Eternal Balance: Chapter 4

By The Al Bhed Slayer

A/N: Guess what? I put a cute moment in! Although, this isn't one of my best chapters, I love the end of it. I hope you guys do too! Oh, and it's a bit shorter than some. It'll be longer next time! I'd like to thank Niky for the idea for the end! Anyway, R'n'R!

It had been a long night. She hadn't slept at all. She stared at the ceiling, contemplating all that had happened since her rescue. Did she really feel others' pain…even the darkness in side them all? Is that even possible? Maybe it was part of whatever she was. Was there even a term for what she was, since she obviously was not human? She hoped Obi Wan could explain things to her. …The Force…What exactly is it? Yoda had mentioned prophecies…both her's and Anakin's. She thought back to the night before. What was so terrible that he was in that much agony? Then her mind went back to when went to check on him. What was I thinking just sitting there, staring? Well…I was worried. There's no harm in worrying…right?

Seeing as dawn was over an hour ago, she got out of bed, still exhausted. Changing quickly and tying her dark hair back, she left her room. Walking slowly through the hall, spotted the very person she'd been concerned about. He just stood there, staring out the window silently. She cautiously walked over to him. "…Hey."

He turned to her briefly, giving a small smile before turning back to the window. "Good morning."

She mentally went over what she wanted to ask, not sure if she should. Minutes passed before she heard him ask, "What is it?"

She glanced up, confusion evident in her features. "Huh?"

"What's wrong?" He asked curiously.

She finally made a decision. She'd ask him. "I don't know if I'm overstepping my bounds, but…can I ask you something?"

He looked at her expectantly. "Go ahead."

Waiting a few seconds, she then finally spoke. "That nightmare you had last night…what was it about?"

He immediately turned back. He had been trying to forget it all, somehow avoid it, to no avail. "Jedi don't have nightmares."

She raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Are you human?" He nodded, still facing the window. "Then you have nightmares." She sighed heavily. "Look, I know something's wrong…I felt it. I feel it now." She closed her eyes, sensing the dark emotions around her. "Pain…Fear…"

Anakin stayed mute and stared at the girl, eyes softening.

She opened her eye and met his. "It's fine if you can't tell me right now…I just hope you can one day."

Before he could say anything in reply, Obi Wan entered the room. The two turned around, waiting for the Jedi to say something. He stopped right in front of them. "Both of you, hurry up. We're going to the temple."

Just as she expected: today, she would be tested. The whole way to temple, she had been nervous. What exactly would the tests entail? On the way there, the Jedi finally explain – rather vaguely – what the Force was. 'An energy field created by all living things…' was what he had said. Nevertheless, she still didn't really understand. Now the three stood in the training room, Obi Wan leaving and soon returning with a small silver mechanical device. Akaia couldn't tell what it was, but the man passed it to her. She studied it for a second, unsure of what to do. She glanced at the Jedi, confused. "What is it?"

"A lightsaber," he explained. "We are going to find out if you can use one."

"Use one?" she echoed in disbelief. "I barely know what it is!"

"A weapon," he stated simply. He then looked at his padawan. "And seeing as Anakin needs to train…" He turned back to her. "You'll be fighting him."

Her eyes grew wide as she looked back and forth between the two men, noticing that Anakin had drawn his weapon, a strong green light shooting out of it. Smirking, he raised it. "Whenever you're ready…"

"You've got to be kidding," She thought out loud. She peered down at the object, clutching it with both hands and raising it. Her finger found the switch, flipping it on. With that, a bright blue light shot out. She closed her eyes for a moment; this did seem familiar. Before she even though about it, she slanted her arms, her blade horizontal as she blocked an attack. Her eyes shot open, throwing a death glare to her attacker. "You cheated!"

"I didn't cheat," he replied with a lopsided grin. He backed off, getting in fighting stance. "You were taking too long."

She was about to say something in return but paused and looked at her weapon. She knew this…well, her subconscious did. She returned her gaze to her opponent, now smiling a bit evilly. Before she knew what she was doing, she attacked, the two lightsabers clashing. They continued sparring; they both blocked one another's attacks with ease. It was strange, though. Each time he looked in her eyes, it was like when they'd first met. There was nothing. It was less like she knew what she was doing and more like she had been possessed.

No fully concentrating on what he was doing, the next thing he knew was that his lightsaber had been kicked out of his hand and was another dangerously close to his throat. He again looked at Akaia, who now seemed surprised herself. After a few more seconds, the blade disappeared and the girl stepped back. "That was…odd."

She turned to Obi Wan who seemed surprised as well.

"Did I pass?"

It had been a very long day. She had been tested for many things she didn't fully understand; she had even floated a few objects, which was strangely very tiring. She now sat on the couch in the apartment, curled into a ball, watching the rain pour down outside. It calmed her considerably, her eyes now only half-lidded. But, even though she felt as if she were falling asleep, she knew wouldn't. She hadn't slept more than a half hour since…she killed that man. It was one of her first memories…others around had yelled, 'Murderer, Sith, Killer…'. She knew they were right, but she hadn't known better; she hadn't known of her own power. They had just assumed she was evil and made sure she would pay. She had been in that cell for days, with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company. Although now, she sat on a fairly comfortable couch while Anakin and Obi Wan slept…and she never felt more alone. Everything here was so much more confusing. Even here, Sith automatically meant evil…so if she was half Sith, wouldn't that make her partially evil? But they seemed to be ignoring that part of her, like it didn't exist. It was unnerving.

So wrapped up in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed she wasn't alone in the room. She didn't even notice until she felt someone sit down next to her. She turned, her eyebrows knitting together in curiosity. "What are you doing up?"

He shrugged lightly. "Bad dream." He looked at her, mirroring her interest. "And you?"

Akaia averted her eyes in humiliation. "I haven't really slept since…" She paused and gave him a questioning stare. "You all know I killed a man, right?"

Anakin nodded solemnly. "Did you mean to?"

"Of course not!" she tried her best not to yell. She soon calmed down. "That doesn't make me feel any better about it."

He looked on sympathetically. "I'm sorry…"

"I just…" She let out a deep sigh. "I just wish I didn't feel so alone."

With that, he seemed just as helpless. He knew exactly how she felt…he had thought the same thing once. Not knowing what else to say, he looked down and took her hand in his. She looked down as well and then at him, somewhat surprised. Her surprise then dissipated into a thankful expression. Without moving an inch, both sat in silence only accompanied by the soft sound of rain drops hitting the window pane.

Neither of them had realized it, not that it would've have mattered. For the first time in ages, both of them actually slept quite comfortably. Hours passed by until Anakin finally woke up. It was strange…he was still sitting on the couch. He looked down to find his head had been resting on Akaia's, who was still sleeping peacefully on his shoulder. He looked out the window, noticing the sun had only begun to illuminate the city's skyline. If Obi Wan saw the two in this compromising position, there's no way she be here much longer. He already knew his master was displeased by her being here. With no other choice, he put one arm on her back and the other under her legs, carefully picking the girl up and standing up himself. Shockingly, she still slept.

Entering the young woman's room, he went over to the bed and cautiously placed her on it. He walked away, only stopping and turning back right before he exited. He then made his way to his own room, hoping he would fall back to sleep.

Hours later, Akaia awoke to find she was now in her own bed. Hadn't she been on the couch last night?

Then how did…she scanned over the event of the night before. She paused.

…Anakin.

TBC

A/N: I'm gonna start doing the AotC timeline…which means, next chapter, Padmé will make an appearance…(BOO! HISS!)

Don't worry, he won't fall for her this time around…hopefully.