Chapter Nine
Now, I was once a fool
It's true
I played the game by all the rules
But now my world's a deeper blue
I'm sadder, but I'm wiser too
I swore I'd never love again
I swore my heart would never mend
Said love wasn't worth the pain
But then I heard it call my name
The Trouble With Love (Kelly Clarkson, Thankful)
Six years later
Taking the occasion very seriously, Obi-Wan did not smile, though inside he was jumping in joy. He was finally a Jedi Knight! All the hard training had finally paid off! Pride filled him, but part of him was also sad. Another five minutes, or so, and he would no longer be Anakin Skywalker's Padawan. His eyes watched closely, as his Master came forward to stand in front of him, just as the other Masters did with their own Padawan's. He tried to discern whether Anakin was feeling the same happiness; but, as usual, his Master's defensive walls, around his mind, were closed tightly. Obi-Wan tried to give him a reassuring look with his eyes, but he didn't know if it worked.
Stass Allie handed Anakin a small knife, and he reached up to take a hold on Obi-Wan's Padawan braid. He looked back into Obi-Wan's eyes, and then with three quick cuts, the braid was severed. Yoda gave him the closest thing to a smile they had ever seen on them, and Mace Windu stood beside him.
"You are now Knights of the Jedi Order," he told them. "Congratulations."
With that, the ceremony was released with a chorus of sighs and smiles. Bant immediately ran up to hug Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan, we did it! We're Knights!" The Mon Calamari cheered.
Obi-Wan just smiled and nodded, trying to keep eye contact with Anakin, but he was already leaving.
"Hold that thought, Bant," he instructed, "I'll be right back," he promised, jogging out of the room to find Anakin. "Master!" He called, when he caught sight of him. Anakin paused, and looked back over his shoulder.
"I'm not your Master anymore, Pad-Obi-Wan," he replied, and turned away again. Obi-Wan hated that…it made him feel cold. Disconnected. But, he still persisted.
"Knight Erin invited me to go out and celebrate with them—" He started, but Anakin cut him off brusquely.
"What are you waiting for, then? You don't need anything from me. You don't have to ask my permission, anymore," Anakin told him, his voice was close to breaking and he both knew it. He had to get away from Obi-Wan, before his composure collapsed completely. Quickly, he walked away.
After a trip to 500 Republica, to visit a "close Senatorial friend" from Naboo, Anakin returned to their (now his) Temple apartment, roughly two hours later. Walking through the door, he noticed someone standing on the balcony, and was immediately on guard. No one was supposed to be there… Creeping over to the door, it cycled open for him, and he instantly recognized Obi-Wan.
"Pad-Obi-Wan?" He wondered. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going out, to celebrate with Knight Erin and your other friends?" Obi-Wan gave him a soft smile.
"I started to, but then I realized that I'd rather celebrate with you," he said quietly. "I thought…you might want this," Obi-Wan turned to him, and held out his hand fisted. He slowly opened the palm to reveal the severed Padawan braid.
Anakin felt his throat clog with emotion that he couldn't swallow down, as he looked down at his own hand, which now held the plate of his protégé's hair. Clenching his fist, he growled lowly, glaring at the ground. It was time for the biggest gut spilling he'd done since he'd told Qui-Gon of the true spirit of his feelings, all those years ago,
"Loving Qui-Gon Jinn was like bedding peace," he muttered finally, unable to look up from the tiles of the balcony. "Losing him was to drown in the harshest pain you can imagine… I…will not make myself hurt like that again." Finally, he looked up at Obi-Wan, his eyes bright. He was about to lose another person he'd devoted sixteen years of his life to. It wasn't fucking fair! "Don't expect me to."
Obi-Wan stepped closer and held Anakin's eyes, tears shimmering in his own.
"I do not want to lose you, Master…please, do not turn your back on me…" he whispered.
"A Master does not turn his back on his student." The blonde frowned, though that was exactly what he did – in a much more literal sense – as he turned, with the intention of returning inside. "My doors are always open to you." It wasn't like the hat on the door rule exactly applied to members of the Jedi Order. "I'm sure you'll want to move out, now that you can, though."
Obi-Wan moved quickly, his arms wrapping around Anakin's waist to stop him. He turned his face to the side, resting it against Anakin's back.
"No…Master…Anakin." The name felt foreign and strange on his tongue, but it also somehow felt natural. "I never want to leave you."
Stiffening under his touch, Ani glanced back over his shoulder at him.
"You're in your prime," he tried to talk his way out of the vice grip that the lad had on his arm. "You don't want to be tied down with me." He knew that at twenty-five, the last thing he'd wanted was to be tied down. He hadn't had a choice. Obi-Wan did. Anakin wasn't exactly young anymore; he couldn't expect his learner to want to stay with him any longer. Obi-Wan shook his head, holding tighter.
"No, no!" There was a long silence, and Anakin could feel Obi-Wan shaking. His arms finally relinquished their hold, and Obi-Wan crumpled to his knees behind him. His head bowed to the floor, as the tears fell into his clenched hands. "I-I lo-love you…"
For the longest moment, the older Knight stared down at him with a mixed level of alarm and dispassion. Finally, he knelt down in front of his former Padawan, and tilted the brunette's chin up with his flesh fingers.
"Dangerous words, for one of us," he mused softly, gaze unreadable. "Think long and hard, before you say them again."
Obi-Wan stared at him, into his eyes, and then wiped the tears away.
"I've tried to ignore it…but the dreams…they won't stop…and I knew…I knew the moment Dooku attacked us, when he was ready to kill you…I couldn't let him. I love you, Anakin Skywalker, and I know it's true. Even if you give me nothing in return, all I ask is to be allowed to stay with you."
Anakin said nothing, and merely watched him for another long moment. Then, he pressed a dry kiss to his forehead, and stood again, turning to head back inside.
"I'm not going to throw you out," he mumbled, pausing in the doorway. "But…I'm not sure I can tell you I love you back." It was a subtle way of saying that he did, he just didn't feel right saying it. "But, I'm not going to turn you in for it, either. I'm not that big of a hypocrite."
The boy on the balcony came to his feet, and gave him a smile. Anakin knew his body language by now, and could tell he wanted to run forward and hug him, but his training kept him from doing so.
"That's all I ask…" Obi-Wan whispered.
"That's all I can give you," Anakin admitted, frowning, in spite of himself. "For now."
And, thus, nothing changed between them. No…that was a lie. Everything had changed. No longer did simple, reassuring, touches mean the same thing. They both felt new shocks and energy in those touches…neither knew how much longer they could go on denying themselves…
Eventually, it wasn't enough. Anakin felt as though he was in a primal daze, and he barely even registered their first time, because of it. He wasn't entirely aware that it had really happened, until the next morning, when he felt sticky skin against his own. This led to quite a bit of cursing. He hadn't meant to do that, damn it all!
Obi-Wan's arm laid across his stomach, his head resting against Anakin's side, breath tickling him slightly. He shifted, when he heard Anakin's curses, and blinked slowly at him.
"Mmm…good morning, Master," he said softly, eyes dancing.
"Uh, yeah." Ani looked him up and down a few good times, before disentangling himself and crawling out of bed. "I'm…going to go shower. Now."
Obi-Wan sat up, the sheet pooling at his waist. He wanted to know, but he also didn't…the words came unbidden from his mouth, before he could stop them.
"You didn't hate me when I made my confession, but…what about now? Was this a mistake?" He asked.
Anakin paused, and glanced down at his hands. The prosthetic one was ungloved, he noted with a frown. How this was relevant, he wasn't sure. He'd just put so much effort into hiding it, for Obi-Wan, and he didn't remember stripping down the night before…
"There have only been two other people I've ever touched like that," he murmured, redirecting his gaze to the floor. "One was Qui-Gon, and I have never had any desire to betray him… He's been dead a long time, though. I don't…think he'd mind." Qui-Gon had stopped coming to him, once he'd calmed down enough to stop hallucinating. "He…I don't think 'mistake' is the right word…" The younger boy nodded.
"Alright, Master." Obi-Wan stood and pulled a long nightshirt over his head. He came over to Anakin, that infuriating smile still playing on his lips. "I'll go make us something to eat." He placed a light kiss on Anakin's lips.
"Coffee," Anakin declared simply, before continuing into the 'fresher. "Lots of coffee."
Obi-Wan laughed.
"Of course, Master," he answered. "What flavor would you like?"
"Black." Was Anakin's only requirement, before the 'fresher door slid shut behind him.
He entered the kitchen some time later, wearing pants and an open tunic, a burning cigarette clenched between his lips as he sat down. He sniffed the air, filled the aroma of breakfast, appreciatively. Obi-Wan sat a cup of coffee before him, and then made a mug of tea, for himself.
"I don't know how you drink that stuff, it smells good…but tastes terrible," Obi-Wan told him, wrinkling his nose.
"Caffeine, my friend," Anakin grinned, holding his cigarette in one hand, as he took a long draught from the mug with the other. The scenario was so fantastically…normal. "Pure liquid caffeine."
"I still stand by what I said. Yuck." Obi-Wan then stole the cigarette from his fingers, and took a simple draw. "That's not so bad, though," he admitted, handing it back.
Anakin offered him a dry look, and puffed away contentedly on the filter.
"Don't do that again," he mumbled around it. "I won't have Yoda or Mace Windu accusing me of making an addict out of you."
"Why would they have to know?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"The Council knows everything." The blonde rolled his eyes. He himself had received several lectures of his apparently 'repulsive' habit, over the past few years. "They just choose to ignore some of it."
"Okay…okay! I won't do it again," Obi-Wan promised, standing to take his dishes to the sink. "I'm going to grab my shower now."
"Right," Anakin finished his coffee and hopped to his own feet. "I have a meeting with Chancellor Palpatine today. I don't know if I'll be back for lunch or not."
Obi-Wan frowned. He had never liked politicians, save perhaps a few. But, Anakin had never taken him to meet Palpatine… Maybe he could go today…?
"Could I go with you, Master?"
"If you're ready in time, I don't see why not," Anakin agreed with a half shrug, hurrying into his room to get some clean robes on. "He'll like you, I bet. Padmé did."
Obi-Wan nodded, and went to take a quick shower, then get dressed in his normal robes. He was toweling his hair dry when Anakin asked if he was ready.
"Yes, Master, just have to grab my cloak," he answered, throwing the towel into the cycle bin.
A slight smile tugged at Ani's lips, as he waited. They headed out the door, and up to the hangar. From there, it didn't take Anakin long to expertly pilot them to the Senate complex. A turbolift ride later, Anakin was leading Obi-Wan, in a confidant stride, past Sly Moore and Mas Amedda, into Palpatine's inner office. (It was a long-standing tradition. Anakin Skywalker was the only one in the galaxy who didn't need an advanced appointment to see the ruler of the Republic.)
Obi-Wan looked around the extravagant office, as they waited for Palpatine to get out of his meeting. They didn't have to wait long, fortunately. When the man entered, Obi-Wan forced a slight smile. In truth, the feeling the old politician brought into the room made him sick.
"Ah, Anakin, my boy! How wonderful of you to visit! And, you've brought a friend with you! Young Obi-Wan Kenobi, if I'm not mistaken. I heard of your recent elevation to the status of Knight, and I congratulate you," Palpatine told them. Obi-Wan bowed slightly.
"Thank you, sir," he answered.
Anakin bowed respectfully at the waist, and smiled at the old man.
"Chancellor." He nodded. "I trust you've been well? These are hard times to be in." The Republic was unstable, and a Separatist movement had been stirring for some time. It was why Palpatine was still in office. His term had technically ended years ago.
"Of course I have. There are still quite a few years left in these old bones," Palpatine answered, motioning for them to sit. "This building war will put more stress on the Jedi Order, so I should be asking you the same thing. I hope they have not been working you too hard."
"Never fear, Chancellor." Anakin's grin morphed slightly, (more of a grimace now,) but he sat anyway. "They can't overwork me. I don't think it's possible to overwork their 'destined hero'." He wasn't sure this was entirely true, but he hadn't been overworked recently… (His bitter tone wasn't lost on either of his companions, though both politely ignored it.)
"Good to hear that. Have they sent you on any missions recently?" The Chancellor asked. His question was open to both of them, so Obi-Wan answered.
"Not recently, Chancellor, the Council likes for those getting elevated, and their Masters, to be present at the ceremony. But, I'm sure we'll get sent out again soon." Palpatine nodded.
"Don't Knights usually spend a few years alone in the field?"
"Normally," Obi-Wan told him. "But, Master Skywalker and I work so well together, the Council has not seen the need to split up apart yet."
"Like they could." Anakin sniffed slightly, resting his chin in his gloved hand, and glancing toward the large, curved window. It was a well-established fact in the Jedi Temple: if Anakin Skywalker didn't want something happening to him, it wasn't happening.
They heard a slight buzzing sound, then, and Obi-Wan put a hand to his belt, checking the ringing comlink.
"Please, excuse me," he said, and quickly stood to leave the room.
"He's a good man…" Anakin murmured, his eyes straying after him, before turning back to the Chancellor curiously. The man had invited him there for a reason, after all. Palpatine watched the closed door for a moment, before looking back at Anakin, a smile on his face.
"He seems like a nice boy. Rather subdued, though…much more quiet than you were, less passionate about what you believe," he commented thoughtfully.
"Every bit as passionate," Anakin corrected, reflecting on what few memories the Force had given him, of the night before. "He just has…more appropriate ways of displaying it."
"Well, after spending sixteen years with you, as your Padawan, something had to rub off. Although, it is rather odd that he would choose to stay with you, after the opportunity to leave was presented," he said, his eyes boring into Anakin's.
"Yeah," Anakin admitted, unable to meet his gaze, suddenly. "I thought so too. I mean…why'd he want to stay with me, when he's so young and could be off having his own life? Making his own legacies?"
"Perhaps there is something more behind his reasons," Palpatine suggested subtly.
"I know his reasons, Chancellor." Anakin smiled faintly. "I even commiserate with them. I just…don't understand them." He was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice when Obi-Wan made his near silent return to the room.
"I'm sorry, Chancellor, but we must leave you." The brunette cut in. "Master, we have a mission."
Anakin glanced up at him, and nodded, rising to his feet, bowing to Palpatine.
"Forgive the abrupt intrusion," the blonde murmured. "We'll finish some other time?"
Palpatine stood, and gave him a paternal hug, not missing the flash of something in Obi-Wan's eyes. He pulled away, and Obi-Wan bowed to him.
"It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Chancellor. Master has always spoken very highly of you." Although I can't understand why, he added to himself.
Anakin tossed him a warning look, catching traces of his thoughts over their bond, before bidding Palpatine farewell, and exiting the office. Once they were out of the Senate complex all together, Anakin spoke again.
"He has been very good to me for a very long time," he informed Obi-Wan simply.
"I understand that, Master. But, unfortunately, I cannot say I foresee forging a friendship with him, as I have with the Senators from Alderaan and Naboo." The newly crowned Knight retorted, as they climbed into the speeder.
"Padmé and Bail are good people too," Anakin confirmed, an odd look passing over his face, at the mention of Senator Amidala. (He was increasingly regretting the intimacy they'd shared, on the day of Obi-Wan's knighting.) "They and the Chancellor are three of the few politicians who have managed to remain uncorrupt."
Upon arriving back at the Temple, Master Yoda presented them with a holomap.
"Dangerous these times are becoming." Yoda told them sadly. "Go to Null, you will. Help calm the tense emotions, you must."
"Yes, Master," Anakin agreed, bowing slightly before taking a careful look at the topographical map. Mostly mountain and forest terrain, Null was famous for its hunting. He remembered this information from his studies with Qui-Gon, during his training. It would come in handy, he knew. The best way to get in good with a planet was to blend in, at first. Obi-Wan moved forward to collect the chip that held their mission details and the map, from Yoda.
"Very careful, you should be," the wizened troll advised. "Much darkness clouds my mind."
Nodding mutely, Anakin merely waited for dismissal. They could get disguises on the trip over. It wouldn't be hard. Hunters wore mostly standard clothes, in neutral colors. Some skins, simple cloths, nothing too awful to don.
As usual, after they boarded the ship, Obi-Wan sat down and read over the mission notes, until he had them memorized. He then relayed the information to Anakin, knowing the notes were usually lengthy and longwinded. His Master had no patience for such things, but they usually helped, if negotiations were needed.
"Right." Anakin drawled, once he'd gotten through the summarization, digging through some trunks of supplies that the Temple had given them, to form disguises from. "Dueling factions, nothing new. Should be easy enough." They would just have to assess the situation, from the locals' point of view, then go to the faction leaders and reveal themselves as Jedi. After that, the negotiations could begin.
When the ship landed, it was a few miles from the nearest village. Obi-Wan took a deep breath of the fresh air that only came with trees and mountains. The view was very breath taking, and he was glad, at that moment, that he had gotten sigh sight back after that concussion, all those years ago.
"Which village are we heading to, Master?" Obi-Wan questioned. "There are two nearby."
Anakin drew his data-pad, and pulled up the map again, looking it over more carefully.
"West." He determined finally, pointing in the appropriate direction. The hunters' clothing was tighter than he was used to, but he'd manage. Obi-Wan nodded, to his words, and shouldered his pack.
"At least the scenery will be nice, while we walk. Hopefully, nothing will happen on the way there."
"Never say never," Anakin suggested lightly, setting out at a brisk pace.
Obi-Wan followed, just a few paces behind. His senses were alert, as they walked. Fortunately, they made it to the village without incident. Their mission took a little over a week, and the most exciting thing was traveling back and forth between the squabbling villages, with negotiation terms. By the time it was due for them to leave, they were both exhausted.
"All I want right now," Anakin grumbled, as they went back to the shuttle. "Is a hot shower, a nice smoke, and my own fucking pants."
Obi-Wan wanted to laugh, but he could only yawn and stretch, his back muscles complaining slightly as his spine popped.
"You go do that, Master. I can take the first watch," The brunette told him, heading for the control room.
"Bless you," Anakin nodded, going in the opposite direction.
R2-D2 greeted Obi-Wan with a series of keeps, when he entered the small cockpit. The young Knight had to smile down at the little droid.
"Hello, Artoo, set a course for Coruscant. But, don't put it on autopilot. I need something to keep me awake. If I start falling asleep, beep at me, or something, so I wake up, okay?" He asked. R2 whistled in agreement, and set the course.
Some time later, a rather soggy and tired Anakin was aroused from his nap by an incessant beeping noise. Groaning, the blonde man rolled out of bed, and stumbled toward the cockpit, to see what was bothering his eccentric little droid now.
R2 was beeping at Obi-Wan, however, to wake him up. But, he was beeping very softly, as to not wake him up. He had switched over to autopilot moments after Obi-Wan had dozed off. The younger Jedi was now sitting with one leg propped over one of the chair's arms; his chin was held in his palm, as he slept. R2 whistled at Anakin, spinning his top in greeting
Anakin grinned at R2 and moved over, gently Forcing Obi-Wan into the co-pilot's seat. He'd take over… A Jedi of his level shouldn't need to sleep anyway…at least he was clean now. A little flying would do him good. It wasn't long before Obi-Wan woke, via almost sliding out of the co-pilot's seat. The younger man then sat up, blinking in confusion.
"Master?" He questioned, his gaze finally landing on him.
"Have a nice nap?" Anakin wondered, his lips curving, though he didn't take his gaze off of the view screen or instruments.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep." He sent a glare in R2's direction. "You were supposed to beep at me, if I started to drift off."
"Oh," Anakin snorted. "He beeped. You just sleep like a log. It's fine, though. You're tired, go back to sleep."
"But, that's not right, Master." Obi-Wan shook his head. "You're tired too."
"Padawan," Anakin's tone was gently teasing, as he shot him a dry look. "I've been piloting since I was three years old. I think I can handle three more hours."
Obi-Wan didn't really look doubtful, he knew Anakin's piloting skills were amazing. But, he didn't like leaving him there, as tired as he knew he had to be.
"Alright," he finally sighed. "But, you'll come get me if you get too tired, promise?"
"Yes, yes," Ani agreed with a dramatized wave. "Don't worry, your old Master will come get you if his stamina gives out, young one."
Obi-Wan smiled as he stood, and placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder, squeezing it gently. He then left the cockpit, to head for the sleeping quarters. Once in the room, the same one Anakin had been in, since the ship was very small and only had one room for such things, he fell into the bed and promptly fell asleep, breathing his Master's scent.
Anakin didn't wake him again, until they reached Coruscant. He shook Obi-Wan's shoulder gently, upon landing the ship on the Temple's hangar deck. Dark circles were forming under his eyes, but there was a smile on his face.
"Home again, home again," he sighed, looking relieve when Obi-Wan woke.
The shorter stretched and yawned, as he stood. He smiled as they exited the ship, and looked out over Coruscant.
"It's not much to look at, but it's still home."
"It's…" Anakin frowned, and crossed his arms, staring out over the cityscape thoughtfully. Dirty. That was really the best word to describe the Galactic Capitol. Dirty and crowded. "Absolutely perfect," he snorted finally, letting his arms fall back to his side as eh turned to head over to the turbolift that would take them from the hangar to the residential dormitories.
"Go on, and get some sleep, Master. I will go make the report to the Council, you know how they like those prompt," Obi-Wan promised him.
Anakin glanced at him, and his smile widened. He'd get a tongue lashing from Mace Windu, for skipping out, he knew…but it would be worth it. Nodding mutely, he continued on his way. Sleep sounded heavenly.
The flames were scorching, as they leaped into the air surrounding them. Obi-Wan was on his knees, staring at him. His face shone with sweat and was streaked with tears, dirtied with ash. Anakin blinked, and his protégé was dead, lying still on the dirt bank below their feet, a light saber wound decorated his chest where his heart was. Anguish ripped through him, and his whole form shook…
Anakin sat up in bed, cold sweat making the room that much chillier. It was dark out, and the shades were drawn closed. He looked around frantically, and saw Obi-Wan, safe and sound, at his side. The younger man's arm had slipped slightly, from where it had obviously been resting on his stomach. Shaking his head in frustration, the blonde disentangled himself from his former apprentice, and ran a hand through his damp hair as he made his way out of the bedroom… Maybe he'd get some air…
It was mere moments later that Obi-Wan joined him on the balcony. He looked up at his face, and then just stood at his side in silence. If Anakin wanted to talk about whatever it was that bothered him, he would. They stood there for a long time, merely staring, before Anakin bothered to speak. The light wind had dried the fear-induced sweat form his skin, by this point, and now whipped at the open tunic he barely remembered grabbing.
"What are you doing up?" He wondered softly, leaning against the railing tiredly. "It's late…you should be in bed."
"So should you," Obi-Wan replied, in an equally quiet tone. "You took what was left of my turn on the ship and your own, in all reality, Master, you should be sleeping until some time tomorrow afternoon."
Smiling dryly at him, Anakin reached up his flesh hand and mussed his hair, in a would-be playful gesture.
"It was a dream," he supplied a moment later. "A vision. A bad one."
Obi-Wan twined their fingers together, looking into Anakin's clouded eyes with concern.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" He questioned gently.
"No," the older man informed him bluntly. "It was about you, and I don't want you to fret over it."
Obi-Wan sighed and nodded. He leaned up, kissing the side of Anakin's neck and then licking the spot over.
"Come back to bed, and I'll make you forget," he promised quietly.
Anakin raised an eyebrow at him, his lips twisting sardonically. Running his hands through Obi-Wan's hair, he let out a soft breath of consent.
"It might have only been a dream," he admitted quietly, allowing Obi-Wan to lead him back inside. "But, I don't like dreaming about you." It was ironic. He was probably the only one on Coruscant who didn't like dreaming about his loved ones. It still hung over his head, though, how he had envisioned Qui-Gon and Maul, shortly before their trip to Naboo. He didn't want that to happen again…he couldn't bear to watch another lover be run through…
Some days later
"To capture General Grievous, young Kenobi will go," Yoda told them, as Obi-Wan and Anakin stood before the Council. Obi-Wan bowed, as Mace turned his gaze onto Anakin.
"We have a mission for you, as well," he said. "This position that the Chancellor has offered you…we want you to take it, and then report back to us on his dealings."
Anakin raised an eyebrow. His fiercely loyal instincts were just screaming that this was a bad plan. However…he wasn't on the Council, and had no right to argue against it, either.
"Yes, Master…" He was still feeling fatigue from their last mission. Even if he'd had the right to argue, he doubted he'd have the energy.
"When will I leave, Master?" Obi-Wan asked Yoda.
"When ready you are," Yoda answered, and Obi-Wan nodded. That was all that was said, and they were clearly dismissed. Obi-Wan bowed and they turned to leave the room.
Anakin was silent, once they were out in the hall again. He was clearly not pleased with his assignment. He also, just as clearly, did not intend to discuss it.
"At least you will still be able to rest, Master," Obi-Wan offered, trying to make him feel better. "This business with watching the Chancellor should be a day thing."
"Yes," the blonde agreed tersely. "Because, obviously what I need is to rest, while I betray one of my closest friends."
"The Council would not assign you such a mission without a good reason, Master. Trust the Force, and it shall guide you," the younger man told him, as they stopped in the docking bay. "Be careful."
"I'm always careful, old friend," Anakin sighed, giving his shoulder a brief squeeze. "I don't envy you for your mission. I want you to be careful, hear me?"
Obi-Wan smiled, and nodded. "Always, Master. May the Force be with you."
The blonde Knight felt a cold dread crawling through his stomach to his head, as he watched Obi-Wan walk away. He…needed to find a way to keep that vision from coming true…somehow…
At the opera
Anakin had just arrived, and was now sitting beside Palpatine, watching the Mon Calamari ballet be preformed before them. They had been speaking for a few moments, when Palpatine's words truly caught his attention.
"Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create…life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side, that he could even keep the one he cared about from dying…"
He could even keep the ones he loved… The words echoed through his mind, and his mouth gaped slightly as he turned form the giant water bubble to look at the old man by his side.
"It is possible to learn this power?" He wondered breathlessly.
Palpatine gave him a smile.
"Not from a Jedi."
Anakin frowned, hearing that. That meant…
"You have to turn to the dark side…" He mumbled, his brows creasing further.
"I can teach you," Palpatine said, leaning closer to him.
Anakin's eyes were more intent, and here merely nodded his assent. He had to learn…he had to save Obi-Wan…
Back at the Temple
Mace stared down at the hologram of Commander Cody.
"Master Windu, may I interrupt? General Kenobi has made contact with General Grievous, and we have begun our attack," Commander Cody reported.
"Thank you, Commander. Anakin, deliver this report to the Chancellor. His reaction will give us a clue to his intentions." Mace instructed.
Anakin nodded in agreement, he'd realized a sort of surreal calm since Palpatine had offered and begun to train him. It was the strangest thing…he should have been panicked, but he wasn't.
"Yes, Master Windu," he murmured, before hurrying to catch a speeder to the Senate complex.
Order 66 was executed, but Obi-Wan, and somehow Yoda, survived. (Anakin had put a plea in with Palpatine, not to attack his former padawan, during the Jedi purge.) When young Kenobi returned to the Temple, he found it in ruins. Smoke billowed from the majestic roof spires, and corpses littered the halls. Men, women, younglings…Masters and Padawans, and Knights…all dead…
It was by avoiding the clones that Obi-Wan and Yoda came across the slaughtered bodies of the younglings. Pain flooded through his senses, and Yoda closed his eyes sadly.
"Not even the younglings survived…" Obi-Wan murmured.
"Killed not by clones, this Padawan… By light saber, he was," Yoda told him gravely.
"Who?" Obi-Wan blinked at him in confusion. "Who could have done this?"
Yoda gave him no reply…he would know the answer soon enough.