Chapter eight

(A.N. It occurred to me, that it might be because of the long chapters I've been uploading lately is what is making the site take so long. I'm going to make the chapters a little shorter now. Maybe that will keep things going smoothly.)

Anakin and Padme walked though the dusty streets of Mos Espa. Padme kept close to Anakin's side, and Anakin stayed alert. He knew that two slaves walking around as if they didn't have an errand would look suspicious.

Padme was glad when they finally got out of the busy street and walked into the Cantina Ratars. However, as they strode inside she noticed that being inside the cantina wasn't much better then staying outside. Even though the cantina band played a peppy tune, she could feel half a dozen eyes on them as soon as they entered the place. It wasn't a comfortable feeling.

Anakin looked around. Still the old Cantina Ratars. Dangerous and prickly, full of the pirates, slave-traders, and the spice-runners he remembered. Mean place. He smiled, but of course he was used to that. Anakin looked down at Padme, who was at his side. Her lips were pulled thin, and her eyes told him she wasn't comfortable at all. He took her hand, trying to reassure her, and it worked. A little.

Padme followed Anakin into the back of the bar, ignoring the glances of the surly drinkers. It was a place she would have avoided at all costs, but she was glad that Anakin was there. The way he kept her close told everyone else in the cantina that she was with him, and if anyone bothered her they'd get a fist in the face.

They walked into the back of the bar, where the counter was, and sat themselves down on the barstools.

Anakin leaned over the counter to the slave who was serving the drinks. "Hi Kyns."

Kyns was a human slave, but unusually pale for the Tattione climate because he stayed inside the cantina every hour of every day. He had red hair, and very light grey eyes. "What do you want, Anakin?"

"I need to know about a friend of mine who got kidnaped by the slave traders." Anakin answered, leaning his elbows on the counter leisurely.

Kyns put his head from side to side. "What's in it for me?" Boredom was evident in his pale features.

"Nothing really." Anakin said, shrugging. "Just your freedom."

Kyns eyes widened and he leaned in Anakin's face. "How can you do that?"

Padme watched though the dim lighting of the cantina as Anakin smiled.

"How do you think?"

Kyns took in a deep breath, his brow crinkling with the uncertainty that he felt. "You know that if you're lying, and I told you, that I could be sold to the spice mines? I'm not as expensive as you are."

Anakin lifted an eyebrow. "Nobody owns me anymore."

"Your guts and artillery better be where your mouth is." Kyns whispered back harshly.

"Why would I lie?" Anakin asked.

Kyns turned to Padme. "Is he lying?"

Padme shook her head.

"Alright." Kyns said. "But if you're lying Anakin, I swear I'll pulverize you."

"Don't worry." Anakin said, leaning back and away from the counter. "When have I ever done ya wrong?"

Kyns glared at Anakin and Padme. "We'll see."

***Later in the office at the back of the Cantina***

"So," Anakin said. "What Happened to the Jedi who was captured this morning?"

Kyns rubbed his neck, where the transmitter had been lodged. "A Jedi?"

Anakin took the newly confiscated blaster he had taken from Kyns's master, and put it in his hip-holster. "Yeah."

"You know how valuable they are?" Kyns said. "I mean, capturing a Jedi. Can you imagine what kind of souvenir a Jedi would be to the crime lords around here?"

Anakin sighed. "Cut the B.S. Who bought him?"

Kyns held up his hands defensivly. "Alright! Alright! They found him on the outter rim of the city. According to Dennin, they sold him to one of the Hutts.:

Pamde grasped Anakin's arm. "Hutts? Which one?"

Kyns screwed up his face, trying to remember. "I think it was Jabba, but I'm not certain." Anakin groaned, rubbing his forehead with his hand. He wanted to save the Jedi's sorry skin, but Jabba the Hutt? Nobody had ever managed to rescue anyone from the Palace, let alone get out once they were in. He had an idea of getting in, but- "It's suicide."

Padme turned to Anakin, taking his hand in hers. "Anakin, we have to help him. There must be something we can do."

Anakin looked into Padme's light brown eyes. How could he refuse those eyes? He sighed, hrowing what was left of his caution to the Tattoine wind. "There is one way. But it's very dangerous. You know the consequences if we get caught."

"I know." Padme answered, looking away. Re-enslavement for her, torture for Anakin, and a life in the dark court of the Hutts. "But he's a Jedi Knight Anakin." She whispered, trying to convince herself as much as him. "They are getting rare. Their fire is going out of the universe. We can't let him suffer in the dungeons of the Hutts."

Anakin nodded. He knew the situation the Republic was in just as much as Padme did. The Jedi were the only real weapon the Republic had, and one by one they were being exterminated. "Alright Padme. I know a way, but we'll need someone's help." He said.

Padme looked up at him inquisitive. "Who?"

Anakin smiled that crazy smile she was beginning to recognize as a warning that he was going to do something really interesting. "Watto."

Kyns grimaced, obviously disgusted that he was hearing any of this nonsense. "Right. Keep going like this Anakin, and you'll be bantha-fodder in no time. As for me, I'm gone."

To Be CONTINUED!

A.N. Before you continue, guess how Watto's gonna help. I'm just wondering if the plot is getting predictable or not. Thanks! Hope you enjoy!!