Incognito12 – I first saw the idea of Xanatos training Anakin for one of Obi-Ew's stories on TFN a long time ago. Mine takes a completely different path, but I loved the similarities between the pair.
JACarter – Thanks
Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay – The Xanatos portrayed in the JA books is fairly two-dimensional. I like to give him a little more life. The story is probably the "Lightest" I've written him. I have written some grayer versions and some downright sithly versions as well on the old Xanatos character challenge thread at TFN.
sterling5842 – They had a long journey back to peace, Obi-Wan helping a lot with that process. More flashbacks will flesh out that past.
beauty0102 – Thanks for reading.
Chapter 4
"I was quite surprised to hear that someone so young could accomplish such a feat as flying a starship and defeating a droid control ship. Many exceptionally experienced pilots were shot down."
Palpatine looked warmly at the boy sitting across from his desk, a genuine smile spreading across pale features.
"I didn't really try that hard," Anakin said. "I guess I got lucky."
"You'll find I don't believe in luck my young friend. There is only skill and instinct, and both yours seem to be in fine order. You're a hero."
Palpatine felt a giddy sense of pride well up in the small boy, who seemed to be an open book as far as emotions were concerned. He was trying to shield, but it was obvious he was still learning.
"I do know how to fly. Watto made me race pods. I'm the only human that can do it." A quirky grin crossed his face. "Have you ever seen a pod race?"
The remark was full of childlike exuberance, but Palpatine chuckled at the thin thread of genuine arrogance woven through the boy's words.
"I'm afraid I have not. I have heard of how dangerous the sport is, though." Palpatine's brow furrowed, giving him the appearance of deep gravity. He looked at Anakin with eyes full of deep sadness and concern. "And you said this Watto forced you, a child, to do something so dangerous. The thought that there are still beings in slavery in this galaxy is certainly appalling."
Palpatine smiled inwardly at the sadness, and glorious fear he sensed wash over the young boy. The boy's posture caved, heaviness settling on the small form.
"Is something wrong?" Palpatine moved around his desk and stooped down in front of Anakin placing a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.
When Anakin looked up, glistening tears were clinging below his eyes. "My mom is still there."
"I am so sorry." He gasped and tightened his grip. "I naturally assumed the Jedi had also brought her with you."
"She told me not to look back, but I miss her so much."
"Or course, you do." He smiled. "But, you have your new master now." He added a subtle stress and pause to the word master, reveling in the way it made the boy cringe, and in the brief surge of powerful anger. "And you've made new friends I see. There is Knight Kenobi and of course, our own Queen Amidala seems rather fond of you."
He sensed further disappointment from the boy. "I don't think I will get to talk to Pad …the Queen again. The masters on the Council don't seem to think it is okay for a Jedi padawan and a Queen to be too close of friends.
Xanatos walked briskly down the corridor, certain his last words to the boy had been to return to their quarters. He was beginning to notice the boy's tendency to wander, an outgrowth of his intense curiosity. His search continued on in earnest – the emotions the boy was broadcasting were growing more negative by the moment. Fortunately Anakin was easy to find. It just concerned Xanatos that the blazing beacon of his apprentice's Force signature had led him towards the Chancellor's private office.
The Jedi master was ushered straight into the office by the Chancellor's guards. He found Anakin sitting in a chair. Palpatine straightened to a standing position as Xanatos entered the room.
"Anakin, I have been looking for you. I thought you had agreed to return to our quarters." Xanatos winced. The words had come out more harshly than he had meant. He was just relieved to find him.
"I'm sorry Xanatos, Sir – I mean, Master." Anakin jumped up from the chair and scurried to his mentor's side. Xanatos slid his arm around the boy's shoulders and gave a comforting squeeze.
"I am sorry if he is bothering you Your Excellency." Xanatos bowed.
"No bother at all, in fact, we met in the corridor and I invited him in for a moment. My home is very much indebted to this boy and I merely wanted a chance to talk with him. I hope I didn't get him into any trouble."
Xanatos smiled and ruffled Anakin's hair. "No, he's not in trouble."
Palpatine leaned back against the desk.
"While you're here … I was actually contemplating chatting with Anakin from time to time. I know that he will have much adjustment and Coruscant can be a big place. I am sure he could use another friendly face. I, of course, want to ask your permission as you are his master."
Xanatos picked up on the spike in emotions generated by the simple word "master" and turned to his apprentice, heavily shielding his current irritation with the Chancellor. At least he knew what was causing such erratic emotions.
"Anakin, could you please return to our quarters, and I mean really return to them this time. I will be along shortly."
"Yes, Sir." Anakin turned to the Chancellor. "Thank you for your time, Chancellor Palpatine."
"My pleasure. Now run along and do what Master Marojni says."
Xanatos watched, smiling pleasantly as Anakin scampered out the door. It was a façade. When he redirected his gaze to the Chancellor it was full of intensity and barely veiled agitation.
Palpatine's eyes narrowed, sharpening all of his facial features. "Is there a problem, Master Marojni?"
"With all due respect, Your Excellency. I don't think it would be in Anakin's best interest to meet with you. Wouldn't it seem odd for a nine year old Jedi apprentice and the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic to be social acquaintances?"
"I suppose it could be preceived as odd."
Xanatos folded his hands behind his back, straightening his posture more.
"You're right Chancellor – his world has just grown considerably. It would be easy for him to become confused, hearing mixed messages, at this point in his training. He must learn to trust my judgment."
Palpatine raised his eyebrows as though gathering his thoughts and took a deep breath. "I will admit I worry about the boy's welfare, about his ability to adjust to Jedi life. He is used to maternal care and deep friendship, yet the Council would deny him his mother and cut off his friendship with our young queen. I mean, surely the Jedi are permitted friendships, Master Marojni."
"Of course. And Anakin will forge new friendships."
"I hope so. I would hate to see him fall to loneliness." The words were etched out in a threatening tone, and Xanatos didn't trust himself to respond.
"I should return to my apprentice."
"Of course."
Xanatos turned to leave the office, his mind cluttered by the many things he would like to say to the Chancellor. He paused. One thing had to be said.
"Your Excellency?"
"Yes, Master Marojni?"
"If you do by chance speak to my apprentice again, I would appreciate you not emphasizing my title of 'master'. You may not have gotten far enough out of the Republic to see the horrors of slavery, but I have. I don't know what you hope to accomplish by making him associate the Jedi with something like that."
"I have been very tolerant of your behavior, Master Jedi," Palpatine snapped. "I would remind you of who you are addressing."
"Yes, you are the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic." Xanatos made a curt bow. "I am Anakin's mentor and guardian. I don't appreciate having that questioned. It is my duty and my vow to train him and care for him, and I don't intend to fail."
"I will bear that in mind, Master Marojni."
Xanatos stormed away from the Chancellor's quarters, reigning in his anger with slow, deliberate breaths. By the time he reached his quarters, he had regained calm and center. He slipped in through the doors. Anakin was sitting on his bunk with his back to the door. His arms were loosely wrapped around knees that were pulled tightly against his chest. Xanatos sat down in front of him. Anakin looked up, trails of tears staining his cheeks.
"Hello … Master."
Xanatos chuckled. "You don't have to call me master, Anakin."
"Isn't that what Jedi padawans are supposed to say? That's what Obi-Wan called Qui-Gon."
"Yes, but as I feel I will constantly remind you – you are different. Younglings who grow up in the Temple associate the word 'master' with a loving teacher, a guiding influence. For some apprentices, master even becomes a term of endearment much as you say mom. Your life has not given you that same association, and I would rather you not call me something that causes you pain and makes you angry simply for the sake of protocol."
Anakin dropped his knees and sat cross-legged. "I think I can call you master, if it's like that. I want to."
"Only if you are okay with that, and only when you're ready. But I sense that is not all that is bothering you."
Xanatos watched as Anakin dropped his head again.
"I still miss my mom. Did you miss your mom and dad when you left?
"I never really knew my mother. She died when I was very young. I did miss my father, but I missed my governess most of all. She was always nice to me, even though I was awful to her."
"I feel so alone right now." The pain Xanatos felt broke his heart and he gathered the boy in a hug.
"I know, but you're never alone Anakin, and I believe it is time for a new lesson."
Xanatos let go of him and settled to his knees on the floor. Anakin gave him a questioning look.
"We are going to mediate like last night," Xanatos explained
"Okay." Anakin was still hesitant but settled in front of Xanatos, mirroring his position and posture and closed his eyes.
"Anakin remember the mental shields I taught you to make. I need you to drop those."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Xanatos braced himself for the brilliance and awe of Anakin's Force presence as he took down his own mental shielding. Anakin was surprised to find Xanatos unshielded. It didn't take any prompting for him to reach out and brush the older Jedi's mind with his. His curiosity took care of that.
A bond was already forming, which Xanatos had suspected was the case. It was still too weak for communication, but he was able to send a strong pulse of reassurance, acceptance, and comfort across the link.
Anakin's eyes snapped open, wide and nearly filled with panic, and Xanatos laughed loudly.
"This is a training bond. When it is stronger, we will be able to share thoughts, feelings, and perhaps even communicate."
"Will you be able to see everything in my mind?" Xanatos found the slight ebbs of worry surrounding the words amusing.
"Only what you allow, Anakin," Xanatos said with a laugh. "But, now you will be able to feel me in your mind and you will know that I am always there even when we are apart." He found he was quickly becoming attached the boy who had only been in his life for a matter of days. He allowed some of the pride he was feeling to filter through the fledgling bond.
Both looked up from where they were on the floor as the door opened and Obi-Wan stepped in. Anakin jumped up.
"Obi-Wan, Xanatos - my master," he said grinning, "I can feel him in my mind."
Only Xanatos caught the lapse, sadness, and quick recovery. Anakin had no way to realize how this was a reminder of what Obi-Wan had lost. The young knight smiled. "That is something very special, Anakin."