He was being followed. That's all Obi Wan could discern through the Force on this god-awful planet of Tatooine. How anyone could visit, or live, in such an unwelcoming and desolate place was beyond him; not mentioning the stifling heat and sickening smells that made him gag. He'd been wandering through Mos Espa for a good hour now and had gotten nowhere. There was sign of Anakin, and the last anyone had seen of him was five years ago when he had won something called a podrace.
Back to his problem of being followed.
He hadn't a clue who was following him, but knew well enough of this place to be wary of a future mugging. With the sun setting, he needed to find somewhere to stay since his ship wasn't designed for such things. His survival system was kicking in though, and he wasn't about to lead his pursuer right to his hotel room. Moving quicker, Obi Wan decided to find the nearest cantina and ask where the nearest boarding facility was.
The smell was awful, worse than that of Coruscant's cantinas. Yet Obi Wan had ambled his way up to the bartender and asked him for direction to the nearest boarding house. The bartender gave him a funny look, and told him there wasn't one anywhere on Tatooine, that most pilots lived in their own ships or stayed with one of Tatooine's many prostitutes.
"So basically I'm screwed," Obi Wan muttered, more to himself than to the bartender.
Wandering out of the cantina Obi Wan started making his way back to his ship. Again he was being followed. Taking a sharp turn down a darkened alley, Obi Wan hoped to lead his follower away from others so that he could confront him. Turning around, a hand resting on his lightsaber, Obi Wan went to face his follower, except he had stopped near the entrance of the alley, and was leaning against the building wall.
Whomever he or she was, they were cloaked in a dark Jedi-style robe and made no attempt to approach him... yet.
"Hello there," Obi Wan said with a polite smile, "can I help you?"
The figure didn't respond but only stared at Obi Wan, or what appeared to be staring.
"Please, if you require my aid I will help you," Obi Wan added, unsure of the figure's intention.
There was a slight pause before he felt a slight constriction about his throat. Shaking it off Obi Wan again went to ask the stranger if he needed help. Yet his voice didn't leave him and his ability to breathe was limited. Doing his best not to panic, Obi Wan nodded kindly and backed away from the dark figure before him. The tightness around his throat only got worse. Taking a few steps back towards the figure, Obi Wan found that he could breathe again. With that in mind, Obi Wan cautiously drew closer to the person in front of him. He stopped once he could breathe freely, and was at least three feet from his follower.
"May I help you," Obi Wan asked again, this time with uncertainty.
"Why do Jedi always assume," the figure, a young man judging by the voice, said, "that us lowlifes always need their help?"
"I was not assuming that you were anyone, a Jedi must aid all those in need," Obi Wan responded, his answer would've made the Council proud.
"Yes, of course, a Jedi must aid all those in need… if they are beneficial to them in some way," the young man laughed coolly, "why I almost wonder why you're here."
"I am looking for someone," Obi Wan answered, wondering what this man wanted.
"From what I hear you're looking for me," the young man laughed, though his voice held no joy, "why don't you come with me? I'm sure my abode will suit a master Jedi such as yourself."
"Anakin Skywalker? My you've certainly grown."
From under the hood of his cloak Anakin's eyes glimmered a slickly gold, "that name… it has no meaning to me."
"I see," Obi Wan replied, wondering if Padmé could've been right, "and what do you go by now?"
"We can discuss that later," Anakin said with a feral smile, one that went unnoticed by Obi Wan, "my home is a short while a way, and I suggest you come with me. The Sand People are hunting tonight."
Obi Wan was left with no choice and simply followed Anakin to a beat up speeder. Why did he have a feeling that Anakin was going to the death of him?
