Anakin deep down had been waiting to show the Jedi of the galaxy that he was indeed The Chosen One. If he can win The Kumite, there would be little doubt remaining among his friend that he was indeed who Qui-Gon Jinn said he was.
"How am I supposed to train for something like this" Anakin said out loud to himself. "How do you train for what?" Padme appeared in the door of their quarters. "Padme, I don't know how to tell you this." "What is it love?" "I must leave for a mission next week for three days" "Anakin Skywalker! You said that you would be here for the birth of our child! Now you accept a mission from the Jedi at this time!" "Padme, I wouldn't do this if it wasn't that important!" "What is the mission?" "Padme, I can't tell you." "You can't tell me? A senator and your wife!" "Not this time my love."
Padme threw two pillows and a blanket at her husband. "Sleep on the couch tonight then Skywalker. But if you are not here for our baby's birth, not even the force will save you from my wrath!" With that, Padme closed the door to the bedroom, changed for bed and went to sleep. Anakin fell back onto the couch. "Great job Anakin, not only have you made your wife mad at you, but there is a good chance that you will not be here when the baby is born" Anakin said out loud. Now he was having second thoughts on if he should even make an apperance at The Kumite. Seeing he wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight, he quietly left the quarters and went to the Jedi Temple. When he got there, he tracked down his old master.
"Obi-Wan, do you think I am the right man to fight in The Kumite? "Anakin, no one else from the order was invited. If the Old Republic thinks you are one of the best, then you earned the honor to fight." "I told Padme of course." "You didn't tell her you were going to fight in The Kumite did you? You can be disuqalified for that!" "No Obi-Wan. I told her it was a mission I had to do." "She didn't take it too well I assume if you are here"
"No she didn't. I'm in what the Naboo's call The Doghouse." "Ouch" "Obi-Wan, I have to prepare for this tournament, and I need to spar with the best Jedi the order can offer. You are one of the only Jedi that can match me, move for move. I'm asking you as a friend and my former master, to please help me prepare for The Kumite." "I assume this means that you want me to be the one that attends the tournament with you." "How did you know you were even allowed?" "Anakin, you are not the only one that I know thatwas invited." "Who else do you know" "Did Anakin. Past tense. Qui-Gon was when I was his padawan." "You're kidding!" "No I am not. Meet me here tomorrow morning, we need to get you into shape." "Yes master." "I'm not your master, Anakin." "You are until this tournament is over"
Padme woke up and searched for her husband, he was no where to be found. She knew that he wouldn't betray her, so there was only one other place he would go. the Jedi Temple. When Anakin came back home, she was sitting up waiting for him. "Must you go to the temple in the middle of the night Anakin?" "I needed to talk to Obi-Wan. He is the closest thing to family I have besides you." "I'm sorry Anakin. I have gotten so used to you sleeping beside you, I couldn't sleep" Anakin picked up his wife and carried her back to bed.
THE NEXT MORNING AT THE TEMPLE
Anakin found Obi-Wan in one of the Lightsaber training centers. Obi-Wan had his saber already ignited and attacked Anakin. He had little time to ignite his own saber and deflect. "Anakin, you must be faster than any attack that can be made aganist you. That way, you will not be hurt." Anakin and Obi-Wan continued their training well into the day.
"When do we leave for The Kumite, Anakin?" "In six days, master." "Where is it this year?" "On Mustafar. Where was it when Qui-Gon was invited?" "On the ice world of Hoth, in a cave." Anakin and Obi-Wan continued to practice for the remainder of the day. Anakin left the temple, feeling he may surpass everyone's expectations.