Spoilers: No new spoilers in this chapter.

Disclaimer: It's still not mine…but if George Lucas wants to share, I won't argue.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this, and of course, please let me know what you think!

Slipping Into Darkness

Chapter 5

Obi-Wan didn't have a difficult time finding Anakin within the Temple. The waves of suffering that emanated through the Force acted as a dark beacon, and the Jedi Master couldn't help but shudder as he drew closer. But despite what he had felt, he was still unprepared for the sight that met him once he entered his former apprentice's quarters.

Anakin stood by the window, staring blankly into the sky. Dark circles surrounded his red rimmed eyes, and his skin had a ghostly pallor. But most frightening of all was the dead look in his eyes. It seemed as if all hope had left him. His normally proud stance was replaced by one that spoke of disgrace. The guilt that Obi-Wan sensed from Anakin was so great that it made him wonder if Anakin would ever have the courage to live in daylight again. He appeared to be only a shadow of the boy Obi-Wan had grown to care for as a son, a brother, and a friend. Once again, Obi-Wan had to wonder what terrible things Anakin had seen in his vision.

He lingered in the entrance to Anakin's quarters, waiting for the younger man to acknowledge his presence, but only silence greeted the Jedi Master. After a few moments, he decided to speak.

"Anakin?" he asked quietly.

Anakin jumped back as though Obi-Wan's voice had been a blaster shot.

"Master, I..." Anakin glanced back at him, then turned away once more. "What are you doing here? I…I can't…" His words were closer to choked sobs than the cocky tone that had become his trademark, and Obi-Wan frowned deeply in concern.

Closing his eyes, Anakin drew a deep breath and managed to compose himself to some degree, then spoke again, though his voice was still rife with emotion. "Master, why are you here?"

"I came to see you, Anakin. I am worried about you, and I wish to help."

At his words, Obi-Wan felt yet another wave of pain emanate from his friend. Confused, he moved forward, hoping to place a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder. But for every step he drew nearer, Anakin took one in the opposite direction.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked again, this time in surprise, stopping his advance. It was almost as if Anakin were afraid of him. Could that be what he had seen? After another moment of silence, Obi-Wan spoke again. "Anakin, is it something I did, or will do? If it is, I…"

"No!" Anakin yelled, his anguished cry taking Obi-Wan by surprise. "It isn't you!"

For a brief instant, Anakin met his gaze, but quickly averted his eyes. As he did so, Obi-Wan was struck with a flash of insight through the bond he shared with Anakin. Anakin was not afraid that he would be hurt, rather he feared that he would hurt his former Master.

Why would he fear that? Obi-Wan wondered. As if hearing his thoughts, Anakin moved back to the window and rested his head against the glass. His next words came in the form of a barely audible, but desperate whisper. "You…you don't understand… You can't!"

"Then help me to understand, Anakin." Obi-Wan entreated gently. "I can help you, if you will let me. Tell me what you saw."

Finally, Anakin turned to face his Master, but he still refused to meet the older man's eyes. "Please, Master, don't ask me that. Anything else, but not that."

The request was desperate, full of pain. It was as if his sanity, the very fate of his soul, depended on the Jedi Master's answer. Silence ensued, and Obi-Wan found that words had left him. He was deeply troubled by what he felt from Anakin, and knew he could never refuse such a plea.

"Very well, Anakin," he said finally. "I do not know what you saw, but when you are ready to speak of it, I will be here."

Anakin nodded grimly, then returned to his place at the window. When he made no move to speak again, Obi-Wan broke the silence.

"I wanted to tell you that I have been given another assignment. Clone intelligence teams believe Grievous has taken the world of Utapau."

He waited for a reaction from Anakin, but none came. After a few moments, he understood the reason. Somehow, Anakin already knew. Obi-Wan continued.

"I am not sure how long this assignment will take, but if the intelligence is correct, and the operation is successful, it may mean the end of the war."

Still, Anakin made no response. Understanding how desperately the young man wished to be alone, yet disappointed that he could do nothing to help, Obi-Wan turned to leave.

"May the Force be with you, Anakin," he said quietly, then walked to the door.

To his surprise, Anakin's call stopped him. "Master!"

He turned once again.

"The clones…" he said quietly. It was obvious that the words were a struggle for him, but Anakin forced himself to continue. "The clones have been programmed to betray the Jedi."

Anakin could feel Obi-Wan's shock reverberating through the Force.

"What?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, stunned.

Anakin had never seen his Master so surprised. Over the course of the war, the Jedi had grown to trust the clones, no longer seeing them as soldiers, but as comrades in arms. In many cases, as with a particular clone known as Cody, the clones had even become their friends. Learning that they were designed to betray the Jedi was unthinkable.

"They will betray the Jedi, and a large battalion will be sent to the Temple."

Anakin watched as the implications of his statement became clear to Obi-Wan.

"Are you certain?" he asked.

Anakin nodded grimly. He was more than certain: he had led the clones to the Temple himself…

Gratefully, Obi-Wan's next words drew him from those thoughts.

"I must inform the Council. If the clones betray the Jedi, it could mean the end of…" He looked back to Anakin, a sudden understanding in his eyes. "Was this part of your vision?"

Anakin looked down. He didn't need to answer.

"I'm sorry, Anakin. I can't imagine what it must have been like."

Through their bond, Anakin felt Obi-Wan send him comfort, and forced himself not to recoil.

Obi-Wan cared about him, and he was the closest thing to a father Anakin had ever known. Such an act would normally have been met with gratitude. But what Obi-Wan did not understand was that every gesture of comfort - every word of understanding - felt like another blade that was being thrust into Anakin's heart.

Looking at Obi-Wan now, he did not see his Master, he saw only the vision. I hate you! Anakin heard a warped version of his own voice scream. He saw once again the look of unbearable pain on his Master's face. You were like my brother, Anakin! I loved you! Anakin felt the now-familiar bite of tears at the back of his throat and tried force them away.

"We must stop this."

Startled, Anakin looked up, fearing, for a moment, that Obi-Wan somehow seen the echoes of the vision for himself.

"I will go to the Council and tell them about the clones," Obi-Wan declared. "My mission must be postponed."

"No," Anakin said quickly.

Obi-Wan frowned, puzzled.

"Go to Utapau, Master, you will be successful."

That much was true, Anakin thought. He knew Obi-Wan would defeat Grievous. That was what he had been sent to tell the Chancellor when Palpatine had revealed his identity as the Sith Lord…

A cold chill ran down Anakin's back, but he forced himself to continue.

"You must be careful of the clones, but you need them to defeat Grievous. They are no danger to you as long as the order to betray the Jedi is not given."

"But how can we be certain that the order will not given, Anakin?"

"It won't be," Anakin said with determination.

A desperate plan had begun to form in his mind. Obi-Wan was right. This had to be stopped, and he was the only one who could do it. It was a plan he could not tell his Master about, and one in which Obi-Wan's absence was essential. But it was a plan nonetheless.

Obi-Wan gazed at Anakin but said nothing. They had known each other long enough that Obi-Wan knew when Anakin had something in mind. The young Knight waited for a lecture to begin, as it usually did when he had a dangerous idea, but it never came.

Instead, Obi-Wan spoke quietly. "I trust you, Anakin."

A wave of mixed emotion flooded through him: surprise that Obi-Wan had not objected, knowing that he had some reckless plan in mind, and pain that Obi-Wan was so quick to offer him that trust. But at the same time, he was grateful. Obi-Wan may not fully understand what he intended, but he had faith in him.

Anakin forced himself to look Obi-Wan in the eyes. "Thank you, Master."

"You're welcome, Anakin." The elder Jedi paused for a moment, then added, "You should know that Padmé has refused to leave the Temple until she knows you are alright. I loaned her my quarters so she could lie down. I think she would very much like to see you."

Anakin nodded. He should have known that his determined and stubborn wife wouldn't leave. "I will see her, Master."

Obi-Wan smiled at him, but then his smile faded, and they stared at each other for another long moment.

"Well," Obi-Wan said finally, "I am sure my troops are wondering where I am."

Though his words suggested otherwise, he didn't move. He seemed to know, as Anakin did, that this could very well be the last time they spoke.

Will it be? Anakin wondered. Or would they meet again as enemies, fighting a duel to the death? No, Anakin thought fiercely. I won't let that happen. I will die before I let that happen. With a cold shiver, Anakin realized that it was in fact, a definite possibility.

He tried to think of something to say, some last words for his friend and mentor, but he realized that words would never be enough to say how grateful he was for everything his Master had done for him.

Obi-Wan seemed to understand and put a hand on his shoulder. For once, Anakin didn't move away.

"Goodbye, old friend. May the Force be with you."

"Goodbye, Master. May the Force be with you."

Obi-Wan smiled at him once more and then left, his footsteps echoing softly in the silence.

TBC

A/N: The next post should be up on Thursday.

Thank you 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