"Anakin, may I speak to you in private?" Obi-Wan asked as the two boarded onto the ship heading for Lorrd.
"Is something wrong, Obi-Wan?"
"It depends how you view it." He mumbled. The pair slipped on their thick, fur coats, preparing for the harsh cold of Lorrd City, an icy tundra and almost barren land.
"Anakin, the Council is preparing to give you a Padawan." Obi-Wan exclaimed softly, hoping the other Jedi and Senators boarding would not hear the news. Anakin smiled, patting his old Master on the back.
"That is wonderful. I don't see how this is such a bad thing, Obi-Wan."
"Are you sure you are ready to handle a Padawan? I mean, he's very powerful,"
"Which is a good thing. We can easily relate, then."
"Anakin, I think you're missing my point. I feel like you should opt the child out for perhaps a more experienced Jedi."
"Well, who is the child?"
"Benzi Dalian." Anakin raised an eyebrow as they both strapped into their seats as the rest of the passengers fastened themselves in. The awkward boy he saw the other night?
"Master Esoor's Padawan?"
Obi-Wan nodded gravely. "Yes, they feel that since you both have very…great powers, you could help him learn restraint, as well as you learn your own." Anakin shrugged, rubbing his hands together.
"Then it is settled. I wouldn't want to disappoint the Council, Obi-Wan. I promise I will do you proud." Anakin then reclined back in his seat, closing his eyes to possibly get a bit of sleep before arriving at Lorrd. Obi-Wan glanced around nervously, knowing his strategy had failed.
Benzi was sitting alone on the other side of the ship, no one daring to approach the troubled boy. He twiddled with his thumbs nervously, the dark circles from not enough sleep finally forming. His hair was pressed flat down due to the hood of his coat. He felt unwanted, intimidating, neglected. He didn't want this. His temper had slowly dissipated as he came to terms with the death of his Master, but he still suspected that everyone was on edge about the possibility of a sudden outburst. Hoping some more sleep would help ease his pain, he drifted off, letting the movement of the ship lull him to sleep.
*flashback*
"Master Tayno, can I speak to you?" Benzi timidly asked as the two approached their hut that they were staying in while on Kashyyyk.
"What is it?" Tayno responded, entering the hut. It creaked and moaned under the two's feet, finally stopping when Tayno sat on the bed, and Benzi right next to him. The Master yanked off his boots, setting them by the bedside. Benzi's bed was a hammock hanging from the ceiling in the corner of the big room.
"Do you ever miss your family, Master?" Benzi questioned, his grey eyes boring into his Master's. Tayno stared down curiously at his Padawan, unsure of how to approach his question.
"Yes, very much, everyday. Why do you ask?"
Benzi sniffled, wiping his eyes as they began to water. "I miss my Mama and Dad." He sobbed, letting his choked cries out in wrenching movements. Tayno bit his lip, unsure of how to react to the crying boy. He had been with him for a year and a half by now, and he had never broken down quite like this. Tayno finally wrapped him in a hug, cradling his head into his chest.
"It's okay, Benzi. It is very normal to miss your family."
"Do you ever see your family?"
"No."
"Why?"
"There is no family for me to return to." Tayno gritted through his teeth, his eyes starting to redden a bit also. Benzi let out a cough, rubbing his nose and gazing up at his Master once more.
"What happened?" Tayno glared down at his feet, shaking his head.
"I was foolish, very foolish."
"How so?"
"I let my emotions take the best of me. I let them dictate my actions, and in the end, I could not save them." Benzi looked down also, not wanting to see his Master in such a weak state.
"You betrayed them?"
"In a way, yes. I was ignorant, the rules meaning nothing to me. Do not live your life like I did, Benzi. It will lead you on a road of great sorrow."
"Master Esoor, I don't understand."
"Do not let your emotions control your actions. You must think logically, and strategically. I see how you grow quick to your temper. That is just the beginning. It will lead you to dark things, such dark, despairing things. Promise me you won't follow in my footsteps." Tayno begged, watching his Padawan reddened with embarrassment.
"I promise, Master." Benzi finally answered, hopping off the bed.
"Good, my boy. Now get some rest, we have a big day ahead of us."
*end of flashback*
The frigid cold enveloped Benzi in a suffocating grip. He could have never imagined his warm, kind Master could be from such a bitter place. The crowd of Jedi and Senators congregated around a giant, steel-grey building, where the funeral was being held. A shudder rippled down his spine, his coat providing barely any protection from the fierce winds. He could feel people's icy stares piercing into him, murmurs of who he was fluttering through the throng of people. He just prayed for the doors to open, so he could get this dark day over with, so he could return to his apartment and wallow in his sorrows to himself. Haveera was standing by Kit Fisto, her eyes meeting his. She instantly frowned, looking away from the Padawan as soon as her eyes landed on him. The more he stood there amongst the people, the more alone he felt.
"Senator Amidala, how nice it is to see you here." Anakin said smoothly, merging into the circle of Senators talking.
Padme held in her blush and smiled, "And it was quite lovely seeing you here also, Anakin. Is there something you needed?"
"Actually yes, I was wondering if I could pull you away from your little group chat to discuss some very important matters."
"At this instance?"
"Preferably, yes." Anakin said, giving her an urgent look. Padme gave him a nod, and apologized to her colleagues before heading off with Anakin. He led her around the side of the building, under an awning, away from everyone.
"Ani, what did you-"
She was interrupted by a brief kiss, followed by a, "I missed you." Padme held onto his hands, staring into his deep blue eyes.
"This is a very dangerous place to indulge in romance, Anakin." She stated firmly, her hands gripping his tighter. Anakin let out a slight smirk.
"I wasn't planning on romantic occupations, my Senator. However nice that may be, I have something to tell you. About myself." A concerned expression washed over Padme, touching his face and observing his body.
"Did something happen? Are you hurt?"
"Far from it. I'm getting a Padawan." Anakin exclaimed. Padme grinned, embracing him tightly.
"Oh Ani, that's fantastic! I'm so happy for you! Do you know who it is?"
"The Jedi Council is giving me Master Esoor's Padawan. He still has two more years left, and they thought I would be fit to finish off his apprenticeship."
"I can't believe it. Actually, I can. You are the bravest, strongest Jedi I've ever met, so there is no surprise to them choosing you." Padme insisted, staying deep in his arms. They both heard the doors to the building start to creak open, the people pooling inside.
"I assume we must be going inside, then." Anakin sighed, giving his wife one last kiss. She couldn't help contain her blush, and they released each other, both heading inside the building.
Sorry the wait for this chapter was so long! School and sports kept me really busy lately, but hope you guys liked this chapter. I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Review, follow, share, or just read, whatever you like! Thank you all so much for the support! And always remember, stay awesome, Gotham. -April