Author's Note: I couldn't make it clear in the first part of the chapter, so I'll just say it now. At the beginning of this chapter Anakin is about 16 years old. He has been Obi-Wan's Padawan for several years now. Also, the Werin don't age as fast as humans. So Taro pretty much looks the same as he did in chapter one.

Chapter Two – For the Love of the Empath

Obi-Wan was just about to make his move when a clear, familiar voice interrupted him. "I do not presume to challenge the wisdom of a Jedi with as much experience as you, Knight Kenobi, but moving your tower there would be a mistake," Taro said as he and Anakin walked up to the Jedi.

Both bowed their heads, and they received a nod from both Obi-Wan and his opponent, Master Yoda. Obi-Wan looked at Taro questioningly. "It is one of the traps that Master Yoda uses more often. A move he was taught on my home planet I believe, often referred to as the 'Aravanian reverse'. Should you move you tower there, Master Yoda will win this game in two turns," Taro explained as he pointed to his Master's queen and moved his fingers across the board, showing Obi-Wan what he meant.

"It would be better if you moved your bishop here, it would make it more difficult for Master Yoda to gain the upper hand. More than he already has, that is to say." Obi-Wan studied the chessboard before him closely before doing what the Padawan had suggested.

"That's quite a strategic mind you have there, Padawan Taro. Quite impressive, how you managed to see through Master Yoda's plan within three seconds of arriving," Obi-Wan praised the Werin, smiling warmly at him.

Taro smiled back. "Thank you for the compliment, Knight Kenobi, but I did nothing to earn it. It all came down to knowing Master Yoda's strategies, really. And fortunately for you, I know his just as he knows mine."

"First key to victory, knowing one's enemy is. In battle, very important it is. Think ahead you must, predict every move opponent might make. Good at this you are, my Padawan, difficult to beat it makes you. Great warrior Knight Kenobi is, good at predicting opponent. Yet link between chess and battle he has not made yet," Master Yoda said, and Obi-Wan mulled over the revelation.

"Perhaps Knight Kenobi would benefit from some lessons in how to do so. I could also teach him a few techniques," Taro suggested smilingly and Obi-Wan smiled back. "If Master Yoda is to be believed, and I see no reason to believe him, then you are a Master at the game. I would gladly take some lesson when you've got the time," the Knight answered.

Anakin, who didn't like chess at all, had been standing next to Taro all this time. He felt a pang of jealousy and anger at the interaction between his Master and Taro. Had it been anyone else instead of these two, they would be considered to be flirting.

But as soon as the thought struck his mind, he laughed at it. His Master, the emotionless Obi-Wan Kenobi, flirting with anyone? And Taro, Master Yoda's Padawan for nearly twenty years now, flirting with someone right in front of his Master?

But despite of his reasoning, he wrapped a possessive arm around Taro's shoulders, hoping to make it clear to Obi-Wan that Taro was off limits. "Would you care to tell our Masters the good news, my friend?"

Anakin hid a smirk when he noticed the curious looks on Obi-Wan and Yoda's faces, even though he knew that the looks were about what he had said and not the fact that his arm was still draped around the shorter Padawan's slender shoulders.

His suspicions were confirmed. "Good news, Padawan? This wouldn't be about the Annual Padawan Light sabre Tournament, would it?" Anakin smiled broadly, making Taro's words almost unnecessary. "Anakin won the tournament, he defeated Knight Shiro's Padawan Jarek in the final round," the Werin said, to Anakin's delight, somewhat proudly.

"You won the tournament? Padawan, I didn't even know you were planning to participate!" Anakin smiled, enjoying his Master's surprise and Master Yoda's praising look. "I hadn't thought about it that much, but Master Windu and Taro convinced me to," he answered and smiled at the young Werin again.

But the reaction he got from Obi-Wan wasn't what he had expected. "The first time you participate in the tournament, and you manage to win?" Anakin's smile faltered and his arm dropped from Taro's shoulder.

"You needn't be so surprised, Master," he said, sounding hurt despite his efforts. "It isn't that I am surprisedby your skill, Padawan. I just thought that…?" Obi-Wan didn't finish the sentence, but the glance he cast at Taro told the Werin what the Knight was thinking.

"I did not participate. I ruled it to be unfair to the other Padawans, due to my age and years of training. Winning the tournament twice before was quite enough. But Anakin showed such skill with a light sabre today that he has impressed not only me, but also Master Windu. The Master has told me so himself," Taro said.

Anakin was surprised when Obi-Wan smiled broadly. "I know, he told me the same a few minutes ago," the Knight said. It took a while before Anakin understood what that meant. "You knew?" Obi-Wan kept smiling and Anakin smiled too.

Obi-Wan got up and hugged Anakin. "Congratulations, Padawan," he said.

Anakin sighed as he took off his tunic. Now Taro had left he could really feel how tired he was. Somehow, every time he was around the Werin he was always buzzing with energy. Anakin sighed again as he thought of Taro.

The only reason he had gone to the special training day was so he could spend a day with the dark-skinned young man. His heart started beating faster as he remembered how much fun the two of them had had while supervising the younger Padawans.

Anakin smiled as he shook off his undergarments and climbed into bed. He stared at the ceiling, trying to delay the train of thought he knew would come soon. But eventually even trying not to think led him to think of Taro.

And there it was. As soon as Anakin gave in, it hit him harder than any enemy had ever done. Realization so strong that it was almost visible in the room, as some sort of purple glow, and Anakin was sure that if he reached out with his hand he could touch it.

Realization…Realization that his feelings for Taro ran deeper than he thought. He had always been attracted to the Werin, probably even since that fateful first day they met, but it was only since he had gone into puberty that he really started noticing certain aspects of Taro.

His delicious body, for one, with that nice piece of ass that seemed to tease him every time he walked behind the Werin…He had kept it to himself, ashamed and afraid of what would happen if anyone was to find out.

But recently, he had discovered that his feelings for Taro ran deeper than just a simple attraction. And today he had realized how deep: he was completely, utterly, madly in love with the dark-skinned Padawan…

T.B.C.

Please review