Chapter 8

Anakin can sense the frustration coming from her as he waited for her with Marek standing not in earshot but not that far away. This allowed Anakin to rekindle the relationship he had with Padmé without committing clumsy mistakes and having to hide their relationship. The Jedi have interfered with his relationships with Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Padmé, and the men in the 501st for the last time.

In time, he will give her the knowledge from the events of the Clone Wars towards Mustafar, but that is for another time. For now, she must maintain her role as Senator Amidala of Naboo without knowledge of Palpatine's intentions, however, in due time Anakin shall tell her the truth and reveals everything, giving her knowledge and showing her her experience as the housewife and memories. Anakin cannot keep his time travel a secret since he will need Padmé to defeat Darth Sidious.

"I do not like this idea of hiding!" She nearly snapped at him, needing to release her venting anger that the Chancellor and Jedi Council had placed on her, striding past the young Jedi and heading into the next room.

Anakin smiled, remembering the sweet yet firm woman side of her that he had missed so much. He never did want to join Sidious because he'd deserved to die, but the Jedi Council, as always, placed too much stress and continued to berated and held him back so Skywalker felt like there was no choice.

"I understand you're a professional woman, Padmé, I too believe that this is not the right course of action, however, don't dwell on it so much, senator, the Council isn't always correct about their choices but Obi-Wan will locate the bounty hunter," Anakin reassured, not staring at her for too long to make her feel uncomfortable, but Anakin is surrounded by the light side of the Force in her presence.

Padmé was still frustrated since she feels like she's being held at a leash and is abide to be protected. However, it's nice to see one Jedi that seems to be on her side and is showing ouches of maturity, being his own leader instead of another person lead, especially the Jedi Council.

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the "Military Creation Act", not to be here when its fate is decided!" Padmé seeded, feeling like there is being little results in the Senate and that everyone is refusing to hear her voice.

She clearly had more on her mind about that and wanted to investigate the mysterious Sith Lord in the Galactic Senate that Anakin claimed that was hiding his role well. When she regains her memories, she shall see everything and once she does, he would only need her assistance; if he loses her in the process, then at least the galaxy and she will be safe. His only regret will be that Luke and Leia will not be conceived. Still and all, Anakin doubted that she will abandoned him. She didn't on Mustafar and she didn't in the afterlife.

"Sometimes, it's best to close your eyes, meditate, release your emotions or you won't be able to let them go. Emotions can be an individual's worst nightmare if not mended to correctly. There are more consequences to simply cling onto them." Anakin declared, grabbing onto her hand softly yet tenderly. "Release your emotions into the Force. I will guide you along the way."

"Annie!" Padmé yelled, surprised at the physical and tender touch on her hand, and was about to say something that she would have regret, but then she closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh to calm down, knowing that Anakin was only trying to help. "This is not necessary. I got materials to pack..." Padmé continued after a minute, her voice softer and sounding more like she had regain her composure.

To her, Anakin feels and is more of an ally than the entire Jedi Council since he's not choosing by little events. The Jedi Council is beginning to make greater mistakes lately and she isn't holding as much faith in them as she held some years ago.

Anakin shakes his head dismissively and clutched her hand firmly but not painfully, not wanting this to be on her mind and feeling her beginning to form a small bond with Anakin. She seems to be much more congenial and pleasant with him then in the original timeline, meaning that their bond will be stronger than in the original timeline.

Padmé seems to squirm slightly at first, wanting to turn away from this and not seek comfort from a Jedi, but Anakin's hand was tender among her, rubbing her in an affection manner, making the senator nearly blush, but seeming to be accepted at the comfort. She begins breathing and sighing, releasing her emotions into what she had guessed was the Force.

When she had felt the Jedi pulling away from her with a reassuring smirk, she had watched him disappearing from the outside of the room and him raising his hood over his head.

"Thanks, Anakin."

Then she continues to pack.

Returning to Naboo was both a struggle and peace for Vader, knowing that he's with Padmé now, and can one day wrapped his arms around her. He had caused hell on this planet and gave his Master another beneficial planet for his Empire. 18 years before the Battle of Yavin, Queen Apailana of the planet Naboo broke off diplomatic ties with the Galactic Empire, leading the Empire to dispatch the 501st Legion to suppress the growing opposition on the world and retake Naboo. Because of Queen Apailana's polite and subtle refusal to accept the New Order, the Empire harbored suspicions about her true allegiance.

This state of unease kept up for one year until Darth Vader found out that the Naboo were hiding Jedi refugees trying to escape the Great Jedi Purge. Vader ordered Apailana's execution on the charges of treason, but knowing her guards would expect the assassination attempt on her, he sent the 501st Legion, an elite group of stormtroopers, to deal with the Royal Naboo Security Forces.

Secretly, he had held anger and sadness for what he'd done, but he was still mourning and growing in the power of the dark side, he hadn't reflected on it. This time, he shall not participate in the battle of Naboo to take control of the planet for the Empire, nor shall the 501st who'd only followed him to the Temple because he was their leader.

Although being with Padmé was refreshing and calm for Vader since he hasn't been with her for years, each time he'll look at Marek, he gets annoyed since the Jedi Council dares to send a Padawan with him. The Jedi Council should trust him enough to allow him to go with Senator Amidala on this mission, but of course, they'll have to hold a leash over him.

He has plans for Padmé so he can help her in the process of forming the Rebellion by the Delegation of 2000, but he also needs to assure their relationship is more healthier and will have to try his best to ignore Marek's presence because everything was changing just with his and Kenobi's knowledge.

Someone with their knowledge of the future can make mistakes and problems and everything is going by faster which means that Vader will have to warn Obi-Wan to be careful and not push the Clone Wars faster.

First, they have to earn their men's loyalty again then they'll have to remove the inhibitor chip from the 501st and 212th. And once the Jedi shall begin growing suspicious of Palpatine's intentions, Vader will suggest sending out a transmission to remove the inhibitor chips from the other clones. Besides, he will remove it from clone legions of Jedi who he can trust to keep the knowledge. Three years was enough time to gain those men's loyalty. It may be risky and mistakes may be made but he and Obi-Wan will prevent anything that shall throw a hole into their plan.

Things and outcomes were happening but at least Marek seems to be keeping his distance from her out of fear of getting on his angrier side. While Marek has the skill and is powerful, Vader knows that the arrogant Jedi sensed his abilities and power so it causes some fear of questioning him. While Vader didn't want to hold a dominant presence anymore, the Jedi will not stand in his way of stopping Sidious and especially preventing the birth of Luke and Leia Skywalker and his romance with Padmé Amidala.

The Jedi Council will never understand what had happened to the galaxy and what had happened to one of their most skilled Padawan and stronger Knight, and the monster that he would've become.

He helped the collapse of the Galactic Republic, the institution he was sworn to serve and uphold and had fought for as part of the Grand Army of the Republic. He had assisted Palpatine in purging the Jedi Order, which had secured his freedom from slavery and obscurity, and had trained him into a weapon that was known across the Galaxy as a beacon of light and freedom.

He had effectively murdered his wife and children, a belief reinforced by Palpatine, even though it was effectively not true. He had attempted to kill his own Master, and a man he once said was formally like a father to him, resulting in his arms and legs being cut off at the end of the battle. He has left ultimately 'more machine now than man', a pale shadow of his former self, requiring his suit in order to survive. He had only Palpatine left as his last remaining link to the man that he was, and therefore served the Emperor even though he hated him for making him what he was.

And, when Luke Skywalker's existence became known to him, he nonetheless swore to bind his own child into servitude to a man he effectively despised, because he felt he was too weak to now go against the Emperor's commands.

When he was Anakin, he feared to lose the people closest to him, whether it was by distance or death. He did end up losing pretty much everyone close to him, namely Qui-Gon, his mother Shmi, Ahsoka, then lastly Padmé. Although the Jedi Council isn't completely at fault, they could have been more supportive and helped Anakin when he was in distress instead of telling him to detach himself from the living, and Anakin would never do that under any condition.

"Anakin, are you certain that Obi-Wan is going to be able to locate the source of the bounty hunters?" Padmé inquired angrily, still not very liking about these new events that are forcing her away from Coruscant.

"You should be faithful in my Master's abilities, Obi-Wan is strong and powerful and will track down the enemy," Vader assured, smiling at her, but not looking too long out of fear of making her uncomfortable like last time which made him inwardly felt like a pervert. That is why Vader hadn't watched her getting packed and merely waited for her so they could get to their location on Naboo.

"I'm not doubting Obi-Wan's abilities. What I am doubting is the methods of the Jedi Council, getting involved with my personal life. It seems throughout all of my life, I am being watched for my protection and guarded liked I can't fight for myself." Padmé snapped, the anger clears in her tone, although Vader is not letting her words to impact him as much as he would have if he hadn't face maturity of life. Anakin knows she's not blaming him and that she likes him more than in the original timeline and the Jedi Council, making her feel comfortable and wanting to be around him rather than just any Jedi.

"I'm not saying you're wrong, senator. What I am saying is that you're a senator but you're not invincible. Behind that Senatorian's mask, you're still a young woman." Vader replied, resisting the urge to touch her shoulder and looking at the Naboo suns, only calming down in front of her.

Padmé didn't respond and can only merely nodded but Vader can sense she's more comfortable. He had remembered the Princess of Alderaan and can see a lot of Padmé and especially him in her, surprising him that he hadn't recognized her.

Leia gets captured by Darth Vader while she carries out a mission to get in contact with Kenobi. Little does Vader know the Princess he captured and tortured was his biological daughter. When Luke and Leia were born, the children were separated from their father for very good reasons. It was a clever plan instead of having Beru and Owen raise both or Bail and Breeha raising both of them as was Ahsoka's technique to leave behind one of her lightsabers.

At that time, Vader wasn't sensing paternity. He senses merely the Force running through her but it was not as strong as it was with Luke. Vader couldn't sense Leia because she isn't using the Force, and isn't that powerful at that time. Vader only knew the force was strong with Luke during the dogfight in the Battle of Yavin.

Perhaps, not sensing she was his daughter was for the best since Vader has this second chance to make things right and save more lives.

As Vader and Kento escorted Padmé to the palace with R2-D2, the Sith Lord was shocked to see the palace was still steady when he was used to it being destroyed and not as calming because of the greed.

To cover up the incident, the Empire declared that terrorists had attacked Theed Palace and the 501st Legion had arrived to stop the chaos, the Queen being killed "just before she could be saved" amidst the intense assaults. The Royal Security Forces never got a say in the matter, however. The security and palace guards were taken prisoners and were said, like many of the Empire's captured enemies, to "disappear". They were in fact transported to the secret, under-construction Death Star for safekeeping. Most would join Rebel inmates and die fighting in the later Death Star Uprising.

An Imperial Officer overseeing the stormtrooper's efforts said that it would intimidate potential uprising people into submission and that it would "save countless lives", but it ultimately would have the opposite effect.

On Naboo, the Empire would proceed to install a puppet monarch and government, headed by Queen Kylantha, which would not be rebellious in any aspect. The Royal Naboo Security Forces were profoundly limited to a more individualized group of a select few bodyguards who it was believed, would never have enough strength to initiate another uprising.

Although Queen Kylantha was outwardly loyal to the Empire, she refused to dissolve the Naboo Royal Advisory Council and, unlike other Imperial-held worlds, had only implemented a few changes to Naboo's democratic government. This led many Imperials, including Chief Inquisitor Loam Redge, to believe she was actually a Rebel Alliance sympathizer. Kylantha's personal view of the Empire remained ambiguous.

During her reign, Kylantha appointed Pooja Naberrie, the younger niece of Padmé, as Naboo's representative in the Imperial Senate, a position Naberrie held until Emperor Palpatine dissolved that governmental body.

Vader was tempted to end the life of Kylantha on multiple occasions because of her blatant disrespect on her predecessors and the only reason why she'd lived as long was that Darth Sidious had a leash over him. Unfortunately for Sidious, his sick plans won't work this time and Darth Vader would end her if she still makes an appearance that threatens Padmé or Apailana or any other queen.

As they'd walked up to a much better queen, Vader indicated for Marek to keep a respectful stance in front of her royal highness. With bows to the Queen, she had motioned for them to stand with one flick of her hand and begins walking with them. The redeemed Sith Lord hadn't wanted to be humiliated again so he decided that he'll be more supportive of Padmé.

"We've been worried about you. I'm so glad you're safe, Padmé." Queen Jamillia greeted, grabbing the Senator's hand and shaking it politely.

Padmé was very respected on her home planet and could have been a powerful leader if she'd ruled the galaxy with him, but Vader cannot imagine a different side of her that doesn't fight for democracy. Even in his time as Darth Vader, he'd never got into politics so he wouldn't have been a much successful Emperor.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I only wish I could have served you better by staying on Coruscant for the vote." Padmé greeted back, smiling at the Queen that has taken her place and is leading Naboo.

From behind her, she had watched Galen scanning the palace, examining it out of amazement. The Padawan hadn't seen such a beautiful place beside the Jedi Temple which is not that much to be amazed of after a bit. Whereas Galen is examining the place, the other Jedi stood, hands behind his back, face pointed towards her, listening to the discussion. It still surprised her to see how much he has grown up instead of being a teenager with needs and wants.

"Given the circumstances, Senator, you know it was the only decision her Highness could have made," Sio Bibble stated in defense of her highness, entering the conversation, being her faithful Governor, and agreeing with the decision of Padmé's protection.

Quite frankly, the Sith Lord from behind them cannot blame them for their decisions and wishes to keep Amidala safe. Ever since her assassination attempts, the Separatists have increased getting allies and they'd wanted Padmé off of Coruscant so Sidious can get more power. While part of Vader had wanted to manipulate the Senate into giving emergency powers to Padmé to save the galaxy, Palpatine would've continued to send assassins after her until she's dead and more people will be killed or getting hurt.

"How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the Separatists?" The Queen of Naboo asked shamefully, seeming to be at a loss for so many systems joining a corrupted cause that will eventually begin a war that the Republic hasn't faced for many years.

"About two hundred. And more are leaving the Republic every day. If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into a civil war." Padmé declared, disliking the thought of creating a Clone Army that will thus begin a war that can last for many years to come like the Mandalorian Wars did thousands of years ago which the Republic is still recovering from partly 'till this day.

"It's unthinkable! There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic!" Sio Bibble exclaimed, clearly not pleased at the thought of a peacekeeping system going down a path of war.

"It's showing the Republic is going down a very dark path with its leaders not saving other people across the galaxy. They cannot come to negotiations and talk with the Separatists. While the Separatists are driving systems to their cause, there is still a chance for the galaxy before both parties destroyed their systems and the entire galaxy. In war, no one ever wins and the people that will be controlling this war won't stop until everyone's dead." Vader's voice boomed, causing each of them to turn to him and the three nodding in his direction, seeing that Vader spoken truth.

"The Jedi's right. How can we even stop a war without the leaders to discuss peace treaties and them willing to act?" Sio asked, furrowing his brows at the Jedi, surprised to see one who doesn't seem to be clouded like others in the Order.

"Do you see any way, through negotiations, to bring the separatists back into the Republic?" The Queen questioned anxiously, wanting to bring back peace instead of heading to a war that might destroy the Republic and Jedi Order's image. Even if the Republic gets an army to be victorious in a war, the Republic shall be changed forever and will need a lot of rebuilding. That is the consequences of war.

"Not if they feel threatened. The separatists don't have an army, but if they are provoked, they will move to defend themselves. I'm sure of that. And with no time or money to build an army, my guess is they will turn to the Commerce Guilds or the Trade Federation for help." Padmé explained, sighing sadly, due to her voice not being heard by the Republic.

She's even beginning to doubt Chancellor Palpatine's leadership with this much stress and wondered if she had made an enormous mistake in allowing him to take the role of Chancellor. However, she still sees him as the kind, grandfather, image that Padmé has grown to accept Palpatine for so she will continue to defend him.

The Queen didn't look all too thrilled, "The armies of commerce! Why has nothing been done in the Senate to restrain them?" The Queen demanded, knowing that war cannot be prevented in any way unless action is taken.

Padmé tilted her head to the side ever-so-slightly, hoping that she will give her the rightful excuse instead of lies and propaganda out of her loyalty to the Republic, "I'm afraid that, despite the Chancellor's best efforts, there are still many bureaucrats, judges, and even Senators on the payrolls of the Guilds."

"It's outrageous! After all of those hearings, and the four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Do those money mongers control everything?" Sio snarled furiously, allowing the stress of recent events to take control of him because the Senate is growing even more corrupted in that Republic.

"Remember, Counsellor, the courts were able to reduce the Federation's armies. That's a move in the right direction." The Queen reprimanded, seeming to accept Padmé's excuse as to why they aren't moving as swiftly.

"There are rumors, Your Highness, that the Federation Army was not reduced as they were ordered," Padmé informed her, hoping beyond hope that those rumors aren't true. The Senate needs to act quickly before many lives will be lost because of their arrogance and inefficient to act.

"The Jedi have not been allowed to investigate. It would prove to be too dangerous for the economy, we were told." Anakin added to Padmé's statement, disagreeing with the latest choices that the Council was making. Anakin knows that the Council is starting to get too involved with the Senate which is why Order 66 caught them all off guard easily. The Council should've participated in the war, but they should not get involved with the Senate's affairs.

"We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it." Jamillia declared, clinging onto the hope that if even war comes, democracy will be victorious in the end.

"Let's pray that day never comes," Padme agreed gravely, staring at her Highness with a sympathetic look, not even able to imagine the Republic that she had served with for so long becoming so dark and something that it will be a mere shadow of what it once was. Hopefully, Chancellor Palpatine will do what he can to prevent evil to take over and not allow the Republic to crumbled under his leadership.

From behind her, Vader stiffened out of indignation, thinking about how the Senate will completely be in ruins 22 years from now. Maybe Vader can prevent the Senate from crashing down upon them and not allow Sidious, Tarkin, and men like him, to live so long to be one of the fiercest men in the galaxy. He wouldn't be the same Darth Vader that people would fear, hate, and bowed to upon every corner with the addition of his own men thinking he was a complete monster without empathy or without a heart. Vader hated himself each day for what he'd allowed happening to the galaxy, to himself, and letting those greedy followers of Palpatine live without standing up towards the Empire. In the end, Vader had saved the galaxy, but to what cost?

In the meantime, we must consider your own safety," the Queen pronounced, motioning to Sio who signals to the others with one flick of his hand. All the other Advisors and attendants bow and leave the room.

"What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?" Sio queried, talking mainly towards Anakin then Kento since Anakin has proven to be on their side and understands at least a little bit about going to war. They needed Jedi on their side that understands about going to war instead of blindly following the Republic and their Order's wishes.

Before Kento could have replied, Anakin came up with a response, "It is not our homeworld, Governor, it's Senator Amidala's. Whatever her suggestion is, it doesn't have an impact on us. However, my recommendation is that Senator Amidala should stay in the Lake Country where she would be isolated and safer. With this bounty hunter going around, my companion and I can assist her with her needs. If this bounty hunter is foolish enough to come here and go to the Lake Country, they will be restrained and I think they're intelligent enough to know that."

Padmé, Jamillia, and Sio seemed shocked since the Padawan was right about her being safer in insolation but having a surrounding that not many can reach without being unnoticed. Despite him apparently being very young, he seems to have years of experience towards these types of situations.

She nodded out of agreement towards Anakin, "I was thinking much of the same. There are some places up there that are very isolated."

Kento seems to be grumbling something, likely wanting to do some action and testing his abilities instead of guarding the senator while they're away on Naboo. While Kento wanted to go onto a mission, fighting in physical combat is something he was born to do. The glare from Anakin immediately shut him up.

After moments of silence, Anakin wondered what he should say next because things seem to be going faster.

"After packing in your safehouse, we shall escort you to reunite you with your family. After all, it is your home planet and you should see them again," Anakin declared, knowing how much that would mean to her since she hasn't seen her parents much, remembering when he'd meant those kind people for the first time. Not many times do you run into wealthy people who don't treat those under them like garbage, inwardly reminding him of Darth Sidious and Tarkin and all of those damn slimes who'd forced the poor to suffer.

In reality, Anakin would rather be planning for what to do with the 501st, 212th, 184th, and the other clone battalions by the time of the Clone Wars instead of being on a beautiful planet and doing nothing to prevent Palpatine's plan yet. However, Anakin is determined to not allow him to rule the galaxy. Sidious may have an Empire but it will not be as strong as it was originally.

Obi-Wan made way to his direction slowly but he's already used to doing events at a slower pace, remembering the years on Tatooine where he would suffer in self-pity, reflecting over all his friends and family that he had lost.

All Kenobi did for years was think and reflect instead of being in action and able to exploit his power to stop people from suffering and torturing under the Emperor's rule. He had to force himself to be useless and pathetic, the Lars looking on him as a dangerous, old, hermit in the desert. The civilians looking at him like he was a pitiful outcast because his eyes that had lost everything.

As he had called back to Tatooine, Obi-Wan remembered everything he has done and allowed the pain to pass through Anakin.

The first thing Obi-Wan did when he arrived on Tatooine was visited Shmi Skywalker's grave. There, he reflected on the role he played in keeping Anakin away from his mother, who was still a slave when they left Tatooine with The Chosen One.

Even though he has to keep his distance, he gets attached to the boy and helps make his life more comfortable with secret gifts; he pushes the Force to aid Luke when he's racing with his friends and buys him the spare parts to repair his sky hopper.

He had to back off when Owen Lars visited him, asking not-so-politely to stay out of his family's affairs. Although Owen had a point, he was still happy to be saved by Obi-Wan when Jabba the Hutt's minions kidnapped him.

Tatooine's dry climate got even dryer shortly after Obi-Wan's arrival. Jabba the Hutt tried to capitalize on the moisture crisis and sent out thugs to collect "water taxes," which ruined many a moisture farmer and tested Obi-Wan's resolve to keep his Jedi identity a secret.

However, he couldn't always help himself, particularly in his early years. He notably used two Jedi mind tricks on Jabba's collectors: One to ensure that their shots always missed their targets and another to keep them far away from the Lars and Luke's farm - small mercy that even grumpy Owen is grateful for.

Obi-Wan then remembered the two years before training Luke where Darth Maul would've revealed himself. Strangely, the Jedi had thought the Zabrak had died either by Order 66 when he was captured by Ahsoka or was located by the Empire and killed. As much as Obi-Wan wanted to avoid conflict and not commit to killing him, Maul considered Kenobi his true nemesis, and he sought him out in the Tatooine, desperate to find him and end his life, blaming him for the outcomes of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire, hating him as much as Vader attempted to.

With Maul still out there, Obi-Wan had to refrain from using his senses to track Maul down and end the Zabrak to prevent Satine from death since there is no way possible that she'll ever abandon her people on Mandalore. Although Obi-Wan was no longer purely light because the dark side will be needed to defeat Sidious, the Jedi instincts in him told him that he cannot end Maul.

The Zabrak still had a role.

Despite ending his suffering might be mercy instead of a sin, Obi-Wan knew that the Zabrak's fate rests in the Force and that it was not his decision to decide what's one fate can be.

Besides, Vader is one of the most powerful users in the galaxy and can probably save Satine from Maul, preventing the Zabrak from killing her. However, if Vader had wanted to end Maul, he would have done it already. That means he must see that Maul has some role through the Force. Vader was trained to be the strongest lightsaber combat and using the Force. He has accomplished balance, however, the Jedi still gives him a sour taste, meaning that Vader is completely not able to forgive them.

Putting those thoughts aside, the Jedi had finally arrived at Kamino at a slower pace, descending on the planet and thinking about Commander Cody. He'd wondered if his control chip ever wore off and if he had allowed the remorse to burn-in and seeing what the Republic had become. He had wished that he was able to capture the clone and remove his chip, however, everything happened so fast during that time.

He will be sure to ask Vader later about Cody's fate since he will probably know.

As Obi-Wan landed on the landing pad, it took years of meditation and being one with the Force to prevent him from charging in the facility and slaying the Kaminoans because of their assistance in causing Order 66 and allowing many lives to be taken away so they can get nothing but wealth. They'd knew about Order 66 and yet they had stood by and allowed it to happen to get riches from Darth Sidious.

Obi-Wan ascended from his seat, raised his hood, and begins walking towards the facility, sighing to himself as he recalled their last conversation and knowing that he will have to repeat it.

"Here we go again," Obi-Wan uttered irritably, sensing the greed from the Kaminoan fresher then the last time which made him extremely outrage and furious, however, he had enough self-control to not strike out and kill the Kaminoans. That is something that the younger and less mature version of himself would have done, but Obi-Wan knew that wouldn't be good on his part. He knew Anakin would make the same decision right now; his brother had enough self-control after witnessing the dark side and seeing what happens to those who go down the dark side and allow the emotion to control an individual but not being a completely selfless being.

Arthur's note: I was going to continue this chapter but decided that there's been enough and will have Anakin and Padmé getting to know each other in a more mature way.

When I was writing this story, I was on the verge of attempting to have this be my first M Star Wars story by adding 'scenes' but decided not to because I don't want to make most of you feel uncomfortable. If you all want something like that, feel free to tell me, but I'm staying in the T for now until I feel it's right to change.