Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.

A/N: Prologue with slight re-writes (24-April-2020). This story has been a long time in the making. If you are new to it, I hope you enjoy it and take a second to leave a review .

Prologue

"I wish we had found him sooner...", Qui-Gon's voice trailed off as he looked at the little boy sitting against the wall covered in an orange shawl, "He seems so cold…" he observed, a wave of pity for the child fills his thoughts.

"Yes… Tatooine is a very hot place and space is a very cold one…" Obi-Wan shook his head pensively at Qui-Gon's response. Surely, there had to be more to it. "But Master, the Council will never agree to train him… he's too old," he averted his gaze to his Master. They all knew Jedi were trained from a very young age. There was a reason for it; although it seemed cruel to cut those children's ties to their families, it was essential for them to grow away from the mundane pleasures and feelings that were so dangerous to someone who was powerful enough to wield the Force; a power that, given the right set of circumstances could turn into something dark and dangerous.

"Yes, my Padawan, too old he might be and yet the Force tells me to take him with us… I believe… I truly believe he might be the Chosen One".

"That's quite the burden, Master", Obi-Wan sighed. Maybe it would have been better to leave him with his Mother".

"Indeed, but so is being a slave and at least of that destiny we've spared him."

"That's true… if only we had found him sooner…", a whisper escapes Obi-Wan's lips before his voice ultimately trails off.

Looking at that boy brought him a sense of dread, almost fear. Something terrible would happen; something that would be devastating, tragic even. Obi-Wan didn't know how or when, but the Force was warning him, it was an ominous feeling.

"The boy is too old", the Force whispered at him, "The boy is too dangerous".

Obi-Wan Kenobi, the young Padawan of the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, opened his eyes, he could feel the cold sweat forming on his forehead. What had he seen?

The Room of a Thousand Fountains surrounded him still as he looked around. It was a vision, he had never left the Temple.

His Master sat beside him, meditating, as they always did early in the mornings.

He took a deep breath. It was the first time the Force graced him with a vision. He couldn't tell whether that was a blessing or a curse. He didn't know if he was even supposed to be able to have a vision.

But he did. It was not a dream, he knew it; this was not like any dream he ever had.

He could see himself, a little older perhaps, and that little boy hugging his legs against his chest, trembling of fear and cold. He sighed and looked upon his Master.

This couldn't wait. If the Force bestowed that moment of clarity upon him, then he must pursue its meanings and all of the consequences that it could possibly bring.

The Chosen One.

Was is destiny to find the Chosen One before it was too late? Was this what Force wanted him to know?

The boy is too old, the boy is too dangerous.

Maybe he was still not too old, maybe if he finds him now, it won't be too late.

The boy was on Tatooine and Obi-Wan had too find him; he had to find him now.

"Master?" he asked, causing Qui-Gon to open his eyes and regard him carefully. He always looked so serene after his meditation. Obi-Wan hoped that one day he might achieve the same level of connection to the Force.

Qui-Gon Jinn watched his Padawan and thought of how proud he was of him. And to think, that he didn't even want to take him under his wing. Yet, at that moment, he knew taking Obi-Wan as his apprentice was the one thing he could never regret.

Obi-Wan has much to learn still, but he was becoming wise and powerful and a far better Jedi than Qui-Gon could ever hope to be. That thought made him smile.

"Yes?" he responded simply.

"Master, we must go to Tatooine" Obi-Wan said with urgency and resolve.

"And why would we go to Tatooine, my young Padawan?" Qui-Gon looked attentively at his young Padawan, curious about why the boy was so intent on taking a trip to that far away desert planet.

"I had a vision, Master… and the Force is telling me… it's telling me that I must search for this boy…" Obi-Wan answered as he watched the great waterfall in front of him. The sound of the running water and the younglings that played and laughed around them was soothing and helped him recover from the experience; they sounded like peace and joy.

"I see… Tell me more about your vision Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon requested quietly. His curiosity was peaked. To have a vision from the Force required a great connection to it. He was proud of his Padawan before but now his pride was tenfold.

"We were in a ship and there was a boy. He looked no more than ten years-old. He looked… cold. I sensed much fear in him, Master. We mentioned Tatooine and you said…" he sighed before he says the most important part of it "you said, you believed he was the Chosen One", he met his Master's gaze and realized that what he said took the Master Jedi by surprise. It was not an obvious reaction, but a mere twitch of Qui-Gon's eyebrow that lasted no more than a second.

Obi-Wan waited for it to pass and continued, "We must find him Master, before it is too late, before he becomes dangerous."

"This is important indeed… We must speak to Master Yoda," he stood and soon the young Padawan followed him.

"Intriguing, this is," Master Yoda said after being told of Obi-Wan's vision "But careful we must be when sensing the future," he spoke directly to the Padawan.

"I know Master, but I feel I must do this Master, I feel the Force urging me to do it, to find this boy. It's almost like this is my mission." Obi-Wan responded and it made Qui-Gon smile. Never had he seen his young apprentice so determined. He showed such a resolve that nothing Master Yoda would say could ever make him think this is something other than the will of the Force. If Qui-Gon he had to defy the Council once more, he would have no shame in doing so.

"I see… Not to be discarded, a vision of the Force is. If the Chosen One, this boy is, begin his training at once the Jedi Order must. Go to Tatooine you will, find this boy and to the Council bring him."

"Thank you Master", Obi-Wan smiled at the trust Master Yoda deposited in him. He felt happy, approved, accepted as a Jedi.

Not many hours later, he found himself in a ship accompanied by his Master. It was a long trip to Tatooine and he was happy that his vision told him, at least, the planet object of his search. But then again, planets are big and he didn't even know the boy's name. He wouldn't know where to start. And Tatooine was a planet with many slaves. It would be hard to find this boy.

"Patience, Obi-Wan. The Force will guide us, we will find him", Qui-Gon admonished, sensing his young Padawan's feelings.

"But Master, we don't even know his name… Where will we even begin?" Obi-Wan's youth made him impatient. A trait his Master knew would fade in time.

"We have more clues than you seem to know, Obi-Wan. Analyze your vision, look at the details, think and trust in the Force. It will guide us and take us to this boy," and Obi-Wan did as instructed by his Master.

He knew his Master looked older, he had some gray hairs which he doesn't possess at the moment and he looked older himself too. Which means that it would be at somewhere in the not so near future. So he knew they were looking for a small boy. He relaxed a bit, knowing that the Force would be there to guide him through every step, just as his Master said it would be. And right then he knew that the Force was telling him he would find this boy. Regardless of how hard it would be. What he didn't know is that it would be much easier than he believed.

The twin suns shone brightly when the Jedi land on the desert planet of Tatooine. The dryness and of the air invaded Obi-Wan's lungs as soon as he stepped out of the ship.

Mos Espa was a dreadful place, frequented by the most gruesome villains that roamed the Galaxy, most of them worked for the Hutts, as most do on the planet. Pirates, smugglers and bounty hunters seemed to roam the spaceport as normal citizens, police and security were non-existent.

It was a place run by bandits indeed.

"Let's go for a drink." Qui-Gon smiled as he entered a nearby cantina followed by his Padawan. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, didn't feel much like smiling. He swallowed the lump on his throat when the smell of alcohol and rot invaded his nostrils as he entered the cantina. It looked like it wasn't cleaned in years and yet no one but him seemed to find that repulsive. They sat at the counter where they were immediately approached by the alien bartender.

"I want some corellian brandy and it will be water for my young friend here," Obi-Wan couldn't help but roll his eyes; the amusement on Qui-Gon's features, however, was quite obvious. He always took great pleasure on teasing his young Padawan.

Qui-Gon took the opportunity to begin their investigation as soon as their drinks were served. "We are looking to buy a slave", he informed the alien as he set their glasses in front of them, "What would be the most appropriate way of doing so?"

The alien growled a little but it seemed to be his normal reaction when customers started a conversation with him. He was not the chatty type but sometimes it came with the job so he just had to handle it the best way he could, even if that implied answering his customers' questions. "The Hutts", he responded quite simply.

"I see" Qui-Gon replied, "What specific Hutt would you recommend?"

"Maybe Gardulla or Jabba. Any one of those have plenty of slaves to spare and are always looking for good business", if he had shoulders Obi-Wan was certain that he would shrug.

"Where can we find them?"

"Hmmm tomorrow they'll probably be attending the podraces. There'll be a tournament right outside of Mos Espa. They always attend." he offered.

"We thank you for the information", Qui-Gon said bowing slightly as they both stood and abandon their drinks. For the first time the bartender looked at them rather closely and frowned. As they turned to leave he lost control over his curiosity.

"Why would two Jedi want a slave?"

"To free him", Obi-Wan spoke to the alien for the first time, a smile forming on his lips. Without waiting for any other remark he turned to leave after his Master.

The podraces were always a big event on Tatooine, actually most of everything revolved around them. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon surveyed the scenery around them as they arrived. Pilots and crews were prepping their pods in a hurry, thousands of people sat on the bleaches cheering despite the fact that the race hasn't started yet and then, up above, there were the boxes for the wealthy and powerful. As soon as they arrived, they were informed that the Mighty Jabba the Hutt would not be present due to pressing business. It was quite the way to be greeted. Manners in hutesse weren't something usual. But Gardulla the Hutt would be present and betting fiercely as she always did.

Approaching the entrance of Gardulla's box they were stopped by a Twi'lek guard.

"We have business with the Great Gardulla" Qui Gon said with a slight wave of his hand, "You will let us in". He skillfully implanted the suggestion in the guard's mind as he repeated his words in hutesse right before letting them in. A Toydarian flew pass them as they entered and he seemed to be discussing something with the Hutt.

"One isn't enough. I want three", he said in hutesse making Gardulla growl. No one had noticed the Jedi's presence yet.

"Two. The mother and the boy. And I offer no more!", the Hutt made her final offer and the toydarian seemed to know he would get no more, for he agreed with a nod and settled next to the Hutt, looking quite pleased despite himself. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a glance as if saying to each other that the Force was smiling upon them. Qui-Gon cleared his throat making everyone in the room finally acknowledge their presence.

"Jedi…" Gardulla hissed.

"We come in business, we do not wish to fight" the protocol droid began translating. Qui-Gon spoke in basic and Gardulla in hutesse and yet no translation was needed. They both understood each other quite well and yet no one seemed to care about stopping the droid.

"Business? What kind of business?", Gardulla asked curiously.

"Slaves, we wish to buy a slave" Gardulla seems suspicious but said nothing more. She wasn't interested in picking a fight with a Jedi and if they wanted to buy slaves that's fine. Their money was worth as much as anyone else's. So she commanded them to sit and wait for the end of the races.

As the violent race progressed and several competitors were already out of commission, a woman entered and began walking around the presents serving drinks and food to her Master and her guests. Obi-Wan immediately realized she was a slave. Her demeanor immediately denounced her unfortunate condition; her head hanged low and no one spare her an acknowledgement; she was there to serve and nothing more. It abhorred Obi-Wan. He sighed and shook his head.

Suddenly he felt a presence accompanied by a sound; the sound of a child's laughter that resounded strongly in the Force. Whoever that child was, he was quite close but not in the same room as they were. He nudged Qui-Gon who also seemed to have come to the same realization. The two Jedi stood and followed the woman. Gardulla and the Toydarian were too busy watching the race to notice their departure.

There was a small room, more like a cubicle, adjacent to the box. There were drinks and food set on two small tables and the woman moved between them to gather the things she needed to serve her Master and his guests. Obi-Wan looked around and there, in a dark corner, there was a boy, a toddler. He was no more than three years old. In his hands rested a small toy that seems like a pod racer. It looked old and used but the boy was not playing with it. Instead, he is returning Obi-Wan's gaze intently. And then he smiled a wide beautiful smile that only the innocence of a child could bestow. And Obi-Wan felt it: the Force around that boy, surrounding him, penetrating him, it made him shine as he had never seen anything shine before. The force was strong with him and he had no doubt that the boy sensed their presence long before they entered the little cubicle. And he kept smiling as if he was pleased with what he saw. Obi-Wan recognized his features, his blonde hair and blue eyes, the shape of his face… the Force.

"That's him Master", Obi-Wan whispered not turning his gaze from the boy.

"I know,"

The voices startled the woman and she turned around to look at the Jedi. "What are you doing here?" she asked placing a hand above her heart.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi", he introduced them with a slight but respectful bow.

"Padawan? So… are you… Jedi?", she asked, her hand falling from her chest to her side.

"Yes Madam", Obi-Wan answered.

"Why are you here?" she reflexively looked at her son who was still smiling at the two Jedi.

"Some circumstances brought us to Tatooine, to search for someone. I think we found him", Qui-Gon smiled at her as she looked back at him.

"My son…" it was more of a realization than a question.

"Yes, your son", she remained quiet for quite some time. Obi-Wan could see the conflict settling on her features. She knew her son deserved better than a life of slavery, but she couldn't bear the thought of parting with him.

"I am Shmi Skywalker, and this is my son Anakin," she broke the long silence. "Will you take him with you?"

"Perhaps" Qui-Gon replied.

"He seems to know you're Jedi, he can't keep his eyes off you…" she trailed off, a sad smile adorning her features.

"Yes, he does seem to know", Qui-Gon looked at the boy "the Force is strong with him. Very strong," Obi-Wan agreed with his Master with a nod of his head.

"Do you have to take him?"

"Not unless you allow us to," Qui-Gon watched her as the expression in her face changed from sadness to hope and then to sadness again. He had never had children. It was forbidden for him to do so, but he couldn't imagine how it would feel for a mother to let go of her child like this; knowing that they probably would never see their child again. He wondered for a moment about how his own parents felt when he was taken to the Jedi Temple when he was only a toddler, probably even younger than Anakin. For a moment he felt happy that such things were forbidden to Jedi, he wouldn't want to discover the feeling had he to deliver his own child to complete strangers. Reflexively his hand rested to Obi-Wan's shoulder, the closest thing he had to a son and he wondered, he feared, what would be like to lose him.

"I don't want him to be a slave forever, he deserves more, he deserves better than I can ever give him. But parting with him…" she didn't finish the sentence; she knew she didn't have to. "But a mother's duty is to do what is best for her child and sending him with you… it's better, isn't it?" she asked hopefully. She needed to know for sure, she had to know or else she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"I don't know," Qui-Gon approached the woman, landing his hand on her arm as some way of odd and impossible comfort "but we shall do our best."

"I've heard of the goodness of the Jedi, of the great men and women they are… you are. Ever since I knew I was with child I knew him to be destined for great things. I could feel it… I just… knew. There was no father, you know? Anakin… he's special and as much as I love him I can't be in the way of his path, of his destiny. He was given to me for a reason and I cannot deny him that. I know that I should… that I must… let him go…"

"It mustn't be easy to part with one's child this way, but I promise you that we'll take care of him to the best of our abilities. He will become a Jedi, you have my word," Obi-Wan interjected and Shmi looks at him. She smiled and rested a hand on his shoulder and even though she had never met him, she knew Obi-Wan Kenobi was a man of his word.

"I've always had the feeling that this day would come and now that it is here I am happy to see the people who will take care of my son. I always feared… I don't know what I feared. It's hard to explain. But you seem like good people." In the meantime, Anakin rose to his feet and was forcefully tugging at Obi-Wan's cloak. He took the chance to crouch and look at the boy in the eyes.

"Hello there!" Obi-Wan said making Anakin giggle and respond with a shy "hi". "I am Obi-Wan, what is your name?"

"Anakin" his childish voice responded right before he ran and hid behind his mother's leg. Truly the Force is powerful, but probably not as much as the comfort brought by a loving mother. Or so Obi-Wan believed; he had no memory of his own parents. He lived in the Jedi Temple for as long as he remembered. Sometimes he wished he could meet them. Seeing Anakin with his mother made him wonder about his own. He wondered if she was soft spoken like Shmi, if she was beautiful, or kind, or smart. He sighed and pushed the thoughts away, it was not the time or the place to dwell of such considerations.

"I'm afraid it won't be so easy to take him. We are slaves and belong to Gardulla the Hutt. He was born into slavery," she ran a hand through her son's blonde locks. "And I believe she's just bet our property with Watto. Whoever wins this race will determine the owner of our lives".

"I know. We will find a way" Qui-Gon replied and as he does a shameful amount of hutesse curse words come from front of the box. He was convinced that Gardulla as just lost this bet. Their business wasn't with her anymore, but with Watto. They found their way back to the gamblers where an argument between the Hutt and the Toydarian had just erupted. Shmi followed closely, holding Anakin on her arms. Gardulla seemed surprised to see the Jedi, perhaps she was too focused on her anger to remember they were even there. But her memory soon returned.

"What business do you have here Jedi?" she asked finally, contempt filling her voice.

"We wish to buy the boy and his mother", another turret of hutesse curse words came out of her mouth.

"They belong to me now", the Toydarian named Watto informed them, "If you want a deal on them come to my shop in Mos Espa tomorrow and we will discuss it".

Gardulla growled her discontentment as the Jedi bowed and turned to leave. They gave a reassuring smile to Shmi before they leave and all the way they kept Gardulla's angry complaints. It seems that this was her unlucky day.

The following day, after another strenuous night sleeping on their ship, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi arrived at Watto's shop early in the morning. Shmi and Anakin were already there, as they would be, since they were the object of the trade. Once again Obi-Wan felt disgusted at the way people were so easily treated as property. Qui-Gon shared the feeling, but his age and wisdom made it look much less apparent.

"Oh you came, you came", Watto said clapping his wings towards them as soon as the Jedi reached the door. "Shmi, bring the boy here", he ordered his new acquired property. Once they arrived he started examining them "The boy seems promising", he said turning the child's face from one side to the other while holding his chin. Anakin started crying because of the tough treatment making Watto turn his attention to his mother. "The mother is not bad. Yes, not bad for a human. What do you think?" he asked the Jedi.

"Twenty thousand for the both of them," Qui-Gon offered.

"Twenty thousand? No way, no way! The boy alone is worth that! Thirty for the two of them", he countered hoping to reach at least twenty-five. He seeeds very much surprised when Qui-Gon immediately accepted his counter-offer.

"Deal!" he smiled and reached his small hand to shake Qui-Gon's to seal the deal.

"The transmitters," Qui-Gon demanded without accepting the compliment.

"The money first, Jedi. I am no fool!" Qui-Gon reached for the pouch that was attached to his belt and landed the money on the counter. Watto's eyes glowed brightly at the sight of wealth. "Ummm, very well. I'll get the transmitters," and as fast as he disappeared to the back of the shop he arrived once more. Obi-Wan took the transmitters from him, deactivated them and destroyed them with the handle of his lightsaber to the utter surprise of the Toydarian. But then again, what was he expecting? They are Jedi and Jedi have no use or desire for slaves.

"That wasn't so hard as I thought it would be Master," Obi-Wan commented as they left Watto behind them accompanied by Shmi and Anakin.

"The Force guided us here, my young Padawan. You must learn to trust it more".

Goodbye is never easy. With her freedom, Shmi made the choice to stay behind. Her place was in Tatooine. She had no wish of getting in the way of her son's life. A Jedi didn't meet his family and if that's what it took for him to follow his path then that's what it will be.

She never fooled herself by believing it would be easy to be parted from her beloved child, yet, she would endure the pain and hope against hope she made the right decision.

"Will I ever see him again?", she asked grabbing Obi-Wan's sleeve as he held young Anakin in his arms and headed towards the ramp of their ship.

"Do you think you will?"

"I hope so…"

"Then you will…"