Ani - An ftm star wars clone wars au

Chapter 4- Senator

Warning- Deadnaming
Written by Sam

Anakin and Obi-Wan were making their way through the temple, many knights and masters whom they passed gave the younger a gentle smile, it was common knowledge if someone went into the infirmary. They were all glad to see him out of bed, the older, more wiser Jedi giving him knowing looks, as if they could feel the feelings of peace and harmony he exuded.

Entering the council chambers, the men were greeted by masters Yoda, Kloon, and Windu. The remaining council members aside from Obi-Wan himself were off world, leading investigations of separatist activity.
"Padawan Skywalker," began the cool and collected voice of Mace Windu.
"Much progress, you have made," continued Yoda.
"We believe you are ready to be sent on your first mission without your master's oversight." Finished master Luminara Unduli, with a slight smile on her face.

Anakin got quite excited, but then regained his composure, and looked to his master for confirmation, all within the span of a few seconds. Obi-Wan just nodded, and turned to him,
"Anakin, if you truly believe that your experience in the force was your first trial, then I do believe this will be your second. You are to protect Senator Amidala whilst she travels to Naboo to meet with the Queen."
"I thought padm- I mean lady Amidala, was queen master."
"You forget your readings young one, remember that the Nubian people elect their queen. She may have been queen when we met her ten years ago, but she has since completed her term and now serves as senator in the Republic." Obi-Wan reminded the boy, almost scolding, but still with an affectionate, nurturing tone to the words. It was important for members of the council, especially those with padawans to know how to communicate. For Kenobi, this meant that he wouldn't raise his voice or physically reprimand Anakin, he didn't want the boy to retreat into himself as he did three years prior. His own master was similar, always teaching Obi-Wan a lesson, rather than punishing him, if he made a mistake.
"Leave tomorrow you shall, at the senate building, meet senator Amidala, will you." Yoda concluded, a knowing look, glinting like the city at night, in his eye.
"Thank you masters, and may the force be with you." Anakin gave the appropriate response, bowing in respect, Obi-Wan and the other masters simply bowed back, and the two men left the chamber.

As the two walked back to their room, Anakin began to get nervous, he remembered having a big crush on Padmé as a child, he asked if she was an angel, like those of the moons of Iego. But that was then, he was so much different now, he was a he for crying out loud! How would she react? Would she recognised him? Would she shun him? Deny him? Hate him?
A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts, he realised that he was back in his living room, and Obi-Wan was presenting him dinner.
"You know you don't have to be nervous, the ideals regarding gender on Naboo are quite open. She won't hate you, and yes, before you ask, I could hear your anxious thinking since we left the council chamber."
He placed the food in the younger boys lap and put a knife and fork into one of his hands, before turning to collect his own meal. "Eat," he continued, "you haven't eaten since the night before you went into medical."
This made Anakin smile, only realising how hungry he was once the food was presented, but he was smiling because he knew Obi-Wan cared. Obi-Wan was his brother, he loved him, and Anakin loved him back.

----x----

The next morning Anakin was up early. Earlier than he had ever been excluding the times when his master would drag him out of bed for a lesson or ceremony. He was ready to leave by 0700, even though he was meeting the senator at 0930. The boy was anxious, but who could blame him? He was meeting a very old friend who didn't know about his transition, he just wanted to meet her and get it over with. The anticipation was the hardest part, for him and Obi-Wan, who just looked at the boy and sighed.
"You do know those trousers are on inside out, don't you padawan?"
This made Anakin blush and run to his room, a moment later a thud, then a call of 'I'm okay,' and some shuffling. Once the boy emerged from his room, he turned to his master, "better?"
"Yes, much, but come over here and let me put some bacta on your cheek, it'll swell otherwise. And you don't want to look bad when you meet Padmé again, do you?"
Anakin mumbled in agreement, Obi-Wan was mimicking his tone when he taunted him about the duchess a few days prior, and he was not happy about it.

It was fifteen minutes past nine, and the two Jedi were outside the senate, when they saw a small congregation approach them. At the centre was senator Amidala, and Anakin's heart skipped a beat, she was beautiful, and distracting. This lead Obi-Wan to gentle nudge his arm, reminding him why they were there.
"Senator Amidala, it's a pleasure to meet you once again," began the ever polite master Kenobi, "this is my padawan-"
"Ani?" interupted the woman.
"It is I, my lady."
"My goodness, you've grown so much, you look so different, I'm not quite sure what to say..."
Anakin began to get unsettled, but kept himself in line, regardless of the ever growing desire to run a mile to the under city. He simply looked at the senator, her followers, and his master, asking,
"May we continue this discussion in private, my lady?"
"Of course, I'm sorry, my ship is over there." Padmé gestures to a silver Nubian ship, and they began to make their way over.
"I shall be heading back to the temple now, then to one of the middle rim planets in the evening. I will see you when I do, young padawan." Bowing his head, one fist to his flat palm, Obi-Wan then began to walk away once Anakin reciprocated the act.

Once on the ship, Padmé began, "Ani, Annabelle"
Getting cut off herself this time, the only thing said was "Anakin, my name is Anakin."
With that Padmé started to piece together what she had missed in the last decade, starting again, "So, Anakin, tell me, how have you been?"