In honor of Valentine's Day being tomorrow (it's the 13th as I write this), I figured why not update this and give you guys some good ole Obitine content. :)

I hope you guys like it!

I'll put the same disclaimer I did last time; I am not an expert at all things Star Wars. I'm sorry if I make any mistakes but I'm still learning. Just bear with me. I did so some research to make sure I had the basic timeline right before I got too far into this story though.

One last thing; Would y'all be mad if I started writing in 1st person from Astoria's point of view? I just realized that doing 3rd person will get a bit difficult.

Also, um...does anyone have scene suggestions for the ten year gap between this and Attack of the Clones? Cus, looking at the timeline of everything, that's how long it takes to get from this point we're at currently (not long after Phantom Menace) to Attack of the Clones.

Anyway, I'm gonna let you guys read the story now and hope you all enjoy!

God Bless and Happy Valentine's Day!

~The Lupine Sojourner

"Can you believe it?" Satine murmurs, settling her few bags down in the room she'd been loaned. It was rather small and spartan, but Satine had known far harsher living environments and couldn't complain.

Obi-Wan smiles. "Indeed. The Counsel are rarely so conceding."

"They even allowed me all day tomorrow to make absolutely certain Astoria will adjust well to life here."

"Yes, though they more than likely expect the generosity returned, should we have need of it." Obi-Wan points out sagely. Satine nods.

"Oh, I'm well aware. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Perhaps, dear, you could request to be given assignments to Mandalore? Since you're the most...experienced in Mandalorian affairs?" Obi-Wan smirks, rising to her challenge.

"Darling, is this your way of saying you want me home more often?"

"More often implies you're at home sometimes." Satine snips, crossing her arms and looking away petulantly, though she wasn't truly angry with him. The mood shifts regardless and Obi-Wan gently spins her to look at him.

"Satine...you know I would never stay away intentionally."

"I know, Obi-Wan, but..." Now that Satine had said those words aloud, she realized she did mean them, angry or not, "surely you could manage a few visits? Astoria gets to see you so rarely...she misses you."

"I miss her more." Obi-Wan replies softly, easing Satine's hair from her face. "And you, as well. I meant to leave, you know. But…" The unspoken words ring in the air as if they'd been verbalized.

Obi-Wan would never abandon Anakin, and Satine would never ask him to.

"I know, Obi-Wan." Satine rubs his arm comfortingly. "I know."

The pair are content to simply hold each other then, the door shut against any surprise visitors.

=#=#=#=#=

Astoria was nervous, fiddling with the sleeves of her Jedi robes.

She liked her new clothes, plain though they were. They were fairly soft and comfortable, if a little thick for the warmth in the Temple.

The reason she was nervous was that she was waiting outside a chamber Uncle Obi told her his superiors were in.

When she asked what 'superiors' were, Obi-Wan had explained that they were the ones that told him where to go and what to do.

And Astoria was going to meet them!

"Don't worry." Came a voice behind her, and Astoria turns to see a young boy, not much older than her, standing there smiling. "The Counsel don't do much. They just ask a lot of questions and sit there."

Astoria feels a little better, returning the boy's smile as she extends a hand in greeting. "Thanks. My name's Astoria Kryze." She introduces.

The boy shakes her hand. "Anakin Skywalker." Astoria decided she liked this boy, though he was older than her.

From around the corner came Obi-Wan, having finished whatever had called him away. He smiles in greeting at the two. "I see you two have met. Good."

Astoria grins. "Yeah!"

Obi-Wan crouches before his daughter, absently straightening her robes. He felt a mixture of pride and sadness that his child was already wearing the Jedi robes, hardly remembering that she was older than most Younglings when they were brought to the Temple. "Now, Astoria, just be polite and everything will go smoothly, alright? No need to be nervous."

Astoria feels her stomach swirl a little as her nerves started to come back, but felt them leave again when her uncle squeezed her hand and stood up, smiling at her.

Without another word, Obi-Wan hit the button to tell the Counsel they were waiting, and soon enough a deep voice inside told them to enter.

=#=#=#=#=

"Should I be concerned our daughter has such a penchant for fighting?" Satine asks coyly.

The settling of Astoria in the Temple was going rather smoothly. She took to it like a duck to water, though Satine suspected her departure for Mandalore the next morning would spell trouble.

Obi-Wan chuckles, distracting Satine from her thoughts. "Darling, she is Mandalorian."

"Half Mandalorian." Satine corrects, playfully smacking her husband's shoulder.

"True, true." Obi-Wan side-hugged his wife, watching with a large smile on his face, though the smile faltered when he saw that she seemed genuinely a little concerned. "It's alright, Satine." He assures her, "She's just begun her training. She won't have these violent tendencies for long."

Directly down the hall from them, Astoria was playing with Anakin. Their playing had quickly dissolved into wrestling and Astoria tended to use more aggressive strategies, Satine noticed.

The thing stalling the adults from intervening was the laughter ringing in the hall.

Anakin had not had it easy in life and Obi-Wan was rather hesitant to stop his Padawan's fun.

Obi-Wan recalled the meeting with the Counsel not two hours ago. Astoria had charmed the Jedi almost immediately and performed remarkably well on the small tests Mace Windu gave her.

Obi-Wan had even had the fortune of putting the braid in Astoria's hair himself, missing Fisto's smirk entirely as he worked.

No one else had said a word when Mace Windu asked who would braid the new Younglings hair, so Obi-Wan came forward, motioning his daughter to him and beginning the braid, instructing her to remain still.

"I am almost sad, seeing the braid in Astoria's hair." Satine muses, sighing. She had smiled and encouraged Astoria when the girl proudly displayed it for her mother, but Satine's heart clenched knowing what that braid meant.

"And yet it means hope." Obi-Wan reassured Satine, rubbing his wife's shoulder comfortingly, "She won't be far out of either of our reach here, darling."

Satine nods. "Of that, I am certain. But...I won't get to see her grow up."

A teasing smirk reaches Obi-Wan's face and he chuckles. "Now you know what I went through."

Satine whirls to glare at him, drawing away from her husband's side. "Oh, really, Ben! The nerve!" He knew then that, though her tone and body language conveyed annoyance and perhaps a bit of anger, she was teasing on the inside. She only called him Ben when she was teasing him.

"I have plenty of nerve, my dear." He counters, daring her to continue their game as he grabs her hips to draw her back in.

Instead of replying, she kisses him boldly on the lips. It's only through the Force that Obi-Wan had enough warning to withdraw reluctantly from Satine and call for Anakin before Plo Koon rounded the corner.

As a result, the approaching Jedi saw nothing but the children halting their wrestling match and the adults taking the children's hands. If it weren't wearing the rebreather, everyone would see his smile as he watches Astoria take her mother's hand.

So this was the new Youngling. He'd been en route to Coruscant when she'd been given her braid, watching her through a hologram as Obi-Wan volunteered to braid the girl's hair. It was one thing seeing her in a hologram, it was quite another thing seeing her physically.

"Pardon the intrusion." Plo Koon calls. "I was on my way to the library." Astoria loved libraries and runs over, still riding the adrenaline of nearly winning her match against Anakin.

"Library?" She asks eagerly, bouncing in front of the Kel-Dorian, who takes her youthful giddiness in stride. "Can I come with you?"

"Yes, little one." Astoria squeals in delight and before Satine can scold her, Plo Koon takes her hand and guides the excited child down the hall.

Anakin goes to catch up to his new friend, not for the destination, but because he liked her company already and didn't want to say goodbye yet.

Obi-Wan and Satine follow in the rear, their hearts singing with joy that already their child was making friends.

=#=#=#=#=

Jocasta Nu was pleasantly surprised when Astoria walked up to her, now calm after a few words from Satine about behaving herself, and asked to see some maps of the galaxy.

"Well, dear, we have many maps. Are you looking for anything special?" Jocasta was slightly confused as there were no adults with the child, though she could hear people within the library. Luckily, Satine then came around a bend, spotted her wayward daughter, and approached the librarian apologetically.

"There you are, Astoria." She takes her daughter's hand. "Apologies, madam. She's still young."

"No need, Duchess." Jocasta assures Satine patiently. "It's not everyday a Youngling comes in and asks to see maps."

Satine smiles. "Yes, she is rather curious to see the galaxy. She's never left Mandalore before."

Jocasta offers her hand to Astoria and after once more telling Astoria to behave herself, Satine allowed the kind librarian to lead her daughter away, staying where she was.

Satine was trying to ease Astoria into not needing to be around Satine as much as she could. After seeing Astoria engrossed in picking out a map, Satine slipped out of the library to pack her things. Come tomorrow morning, Satine would no longer be allowed in the Temple.

Plo Koon, for his part, was watching Astoria with piqued curiosity. There was something about that girl...but he couldn't quite place what it was.

He supposed he had plenty of time to figure it out and began the task that had led him to the library in the first place.

Obi-Wan helped Jocasta educate Astoria on the various planets the girl asked about and spent a pleasant half an hour this way before Anakin, bored of watching them, wandered off.

Obi-Wan then had to excuse himself. He had to be Anakin's Master, not Astoria's father, though he yearned to stay where he was.

Anakin was looking at records of various lightsabers. He still called them 'laser swords' and Obi-Wan had yet to fully iron out that habit.

The group spent a pleasant afternoon in the library while Satine, heart growing a little heavier with every item packed, was alone in her room.

She knew full well now that Astoria would be very happy here, would grow into a Jedi that would make her and Obi-Wan prouder than they already were, if that were possible.

And yet she would miss her daughter terribly. She knew there would be visits and calls as often as could be helped, but it wasn't the same as having Astoria in the palace with her.

It never would be.

Obi-Wan found her nearly packed after escorting the Younglings to the evening meal. He'd slipped out with two portions, one for him and one for his wife.

He knew this was hard on her and regretted that he had to put his duties before his family. "Take a break." He calls as he enters. "I brought food." Satine turns and walks over, heart lightening a little at seeing him.

"Thank you, Master Jedi." She says, glance teasing as she took her plate.

They sat on her bed and all was quiet for a few minutes. "Satine, I wish I could say it gets easier, missing her day in and day out, but I'd be lying." He murmurs, knowing full well the source of the weight on her shoulders.

"How do you cope?" She asks miserably.

"You learn to treasure the moments you see them, hologram or in person, and memorize the little things, the tidbits that make the person who they are." Obi-Wan says softly, wrapping an arm around Satine as she leans her head on his shoulder. "You memorize their voice and let the memories surface when you feel the loneliest."

"Seems a rather dull way of life."

"We've known worse."

"That we have, darling." Satine finds a small strength in that revelation. Yes, she had survived worse than separation from her daughter. "It'll be a hard conversation, explaining all this to her." Satine sighs, leaning on her husband for support in more ways than one, her head against his shoulder.

Obi-Wan nods, leaning his head against Satine's. "Yes. Do you want me there?"

Satine nods her head. "That might be wise. You are her father and a Jedi. You can explain the things I can not." Her tone was sad, resigned. The matter of leaving Astoria and having to explain to her why Satine was leaving still weighed incredibly heavy on his mind.

"Satine, it'll be alright. You'll see."

=#=#=#=#=

Astoria washes down her food with a few gulps of water, grimacing a little.

The food was satisfying to be sure, but it really didn't taste like much.

Anakin told her he wasn't overly fond of it, either, but it was better than what he had on Tattoine.

That prompted an eager discussion between the children about where they each were from.

That is, until Obi-Wan appeared and informed them it was time for evening meditation and bedtime. Anakin groans and heads off with the other Younglings they'd been eating with, but Obi-Wan grabs Astoria's shoulder and silently leads her to Satine's room. He'd talk to her about meditation later.

Astoria was wondering where her mom had gone, about to ask where she was when Obi-Wan came to guide her to Satine's room after her bland meal.

It doesn't take long to get to the room.

"Hi mommy!" Astoria cheers, missing the sadness in Satine's eyes as she hugs her mother.

"Hello, dear. Did you enjoy dinner?" Satine asks, settling Astoria beside her.

"No. It didn't taste like the food back home." Astoria replies, wrinkling her nose.

"Well, you have to get used to it." Satine says gently.

Astoria wasn't paying much attention; she was more concerned with why her mom's bags were packed. "Are we going home already?" She asks. "We just got here!"

"Darling…" Satine winces, drawing Astoria into her lap. "You have to stay here. I have to go back to Mandalore."

Astoria's eyes go wide, head tilted in confusion. "But...but Momma, I thought…"

"You remember your mother telling you about my job?" Obi-Wan chimes in, feeling his heart ache at the troubled look on his daughter's face and the sadness in his wife's eyes.

"Yeah, but...Uncle Obi...that's your job." Astoria points out, not understanding why she was staying when her mother was returning to Mandalore., too

"And you will be helping me." He says.

Astoria frowns. "Really?"

"Yes, in a way. You will stay here, learning what the Masters teach you, and in time you will help me with my job."

"But why can't Mommy stay, too?" Astoria asks, lip trembling a little as the weight of what was happening was beginning to occur to her.

"Because, sweetheart, I don't work here." Satine explains simply. "It was through the kindness of the Counsel that I was allowed to come with you in the first place. But they can't let me stay. This place...is special."

"I'll miss you." Astoria whimpers, going to hug her mother tightly. "I don't want you to go!"

"Oh, Astoria, I'll miss you greatly, as well. But don't lose heart; you can call me sometimes when you're allowed. And maybe you can even visit me once in a while."

"Really?" Astoria asks, hardly daring to believe it.

"Yes, Astoria. Now...I have a lesson for you before bedtime, alright?" Obi-Wan interjects, reluctantly cutting the moment short. Satine was well aware she was on limited time with Astoria, but smiles at her daughter encouragingly.

Astoria slowly gets off the bed. She then turns back around. "Are you leaving now?"

"No. I'm leaving first thing tomorrow." That comforts Astoria and she hugs her mom again, kissing her cheek before leaving with Obi-Wan. The two are quiet as they walk toward her new bedroom.

It wasn't far from Anakin's, which would make it easier for Obi-Wan to check up on her when he could.

"What's the lesson?" Astoria asks once they're in her room.

"Sit." Obi-Wan says simply and crosses his legs. Astoria grunts and struggles to get her legs crossed. Obi-Wan chuckles and leans over, helping her get into position.

"This hurts, Uncle Obi." She grumbles.

"You'll get used to it. Now, I want you to take deep breaths and close your eyes. Think of something that makes you feel at ease."

Astoria tilts her head. "What does that mean?"

Obi-Wan reaches out with the Force, sensing her connection easily. It was turbulent and unruly, like most Younglings. She'd have much work to do calming this flurry of thoughts and emotions.

He helps her begin that process slowly, easing his way through the storm to the center. There, he calms the pulsing ball of energy he finds, very very slowly. If he dimmed the ball too much, he'd risk harming Astoria.

"Like this, young one." Obi-Wan says, eyes still closed. Astoria sighs contentedly, a sudden exhaustion causing her to yawn.

"I...I think I like this, Uncle Obi."

"Good, remember how this feels, and try to quiet your mind even further." Obi-Wan instructs, withdrawing his presence in his daughter's mind.

"I don't know how." Astoria replies, coming back to her senses a bit and feeling embarrassed she didn't know.

"It's alright, young one. Just breathe and relax. Don't let your mind wander. Imagine putting it to bed."

"..." There are several moments of quiet before Astoria groans, and Obi-Wan feels the progress he'd made vanish as she comes out of her attempted meditation. "It's not working."

"Patience." He replies softly, his mind calming as he talks. "It doesn't come without practice. Try again."

Astoria does, with the same result, but Obi-Wan had felt a subtle change. It was clear she was trying, but she was still overthinking things.

He smiles at her and decides that was enough practice for tonight. "Alright, Astoria. Let's go to bed."

"But I didn't do what you wanted." Astoria protests as he helps her stand.

"That's alright. You just started learning. No one learns meditation right away. I struggled with it, too, but with time and patience, I was able to master it. One day, you will master it, as well." Astoria nods, going to brush her teeth.

"Can I say goodbye to Mom tomorrow?" She asks once she's getting under the thin cover on her bed.

"Yes. I'll wake you so you can say goodbye, but then it'll be breakfast time and we'll have to go eat." Obi-wan explains.

Astoria nods, yawning. "Thanks, Uncle Obi." She murmurs sleepily. Obi-Wan has to fight the urge to kiss her forehead. He knew better than to confuse the girl by being overly affectionate just yet.

"Goodnight, Astoria." He whispers from the doorway, closing the door quietly and leaving.

=#=#=#=#=

"It was quite the honor, having you as our guest, Duchess." Kit Fisto says genuinely, walking beside Satine on her way to her ship.

"And I am most grateful for the opportunity." She replies, just as genuinely. "I don't think I would have left Astoria here if I couldn't see for myself what the Temple was like. When Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were my protectors, Obi-Wan would describe his training as intense and the conditions in the Temple as spartan at best."

"Perhaps he was exaggerating, or perhaps he assumed you were used to a life of luxury and thought the Temple would not suit you."

"Perhaps." Satine concedes, unsure herself what he had meant, but content with either explanation.

"If I may be frank, Duchess, I suggested your visit to let you see Obi-Wan again. I understand you two are...close."

Satine's heart skipped, but she remained calm outwardly. "Yes. A year on the run together tends to make people close." She muses.

"I'm certain." Is Fisto's careful reply. He knew for a fact she was hiding just how close She and Obi-Wan were, but he was not willing to upset her by revealing he knew of their marriage. "If it helps at all, I will do my part to look after Astoria. I may not control which Master will one day train her, but I assure you whoever it is will take very good care of your daughter."

"Thank you, Master Fisto." Satine replies. She quite liked Kit Fisto. He was more approachable than other Jedi, more...relaxed and almost carefree.

By now, they were near her ship, and the pair turn when they hear running footsteps behind them.

"Astoria, wait!" That was Obi-Wan's voice, sounding far away, and soon enough, Astoria came into view, stumbling haphazardly around a corner and barreling toward her mother, eyes wide and desperate.

"Mom, don't leave yet!" She cries, pumping her legs as fast as she could and it's only through Kit Fisto kneeling and sticking an arm out that Astoria was prevented from knocking her mother clean over.

"You must learn restraint, young one. You would have hurt your mother running into her like that." He cautions, letting Astoria go so she could jump into her mother's waiting arms.

"Sorry, Master!" She squeaks with the good grace to look sheepish now that she had accomplished her goal.

She'd made it before her mother left. That was all that mattered to the girl. Obi-Wan walks over, panting. "She just took off after I woke her up. She was so worried she'd miss you leaving." He explains with no small amount of exasperation. Satine smiles.

"Thank you for escorting her, Master Kenobi." She replies, refusing to acknowledge Fisto's smile that seemed too knowing.

"Of course, Duchess." The two then remember that they weren't alone and walk to the ship, a respectful distance between them, Fisto trailing a bit behind, highly amused that they thought they were successfully hiding their feelings for each other.

Astoria didn't move her head from her mother's shoulder till they were at the landing ramp. It was so hard for Astoria to understand why she had to stay, but she had to say goodbye to her mother now. "I'll miss you, momma." She whimpers, sniffling and slowly leaving her mother's arms when Satine hugs her again, kissing her daughter's cheeks and forehead.

"Darling, you'll see me again before you know it." She insists, smiling sweetly at Astoria and gently lifting her chin so the child was looking at her. "Be strong, dear, and learn everything you can, alright?"

"Alright." Astoria replies thickly.

Reluctantly, Obi-Wan calls her from his position a few feet away. "Astoria, come on. Your mother has to leave." Astoria runs to her 'uncle', a few tears running down her cheeks. Out of sympathy, Obi-Wan crouches and lets Astoria hug him as he waves to Satine subtly.

The ship then closes with Satine on board and Astoria sobs as Obi-Wan stands, unable to carry her and continue the comforting hug with Fisto nearby.

"Astoria, remember what your mother said. You have to be strong. No more tears." Obi-Wan felt so proud when Astoria obeyed, wiping her eyes and squaring her shoulders.

"...Can I get some food?" She asks meekly. "I'm hungry."