Chapter 20

Naboo is one of the most beautiful planets in the Galaxy. Many people who come from the planet often express relief that they are grateful for having been born on such a beautiful planet. Obi-Wan remembers hearing about those casual people in his own respective mission, and each of them seems to be a good-at-heart individual.

The Chancellor is one of them.

Obi-Wan lands on the surface of Naboo. He has the Chancellor's blessing, and he can finally see Anakin's mental status. If these ladies are as evil as Palpatine's father, Obi-Wan fears Anakin's mental status.

Perhaps the Chancellor sent him this mission because there is finally some proof of the abuse.

Obi-Wan approaches two Guards standing in front of the palace. One of them comes up to him, extending his hand to him, not allowing him to pass.

"Yes?"

Obi-Wan says as politely as possible despite how he cannot sense Anakin inside. Oh kriff, where did these ladies take him?!

"I want to speak to the Queen of Naboo. I am Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi." He replies, trying to keep his impatience and irritation out of his voice. If push comes to shove, the Knight will probably become desperate to mind trick them to disclose his location or allow him to see the Queen as much as she might be pissed off.

A child's safety is essential.

"Our majesty has no appointments with the Jedi Order, Master Jedi," the other Guard declares, furrowing his eyebrows with a frown. "Perhaps there has been some sort of a mistake."

Obi-Wan will not be stopped this time. For all these months, the Jedi Knight was stuck to remaining loyal to the Jedi Code despite the aching guilt and the endless nights that the Jedi would hear his Master's words. One thing that hurt endlessly is his Master's expression in all of his visions.

They were always the same, and although the old man would never speak, Obi-Wan can perceive betrayal from miles away. They only grow worse as time goes on, and Obi-Wan knows that the only way he may find peace is by training Anakin. Well, perhaps getting him away from his Guardians as well if they are abusive and train him properly, perhaps somewhere on Coruscant where the Jedi would not be able to find them.

"Please," Obi-Wan says, knowing that the pain would not leave him alone until he sees the boy. He felt connected to the boy the moment he'd seen him as much as he was also uncomfortable and resentful of him due to feeling like Anakin was replacing him.

One of the Guards sighs before walking inside of the palace. Five awkward minutes later, and Obi-Wan can see him returning, the Queen of Naboo and her Handmaidens in toe.

"Why are you here, Master Kenobi?" The Queen asks, folding her arms across her chest, without her face painting from months ago.

"I have a mission for the Jedi Order," Obi-Wan replies without elaboration, not wanting to tell the Queen the true intent, but he knows she may find out either way.

The Queen's expression becomes confused for a moment before realization. "I see that finally someone is willing to take a stand..."

Obi-Wan nods understandingly. She is an intelligent young lady who can easily put the pieces together to the puzzles that Obi-Wan is trying to keep intact. This is the same Queen who also defeated the entire Trade Federation and managed to gather up her entire planet in time of misery.

Considering the fact that this is a teenager monarchy, Obi-Wan wonders what type of woman she would make when she reaches his age or better yet in decades time. This can be someone who brings about much change in the galaxy, but Obi-Wan does not need to ponder over the future that might come to be, for the galaxy is depending on the Chosen One.

Or else the Sith may win.

"Your Majesty?" Obi-Wan queries, narrowing his eyes at her behind his hood.

"Have you come here to take Anakin permanently?" The Queen interjects slightly anxiously... and slightly eagerly. Obi-Wan cannot help but be more suspicious over the Queen. What is she hiding? He can feel the agony from her at the mention of the Guardian but the excitement when it comes to the subject of Anakin leaving...

"That remains to be seen," Obi-Wan replies ominously, and he can feel the anger blooming from her chest. The Queen sighs, and the anger evaporates, replaced by the resignation from earlier.

Why did the Queen's blood boil when it comes to Anakin?

"Unfortunately, she has taken him elsewhere," the Queen says solemnly, her expression breaking in agony that Obi-Wan himself has witnessed across his own face since Qui-Gon's death. He has been alone and depressed for so long, and he can feel the Queen's pain through this subject.

Obi-Wan scowls. He was hoping to come here and find the bloody child, not go onto a scavenger hunt...

Alright, Obi-Wan resists throwing up his hands into his hair and bang his head in frustration.

"Do you know where?" Obi-Wan asks, almost not able to control his own voice.

"No," the Queen replies, and he can swear her breathing becomes more labored. "We had a falling out due to different views."

And that is the heart of the matter. Anakin's Guardian and this woman is close, Obi-Wan can see that much...

Obi-Wan chooses not to interfere as he turns away from the Queen of Naboo. He did not want to because he knew the Jedi watchers can turn him in, but he must find Anakin, or else he might have disappointed the Chancellor.

If he can keep his power under control without them somehow finding him but also locating Anakin, it would make life so much easier.

Obi-Wan decides to take the risk, knowing that these Jedi can report to the Council about what happened. His mind connects with the boy, and he can see that the boy is on the other side of the town. It is only brief images and a slight reaching out to the Force.

"Very well, your Majesty. Thanks." Obi-Wan says, smiling slightly, which she returns with a smile of her own.

Raising his hood above his head, Obi-Wan walks away from the Queen and the palace. He would not give up hope again. He had done so for months.

Anakin hasn't been among the common world for months. He didn't remember for all the freedom that comes with being on the fields. He will honestly wants to be with Sabé but he knows that the other ladies are also close to him and will want to spend as much time as they can with him.

Droids pop up seemingly out of nowhere, and Anakin can see that the Training Droids are firing at their target. Rabé is again training with the Droids. She always rushes to grab a blaster no matter what.

Three Droids are marching in the same direction, their blasters poised to fire. In one swift second, Rabé fires the sniper, and Anakin stares at her impressively, watching as all of the bolts connect with the foes, before jumping down, sticking the stub of her blaster in the grass, as she rubs the sweat off her brown.

She stares at him for a few seconds with heavy breaths.

"Hey, kid, come here," Rabé says, motioning for the child to come over with a motion of her hand, no doubt sensing his isolation.

Anakin obeys, coming next to the lady, who places a gentle hand on his back. He can pretend that he doesn't see Eirtaé, Saché, and Yané. Sabé is busy with paperwork, and as it turns out, she isn't exactly the best person to talk to.

He grips the sniper, knowing that Rabé is a good teacher. He honestly missed this throughout the seasons, but it is good that they can begin today. Besides, each of the ladies have been watching him like his mother did after breaking his leg that one time throughout podracing.

After a full minute, the Training Droids come up yet again. Anakin fires at them one by one, trying his hardest to avoid each of the bolts. He is rusty more than ever since he hasn't trained to fire a blaster for...

Well, it's been a while, but watching as the shots come at him, Anakin feels something fueling through him. He jumps into the air to the rock, firing three blaster shots at one of the Droids, dropping them in a second.

The two other Droids continue to fire at him, and Anakin crouches, trying to peak out to get a good target. Those slightly meditation sessions that Qui-Gon taught him those seasons back can really come into hand at the moment, but he quickly learned that meditation was boring.

Now, he curses himself. Anakin fires five more shots, hoping that at least one of the Droids would fall. He can tell that they are moving around him by the changing directions of the blaster fire.

'Anakin, be patient.' A voice comes in his head, sounding eerily like Qui-Gon Jinn.

Anakin does so, aiming his sniper in one direction. He watches as the Droid comes up, before finally he presses the trigger, the head of one of the Droids coming off.

The other Droid, noticing the 'death' of his companion, decides to be smarter. He instead continues to fire blaster shots at him, and both of them know that if Anakin peaks out, one of the shots would inevitably crash against the boy.

Gritting his teeth and clenching his jaw, Anakin hopes to peak at some other corner. He moves to the left, seeing that there is no assurance to fire at the Droid. After five standard seconds, Anakin moves to the right, hoping that he can get a clear fire. That too comes up with the same results.

Anakin curses in Huttese, knowing that Sabé would literally kill him if he said those words in basic in front of him.

The Droid's everlasting blaster fire ends, and Anakin wonders what happened. He doesn't dare to peak out of his corner, knowing that would give away his location, but he instead moves around, hoping to see the Droid searching for him.

Anakin can feel something guiding him. That familiar feeling that has always been there when he was entrapped in his former room back at the palace. It serves as a comfortable sensation, rubbing against his shoulders and easing up the tension, but it also moves him forward and is stronger than ever.

It almost tells him exactly where the Droid is.

Coming out of the corner when the sensation becomes irresistible, Anakin fires his blaster through where the Droid's heart would be, watching as the machine collapses onto the ground. While it took longer than he wanted because he wanted to impress Rabé, Anakin cannot deny feeling a bit of pride rising.

"Nice job, kid," Rabé says, smiling brightly and pecking him on the lips like she always did. Anakin always feel something hot on his cheeks when one of them kisses him, but they don't judge him for it... "You would one day be able to take them all at once."

"Perhaps," Eirtaé comes up with a teasing tone. "Maybe if you actually allow him to develop to the next level like Kitster."

Speaking of which, where is Kitster?

That answer comes up with a familiar laugh, and he looks over to see Sabé and his best friend. His eyes go wide as he stares upon Sabé. He'd thought she was busy.

Anakin walks over only to see a clear image to why the woman is laughing. Something builds in his chest, and Anakin feels a cold feeling for his best friend in the galaxy. Sabé is his, no one else... He found her first. Kitster should go get his own Sabé...

No, that isn't right. At least he had some time with his mother, but Kitster lost his mom many Tatooine Suns ago to his father's enemies that he'd earned as being a pirate. He cannot blame him for looking for someone else to fill that void.

However, it didn't make the hurt go away.

Anakin's hands tighten around the fabric of his own robe.

Kitster runs up to Sabé who tosses the ball away, smiling in a way that she only smiled at him. Is she trying to replace him? Did he disappoint her that much?

Kitster dashes and catches the ball before throwing it back at her with a smile. Anakin comes up, closing his eyes so she doesn't see the anger in his eyes. She doesn't even seem to notice him for a long moment until the clearing of the throat behind Sabé.

"I thought you were busy," Anakin says weakly, feeling something wet coming in his throat.

"I was," Sabé replies, almost nonchalantly. "I finished."

That answer does not ease the hurt in his chest until the damp bursts, and Anakin breaks out in tears. "Well, if you don't want me, tell me!"

"Ani," Sabé is surprised at this sudden change while Kitster remains oblivious of what is happening. He would always understand Anakin the best out of everyone here.

Anakin feels instant guilt in his chest at lashing at her. He didn't mean to snap at the same woman who spent so much time throughout his recovery and stand by him through his mother's death. She deserves better than to be treated like this by him.

"Sabé," Kitster says softly, "slaves would often fight for competi-compet... competition." he declares a moment, reiterating the words decently like Eirtaé taught both of them. "We tend to feel left out when our friends and better yet our Masters focus on one another. Anakin feels like I'm replacing him."

Sabé turns back, relaying the information in her head. She hasn't been told that part.

"Ani, is this true? Are you jealous because it seems like I didn't want to play with you?" Sabé asks, crouching to the kid's level, still someone so short but also so cute. "Ani, I love both you and Kitster, but nothing can ever replace either of you. You both have your special talents and are loveable children. I may seem busy sometimes but that doesn't mean I want you gone."

Anakin lowers his head to the ground, realizing how hard it is to actually be angry at her. Call it being attached to her for so long, but he feels so desperately sorry for any version of himself without Sabé. He still feels someone is missing, however, someone who can fill that empty void of longing for someone-

Sabé raises an eyebrow at him, and she can tell something is amiss, but she doesn't press the matter further.

"Sabé," Yané says, her hand wielding a datapad, typing some things into them. "Obi-Wan Kenobi wants to speak with you. He is quite persistent..."

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin asks, his mind going back to the Jedi Apprentice of so many months ago. Qui-Gon's Apprentice didn't like him. He shouldn't want to see the man that turned him away like the rest of the Jedi. He shouldn't...

So why does he grab Sabé's hand and moves along with the woman to the direction of their apartment? Anakin feels a sadness spark through him for some strange reason at the sight of the young man, his hair slightly longer and the makings of a beard, but he is glad that he is alright.

"Obi-Wan," Anakin acknowledges respectfully. His mother taught him to respect adults, even if they are not his slavers, and Sabé would likely kill him if he shows an ounce of disrespect.

"I was hoping to talk to him alone," Obi-Wan says... angrily? Why is he angry? Aren't Jedi not allowed to be angry? Yet, Anakin can feel Obi-Wan's anger directed towards Sabé.

"With respect, Master Kenobi, anything that you tell Anakin, I should be present for," Sabé replies, crossing her arms across her chest, giving the Jedi an unimpressed glare. "Unless of course, you are implying that I don't have the right to worry about the kid who is under my custody..."

Obi-Wan seems bemused for a moment before the anger seems to recoil. "Were you thinking about that while you were..." And it is like Anakin finds himself feeling a surge of overprotectiveness building up. No one ever talks to Sabé like that! The Jedi stares at Anakin and his tense feature calms, his expressions softening. "Never mind. I have come here to do what I should have done sooner."

Anakin furrows both of his eyebrows. Is Obi-Wan implying...?

"I want to give you the chance to become the Jedi," Obi-Wan proclaims, grabbing a familiar hilt from his belt and activating the green lightsaber. "This belonged to Master Qui-Gon Jinn if you remember. He wanted you to become his student and would have trained you well, but he is no longer with us. I would give you the chance that have been denied before."

"What if he doesn't want to be a Jedi anymore?" Sabé asks, tilting her head to him, and Anakin can perceive that protectiveness that has always been there. "In my opinion, the Jedi had their chance with him, and they blew it."

Anakin agrees. He didn't even think he would have ever saw the Jedi again, and now they come to take him yet again. He would not leave Sabé again, not to possibly paving the way for Sabé and the rest of the ladies to follow down his mother's path.

'But if you are a Jedi, you can protect them more valiantly.'

Obi-Wan deactivates his Master's lightsaber and places it on his belt.

"Madam, with all good respect, your opinion is irrelevant. Anakin is strong with the Force." Obi-Wan declares bitterly, a slight clicking of his tone. "The Chancellor supports me."

"But Anakin has a choice," Sabé replies coldly. "The Chancellor supporting you does not change that."

Anakin stares between them both before deciding to put in his own input. "I would like to become like Qui-Gon, but I would not leave behind my family."

"Attachments are dangerous," Obi-Wan replies cautiously. "You could be putting them all in risk by treading this life." Anakin can see something else is there, something that just doesn't feel right. It's as if the man is worried about him, but why?

"Attachments are normal despite what you Jedi don't believe," Sabé shoots back. "Perhaps you should listen to the kid. You take him away from us and he would never be the same again."

Obi-Wan hesitates for a few moments before replying. "Very well."

"Then I would gladly become your student," Anakin says, outstretching his hand to Obi-Wan's direction.

Obi-Wan gives him the lightsaber and he ignite it this time. Anakin eyes the emerald blade.

"You have taken your first step into a larger world."