A/N: I am sleep deprived. But I have an idea...I'm so going to regret this…

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Empire of Gold

Post ROTS (Ep. III)

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The war is far from over. Anakin has changed for the worst and the galaxy is falling apart. The only way for Obi-Wan to cope, is to write letters to the one he has lost to the darkness, and the one who most likely will bring him to ruin. Rated T for very light swearing and violence.

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Chapter 1

19 BBY, Tatooine

Dear Anakin,

It's been precisely one month now. One long month, to say the least. I refuse to call you by the name Palpatine bestowed upon you.

Darth Vader.

It doesn't fit.

It sounds cryptic and...lifeless. Anakin suits you better, or, who you once were. So, I will continue to refuse to call you 'Vader' and simply refer to you as Anakin.

I haven't been too productive of the late, to my growing displeasure. I'm growing old I suppose.

I...do not know why I am writing these letters to you. I do not know if you will ever read them. And surprisingly, I don't mind. I will try to be discreet when I send them, so that you, and whatever is left of the old Clone Army, cannot find me.

I do have a few questions though, or many questions, but there has been one that has been pestering for quite awhile:

Why?

It's such a simple question, don't you agree? Why? It's one word, so how in the karking Force can it say so much?

Why did you do it? Kill the Jedi, I mean. Why did you do it?

Were you so corrupted by the Dark Side that you were blinded to the actions you have caused? Were you deaf to the cries of the brothers and sisters that you once stood side by side, now slaughtered? Were you numb to the ache in the Force as it begged you to stop? What changed, what happened?! Why, why, WHY?!

But I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Qui-Gon always said to live in the present. No need to dream of the 'what ifs'. The Jedi are gone. By your hand.

It hurt so much, Anakin, did you know that? It hurt so much to see you in Mustafar like that. I did what I had to, I'm sorry. I'm so so, truly sorry, old friend…

But that will never be enough, will it? No, no, of course not, you always jumped to conclusions. Always.

Anakin, what you have done—it—I don't—I DON'T UNDERSTAND! And I can practically hear your bitter sneer in my head saying,

"Of course you don't, you are 'Mr. Proper, Perfect Jedi.'"

And you are right as well as you are wrong! I don't know why you did it! But Anakin, I am a person as well! I have made attachments, by the Force, I made an attachment with YOU! I have gone against the Code before, despite what you may think! But I don't know! I can't understand, I can't comprehend WHY you killed every single person who CARED about you! I cannot fathom WHY you killed the Jedi! Yes, I know the war has taken a toll on everyone morality, and you've always jumped before you looked, but Anakin, that was ludicrous! You killed even the younglings in the Temple! And Mustafar, oh Anakin, what have I done wrong? Where did I go wrong? Did I not give you enough attention? Did I give you too much? Was I wise enough? Smart enough? Patient enough? I turned a blind eye to your 'affairs' with Padmé, which, yes, was painstakingly obvious! Subtly was never your strong suit, old friend. But, that's not the issue...Why, Anakin, why? Why would do something so horrendous, such as that? I don't...I don't even know who you are. You are, but a cybernetic stranger to me, a cold husk in the place of my best friend. I am sorry, Anakin, I have failed you.

I...have failed you.

-Obi-Wan Kenobi