A/n- Thank you for all the reviews. Please enjoy our next installment into this story. I never would have thought this story would end up being rewritten in a better fashion and improved plot. Please R&R.

Chapter 23

Location: Jinn Residence, Imperial Center

Month 6 Day 10 Year 28 BBY

Adrenaline pulses through his veins as his feet gracefully slide back onto the mat. The gentle push had come in the direction of his opponents. His lightsaber is blocking any attacks from his front, and his eyes switch back and forth between the two Jedi encircling him. His eyes narrow as he feels the swift change in movement to his left. Ben's blue blade swirls through the air and meets his in a graceful parry. The sizzling of the blades crackles throughout the training room.

He shoves the blade back into his friend's face, and uses his loss of balance to sweep his right foot into his opponents. Ben lands with a loud smack onto the training mats, and just as he has taken out one opponent, the elder of the three attacks.

His blade is an emerald green and the sound of it is amazing to his ears. He turns and observes his master, lifting his blade down in a swift motion which would decapitate him if he had not blocked the on-coming attack. He grunts under the pressure he feels in the force in both his arm muscles. Hazel's eyes watch the younger man, waiting for the young arrogant apprentice to make his move.

Not this time Master Jinn.

His thoughts are not cocky in manner, nor like Anakin's usual remarks. He senses Ben's movements shifting and back on his own two feet. The kick to the back of his head reaches within inches of him, and as Anakin ducks sensing the kick coming, Qui-gon's blade lowers and his own apprentice's foot reaches his face. Qui-gion's eyes widen as he feels the sting from the sharp kick in the face. As the kick hits the elder in the face, Anakin ducks and slides under his friend's foot and uses his entire body to knock into him. Ben feels his body tip backwards and once again he is on the mat with sharp pain in his chest. His lightsaber is at his side, but off.

Anakin stands to his feet with a determined look on his face. He is dripping in sweat as he disengages his lightsaber. He turns and watches Master Jinn's reaction. Qui-gion rubs his chin where it is red from where Ben's foot made contact not long ago. He rubs the spot and eyes his younger apprentice murmuring, " I see you are learning well."

Anakin nods and turns back to his friend. He leans forward and offers his hand to his friend. Ben gladly takes it, wincing as he stands. His breath is coming out in little sharp puffs and the sweat drips down both of their faces.

Qui-gon suggests, " I think we are done training for the day. Good work today gentlemen."

Ben nods to his master and heads to grab his workout bag to head to the shower. Anakin does the same and Qui-gion calls out, " Not you Anakin. I need to speak to you."

Anakin gestures to Ben to go ahead and he'll catch up with him back at the Academy. Currently they are in the process of moving Ben's things to an apartment off campus as he is an instructor come fall. The summer is used for remediation and classes the recruits are able to take or they can choose to work in their specialty field over the course of the summer months. Anakin has chosen to stay behind due to choosing his specialty.

Padme' is here and in dire need of having her friends around her. Besides, Anakin needs to stay close by to continue his Jedi training. He had come far in the months since beginning training, each day he felt his powers grow within the force. Currently his combative skills are growing as well. Ben had made a quirk about how difficult it is becoming to fight him on his own without help. That is when Master Jinn had determined to continue the challenges of his training to train with them, as he had more experience being one of the only three of them who had been trained in the Jedi Knight arts. Master Yoda knew he was training at least two Jedi in training. The more recruits the better…

Qui-gon gestures to the bench between them and both men sit. Anakin wipes the dripping sweat off his forehead and his cheeks. He questions, " Master, what do you request of me?"

Qui-gon had been dreading this conversation since this morning when he had a surprise visit from Inquisitor Maul, namely about Anakin. He had known this day would come, but he had hoped Anakin's training could be farther along, although he had many abilities, he is still weak in mind shields at times. The young man's weak spot had to do with the young woman he loved. Qui-gon knew it would become a liability if he didn't forgo his feelings for the young woman. But Qui-gon knew more than anyone else how forgoing someone you loved for the greater good hurt.

" Master?" Anakin's voice reaches into his mind and drags him from the past.

" I had a visit from Inquisitor Maul this morning." He begins.

Anakin's eyebrow lifts and his fist begins to form. " And?" His tone is sharp, not meaning to shine in the anger he has towards the Emperor's main henchman.

Qui-gon sighs, " I didn't want to put you in this position just yet, but Inquisitor Maul has requested you begin your training as an Inquisitor. He says you have the potential to be an excellent candidate for the job."

Anakin snaps, " And what's if I refuse to work under a murderer?"

Master Jinn responded calmly, " Anakin we both knew this would happen and you cannot refuse unless you want to be discharged from the Imperial Navy for disobeying orders. This means you will forgo any insider training to help the rebellion and to help the Jedi cause."

Anakin shakes his head and throws the now soaked towel back into his gym bag. " I cannot work for someone who probably had to do with my daughter's death! Let them court marshal me."

He places a solid hand on the youth's shoulder in a fatherly manner. He attempts at calming the youth down through the force. Anakin can sense the soothing waves come from his Master and teacher. He tries to listen to reason, " Anakin, you have chosen to set aside all things personal when it comes to being a Jedi. Besides, think of all the in-tell you can report to the council and the rebellion. Anakin, you had stated more than once you want to help the galaxy-"

Anakin shoves his hand away and mutters, " I know this, Master Jinn, but I want justice for my daughter's death." He stands to his feet and runs his hands through his soaked sweaty curls.

" Anakin I don't know what it is like to lose a child, but I have lost brothers and sisters to the cause for twenty years- and this is the first time in a long time that I see a light at the end of the fight. You have to push past your personal tragedies and move on." Qui-gon urges gently.

Anakin narrows his eyes at his hero. " I get that the cause is important. But you don't know what it is like to lose people you love. I can't just push my feelings for Padme' or our child away! I'm not a numb Jedi, and I refuse to become someone without fears."

Qui-gon's grim expression tenses and his eyes express a far along look. He knew in a way what Anakin felt in choosing between someone you love and your personal feelings towards the Empire. He had never revealed to Anakin the full truth of how he could have changed his life for the better. He chose the greater good over love and family. At times he wishes he had chosen the path that had been offered to him- to see her brown eyes alive and loving.

He determines at this time Anakin needs to know the truth. " I do know of making choices between love and your duty Anakin. I- fell in love with a woman who I befriended in the labs here on Coruscant and she is the one who made me see I had to change the galaxy for the better. If I hadn't chosen to help her- neither of you would have made it out alive."

Anakin's eyes soften at the mention of his Master's own experiences of being a young soldier. He watches the older man as he continues, " She begged me to come with her and to forget the war, and to raise her child with her. I- chose not too."

Anakin swallows realizing that he could have been actually raised by his favorite Hero of the Clone Wars. He wasn't speaking of some woman, but his own mother. Anakin's anger simmers for the moment and he questions, " Why did you choose the galaxy over us then?"

Master Jinn stands to his feet and places his hands on both of Anakin's shoulders. " I knew the Emperor would not stop looking for us if I came with you. Your mother would be dead and you raised by the Emperor and all hope would be lost. I knew I had to choose to let you both go as much as I wanted to go and be with her."

Anakin whispers, " I miss her. I don't know if she ever was freed or dead. She and I were separated when I was 9 and I was sold to my former slave owner on Naboo. I understand your sacrifices and I thank you for them. I will take the assignment but I can't promise to stay out of Padme's life. I won't give up on our friendship."

Qui-gion pats the young man's shoulders and states, " I understand, just be careful of your association with her. Protect her from the truth. Keep her at a distance and don't cross the boundaries of friendship to keep her safe."

Anakin nods, swallowing the thick heaviness within his chest. He knows Qui-gion is right and his life would be one of loneliness and without taking a wife. It didn't matter- Padme' had a husband who seemed to try and help her through her grief- at least that's what it appeared to be. He states, " When do I report to Maul?"

Qui-gion says simply, " Next week. He wants to begin your training before the fall semester starts."

To Be Continued.