CHAPTER 6

Due to Palpatine's treachery to the Republic, The Clone Army didn't follow his path and stayed with the Jedi. But since the battle on Geonosis, they weren't as many Clones and Jedi left. Thankfully a new order of Clones arrived to help in this new threat. Days passed and the wait was becoming intolerable. Many Clones and even some new prototype droids protected the Temple while the Jedi prepared their battle techniques. It was now impossible to sense an approach from the Sith; their vision was clouded more then before. They waited. Sidious could attack Coruscant or even another planet assigned to the Republic. The Jedi and the Senate kept an eye on their systems, making sure they were safe.

Anakin was now a Jedi Knight and could take on a Padawan if he wished. Cutting off his Padawan braid was like starting a new life.

"I guess I won't be able to pull on that anymore to get your attention." Obi-Wan smiled while leaning against the entrance to Anakin's room. They decided to keep sharing an apartment. At least until Anakin took a Padawan and Obi-Wan would have to move out, leaving the commons to Anakin.

"I guess you won't." Anakin smiled back but soon his smile faded.

"You fear the war?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Don't you?" Anakin walked towards the balcony and watched the Coruscant traffic. Obi-Wan followed. "Everything is uncertain and many of us will die…" Obi-Wan knew where this was going.

"Anakin, Sidious use to be very close to you and could have easily sensed if you were having dreams. It doesn't mean I'm going to die. Visions from the future can be changed." But it wasn't enough to comfort Anakin. He gave Obi-Wan a weak smile before leaving the commons. Obi-Wan sighed and followed the young Jedi; Chancellor Naberrie was giving a speech at the Senate.

"…The threat of war is among us and we can no longer escape it. I ask your help in bringing down Darth Sidious and together, we will keep peace in the galaxy." Padmé finished her speech and was acclaimed by every Senator and Representative of the Republic Senate. She breathed in and stepped down. The many systems accepted to lend their armies to the Jedi and help them stop Sidious. The most impressive army was the Wookies'. Strong and resilient, they never backed down from any fight. They were the best allies the Jedi had and were also good friends.

Anakin waited for Padmé after her speech, Obi-Wan just smiled and let him be alone with her. He was well aware of Anakin's love for Padmé and knew it went against the Jedi Code, but he never interfered. He only gave Anakin advice and not to let his personal feelings get in the way of his duty. There were only tree people that Anakin ever trusted. Anakin only had Obi-Wan and Padmé left after Palpatine's treason and decided to cherish those two people and protect them no matter what.

"Padmé!" Anakin spotted Padmé and she walked towards him. "You did great." He hugged her and they lingered there for a moment. Obi-Wan stole a glance from where he stood before leaving and couldn't help but smile.

"I missed you…" She whispered in his ear. Anakin brought her into the shadows where no one could see them and pulled her into a deep kiss. They hadn't seen each other since Padmé was elected. They both had become preoccupied with their duties. This would be their only stolen moment before the war and they wanted it to last. After their kiss, they pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you…" Anakin breathed against her lips. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I love you."

Another morning rose on Coruscant and yet no sign of Sidious' army. Tortured time passed by and some started questioning the attack the Jedi feared. No other transmissions had been sent to the Order or the Republic for that matter. Sidious seemed to have slipped away into the galaxy. Obi-Wan was asked to take on a new Padawan but refused due to the incoming war. Anakin was sent to Alderaan for a small, simple mission concerning local security and returned the same day he left.

Obi-Wan was starting to feel the distance growing between Anakin and himself. Though their bond was as strong as ever, they rarely saw each other, even if they still had shared commons. After returning from Alderaan, Anakin and Obi-Wan got to finally spend some time together. They mostly talked about things that happened on missions. Especially the many times Anakin had saved his master's life but of course, Obi-Wan refused to admit that one time he fell into a nest of Gandarks.

"You fell into the nest and I saved you, Anakin." Anakin rolled his eyes.

"Yeah right." Obi-Wan sighed deeply and smiled. "And I'm the princess of Alderaan." Someone knocked at the door.

"Will you get the door, your Majesty?" Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin while Anakin lightly punched him in the arm.

"Oh you are so funny, Obi-Wan." Anakin sneered sarcastically. He stood up and opened the door. It was Luminara. "Good evening, Luminara. Can we help you?" Anakin bowed. Obi-Wan stood from the kitchen table and bowed also.

"Good evening Anakin. Obi-Wan." She lowered her head in a bow and smiled. "Master Kenobi, I was sent here to tell you your presence is demanded at the Counsel Chambers." Anakin turned towards his former master.

"Tell them I'm on my way." Luminara nodded and left the commons. Anakin closed the door and watched Obi-Wan putting on his brown Jedi robe.

"I wonder what they want." Obi-Wan looked over at his roommate.

"I wonder also… they would usually send for both you and I." He paused and stood silently for a moment, trying to guess why the Counsel asked for him. "Well, might as well not make them wait." Anakin nodded and Obi-Wan left, the end of his cloak sliding against the floor.

Anakin sat at the island in the kitchen, waiting for Obi-Wan to return. It had been more then an hour and he was starting to get impatient. Anakin scanned the room. Droids had repaired their bombed apartment and everything was back in its original place. Nothing was left to remind him of the sudden attack that had caught them both off guard. It was starting to get late and Anakin couldn't help but worry. He knew the Counsel wasn't very fond of Anakin, they never wanted him to be trained. He was extremely grateful that Obi-Wan insisted on the matter and even threatened to go behind the Counsel's back.

The door finally opened and Obi-Wan walked into the room. Anakin got up from the chair he had slumped in and walked towards the older Jedi.

"Well? What did they want?" Obi-Wan smiled.

"Nothing to worry about Anakin." He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. Anakin waited for more information, staring at Obi-Wan.

"Well? Tell me." Obi-Wan took a drink from his glass.

"All right, all right, patience Anakin." Anakin dropped his arms at his side, resting his hands on his hips.

"You know I have none." Obi-Wan laughed slightly at this remark.

"Oh that's true." Obi-Wan finished his glass and headed for the living room. Anakin followed like a puppy, hanging on Obi-Wan's words. "There was only Masters Yoda and Ki-Adi-Mundi at the Temple to see me." Anakin narrowed his eyes, puzzled.

"Really? That's strange." Anakin sat next to his friend and kept running small scenarios in his head. "So are you finally going to tell me what they wanted?"

"They wanted promote me to Master." The words slipped out casually, as if it wasn't such a big deal. Anakin stayed speechless for a few seconds.

"Wow! You must be honoured, that's quite a pro…"

"I refused." Now Anakin was truly speechless. His former master refused the highest title to be given to a Jedi. Something was off; he just couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"What?" Obi-Wan looked at Anakin and still had a smile on his face. "Why did you refuse? I thought that's what you wanted, what you trained for all your life."

"I don't think I'm ready to take on that responsibility. It is a lot of work and I would like to take on another Padawan." Anakin nodded. "Besides I'm 36, I still have time in front of me." Obi-Wan stood from the couch. "It's late Anakin, we need to rest in case…"

"I know." Anakin stood from the couch and followed Obi-Wan. They each turned towards their own private commons. Before entering his room, Obi-Wan turned to look at Anakin.

"Anakin…" Anakin looked towards the light blue eyes searing his own. "Please don't worry about the past or the future… concentrate on the present. Life is much sweeter that way." With a smile Obi-Wan closed his door, leaving Anakin alone in the hallway.

I'm still wondering if I should kill off Obi-Wan... hmmm... everyone tells me not to... but it's so tempting... hehe... I'm evil :P