Okai. so it's been awhile but I've learned that viruses suck big time! Okaiz? Just please bear with me and I'll update. Thanks luve you all! Bye!



Chapter 6: Let Me Forget

Anakin woke up the bright sunshine shining through his balcony window. He smiled to himself. It was the first night in a VERY long time that he hasn't had a nightmare about his mother. He felt refreshed and brand new. Then suddenly he remembered last night. His happy mood vanished and a sense of frustration and confusion washed over him. Why did she have to feel this way? Why did she have to hide everything? Why couldn't she have been someone that he wasn't so close to him as to make it easier for him to love Padmè in peace? Now he couldn't because Khariya was so special to him. He couldn't just ignore the fact that she had fallen in love with him and he knew it was love. How could she have pushed him and Padmè together so many times without having the reason that she loved him so much that she didn't care if she were hurt as long as he was happy?

"Khariya, why'd you do this?" he muttered, his eyes closed.

"I didn't know I had a choice," Khariya said. She was already dressed, long before anyone else in the palace. In fact, she had woken early enough to go to the Holo Hall, as called it, several times to think things through. Enough times to decide that events last night were better off forgotten. Her first decision was right. Khariya had to let her emotions go overlooked. "Breakfast is ready, sir." She slightly bowed, not looking him in the eye. Anakin stared at her for a moment.

"Did you just call me sir?" Anakin choked out sitting up.

"Just come down to dining room when you're dressed," she continued ignoring the question. It seemed that Khariya was also planning on forgetting their friendship. Feeling this, Anakin felt disappointed. This was what he was afraid of: Love that destroyed what caused the love in the first place. Khariya gathered up her lavender skirt and walked out the door. Anakin collapsed back sown and just sighed.

Breakfast was tense. Padmè had no idea what happened last night but it was obvious that there were events she missed. She had noticed the unusual silence at the table. The usual placement of the three people there were usually Padmè at the head of the table, Anakin on her left and Khariya directly to her right. Padmè and Anakin were in their regular seats but Khariya awkwardly sat two seats down and away from the two. Padmè could also see the frustration in Anakin's face and the stubbornness in her sister's.

"Why weren't you at dinner last night?" Padmè asked Khariya.

"I had gone rowing to the middle of the lake. I was tired after rowing by myself and was too exhausted for dinner. I went to bed right after I got home," Khariya answered in a monotone voice slicing her fruit. She didn't even look up.

"Sabè said that you were gone the whole day," Padmè said.

"I was."

"Just out on the boat. on your own?"

"I had a lot to think about, Amidala," and Padmè took that as a sign to not ask more questions about her day on the lake. Being called Amidala was Khariya's secret code saying, 'do not ask anymore questions about this subject.'

"Did you sleep well, Anakin?" Padmè asked, looking at her bodyguard.

"Yes, I did. For the first time in a month I slept without nightmares for some reason," Anakin answered. Khariya let herself a smile. She had made him if at the least a bit happier. He slept without nightmares last night. The only difference from last night and all other nights was that she was there next to him.

"Khariya, Anakin why don't you spend the day together?" Padmè suggested. "I'll be in a private conference with one of advisors all day today. Anakin you're not allowed in that meeting so you cannot come with me."

"But, m' lady," Anakin protested.

"No, Anakin. This is my business. I will be safe with my advisor. He is one of my most trusted men. He will do no harm and the doors can only be opened through a retinal scan," Padmè explained. "You and Khariya can go some place together. You need time alone and a day off. Khariya can show you the island across the lake."

"I'm sure your Jedi has more better things to do than have a tour of a forsaken island." Khariya tried to get away from the suggestion.

"No I actually don't," Anakin replied, somewhat peeved that she wouldn't call him by name.

"Are you sure? Can't you talk to Master Obi Wan or practice your skills in the gym today?" her voice turning icy and annoyed. "Don't make me do this, Jedi," she thought silently letting it float out of her mind and into Anakin's.

"No. I think I'd like to take a day off," he said smugly though he received her thought loud and clear. Padmè could feel the glare that Khariya was releasing to Anakin and now she was sure something had happened between them. Fed up with the tense atmosphere that somehow both excluded and included her she noisily dropped her silverware and confronted them.

"What happened last night?" Padmè demanded. She was answered by the most unpredicted answer from her sister in the most iniquitous tone.

"Amidala, your Jedi and my affairs are to be kept between us and I would be most appreciative if you kept your diplomatic talents and negotiations out of them. Now if you'll excuse I'll be in my room. If you still feel you want to take that trip across the lake just call me. I have no further protests to it," Khariya answered in a voice so malevolent that everyone in the room was stunned silent with her tone. Padmè turned to Anakin in shock.

"Was that really my sister?" Padmè said softly. She went unheard because Anakin was in deep thought staring at his food with anger.

"Damn it," he cursed. He threw down his napkin and stormed off after Khariya.

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