The Apprentice

Through the Force

After the search for the rogue trooper, Anakin and Miri were sent on a few short runs to check on planets under the Jedi's watch. Miri has been so excited to start her time as a padawan especially next to Anakin. However now things seem cloudy; and her feelings don't match up well with what she was taught as a Jedi. Anakin had been quiet all morning, which wasn't like him.

The ship touched down in hangar three, and Miri could sense anticipation within her master. She looked up at him as they stood waiting for the ramp to lower. "Master," she started. "Yes young one?" He looked down at her out of the corner of his eye. "I sense unease in you," she said concerned for him. He chuckled. "You are wise," he said with a smirk. The ramp lowered and the two stepped out together. Just outside of the ship stood senator Amidala who held a warm smile. Miri had met the senator a handful of times, but she didn't know her as well as Ahsoka did.

"Hello senator," Anakin said as he approached her. "Hello master skywalker," they smiled and turned to walk away together. Miri watched as they walk away, they seemed to be very close friends. Miri walked herself back to her room, and awaited further instruction. After a few hours of no communication, she decided to go on a walk through the temple to clear her mind. She walked past many windows and many doors, all quiet inside. Most were off training or meditating. She got lost in her thoughts when she walked past another door, but this one had voices inside. At first it was that of Anakin, but as she continued past the door she heard a woman. Miri stopped and closed her eyes to try and feel who was in there. It's senator Amidala, she thought to herself. She knew her and Anakin were close and that he had been assigned to protect her, but what political business would she have with him in his chambers? Keep walking, she thought, and she scurried around a nearby corner just as the door opened. She leaned her head back against the wall and took a deep breath. That was close. She felt a chill run down her spine as she turned the corner to leave- but alas she had been found out. "Miri," Anakin questioned as they nearly walked into each other. "Master skywalker," she scratched the back of her head and faked a smile. "And what might you be doing on this side of the temple?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. She shrugged, "I was merely going on a walk," well that's how it started, but technically she wasn't lying to him. He smirked. "I sense unease in you," he said as he crossed his arms jokingly. Miri patted his shoulder "and you are wise," she smiled and walked around him. "Where do you think you're going, young one?" He called after her. She shrugged and continued walking. "Not sure, I haven't heard from my master all day," she called back as she waltzed down the hall.

Anakin shook his head and walked back to his room where Padme was standing in the door with a smile. "She reminds me of someone," Padme said as he followed her down the hall. "Yeah," his voice quiet as he thought of his former padawan. Padme looked up at Anakin as they walked through the temple halls. "You can't hold yourself accountable for Ahsoka's leaving," she tried to reassure him. He frowned. "I tried to bring her back," he crossed his arms. "I tried, and she said no," he took a deep breath. "Anakin," she stopped walking and turned to face him. "You fought for her. You believed in her when no one else did. You are the reason she is free now," Padme tried to reassure him, but it didn't work.

"Hello there senator Amidala," they heard a familiar voice from down the hall. "Master Kenobi," Padme called back as the man approached the two of them. "And what brings the senator to the Jedi Temple today?" He asked with a smirk, trying to pry. "We had some business to discuss," Anakin piped in. Obi Wan gave a little nod and scratched his chin. "I see," he raised an eyebrow at his former apprentice. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with Anakin's return today," he trailed off and walked down the hall they had come from, shaking his head to himself. Obi Wan knew there was no business to discuss. He knew of their secret, and Anakin had known that for some time. He trusted Kenobi, and while he was always weary of the fact that someone else knew of his and Padme's secret, Anakin was sure he would keep the secret. Anakin scratched the back of his head and they walked to the front of the temple. "I should be going," Padme said as they walked outside. They bowed their heads in goodbye and Anakin slowly walked back into the Temple as a trooper escorted the senator to her ship.

Back in her room, Miri was thinking about her exchange with her master. She closed her eyes and connected herself to the force. She thought of her master, she thought of the look on his face when he saw the senator. She thought of the deep feelings she felt coming from him as their ship landed and the ramp slowly lowered. The force showed her how he felt. It put her mind in his body looking at the senator. She felt such love and devotion, but also fear and confusion. Why does he feel this way? She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She stood up to drink from her water canister. It was empty. Miri decided to go on another walk, this time to get some cold water. She had many things to think about now before she sees her master again. She must have a clear mind around him, he is very sensitive with the force. She took one last breath with her canister in her hand as thoughts of her master flooded back to her. She stepped out the door, lost in her thoughts, and walked right into someone. She dropped her canister and looked up. "Master Kenobi," she started. "I'm so very sorry," she said filled with worry and embarrassment as she scrambled to pick up her canister. He smiled at her. "It's no worry young one," he handed the canister to her. He started to walk away when he called back "try to keep your mind clear and your focus on the present. Unfortunately for you that's something your master might not be able to teach you," he continued walking. "Oh why thank you, Master Kenobi, for the compliment," she heard Anakin say from her side, startling her. She dropped her canister again. "You should really work on your grip," he joked as she picked it up.

"Follow me," he said as they walked down the hall. She did as she was told without protest. They walked in silence for a while while Miri tried to clear her mind of her thoughts from earlier. But she knew he knew. "Are you okay today?" He broke the silence. "You seem... distracted," he continued, trying to find the correct words. She breathed. "As do you," she said calmly. He huffed. They continued in silence until they reached their destination. "Here we are," he said as they walked out into the garden. She looked at him confused. "I've been here many times," she said. "Ah," he walks over to an open grassy area hidden by flowers and fruit trees. "But you have never been here with me," he said with an earnest but arrogant tone. She rolled her eyes, and followed him into the grass and sat facing him.

"Close your eyes," he said, "and try to connect with me." She closed her eyes and drew in a breath. In a slow and calming voice he said "through the force."