Of Love and War Book 1: Dawn of a New Life

Chapter 1: Zelina Du'ahn

Quick Author's Note Before I Have Any Complaints:

This story is not a new story I've just started.  This is a series that I've posted several books of on Fanfiction.net that I'm transferring over to Wattpad.  It's only just now getting transferred because I now have a Beta Reader going over this story, and as I get the chapters back from them I'm going through the chapters again and I will post the edited chapters up here when I can.  School is going to be starting up soon again so I will probably be far too busy for regular updates until the summer, though if I have time you may still get chapters from stories that just need editing done (This one, The Past Meets the Future, and Binary Skies) and if you're lucky, a brand new chapter for other stories.  Then we'll just have to see where my attention goes.  I have no intention of abandoning anything.

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"Ani!"

Zelina Du'ahn was crouched behind some of the rusty droids in old Watto's shop, trying to keep out of the Toydarian's view. In her tiny hand she clutched a pod piece, taking great care to keep it more out of sight than even herself.

Anakin Skywalker's head swiveled in her direction, his attention pulled from the fan switches he was cleaning. A big grin danced across his face when he saw her, his eyes darting towards both doors to make sure the coast was clear before he made his way over to her.

"Zee! What're you doing here?" he asked, though the answer was obvious. Why else would she risk getting caught by Watto lurking in the shop again?

"I managed to swipe this," Zelina said, pulling the piece into Anakin's view. "I thought it might be something you could use on that secret project of yours."

Anakin smirked at her as he took the piece, examining it top to bottom. "An energy binder! I could use this. I'd tell you what for, but I know you won't know what I'm talking about."

She shook her head, now smiling herself. "No, no I wouldn't. I just thought this looked a little like that piece you were saying you needed."

"Where'd you get it?" Anakin asked, tucking it away safely where no one would notice.

"Oh, I was walking along and just happened across it..." Zelina said vaguely.

Anakin frowned. "I don't think that's what happened."

Suddenly she became very sheepish. "I...might have swiped it from Sebulba when he wasn't looking..."

"You what?" Anakin hissed. "Are you crazy? Sebulba's dangerous, why would you go asking for trouble with him!"

She shrugged before becoming defensive. "It's not like he needs it. Besides, he can afford to replace it. You need it more, Ani..." Zelina said quietly.

The two children heard Watto calling for Anakin, which immediately signaled the end of the conversation. "You better get out of here before Watto sees you. You know you won't get off easy like you did last time!" Anakin warned.

Zelina grinned. She had gained a reputation for swiping parts, and one day when she had been lurking in the store to try and talk to Anakin about something Watto had spotted her, thinking she was trying to steal parts. She'd been forbidden to ever walk in the store again, and what would happen if she did had been left to the imagination. Though she wasn't worried at all. Her own master was much scarier than Watto.

"You know me Ani, I'm too smart to get caught," she chuckled.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "See you!" he whispered before he scuttled away out of the room.