a.n. Two updates today, yay! Decided the last chapter was too short, so here's another one for you. It's a little bit longer, but not by much. Sorry if you want me to get on with the story, but I feel like I have to finish the introductory part of the plot first before I can jump right into the action. It also allows me to think about what is going to happen next (since I post this story as I go, without knowing about what is going to happen next). Just bear with me for a little longer and soon, you'll be rewarded with the true essence of the story. Read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 5: Home Again

Day was quickly turning to dusk, a short step away from evening, when he reached the entrance of the Jedi Temple. He paused a moment before the great staircase that led into the legendary place. The last time he had been here, he had been a monster, nothing more than a shell of the man he once was. He had taken many innocent lives that day and his hands were stained with blood by the time he had left the place to his troopers to finish what he started.

Slowly, meticulously, he started climbing the steps, until, finally, he had reached the entrance. Quietly, he entered, careful to not make any noise, lest others be alerted to his presence before he chose to reveal himself and his intentions. He searched through his memories, trying to familiarize himself with the layout. As soon as everything about the Temple flooded back to him, he quickly made his way to the grand Council room, home to the wisest of the Jedi, where he hoped to make the Masters aware of his situation and his purpose here, hoping that they understood what he was going to tell them and wouldn't be too stunned by his revelation.

A short walk later, he came upon the ornate doors that served as the entrance to the Council chambers. He could vaguely sense many Force presences behind those doors, indicating that Council was indeed in session and that he would be wise not to disturb them. Trying to figure out what to do next, his eyes found a young Jedi, a Padawan by the looks of the braid hanging by his right ear, standing guard near the doors. Serving as a sort of page, the boy had the duty of delivering messages and announcements to the Council while they were in session. Deciding that the best thing to do would be to ask this Padawan to inform the Council that he needed to speak with them, he made his way over.

The Padawan saw him coming and tensed up at his unfamiliar face. Though he was dressed in what looked like Jedi robes, the young boy didn't seem to recognize him and so was wary of his intentions. Anakin let loose a warm smile as he stopped before the boy, whose eyes slowly traveled up his tall form to look him right in the eyes.

"I'm afraid the Masters are in session right now. You cannot speak with them."

"I am sorry to disturb the Masters, but I really must talk with them. It is important. What I have to say will be of great interest to them."

He could tell the boy was being cautious and didn't trust him right away, unsure if what he was saying was the truth. However, it was his duty to declare all visitors before the Council and he would not shirk from that particular task. The boy eyed him cautiously for a moment before deciding that he would inform the Council of the visitor.

"Very well. I will inform the Masters that you are here and wish to speak with them. Please wait here." With that, the boy disappeared inside the doors to the Council chambers.

Anakin was left alone to ponder what he would say once he was admitted. Now that he was here, he was nervous about how he would approach the Council and what he would reveal to them. He knew that revealing too much would be dangerous, just as revealing too little would cause the Masters to doubt his story and question his motives. He didn't want to destroy his chances of saving the future by telling the Council everything or having them mistrust him. He decided that he would only reveal what he felt was necessary in order to make them believe his story and to put their faith in him to do what he felt he had to do.

Anakin's musings were interrupted by the return of the young Padawan stepping back into the anteroom where he had been patiently waiting. The boy stood there quietly, and Anakin watched him anxiously to see whether or not he would be allowed in to see the Council. If they wished him to come forward, it would make his task that much easier. But if they rejected him and he wasn't allowed to present his case, he would still perform the job he was sent back for, though it would be much more difficult without the Council's support.

The young pageboy was silent as he approached Anakin and his face held a neutral expression, rendering Anakin unable to decipher his thoughts.

"I have informed the Council of your presence and that you wish to speak with them immediately about something that you say is of the utmost importance. They have agreed to see you so that you may present your case to them. They are waiting for you inside."

As the boy finished, Anakin's face adopted an expression of relief that he was, at least, being given an opportunity to talk to the Council, to inform them of his mission. He held his nerves in check as he walked past the pageboy to the slightly open doors, bowing to him in gratitude. With one last breath to calm himself, he stepped through the doors into the spacious room beyond them.