Author's Note: We're back to Anakin, with a little Obi-Wan at the end.
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Returning to Mos Espa, Anakin sat down and ordered a drink from one of the local bars. While part of him wanted to rush off to see his mother, another part knew that he must remain. For whatever reason, the Council was giving him a chance. Obi-Wan was counting on him to act like a Jedi, not a foolish and callow youth. It was hard but he would do so. Besides, the Jedi Council had yet to tell him what his mission exactly was.
A small smile quirked his lips at the thought, may be I'm here to learn patience. His Master always said it was something he lacked. A stumbling block on his path to knighthood, one he must overcome if he was to progress on the Jedi path. That might be nice. Then again, when had the Council ever given anyone a mission just for the purpose of doing absolutely nothing?
Some sense of danger, of eyes watching him, crawled over him and he leaned back, looking about him covertly. The place seemed no different than before. It was still full of the same kind of disreputable life he'd always associated with Tatooine. Still, as much as he hated to give in to what may be irrational fear, he rose and paid for his drink before leaving.
Obi-Wan would be so proud of him for his restraint. All of his instincts urged him to hold his ground. To stand and fight, but his Master would've counseled patience. He would have reminded him of the necessity of blending in and not giving himself away just yet. There were more important things than letting one's pride rule. To listen to the Force and not encourage danger to touch him until he'd learned the face of his enemy. Not to mention, a bar was not the best place for a fight. The opponent you faced would always have the advantage.
Once clear of the most populous areas, he stretched out his senses, finding that someone was following him on feet as silent as the desert breeze. Anakin's eyes narrowed, he knew that presence. It was one that had touched his dreams all too often lately.
A Tusken raider.
Knowing there was no way he could hide from the raider, he stopped and turned, meeting the familiar yellowish eyes. Though his hand dropped instantly to his lightsaber, the Tusken continued to approach him, arms outstretched to show that he carried no weapon in his hands. He knew that meant nothing for there were ways to conceal a weapon from sight.
Stopping, he bowed low and his raspy voice spoke one word in Huttese, "Jedi."
Hiding his startled look, he nodded in acknowledgement and reached for his translator earpiece. Placing it in his ear, he waited to find out what this was all about.
"Come, Jedi. Sharad Hett wishes to see you," he spoke rapidly, recognizing the piece for what it was. Softly fading into the shadows, the raider swiftly made his way to the open desert and the eopie that waited there.
Though doubtful of his guide's honesty, Anakin followed him with a shrugging nonchalance. There was no sense in making a sense if he could help it. And he had heard of Sharad Hett, a Jedi who had left the order to serve his people. The Masters of the Order had spoken of him with faintly damning praise. Mounting with reluctance, he grimaced. There was something about riding live creatures that made him uncomfortable. Obi-Wan said it was because he couldn't control them. That he had to let go of the control and trust them to lead him right.
Whatever it was, he didn't care. Riding living creatures just did not feel natural to him.
After a long while passed in silence, Anakin attempted to introduce himself. Being called Jedi, while true, would become annoying fast. He wished to find out what was going on, though he honestly felt he was not riding into a trap. "I am Anakin Skywalker," he started to say. Sand whistled and stung his face, cutting him off as he choked on it. Cursing the desertous planet he hated so much as he did so, he covered his face like with the cloth the raider passed back to him.
"Bob," the Tusken introduced himself (because I'm too tired to come up with a GFFA compatible name for him). "You saved me once. Now, I will help you."
"What?" he started but stopped, startled by the faint memory that teased his senses.
Threepio and he had just finished dealing with the Jawas, appropriating some droids for Watto and a few parts he had acquired for himself. They were walking back towards Mos Espa when Anakin felt something odd tickling his senses. Curiously, he turned towards it and tried to figure out what it was that seemed so…out of place on the dunes that stretched out.
"Master Ani, what are looking at?" C-3PO asked, turning when the young boy had slowed down. His gaze was off in the distance, focusing on something that only he could see at the moment.
"There's something over there. I can feel it," he replied, heading off towards of the dune that had the strongest oddity about it. "Let's check it out. It might be important."
C-3PO silently followed him, fretting a bit to himself before speaking up. He felt he had to for the closer he got, the more he recognized what they were going to see. "Master Ani, I do not think this is wise. That is a Tusken raider, not a person we wish to be associated with. For all we know, there could be more waiting beyond those dunes. We could be walking into a trap."
"I don't sense anyone else. He's hurt," Anakin pointed out, not deterred at all. "Don't be such a coward. It would be wrong to leave him here. Mom would be disappointed in me if I just walked away."
Anakin shook his head, he had not thought about that in years. "What do you mean? Save me? Save me from what?"
"Sharad Hett will explain all, Jedi," he said, turning east. As they turned away from the suns, a chill wind picked up and covered their tracks. They went on, heading into the gloomy chill of the quickly approaching night.
Anakin didn't like this, not one bit. Not only was he being asked to trust this raider-something that was difficult with the dreams clouding his thoughts-he was riding beyond the confines of what he knew. The city of Mos Espa glowed in the sand, a relative haven of safety submerged in corruption. At some point, he drifted off to sleep, trusting to the Force that all would be well even as he cursed his stupidity.
Yet, the rocking motions of the eopie soothed him. The cessation of that motion awoke him and he blinked, wiping away the sand that had landed on his lashes, looking about himself as he straightened up. He had never seen any other dwelling place on Tatooine other than cities and the Jawas traveling caravan, he was curious about this place.
Circular tents pocketed the landscape. Tusken women sat around fires, doing the various works that allowed for the smooth continuation of their daily lives. A few children stopped playing, watching as they started to move through them and dismounted near one of the larger tents. Anakin winced as he moved, hating the pull of muscles that were unused to such exertions.
As they approached the front of the tent, he felt the presence of Force users. It was not as strong as those he'd meet on Coruscant but it resonated with him, becoming two distinctive individuals. The tent flap flung open and a Tusken, dressed in slightly richer clothes than the others stood there, taking his measure carefully. This, then, would be Sharad Hett. His Force signature was unique, distinctive, flavored as it was with the sand and heat of Tatooine.
"I am Sharad Hett, Jedi Skywalker." He bowed low to him, speaking basic. "You will not that translator piece here. Please, come in. I imagine you are weary but perhaps you will indulge me for a while."
"I would rather come to the point," he said, though he passed in front of him willingly enough. "I did not come for a social call. The Jedi Council sent me here."
"Did they tell you why?" a cultured voice asked. A woman rose from the shadows, robed in black, she gracefully moved to stand before him. Her gaze was critical as she studied him.
"No. I received my mission from my Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said, feeling out her signature as well. It was more hidden then any he'd ever come across before, which puzzled him. What reason would a Jedi have to hide among friends? "And you are?"
"I am called the Dark Woman for I have given up everything to be a true servant of the Force."
Anakin bowed, shocked respect written on his face. "Master Kenobi speaks well of you."
"Master Kenobi should only speak of that which he knows," she coldly uttered, moving away. "Slaying a Sith does not make a true Jedi. He is a fool sending you here alone."
"My Master is no fool. He is one of the greatest Jedi, one the wisest," he shot back, stung. "You shouldn't speak of him like that because you don't know him."
"I know enough to know that he does not truly know what to do with you, Chosen One. He does not have an understanding of what you are. Of the potentiality that lies within you. He should never have become a Jedi. If not for Master Jinn's unfortunate predilection for taking up lame ducks, he would be where he should be-Bandomeer," she coolly finished.
Anakin was incensed. "I didn't come here to listen to this kind of talk. I don't take it from the Supreme Chancellor. I am certainly not going to take it from you."
"Why? You've often thought that Qui-Gon should've been your Master," she pointed out. "You know that another would do better by you, Chosen One."
"Another would only see a title," he said quietly. "That is all they would see of me. While Master Kenobi does not always know what is right, he sees me. He does not see "The Chosen One". He sees Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan and friend. He may not be perfect, but he's mine."
"If you are quite finished, perhaps we can get to the matter which has brought us together," Sharad Hett finally spoke up, looking at them sternly. "Please, sit beside us, Padawan Skywalker. Tell me, has the Jedi Council spoken to you about the purpose of behind the mission?"
"No. I was told that my information would come on a need to know basis. Any kind of early information may be compromised."
"They send us an uniformed boy to do this job. A job this important-and we get you. A naïve child. What could they be thinking back there on Coruscant?" the Dark Woman muttered.
"I have had just about enough of you. If you don't want my help, I'm not going to force it upon you. If you decide that the Council was right to send me, I will be at the Lars' homestead with my mother. It is far on the outskirts of Mos Eisley." Anakin stood up and walked out, seething. Seeing Bob, he asked if he would allow him to take an eopie back to Mos Espa.
"It is dangerous to travel now. I will take you back in the morning. For now, I welcome you to my home." Bob lead him to one of the tents along the outer rim of the encircled tents. "As a warrior, it is best that I am placed out here," he explained, noting the questioning look on Anakin's face.
"I see. You have no family?" he asked, noticing that there was a lack of many life signs in the tent. He had noticed that other warriors had wives and children with them.
"I have a companion who is away currently. First, to find a new location for us to dwell for our people have earned the displeasure of Gardulla the Hutt," he explained. "Sit and eat, then you will sleep on the matt. Morning comes quickly to these parts."
"I remember," he murmured, unhappily recalling the very early mornings he'd endured when he lived here. Looking at the food in trepidation, he didn't know what to do. After years of bland Temple food, he didn't think he could handle the spices of Tatooine food. Still, he hadn't eaten since that morning and it did smell wonderful.
Bob stood, waiting for him to begin. "I am afraid that you will it tamer than normal food found here," he said, finally realizing why he was so reluctant to partake of the meal. It had been his intent to sooth any worries the young man had.
Anakin nodded, thanking him. Giving into his hunger, he ate up. Once the repast had finished, he tried to help clean up. Bob would not allow it. "We do not put our guests to work. Rest. I have to stand guard. I will not disturb you when I return."
It did not take Anakin long to settle down to sleep for all his uneasiness in staying in an unfamiliar location without his Master's comforting presence. He missed his warmth and the reliable sound of his breathing. He wondered if Obi-Wan missed him and smiled sadly, trying to ignore the Dark Woman's words. The harsh memories they brought to mind. His Master probably hadn't even noticed that he was missing. For all their deepening bond, there was still something separating them. As tears rolled silently down his cheeks, he rolled over and shut out such thoughts.
Sharp and clear, the picture formed of the raiders, tinged with new knowledge of them. Riding in their midst, they turned towards the stark, flat land surrounding the modest farm. Everything was the same, peaceful and happy as they celebrated the unity of two lives becoming one. Anakin knew what was going to happen next. He couldn't force the scream of warning past his clogging throat.
It was going to happen again. There seemed to be no way to stop it. No way to avoid seeing the attack happening again. Suddenly, he was jolted out of the inertia of the moment by a touch.
Quickly, his saber was in his hand. Igniting it, he nearly sliced off the hand shaking him. Opening his eyes, he rolled over and stared at Bob, horrified by what he had almost done. "I'm sorry."
"It was my error, Jedi," he said, warily watching him from the corner he'd retreated to. "I should have known better than to awaken you by touch. Yet, I could not allow you to continue to suffer. What is wrong?"
"Dreams," he groaned, burying his head in his hands. "I have to go. Now. They are getting worse."
Bob was silent for a time before he nodded. "Let us go before the rest of the camp stirs."
Pulling on his boots, he rose and followed him, covering his face as he did so, remembering yesterday's ride clearly. Once clear of the camp, Bob gave the eopie his head and let him set the pace. The ride was silent, punctuated occasionally with talk of his dream. Reaching his ship, he sensed it out and noticed instantly that it was unharmed.
Bob read his thoughts. "It has been watched ever since your arrival on the orders of Sharad Hett."
"Thank him for me," Anakin said as he dismounted. Unwrapping the cloth, he tried to hand it back but the offer was refused.
"You may need it in days to come, Jedi," he explained, riding off into the rising suns.
Anakin watched as the flat lands filled with four or five Tuskens, all of whom followed Bob. Pocketing it, he entered the ship and checked to see if the Council had called. Shaking his head when there was nothing, he decided to do exactly what he said he would. He would visit his mom.
After all, that was why he'd left Coruscant.
Before he took off, he spared a thought for Obi-Wan and Padme, hoping the two were all right. It wasn't that he didn't trust his Master, he just worried that something would happen to him now that his Padawan wasn't there to guard his back. Flying over the vastness of the desert, he shook his head, disgusted that the clouds he saw were from dust, not rain. It was a shame that those who lived here would never experience the variety of life that existed. They would never discover the wonderful fear that came from a rainstorm.
Of course, he hadn't been too fond of rain in the beginning. There was something almost frightening about it.
Qui-Gon had left hours ago and Anakin was bored out of his mind. All he could do was sit or walk the length of the room. With his relocation to the Jedi Temple, he had left the only friends he'd made in this strange new world he wanted to be a part of. Obi-Wan was out on the terrace, meditating. And he had no intention of disturbing him. The Jedi did not seem to like him for some reason-and he didn't understand that.
As far as he knew, he hadn't done anything wrong. Unless…a sharp and harsh light flashed across the skyline, shattering his thoughts. A blaring sound, piercing in its intensity slammed into his hearing and he jumped back, terrified. He'd never seen anything like it. The sky suddenly opened up and huge drops of water feel, splashing the ground in a heavy downpour.
Frozen, he could only stand there, allowing the sights and sounds to inundate his senses. "Obi-Wan," he suddenly remembered, moving towards the door. He was out in that hellish whatever it was. If something happened to him, Master Jinn would be sad. Opening it up, he froze again when the light flashed so close to him, tingles ran up his arms. The crashing sound came louder for it was closer.
Turning around upon hearing the door open, an irritated voice snapped, "What is it?" Obi-Wan regretted it when he saw the stricken look on the boy's face in the flash of lightening. As a Jedi, he knew better than to take out his frustrations on another. But the boy irritated him. "Yes? Has something happened?"
There was no answer and he stepped closer, "Are you all right?" he asked, wincing as a peal of thunder rang out close to his ear. This storm was more violent than any he could ever remember hitting Coruscant. "Oof!" He let out the breath suddenly, feeling the boy hit him.
"You're shaking," he exclaimed, drawing his cloak about the boy quickly. Lightening flashed again and the boy's grip tightened. Obi-Wan searched for the boy's name, "Anakin, this is just a rainstorm with thunder and lightening. It can't really hurt you, there are several devices in place to prevent such an occurrence."
Anakin didn't say anything and he sighed, a little miffed that he didn't believe him. "I suppose for a desert rat this is all upsetting." Frightening is more like it but he had enough sense to keep that thought quite. In this moment, it didn't take much to put himself in Anakin's place. There was no way he would've admitted to having such a ridiculous fear to anyone. Why should this boy? "Let's get you inside and dry you off, desert rat."
"Not a rat," he muttered, burrowing into the warmth of the embrace. He found it comforting to be held so protectively. It made the rain seem less frightening. He thought it possible that Obi-Wan didn't dislike him as much as he'd previously thought. He wasn't pushing him away. In fact, he had brought him in closer. There was something familiar about the embrace…as if he'd been held in these arms before. But that was impossible.
Wasn't it?
"You look like one," he dryly replied.
"Do not," he angrily denied.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
Anakin pulled back to glare at him, trying to figure out what he meant.
"You do know what a mirror is, right?"
"Of course I do," he crossly spoke.
"Come inside before you both get colds," Qui-Gon said. "Padawan, I am surprised at your behavior. You should know better than to stay out in the rain. And to encourage that behavior in Anakin is thoughtless and irresponsible. I thought better of you."
"I'm sorry, Master," Obi-Wan murmured, flushing as he guided Anakin inside, keeping the boy in his robe.
"I am not the one you owe the apology to, Padawan," he sternly said.
"Forgive me, Anakin. I should not have been so careless with your health," he said, letting him go once they had entered the warm apartment.
Anakin shivered, feeling the chill in his withdrawal keenly and mourned it. This was not what he wanted. Not knowing what else to say, he nodded and watched him walk into his room. The door closed, effectively shutting him out of his life. He grieved the loss and almost missed Qui-Gon speaking to him.
"Anakin, let's get you changed and then see about getting some food. Obi-Wan will be fine until we get back."
Though doubtful of his words, Anakin followed him out the door.
Obi-Wan sighed, shaking his head as he returned to reality. As he watched the fall of the rain, well remembering his hurt that day. If nothing else, it had finally made him aware of how ready Master Jinn had been to get rid of him and take on a better apprentice. One who was more like him than Obi-Wan could be.
Oh, he knew it hadn't been like that at all. Not really, for all that it had felt like it. Master Jinn and he had a wonderful relationship. But his Master had been the type of man who was driven to find something more than what contended the Jedi.
The rain continued to fall as he sat on the window bench, staring out at Alderaan's beautiful night. Even in the rain, the lake was glorious, full of a serenity he had been lacking lately. Obi-Wan couldn't imagine a more peaceful place-or one that he wished to share with his annoying and comforting Padawan more. He missed the boy more than he thought possible. Ever so silently, Anakin had become an integral part of his life-one he felt closer to that anyone. Even his Master had never been as dear to him, as close.
The vacation had not done him any good for he was spending most of it worrying about Anakin-and trying to release it into the Force was not helping. It wasn't that he didn't trust Anakin, far from it. He trusted him a bit more than he should-and he knew it. His reliance upon him as an emotional compass had burdened him unfairly-and stunted his growth.
Resting his head against the cool glass, he sighed, not liking his thoughts. He did not like this feeling that something vital to his sense of well being had been taken from him to soon. It was more than a little disconcerting.
"That is because, my very young Padawan, you have always preferred hard facts and figures to emotions. Those things were static and could not hurt you."
A mocking grin crossed his face, hearing the familiar loving exasperation in the smooth cadence. The words rang with a clear cut honesty that saw to the heart of him, Qui-Gon had always done so. Qui-Gon would say things that he needed to hear-regardless of his own opinion on that. They had often balanced each other out, his stubborn logic to Qui-Gon's emotional sight. His future based thinking countered his Master's present minded thinking, with the result that they were able to find a solution that worked not only for the moment but would continue to work on down the road.
One of the few things that had really frustrated Qui-Gon was Obi-Wan's reliance upon his own strength. And he admitted that he had often found it hard to just trust in the Force the way Anakin and his Master had been able to. Obi-Wan was well aware that he'd become a Knight of the Order because he had let go of himself and trusted the Force to pull him through.
Still, they worked with a kind of synchrony he had rarely seen in another pairing.
In fact, it reminded him of something that had been steadily developing between him and…"Anakin," he breathed the name out loud on a whisper of sound. The similarities between his Master and Anakin had never been so eerily apparent to him. He knew what his Master had been capable of and how Qui-Gon all too often let his own inclinations rule him. Even if things worked out, Obi-Wan had worried whenever he went off on his own.
For the first time, he doubted the wisdom of the Council in sending Anakin out-and to Tatooine-without aid. Had they condemned him to failure?
His trust in Anakin was not in question. Many times in the past, it was his Padawan's judgment he deferred to. He had often overlooked his more impulsive bursts of passion for he had seen how that ability to feel things deeply had helped him. Though it was contrary to everything Obi-Wan knew, that ability was Anakin's greatest strength.
It was also his greatest weakness for Anakin would not learn restraint no matter what. He could see no reason for it. As a result, Obi-Wan served as his restraint.
Great, he thought despondently. Yet more ways in which I have spectacularly failed my Padawan.
"Well, I would not say failed, my Padawan. More like, you have placed an unhealthy burden upon him that you did nothing to counteract," Qui-Gon said. "And you have made an effort to rectify that mistake."
"Of course you would, all seeing one," he muttered. "Tell me, Master, did you have anything to do with this mission?"
"It is possible," the reply was teasing. But there was an undercurrent Obi-Wan couldn't place.
"That's what I thought for it has your touch, oh, meddlesome Master of mine," Obi-Wan complained, focusing on the rain. He needed it to ground him in the present. This conversation with his Master was just a bit too surreal for his taste. "Tell me, didn't you think that my life was complicated enough?"
"No. I actually think that it could be a great deal more complicated," he retorted, coming closer. Obi-Wan knew if he looked up, he would see the familiar look of mixed sternness and love. "As for Anakin, someone had to do something. The Jedi Council was making a mess out of it-and you weren't helping any."
"And I suppose you think some vague confession of ambiguous love will fix it?" he skeptically asked. "Forgive me for my extreme disbelief over your naivety."
"Why?"
"What?" Whatever he'd been about to say was lost for he could not understand the question under the circumstances.
"I asked why," he obligingly repeated, his soothing cadence softening the tenor of the words. "Why would I forgive you for speaking your mind and the truth? To repair what damage has been wrought will take more than mere words, Obi-Wan, you are right to see that. It will take hard work. It will mean accepting Anakin as he is, not as you wish him to be. That you will continue to love him even if he falls into darkness. Can you do this whereas I know I could not? Is your love for him real? Or were they words that you spoke because you felt they needed to be said?"
"I do try not to say anything that I can't live with," he dryly replied. Finally pushing away to stand and pace the room. This was not a conversation he wanted to have right now-even if he needed it.
"Padawan," Qui-Gon sternly reproved him, "That is not what I asked you."
Frustrated, for he was not sure what Qui-Gon wanted of him. That had always been a trial for him for he had never known were he stood with his Master, something he had tried to avoid with Anakin. Slouching against the wall at last, unconsciously mimicking Anakin, he wondered what he would think if he saw him now. Thinking for a while, he slowly acknowledged that he did not know for sure why he had said it. It was something that troubled him for he had never felt the need to speak such words before-to anyone. "It is a fair question that I find myself unable to answer, Master. I shall meditate upon it."
"Not all answers are found in meditation," he replied with exasperated affection. "Still, if it is the only way for you to see what you must then I shall say no more on the matter."
"You were always to content to live in the moment," he shook his head, laughing at their old banter. His eyes opened to rest upon his spectral Master and he smiled, surprised to see a sad one in reply.
"And you were too focused on the future, you rarely lived in the moment. You rarely paid attention to the lives about you."
Though the scolding was known to him, it was Qui-Gon's expression he responded to. It was one he'd never thought to see on his Master's face-ever. "What is wrong, Master?" he asked, wanting to comfort him.
The answer was long in coming, making it all the more frightening when he finally heard it. "I fear that I have misjudged the situation on Tatooine. Anakin will need your aid. When he calls, you must go to him."
"I cannot interfere with his Jedi Trial, even you must agree on that."
"If you do not, he will falter. I am afraid that he will fall into a pit he hasn't the strength to pull himself free from for he will not want to."
Obi-Wan shivered in the stillness, part comforted to know that his Master was watching over them. But mostly distressed by the words he spoke. The Force had provided Qui-Gon to help guide Obi-Wan through the difficult process of letting go of the past. To help him figure out what he knew and what he must do with that knowledge he'd been granted. The counsel bothered him for it seemed to coax him down the path of defiance Qui-Gon effortlessly walked.
And he didn't think he could do that, he wasn't made that way.
Yet, he knew he loved Anakin. Doing so had come upon him quite naturally over their years together he hadn't realized it. It was as effortless to him as breathing, as being alive. Anakin was not an obligation not a promise made to a dying man to ease his way into the Force. The love they felt was a part of who they were as teacher and student.
But it was more than that, so much more that Obi-Wan knew he needed to trust in this change, whatever it may be. It was time to let go of his perception of what the Jedi were about and put his faith in what he and Anakin had become together. It was hard for him, even now, to blindly trust what he could not see. For Anakin, it was different. His Padawan always rushed into things because he trusted that the Force would save him in time.
If Anakin need him, would he strong enough to go to him?
"Anakin," he spoke softly, the rainstorm slowly dying down. "Be safe, my Padawan, wherever you are. Listen to that inner voice of calm, though I hope you do not disregard your own intuition." Somehow, he felt that if Anakin could hear him, he would take strength their bond and disprove the words of gloom Qui-Gon had spoken.
For all the fear that crept into his heart, he had to believe that it was enough.