Forbidden Love of a Jedi chapter 8

So as you can see I have actually changed the chapter 8 purely because there was no where left for the story to go, and if I am honest I felt as a writer revisiting it I had to change it and thus progress with what is hopefully going to be an interesting story.

Please review as I am working towards my DofE (like eagle scout for british scouts) and desperately need others like you readers to give constructive criticism would be marvellously brilliant.

Claws2501

Anakin very carefully walked out, pushing past his wife with a sense of indifference, feeling nothing he had reasoned was better than the swirling shame and anger. If he had said this to Obi-Wan he knew his master would have said the emotion Anakin displayed was 'entitlement' rather than indifference, a sense of superiority that- although known to the Jedi through its aristocrats- was very carefully untangled through diplomacy classes and team exercises. Back straight he ignored the way the Clones stood to attention for him, the way that a couple of the 'shinies' saluted him, to the clones he was the exemplary general. A general- Anakin had quickly realised- was not the same as a Jedi. However the line had since become blurred until even Obi-Wan wasn't sure what part of him was general or Jedi.

As he reached the edge of the camp, and took a deep breath attempting to focus on the Force, the familiarity of its depths and the way it instantly came to his command soothed and calmed him. It's mysterious nature called up the challenger in his personality and he had resolved long ago to unlock more secrets to its power than any Jedi before him. He groaned despite everything, and hesitated as he took the final steps to where he knew he would find the senator Obi-Wan wished he apologised to, the anger he felt when Satine had announced he had visited a Separatist camp he still felt justified too, and really they were in a war zone after all! He wasn't aware of himself as his legs carried him towards one of the smaller camp fires- already abandoned by the clones in favour of more warmth inside. He sat down, staring into its fiery depths. Fire he could understand, the warmth and love of the fire at home, the fear of its destructive path as it tore through hovels, and its practicality. He had never been very good at meditation, preferring to relinquish his anger through exhaustion on a kata exercise, but the fire and its every changing colours did allow him to focus on something else, allowing his mind to slowly open up as it always did when he flew through combat. Through his semi, almost juvenile form of meditation he felt his thoughts centre on, or rather around, two important figures in his life: Obi-Wan and Satine. The former was much easier to deal with than the latter. The former, his master, his friend, understood his anger, he had once felt it after all, and was more than willing to admit that sometimes his own emotions clouded his judgement. Anakin knew that he would forgive him… eventually. The latter was a senator, and although Anakin was good at reading Padme, her friend appeared to be much more closed- almost complicated- in the number of layers that made her up. She was a pacifist and yet wasn't one to shirk from a fight, but she had to agree it would be the right one. Yet she was good friends with a distinguished General, and had already proven that she would go through any lengths to protect his word against others. She had a past that even the archives hadn't fully detailed, and every time he met her his opinion of her changed.

"General" a voice cut through his thoughts like a sabre. Anakin tore his gaze away from the fire, and for some moments black dots danced in his vision as he tried to make out the figure in the darkness. He had of course recognised the voice of Fett- the voice of the clones- but he had not recognised the person he had belonged to and that made him nervous. With one hand on his light sabre Anakin stood up, pushing his general attributes to the forefront of his character.

"Whats your name trooper?" It was phrased like a question, however Anakin's voice made it seem more like a drill command, the effect was immediate on the clone as he adjusted himself to stand to attention and looking straight past Anakin, giving his general complete control and command.

"CT 5067/005" and for a moment Anakin was startled that the numbers had actually got that high, he had never paid attention before, knowing names of each individual gave them identity that allowed them to think creatively as the humans they were, but also allowed them not to be able to measure casualties of the rest of the galaxy- focussing rather on just one regiment: 501st, still it made him think that apart from his two captains there were few that were left from the original regiment on Genonosis. He searched his memory, curious due to not recognising the number.

"Regiment?" Anakin snapped in impatience when the clone didn't elaborate, and noticed that the trooper appeared to be able to stand even more to attention that before. A small part of Anakin was pleased: a clone should be mildly worried of his commander after all.

"502nd" The trooper replied snappily. Anakin nodded, finally understanding why he didn't recognise the clone: the 502nd was largely stationed on the core systems, allowing the senate direct control over at least a platoon of soldiers. Why the senate had wanted the clones when they had practically begged the Jedi to take control was anyones guess, but if current rumours that were going on through Anakin's own men were true: the senate simply didn't trust the Jedi enough to give them full control. This trooper had to be part of the Chancellor's body guard Anakin reasoned, with growing reassurance. The grandfatherly man had always been there for him since he had been brought to the Jedi Temple as a boy, and had always mirrored Anakin's viewpoint on some of his less popular beliefs about certain Jedi and their rules. He was quick to sooth and never asked for retribution from Anakin's actions, yet despite this he still considered the chancellor a mentor- a constant in the ever changing galaxy which he had been thrust into by the late Qui-Gon Jinn.

Anakin pushed past the clone, not even noticing the way he forgot to give him an order to carry on his duty. His ego had once again taking control and seeking the cool balm that was the Chancellor. Carefully placing his shields in place so as to speak to him without his master being privy he sat down opposite the old man who appeared- to all extents and purposes- mediating and blind to the world. The younger man pondered for a moment, unsure what to do. He was surprised to find that the Chancellor followed the Jedi in the ways in which to calm himself, and slightly angry that even a non force sensitive could follow the instruction when he: the supposed Chosen One could not even reach the Force like some senior initiates could, and some that had even gone to the AgriCorps. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to understand why the Chancellor could reach a level of peace that he couldn't. True he was a senator and so would have a higher level of control over his emotions, and he knew parts of the Jedi code and the Sith code- but no more than what was taught to the highest initiates when his master had been a padawan. He sat still, option to just wait out the Chancellors peace exercises and wait to be acknowledged.

"Anakin" He voice sounded thin and papery, his shoulders slumped as he came out of the level of peace that he had held and once again the young Jedi was overcome with anger at the Sith for causing this man he trusted to be at a loss with the world. He knew better than anyone the level of regret that each death- civilian, clone or Jedi- cost him and how his resolve always seemed stronger as more and more tragic news came from the front. Yet here was prove that the war was wearing him down and once again Anakin needed to remind himself of how old Palpatine was and how he had served longer than any other in the seat of Chancellor for the Republic.

"Chancellor" Anakin replied, trying not to let on how much he had noticed about his mentor's appearance- instinctively knowing that it would be rude to comment on it, and possibly wound the older man more. The chancellor took in Anakin's demeanour and smiled broadly at him. This was not his normal smile of greeting, not the one used whenever the adolescent Anakin had gone to visit him, this was the smile reserved for when he got his way with a particular politician or, sometimes even after a visit from Mace Windu or even Yoda. Anakin shivered, squirming as the chancellor glowed at him- the cat who got the cream. His normal, friendly features twisted almost beyond recognition. Every time Anakin saw it he was reminded of a spider, already knowing that the fly in the web he had weaved was caught and ripe for the feast. "I…. er…." Anakin trailed off from the apology he knew he should be giving, after all separatist aligned or not technically the Duchess of Mandalore was a member of the senate and under the Chancellors and the Jedi care. Once more he flashed back to his Master and his teachings, maybe Obi-Wan had been right originally and he was too old to train.

"Never doubt your abilities Anakin" the chancellor spoke again, smiling in amusement as Anakin started, unsure of how the Chancellor had read him so obviously.

"How" He started, and was reminded once more of his mentor's uncanny ability to read and manipulate others to his bidding. He was skilled at his job but Anakin knew deep down that the Chancellor was also playing his games with him, he had known after watching Padme small talking with other politicians: slowly stroking their egos as you would a tiger- with reverence and caution. He watched how the politicians responded to it and was always reminded of the way Palpatine stroked and stoked his own egotistical ideals, and his passion against and for others. The truth was both Obi-Wan and the Chancellor knew him better than Anakin did himself. Why keep going back to get manipulated? For the strength and feeling of power it provided afterwards- the power over others and as a testament to how far he had risen from such humble beginnings. Very unJedilke behaviour his Master had once chastised him for after feeling the dangerous emotions through his bond once. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again and have Obi-Wan find out about his true feelings towards the Chancellor.

"Anakin I have known you since you were a boy, I have watched you go from your unfair beginnings and tentative steps into battle to saved your loved ones" The Chancellor paused to allow for the desired effect: a reminder that Anakin wasn't a conventional Jedi. "Please don't be offended when I can see into your heart's doubts and desires". Anakin laughed, waving his hand in a way to allow the Chancellor to know he wasn't offended but merely surprised. Palpatine looked cooly back at Anakin, to him the emotional whelp had been almost too easy to bring into line with where the Sith needed him to be. The Jedi- as blind as they were could not see this boys potential to the Sith and how the emotion- so much that even Palpatine was weary of unleashing its full power- could make him a very powerful dark Jedi. "I have no doubt that you deserve your place amongst the very highest of Jedi ranks, and if I, or the Republic can help further your position then the people would not hesitate to act for the hero with no fear and even more importantly the hero of my home planet Naboo. The younger Jedi nodded, basking in the praise despite being mildly surprised at the way that the Chancellor so openly stated that he could control the council to do his bidding, but recognising that it was not far from the truth.

Watching the exchange, hidden due to a thin tree line Obi-Wan was crouched, the truth was he was desperate to know that his former padawan would actually give an attempt at an apology for the way he treated the Duchess. Internally he was torn between that of being the Jedi Master he should be- gently reprimanded Anakin but ultimately ensuring an apology to ripping his head off for even considering Satine a traitor. Instead here he was talking through his problems with Palpatine and not himself, him who he thought Anakin had considered family. It hurt him more than he was willing to admit and brought him to the quick conclusion that he still hadn't fully sorted out his attachment issues where his former padawan was concerned.

"Obi?" Satine asked nervously from behind causing him to spin round, his features lighting up immediately, banishing his and Anakin's problems to the back of his mind he looked over his wife and smiled with contentment. She walked up to him, carefully she drew a hand out and stroked his face and Obi-Wan was painfully reminded that this was their first meeting together since he had decided to throw caution to the winds and proclaim his love for her. Everything was still new to the couple, and with little in the way of experience they found themselves stumbling through a hidden minefield, not entirely sure what to do but still somehow finding a safe path. Suddenly without warning she threw her arms around him, ignoring the way in which his hard kevlar armour dug painfully into her skinny frame. Not for the first time Obi-Wan wished he was as confident as Anakin to be able to just wear a normal tunic, but then- unlike Anakin- Obi-Wan had someone depending on him to not die.

"Its ok" he murmured, stroking her silky hair, trying to calm her down as she started hysterically sobbing into the only tunic part of his get up she could find. "Its ok Satine, c'mon you know your not a traitor" Obi-Wan tried helplessly, and again cursing his former padawan for his actions. "He wouldn't hurt you really".

"Obi its not that" Satine started, causing Obi-Wan to stop his thought process and hold her even tighter. He tried to sense her emotions through the Force and was shocked to find the cloud of positive emotions: excitement, happiness, anticipation, all interlaced with a fear that was somehow connected to him, all pointing to the idea that whatever had happened Obi-Wan would not like for a second. "Obi, I'm pregnant" she states.