Padmé awoke early one morning to find Anakin standing on the porch watching the sun rise, he was meditating. She quietly slipped behind him and attempted to put her arms around him. "Good morning, Padmé." Anakin pulled her into an embrace.
"I should know better than to try to sneak on a Jedi Master."
Mara awoke to find the sun peeking through her curtains she yawned and stretched, as soon as she realized the time she jumped from her bed and ran downstairs. Anakin was drinking a cup of coffee and she quickly started to apologize for being late for meditation.
"I'm sorry I overslept, master. It won't happen again."
"No need to apologize, Mara. I let you sleep, especially since you were up late."
"Good morning, Lady Padmé."
"Good morning, Mara. Sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you."
Mara sighed with relief and went into the kitchen to see about breakfast.
"Anakin, next week is Sola's and Darred's wedding anniversary. It's been a long time since we had Ryoo and Pooja spend some time with us."
"It would be interesting to have them over again."
Padmé smiled she didn't tell Anakin that her sister was having problems with Ryoo, she was becoming a young lady now and was starting to rebel the only person she seemed to really respond well to was Anakin, he would give her a certain look and she would immediately stop any mischief. Pooja absolutely adored her uncle.
"How long will they be with us, Angel?" Anakin inquired.
"Is a month too long?"
"No, that's perfect. Mara is doing quite well with her studies, but I believe she needs a few weeks off to spend sometime with children, she has become too isolated and introverted."
"She loves to spend time in the garden though, she always bringing me in flowers, even the vegetable garden she has plotted is starting to grow. She's incredibly detailed and meticulous."
"Well, I want you to take her shopping for some civilian clothes when the girls arrive."
"What about you?"
"No, it is goes against the Jedi code; men aren't allowed to go with a gaggle of women to go shopping." Anakin laughed. Padmé gave him an evil look.
"Okay, I'll come, are you sure you aren't part Sith?"
Padmé laughed because she got her way.
"Jedi masters do not enjoy being manipulated my lady." Anakin scowled as he picked her up and spun her around while embracing his dear wife.
"I know the hazards of manipulating a Jedi master, but fortunately that aforementioned master is also my husband."
"You guys sure are embarrassing, always hugging and kissing, get a room." Mara sighed deeply as she went out to the garden shed.
Instead of being angry, Anakin and Padmé laughed.
Mara Jade checked on her garden and decided to go climb a tree, she really didn't understand her master's relationship with his wife and when she thought about it she wasn't sure she wanted to understand.
"Brooding again, young one?"
"Brooding? Is that what you think?"
"Yes, I am fully aware of the characteristics of brooding as I am an expert in this particular field."
"Master Skywalker, I sometime feel that all I do is work and rarely have time to spend with kids my own age."
"Its funny you mentioned that, Mara."
"Why?"
"My nieces are coming to spend a month with us. Your Jedi lessons will be reduced so you can learn the finer art of socializing."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, Mara. You've been keeping yourself too isolated."
"I just want to be the best Jedi I can be, Master."
"Yes, I know but you need to stop pushing yourself too hard, it takes years to attain a high level, you will get there, I'm sure of it."
"I want you to be proud of me."
"Oh, sweetheart, I already am, you are doing very well, I couldn't be prouder."
Mara jumped into Anakin's arms and he fiercely hugged her and sent reassurance and affection over their bond. "You're the best Jedi Master, I could have ever had, and perhaps Masters Yoda and Kenobi were right."
Anakin smiled and lowered her to the ground she ran towards the house and Padmé was sitting on the couch talking to her sister.
"I wanted to warn you, Padmé that Ryoo doesn't want to come; she will be difficult to say the least."
"Apparently she doesn't remember Anakin; he will take her in hand, if you catch my drift."
"I do. I just thought I'd warn you. The private school we sent her has reported less than spectacular grades and a significant attitude. Pooja of course is very excited about coming."
"We will see you later this afternoon, Sola."
"Yes, thank you for taking them Padmé we really appreciate it, Darred and I need this."
"I know, Sola."
"See you later."
Anakin mediated with Mara and they discussed proper social behavior and also told her not to show off in front of his nieces as they might get jealous and aggressive. Mara asked how she was supposed to keep her skills fresh if they were always around. Anakin suggested her bedroom and the Jedi meditation chamber. She nodded her head.
"They are arriving, Mara, come."
"I sense great hostility from Ryoo, wow her anger is intense."
"Yes, she's going to be trouble, I can tell already."
"At least Pooja seems to be happy to be here."
Anakin smiled and they left the mediation chamber and walked down the hall.
"Uncle Anakin!" Pooja ran to him and jumped into his arms.
He kissed her and spun her around. "You've gotten so big, Pooja."
Ryoo rolled her eyes and crossed her arms sighing deeply.
"Ryoo, how are you?" Anakin asked.
"Well you can read minds can't you? Why ask the question if you already know the answer?"
"Ryoo!" Sola yelled.
"No, it's okay, Sola. Don't worry about it."
"Mother I don't want to be here! Let me go to my friend's house!"
"No, we've already discussed this, you have no business over there, she's twice your age!"
"She looks out for me!"
"So will your Aunt Padmé and Uncle Anakin, they have the maturity and the experience. You are not leaving young lady and that's final."
Mara Jade came out from behind Anakin and offered to take Ryoo and Pooja to their respective rooms.
"Well if it isn't little Mara, padawan servant." Ryoo sarcastically stated.
"I'm not a servant!"
"Whatever."
"Goodbye mother, have a nice trip and don't feel guilty about abandoning us." Ryoo stormed away.
Pooja hugged her mother and father goodbye.
"Sorry, Anakin." Sola apologized.
"Don't be, I enjoy a challenge." Anakin sarcastically responded.
Sola laughed and said, "I think Ryoo has met her match."
"In more ways than one." Padmé laughed.
Sola and Darred left for their vacation.
Ryoo sat in her room refusing to come out and brooding. Anakin knocked on the door and opened it to find his niece sitting on the floor.
"Time for dinner."
"I'm not hungry."
"Regardless. You will sit with the family with or without your cooperation. Come."
"No."
"I wasn't aware that I gave you a choice, Ryoo." Anakin grabbed her arm and forced her to come with him.
She started yelling and screaming, "Leave me alone! Why can't people leave me alone! I didn't ask for this."
Ryoo was pushed in a chair and Anakin held her in place with a force barrier, she couldn't move. Everyone started eating and Ryoo continued to struggle and yell, "Let me go! I hate you." Ryoo was ignored as dinner was eaten and the table was cleared off and the dishes were washed, dried and put away. Pooja went outside with Mara to admire the stars and the constellations.
"What's wrong with Ryoo, Pooja?"
"I don't know Mara, she started hanging out with these kids and she changed. She often sneaks out at night. She makes mom cry, and dad he gets angry."
"Hmm, well she doesn't want to try those games here."
"She doesn't care. Mara, I'm afraid that I'm losing my sister, she's always looked out for me, even when we fought, now she only cares about her stupid friends."
Mara comforted Pooja and when Anakin called them inside, they immediately went upstairs to their bedrooms after taking a bath. Anakin tucked in Pooja.
"I'm so glad to be here, Uncle Anakin. Mara is so nice, she listens to me just like Ryoo used too."
"Do you know what has happened, Pooja?"
"At school she started hanging out with this bad crowd of kids and sometimes she returns to the dorm smelling funny like a strange sickly sweet smell. She's mean, Uncle Anakin, we fight all the time and her friends make fun of me and she doesn't even defend me anymore." Pooja started to cry and Anakin held her as she continued to sob, she was losing her sister to her friends and to the narcotic spice. Anakin knew all the symptoms of going through withdrawals; he saw it first hand while working with Watto. People would sell their ship parts to get another hit. If they didn't get it they became violent, brooding, and have no appetite, most would literally starve themselves and sometimes their families. It was really sad and he knew that Ryoo would do just about anything to gain another hit.
Ryoo was certain that everyone was asleep; she would steal her uncle's air speeder to Theed to get another supply. She crawled out the window, and made it to the garage to find Anakin sitting in the yellow air speeder.
"Going somewhere, young one? It's rather late." Anakin casually asked as he pushed down the hood of his black cloak.
Ryoo screamed and ran out of the garage towards the wooded glade. Anakin jumped out of his speeder and calmly followed her. He didn't have to run; he knew right where she was. Ryoo climbed the tree and sat there shaking not only from the cold but from the withdrawals. Anakin sat below the tree and pulled his hood over his head.
"Do you want to talk about it, Ryoo?"
"No, it's none of your business."
"It must be tough to be going through withdrawal symptoms. I could help you if you wanted."
"I don't have a drug problem, Uncle Anakin."
"Did I mention drugs?"
"I don't have to tell you anything!"
"No, you don't, because I already know."
"Stay out of my mind! It's an invasion of privacy!"
"I haven't attempted to read your mind, young one. I spent nine years on Tatooine; you think I don't know spice withdrawals when I see them?"
"It's none of your business!"
"Actually it is, young one, you are a very important member of my family."
Ryoo jumped out of the tree and attempted to physically bring down a man who was not only very powerful in the Force, but was also strong physically. He managed to pin her down and she punched, kicked as she screamed. He merely held her until most of the fight was seemingly out of her. She then started to cry and sob as she held onto Anakin for dear life.
He carried her to her bed and she fell asleep, Anakin returned to his bedroom. Padmé stirred but thankfully she remained asleep.
Mara Jade awoke, made her bed, and went outside to meditate. Master Skywalker wasn't awake yet, which was weird because he was always awake before she was. She quieted her mind. She felt her master approach; he sat behind her and rubbed her shoulders.
"Good morning, padawan."
"Good morning, master. You are tired."
"Hm, is it that obvious?"
"No, just to me and maybe Lady Padmé we know you too well. What's wrong with Ryoo? She is in great pain."
"She's suffering from spice withdrawals."
"She tried to sneak out last night didn't she?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I felt her presence by my window; she walked by it and then crept down the rose trellis. I also felt her surprise that you were sitting in your air speeder waiting on her."
Anakin smiled and chuckled.
"Padmé is taking you and Pooja shopping this afternoon for some civilian clothes."
"Oh, master, do I have too?"
"Yes, I normally would also have to go, but I have to stay here and help Ryoo through her withdrawals."
"Let me stay!"
"No, you need to go and be more social, besides it will be fun."
"Humph."
"I don't suppose I need to remind you to behave."
"No, you don't. Believe me I really despise your creative punishments, my master."
"I learned from the best." Anakin smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure you have." Mara hugged Anakin and went to the house.
Padme, Pooja, and Mara left the house. Anakin was preparing a stew and some medicine to help Ryoo with her withdrawals. He carried it upstairs and saw Ryoo crying, the withdrawals had a tendency to awaken strong emotions, particularly anger and sadness.
"I've brought you something to eat."
"I'm not hungry. Go away."
"No. Come let's eat."
"Forget it! I hate you."
Anakin sighed deeply and slowly approached Ryoo and sat next to her.
"Let me go to my friend's house, please. They know how to take care of me."
"By letting you inject more spice into your system? I don't think I'm going to allow my niece to remain a slave to drugs."
"No, you just want a personal slave of your own; I mean really you have Mara, isn't one enough?"
A menacing glare appeared in Anakin's face as his anger grew, most people seeing Anakin at this stage wouldn't dare continue to goad this fierce Jedi Master. But, Ryoo either forgot the last time she really incensed him or didn't care. She figured that if she kept aggravating him that he would send her away. So she continued. "I mean she calls you master. I bet you called your owner the same and did whatever he told you to do. Oh, yes master, whatever you say master." Ryoo ridiculed.
Anakin stood to his full height and crossed his arms and continued to glare at his niece.
"I'm not afraid of you." But Anakin felt her fear anyway; he stalked away before his anger consumed him.
"Do not leave this room under any circumstances, Ryoo Naberrie."
She picked up the bowl of stew and threw it at him, he stopped it and manipulated the soup back into the bowl and returned it to the tray. Anakin locked the door and the window, Ryoo would not be able to leave.
He went to his garage and started working on his newest found swoop bike it was similar to his half-brothers, it was beat-up and Anakin had to retrofit new parts and would paint it when it was completed. It was a side business he had created to take old bikes, racers, and other land speeders to improve them and sell them for three times the amount he bought them for. He had many wealthy clients; he donated most of the funds to the Jedi Temple and would only keep a small portion for his children's future.