Chapter 16 - Grasp of the Beast

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. We only own Aniya Skywalker and Jaufre (pronounced Jaw-Free) Naberrie. =)

Author's Note: I am not sorry for the horrible cliffhanger at the end. :)

~ Amina Gila

Qui-Gon Jinn

"The Council has made its decision," Master Windu announces. It's later in the afternoon now, and the sun will be setting soon. Masters Yoda and Windu called me aside to talk about the future of the twins. "The Skywalkers will not be trained."

"You won't let them be trained?" I repeat incredulously. I'll admit that I doubted they were going to change their minds, but after it was proven the Sith are still around, it would be stupid to leave such powerful children untrained. The possibility of the Sith getting ahold of them, especially now that they've already attracted so much attention, is far too obvious.

"They are far too attached to each other," Windu replies coldly. "They could never be proper Jedi."

"Much anger in them, there is," Yoda insists.

"Can you not sense that the boy is the Chosen One?" I demand indignantly. "With the Sith back, it would be dangerous to leave them untrained!"

"Discussed this before, we did," responds Yoda, "Clouded, their futures are."

"If you refuse to let them be trained, I will take them as my padawan learners," I inform them, decision made. "By fighting the Sith, Obi-Wan has proved he is ready to become a Knight."

"Consider knighting Obi-Wan, we will," agrees the grandmaster, "But train the Skywalker twins you will not."

"Regardless, you can't take two padawans," Windu retorts stubbornly. It's obvious that they're set on their decision. Regardless of what I have to say, they aren't going to change their minds. Why do they always have to be so difficult? They're too stuck on tradition, hardly worrying anymore about what the Force wants.

"It was the will of the Force that led me to them," I argue, my anger steadily rising. "Besides, they have nowhere else to go."

"Perhaps we could send them back to Tatooine," Master Windu suggests. Send that back to Tatooine? Who knows what could happen to them there! This is starting to get out of hand. How could he even think of something as stupid as that?

"We can't do that," I retort, "The Sith likely already know where they are. If not us, who is to protect them?"

"The Force," Windu states. "Otherwise, we could let them live untrained at the Temple. Or send them to the AgriCorps." Neither are happening. I'm not going to just abandon them like that. They already left everything behind to become Jedi.

"If you refuse to let me train them while in the Order, I will leave to do so," I decide finally. I'm certain Obi-Wan will become a knight anyway. I need to talk to him about all of this, to explain my reason for leaving. He likely might want to join us. Besides, there are some… matters we need to sort out.

"You cannot be serious, Qui-Gon," Windu protests.

"I have made my decision," I reply flatly. I'm going to follow what the Force wants me to do, regardless of what they have to say. "If you will not stand by the will of the Force, then I will."

"Regrettable, your decision is, but no other choice can we make," Yoda asserts. Really, he supposed to be the Grandmaster. Can't he see that this is the wrong decision?

"I renounce my title as Jedi Master. I am leaving the Order," I declare.

"Welcome to return, you will always be," Yoda murmurs.

I nod stiffly, turning and walking out of the room, intentionally refraining from bowing. They aren't worthy of the level of respect everyone always gives them. I realize it now. They've lost their way. Especially now that the Sith have returned, the Jedi will need to change their path. They won't allow any room for change, even with the changing times.

Obi-Wan is pacing back and forth a short distance outside the room. The twins are waiting next to a window, watching outside. They turn towards me when I walk up, looking almost hopeful. I take a deep breath, unwilling to meet those hopeful gazes. "Obi-Wan, I need to talk to you."

We move several paces away, far enough that we're no longer in earshot. "Master, what is it?" he asks, and I can sense his apprehension. He no doubt already knows what the Council has decided.

"Do you remember when you left the Order on Melida/Daan?" I ask, the question more rhetorical than anything else. I know he remembers that time well.

"Yes," he replies slowly, narrowing his eyes.

"I was… not pleased at the time," I admit, knowing that it's important for Obi-Wan to understand this, much as I dislike expressing my thoughts on the matter, "But I think it was important for you, because you have become an even greater Jedi as a result. Sometimes, to do the right thing, we must go against the Council in pursuit of what the Force wills."

"Master, please tell me you're not planning to train the twins regardless of the Council's desires," Obi-Wan all but pleads. "They'll never be accepted as Jedi if the Council hasn't sanctioned it."

I shake my head. "No," I say, obviously surprising him. "The Council is considering sending them back to Tatooine, and you know what that will mean for their future. I wish to leave the Order to see that they are able to achieve their destinies."

Obi-Wan gapes at me in a stunned silence. "Back to – they would be enslaved again, or worse, the Sith would find them! How can the Council do that? What could they hope to gain?"

"Yes," I agree, "And that is why I intend to leave the Order. If the Council is willing to condone such actions, then I cannot remain a Jedi, not in such direct defiance of the Force's will." I pause, searching his face. "Obi-Wan, I would be honored if you would join us. The twins adore you, and while I will accept your decision if you wish to remain a Jedi, I will miss you."

"Master –" His voice trails off, his eyes flitting down the ground. "I – I need to think about it."

"Of course. I would expect nothing less, but if you could come while I break the news?" I throw him a pleading look, not that he sees it. It will be so hard to tell them because I know it will break their hearts.

Obi-Wan nods, and we turn to rejoin the twins who are anxiously – and eagerly – awaiting the news, though from the look on Anakin's face, I suspect that because of his sensitivity, he already realizes the truth even if he doesn't want to admit it.

**w**

Aniya Skywalker

"The Council has determined that their decision stands," Qui-Gon informs us grimly. For a moment, I want to believe that I just heard him wrong. This whole time, I'd been harboring a glimmer of hope that maybe, maybe they'd change their minds about this, especially after how Anakin and I helped win the battle on Naboo. It's almost like when they first told us their decision. I thought they'd change their mind… but now we know for certain there's no way our dreams will ever come true. There's nothing we can do. They – how could they do this? Anakin won the battle, and it was me who defeated a Sith where a Jedi Master couldn't even do it.

"But… why?" I demand finally, struggling not to burst into tears.

"They believe, as they said before, that you are too old and too attached to each other to become Jedi," Qui-Gon explains.

I can feel the pain raiding from my brother, and I shift a little closer to him, attempting to offer whatever comfort I can. "What will happen to us now?" Anakin asks finally, voice shaking.

"I will train you, Ani," Qui-Gon assures us, crouching so we're more at eye-level.

"Even without their permission, we could become Jedi?" I query skeptically. I don't want to dare get hope again, only for it to be squashed.

He exchanges a glance with Obi-Wan who stands a short distance away. "You won't become Jedi," he answers, "But you will still be trained. I'm leaving the Order to train you."

Both my brother and I freeze for a moment. He'd really leave them just for us? I'm hardly sure how to react or what to say. My eyes dart over to Obi-Wan, standing nearby. He hasn't said anything yet, and I can't help but wish he'd come too. I don't want to ask him, though. It's hardly fair to ask him to give up his life as a Jedi just for us. We're not worth it. But I can't help but wish.

"Then… where will we stay?" I ask finally, suddenly remembering Jaufre's offer. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we stayed there, but I need to make sure.

"The victory parade is going to be tomorrow morning," Obi-Wan tells us. "You'll be staying overnight at the palace."

The next morning comes quickly. Even with the news that Qui-Gon is going to train us, I still can't shake the melancholy feeling that's settled over me. We're still being trained, but our actual lifelong dream of becoming Jedi will never happen. But at the same time, maybe we can still help people, like we always wanted. And we won't have to worry about anyone telling us that we shouldn't be so "attached" to each other. What does that even mean, anyway? Plus, maybe we'll be able to see Mom again. I don't know.

I turn my attention to the parade as I walk alongside Anakin, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan. Focus on the here and now, like Qui-Gon has said. I don't want to be attending the parade acting miserable when everyone else is happy.

We're standing a short distance away from Padme, Jaufre, Chancellor Palpatine, and the Jedi Council. The sight of them nearly ruins my lifting spirits. Whether being trained only by Qui-Gon outside of the Order will be better or not, I still can't shake the stinging feel of rejection. Why aren't we good enough for them?

Today is a bright sunny day. It's truly beautiful, absolutely nothing like Tatooine. It's very hard to believe that just two days ago, this peaceful planet was at war. I'm disappointed that will probably be the last day we're here. Well, unless we end up staying on Naboo to be trained. I never even thought to ask Qui-Gon about that part. I didn't think ahead about it much, until right now.

If Mom can come stay with us, and maybe if Obi-Wan joins us as well, perhaps not becoming Jedi won't be as bad as I was afraid of. Well, I better not let myself dream too much about a future that might never be. Anakin and I have had enough disappoints for a lifetime these past couple days.

Boss Nass rides down the street on large animals that I've never seen before along with Jar Jar – I'm really happy to see him alive and am honestly a little surprised he managed to survive the battle – and another Gungan. Hundreds of their species surround them, marching down the street blowing horns and beating drums. A line of them marches in the front, holding flags. Ships swoop by overhead as confetti is thrown down from the balconies overhead.

Boss Nass dismounts and as Jar Jar tries to climb down from atop his mount, his foot gets caught in the stirrup and he nearly falls over trying to pull it free. "How embarrassing," I whisper to my brother, trying not to laugh. He smothers a giggle next to me.

With Boss Nass in the front and Jar Jar and the other Gungan close behind, they ascend the steps to where the rest of us are gathered. Padme – who's dressed up as Queen Amidala again - steps forwards. She takes the Globe of Peace, a glowing blue orb, from Naboo's governor and passing it to Boss Nass.

The crowd cheers widely as he raises it above his head. Jar Jar throws his arms in the air and shrieks with excitement. Typical. Everyone seems happy, despite all those who died a couple days ago in battle. This marks a new beginning for all of Naboo. Hopefully, an era of peace is beginning for us all.

Surprisingly, Padme glances over at the two of us. I give her a slightly shy smile. Seeing her as the queen makes me feel annoyingly shy all of a sudden, as opposed to when she's just dressed as a handmaiden, but I shouldn't be surprised. Suddenly being acknowledged by so many important people is a bit overwhelming. Anakin gives her a half-smile too, which she returns.

Hopefully, the new beginning everyone is enjoying will also soon include Anakin and myself. Maybe we'll finally be able to leave our lives as slaves behind and move on.

**w**

Something's wrong. It doesn't make sense – considering the battle's over – but I can't get rid of this distinct sense of danger that permeates the entire area. I've been dozing on and off all night. Anakin is across the room from me in his own bed, so I shouldn't be having such a hard time sleeping. I can't shake the feeling something's wrong, and what happened yesterday is probably worsening the feeling. Suddenly a distinct feeling of dread sets over me, and I open my eyes to see a figure moving towards us.

It's – no, that's impossible. He's dead. He was! I blink, half expecting him to disappear as if he was just a figment of my imagination. It would make sense since I've never killed anyone before and it's only logical to give me nightmares, but the figure is still there stalking straight towards me.

I open my mouth to scream but, in a flash, he's at my bedside, clamping a hand over my mouth. The same strange cold feeling I've gotten twice so far – once when we first got to Coruscant and again when I was watching the fight with the Sith – wraps around me. I feel a presence pressing against my mind, as I struggle to pull away from him. A wave of unexplained sleepiness washes over me.

No, this is crazy. I do not want to go to sleep when there's a Sith standing beside me. I thrash around, trying to pull away, but after a few moments I find myself unwillingly succumbing to the darkness.

I don't know how long later it is that I wake up, but all I know is I'm not where I'm supposed to be. The second thing I become aware of is that I'm not alone. Raw panic floods me as I my last memories flash through my mind again, and I hit out blindly.

"Ani! Calm down, it's me!" A hand grabs my wrist, pulling it down to the floor.

"Ani?" I ask, blinking upwards, straining to see through the darkness. Anakin crouches over me, fear radiating off him. I push myself into a sitting position, moving to sit beside him. our intertwined hands rest between us. "What happened?"

"I don't know," he says. I can't see him very well, but I can sense the fear and uncertainty pouring of him in waves. "I tried to contact Obi-Wan through our bond, but I don't know if it worked."

I scoot over until I'm leaning against him, trying to draw comfort from his presence as much as giving it. I have no idea where we are or what's going to happen, never mind the question of if the Jedi will ever be able to find us here. Whatever is going to happen, I can only be glad I'm not alone.

"We have to get out of here," Anakin insists after a long moment of silence. "We can't just wait for someone to find us."

"I don't think anyone would even know how to find us," I mutter. A sudden thought hits me. What if we're not even on Naboo anymore? I have no idea how long I was sleeping, and it's not impossible we were moved elsewhere. I can only hope we weren't. Wait. The floor. It's vibrating. Vibrating. And I can hear engines… No! We're in hyperspace. He took us off the planet and is taking us to who-knows-where.

The sudden fear I sense from Anakin tells me he just realized the same thing. "How are they ever going to find us?" he whispers.

"They won't." Icy tendrils of dread wrap around me, and I move to bury my face in my brother's shoulder, not wanting to look. Not like I can see anything anyway, it's too dark. That stupid Sith Lord had the courtesy to leave us in pitch darkness. Literally. And I very much doubt the Council will even bother trying to find us given the circumstances. At least I certainly don't have hope they will. And how much could Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan do alone?