Anakin strolled through the streets, concerned. He could usually find his Master if he was close enough. He felt him nearby, yes, but the signal was so faint that he couldn't pinpoint it...and even wondered if it was another effect of the planet's anti-Force policy. Obi-Wan was usually a bright pillar of strength and light in his mind, so the feeble flickering made him worried, and wary. What made him even more cautious was the sense of...something...watching him, wanting him.

(anakin...)

The brush against his mind was so weak that he almost missed it. He reached out and grabbed it as it was fading, knowing that it was most likely Obi-Wan, and the pain he had heard in just that contact made him need to help. Keeping the link wasn't easy, though. It felt as if something was trying to sabotage the link, but Anakin held on.

(Obi-Wan!)

A rush of thoughts and feelings ran through him, confusing him.

(getawayfromheregetawayfromitfrom'me'somuchdarknessidontwanttohelphimyouwillnotbecomelikethisanakinGO)

Anakin snarled. He had never really listened to Obi-Wan, and he wouldn't start now, when his lover was in danger. He pulled Obi-Wan's presence towards him, fighting the force that pulled back. Anakin gasped in pain as the link stretched thin, but with a heave it snapped towards him, the backlash making him queasy and collapse, only to be caught by a pair of strong, gentle hands. He felt himself lifted off his feet and cradled against a muscular chest, and snuggled closer to the warmth before slipping into unconsciousness.

Obi-Wan dunked his head into the spring that was the source of the River and sighed. Anakin was still asleep, even after two days. Obi-Wan wasn't tired of carrying him though. He knew Anakin would wake soon and ask questions he had no answers for. The only one he knew the answer for, Anakin wouldn't ask. Obi-Wan sat under a tree, and cradled Anakin's head in his lap. He gentle stroked Anakin's hair, thinking. He had never felt more in tune with the Force, and it was both disconcerting and wonderful.

"You really do have a tremendous amount of power, my love."

He looked up at the moons, enjoying their beauty, when a thought struck him that made him pale. There was another him out there with the same thoughts, feelings, appearance, knowledge and power that he would have to confront in the future. For Anakin, in pulling himself to him had split him into Light and Dark. Obi-Wan muttered the most potent curse he had come across in his travels, which made the now-awake Anakin snicker. Obi-Wan allowed Anakin to sit up, and watched him stretch.

"Have you recovered?"

"Yeah, but what was that, Obi-Wan?"

"The truth is going to sound really strange to you."

"Try me."

Obi-Wan took a breath. "Don't interrupt me. We're in a future that's moving backwards towards the present we came from. Things are slowly growing younger instead of older. That's why I look younger, as do you.

There is a presence here that is convinced that you are its 'Lord' and it wanted to use me to twist you to its purposes. It can actively use the Force, unlike me, at least, if not you now, and so brought me to its mercy. With your help I was able to escape it."

Anakin stared, slack jawed for a moment before he launched himself at Obi-Wan, tackling him to the ground and kissing him passionately.

"I'm glad I could help," he whispered as he pulled away.

"Thank you, Anakin."

Obi-Wan drew him down for another kiss, meeting Anakin's passion.