Anakin and Obi-Wan were left at the River and watches as the natives disappeared into the surrounding forest.

"That was uneventful, for all the warnings that we were given by the villagers and Arthi."

"Don't get cocky, Anakin. We've got a ways ahead of us yet. Who knows what we might meet along the way? What wouldn't attack a large group might attack two people."

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan didn't like how Anakin said that.

"Did Arthi say we could drink this water?" Anakin asked as he approached the swiftly flowing water. Obi-Wan thought, trying to recall what Arthi had said. There was something wrong with the water...He tensed and pulled Anakin back from the water's edge.

"He said to not drink the water."

Anakin looked wistfully at the River. He was thirsty. "Why, Master?"

Obi-Wan looked at the River, and then at Anakin. "One: There are many things that live within that water, some dangerous, some not. So, that's something to take care of. Two: Do you really feel like telling me your deepest, darkest secrets?"

"WHAT?" Anakin wasn't surprised at the danger. He was surprised by the second fact.

Obi-Wan sighed, for his reaction hadn't been much different.

"Arthi's people aren't particularly violent, but there is the case of an occasional crime. When the offenders are put to trial, they are first forced to drink the water from this river. It makes the drinker answer any question posed truthfully, whether he wants to or not."

"It's a natural truth serum?"

"Yes..."

Anakin paled, and looked at the river again. It offered so many opportunities, and yet so many dangers. If he became desperate enough to drink it, he may confess to Obi-Wan...and yet, if he got Obi-Wan to drink it, all his questions would be answered.

Obi-Wan became nervous at the look in Anakin's eyes. There was a calculating in them that made him seem like a stranger, like someone who wouldn't think again about harming someone. When Anakin fixed that gaze on him, he shivered.

"Come on, Anakin. We've don't know how much ground is left to cover."

As the shadows grew heavier around them Obi-Wan began to worry. Although he was used to this 'night' he had never felt so...uneasy...when he was with the native warriors. Being alone, well, not really alone, without anyone who knew the planet's ecosystem and dangers might be the only thing making him nervous.

No, that's not it, Obi-Wan thought to himself. There's something out there and I don't think it means us well. Anakin had been silent since their conversation about the River, and Obi-Wan didn't like that. Whenever he was so silent for so long usually meant trouble. He could only assume it was trouble meant for him, which didn't bode well.

He swatted away the bugs that hung around him and Anakin grinned.

"They seem to like the taste of your blood more than mine, Master."

Obi-Wan gave him a glare that was met with a smirk. As he was looking at Anakin, he saw movement in the bushes behind Anakin. Obi-Wan quickly brought out his lightsabre, but the animal, or whatever, was gone before he could ignite it. Anakin turned around and looked where Obi-Wan was.

"There's nothing there, Master."

"There was, though. Be careful, Anakin."

"Yes, Master."

Fuck you, Master, is more like it, Obi-Wan thought darkly. Anakin had to learn caution. He shook his head and continued walking and killing bugs again, swearing softly, which made Anakin chuckle. Obi-Wan turned around again to scold him when he saw something bound towards Anakin. He cried out and sprinted towards Anakin, who seemed to turn far too slowly, surprised. Obi-Wan pushed Anakin out of the way but was gored by one of the animal's tusks. When he saw Anakin, his face was so clouded with anger he could barely recognize the man he had come to love as a son, a friend, and maybe...

Anakin mercilessly cut the animal in half and caught Obi-Wan as he staggered away from the carcass.

"Master!"

Obi-Wan managed a wan smile before collapsing. Anakin bore the weight of the older man, and kept his lightsabre on, carrying Obi-wan to a shelter near the water, where many of the land animals dared not to go. It appeared that the water was poison to all but the plants and those that lived in the water. Anakin smiled grimly. He wanted the animals to come, wanted to vent his anger, his fear over the wounding of his Master, wanted revenge on whatever came too close with malign intent. He peeled away Obi-Wan's clothing and hissed. His entire left side was thick with sluggishly flowing blood. He looked at his lightsabre, and ran it lightly over the surface of the wound, cauterizing it partly, enough to make the blood flow stop. He tore a part of his sleeve and wound it around Obi-Wan's side, trying to staunch the possibility of the scab breaking.

"Master, why'd you do that?" He asked the unconscious pale figure. "What can I do to help you? I am no medic, I don't know how to heal..."

Obi-Wan's eyes opened slightly and pointed towards the bag they were given.

"I almost...didn't accept it. Arthi gave me...medicine...he said it might be...useful." Obi-Wan gave a faint smile as Anakin rummaged franticly in the pack. Obi-Wan's lips parted and he whispered a few words before closing his eyes again, waiting for Anakin and the medicine.

"Master, you won't be able to take it in powder form."

"Then...you'll have to add...the River water..."

"But, Master..."

"Just don't ask me...any personal questions...okay?"

Anakin gave him a small smile and nodded, though he had no intention of not doing so. He left and Obi-Wan sighed.

Anakin won't keep that promise. I just hope I'm conscious enough to answer.