Complicated Love

10.

Location: Coruscant

"Young Skywalker, what are you doing here?" asked Senator Palpatine.

Anakin stepped forward. He had been waiting outside the Senator building for some time. He had been thinking about long and hard about his future. He knew that no Jedi Master would take him on as an apprentice while the prophecy lingered over him. With Master Obi-Wan dead he had no hope of one day becoming a Jedi. He had no other choice but to move forward. He took the only option he could take.

"I wanted to speak with you, Senator."

Palpatine smiled. "Of course, my boy. Come, let us speak somewhere more private."

He then fell into step beside Anakin and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. He smirked. He knew that Skywalker was a valuable asset. He could not afford having the boy removed from the game just yet. After all, he was the Chosen One. The only one worthy of becoming his apprentice. However, the time was not yet ripe. There was still much to be done. Skywalker still needed time to mature. He will ensure Skywalker for fill his destiny.

Master Obi-Wan's death was only a minor inconvenience.

XXX

Location: Kaldo

Obi-Wan knew he was in trouble. He knew he had it bad. He thought like an animal he could be sated, but he was wrong. After being with her and experiencing the Force in such a carnal way he found he could not get enough. His mind kept gravitating back towards more pleasurable things. All he had to do was look at her and the bond would be right there. It was right there for the taking. All it took was for him to reach out and touch her hand. A simple thing. A simple touch of skin and her fire would be there.

He balled his hand into a fist. He watched as she went over the control systems on board the ship. They both knew it was time to head back. Anakin was waiting for him, but the swell of her curves and scent of her aroma was driving him mad. He chided himself. He was a Jedi Master. He had disciple. He was not some hormonal teen. He was an adult-an adult capable of adult activities-no!

Thrice narrowed her brow and looked towards his direction. She felt the conflict course within her knight but then realized the nature of his trouble and grinned. Obi-Wan looked away. He did not want her to see his inner struggle. He didn't realize she already knew.

"You can't hide your feelings with a bond, Sir Knight."

"I don't know what you are referring to Milady."

"Don't deny it. It's only natural."

"Not for a Jedi Master, it isn't."

"I've been meaning to ask you. Do you want to learn how to Force-mask? It may make it easier for you to hide your feelings if nobody can read you."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard and nodded his head. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Again, my dear, I know asking you to wait till Anakin's future is secure isn't fair to you but please be patient."

Thrice said, "You don't need to apologize. I know what it means to be responsible for a disciple."

He paused. He remembered that Shema was once Thrice's disciple. It sounded similar to the relationship between a master and an apprentice. He knew it must have been hard for Thrice to slay her own student. Especially, when Shema's love had been twisted and bent out of shape by the Dark Lord. Obi-Wan was worried. He knew Clan warriors and Jedi were not fundamentally different from one another. If the Sith could make a warrior fall then who was to say he could not do the same to a Jedi.

"Thrice, I'm sorry about what happened to Shema. I know you said she was your disciple."

The war-maiden's mood suddenly shifted. She said, "Yes, but those who belong to the Clan never die or stay dead for very long. She will be re-cloned and her memories will be re-implanted. Shema will have no memory of what happened to her at the Core."

Obi-Wan was startled. He knew Clan technology was advance but what she said was unthinkable. Suddenly, Thrice's words that once you belong to the Clan you belong to it forever meant more than just an oath. He realized she meant every word.

"Thrice, how old are you?"

"By your calendar, physically I am 25 years old. Collectively, I am nearly 600 years old. Give or take a decade. But without the Clan prolonging my life I'll naturally expire in my 200th year."

Obi-Wan was trying to understand what she was saying. She was nearly 600 years old. She was ancient compared to him. No one but Master Yoda was that old and he looked his age. Thrice was young and vibrant. She didn't look a day older than 25.

She then offered him her hand. "Come on, let me teach you to Force-mask."

He took her hand and realized she had masked herself. He was a little disappointed. He had grown found of feeling her presence. Her tempered fire was something he cherished. Though, if figured it was for the best. He could not afford to get distracted again.

"As you wish, Milady. Afterwards, we must hurry back to Courscant. I can't keep Anakin waiting."

XXX

Location: Jedi Temple

"What do you mean, he isn't here?" shouted Obi-Wan to Master Windu.

Master Windu watched as Obi-Wan went inside the apartment he shared with his Padawan, but he discovered it was vacant. The two masters were alone. Anakin was not there. The place had been cleaned out. It was like a gutted shell.

Master Windu approached him and said, "It's like I said. He isn't here. Skywalker had a grace period to grieve and a chance for a new master to step forward if they wished to take him on. He didn't wait. He said he got a job offer from Senator Palpatine to be part of his private security and took it. He packed up his things and left."

Obi-Wan could not believe his ears. He took his head and dashed into his old room. Master Windu walked deeper inside the apartment and saw Obi-Wan pull out a set of robes and began to change his clothes. He had walked into the Temple dressed in black battle gear.

Master Windu sighed and said, "Look, it was Skywalker's decision."

"No, I'm going after him. Where is the Senator now?"

"Senator Palpatine is not on Courscant. He's back on Naboo. Naboo is electing a new queen to succeed Queen Amidala."

Obi-Wan nodded his head. He had not crossed paths with Queen Amidala since the incident with the Trade Federation. It was 7 years ago and drawing close to the 8th. Her reign as queen was up. He rubbed his beard in thought. He buckled his belt and put on his long outer robe. He felt more like himself.

"Well, then I'll be sure to pay a visit to her highness when I arrive."

Master Windu blocked Obi-Wan's way with his arm across the doorway and frowned. "Wait, before you go I want you to leave her out of it."

Obi-Wan narrowed his brow and said, "I don't know what your talking about."

"I'm talking about your lady."

Master Windu frowned. He then picked up the black clothes on the bed. It was the same fabric the Clan woman was wearing.

"I know she saved you. There is no other explanation, but I sense she will be trouble. You don't owe her anything. Forget about her."

Obi-Wan smiled and said, "I appreciate the warning, Mace but I can take care of myself. And you know me, I never look for trouble. Trouble has a way of finding me."

XXX

Obi-Wan descended the Temple steps and towards the ships docking area of the city. It was located in the slums. It was the only place he knew where you could dock a ship without being asked a lot of questions. He pulled up his hood. It was a seedy place. It was full of thieves and low lives.

He tipped the dock watchman and entered the docking area towards his ship. He walked up the corridor and saw that Thrice was sharpening her black sword on a stone over her knee. She had taken off her tunic and only had a tank top on underneath. Her Force-mask was gone and he could feel her move the Force with ever sweep of her hand over the blade. He knew she could sense him as he approached her from behind.

"Anakin is not here. He's on Naboo."

"Then, we go to Naboo."

"No, Milady. I think perhaps it would be best if I go alone."

She stopped sharpening her sword and picked up her tunic and put it on. It hung open and revealed her chest. He caught himself looking and turned away. Thrice noticed his change in attitude and tilted her head in confusion.

"Why?"

"You've no business on Naboo. I only mean to go to Naboo to track down Ani."

"Yes, on my ship."

"I can get another ship."

She shook her head and replied, "Let's be clear, Sir Knight. I am not a tag along. I told Anakin I would save you and deliver you back to him in one piece and that is what I intend to do."

She then tucked her tunic closed and sheathed her sword and marched up the ramp. She paused at the stop and looked at him expectedly.

"Are you coming, Sir Knight?"

He gapped at her. He hadn't expected that. He thought perhaps he should follow Mace's advice and create some distance between him and his lady, but with her there was no dancing around the issue. He rather like her fortitude. She was a stubborn creature and he would not have her any other way.

"Yes, Milady."

XXX

Location: Naboo

Obi-Wan was not pleased. The security on Naboo was at an all time high. Since the new queen was soon to be elected there were guards in nearly every corridor. Servants everywhere you looked. It was impossible to get in unseen.

Meanwhile, Thrice admired the waterfalls and splendor of Naboo. This was a world more to her liking. Courscant was too populated and polluted and every other world she set foot on was too dry. But this world was water and trees. It was lovely.

"It's no use. I don't see how we can get in without being seen."

Thrice said, "Why do we need to go unseen?"

"Well, I have no objects to letting people know that I'm alive, but I don't want it to shock poor Ani. Also, without an official invitation I have no way of entering the Royal Capital. Only official guests are granted access."

Thrice smiled. She had an idea. She grabbed Obi-Wan by the arm and pulled him back towards her ship.

"Milady? Where are we going?"

"We are going back to the ship to change, Sir Knight. When you crash a party you have to look the part!"

XXX

TBC

XXX

Please read and review. Thank you.