Anakin strode onto the shuttle, trying his best not to tremble as much. his head was spinning and he felt very incoherent.

Anakin sat in the familiar (Or at least, it used to be) and (very un-) welcoming pilot seat.

Obi Wan sat on the co-pilot seat.

Anakin was just about to pull on the foreward thrusters, when Obi Wan's hand stopped his. Anakin recoiled backwards, flinching.

"Anakin?"

"Yes?"

"those are the brakes."

Anakin looked down at the gear.

"Oh."

Anakin found the right lever, and pulled it down. steering the shuttle out of the hanger bay doors. Anakin put in the chordanates for Tatooine, when Obi Wan cleared his throat.

"erm, Anakin?"

"What?"

"You put in the wrong chordanates..."

"Oh."

"Should I fly today?"

Anakin got up and left without a word.


once in hyperspace, Obi Wan knocked on Anakin's door.

"Anakin, you in there?"

yes, he was. he'd been blankly staring at the wall opposite of him trying desperately to avoid flashbacks.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, I'm here." Anakin called.

Obi Wan opened the door, and even though Anakin saw it coming, he jumped at the sound.

"Anakin, I want to talk to you."

A pit of dread settled in his stomach (As if there wasn't already one there, eating him up.)

"what." he said. Anakin knew he was being blunter than nessicary... but he head was spinning and he felt like he was drowning and being eaten alive.

he couldn't find it in himself to think about that right now.

"Anakin, are you alright? what's with you are Gardulla," Anakin flinched involuntarily, "Anyway?"

Anakin screwed his eyes shut, trying to cast away the memories. after a few moments (Or hours...? how long had it been? I couldn't've been hours... right?) Anakin choked out, "Nothing. there is nothing."

Obi Wan shot him a disbeliveing look, but (thankfully) said nothing.

Anakin was barely getting by. he wanted so badly to go do somthing- Anything...

but Obi Wan might catch on that somthing was wrong...


When they landed on tatooine, it was all Anakin could do not to start panicking. even as it was, Anakin felt both like he might lose his breakfast, and like he was about to pass out due to too many things going though his mind.

Anakin's breath was shaky and uneven, and he really hoped Obi Wan didn't notice.

He wouldn't understand anyway.

if he noticed, it would just result in yet another, "Letting go of attachments means letting go of the past, Anakin." lecture.

oh, and that was definitely what he needed right now.

it's not like he felt like if that happened he might just break down and cry.

and if that happened, he would get a, "Jedi are in controll of their emotions, Anakin" lecture, which would just make his break-down worse.

so no, he really hoped Obi Wan wouldn't be noticing.


As they aprotched Gardulla's... hutt? Anakin began putting up walls around his mind.as he drove the speeder, his knuckles were white, and a occasional tear would slide down his cheak.

Anakin was both hurt, and glad Obi Wan seemed not to pay enough attention to him to realized what he was doing.

Anakin nearly lost it when he saw Gardulla.

(why didn't the stupid council just send a protocol droid?!)

Anakin spoke fast a harsh in huttenese, and was caref to avoid mentioning his name. he didn't need a scene.

And then-

"And what's your name, jedi knight?" Asked Gardulla, in basic

Anakin gulped, and a layer of sweat formed on his brow. pointedly not looking at Obi Wan, rather, becoming very interested with the sandy floors, he mumbled, "Anakin Skywalker, miss."

he felt Obi Wan's confusion though the force... and heard the though bounce off his walls, why are you so nervous, Anakin?

"you were a fine slave... shame I lost you." Gardulla said... "I enjoyed hearing you scream..."

in basic.

curse her.

he felt Obi Wan's shock, and slammed up his shields, making it so that nobody could feel him... and he couldnt feel anyone.

"yes, miss. the jedi freed me." Anakin said though rising bile.

"Did they really pay for you?"

"No, miss, they won my freedom betting on a podrace... that I won."

"Ahh, well, i think it was a grave mistake, coming back."

Anakins stomach droped though the floor. "Miss?"

"A new hutt law has recently been passed saying that no slave can be bought out of slavery though betting... so you are rightfully mine."

you can't kill a Hutt, it'll hurt the republic worse, you can't kill a Hutt, it'll hurt the republic worse, you can't kill a Hutt, it'll hurt the republic worse, you can't kill a Hutt, it'll hurt the republic worse ,you can't kill a Hutt, it'll hurt the republic worse...

Anakin was spared having to answer by Obi Wan. "Sorry, but we really must take our leave." he said, voice colder than absolute zero.

"Gaurds." She said, and the guards grabbed Anakin and Obi Wan by the arms. Anakins breath quickened. he was hyperventilating now.

"I enjoyed hearing you scream... Skywalker... that will be a pleasure I want again..."

A/N: dark twist at the end there... also not at all what I intended that chapter to be. I literally was going to breeze though half of it, so be glad I didn't. this story just got another 3ish chapters longer... heh-heh.

any predictions? I'm curious to see what you guy think vs what I have planned for poor little Ani.