Sorry I didn't post this as soon as I thought I would. My brother graduated last week so I had a lot on my plate. But, it's up now for you to enjoy! >:)

Ahsoka knocks on the door, desperate for someone to open it. Never has she felt so alone and confused while staying at the Temple. Anakin left days ago for a solo mission, later instructing her via hologram to stay at the Temple to study and train with her peers. She agreed, thinking his tasks for her would be easy.

Only, how is she supposed to train with her peers if none of them want to train with her?

"Please, Barriss. Open up. I need to talk to you." Ahsoka demands, her voice slightly cracking. She coughs, trying to cover it up. Why is everyone shutting her out? Has she done something wrong? She leaves for a few weeks and suddenly everyone is acting like she's the one who has changed.

"What do you want, Ahsoka?" Barriss quietly whispers, opening the door just a smidge. Ahsoka can only see one of her eyes in the darkened room. With the Mirialan's body covered in dark robes, it makes it almost harder to find her familiar face.

"I want to talk to you like before," Ahsoka says. She grabs the door and attempts to open it wider.

But Barriss tightens her grip, preventing it from budging. "I can't do that, Ahsoka. I'm not even supposed to be talking to you at all."

"What? Why?" Ahsoka asks, hurt evident in her tone. Her shoulders drop as she takes a step forward. She pauses before rolling her eyes, a thought coming to her. "Look, if it's about that prank I played on you months ago, I'm sorry. Anakin promised me that nothing would catch on fire."

The memory of them trying to put out the fire tempts to bring a smile to Barriss's face. It probably would if it hadn't been for what happened after. Her master was so upset when she returned to their apartment with singed robes. If she hadn't been punished, the prank would have been hilarious.

She doesn't blame Ahsoka for any of it. Rather than take the few minutes she has to explain that, Barriss settles on saying, "No, it has nothing to do with that."

"Then what's happened? Why will no one talk to me? What have I done?" Ahsoka exasperates, furrowing her eyebrows. Anger is beginning to bubble in her chest. When Anakin was around, everything was just the way she remembers it. There were no problems.

Now that he has gone off-world, no one will talk to her.

Not even her best friend.

"It isn't something you've done." Barriss quickly answers. Ahsoka makes out a frown before the Mirialan glances over her shoulder. She quickly turns back, lowering her head and voice. "It's what you've walked into."

"What I've walked into?" Ahsoka quietly repeats as she tilts her head. She tries to remember everything she's done over the past month, but nothing comes to mind. What has she gotten herself into that's made everyone avoid her?

Barriss cringes, reminding Ahsoka of a deflating balloon. She can sense her friend's pain through the Force and she's sure Barriss can sense her fear and anger. The tension between them is unusual and almost scary. Ahsoka has never felt so vulnerable to her emotions than right now.

"It's your lineage. Though no one wants to say it out loud, they're afraid of it."

"What's there to be afraid of in a lineage?" Ahsoka scoffs as she takes a step back from Barriss.

"In your line, you have two Jedi that have fallen to the dark side." Barriss begins to explain. A soft clatter comes from inside the apartment, making her check over her shoulder again. "Everyone's frightened that you might fall as well."

"That's absurd!" Ahsoka shouts, anger now lacing every word. Barriss flinches at her volume, so Ahsoka brings it down again. "It's not fair to judge me based upon my lineage. They should know that just because they fell doesn't mean I will too."

"Well, your master was trained by Obi-Wan." Barriss softly counters with a light shrug. "And he still holds an attachment to him. At least, that's what my master says. Everyone is worried that he might have dark tendencies passed on by Obi-Wan."

How does everyone seem to know about Obi-Wan training Anakin? Ahsoka only just learned about it. Did some masters decide to have a meeting about it while she wasn't around and hope that she wouldn't hear about it?

Rather than dig into that whole drama, Ahsoka continues with the topic at hand. "If they would take the time and talk to my master, they would see that he has no such tendencies." She says. "My master is nothing like Obi-Wan. Anakin is kind and brave. He's a good person."

"I'm sure he is. It's not that I don't believe you or think you could fall to the dark side." Barriss replies, her sentences quickening. She leans forward and keeps her voice soft. "It's that my master doesn't trust Anakin. I mean, I'm not even technically supposed to be talking to you."

"Are you being serious? She's worried that even my words will harm you?" Ahsoka asks just above a whisper.

Barriss sighs. Surprising Ahsoka, she opens the door just a bit wider. The light from the hallway now shines onto her, allowing Ahsoka to fully see her face. The expression she wears is genuine, showing that what she is saying is true. "Obi-Wan said that I hold anger inside me. My master doesn't want me on missions or working with any peers until it is resolved, especially you and your master."

Ahsoka shakes her head. She doesn't know what to say in response. Does Master Luminara truly believe that even speaking to her will bring Barriss to the dark side? Because if she does, she gives Ahsoka way too much credit. Most of the things she repeats come from within the Temple. So unless darkness has corrupted any of the masters, then Master Luminara has nothing to fear.

"I know it's crazy," Barriss says when she's met with Ahsoka's silence. She drops her gaze, unable to look at her friend's face. "But I have to follow my master's orders. I'm sorry."

"But. . . can't you at the very least sneak out to see me?" Ahsoka begs, desperate for any chance to see her friend. "If you're not allowed on missions, then you must be left alone in your apartment for hours at a time."

Barriss pauses for a few seconds, letting it sink in. Ahsoka has a point. "My master is gone often. And usually, when she leaves, another master is placed to watch over me. Perhaps during those times, we can meet."

"How will I be able to reach you?"

Barriss lifts her wrist. "I won't change my frequency. As long as you leave your line open, I'll be able to contact you."

Ahsoka wants to add something else but isn't sure what. And before she can even being to think of something, Barriss closes the door, leaving Ahsoka alone on the other side.

She finds her feet unable to move though she knows that Barriss will not open the door for her again anytime soon. Her instinct is to knock and demand to see her again, but she knows it's the wrong move.

Instead, the Togruta closes her eyes and presses her hand against the cold wooden door. Tears threaten to spill from her eyes. Her chest tightens and Ahsoka finds herself dealing with an emotion she can't quite place yet. This new feeling makes her clench her jaw and stops her from breathing. She refuses to let out a sound of pain.

This feeling is rejection.

Ahsoka has never experienced rejection before.

She wants to run and hide in shame. She doesn't want others to see her. She wants to avoid contact with everyone, including even her master. The inevitable whispers and stares from her fellow Jedi make her want to curl into a ball and disappear into the ground like a plant bulb.

As she contemplates hiding in her and Anakin's shared apartment forever, she feels a hand rest on her shoulder.

"Ahsoka, are you alright?"

"Master Tiin," She gasps, looking up into his eyes. She rapidly blinks, attempting to hide her pooling tears. She swallows down her pain and masks it with confusion. "How did you find me? How did you know I would be here?"

"As Anakin's replacement master, it falls onto me to look out for you." He begins. His kind eyes study her face, making Ahsoka's cheeks flush in embarrassment. He ignores the redness in her eyes, continuing on. "I could sense your pain and came looking for you. Is everything okay?"

Ahsoka wants to shout at him that nothing is okay. Her friends have turned on her because of her lineage. They have come to believe some strange superstition that, because of what has happened in her line, she will follow down that path.

Instead, she just remains silent, unable to find the right words to say to express her feelings.

"Ahsoka, I promise that I will do whatever I can to help you." He insists when she doesn't respond. This makes her huff, but Master Tiin presses on. "Please, share with me whatever is bothering you."

Ahsoka feels abandoned by her friends. Why are they doing this to her? She had no part in either of the fallings of her grandmasters. "Unless you can change the past, there's no use in talking about it." She replies as she turns her head away from him.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you there." Master Tiin replies. He isn't sure what Ahsoka is referring to but nonetheless wants to support her in any way possible. Whatever has happened has clearly upset her greatly.

She closes her eyes. She could at the very least attempt to talk to Master Tiin.

She lets out a long sigh before speaking. Her response comes out just above a whisper, sounding like a wish. "Then maybe you could help by letting me pretend to be a part of your lineage? You are Anakin's replacement master, after all."

Master Tiin sucks in a deep breath. The truth is finally out. The news of Obi-Wan being Anakin's former master has reached her peers and they no longer want anything to do with her. They no longer trust her. "Ahsoka, I would gladly take you and Anakin in my lineage." He begins, watching her for reactions. "But I don't think that's what you really want."

She slightly shakes her head. "No. Not really." She sighs, her shoulders sagging. Master Tiin is right. Changing lineage isn't what she wants.

She holds herself tight, part of the truth of her pain coming to her. "What I really want is to go back a few months ago, back when my friends didn't know of my grandmaster and his fate. I want everything to be as it once was."

Tears begin to well in her eyes. "All I want is someone to spar with me." She deeply breathes before quickly wiping under her eyes.

"Let's go back to a training room. I will spar with you." Master Tiin says, gently patting her shoulder.

Ahsoka nods her head, letting him lead her to a training room. His voice is soft and tender, reminding her of Master Plo. He's much too kind and she doesn't want to turn him away.

Maybe that's why she doesn't bother telling Master Tiin that sparring with him isn't the same as sparring with her peers.

They enter into a quiet room, leaving the two of them completely alone. They take time to stretch in hopes of not pulling a muscle. Ahsoka sits silently in her thoughts, pondering over the entire situation.

Since Anakin told her the story of Obi-Wan, she's never felt afraid of him. She's believed him to be a Jedi that had lost his way. Anakin made it seem like there's a way for them to pull him back.

Barriss has altered her thoughts on this. Her best friend has spoken of the evil inside him. It's also very clear that many of the Jedi in the Temple agree with her on this. They have avoided Ahsoka at all costs in hopes of making sure that darkness doesn't reach them.

How is she supposed to feel about Obi-Wan? Both sides are biased. Anakin keeps good memories of Obi-Wan and Barriss judges him off of her recent encounter. Who is Ahsoka supposed to trust?

"Something else is troubling you, Ahsoka." Master Tiin says, walking towards her.

"Yes, Master." She admits with a nod of her head. "I've heard many different opinions on Obi-Wan. I know both sides are biased and I'm not sure which to believe."

Master Tiin hums. "That is a difficult subject." He says as his eyebrows furrow in thought. "I suppose that's something you will have to discover for yourself one day."

"You think we will meet?"

Master Tiin slowly nods his head. "Yes. I believe that is inevitable."

He begins to mess with his lightsaber as he paces around the room. "I think that you have been dragged into a mess you never signed up for. I do not wish for the two of you to meet, but it seems highly likely based on Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship."

"What do you mean?"

He pauses, debating about how to move forward. "They have always been close. Much too close for both the Council and myself. I believe they have an attachment to each other that isn't explainable at the moment."

Ahsoka tilts her head. "I'm not sure I understand."

He chuckles a bit. "I don't think anyone does, not even Anakin and Obi-Wan. Their dynamic has always been complicated, starting from the first day they met."

Anakin never mentioned that. She thought that they had an easy partnership from the beginning. Why would there be tensions between the two of them from the start?

Ahsoka bites on the inside of her cheek, unsure what to say. In fact, she's starting to think that Master Tiin has made the conversation much more confusing. She wants to change the subject to anything other than Anakin and Obi-Wan.

She rises to her feet as she says, "I think we best worry about my lightsaber skills instead. Those can at least be studied."

Master Tiin smiles, turning on his lightsaber. "I agree. Let's worry about something we have a say in."

xxx

Anakin finds himself hovering just above the planet of Kijimi. He wants to settle on the planet, but something is stopping him. He waits in his starfighter, hoping the answer will come to him if he pauses for just a moment.

R2 chirps, getting his attention.

WHY AREN'T WE LANDING?

"Something is stopping me, Artoo." He admits as he crosses his arms over his chest. He leans back in his seat. "I don't know what it is. At least not yet."

DOES IT DEAL WITH THE SHIP?

Anakin chuckles, shaking his head. "No, there's nothing wrong with the ship. You've seen to that." He sighs as he slightly furrows his eyebrows. "I don't think this is something you can fix, buddy."

HUMAN ISSUES?

Anakin nods with a gentle smile. "Yes, pal. 'Human issues.'"

I AM NOT PROGRAMMED TO SOLVE THOSE. BUT I AM A GOOD LISTENER.

Anakin finds himself smiling yet again at the kind astromech. Though he is made out of pieces of metal and moving parts, he is one of Anakin's dearest friends. After everything Anakin has put them through, the little blue droid has always been a great companion.

Anakin sighs, looking out at the planet just below him. He's never visited Kijimi before and has heard very little about it. He knows that it's cold there and that mountains are prevalent. The population is small, especially compared to Coruscant. Not many can stand the planet's harsh climate.

Anakin has never enjoyed the cold. The twin suns of Tatooine burned his skin until he was nine years old. He can tolerate heat like no one else, but he doesn't think he will ever like the feeling of snow and freezing rain pelting him.

"Artoo, can you do a scan of the planet? Just a quick one. I want to know how cold it is." Anakin says, dropping the subject.

R2 gives a few beeps and whirls, using his technology to study the planet.

THE TEMPERATURE OF THE PLANET IS CURRENTLY -11.7°C.

Anakin shivers, the thought of being on the surface already chilling him to the bone. "Maybe we should head back. I'm not meant for this type of weather." He says, his hands going to the controls. He wants to flee, his heart racing rapidly in his chest.

YOU'RE SCARED OF THE COLD?

Anakin scoffs. "No, I'm not scared of the cold."

YOU SEEM SCARED.

Anakin furrows his eyebrows. He expects the blue droid to immediately apologize for upsetting him, but R2 doesn't. Instead, he stares right back at Anakin, seeming to wait for his reaction. Though the astromech can't smirk, Anakin can tell that R2 is feeling smug for having the upper hand on him.

"I'm not scared of the cold. That's not it." Anakin snaps back as he looks at the controls again.

BUT YOU'RE SCARED OF SOMETHING.

"No."

SOMEONE.

"Yes!" Anakin suddenly shouts, tossing his arms into the air. "I am scared, is that what you want to hear? I'm scared of who I'm going to find when I land on Kijimi. I'm scared of what I will be walking into!"

R2 remains silent for a few moments, his top twisting in thought.

OBI-WAN IS HERE. ISN'T HE?

Anakin falls back into his seat. "Yes," He softly admits. He looks down at the planet, his stomach dropping at the thought of being on the same planet as Obi-Wan again. "And I'm worried that he's changed. It's been a while since we last saw each other."

HE DIDN'T ATTACK YOU THE LAST YOU MET.

Anakin shakes his head. "No, he didn't." He agrees. He pauses, looking back up at R2. "But what if he does this time? What if Dooku has corrupted him? Turned him into a monster that I don't recognize?"

R2 coos, sympathy evident in his tone.

I DON'T BELIEVE HE WOULD CHANGE.

"Yeah, but we don't know."

AND WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE LAND.

Anakin hums, slightly nodding his head. The droid makes a good point.

AND IF HE HAS CHANGED, DON'T YOU WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO FINDS HIM FIRST?

Anakin sits up, a look of confidence now plastered on his face. R2 watches as something changes over his friend. Anakin seems to be falling into his place of rank. His voice deepens and his face darkens slightly, just as it does when he barks out commands at his troops. "I promised myself that I would bring him back to the light. I can't do that if I ignore him on Kijimi."

THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

Anakin smiles, his hands flying to the controls. R2 lets out an excited shriek as Anakin pilots the starfighter to enter the atmosphere.

xxx

"Artoo, land the ship at the spaceport," Anakin commands, straightening up in his seat. Immediately, the obedient droid pilots the ship to land in the mountains. Snow accumulates on the windshield as they make their way closer to the surface.

Anakin begins to fret that what he has on will not keep him warm enough on the frosty planet. He watches for a marketplace as R2 safely lands the starfighter on the slippery runway. Anakin grips the sides of the ship as they glide to a stop.

"I don't want to exit this warm starfighter." He complains to R2 once the ship stops sliding. "I think I'll freeze to death on the spot." He says, his teeth already beginning to chatter at the thought. He rubs his arms in hopes of bringing warmth to them before stepping out into the cold.

I SAW A VILLAGE BELOW. MAYBE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO KEEP YOU FROM FREEZING YOUR BUTT OFF.

"Very funny, pal." Anakin scoffs as R2 begins to laugh.

He sighs, still not wanting to move. "Well, here goes nothing."

R2 opens the hatch for him, sending a wave of chilly air right into Anakin's face. He gasps, the crisp air rushing down his throat and freezing his lungs. He quickly jumps out of the cockpit, landing right into a large pile of snow.

"You did not prepare well, young Jedi."

Anakin turns and sees someone dressed in a large white jacket. Fur covers the hood, protecting the stranger's face from the wind. "Come with me. My wife can get you into clothing much more suited for this weather." He says, his rugged voice somewhat comforting Anakin.

"Thank you." He shouts over the wind. He and R2 quickly follow the stranger through the freshly laid snow. Each step makes a loud, satisfying crunch. Anakin begins to feel the snow dampening his boots, reaching his socks. He starts to think that his feet will be frozen solid before they reach the stranger's place.

The stranger doesn't attempt to make conversation the entire way. He just continues to march forward, leading them directly into the wind and away from the city. Anakin isn't sure why he's following him. Maybe it was his authority or how he instantly knew he was a Jedi.

Either way, Anakin is grateful that the stranger is taking him somewhere warm.

Hopefully.

"Don't worry!" The stranger suddenly shouts over the wind. "We're almost there!"

Anakin wants to say that the man must have fried some of his wires over the years because he can't see anything in this blinding white mess. He just prays that the man knows where he's going or else they're doomed.

But then Anakin sees it.

Tucked away into a mountainside is a small cabin. It's built out of stone and covered in frost and ice. If it wasn't for the smoke exiting one of the tiny windows in the cabin, Anakin would have missed it entirely.

He wants to run to the safe haven. The thought of being out of the wind and snapping snow almost makes him shout for joy.

But when he tries to move his legs faster, he notices how numb they've become.

R2 trails behind him, offering words of encouragement until they reach the small, cozy cabin.

Anakin practically falls into the place, unable to stand on his stiff legs anymore. His upper right arm is unable to help him catch himself. It is colder than the rest of his body since it is attached to his metallic hand. He relies on his left arm to grab the doorway so he doesn't faceplant.

"Your master wasn't kidding when he said that you came ill-prepared." A kind voice says, meeting him at the doorway.

Her eyes are almost as gray as the ice covering the stone cabin. Her hair is as white as the snow tumbling down from the sky. And the smile she wears reminds him of his mother. Already, Anakin can tell that she is strong and affectionate. There is nothing to fear with her.

"Demetria, please. The boy is freezing."

"I know, Ermir." She snips back, giving him a glare over Anakin's shoulder. She suddenly grabs Anakin's hands, pulling him farther into the cabin. He frets over the dirt he's tracking in, but she doesn't seem to mind. "Bathroom is in here, filled with hot water." She instructs, pointing him to one of the doors. "Fresh, warm clothes in the bedroom."

Anakin turns around, his teeth still chattering. "Thank you."

"Of course. Anything for Master Tiin's padawan." She grins as she pats his cheek.

Before Anakin can counter her, she walks off. R2, faithfully by his side, coos in confusion.

"I know, pal. I'm assuming Master Tiin called them to take me in." He says as he grabs the handle to the bathroom. Once he opens the door, steam rushes out, enveloping him in a welcoming hug. He sighs, not thinking twice before entering.

R2 barely makes it in before Anakin shuts the door to stop most of the heat from exiting.

SHE CALLED YOU MASTER TIIN'S PADAWAN.

"I don't care whose padawan she calls me at the moment. I just want to heat up and get feeling back into my fingers." Anakin says as he attempts to unlace his boots. But when he tries to use his fingers, he finds that they aren't moving quite how he wants them. Even his metal ones seem frozen solid.

R2, seeing the struggle, doesn't wait. He cuts the laces off, freeing Anakin's feet from their frozen, leather prison.

"Hey, those were my good boots."

YOU WON'T NEED THEM. FRESH SHOES IN THE BEDROOM. ONES THAT WILL ACTUALLY KEEP YOU WARM ON THIS FROZEN ROCK.

Anakin laughs, nodding his head. "You can say that again, pal. This is one of the last planets I want to visit when I'm retired."

R2 chuckles, agreeing with Anakin.

Once Anakin removes his stiff, snow-covered clothing, he turns to look at the bathtub. It isn't much. Maybe about the size of a barrel or a little more. But to him, it's more than big enough. He's about to jump right into the steaming, hot barrel of water when R2 warns him.

A LARGE SPLASH WILL REMOVE MOST OF THE WATER. YOU WOULD HAVE TO LAY ON THE FLOOR TO FEEL IT THEN.

Anakin stops himself, thanking the droid for bringing him to his senses. Instead, he reaches one hand into the water first. He howls in pain, pulling it out. Though his hands feel like they've been frozen in ice for hours, the dip into the boiling water makes them feel like they're on fire.

He no longer wants to bathe in the hot bath. He'd rather just want until his body returns to its normal temperature on its own.

OBI-WAN WON'T BE HERE FOREVER.

Anakin snaps his head to glare at the droid. He narrows his eyes, wanting to shout at R2. He feels his chest beginning to tighten with anger at the mention of Obi-Wan's name.

But then he stops.

He knows the astromech is right. Obi-Wan won't be waiting for him to reheat. He doesn't even know that he's here. If he wants to have the upper hand this time, he needs to get moving.

On top of all of that, Mater Tiin mentioned that they would be sending out other Jedi to destroy Obi-Wan. He needs to beat them to him. He can not let his master die because he refused to take a painful bath.

Anakin takes a deep breath through his nose and forces himself to put his right leg into the water. He holds back a scream as he feels his leg tingle like it's on fire. He wants to pull his leg out, but he knows he can't. He needs to do this if he wants to heat up.

Soon, the tingling goes away. He starts to enjoy how warm and soothing the water is. Then he remembers he still has to put the rest of his body into the water. He spends the next minutes adjusting his body to the hot temperature. Once he finally gets his whole body into the water, he is grateful that he put himself through that pain.

R2 begins to beep out that he will fetch Anakin's warm clothes as he removes himself from the water. Anakin wants to complain that he's not ready to leave quite yet, but the droid has already left the room.

He returns with everything Anakin needs. Anakin forces himself to exit the warm water and dry off. Slowly, the Jedi puts on his new clothing. The soft, white fur tickles his nose and hands. The large wooly socks make his feet feel swollen in his tight, new boots.

He feels toasty warm bundled up in the winter weather clothing. He is grateful for everything that Demetria and Ermir have done for him. Without their assistance, he's not sure how long he would have survived on this death trap of a planet.

He eventually exits the bathroom, a cloud of steam following him. Demetria lets out a laugh, covering her mouth. "My, you look like you're going on an expedition into the high mountains for three weeks."

"Aren't you sweating?" Ermir asks with a soft grin.

Anakin shakes his head, settling down on the animal fur rug. "No. I'm originally from Tatooine. I can deal with heat. I can't stand the cold." He briefly explains as R2 rolls over to sit near him.

"Oh, I suppose this is a large drop in the temperature. Tatooine is one planet I will never visit, solely because of those suns." Demetria replies, bringing a cup of tea to her lips.

"No kidding," Ermir grumbles in agreement.

R2 nudges at Anakin that they should leave. Time is ticking and Obi-Wan could be leaving the planet soon. They have a mission and they shouldn't be lollygagging around.

But Anakin doesn't move. Instead, he seems to make himself more comfortable on the rug. "How did you two come to meet with Master Tiin?" He asks as their original conversation dies out.

Demetria straightens, her bright smile falling from her face. "Our son was Force-sensitive. He was taken to the Temple many years ago." She says, keeping her eyes on her cup. She swirls it, seeming to get lost in it.

"Really?" Anakin asks, tilting his head. "What was your son's name? Maybe I know him."

"Calder," Ermir says as he glances at Demetria.

"Oh," Anakin says, his shoulders dropping. "I'm sorry. The name doesn't sound familiar to me."

"He was a bit older than you are now," Demetria says, coming back from her stupor. She still swirls her cup but her voice remains strong just as before. "Master Tiin informed us that Calder had died in the First Battle of Geonosis."

He drops his head, guilting washing over him. He knows what it is like to lose a loved one. He wishes that he could have done something to stop Calder's death. Maybe if he knew him before he could have changed his fate. "I'm sorry," Anakin says.

"My boy, why are you apologizing?" Ermir asks as his eyes narrow. Anakin freezes. He remains silent, unsure what to say. "Were you the one who killed Calder?"

"No, sir."

"Then there is no need to apologize," Ermir says, laying back into his chair. He folds his hands over his chest, a look of peace on his face. "You have done nothing wrong. All you have done is ask about our son. How could you have known his fate?"

Anakin looks down. He bites his lip. "I should have. He was a fellow Jedi."

"There are thousands of you roaming around the galaxy. We do not expect you to know them all, our son included." Ermir says, practically cutting Anakin off. "There is no need to discuss this further."

Demetria looks to Ermir then back to Anakin. "We have known Master Tiin longer than we let on." She says, straying away from the topic of their son. "Ermir is Force-sensitive as well, which is where Calder received the gift."

Anakin furrows his eyebrows. "You're Force-sensitive?"

Ermir gives a quick nod. "Yes. But my parents refused to hand me over to Master Tiin when I was a baby. I was their only son. They couldn't bear to lose me. Instead, Master Tiin visited once every year until I was five. After that, it became every other year until I was an adult. He wanted to watch over my gift to ensure that it wasn't affecting my daily life."

"There are Jedi that do that?" Anakin asks with his eyes widening.

"Well, they used to. They've been occupied with the war, unable to visit homes who have Force-sensitive children who need guidance." Demetria says, setting her cup aside. "Our neighbors up the hill have three young children with the gift. They say their Jedi hasn't visited them in almost two years now."

"That's horrible," Anakin says, shaking his head.

"Yes, but until the war is over, there is nothing to be done," Demetria says as she rises from her spot. Ermir follows suit, his knees softly creaking as he stands. "You should go about your way. Master Tiin asked if we would help you on your mission. He didn't want us to take up too much of your time."

Anakin quickly scrambles to his feet. "Yes, of course. Sorry, if I've overstayed my welcome. You both have been very kind to me. I won't be able to repay what you have done for me."

Ermir grabs Anakin's shoulders, making him stare into his pale blue eyes. "Do everything you can to end this war. That will be enough for us."

Anakin nods his head. "Yes, sir."

They see Anakin to the door, watching him exit into the growing storm. He practically disappears within seconds, his white jacket camouflaging him in the snow. They are able to make out the blue astromech until he too is hidden in the storm.

Master Tiin never told them what the boy's mission was. But with Ermir's Force-sensitivity and Demetria's intuition, they've come to the conclusion that it involves someone the boy cares for deeply. This person, whoever they are, will be in for a shock when the two meet.

Ermir has tried to see how it will turn out for the boy, but all he saw was blinding red and blue blades in the piercing white snow. He does not know the fate of the boy nor the stranger.

xxx

Obi-Wan pulls his hood over his head again, protecting himself from the wind. This planet is one of the last places he wants to be. It is harsh and practically frozen to its core. How life survives here is a mystery he'll never understand.

Dooku touches Obi-Wan's shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts. "I want you to continue overseeing these droids."

Obi-Wan turns to face him. "Where will you be?"

The master stiffens, his face revealing no emotion. Of course, Dooku hardly shows any emotion, unless he and Obi-Wan are completely alone. "I have a call to make with my master."

Dooku begins to walk past him, but Obi-Wan reaches out and grabs his wrist. "Don't you think it's time that I meet Lord Sidious?"

Dooku freezes, his glare icing over. "Are you mad, boy?"

"Are you?" Obi-Wan fires back. "I've been kept a secret for far too long. Don't you think it's time that we come clean and let Lord Sidious know about me? If we keep this any longer, I'm worried that he'll think we are plotting against him rather than with him."

"If I was to reveal you now, you'd be dead in less than a week." Dooku spits back, making Obi-Wan flinch. "We're keeping you a secret for your safety and mine. We will tell him when the time is right."

Obi-Wan tightens his jaw, a comeback forming in his head. Before he has a chance to say anything, Dooku leans forward. "Now do your duty, padawan. We will discuss this at a later time."

Obi-Wan narrows his gaze, his eyes meeting Dooku's. "Yes, master."

On that note, Dooku leaves, heading for a secluded area with a tactical droid in tow.

Obi-Wan wants to sulk. Dooku has begun to keep secrets from him. He knows he's been hidden in the shadows from Lord Sidious for too long now. If Sidious finds out about Dooku training him from someone other than Dooku himself, things will undoubtedly get messy.

The Sith only have one rule: There can only be two.

And though Dooku assures him constantly that no harm shall come to either of them as long as they remain hidden, Obi-Wan is not as certain. If Dooku is so frightened to tell Sidious about him, doesn't that make what they are doing wrong? It's almost like a child hiding something from their parents when they aren't supposed to have it.

Newsflash: the parents always find out.

Obi-Wan debates about marching up the hill and introducing himself to Sidious when he feels a familiar presence.

Out there, he senses his padawan. What he is doing here, Obi-Wan has no clue. Anakin is supposed to be back at the Temple, just like his battalion was instructed. He should be working on his starfighter after the hit it got in his last battle.

Why is he here?

Obi-Wan and Dooku haven't even set up a Separatist establishment here yet. They came here to scoop out the area to decide if it would be worth the struggle. So far, it doesn't seem that way. The chatty battle droids will more than likely freeze here every night. They would need to plan for unreliable weather conditions.

And on top of that, they would have to establish a solid government on Kijimi.

It doesn't seem worth the time and effort.

So why is a Jedi here? Why is Anakin of all people here?

Obi-Wan turns, glancing over his shoulder to check on his master. As usual, the old man is in a quiet, important meeting with Lord Sidious. Dooku is on one knee, his head bowed as he talks in a low voice. Rather than go and inform his master that there's a Jedi here, Obi-Wan figures that he should go take of it himself.

After all, he knows Anakin best.

He takes off, leaping from one of the highest points on their ledge. He dives into a soft pile of fluffy snow like one of the white foxes he's seen running around the place. He continues his journey under the snow for a while, using the force to give himself a bubble of air so he can breathe.

Now his tracks will be hidden from anyone above.

He begins following where the Force is leading him, getting closer and closer to Anakin. He must find him and take care of him before Dooku has time to know that Anakin even stepped foot on this desolate planet.

Obi-Wan would hate it if the two of them were to meet, especially after the backtalk Obi-Wan just gave Dooku. Things would not end well for anyone. Anakin has already lost one hand to the Sith. Dooku doesn't need a reason to take off the boy's other one.

He needs to get rid of Anakin before Dooku does.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! Feels like it's been a long time. Final grades are in and my spring semester is over! I picked up a job this summer to help pay for my rent next fall. I'm also taking two summer classes so I'm not sure how much time I'll get to write in this book. I want to have at least three updates this summer. When that will happen is up in the air. Plans are for one in June, July, and August but a gal can dream! I'm hoping you guys are still enjoying this book. Thank you all for being so patient and kind!