A/N: Don't own SW. Here is chapter eight. This is the last chapter where Luke and Leia will be nine years old.

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"Er...pardon?" Luke asked politely. "Did you call me 'Annie'?" 'Now why would someone call me a girl's name?'

The man shook his head. "I'm sorry but it's just...you remind me of someone from long ago."

"I remind you of a girl?" Luke blurted out. "Oh, sorry."

The man chuckled. "No, you remind me of a boy I knew from many years ago. His name was Anakin but everyone who knew him from here, called him Annie."

"Anakin?" Luke echoed. "Anakin Skywalker?" He had a funny feeling that this man was talking about his dad. He knew his father had been born on Tatooine and had grown up there.

The man gasped. "Why, yes. You know him?"

"Know him? He's my father!" Luke smiled.

"Your f-father?" The man stammered. 'Annie has a son!' "What is your name?"

"My name is Luke."

"My name is Kitster. I was a friend of your father's. Before he left that is and I have not heard from him or about him for the past..." Kitster thought for a moment. "Oh about 20 years, or less. Nothing about his mother either." He frowned, thinking. The suns bore down on their backs.

Luke looked down at the ground. "My grandmother is gone."

Kitster's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, Luke."

Luke nodded. "Thanks. I didn't know her though. I wish I did."

"She was a kind woman." Kitster offered, hoping to cheer the young boy up. "She had such high hopes for Annie er-Anakin and wanted the best for him. I remember how worried she was when he raced in the Boonta Eve Podrace." A thought struck him. "Say, who is your mother?"

"My mother's name is Padme." Luke answered, not knowing she had died. "She's living on another planet with my twin sister."

"Oh!" Kitster nodded, unsure of what to say. He remembered Padme. The crowd was starting to thin out a little. One person stepped between them. "Here- let's go over there so we can talk without any interruptions." Kitster indicated a wall space, wanting to hear more. "So tell me, where is your father? Is he here?"

Luke shook his head. "No, he was...killed." Tears started to fill his eyes once again. "Killed by someone named Palpatine and a Dark Jedi named Darth Vader."

Kitster stared at him for a second. "Annie became a Jedi Knight..." He murmured. "Well, who are you with here on Tatooine if your mother is not here?"

"I'm here with my Aunt and Uncle." Luke looked around. "They're around here somewhere. I asked if I could go walk around and I was allowed to. Just as long as I'm within their sight." He felt comfortable with Kitster. Something was telling him that he was no threat to him. "Anyway, what's a podrace?"

Kitster smiled. "Many aliens and very, very few humans race in small pods of their own design for three laps through an extremely dangerous course. Your father was the only human to race in one, and at nine years old too!" He looked at the sky, wondering why Luke was separated from his mother and sister. He didn't ask though, as it was none his business.

"Luke? Luke!" Beru made her way through the crowd, spotting Luke. "I thought I'd lost you-oh! Who is this?" She looked at Kitster, who smiled politely, not wanting to give her the idea that he was a criminal or something.

"Aunt Beru, this is Kitster, an old friend of my father's. Kitster, this is my Aunt Beru and that's my Uncle Owen." He pointed to Owen who wasn't far behind. He glanced at Kitster suspiciously.

"Hello." Kitster offered his hand. Both Beru and Owen shook it. "I was just talking with your nephew about Anakin."

Owen nodded. "Anakin was my step-brother." He squinted at the brightness of the suns. "Luke, it's time to go. Nice meeting you, Kitster." Owen said.

Beru smiled warmly. "Yes. I guess you must've told Luke some stories of his father from when he was younger."

"Yes." Kitster agreed. "Our time was short though. Well," Kitster glanced down at Luke. "Hopefully our paths will cross again and we can talk more."

Luke grinned. "Well, I can't wait. It was fun hearing about my dad. I miss him a lot."

Kitster watched the humans and aliens by-passing them. "Well then," He exhaled. "Farewell Luke, Owen, Beru." He smiled at them, gave a wave, and then disappeared within the crowd.

"Bye." Luke said quietly.

~~**~~

"Repeat, identify yourself." The same voice barked.

Leia stood behind Jed, who was in the pilot's seat, debating whether to answer or not. His other choice was to make a quick getaway but he didn't want to risk the young princess's life. "I am an old space pilot heading for Corellia to drop off some...products and spare parts." His voice was low and he hated to lie but he had to in this situation. A Jedi should not lie but they can use mind tricks. He grinned. A mind trick would do more than help his pathetic excuse seem true.

"What kind of products and spare parts?" The same voice questioned.

Jed called upon the Force, drew it around him to conceal himself and Leia, and answered, pushing on the man's mind aboard the Annihilator. "The products and spare parts are really of no concern to you." It was a bold statement but he didn't know what else to say.

There was a pause. Jed continued on. "I'll be heading off now."

"Yes...you may go on with your business." The voice seemed distant. Jed sighed in relief. He was glad he didn't sense a certain presence aboard. If Vader had been on that Star Destroyer, he really would've had his work cut out for him. Of course, they did not know if he was on there or not...

Jed shut off the intercom system and set the controls and coordinates for Naboo. "I still can't understand why we came out of hyperspace and how we did not crash into their shield." He shook his head as they went into lightspeed. "Strange."

~~**~~

When Luke and his aunt and uncle reached the Lars Homestead, a large, brown, rusty sandcrawler was about 30 meters or so away from the homestead. It was dusk, but there was just enough light for Owen to do business with the Jawas. "Luke, ever see a Jawa?" Owen took Luke with him.

"I've heard of them but I've never seen one." Luke narrowed his eyes at the Sandcrawler.

"They sell droids for a living basically. They come along here once in awhile. We have good timing; I'm in need of some new droids. Darn buckets of metal that we have already are slacking and starting to break down." Owen sighed in frustration. "I hate doing business with Jawas and having to ask the droids a million questions. Just can't get good help these days."

Luke hid a smile. A large ramp was lowered and small creatures, the tallest being Luke's height, were chattering in their own language, pointing at Owen and Luke and bringing droids down the ramp. The droids were set in a line, all turned on, and the Jawas were eager to sell them all. Owen conversed with one Jawa, pointing at one of the tall droids.

Luke studied the Jawas. They were very short and had golden glowing eyes surrounded by darkness as their faces were hidden. They also wore dark brown cloaks. One came up to him and jabbered in the language, unknown to Luke. "Uh, hello?" He didn't understand the Jawa. Owen came to rescue and spoke to the Jawa sharply. "Uncle Owen what was he saying?"

"He was asking you if any of the droids were of interest to you. Suspects you're a new customer. Careful, they can sell you a real piece of junk if you don't know what you're looking for." Owen answered, one droid following them as they headed back to the homestead. Tatoo I and Tatoo II were just settling into the horizon.

~~**~~

The Silver Shadow flew just above the tall trees of Naboo, looking for a place to land in secret. There was a mist on the ground as they landed into a clearing. Small creatures scattered, the starship posing a threat to their area.

The ramp lowered and Jed stepped out cautiously. He was dressed in his usual Jedi garb but his lightsaber was carefully hidden and his Jedi robe was replaced with a dark forest green poncho. His alert green eyes darted from the right to the left, sensing life everywhere. "The lake leading to Otoh Gunga is near." Jed spoke softly. "We landed in the perfect spot."

Behind him, Leia popped out, wearing long pants, boots, and a tunic bearing the royal colors of the House of Alderaan. She smiled, recognizing the scenery of the world she was born on. "Guess we'll be seeing Jar Jar first then." She followed Jed through the thick forest. Chirps and screeches were heard throughout the exotic woods.

"Hold it." Jed stopped, sensing another life form ahead. A tall familiar gangly creature wearing a long robe was feasting on some sort of clam. He was just visible through the branches. "I think we've found our gungan." Jed whispered. The two humans treaded through the swamp-like floor of the forest.

Jar Jar looked up in alarm. "Whosa dere?" He mistakenly blurted out. Jed and Leia came out from the trees and Jar Jar shrieked in surprise. "Leia? LEIA? Is it yousa? It is! It is!" Jar Jar ran towards her, tripping onto the ground. "What yousa doin' here?"

Uncle Jar Jar!" Leia helped him off the ground and then hugged him. "I'm so happy to see you! I came to visit!" She answered enthusiastically.

"For short period of time." Jed clarified.

Jar Jar looked at him. "Who are yousa?" He stared at Jed and something in his memory came back to live. Qui Gon Jinn, Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker... "Yousa a Jedi! Mesa no believin'. Mesa thought all da Jedi were goners!"

"Well not this one. Yet anyway."

"Jar Jar, this is my friend, Jed Willston." Leia introduced him. Jed offered a hand. Jar Jar shook it enthusiastically.

"Yousa protectin' Leia!" Jar Jar declared. "Mesa happy knowin' she's alright. Say, where bein' your mother?"

Leia looked sad. "My mother has passed away, Uncle." Padme's family had been told but they never told Jar Jar.

Jar Jar looked shocked. Then his ears and eyes drooped. "Mesa sorry ta hear dat." He then hugged Leia again.

Jed cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt but we've got to get to Leia's grandparent's place and then leave right away. I promised Senator Organa we'd return right away. It was a pleasure meeting you, Jar Jar."

Jar Jar nodded, delighted. "Mesa be seein' you again someday!" He said to Leia.

Leia grinned. "I hope so."

~~**~~

Jed and Leia were heading back to the Silver Shadow after visiting Ruwee and Jobal. They were in the outskirts of Theed. "Time to head home." Jed spoke and suddenly stopped. He grabbed Leia and pushed her into an alley. He joined her and then poked his head cautiously around the wall, narrowing his eyes. Nothing was there but he sensed danger. "The Annihilator has landed..." He whispered and Leia felt fear overtake her. She quickly calmed down when a feeling so peaceful and soothing settled upon her, telling her it would be alright. She swallowed the lump in her throat and waited for further instruction.

Apparently Darth Vader had been on The Annihilator and had not sensed Jed due to the Force shield Jed had created around Leia and himself. Now the Dark Lord stepped down from the ramp. Jed knew all that was going on even though he could not see the ship. He suddenly realized he had forgotten something. The Force shield. "Blast." He muttered under his breath. Vader was here on Naboo, after noticing the odd moment between Jed and the crewmember on the ship. Vader had sensed something amiss. He had ordered the ship to be tracked down and it had taken him to Naboo. The homeworld of a woman he had forgotten, a memory pushed back.

"Come on. We've got to go now." Jed emphasized and took a hold of Leia's hand and they raced down the alley and out into the trees. The newly assigned army of stormtroopers was already patrolling down the streets, looking for the inhabitants of the Silver Shadow.

Leia ran as fast as she could, not being able to match the speed of Jed himself. She stumbled and fell into a puddle of swamp water. Jed pulled her to her feet and they continued to make a run for the Silver Shadow.

Meanwhile, Vader looked in the direction of that same forest, immediately sensing a familiar presence. He didn't know Jed but he certainly knew Leia but he could not make out her location for there were many other familiar beings on Naboo...

Finally Jed could see the silver covering of his starship. "Almost there." He sputtered, wincing as a branch hit the side of his face. Leia was breathing hard.

They entered the ship and Jed jumped into the pilot's seat. "Come on, come on!" He expressed his frustration by pounding on the panel as the ship rose steadily above the trees. "Are you strapped in?" He said to Leia who was behind him.

"Yes." A tear slid down her cheek slowly. She was leaving Naboo once again, probably never to return.

As the ship headed into space, Jed summoned the Force again, creating the same shield. "Hang on." He punched in the coordinates for Alderaan and they entered lightspeed, unbeknownst to Vader.

~~**~~

Luke was bored. It was night and he was allowed to stay up for a bit. He gazed at the objects and odd little things on his desk. He had been trying to fix a couple of parts and was still working on them. He sighed and reached for one of the parts. To his surprise and delight, the part raced to his hand as if pushed by some unseen force...

Luke grinned. He remembered the Force. His dad had taught him a little bit about it when he was 5. He didn't use it then though...until now. He tried again but nothing happened. He didn't know how he had used the Force for the first object. 'What did dad tell me? Oh yeah, stretch out with your feelings...' He closed his eyes and tried to do just that. Still nothing. "Guess I need more practice. I'll have to visit Ben again sometime." He said aloud and sighed again. "There's nothing to do around here. I can't wait till I'm old enough to handle a speeder. I'll also be able to protect myself too." He decided to turn in. He lay his head down and dreamt of becoming just like his dad...

~~**~~

Vader soon found himself at the Naberrie house. Ruwee was just going into his home when he stopped cold at the sight of Vader. The tall Dark Jedi, the feeling of power he carried, and the haunting sound of his breathing. "Where are the children?" Vader demanded.

Ruwee shook his head. "They're not here." Fear pierced his body, and his breathing quickened. He knew what had happened to Anakin. He backed against the wall. His family was inside but they did not hear what was going on outside.

Vader stepped forward. "Tell me where they are then." He stepped closer. Ruwee shook his head.

"I can't tell you." He had never been so terrified in his entire life.

Vader put his gloved hand to the other man's throat and pushed him up against the wall. Ruwee was shaking and now could not breathe very well. "I am warning you..." Vader began choking him, using the Dark Side of the Force to increase the strength but he let go once he saw Ruwee would not be saying anything. Ruwee fell to the ground, gasping for air. Vader walked away swiftly, his black cape blowing out from him slightly. No time was to be wasted. He had other things to do. He would find the twins. Sooner or later.

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