Spoilers: No new spoilers in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine, but I refuse to give Anakin back.

A/N: Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed! I can't tell you how much it means.

Slipping Into Darkness

Chapter 4

As morning arrived on Coruscant, Obi-Wan rose to his feet and moved to the 'fresher. He took a shower and changed into clean robes, then went to the kitchen to cook the morning meal. Though such activities did give him some sense of purpose, he still felt a profound sense of helplessness. His meditation the previous night had left him feeling more rested, but it had not provided any answers as to how to help Anakin.

Obi-Wan could, even now, feel the waves of torment that emanated through the bond he shared with his former apprentice, and yet the Jedi Master did not fully understand what had caused them. This pain was even greater than what he had felt from Anakin after his mother had died, greater than anything he had ever sensed. What had happened to him? More than ever, Obi-Wan wished he could accept this agony upon himself, but he could not.

He sighed in resignation. That was a fact he had accepted long ago. If Anakin truly was the Chosen One, then Obi-Wan knew that he would face great challenges and trials in the future. And though he cared for Anakin like a son, he could not bear those burdens for him. He had done all he could to train Anakin, trying to prepare him for whatever lay ahead, but he could not take his place. Anakin's duty as the Chosen One was his alone.

Anakin had always felt the weight of that responsibility. "Why I am chosen?" Anakin had asked him once. "Why is it me? Can't I refuse it? Can't you let me refuse it? Can't you take it away? Take it from me. Please, Master."

Obi-Wan had wished he could grant his Padawan's request, but he knew that he could not, just as he could not take away the pain Anakin felt now. But he could stand by Anakin's side. He could be there for him, as he had promised him that day.

Obi-Wan was drawn from his thoughts as he heard Padmé stir in the next room. He was careful to move silently so as not to disturb her.

Once Obi-Wan finished his part of the meal, he put aside what remained so that Padmé could have some when she woke. Then, he contacted Padmé's protocol droid C-3PO, and arranged for him to have clearance to the Temple. The Senator had been so concerned for Anakin that she had not even paused to change from her night clothes. Obi-Wan knew she would be far more comfortable when she was properly dressed.

When he was sure that Padmé would be well cared for, Obi-Wan moved to leave. He had come to a decision. After a night of solitude, Anakin's pain still had not lessened. If Anakin could not accept this on his own, then perhaps knowing that his Master was standing with him would give him some comfort. Obi-Wan drew on the Force, and for once it did not call for him to stop. He would go to Anakin.

But, just as Obi-Wan turned to leave, his comm unit activated. Recognizing the Council's signal, Obi-Wan responded immediately.

"Master Kenobi, your presence is requested," Mace Windu said without preamble. "We have much to discuss."

"I am on my way, Master."

Obi-Wan sighed as he headed for the Council chamber. He had already missed a number of meetings with the Council while he stood by Anakin's bed side. The Council had allowed him to do so, understanding that his worry for his former apprentice might cloud his judgment. But, now that Anakin was awake, it was his duty to attend. In any case, Obi-Wan sensed that his former apprentice might very well be the focus of this particular Council session. As hard as it was to wait, he would have to go to Anakin afterwards. He only hoped that Anakin would be alright until then.

After making his way through the grand hall, Obi-Wan entered the chamber and took his seat. No matter how many times he sat in this room, Obi-Wan suspected that he would always feel the same sense of amazement at being given such an honor. As a Padawan, he had only dreamed of being on the Council, but now that dream had become reality.

He wondered briefly what Qui-Gon would think. After all, Qui-Gon and the Council had rarely seen eye to eye, and Anakin was very much like him in that regard, Obi-Wan knew. Perhaps that was why he and Anakin often quarreled over their orders. Anakin saw the orders as Qui-Gon had: as a guide. Unlike Qui-Gon however, Obi-Wan had always thought that the orders of Council should be followed as closely as possible. But before Obi-Wan could continue this train of thought, the Council was called into session.

At once, holograms appeared in the seats of the absent Council members, Yoda now included among them. The meeting began without formal greetings. It had become a common occurrence as the war left little time for such civilized courtesies.

Mace Windu spoke first. "We have many important matters at hand."

Yoda nodded. "Yes, and discuss first we must, what has happened to young Skywalker." Every member of the Council turned to face the aged Jedi. "Report his condition to me the healers did. Never a vision so powerful have I heard of." He turned to face Obi-Wan. "Know what he saw, do you?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, Master. He left the healer's ward soon after the vision ended. He seemed…" Obi-Wan searched for the right words to describe what he witnessed, but he realized that words could never truly express the depth of the torment he had felt from Anakin. "He seemed to be in great pain, Master. I have never felt anything like this from him before. I sensed that he needed to be alone, and I hoped that he could come to terms with what he saw. But his pain has not lessened. I am not sure what could hurt him so much, Master."

Obi-Wan looked down, once again feeling the intensity of Anakin's torment, as well as his own guilt that he could do nothing to alleviate it.

To his surprise, Obi-Wan felt a wave of comfort through the Force. Looking up, he met Shaak Ti's eyes, and she gave him a gentle smile. It was common knowledge that both of the Padawans she had trained had died shortly after they were knighted - perhaps seeing another unable to help their former apprentice reminded her of her own experiences. Obi-Wan sent back his gratitude.

After a moment, Yoda spoke again. "Say anything before he left, did he?"

"He said that it had been a vision of his future."

"Hmmm…" Yoda's hologram leaned onto his gimer stick. "Careful we must be when sensing the future. Dangerous it can be, especially now that clouded by darkness the Force is."

"I agree," Mace Windu said simply. "And we cannot trust young Skywalker's judgment. We must speak to him immediately to determine what he saw. Then if it is indeed the future, we need to decide what our next step will be."

There was a murmur of agreement from several other Council members.

Obi-Wan bristled inwardly.

Apparently, Anakin's claims that the Council did not trust him were more valid than Obi-Wan had realized. And, despite believing that Anakin was ready to face his former Master alone, Obi-Wan knew he could not face the entire Council. He had to say something to dissuade them. After hesitating a moment, Obi-Wan spoke.

"I do not believe that would be wise, Master."

Mace Windu turned his sharp gaze to Obi-Wan.

"Why do you say that, Master Kenobi?" he asked coldly.

"When he awoke, it seemed that the presence of other Jedi caused him further suffering. I cannot explain why that is the case, Master, but I do know that to call Anakin before the Council now would be a mistake. He will come to us when he is ready. I ask that you give him that chance."

Even though Obi-Wan would have thought it impossible, the dark-skinned Jedi Master's voice became even colder.

"It is not the goal of this Council to cause young Skywalker 'further suffering'. However, if his vision is of the future, and it shows that the Order may be in danger, then we have no choice. He must face us before it is too late for us to act on what he saw."

"Master, Anakin would not endanger the Order simply because he does not wish to face the Council-"

"Unless, of course," Mace interrupted, "it is his intention to delay our action."

Obi-Wan felt shock rise within him. Was the Council questioning Anakin's loyalty to the Order?

"What?!" Obi-Wan asked, a touch of anger coloring his voice. "What are you implying, Master?"

"Simply that Anakin is too close to the Chancellor. If Palpatine is planning to abuse his new authority over the Jedi, then he may have included young Skywalker in his plot-"

"Enough!"

Every head in the chamber turned to face Yoda once more as he tapped his cane on the floor, motioning for attention. "Cause us not to trust each other, the goal of the Sith is. By arguing, allowing him to succeed we are." The chamber grew quiet under impact of Yoda's words. "Speak with young Skywalker we will, but wait we can. Trust the Force to guide him we must. Until then, other matters we have to discuss."

The Council members nodded agreement.

"I suggest," Ki-Adi Mundi said after a moment, "that we focus on the location of General Grievous."

Mace Windu looked at the hologram of the Cerean Jedi Master. "The Chancellor has reported that the clone intelligence teams believe Grievous has taken the world of Utapau."

"But is that the case?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked. "The droid general has deceived us before, and it is possible that this is simply another trap."

Yoda's hologram took on a thoughtful expression. "A trap it may be, but allow an opportunity such as this to slip through our grasp, we cannot. Send someone we must."

"I agree," Master Tinn added. "An experienced Master is required for such a mission."

The aged Jedi Master nodded. "Suggest I do, that Master Kenobi we send."

For the second time that day, Obi-Wan felt a shock of surprise run through him. While he was honored that they believed him to be right for this command, he was worried for Anakin.

Yoda, despite the distance to Kashyyyk, seemed able to hear his thoughts. "Willing to accept this assignment are you? Realize we do, that concerned for your former Padawan you are."

"Yes, Master, I am worried about Anakin. But…" Obi-Wan felt the weight of regret settle on his shoulders. His duty as a Jedi was first to the Republic, and it was likely that combined with the loss of Count Dooku, the loss of Grievous would cripple the Separatists permanently. If that occurred, the war could be over within days and many lives would be spared. He could not refuse this assignment, even for Anakin's sake. "But," Obi-Wan continued, "I will do what I must. I accept."

"All in favor?" Mace Windu asked.

The others voiced their agreement.

"Then it is decided."

For the remainder of the meeting, the Council discussed other matters, reviewing the state of various battles and campaigns. But for Obi-Wan, who was normally very patient - a skill he had acquired after years of having to tame his often-unruly Padawan - he felt only restlessness. His mind was unfocussed and he waited anxiously for the meeting to end so that he could speak with Anakin.

The confrontation with Mace Windu had left him shaken. He had heard other Council members voice concern over Anakin's actions in the past, but never had his loyalty been questioned so openly. However, he knew he could not mention the incident to Anakin. The vision had given him enough to deal with, and telling him of the Council's distrust would only be an unnecessary burden.

Finally, the meeting drew to a close. The holograms were deactivated, and the remaining members filed out of the room. But as Obi-Wan turned to leave, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He was surprised to find that it was Master Windu who had drawn him aside.

"May I speak with you privately, Master Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan stifled a sigh for yet another delay, but agreed nonetheless. "Of course, Master Windu."

Obviously sensing Obi-Wan's impatience, the Senior Council member spoke.

"I am sure you are anxious to brief your troops for the journey to Utapau."

For a moment, Obi-Wan debated telling him that it was Anakin he was eager to speak to, but he decided against it. The Council didn't need to know everything. That thought made Obi-Wan smile inwardly. Perhaps he was more like Qui-Gon than he had ever realized.

Thoughts of his old Master were interrupted as Mace Windu continued. "I want to assure you that I do not question your loyalty, Obi-Wan. But I must say, I do not trust Anakin."

"Master," Obi-Wan said softly. "You may not trust him, but I do. He will not let me down, he never has. I do not understand what has happened to him, but I know that he will do what is right."

Mace Windu shook his head. "I hope that your faith in him has not been misplaced, Obi-Wan."

"It hasn't been," Obi-Wan answered confidently.

With that, he bowed and left the room.

TBC

A/N: The lines of dialogue in which Anakin asks why he was chosen are taken from Jedi Quest Book #7. It's a wonderful book and I take no credit for the lines I drew from it. :)

The next post should be up on Monday.

Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed, your feedback has been incredibly kind, and greatly appreciated.

For anyone who hasn't reviewed yet…

*waves hand* You will review! *waves hand again* The submit review button is the option you are looking for. Once you have reviewed, you can go about your business. Move along. ;)

Ani-maniac494