feel better but... he couldn't think of anything else right now.

Anakin was hurt because he had wanted to help someone else, someone who would have taken his place if not for his courageous reaction...

The teenager hasn't responded, though. He chose silence. But it was a type of comforting silence.

When the evening came Obi-Wan made some tea and returned to Anakin's side as soon as he was able to. He gave him a cup of the warm liquid. Padawan quietly thanked him.

Then, they simply drank it without a word.

"Come with me, young one." he said with a light smile as soon as there was no tea left. The night had already fallen. Young Jedi looked at him. "Please." he added.

Anakin frowned in confusion at first but then, nodded silently. He stood up, realising it wasn't that hard to move anymore. He could finally look at the mirror without seeing himself covered in bruises and scratches. That, however, didn't make him better, no.

Because physical injuries have never been the reason why he couldn't sleep. The men, they have. They have been living inside his mind. He knew they would stay there forever. No matter how hard he tried to get rid of them.

He glanced at Obi-Wan who was walking in front of him. He was looking at the dark corridor they were crossing. He was calm, he led him outside the Temple.

"Where are we going?" he shyly asked, breaking the silence. Some weeks ago, he would have said that the quiet bothered him, he would have hated it. Now, however, he was used to that. He liked it.

"Nowhere." Obi-Wan answered and looked at him. "We're exactly where we should be."

He saw dark sky, the moon, and his Master who was standing right in front of him, smiled.

Last time he was outside, it was the worst day of his entire life.

He frowned and looked around silently. It was quite cold.

"What are we doing here?"

The Knight simply looked up, watching something in the sky.

"Can you see them, Anakin? Can you see the stars?" he asked quietly. Anakin glanced up at the black sky decorated with shining stars.

"Yes, Master." he muttered, settling beside the man.

"Did you know that when I was younger, I used to go outside and admire them together with Qui-Gon?"

"No, Master."

Obi-Wan slightly smiled and glanced at his young apprentice. The boy's eyes were shining in the moonlight.

"He found them really interesting."

Everything was so peaceful and quiet. That helped him relax.

"As a young Padawan, I didn't see anything unusual in them. For me they were rather boring." he said and let out a quiet chuckle. "It's amazing how our thinking can change with passed time."

"I suppose..." Anakin murmured quietly.

"Do you know what's the most amazing in them? They are beautiful. Every single one of them." Anakin turned his head towards him, he nodded as if he wanted to reassure him. "They're different from each other, and that makes them beautiful."

He gave Anakin a moment to reflect. The silence was soothing and no one was around. They were alone.

"And even when there comes time for a star and it dies, there's always the second one that is born anew."

The blonde boy lowered his gaze and wiped some sudden tears away. Obi-Wan smiled once again, still remembering the days when Anakin was full of life. He's missed them. He's missed him.

"Some of them burn out and are left forgotten." the teenager murmured quietly, avoiding his Master's gaze.

"That's true. But it depends on us if we want to remember them."

"Not everything depends on us, Master." Obi-Wan heard this weak whisper coming from Anakin's trembling mouth. He saw the trail of fresh tears on his pale cheeks. "Some things happen and we can't easily... forget about them."

"Yes, I know." he informed and approached, wrapping him by his arm. "Yet, the decision if we want to give in to them, does depend on us." he smiled as the apprentice glanced at him. "Come, my Padawan. It's cold." he said and, still holding him under his arm, led him inside.

T.B.C