Eventually, the Pain faded, and Anakins use of blades and other sharp objects slowed. Obi Wan stopped pressuring him about what he was doing to himself, and the angry red and pink lines became a bright white scar. While Anakin no longer gave Obi Wan the full devoted trust, his trust in Obi Wan had repaired, weaker, yes, but there nonetheless. they went on battles, and- save for a few very horribly bad ones- Anakin's arm didn't get sliced open. he avoided medical treatment, and short sleeves, afraid of exposing the (he didn't care to count how many) scars littering his wrist to elbow- or the occasional bruises above that. Ahsoka and Anakin fought alongside Obi Wan, went to Dex's, and for the most part, life returned to normal...

"It is the council's opinion That padawan Ahsoka Tano has committed sedition Against the republic, And thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order."

...

"My master abandoned me, And that's exactly what you did to her, You and your precious Jedi Order did to her."

...

"The members of the court have reached a decision."

...

"I'm here with evidence and a confession From the person responsible for all the crimes Ahsoka has been accused of."

...

"I'm sorry, master, but I'm not coming back."

...

"More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the order."

"I know."

...

Anakin was a failure. the agony of the bond she seperated told him such. He hadn't so much as touched anything sharp to his wrist in months.

he did now.

Anakin held back sobbs, as he cut open his skin. the voice, which has quieted ad of lately, started chanting-

Deeper! harder! more!

Anakin was a failure. he failed to save his mother-

Obi Wan-

his men-

Himself-

selfish.

Ahsoka-

Everything hurt and burned and it was slowly killing him. he was trembling with sobbs, and couldn't even hold his utility knife straight.

his utility knife- It had been what Obi Wan had gotten him his first Birthday. Seeing his Obious love for electronics, Obi Wan had gotten him the very knife clutched in his hand along with some tools. he held it, arms shaking, above his wrist, waiting for the shaking to stop.

How easy it would be to end it.

And it was right. he could stop the torents upon waves of pain crashing and burning his mind.

So Anakin dug his knife into his wrist and started to pull down.

And then someone was there, guiding his arm up, cleaning the cuts, and putting bandages of his wrist. Anakin looked up cautiously, eyes filled with tears.

It was Obi Wan. Anakin let out the sobb he'd been supressing, and Obi Wan enfolded him inside his robes. suddenly, his pain didn't seem so bad, suddenly he didn't feel the need to cut open his skin. Obi Wan not only offered comfort, he was warm and Anakin clung to his signature, which was filled with light. Anakin felt Obi Wan probing at his shield, and he slowly lowered them, allowing Obi Wan in, but no one else.

they sat there in silence, Obi Wan helping mend the edges of his and Ahsoka's ripped bond.

When Anakin finally found the strength to speak, he choked out, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Obi Wan just hugged him tighter. after a Moment or two, he spoke. "We need to talk. do you want to stay here, or go to the sofa?"

Anakin sniffled, "Sofa."

"Alright." Obi Wan picked him up and carried him into the living room, setting him down on the sofa. "I need you to answer me honestly- can you do that?"

Anakin gave a small nod.

"How long, Anakin?"

Anakin gulped, "Day after you- you died."

"How often?"

Anakin closed his eyes. "I haven't- haven't in a few months."

Obi Wan sighed, "How often when you're doing it?"

Anakin shrugged, "two to three times a day- sometimes in the middle of the night."

Obi Wan sighed, still not showing any emotion. "Why?"

Anakin shifted, uncomfortable, and remained silent.

"Anakin, I need to know. why? It is because of me?"

"Not... not because of you- it takes the pain away."

Obi Wan still didn't show any emotion, "Causing pain- doesn't make anything better."

"It made the emotional pain of a "dead" bond hurt less. It made the grief and agony of losing you better. It let me pay for not saving you." Anakin spat bitterly. "It hurt less. It made it more manageable." Anakin scowled, "It made the bond she severed hurt less too. but..." but not enough. I had to escape.

"But...?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me. please."

"But, it didn't help enough. I needed to escape."

"And did I help?"

"Yes. it feels nice to have someone care for you-even if it's a lie."

"Yoj don't think I care?"

Anakin scoffed. "tell me- how would you react if I died?"

"I would be so-"

"You wouldn't overreact! I dont see the big deal! month and you would've been fine."

And that was hiw Obi Wan, The great Negotiator, became speechless.