Child of War

Anger

"Master." Jarris stuttered. "I didn't see you there."

"Obviously." He answered.

"How long were you..." he started.

"Long enough." He stated bluntly.

Jarris hung his head, ashamed that he had been talking about his master behind his back. Finally, he worked up the courage to ask. "So... you really think I'm ready for the Trials?"

Master Windu crossed his arms. "Yes, but I don't think now is the best time to face them."

"Why not?" Jarris prodded.

Master Windu sighed. "The war is escalating rapidly. Right now that is where our focus should be, not on your Trials."

"But Master..." Jarris protested.

Master Windu gave him a hard stare that silenced any argument. "I sense this war is nearing its end. When we have finished this battle, then you can face your Trials." He turned and walked out of the room.

Jarris stood beside me, crestfallen.

"Hey," I tried, "I know it's not the answer you wanted, but... it's better than the alternative."

"Yeah." He sounded a bit bitter.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know, I wouldn't have faced the Trials if I had had any say in the matter. It wasn't my decision."

"I know." He assured. "I'm not angry at you. I'm not angry at anyone really."

"Could've fooled me," I hugged my arms around my abdomen, "and I'm a Jedi."

"Don't worry about me." He held. "I'll be fine."

I smirked. "You'd better be."
————
I saw Anakin walking down the hall towards me. I had't seen him in a while. Apparently, he had been assigned to protect the Chancellor.
I approached him, my smile fading when I saw his serious expression. I furrowed my brow as I sensed his frustration. "Anakin, what's wrong?"

He flinched as he noticed me. "Lianna. It's... nothing."

I crossed my arms. "Yeah, right. That's why you're moping around the corridors."

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm not moping."

"Of course not." I agreed with a smirk. We stood in silence for a moment. "So," I urged, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

He shook his head. "Fine. I don't think the Council trusts me."

"What makes you say that?"

He sighed. "They allowed me to join the Council without making me a Master. And..." he didn't finish his thought.

"And..." I prompted.

He glared at the floor. "They asked me to spy on the Chancellor."

I almost laughed. "Really? Why would they do that?"

Anakin met my gaze. "They don't trust him to relinquish his emergency power when the war is over."

I sighed. "Well, that's the thing about power, once you have it, you just want more." I stared out the window at the bustling city. "No one is immune to greed, not even the Jedi, but we at least resist it." I faced him. "You should be honored that they gave you a seat on the Council at all. I think youngest council-member one-ups youngest Jedi Knight."

He chuckled.

"Trust the Council, Anakin. At least, trust Obi wan." I pleaded. "We're at war and they have to make a lot of decisions - hard decisions. War is never easy or comfortable."

"But spying on the Chancellor is treason." He protested. "He's innocent."

"Then I'm sure your time watching him will prove it." I held. "Please, Anakin."

He didn't say anything. He just nodded before walking away.

I sighed. This was a hard time for all of us, especially Anakin.

A/N
We did it!!!! This story reached 10k reads as of yesterday. Thank you all for the support. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. I appreciate you all.
-Cheshire