|| Uninvited || An Anakin Skywalker Story

Chapter Two

Finally, the last of the Jedi cleared the dining hall and we got to work clearing up after them and setting up for breakfast the next morning. It was quick, easy work and an hour later we were released by Glynn to return back to our living corridors. I spotted Payto in the distance and made my way towards him.

"I had the weirdest interaction with Anakin Skywalker." I said in a hushed tone as I rushed up beside him.

"Ooh, do tell." He said in a curious tone.

"Well not really weird....he was just kind of a dick to me." I admitted.

"Are you surprised?" Payto snorted, "He's not known to be Mr. Sunshine and Rainbows."

"I know," I rolled my eyes, "But I accidentally touched him, and you would have thought I shot him with a blaster." This caused Payto to chuckle next to me.

"Didn't quite feel the sparks you were hoping for, huh?" He smirked. I swatted his arm in response. Payto was the first, and maybe only one to notice the special interest I took in Anakin. He was constantly teasing me about my unrequited "crush."

"I don't know...the way he looked at me. Like he was really seeing me for the first time. It was weird." I said quietly. I looked up at Payto whose expression softened.

"Kels, you know you don't need the approval or attention of any stuck-up Jedi, right?"

"I know, I know," I brushed him off. "It was just different than usual, you know?"

"One day," Payto started and linked his arm with mine, "we will be out of here on our own adventure. Forget them."

"We better be." I replied with a smile.

We walked arm and arm back to our living quarters scheming about our future plans and adventures. And although it was fun to imagine, I knew we both couldn't quite shake the fear that our dreams may never come to fruition.

I laid in bed that night staring up at the stone ceiling. I had been tossing and turning for hours and couldn't seem to fall asleep. I sighed as I sat up and swung my feet onto the ground. I padded my way over to my small kitchenette and poured myself a glass of water. Leaning against the counter I took in my small room. It had all the basics; a bed, a table with chairs, a wardrobe, a bathroom and the basic kitchen essentials. It was small, but it was comfortable, and it was mine. I glanced at the clock, it read 3:21 am. I groaned knowing I would be exhausted tomorrow. But my interaction with Anakin mixed with my nerves about checking out the underground club kept my mind racing.

I decided it was no better time than to do one of my favorite things, explore. I absolutely loved roaming the temple in the night hours. With very few people around I was able to wander, unnoticed and unquestioned. I quickly threw on a cloak and crept out of my small living space.

I took the familiar twists and turns and ended up in the center of the temple. I let out a soft breath and looked in both directions, deciding where to go next. I heard a small commotion coming from the hallway to my right. The training rooms. I smiled softly and decided to go see what was going on.

I hugged the walls and kept close to the shadows, making sure I would be easy to miss if I come across anyone. This is a part of the temple that I was rarely allowed to venture into. Purely because there was never a reason for me to be there. Glynn's training didn't exactly include fighting basics and drills. As I grew closer to the training wing, I noticed candle light pouring out from one of the rooms. I quietly made my way over and pressed my back into the wall next to the entrance of the lit-up room. I held my breath and focused on listening.

"You just need practice. You'll have to relearn how to fight with your new hand." I heard the familiar voice of Obi-Wan say. I heard something being thrown across the room in response.

"It's no use." I immediately recognized Anakin Skywalker's voice. I froze. Torn between getting the hell out of there and lingering to hear more.

"Practice, Anakin. Practice." Obi-Wan repeated in a calm voice.

"How am I going to be able to lead my battalion like this?" I heard Anakin ask in a voice with surprising softness.

"Well, that's why we're here." Obi-Wan replied. I heard Anakin sigh. I took this as a chance to creep closer to the wide door of the practice room. I thanked the stars for the shadows casted by the candlelight that allowed me to ever so slightly peer into the room without being noticed.

There I saw Obi-Wan casually roll up his sleeves and motion to Anakin to step forward. Anakin gave him a tired look and wiped sweat off his brow. Eventually he stepped up to join Obi-Wan on the padded fighting mat.

"I'm not going to go easy on you." Obi-Wan stated. Anakin just scoffed and held up his hands to signal his readiness. I watched as they slowly circled each other. Suddenly Obi-Wan struck out at Anakin with his fist. Anakin easily blocked the attack and spun to avoid Obi-Wan's second blow. Even in the candlelight I could see a cocky expression form on Anakin's face. And just as quickly, Obi-Wan shot out a third hit which landed right on Anakin's gloved arm. I heard Anakin cry out in pain and in an instant Obi-Wan had Anakin's arm twisted around his back in victory.

"That was a cheap shot, Master." Anakin growled as Obi-Wan released him. Anakin shook out his arm and then held it close to his body, clearly in pain.

I had heard rumors about how Anakin Skywalker lost his arm. Even since returned from his previous mission with a gloved arm and clearly robotic hand. Everyone has their own theories. But regardless of how it happened, it looked like what was left of his arm was in a lot of pain still.

"For the time being, your arm will be a point of weakness. You must learn to defend it and not allow others to exploit it." Obi-Wan said matter-of-factly. Anakin mumbled something unintelligible in response.

"The council will be sending you on smaller-scale missions here on Coruscant to help you regain your bearings." I heard Obi-Wan say, this earned a groaned from Anakin. I watched as they squared up again, readying for the next round of sparring. Just as they were about to begin, I saw Anakin's head snap in the direction of the door, my direction.

Panic immediately infiltrated my body as I flattened myself against the wall out of view. I held my breath as I slowly started take steps further down the hall, keeping close to the wall.

"Are you sensing that?" I heard Anakin ask. I didn't stick around to hear Obi-Wan's answer as I quickened my pace and disappeared down the hallways as stealthily as I could.

My heart didn't stop racing until I was safe back in my living corridor. I tossed my cloak onto a chair and jumped back into bed, forcing myself to take deep breaths. Once I had calmed down, I couldn't help but smile. It know it doesn't seem like much, but these little thrills of almost being caught wandering at night are what keeps my life somewhat exciting. It breaks up the monotony that is my every day.

I rolled over and pulled my blanket close to my chin, allowing my eyes to finally close. 

I had never seen even a glimmer of weakness from Anakin Skywalker before. Even as a padawan, he made a reputation for himself as being strong and advanced beyond his years. I had grown accustomed to hearing about his accoladed on the battlefield and beyond. He was probably the best Jedi in this entire temple...he might even give Master Yoda a run for his money one day. But after tonight, I felt like I was exposed to a side of him others rarely saw. Which both excited me and wracked me with guilt, because I was not invited to see this part of him.

I eventually fell asleep with visions of Anakin's candle-lit face swirling around my mind.