Thanks for your kinds review, riderazzo. And yes, I'm still working on shroud. The next chapter should be done by tonight or tomorrow.

Chapter 2

They gathered in a small, dilapidated hut faraway in the Nubaya Mountains of the planet. Some of them were fugitives. Some of them used to roam among the elite of Naboo. Some of them still did. As diverse their backgrounds and motives were, all of them shared a singular hatred and a common malevolent goal.

"It is decided then," stated the leader of the group in a monotone voice. "The Queen must die, and her government must be eradicated." He was a tall human of around forty, obviously a man of the higher classes as he spoke with the all the resolve of offended dignity.

"I most certainly second that notion," exclaimed another. "I will no longer submit to the rule of a child! And to make matters worse, a little girl!"

"She broke up my gambling ring! The nerve of her…" a ruffian chimed out.

"And the Gungans, running around like this is their planet. Just the sight and sound of them makes me want to gag!" Another rich aristocrat.

The chatter went on as each member of the group gave vent to their ills and grievances. No one bothered to listen to one another, and it was not important anyway. Nothing of importance was being said.

A lone figure sat apart from the crowd seated around the table. He was not one of the group, but without him they would have nothing. These people would talk and plan and conspire, but none of them actually had the gall to go through with their wild schemes and fantasies. That was why the world needed mercenaries. That was why Jango Fett was able to make a living in the galaxy. So that the true scum would keep their hands clean and delude their consciences.

"Do you think he is a threat, Knight Kenobi?"

As he listened to those harsh words Obi-Wan Kenobi felt apprehension towards the Jedi Council for the first time in his life. Fear, even. They were talking about his Padawan. His failure. He had failed as both a Jedi and a Master.

"No, Master Windu, I do not believe that my Padawan is a threat. He is just a boy, for Sith's Sake!"

"A boy with power beyond comprehension and a lightsaber," reminded Plo Koon. "He is highly unstable and has already done much damage on Tatooine."

"Heard back from Master Ki-Adi Mundi, we have not," proclaimed Yoda from his seat on the council. "Feel his presence in the Force, I do not."

"Surely you don't accuse a fourteen year old Padawan of killing a Jedi Master," asked Obi-Wan with an incredulous attitude that bore traces of his old Master Qui-Gon.

"We only know the facts, Master Kenobi," replied Mace Windu with an intimidating glare. "As of now Padawan Anakin Skywalker is to be considered a rogue Jedi. He is a potential threat and must return to our custody."

"He is a confused boy who's been having nightmares about his mother," argued Obi-Wan. "If this council had not been so strict in keeping him away from her, we wouldn't even be in this situation in the first place!"

"The code we must follow, Master Kenobi, through the course of every Padawan's training," stated Yoda, unmoved by the passionate argument by the man standing before him. "Loosen his attachments we must, in order to keep him away from the Dark Side."

"I fear that our efforts will only result in driving him towards that path. He's different, Master Yoda. Surely you can see that!"

"This argument serves no purpose," interrupted Mace harshly. "Not until we have apprehended Skywalker. Master Kenobi, it is the will of the Council that you and Master Gallia go to Tatooine. Find your Padawan and bring him back to the Temple through whatever means and find out what happened to Master Mundi."

Obi-Wan bowed silently and left the Council Chambers knowing that he was treading on thin ice. Why did the Council demand that one of its own accompany him to find a fourteen-year-old boy? For oversight, he concluded. They want to keep tabs on me, on the training of my Padawan. They want to see where I went wrong. I don't even know where I went wrong. Maybe that's the problem.

They walked in comfortable silence through the hallways of the Royal Palace until they found their way to a balcony overlooking the waterfalls. Padme desperately wanted a conversation with Anakin but he seemed simply content with situation for the time being. He was holding back something, she thought to herself. Something painful. Should she ask and try to help him? Would she even be able to?

"Don't worry about me, milady. I'm content. Your presence is soothing."

She glanced up at him in shock. It was as if he had just read her mind. But then, she reminded herself, he is a Jedi. "Thanks, Ani. I don't know what to say." She didn't know where to start.

"You can say anything you want to. Or you can not say anything at all. I don't want to impose on you or make you uncomfortable." His face betrayed no emotions. Padme examined him and her eyes to his Padawan braid. She ran her fingers down the intricately woven piece of hair.

"How is your training going? Is Obi-Wan a good teacher?" She knew that she could be treading on a touchy subject but was amazed to see her friend's face scrunch into an expression of unending pain and…hatred? Almost as quickly as he had lost it he regained his composure and his Jedi stoicism. Everywhere except for his blue eyes.

"The Jedi and Master Obi-Wan weren't what I expected them to be. And I don't think they are happy with my progress. I'm not turning to be the Jedi I should be, or maybe not the Jedi they want me to be."

"I don't see how that is possible, Ani. I remember everyone talking about how powerful you were, how much potential you had." She noticed tears running down his cheeks. She didn't know how her words were causing them so she tried to reminisce about more pleasant memories.

"You saved our entire planet, Anakin. You were the hero of Naboo and you still are." She turned back into the palace with an excited sparkle in her eye. "In fact, this planet needs a celebration for its greatest hero." She didn't expect Anakin to pull her back, nor did she expect that desperate look in his eyes to still be there.

"You flatter me, Padme." Strangely, she didn't object him calling her by her real name. "All I did was get lucky. I don't deserve any celebrations in my honor. I couldn't even save…" He couldn't finish his sentence and instead turned his gaze outside.

"Anakin, you've been so distant ever since you arrived here. What's wrong?" He waited for what seemed like hours before he decided on an answer.

"Everything, Padme. Everything. Except for you." His eyes truly met hers for the first time as he said that. Padme felt a strange shivering feeling crawling up her spine.

"I'm so sorry Anakin, for whatever that's happened," she said, closing the distance between them. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Stay here and watch the waterfall with me, Padme," he pleaded. "Please. I have not seen beauty like it for a long time." She inched herself beside him and gently put her arm around his shoulders, comforting him. The two of them gazed at the scenery before them. The water is always in motion, he thought. Always running, always changing, until it finally finds its true home.