Jedi Apprentice – Skywalker's Rescue
Chapter 3
A break from Temple life might do the boy some good, Obi-Wan thought. The bright smile that lit up Anakin's young face when they stepped onto the sky bus proved him right. And it might be good for him too.
Soon they were at their destination, one of the largest outdoor markets in the upper levels of Coruscant. There were foods and crafts and household items from nearly every world in the Republic and the spaces between stalls were filled with beings of many species and droids of every shape.
"Come along, Padawan. Today is an exercise in observation. Keep your senses alert," Obi-Wan instructed.
Anakin nodded obediently, his eyes wide to take in all the new sights. This place was like the market in Mos Eisley times about a hundred!
The two Jedi walked through the swirling crowd, letting the noise of customers bargaining with sellers and the smell of different types of food wash over their senses. Up ahead Obi-Wan spotted a stand that he'd visited before. He wove between people until he stood in front of the tea seller.
"Two cups, please!" he called out, digging in his pocket for the correct credits.
Hot tea was ladled into two disposable cups and handed to him. Obi-Wan nodded his thanks and paused to take a sip, savoring the aroma.
He turned to hand Anakin his cup only to find that Anakin was no longer at his side. Obi-Wan looked around him, at the rush of beings moving in every direction, but Anakin was nowhere to be seen. Squashing down a flicker of worry, he retraced his most recent steps, making it almost all the way back to the wide market entrance without finding his apprentice.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan called out but his voice was absorbed by the din of the marketplace.
Reaching out with the Force, Obi-Wan sorted through the senses of all the people around him, looking for Anakin's distinct signature. He walked, letting the Force guide him.
After what felt like forever, Obi-Wan finally caught a glimpse between a passing Wookie and a group of protocol droids. Anakin was talking to a Twi-lec woman holding the hand of a youngling about Anakin's age.
Obi-Wan pushed against the current of the crowd to get to them.
The woman was saying, "Honey, where's your mother?"
"She's on Tatooine…" Anakin replied.
"Anakin! There you are!" Obi-Wan said.
"Oh! I didn't realize you were a Jedi," the woman exclaimed, clearly recognizing Obi-Wan's dress.
"Hello," Obi-Wan greeted her, "Thank you for finding him."
"Of course," the woman smiled. She went on to continue her shopping. The youngling waved to Anakin and Obi-Wan before her mother tugged her hand and she went skipping along.
"I thought I told you to stay close to me," Obi-Wan said, looking down at his wayward apprentice.
Anakin did not appreciate being treated like a kid, especially not by Obi-Wan. "But you're the one who wandered off!"
"What?" Obi-Wan was taken aback.
"I looked away for one second and you were gone!" Anakin said.
Obi-Wan quickly replayed the events in his mind and begrudgingly realized that Anakin was right. He sighed. Not for the first time, Obi-Wan realized that he had a lot to learn about teaching. Anakin was vastly more independent than most children his age, but he was still a child.
"I was getting you this," Obi-Wan said, holding out a cup.
"What is it?" Anakin asked doubtfully.
"It's tea," Obi-Wan said, "Drink it. It's good for you."
Anakin took a cautious sip and made a strange face but at least he didn't complain.
"Come on, let's keep going. There's a lot more to see," Obi-Wan said.
The closer they got to the center of the market, the thicker the crowd got. Beings pressed in on them from all side, carrying baskets of produce or other things to sell.
After nearly getting separated from Obi-Wan two more times, Anakin slipped his hand into Obi-Wan's. Obi-Wan looked down in surprise but he didn't let go. They walked that way together through the market and Anakin allowed himself only for a moment to imagine that he was walking with his parent, just like the Twi-lek girl he'd met earlier.
….
TBC!
Preview: Anakin finds himself in trouble. Again.