2k words

(Y/n)'s POV
"Why is everyone staring?" I whispered to the man who has yet to give me a name. We walked through the sandy plains and almost everyone was looking at us. They were trying to be discreet about it, but it was obvious.

He let out a muffled chuckled due to his mask as I followed his quick pace, "You really have no idea who I am, do you?" I shook my head in response, "It seems Watto kept you locked away from the galaxy."

I sighed, "That's a bit of an understatement. He took my TV from me and I wasn't allowed to read any of the papers. Everything I know is from the conversations I've overheard from pilots, which still wasn't much. Also there was talk with some other slaves, but they know just as little as I do. Sometimes it feels like this is the only planet in the galaxy, I know hardly anything outside of here." I shrugged as I kept walking and my feet kicked the sand infront of me; creating a brown cloud ahead, "Are you going to tell me who you are?" I looked up to him, but I could hardly see much with his hood and mask on.

"We'll get to that, but for now; is there anything you need before we leave?" He asked as he turned his head slightly to look down at me with those unnatural amber eyes. I wanted to ask why they were that color. I wanted to ask him a lot of things actually, I have so many questions.

I thought for a moment before nodding up at him, "Yes, but it's at my house," If it can even be called that, "It's something that holds personal value."

He turned away and looked straight ahead, "Very well, lead the way."

~*~•~*~

We arrived at the small community of slaves homes and I walked up to my door, "That one is yours?" He asked with a tone that held a hint of surprise.

"Yes, do you want to come in?" I asked.

He shook his head as he folded his arms over his chest, "No, I'd rather wait here, try not to take long."

I nodded before opening the door and stepping inside. I looked around the small living room with a smile. I was finally leaving, but I held a small pang of guilt. There were a lot of good people here who deserved to free too.

I'll come back and free then one day, they don't deserve this life, no one does.

I walked into my bedroom and grabbed the necklace that was given to me by Shmi that I left on the nightstand. I never wore it when I was with Watto, he didn't like me having any kind of personal items. I swear, he made it his mission to make me feel like I wasn't a person, he considered us slaves as bugs.

He deserved whatever that man did to him. I smiled at the dark thought. I shouldn't be enjoying thoughts like that, but he made my life hell, so I hope hell is where he is burning.

I went to leave the room, but not before looking at the carved drawings on the wall one more time. I ran my fingers along them, I'd miss looking at them, they always brought me a sense of comfort, "What are you doing?"

"Fuck." I jumped and dropped the necklace onto the bed. I brought my hand to my chest to calm my heavily beating heart when I looked up to meet the eyes of the man again, "I thought you were gonna wait outside."

He shrugged as he walked near me and picked up the necklace from the bed, "You were taking long." He responded as he brought it up to eyes; his gloved fingers gently touched the wooden charm, "Where did you get this?" He questioned, his eyes shifting from the charm to meet mine again.

"A woman who used to live here with me, Shmi," I reached forward for the necklace and he placed it gently in my hand, his eyes held a look that I couldn't quite place, "She said her son gave it to her, but when she was sold by Watto, she gave it to me," I sighed as I placed it around my neck, "She said to consider it my beacon of hope, that I would one day be freed, just as he was."

"Sounds like a lovely woman," He leaned against the wall as he crossed his arms over his chest and eyed the room, "How long have you been here?"

"She really was, and eleven years."

He nodded without looking at me, his eyes still remained fixated on the room, "Then let's not keep you here any longer." He turned away to leave  and I followed behind him.

"I was wondering," I began talking as we walked out of the small house, "Not that I'm complaining, but why did you kill Watto?" I questioned as I looked up to him once again.

"He was... unfinished business."

I nodded in understanding, Watto did have a habit of pissing off a lot of people, so I'm not surprised. But I wondered what it was that was bad enough for him to lose his life, "Can I ask what this business was?"

He shook his head as he side-eyed me, "Confidential."

I looked away and took that as a cue to not ask anymore questions, at least for now. I glanced back up to him for a moment and took in his appearance, something about him was telling me that I should be afraid of him, very afraid.

But when I looked at him, I didn't feel fear, I felt gratitude. He freed me and for that alone, I feel like I owe him. Plus, he's the only person I have ever met that can do what I do, he knows things, he can teach me how to be who I really am. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel so alone.

We reached a ship and he pressed a button for the ramp to lower. Once it hit the sandy floor, he faced me and stepped closer; taking my chin in his hand so he could lift my face up to meet his intimidating eyes, "I'll ask you one more time; do you wish to come with me? Because if you get on this ship, there will be no turning back," He spoke sternly as his grip on my chin tightened and he lowered his face closer to mine, "You will have to obey my every wish. I promise I will never treat you like a slave, nor will I harm you like he did, but you will be mine (y/n). You will be my apprentice and I will teach you things that you never thought were possible. If that is something that you want, then say it now." He leaned closer, waiting for an answer, his thumb rubbed my lips. I didn't say anything for a moment, I felt hypnotized by his eyes and his soft touch.

I finally nodded when I felt his grip tighten, "Yes."

"Yes what?" He asked in a low tone.

"Yes, I want to go with you."

He chuckled and removed his hand from my chin, "Get on your knees."

"Wait, what?" I asked with a raised brow.

"It's not what you're thinking," He shook his head with another laugh, "Just drop."

I nervously got down on my knees, he stared down at me with satisfaction, "Do you pledge yourself to my teachings and promise to obey me?"

I nodded; staring up at him with nervous eyes, "Yes."

"Do you pledge your life and soul to me?" He asked as he tilted his head to the side; his amber eyes burned into mine.

I nodded again. I was starting to wonder what exactly I was getting myself into. But I was too fascinated by him to back away now, "Yes."

He held a hand out to me, "Good girl," I accepted his hand and stood up, "Now, let's do something about your appearance." He eyed my unflattering slave attire, "After you." He gestured to the ship and I walked onto it to start my new life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but who isn't scared of the unknown?

"What should I call you?" I asked as I faced him when the ramp was finally up. He walked over to the controls before answering me.

"Call me Vader."

Vader.. why do I feel like I've heard that name before?

~*~•~*~e

He eyed me up and down with pride, "Is that the one you want?" He questioned as I turned to look at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a plain black jumpsuit with long sleeves and zipper on the front that started at the neckline and went down to just below my breasts. It was comfortable and hid my body well, I've had too many experiences with disgusting and degrading men on Tatooine who like do nothing but leer. So hiding my body was necessary for me to feel comfortable and safe.

I nodded, happy with my appearance. He brought me in here and let me pick out whatever I wanted, "I love it." I smiled up at him.

He turned to the shop owner who looked terrified every time Vader looked at him, "Let's talk payment." He grabbed the mans shoulders and began walking him forward.

"It's free, just take it." The man spoke quickly but Vader chuckled as he pulled the man into a back room. I stood there for a moment waiting patiently, I don't get why he had to take him to another room to pay him, but who am I to question him?

We were currently in a small shop on Alderaan, it was incredibly beautiful, this is the first time I've seen so much green. I heard heavy foot steps from behind me and I turned to see Vader walking back into the room, alone, "Where's the owner?" I questioned in a confused tone.

He shrugged, "He's a little hung up at the moment, but it's been taken care of," He pulled something out of his pocket and walked over to me, "You will wear this when you're in public," He placed a mask similar to his own over my mouth gently and he set the side straps behind my ears. I watched him the entire time in awe, something about him was so enchanting. Once it was on securely, he brushed my hair forward, "Don't let anyone see your face unless I say it's okay. Trust me, it'll be an advantage if no one knows what you look like." I nodded to him to show I understood his request, "Good, now before we go, let's grab you something to eat, I could hear your stomach growling the entire ship ride here." He pushed the door open for me to walk out.

"I'm so sorry." I apologized, feeling slightly embarrassed. But I hadn't eaten anything today, and I usually only eat once a day so my stomach pretty much growled all the time.

He shook his head as he gripped my wrist to keep me near him while we walked along the streets, "Don't apologize for being starved." As we walked, people on the streets were bowing to him and I looked at them confused.

"Why is everyone bowing to you?" I asked him as I scanned the area. They would bow and then rush away quickly out of sight, almost like they were afraid to be in his presence for too long.

He turned to me and even through his mask I could tell he was smirking by the way his eyes squinted, "Because I'm their Emperor."

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