The Guardian's Path

Chapter 5 - Seeking Aid

Ani can feel Anakin's regret curl around him, even as the elder wraps the Force around him soothingly. He doesn't say anything though, for which Ani is grateful. He doubts that there's anyone or anything which could make him feel better except his father. His father who the Jedi just arrested simply for protecting him. It doesn't make sense, and it contradicts everything which he's ever heard and thought about the Jedi. Why? Why did they do this?

Beneath the regret lies pain, and Ani isn't sure where his ends and Anakin's begins. It's as if they're caught in a loop, the pain they're each sensing and feeling feeding into the other. He keeps his face buried into Anakin's shoulder, crying quietly, hands clenched in the elder's robes. Anakin's protectiveness and anger are radiating strongly in the Force.

"We'll figure something out, Ani," Anakin whispers finally, shifting him. His prosthetic is wrapped tightly around Ani, allowing him to better hold the younger in his arms. Ani lifts his head slightly to see where they are. They're entering a cabin now, not the same one that Ani and his father were sharing though.

The Togruta from yesterday, Ahsoka, is here too. She enters the room, letting the door close behind them. Ani feels Anakin sit down on a chair and raises his head from the Jedi's shoulder, meeting the bright blue eyes, identical to his own, which are filled with pain. Perhaps Ani should be jealous of the strong bond which Anakin formed with his – their? – father so soon after meeting him, but he's not. He knows that their father cares about both of them equally, even if differently. Whatever burden Anakin has been, and still is, carrying, it's one which he's had for a long time, and it's apparently one which he's never shared.

"I thought the Jedi were good." Ani's voice is quiet, and he's well aware of how much emotion is audible.

"They are," Anakin replies, even as the Force whispers that he's not being entirely honest. "The Council's actions are definitely questionable in this situation, and I do not agree with them." His gaze flickers past Ani, probably falling on Ahsoka, before he looks back at him.

"But... why?" Ani asks quietly. As if sensing the pain spearing through him, Anakin pulls him nearer, holding him tightly. He snuggles closer, readily accepting the comfort, though it's not the kind he really wants right now. Ever since the Sith captured him on Naboo, ever since he escaped, his father has always been the one constant presence. He's been the one who's helped him, who's comforted him when he has nightmares – almost every night – from his time with Plagueis. He shies away from the memories, forcing himself to focus on Anakin's presence, warm and fierce and bright. It feels like his own, and it's not the one he needs.

Maybe it's childish to cry, but he can't help it. It's terrifying to be apart from his father like this, and he doesn't know what to do. He feels... lost. None of this makes sense. He recalls, vaguely, how the Force had screamed as the Sith had ripped open a wormhole, how he'd thrown up a Force shield to protect both of them, even if he hadn't known what he was doing. He'd shaken loose Sidious' grip, and he knew, in that moment, that everyone was probably going to die. Something happened. Something shifted, and the next thing he knew, both of them were in a different reality altogether.

"I don't know," Anakin sighs, looking as if he's struggling not to break down himself. "I don't know, Ani."

There's a heavy silence which settles over them, broken only when Ahsoka hesitantly approaches. "What will we do now?" she questions. She's subdued, and Ani gets the feeling that she isn't usually like that.

"What I want to do is storm the Council and demand that they release Custos," Anakin replies. Ani sinks into his embrace, refusing to let the elder go. He doesn't think he could handle being left without an anchor right now. "However, that's not really an option, so we'll have to find someone else who can help."