Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.

"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond

AN: Thank you for the review:) Shmi's fate will be revealed in the next couple of chapters. Heads up I will not be posting Sunday, October 2nd. I will be out of town that day.

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Chapter Forty-Nine

As soon as a Youngling in the Temple could understand the words sit and still, they began training in meditation. It was core part of the the Jedi belief system and required daily training, multiple sessions everyday.

Meditation could soothe a turbulent soul, allow a Jedi to refocus their mind and soul. It was a time to center, to connect with the Force and universe on a deeper level than when aware and involved in world around them.

A powerful Jedi Master could, in meditation feel shifts and changes within the ebb and flow of the Force. A powerful emotion, a decision either good or bad could send ripples or even waves. Ripples and waves that would crash into a Master's meditation.

Yoda enjoyed his meditations. His chamber high in one of the towers provided him with a sweeping view of Courscant and the walls blocked out most sounds. Here he could meditate undisturbed except for those he invited to join him.

The Grand Master sank deeper and deeper into the Force. He opened up every pore of his being to the power that few could harness and fewer understood. It was older, surely as old as time and space. It healed, it destroyed. It brought peace, it brought war.

Pain...Sharp heartbreaking pain. It tore through the Force like a saber leaving behind a gash bleeding anger and sadness.

Yoda winced, but refused to leave his meditation even as he heard the door to the chamber slide open and shut. He recognized the presence that joined his. The strong, steady pulse that belonged to Mace Windu.

He focused, feeling concerned brown eyes on him. He traced the feelings of sadness, rage and his heart broke. It was his great-grandchildren, the twins. Analise's sadness tore at his heart and soul, his eyes watering. Anakin's rage rushed through him like a hot fire accompanied by male screams of pain as they died painful deaths upon a saber blade.

Then it vanished. A light, pure and cleansing overtook the rage and sadness washing it away. Nothing remained and sighing Yoda opened his eyes.

"Is something wrong?"

"Suffering felt I. Pain and sadness ripping through the Force, rage. Felt the twins' hearts breaking and souls weeping I did. Then washed away by light the feelings were. Feel nothing from the twins now I do."

"What can it mean Master? What could have caused the twins' such distress?"

"Hmmm...not sure I am, but sign this is. More power than we thought the twins are. Day will come soon when that power we will need."

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Obi-Wan thanked the Force that he had not been caught in his haste to get out of the cold and dark droid factory. He could still hear the machinery as it hammered out battle droid after battle droid mixed in with gleeful chatter of holding the Republic hostage and the defeat of the Jedi. He wanted nothing more than to get into his fighter with Arfour and set a course for first Naboo to see Analise and then to Coruscant to reveal all he had heard.

That is what he wanted to do and it was what he could not do. He had his orders and as much as Obi-Wan felt them pulling at his neck like a chain, he knew he had to follow them.

Even though he had felt Analise's heartbreaking, had sensed a rage exploding out from Anakin. He could help his love or brother as much as his heart was screaming for him to. The Force was gently holding him in place. Saying this was a time to follow orders, not break them.

"Hello Arfour." A flurry of beeps, whistles, and chirps were doled out to him with a scolding nature as he climber into the Fighter's cockpit. "You can stop being such a fusspot Arfour, I'm fine. Can we send a signal to the Temple?" A flat beep for no. "Hmm...Let's try Anakin."

He punched the communication buttons. Naboo was in range, but just. "Anakin? Anakin this is Obi-Wan. Do you copy?" No answer, just silence. Frowning the Knight did a quick search for his Padawan's com signal and turned out empty. "He's not responding...I hope nothing has happened to him. Arfour, widen the search." A shrill whistle and Arfour was running through the nearby planets searching for the wayward Padawan's signal.

A dusty planet. Yellow, brown, and tan. Not a single trace of blue or green. Obi-Wan remembered Tatooine well and frowned. "What in blazes is he doing on Tatooine? I told him to stay on Naboo!" If Anakin was on Tatooine, Obi-Wan was sure Analise and Padme were too. Analise would go anywhere with Anakin and Padme...

Well Typho had told Obi-Wan that Padme was just as likely, if not more likely to cause trouble than Anakin. 'If ever there were two beings made for each other besides Moonbeam and myself, it has to be Anakin and the Senator.'

With a sigh the Knight climber out of the cockpit. "There's no helping it Arfour. We'll send a message to Anakin that he can pass to the Council." Folding his arms within his cloak he waited for Arfour's chirp that meant he could begin his message.

Obi-Wan was unaware that high on the cliffs overhead he was being watched by soulless sensors.

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The suns were beginning to rise on Tatooine and Artoo was alone in the ship. The control panel was beeping as Obi-Wan's message came through. Artoo acted quickly and plugged himself in. If Anakin's Master was sending him a message, it had to be important.

Outside four figures walked out into the already hot suns. A speeder had raced through the night and dawning day to return to the farm.

Silence. Not a word spoken. Somber faces stared out as two figures slide from the speeder after it had halted. One of the figures carried a bundle in its arms.

Padme saw the twins, saw Shmi's body cradled in Anakin's arms. Her heart broke. How she wished Obi-Wan was with them. The Senator found herself praying to the Force that the young man she loved and the young woman she had come to think of as sister and best friend would have the strength to face whatever was to come.