Chapter Six

Not mine don't sue

A/N once again thank you to my lovely beta. I love you dear.

xx represents memory

Anakin entwined his fingers with his Master's and squeezed. He closed his eyes and connected with his mentor. Obi-Wan was fighting and winning for the moment.

He saw the problem clearly now.

A toxic substance was weaving it's way through Obi-Wan's lungs.

It was being held at bay, but just barely.

Anakin remembered his lessons on healing; he was no expert, but he could help. The Force flowed through him; he saw the poison retreating, could hear his comrade's broken breaths coming steadier now.

I should have seen this before…I should have realized. I sensed something, but ignored it. If he dies, it will be on my head. Anakin had to wipe his eyes again before he tucked the pack behind his Master's head. It was most comfort he could offer.

The substance was persistent and was already filtering back into his airway. Not enough to stop Obi-Wan's breathing, but it would, eventually. He needed a Jedi Healer, he needed to get them off this planet, but most importantly, he needed his friend to live.

They had to reach the ship; his Master's time was limited. Their journey was going to be rough. It had been bad enough getting here, and they had both been at optimum health. Anakin knew two days would be too late. He would just have to find a way to get there faster. He had to, there was no alternative.

He looks so pale. Obi-Wan's breathing was still uneven and ragged, very similar to one of the dying Tuscan Raiders he'd slaughtered many months ago in a grief stricken rage. Anakin shuddered involuntarily at the memory of one of his many secrets.

To see someone so strong reduced to fighting for every breath was unsettling, to say the least.

"Ani." Obi-Wan's voice sounded watery.

"Master," Anakin touched Obi-Wan's feverish cheek. "How do you feel?"

His Master's eyes widened, "I've been better."

All Anakin could manage was a single nod and a broken smile.

"Thank you for the help." Obi-Wan's body shook while his chest rattled as a fit of painful sounding coughs overtook him. He tried to smile after they passed.

"Anytime." Anakin's face hardened. "I will get you back to Corusacant. I promise. There will be healers there Master. They'll fix you right up." He placed his other hand on Obi-Wan's. "Then you can go back to lecturing me and correcting my terrible form when I "attempt" low, left blocks."

"They do need work." His grip tightened on his Padawan's comforting hands. "I know you'll do everything in your power, you always do."

It wasn't an agreement to live, but it wasn't quite a disagreement. It would do, for now.

Time passed quickly. Daylight was less than one hour away; it was time to leave.

Anakin gathered all their supplies and then helped Obi-Wan to stand. He staggered and grabbed Anakin's shoulder.

Obi-Wan's face was pinched with suffering, but he did not complain. "Well, shall we go? I have not got all day you know."

"Perhaps I should carry you Ma…."

"No, I'll manage. You need to have your hands….well," he glanced down at his own clasped around Anakin's mechanical arm. "Umm…hand free."

"You are right, as always Master." Anakin's voice was a shade lighter.

"And do not ever forget it. Now, lead the way."

Anakin guided his teacher out of the cave, stopping to scan their surroundings. He could feel Obi-Wan doing the same. It was a precaution; they hadn't felt anyone in hours. One could never be too cautious. One of his Master's many choice phrases. It definitely applied here.

Anakin glanced at his teacher's tense, weary face, "Ready?"

His voice sounded breathless, "As ever."

With a heavy heart, he started walking with Obi-Wan at his side.

For the first half-mile, things went pretty smoothly, if one considered trudging through uprooted trees, almost knee high mud, and the never ending supply of hills as smooth. On top of that it had begun to rain again.
Obi-Wan was holding his own. He still relied on Anakin, but he was not even close to being dead weight. In between the coughing fits and harsh breaths, he was actually quite talkative. If he was talking….he was okay. That was what Anakin Skywalker kept telling himself over and over as they sloshed forward. Every step was a victory in his mind. One step closer to keeping my Master alive. One step closer to the ship. One…

"Did you hear me Anakin?"

"I'm sorry Master… I was distracted."

"I noticed." A weak cough. "You need to focus Padawan. I…my senses are not up to par. . I need you to be your best…which is very good by the way."

"Master I…"

"Shhh, just focus Padawan. You cannot let your worry for me interfere with…" he sighed and licked his dry lips. "Focus on the present, not on what could happen. Understand?"

"Yes Master." Anakin decided to increase their pace for he could literally feel Obi-Wan weakening. It felt like a part of him was fading right along with his Master and it was hard not to let his mind wander. Anakin redoubled his efforts to focus. Obi-Wan was right; he owed it to him not to be distracted. His Master had taught him well, Anakin would keep them alive so Obi-Wan could continue to do so.

With each step the weight on his shoulder increased. Obi-Wan was relying more and more on him. When they had cleared a fallen tree, he tried to get Obi-Wan to rest, but he shook him off.

"We….need…to keep…" He clutched his chest as he wheezed for two heart stopping seconds. "Moving."

Anakin shook his head rapidly. "You need to rest. If you keep pushing yourself like this…"

"If I stop, I will not be able to get going again." Shame laced Obi-Wan's admission.

"Master…" There was so much to say, but he couldn't find the words. Anakin never seemed able to these days. So many things got swept under the rug…so many words lost in this insanity called war.

So he said nothing. Simply stood, wrapped his arm around his trembling friend, and began moving once again.

Anakin tried to say focused, he really did. Obi-Wan hadn't spoken in an hour. His breathing was atrocious and Anakin felt the rattle underlying each one.

He sounded like he was dying.

Every ten steps or so his Master would stumble, and Anakin would tighten his grip and help him regain his footing. It had been like this now for the better part of the day. They had stopped once for five minutes. He'd tried to carry him several times to no avail; Obi-Wan didn't want him wasting any more energy than necessary. Anakin just thought he was being stubborn. Waiting until he dropped from exhaustion seemed a little extreme. However, Obi-Wan was his Master…so Anakin obeyed…for now.

The poison was beginning to gain ground again. As he felt his friend's life force grow dimmer, many thoughts kept running through his distraught mind

Memories.

So many memories.

xx

Anakin gripped Obi-Wan's shoulder with one hand. "Obi-Wan, you are the greatest of all the Jedi," he told him earnestly.

"You look thoughtful."

"I'm allowed aren't I?" Anakin asked.

"As long as you don't brood," Obi-Wan said. The look on his Master's face was both irritated and concerned. Anakin suddenly jumped out of his chair and hugged his Master with a fierceness that took Obi-Wan by surprise.

xx

"My mother is dead Master! I let her die. I failed her. I always fail.

Obi-Wan stepped closer and gripped his shaking forearms. "Look at me Anakin."

"She died in my arms. She left me alone."

"Anakin you did everything you could have, it was not your fault. You are not alone Padawan.

xx

"Anakin are you just going to sit here and let him die? He's your friend, your mentor!"

"He's like my father!"

xx

One memory haunted him the most….one demanded to be heard…again and again. It had been especially loud since they had gotten this assignment.

xx

"My Padawan. I would do anything for you. I would bear your burdens for you if I could. But I cannot. But I will help you. I will always help you. I will not leave you."

The words reverberated like a bell. Obi-Wan's touch brought Anakin back to himself. He raised his head.

"Things between us have not run smoothly lately," Obi-Wan said. "But you must never doubt my commitment to you."

"And mine to you," Anakin said.

xx

"And mine to you," Anakin whispered as he pulled Obi-Wan tighter against him. He had never understood his Master's helpless frustration more than he did today, never understood how much he had wanted to take his burdens and fears away. Not until now, when their situations were reversed and he would do anything to trade places with his Master.

To ease his pain.

Anything.

He was going to hold Obi-Wan to that promise not to leave him.

Forever.

Any thought to the contrary would bring him to his knees.

Anakin had told Obi-Wan that day not to doubt his commitment to him. Had he been truthful? I killed out of revenge, I married in secret…not to mention my disregard of his orders on many occasions. But I would die for him…I would kill for him as well.

Anakin was committed, but he hadn't been honest with his Master. He had kept him in the dark on many occasions and he feared it would create a rift between them. Now he could lose him.

Obi-Wan would die and Anakin would be alone with his secrets. Never able to reveal his true self to his friend. Never able to make things right. Never able to find out if he would still love me…if he really knew me.

That was unacceptable. He looked upon only father he had ever known and had to swallow back tears for the third time this week, or was it four; he wasn't sure about anything anymore. Dark circles made Obi-Wan's eyes look sunken in, his skin glistened with sweat, and he was barely moving on his own anymore. His gaze was fixed ahead of them, forehead wrinkled with pain and concentration. Normally, Obi-Wan would have commented on his lack of attention or his troubled thoughts. Today he wasn't even aware of them.

Anakin reached out and almost recoiled physically from the strength of emotions that were overflowing in his normally serene, controlled teacher.

Pain, fatigue, sorrow, worry, and most surprising of all…fear. All hit him at once. Obi-Wan was remarkably adept at reigning in his feelings, but now he was too drained to even accomplish that. What scared Anakin most of all was that damn gurgling sound he'd begun making several minutes ago. Obi-Wan's lungs were filling with fluid; his breaths were getting more rapid, and his grip on Anakin more desperate by the second.

That's it we're taking a break….or better yet we're stopping there. Less than five meters ahead lay a patch of clear ground in between several large trees, which would provide at least some cover. He found it strange that he had not felt anyone during their hike, then again perhaps the search party had moved farther into the woods. He dismissed his worry from his thoughts, as he had other things on his mind. Still, it felt like something else was going on here. Anakin had no reason to feel that way, but his instincts were all in agreement: there was more here than met the eye.

"What?" Anakin halted and spun around his eyes darting every direction. Nothing… I could have sworn. I know that presence.

There was no time to dwell. Things had just gone from bad to worse.

Enemies everywhere; their hate was overwhelming. How had they gotten so close without him knowing?

Anakin dove towards the glen and shoved Obi-Wan inside. Blaster fire cut through the rain and dirt creating a dust cloud in the air, offering a moment of cover. His lightsaber drawn, he touched his Master's shoulder and connected with him.

"I'll be back for you, I promise. Just hold on fath….Master." He only prayed that Obi-Wan could hear him though his agony and exhaustion. A small smile graced Obi-Wan's face and letting him know he had been heard.

Anakin rolled out from under the leaves and cut down several thick branches. They fell in front of Obi-Wan's pitiful shelter helping to conceal his body. It would have to do for now. He'd just have to make sure no one was looking that way.

Anakin used the Force to jump towards a squad of ten men who had emerged from the thick jungle in front of them. Upon seeing Anakin flying towards them, they began to bombard him with fire. Anakin blocked shots in mid-air never losing track of his enemies, his mentors position, or his intended landing place.

He hit the ground hard. Mud sprayed against the soldiers temporarily blinding two in the lead. If I survive this, I promise you Obi-Wan…I will tell you everything. No more lies. Then maybe I can finally have some peace inside myself.

High block, low block, then Anakin leapt over the troops' heads and slashed, taking out the two covering the rear. As they crumpled to the ground he sensed more men behind him, surrounding him. His saber spun becoming a blue wall that stopped all the incoming fire from the front, but now it was coming from the rear as well. Anakin turned sideways alternating his blocks. Left, right, left, right. One Jedi was more dangerous than many men, but even a Jedi had his limits. He had a feeling he might find out what his were today.

One shot got through grazing his left bicep.

Anger flared. Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan's hiding spot.

If he died, so did his friend.

He would win. Even if he had to kill every man on this planet.

He would not fail.

Anakin screamed as he charged, his lightsaber doing a deadly dance as he ran toward his enemies.

end chapter six.

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A/N quotes used from "Rogue Planet, Jedi Quest 7, and Attack of The Clones novel. "