Brotherhood

Prologue

Author's Note: This fanfic was inspired when I was wondering one day what would have happened if Anakin had been rejected by the Council and adopted by Palpatine. Despite how dark this story will be, I hope you enjoy it anyways. :P

The fanfic was originally going to be about what happens when a Jedi and Sith are imprisoned together, unable to kill each other, but I had no idea where that was going, so I restructured the entire thing and ended up with this. And I love this version so much more. Lol.

~ Amina Gila

"– Because, if you are not willing to accept him, I would like to adopt him," Sidious finishes, smiling lightly at the two Jedi Masters.

They exchange glances, and a shift in the Force hints to a private communication. "Actually," murmurs Windu thoughtfully, "That would be perfect. If you take him then we do not need to fear the Sith laying ahold of him. We would be grateful."

Through sheer force of will, Sidious holds back his glee and elation. "So, it is settled then," he states firmly, beaming at the pair. "I am most grateful, Master Jedi. The boy is safe with me." More grateful than you will ever know.

**w**

"Train the boy, you will not," Yoda declares with finality, "Adopted by the Chancellor, he has been."

"How can you do that?" demands Obi-Wan his voice slowly increasing in volume, tone bordering on impudent. "He is the future, the Chosen One. How can you be willing to waste his potential?" His carefully crafted patience spirals out of control. He's always struggled with his temper, but some things tend to anger him far more than others.

"Control yourself you must," Yoda reprimands, frowning, "Too old and too dangerous to be trained he is. Safe with the Chancellor he will be."

"But I promised Qui-Gon!" cries Obi-Wan, "You can't make me break my promise to him!" Outrage simmers just below the surface. He can't explain why, but he has a very bad feeling about the new arrangement.

"Promised you should not have," Yoda reproves, "Trained he will not be." With those words, the Grandmaster turns and leaves the room.

Obi-Wan suppresses the urge to scream or hit something. Neither are exactly traits of a Jedi Knight. Silently, he vows to do whatever he must – even leave the Order – if it means he'll be able to fulfill his promise.

**w**

Darkness pervades the area, filling every crack like glue. It encompasses Obi-Wan's surroundings like a blanket. "This is what you've done." Qui-Gon's voice breaks through the silence though it's not accusing.

"I –" his reply is cut off as the darkness seems to choke him. Something is wrong. Very wrong. And he doesn't know what. he swallows, throat suddenly dry, stepping further into the dark. He wants to answer Qui-Gon. This isn't my fault. It wasn't me. It was the Council. He doesn't know how he knows; he just does.

The darkness seems to fade then. A pale glow lighting up his path. He follows it hesitatingly, unknowing what he'll find. A child's whimper draws his attention, and he turns to see Anakin sitting on the ground, curled into a ball. It's almost as though the dark is snaking around him and trying to smother his... light. A closer look reveals that the light is emanating from Anakin.

"Help... help me." He can barely hear the child's whispered plea, but the desperation is impossible to miss.

Obi-Wan moves closer, crouching down next to him. Before he can open his mouth, a blinding light flares and everything begins to fade. "You will always be stronger together," a voice that sounds almost like Qui-Gon, but can't be him, echoes around them.

Obi-Wan jerks awake, heart pounding. He has no idea what that was, but it was no ordinary dream. It was more like... a vision. For some reason, that scares him far more than it should.

**w**

Despite the festivities all around, Obi-Wan can't help but feel an aching sense of loss. It's almost – almost as though the Force itself is unhappy. He can practically feel the wheels of Fate turning around him. He sighs quietly, eyes flitting towards Anakin. Even from here, he can sense the boy is upset. Trying not to be too conspicuous, he slips through the assembled until he reaches him.

"I'm sorry, Anakin," he whispers, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I want to train you, but the Council won't let me."

Anakin looks up at him, frowning. "'S okay," he replies, "'S not your fault."

"I wasn't very nice to you when we met," Obi-Wan adds, "And for that, I am also sorry."

Now, the boy smiles faintly. "It's fine," he murmurs, and Obi-Wan hopes that means he's forgiven. As they stand there, side by side, Obi-Wan feels the Force flare up around them, so gently he almost misses it. When he reaches out, the discovery floors him. For whatever reason, the Force initiated a bond between them, so faint it's almost nonexistent, but he can distinctly feel Anakin's presence much more strongly.

He finds himself being reminded of the dream he had the previous night, and he thinks he perhaps understands. He and Anakin are destined to be together, and Obi-Wan vows not to give up until he succeeds in bringing Anakin back to him. It will take time – no doubt about that – but he intends to train the boy, come what may.