Eternal Balance: Chapter 10
By The Al Bhed Slayer

A/N: This chapter is officially in honor of my 100th review! I can't believe it…You guys are awesome! This is the most popular story I have ever written! Thank you all! I'm glad you all like this fic. There might be a sequel! Okay, there will be a sequel, but not quite yet. Just as long as you guys keep reviewing, I'll keep writing! Well, onto chapter ten! R'n'R!

She couldn't tell how long she had been lying there awake. It must've been at least an hour. She knew she was alone now and was thankful for it. She searched the room for where the sunlight hit, wondering what time it was. It's probably late…I must've woken up late. Whenever it was, she remembered being moved; not very far, only slightly. She had stayed silent, eyes closed, not yet ready to begin the day. Minutes after she heard Anakin leave the room, everything hit her at full force. Her eyes shot open. Only one thought ran through her mind…What was I thinking!
Out on the balcony, Anakin stood facing the gardens, meditating...well, trying to at least. He couldn't concentrate; he could barely keep his mind on one topic at a time. He thought today would be relatively good, without a nightmare weighing him down. But, instead of a nightmare, it was guilt. How could he be happy if his mother truly was in pain? He knew he had to see her, to know she was alright. Maybe then he would feel less guilty.

And then, on the other hand, there was the lesser turmoil…Not only did he know – even though he tried convincing himself otherwise – that Jedi were forbidden to love, but now he was unsure of who he was in love with. On the one hand, there was Padme. He was sure he had loved her for those tens years, and seeing her again had indeed sparked something…but it was different. Something in him had greatly changed and in turn had changed this feeling. But, yet and still he knew had to find out if he really loved her or regret it later. And on the other hand, there was Akaia. He still did not know how he felt for her, and barely knew if she'd be alive long enough for him to find out. It was almost definite that she was to die...and in the name of peace. He had been taught that sometimes others must give their lives for the greater good, but he was still uncertain if he'd be able to accept that. So much for meditation, he thought. Seconds later, as if on cue, he felt Padme getting closer, but then leaving again. "Don't go."

She stopped. "I don't want to disturb you."

He took a deep breath. "Your presence is soothing."

There was a pause before the senator began speaking once more. "Is something wrong?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, eyes still closed.

"I'm not sure," she answered quietly, "something seems…off."

He knew he had to leave. He had to find his mother. If not to save her then for his sanity. He finally opened his eyes, gazing sorrowfully at the woman. "It's my mother. For weeks I've been having these dreams of her…I saw her as clearly as I see you now. She's suffering, Padme. She is in pain…" He sighed. "I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you, Senator. But have to go. I have to help her."

She stared silently for a moment. "…I'll go with you."

"We should all go," a voice called from inside, as the person made their way out. Akaia slowly stepped towards them. "If you're both going, I suppose there's no point in protecting thin air."

I've got a bad feeling about this, she thought miserably.

It had only been a matter of hours before they had boarded a ship and were on they're way to Tatooine. Upon landing on the desert planet, Akaia began studying the new environment. It seemed stranger than any planet she'd been on so far. The buildings seemed more like dirt hills than anything else. Everyone looked utterly miserable.

They had stopped to see a creature named Watto, who, the former guardian later found out, owned Anakin's mother. Of course that was no longer true, seeing as a man named Lars had not only bought her, but freed and married her. Immediately after, they had again boarded the ship and headed to a part of the dry planet called Mos Eisley.

Now walking towards the home they'd been look for, the three had begun to walk past a droid that had started talking to them. "Hello. How may I be of service? I am C-"

"Threepio?" Anakin queried as both he and Padme briefly smiled at the droid.

"Oh…The Maker! Master Ani! I knew you would return! I knew it!" Threepio told them excitedly, then turning to Senator Amidala. "And Miss Padme! Oh my!"

Padme smiled. "Hello, Threepio."

"Bless my circuits it so good to see you both. And…" It stopped, now facing Akaia.

"This is Akaia, a friend of ours," Anakin introduced.

"How nice it is to meet you, Miss Akaia," The droid answered pleasantly.

Akaia gave a small smile to the droid before the Jedi apprentice continued. "I've come to see my mother."

Threepio paused for a moment. "Perhaps we'd better go indoors."

Once they had gone inside, they'd met Cliegg, Owen, and Beru. After they all took seats, the older man, Cliegg, had told the group all he knew of what had happened to Shmi … The story had been horrible to hear. As Akaia listened to the man, her eyes had wandered over to Anakin. With every sentence, more pain contorted his features. At the mention of Tusken Raiders, she might even had seen hate. She turned away, unable to take in any more misery. As silence enveloped the room, Anakin stood.

"Where are you going?" Owen queried.

"To find my mother," Anakin responded in a bitter tone.

Cliegg looked up at his stepson. "Your mother's dead, son. Accept it."

With that, the padawan walk out, no one daring to follow him yet.

Anakin stood a few feet away from the house, looking across the vast desert. Minutes passed until Akaia and Padme had gone outside to check on him. He walked over to the two, his expression stone cold. "You're going to have to stay here. These are good people. You'll both be safe."

"Anakin…" Padme seemed frozen in her place before she pulled Anakin into a hug. After a few seconds both let go before he turned his attention to Akaia.

Worry clouded her gaze as they both seemed to share a wordless message. He turned and began towards the speeder bike. Out of impulse, the young woman grabbed his arm, causing him to look back at her with confusion. Determination effectively hid her concern as she spoke. "You're not doing this alone."

"I have to do this alone," he replied sternly.

Her eyebrows furrowed, her frown deepening. "This is dangerous; you should have someone there with you."

He shot her a glare. "You don't understand-"

"No, you don't understand!" she yelled, something inside her snapping. Through clenched teeth, she continued. "I already told you what been happening to you. All of this has only made things worse! You can't deal with everything on your own! You shouldn't have to!" She gave him a pleading look, not letting go of his arm. "Please, Anakin…don't shut me out."

Thankfully, his glare had softened. He stayed there for a few seconds, staring at her. "Let's get going."

TBC

A/N: Yeah, there was quite a bit of Padme there. Don't beat me! BTW, I already know how I'll end this…it's gonna be really sad and lead right into the sequel. I can't wait to write it. See ya soon!