Anakin watched as Obi-Wan thanked the Arthi for letting them stay, gather supplies, wash their clothes and rest for the past few days. Arthi waved it away, saying that no thanks were needed.

"My people will guide you to the River. If you follow it for 5 some time you will come to the edge of the forest. From there, I wish you the best of luck. My people came from there, and forsook everything that it stood for. Perhaps you will find you machine magic there."

Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed in thanks before letting themselves be lead by the tribe's warriors. Anakin fell into step next to Obi-Wan who gave him a small smile.

"These warriors are unable to speak our language. What we say they will not understand, and vice versa."

Anakin's heart did a leap before tumbling back to reality. Arthi could have lied to them. For a swift moment, Anakin wished every warrior dead. His common sense reigned in his dark desire, reminding him that they would take them to the way out, not to mention protecting them from whatever lived inside this humid little hellhole. Anakin took a deep breath, nearly gagged on a couple of bugs, and swore as Obi-Wan chuckled and thumped him on the back.

"I made that mistake too. You weren't there to help me survive it though."

Anakin gave him a mild glare, which Obi-Wan brushed off.

"Come on. We don't want to fall behind."

They stopped suddenly, the scout calling a halt. At that sound, the warriors relaxed and started to unpack a few objects from each of their bags. The two humans looked at each other, mildly confused.

"Lunch, I think."

Anakin sighed happily, and almost laughed in relief. He was hungry. His happiness quickly faded though.

"Bugs?"

"Nope."

"What!"

Obi-Wan grinned. "I got the women to pack me things other than bugs, considering I liked them even less than you did."

Anakin couldn't restrain himself. He hugged his once Master and friend hard before pulling away.

Obi-Wan, slightly dazed chuckled at Anakin's reaction and set down the heavy bag he'd been carrying.

"Now remember, this must last us for a long time."

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan sighed. He'd be glad if it lasted a day when Anakin used that tone of voice.

As the natives chatted idly among each other, the two Jedi were consumed in consuming their food. It was much better than the bug-laden ones they had had to eat for the past days. The natives observed the two Jedi through half-closed eyes.

"They are hiding something," one warrior said.

"But not from us."

"What do you mean?"

"They've been truthful, honest, and forthright when dealing with us."

"Yeah, they're polite and the younger guy is cute."

"Shhh!"

"They aren't being truthful with each other, though. Which I strange, since they seem to know each other so well..."

"It is weird. But it's not our concern."

"True. How much longer will it take for us to get to the River?"

"About two to three more cycles. No more than that."

"Did you account for conflicts?"

"That's why I added the 3, nitwit."

The group chuckled softly to themselves and began cleaning up.

Obi-Wan snapped out of his thoughts first, noticing the increase in the action.

"Anakin, I think we're going to head off again."

Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan and nodded. "Alright."

The two men stood, cleaning up after themselves, and joined the rest of the group, who were waiting expectantly.

Obi-Wan was relieved when they stopped again. His feet were beginning to ache from the roots he'd been walking on. The natives began to set up a camp in the trees, making Obi-Wan nervous.

"I guess we'll be sleeping up there tonight," Anakin murmured.

"I suppose it's to keep us from getting eaten by ground-dwellers."

Anakin nodded, that making sense. "You don't sound happy about it, Master," Anakin teased.

"Oh, shut up."

Anakin laughed as he jumped up to lend a hand.

Obi-Wan shook his head slowly, both amused and annoyed as he watched Anakin. He was glad he was tired. It would give him a restful sleep, and he wouldn't dream. Wouldn't dream about the body that would be lying so close to his. He forced his thoughts away from dangerous waters and stepped up to help cook whatever meal the women warriors had brought down that day. It appeared that while the men were the ones who were expected to war and protect the women were the ones who were the huntresses, responsible for bringing in food. He could tell they were teasing him when he offered to help, but he stubbornly refused to do anything else. Anything to get away from the gaze of those eyes, the fluid movements of that body...

So, even though he knew the women were making merciless puns about him, he helped prepare to food, or what they allowed him to prepare, which, even he admitted, wasn't all too bad.