Chapter 2: Mending and Meetings
Anakin awoke the next day around noon, which was considerably late for him. But, he wasn't surprised considering what he'd been through in the last 24 hours. Anakin had hoped that it had all been a nightmare, but judging from the pain he felt Anakin knew the experience had been real. He kept his eyes closed and welcomed the pain though. He wanted the pain to wash away the guilt and stupidity that he felt. His guilt of turning his back on the ones he loved and for trying to kill one of the only people in the world he was close to. And his stupidity for even listening to Palpatine or Dooku and for ever imagining they could be right about anything.
Anakin tried not to dwell on these feelings now, knowing that the things he had done could not be changed now. Eventually, Anakin opened his eyes. The light filtered through the trees around him and lit up the ground, creating a smoky light all around him. Anakin focused his eyes on the spot where he had laid Obi-Wan down the night before. But, Obi-Wan was gone! Anakin shot up from the ground to a sitting up position. His entire back felt as if someone just tore the skin completely off and his ribs only allowed him a moment of movement before Anakin flinched in anguish.
"Anakin relax" a voice said, coming from behind Anakin. Anakin turned slowly and looked to where the voice had come from to see Obi-Wan over a fire. "I'm right here." Obi-Wan continued. Anakin was relieved to see him well and was also amazed at the fact that Obi-Wan was already walking. But, Anakin saw, in Obi-Wan's expressions, that even slight movements cause him difficulty. "Lie down" Obi-Wan said soothingly. Anakin took the advice and fell back into his lying position. He winced as his back hit the ground. "Careful." Obi-Wan warned. "You have 5 broken ribs and your right leg had been sprained pretty badly. There was no doubt in Anakin's mind that the broken ribs were the result from Obi-Wan's force-shove into the cave wall and the sprained leg was to be expected. There was a long silence between the two. "Well aren't you going to say something?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering what was on his padawan's mind. 'My...padawan' Obi-Wan thought with a smile. He hadn't realized how much those words meant to him until he almost lost them. Unexpectedly, Anakin sent a glare at Obi-Wan.
"Why should I talk to you!" Anakin said scowling. Obi-Wan was shocked, like the wind had just been knocked out of him.
(Oh no!) Obi-Wan thought. (He's still tainted with darkness. He could still turn!) Obi-Wan was at a loss for words, the only thing that showed his shock was the despairing look plastered on his face.
"What?" Anakin asked. "You mean to tell me you didn't see that wall you inadvertently threw me into?" He said jokingly as a huge smile broke across his face. It took all of Anakin's control not to burst with laughter.He was afraid he would laugh so hard he'd break more of his ribs. Obi- Wan couldn't help it though. He broke outwith laughter as he breathed a sigh of relief. Once Obi-Wan had finally regained some composure he spoke.
"If you ever scare me like that again I'll have you doing training exercises till your 50!" Anakin couldn't help it now, he laughed furiously.
"You should've seen your face! It was priceless!" Anakin said finally stopping due to the pain in his sides.
"If you still had your padawan braid I'd pull it so hard it'd come out of your head." All of a sudden a solemn look came over Anakin's face. Obi-Wan realized that the braid must've been a painful reminder for Anakin, and Obi- Wan felt guilty for bringing it up.
"Actually." Anakin said lifting his arm to his ear. He tugged out a small portion of hair, which was bound up in the small ponytail he still had. A small piece of hair fell down a little past his shoulder wrapped in red and blue ties and Obi-Wan didn't know what to say. "I couldn't bring myself to cut it." Anakin said uncomfortably.
I'm glad." Obi-Wan said and reaching over and pulling the braid hard.
"OW!" Anakin cried rubbing his head.
"Cause if you did I couldn't do that anymore." Obi-Wan wore an enormous smile on his face.
...Next Scene...
On the second day Anakin awoke much earlier and his injuries felt significantly better. He looked to his side and saw Obi-Wan on the other side of the fire still asleep. He realized Obi-Wan must've stayed up almost the whole night healing him. Anakin smiled gratefully. His leg seemed fine now and though his ribs were still very tender they too seemed to be healing fast. When Anakin felt he could stand he lifted himself to his feet. He stood and stumbled, at first, due to a sudden shock of pain. He regained balance quickly and mentally scolded himself for being so clumsy, despite his injuries, he hated feeling weak. Anakin looked down at his master and a wave of grief came over him
(What right do I have to call him master?) Anakin asked himself. (None) He thought answering his own question. (He would've given his life for me and I would've killed him!) Anakin felt his eyes form tears. He quickly wiped them away and formed a determined look. (Crying won't solve any of my problems anymore. I need to do something meaningful.) Anakin let the emotion flow through him and enter into the force as he'd been taught. When Anakin was sure he hadn't disturbed Obi-Wan's sleep he quietly made his way through the woods, heading north. He knew he had unfinished business to attend to, and demons to conquer.
...Next Scene...
Obi-Wan was aroused by the sunlight around mid-day. He was almost fully healed now, though he wished he had something to place in his cuts to make the throbbing pain subside. He looked to Anakin's place by the fire and found it empty. Obi-Wan's immediate reaction was to worry, but then he realized where he must have gone.
(Anakin will return to his transport.) Obi-Wan figured, though whether to contact his leader or just gather his things Obi-Wan did not know. He did however understand that both Anakin and he needed time to think now, alone, to plan where they would go from here. Obi-Wan just hoped that whatever Anakin's plan was it involved him. He also hoped that if Anakin was contacting his former employer that they would not notice Anakin's change or things could get very bad, very quickly.
...Next Scene...
Anakin lowered the ramp to the slick, silver transport he'd arrived here in. His black boots caused a loud 'pang' with every step. It was times like these that he wished for the soft, cloth shoes of the Jedi. But, he had no need to be quiet. He had been here before. It was his ship. But, the atmosphere was somewhat changed now. Anakin noted it had felt different before. Something had shifted here. Then, Anakin realized what it was. When he was here last it was right before his battle with Obi-Wan and the dark force was strong here. It had swirled around him and ran through him. As if it had flowed in his veins to every fiber of his being and it had felt right. However, now the force swirled around him yet could not enter. He felt the dark source grow frustrated at knowing its master but not understanding the change Anakin had gone through and why it could not pierce him as it had before. This fact delighted Anakin to no end. For once he felt in control.
Anakin walked through the ship feeling the dark force grow more and more irritated with each moment. Anakin grabbed a bag that was stored on the ship, that way he could take necessary things when he left. Then, he grabbed a few food capsules and placed them on his belt. He continued looking around the ship grabbing anything he saw he might need. He didn't have much food but what he did have he would bring back for Obi-Wan. Lastly, Anakin reached above his head and opened a small compartment, which revealed a small chest. He gently lifted the cover and placed his hands on the contents. He picked the small object up and placed is in his robe pocket. Anakin had contemplated getting rid of the possession when he became a sith, but something urged him to hold onto it, so he did.
Without warning, a red light began blinking from the cockpit. Anakin noticed the small light out of the corner of his eye and swallowed hard. He knew exactly who would be contacting him right now. Anakin quickly placed his bag behind a wall that would be out of sight when he activated the holo- gram. Then, he clipped his saber to his side and pulled his black robe close around him. As Anakin pulled the robe close him, again, he felt a murky shadow cast over him once more and the fear of that attempted to swallow him. But he stepped forward with confidence and tried to make his presence seems more fierce, as it had been only a few days ago. Anakin almost smiled. Two days ago I could've easily gotten mad over someone breathing to loudly. Now I can't even make an angry face Anakin marveled at the difference between the two sides of the force and wondered how two things that were so different could feel so similar. Anakin waved his thoughts away for the moment and activated the incoming transmission. A small picture wavered in front of him and a foul voice followed, sending an eerie chill down Anakin's spine.
"What is it my master?" Anakin asked masking his voice to seem semi-dark, though he doubted Palpatine wouldn't see right through him. However, Anakin sensed that Palpatine was a little preoccupied by something.
"Is it done? Is Kenobi dead?" he said coolly though Anakin was sure he felt a little bit of urgency behind Sidious' voice. For a moment Anakin didn't know how to respond. How could he do it? How could he stand there and openly admit to this malicious creature that he had slain his mentor and father! Anakin felt a web of guilt wrap around his heart. He now realized just how important Obi-Wan was to him. That even lying about his death was too much of an extreme for Anakin. But, he heard one of Obi-Wan's lessons come back to him.
(When the path is unsure it is better to wait then to rush into the unknown.) Anakin took a deep breath and answered Palpatine with only a slight hesitation.
"Everything is as it should be." Anakin answered neutrally.
"Good. Then head back to Coruscant so we can begin preparation for the demise of the Jedi." The transmission ended abruptly and Anakin was more then happy to miss his cue for one last 'yes, master.' Anakin breathed a sigh of relief as he felt a great anxiety lift off of him when the conversation ended. Anakin casually pressed a button on the control panel, grabbed his bag and walked down off the ship. Once on the ground, Anakin took off his black robe and held it out in front of him. Then, he activated his blood- red lightsaber one last time and sliced the robe cleanly in two. Once finished he deactivated the saber and threw it as hard as he could into the forest. The hilt struck a large rock almost 20 feet in front of Anakin and it shattered into thousands of pieces. Anakin then picked up is bag and walked away from his ship. Suddenly, a huge explosion followed Anakin's departure. Anakin didn't even turn to look back. He simply tossed a small remote, which was programmed to self-destruct the Sith Infiltrator, to the side and walked on back towards where Obi-Wan was awaiting him. As Anakin walked flames and smoke rose from behind him, an omen of the victory for good and a signaling of an end.
Then and there Anakin swore to himself that he would never again join the darkside and that it would never have control over him again. With a short grin and a sigh, he proceeded knowing that in the not-to-far-off-future he would be forced to come face to face with all of the things he needed to correct. The first being to confront the Jedi Council and attempt to regain his place in the order.
...Next Scene...
Obi-Wan had been in anticipation of Anakin's return for almost three hours. He had told himself not to worry, nevertheless something deep down in him refused to rest. It wasn't that he didn't trust Anakin. Or that he didn't want to. It was just that with Anakin's recent return to the light he was at a very vulnerable stage and whoever had turned him before, when he was stronger against the dark, might all to easily take him back now. Obi-Wan decided to gather his few belongings in the camp to be ready to leave when Anakin returned. Also, to help him get his mind off the 'what ifs' and the 'could be's. Obi-Wan donned his robed, which warmed his skin instantly. He was glad now for the thickness of the robe. After two days of sleeping on cold and semi-wet soil, heat was a deep pleasure indeed. Obi-Wan put on his boots, being careful not to push too hard on his legs. Then he calmly slid something out of his tunic pocket and ran is fingers over it. He then attached it to his belt along with his lightsaber. Just then Anakin came through the trees.
Obi-Wan said nothing to Anakin about him being gone when he awoke. Anakin thought Obi-Wan would've been a little more upset. But, he seemed totally calm. Obi-Wan decided he would try to trust Anakin a little more and he didn't have to tell his padawan this he already seemed to know. Anakin smiled to himself. He never assumed it would take him to almost turning to the darkside before Obi-Wan would trust him.
When Obi-Wan saw the smile on Anakin's face all of his worries vanished from his mind. He knew whatever Anakin had done it had been the right thing.
"Come Anakin" Obi-Wan said patiently. "We should return to Coruscant now." Anakin nodded and followed not far behind. Anakin understood he was going to have to tell Obi-Wan about Palpatine at some point before they reached Coruscant. He hoped that he could find the words to tell Obi-Wan everything and that it wouldn't hurt him again. At that moment, Anakin remembered his bag.
"Master!" Anakin called. Obi-Wan turned suddenly forgetting about his newly healed legs. Obi-wan stumbled and fell to his knees causing a searing pain to rip through his body. Anakin rushed to Obi-Wan's side.
(What have I done?) Anakin screamed to himself mentally. The last thing he wanted to do was cause Obi-Wan more pain. However, that's all he seemed to do lately. "I-I'm sorry master." Anakin fumbled for words. "I just wanted to--, I didn't mean to--" Anakin couldn't get a grip on his speech.
"Anakin calm down" Obi-Wan said as a small smile crept onto his face. Never had Anakin fussed over him so. "I'm not dying. I just turned to quick for my own damn good. I'll be fine." Obi-Wan's eyes met Anakin's gaze. Anakin's eyes, Obi-Wan noticed, had fully reformed to their loving, crystal blue. Anakin let out a sigh of relief. "Just remind me not to become your enemy it's bad for your health." Obi-Wan finished with a smile. At the mention of health Anakin pulled out some of the food he brought and the med-pack he'd brought.
"Here, I thought you might be hungry." Anakin said picking up a few packets of various freeze-dried foods. He handed the mix of bags to Obi-Wan.
"Hungry doesn't even begin to describe it." Obi-Wan said sarcastically. "When I get back I plan on cleaning out the entire Temple cafeteria." He took the packages and opened them splitting them with Anakin. "But, thank you Anakin." Anakin smiled.
"And this." He said holding up the med-pack. "I thought you might need it."
"You read my mind." Obi-Wan said surprised. "I was just thinking how handy one of these would be right now." Obi-Wan put down the packets of less then tasty food and began applying bacta to his wounds. Anakin gave his master a mischievous look.
"Well, I have been known to do that from time to time." He said with a sneaky grin. Obi-Wan just gave him an annoyed look.
"Yeah, I know"
