Obi-Wan wanted to follow his brother, but knew the time was not right for that. He also knew that his nephew needed him. The poor boy would be most affected by this with his Force sensitivity. Obi-Wan sent a message to his wife, alerting her of the situation and that her help was needed on Coruscant. He himself spent time with Laic, trying to help him come to terms with what was happening as well as understand his abilities were not something evil or frightening, that what happened to his father would not happen to him.

Dormé eventually pulled herself together as best she could, knowing the crumbling empire still needed her. Her family was safe now; she knew Anakin would not come near the children. She would do all she possibly could to repair the breech between the royal family and the people. Dormé appreciated the Jedi Master’s help, as she knew little of the Force, nor how to properly explain it. But as the days wore on and the pressures mounted in the senate, she fell incredibly ill, unaware that it was merely a side-effect of the Force bond she shared with Anakin. No longer able to serve political duties, she was confined to the bedchamber.

Saché did her best to help Dormé and the children as best she could but her lack of understanding of the Force made her ever grateful for Obi-Wan’s assistance. Shortly, Sabé arrived and Saché was grateful to see her again, for she had missed old friend and it was good to be around those who understood the situation and weren’t blinded by personal agendas. As for the emperor, Saché couldn’t help, but she wished that the Sith Lord would just remain wherever he had holed himself up until the end of time.

Another soon also arrived to help, though her presence was quite unexpected albeit appreciated in its own way. The petite Humbarine known as Princess Edeja heard of Dormé’s strange illness through some of her senatorial associates. Had it not been for a rather awkward but bittersweet conversation with her husband, Edeja wouldn’t have risked returning to the palace. But upon hearing what little Kei knew of the situation, Edeja’s heart went out to Dormé and her children and soon the former priestess was arriving to help in what way she could as well.

---

Elsewhere, the young emperor stared at the busy skies ahead from the balcony that decorated one of the great halls. He didn’t want to be here, but at the same time, he couldn’t resist coming to this place where it all began. Vader could still remember the night he returned home to a grand celebration here. How the sight of his beautiful wife, so petite but still showing subtle hints of an unborn Laic took his breath away.

Closing his eyes, he fought back fresh tears—it seemed he was always on the verge of weeping now—as he remembered the events that followed. The room seemed to spin. Then forcing him to open his eyes once more, the Sith Lord struggled to keep from falling to his knees. Anakin had no idea what he had caught but believed it was just an illness brought on by his time spent wandering in the lower levels earlier the day before. It was appropriate that he should suffer in some small way for his actions, yet deep down Anakin knew it wasn’t enough.

As he retired to a guest room to rest, all he could think about was his family and how little he deserved them. He wished he could just die, despite knowing that true punishment meant he’d have to live, as there were things far worse than death. One thing he was certain of was that he never wanted to touch the dark side again. At one time, he would have laughed at such a thought, would have even called himself a fool for it, but after losing the only things in this life that he loved, Anakin wasn’t laughing anymore.

Nevertheless, with each passing day that he refrained to touch the Force—as he feared the temptation would be too much—Anakin found himself growing steadily ill. Soon he found himself growing shaky and unsteady, while his head never ceased to throb and his stomach churned. Even in rest, there was no peace to be found as often he’d awaken from strange nightmares only to rush to the fresher where he’d be violently ill. It seemed the only solace that could be found was in the shower where he’d often spend hours at a time just letting the hot water pour over him. In between those times, the now very ill emperor would continue to remain in the grand hall often seated in the throne like chair where his thoughts would remain lost to the past.

---

Dormé found little comfort in the treatments administered to her, for the fever was terrible. Obi-Wan was able to at least identify the cause of it, but was unable to be of much help. In her semi-conscious state, she alternated between murmuring Aené and Anakin’s names, though mostly the latter. Edeja’s help proved the most successful.

Laic was learning to meditate and come to terms with the Force without all the negative connotations his father caused him to automatically associate with it. He was starting to let go of his fears and it was for this reason that Aené was able to reach out to him in a meditation session.

He knew who she was and though she didn’t say anything to him, he just saw her smiling and reaching out to him, he felt like it was OK...that everything would be all right.

Obi-Wan eventually sensed that Anakin’s Force signature was beginning to wane, as though he had been starving himself and was now beginning to fade physically. He wanted to go to him, but didn’t want to seem like he was pressuring him. Instead, he left a pouch containing Anakin’s Padawan braid just outside the door of the guest rooms he knew Anakin had been staying in.

With each passing day Saché and Sabé did there best to help ease Dormé’s suffering despite learning from Obi-Wan that it was Anakin’s withdrawal she was experiencing. While Edeja’s understanding of natural medicines proved to be the most helpful Saché couldn’t help but feel the best way to solve all of their problems was to put Anakin out of his misery. However her dark sense of humour was only shared between and appreciated by Soren. Sabé was mindful of the children and did her best to care for them as Saché tried to keep things running in Dormé’s absence. Edeja spent much of her time preparing medicinals and giving ointments to ease a little of Dormé’s fever though she too did her best to help Sabé and Saché.

The fever eventually broke and Dormé returned to consciousness. Once she was able to begin eating again, she was rapidly recovering from the illness. Soon Laic was tossing his arms around her neck and holding her close, thankful his ama was all right and not quite understanding the circumstances around her illness.

---

Anakin, on the other hand, was in a far less comforted state and as the days wore on lack of food and nourishment was beginning to take its toll. Though he continued to upkeep his appearance the exhaustion was hard to ignore even more so his illness. But the need to be clean was far more than just skin deep Anakin knew he could not do it without help and thus found other ways to upkeep the illusion. It never really worked but it never stopped him either. It wasn’t until one particular morning when the destitute Emperor weakly departed for his hiding place to silently mourn when something caught his eye.

Curious and uncertain he picked up the pouch and upon opening it found a silent symbol of hope. Staring at it with blurry eyes—both from exhaustion and unshed tears the former Jedi swallowed hard as his eyes drifted to the hallways that would lead to Obi-Wans’ location. Though he knew he was anything but worthy to be given this chance Anakin was not about to turn it down either. Without further thought the Sith Lord silently departed for his brother’s quarters with only a single thought in mind, not to fail his family again.

As Dormé’s fever broke there was much relief to be found amongst the women who were pleased to see her rapid recovery. Saché did all she could to keep Dormé updated on the situation while Sabé did her best to keep the young empress from working her healing body too hard. However, the former decoy’s thoughts were also ever on her husband whose idea to leave the braid at the emperor’s door was in her mind a powerful one. She could only hope that the young emperor would pay it heed and take it for what it represented and not see it as a sign of judgement.

Dormé knew from the look in Saché’s eyes that the situation with the empire was grim. From her speech in the senate, belatedly disavowing support of her husband’s actions, and their reaction to her, she knew they were losing sway and power over their people. It was past time for making amends and was up to Dormé to hold what little they had left together. But at what cost? She decided she would use more clone troopers to maintain peace in the streets of Coruscant and in the palace as well. It was a remark of her brother-in-law’s about lack of people in the palace that prompted this decision. At least with the clones, she knew she wouldn’t be betrayed. The senate was another matter entirely and she was still not up for public appearances. What would she say? What would she tell them about the emperor?

Saché did her best to keep things positive on both sides of the arena. But there was no denying now that time was running out for the Vader dynasty. From the Alliance there came much pressure to move quickly and take a stand but thankfully Lady Mon Mothma and Prince Bail were far from supportive of this plan. Saché though supportive of the Alliance’s desire to end the empire wanted it to be done properly and professionally. Breaking down doors and exacting vengeance in her opinion would make them no different than those they sought to usurp power from.

But as the days progressed and Dormé attempted to tend to matters as best she could Saché couldn’t help but feel a little torn. It troubled her seeing how desperately Dormé was trying to make amends for past crimes.

---

After leaving the braid, Obi-Wan proceeded to the throne room where he had sensed his brother’s presence many times. He walked around the grand room slowly in a light meditation for awhile before departing for the temporary quarters he shared with his wife.

Later, he felt his brother approaching and crossed to the doorway to grant him entrance. Seeing him again like this made his heart go out to him, but especially the fact he saw the pouch in his hands. This was a sign he had been waiting and praying to the Force for. He just hoped he would have the strength to help him through this.

Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze before caving and pulling his younger brother into a hug. It felt like the right thing to do.

The fallen Jedi to bow his head in humble acceptance, but the last thing he expected from his normally stoic brother was to be pulled into an embrace and immediately his cheeks warmed for it in sheepish reaction. But soon Anakin readily returned it as he closed his eyes and gave a shaky sigh of relief. ‘Thank you for this...For everything,’ he murmured feeling both touched and humbled by this simple but powerful gesture. Never in his life had he ever felt so undeserving yet so honoured to be able to be called Obi-Wan’s brother as he did now.

Obi-Wan released his brother, taking a step back, nodding at the expression of gratitude and offering a small smile. He knew it would be a struggle, far more than the last time, but if his heart was in it, Anakin would come out on top. Obi-Wan believed it to be true.

‘I’m ready to begin if you are,’ he quietly admitted unaware that his current struggles and illness would be but the beginning of what was to come.

Obi-Wan’s first inclination was to see about healing Anakin’s weary body. The light side training would be difficult enough without him passing out from starvation. He had a feeling the boy hadn’t eaten since the confrontation and this was enough to worry the Jedi Master. He meandered to the kitchen area to find something for him to eat.

Food was the last thing on the fallen Jedi’s mind, for ever since the confrontation, any attempt to eat always resulted with him being violently ill. He promptly learnt that lack of food meant the illness wasn’t quite so bad. Watching the Jedi Master prepare some soup, the young emperor grew concerned. He was only too familiar with brother’s way of handling matters and knew he would not take ‘no’ for an answer. As if on cue Obi-Wan motioned him to join him and have a seat.

‘We can start with you finishing this,’ Obi-Wan said.

Anakin furrowed his brow in concern. It wasn’t that it didn’t smell delicious or that he wasn’t hungry, but he feared what was to come and didn’t want his brother to be witness to it. ‘I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea. I haven’t been feeling very well lately,’ Anakin admitted sheepishly. He had yet to register the true reason for his illness as the last time Anakin had returned to the light side there was little, if any, symptoms.

‘You need to eat,’ Obi-Wan insisted, putting the bowl of soup in front of him. ‘It will help build your strength and help you regain control of yourself.’ He knew it was the withdrawal of the dark side that was causing him to feel miserably, but also knew this was about willpower and it was amazing what the mind can force the body to do when necessary. ‘Eat,’ he commanded.

Obi-Wan’s insistence was both dreaded and welcomed for the young emperor who couldn’t help but find himself missing his brother’s protective nature. Anakin wasn’t about to question Obi-Wan as he politely commanded him to eat the soup before him. With a resigned sigh he silently took to the soup, which was quite good but nothing compared to Dormé’s cooking. In Anakin’s mind, there was no better cook or master of the culinary arts than his wife.

Obi-Wan kept an eye on the young man, but did not hover as he waited for him to eat. He himself had already eaten, but was concerned about Anakin’s health. He would have suggested he slow down and take it one sip at a time, but there would be time enough for his ‘lectures’ and didn’t want to overburden him yet. Already there were members of the Alliance leadership wanting updates on the emperor’s condition so as to know how best to proceed, but he insisted he needed far more time with Anakin to be certain of anything. The last thing he needed was for their fleet to come barging in threatening the empire and giving the emperor cause to go back to the dark side.

‘Thank you...’ he murmured upon completing his soup—which he had inadvertently wolfed down. While in his mind, he knew he was going to regret downing food, despite his illness, Anakin couldn’t deny that it was good to be able to eat something again.

Nodding at his expression of gratitude, Obi-Wan smiled softly before cleaning up after him. He then motioned for Anakin to have a seat on the couch. He sat across from him and said, ‘Now close your eyes and find your centre. Clear your head of all thoughts...’ He hoped he would be able to ease him into a peaceful state where he could regain some of the lost energy and recuperation only deep meditation and sleep could bring.

The fallen Jedi studied Obi-Wan with mild concern as he instructed him to close his eyes and find his centre. Though he wanted to protest, Anakin remained silent, knowing that the Jedi Master before him knew what he was doing and would not ask more of him. Closing his eyes, he did his best to clear his thoughts and find his centre. It was easier said than done as his mind immediately turned to Dormé and their children. He hoped they were all right and wished he could be with them, though he knew better than to wish such things.

It had been some time since he last properly touched the light side. His mind instinctively reached to what he now feared and dreaded and almost as soon as it did, Anakin struggled to pull his thoughts back. However, it was too late and the harder he tried to refrain, the stronger the pull to tap into the darkness became. Panicking, Anakin whimpered as he felt the dark tendrils taking root once more while he desperately attempted to grasp onto the light side once more. Despair flooded his thoughts as his mind absorbed the darkness, believing its lies that told him the light would never take him back. That he would forever be lost to the darkness and estranged from his family.

‘Focus Anakin,’ Obi-Wan said, trying to get his brother back on task. ‘Don’t try to fight the darkness; it’ll only make it worse. Turn away from it and focus on the light.’ Obi-Wan sent him soothing thoughts, trying to urge this transition, though with proper training it would become easier for Anakin to do it once more on his own.

Soon his thoughts began to ease and through the Force he could feel his brother guiding him through by soothing his troubled and frantic mind. Drawing on this, the young emperor did as he was told and began to on the warmth he had long since forgotten. The tendrils that seemed to be choking him—or so it felt—eased away giving him room to breathe. His body was no longer used to touching the light side and it wasn’t long before Anakin felt the familiar symptoms he once associated with his early use of the darkness.

Guiding Anakin’s meditation was like navigating through a forest at night. If it was possible, even the smallest light was getting swallowed up by darkness. ‘It’s OK, Anakin. Just let it out,’ he said, trying to let Anakin know it was all right to be vulnerable, to show weakness. He knew hiding things was just going to make it worse. Admitting to and exposing ones weaknesses was the best way to overcome them.

Drawing his thoughts back to the surface—for his head throbbed too much to continue the former Sith Lord did his best to hide his nausea and dizziness from his brother. It was shaming enough that he needed help to perform a simple act of meditation, nevermind this. Though in the back of his mind Anakin couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t been affected in this way the last time he attempted to clean up.

Though Anakin surfaced, Obi-Wan continued sending healing thoughts to him.

The young emperor closed his eyes as he drew in a shaky breath and bowed his head hoping to clear his sense of the nausea and dizziness. It was humiliating but in light of everything even Anakin couldn’t deny that this was the worst his brother had been witness to. ‘...Why haven’t I felt this way before?’ he murmured quietly as he furrowed his brow. ‘The last time I was like this was years ago—when I first used the dark side,’ he admitted quietly as he struggled to ease his throbbing head and queasy stomach. It was only then that it occurred to him the illness he felt before wasn’t really an illness at all. Looking to his brother in concern, Anakin felt his cheeks burn at the realization. ‘The illness I’ve been suffering from isn’t an ordinary sickness is it?’ he asked though having feeling he already knew the answer.

Obi-Wan resurfaced as well, opening his eyes to meet Anakin’s. The young man was finally coming to understand the true nature of the dark side of the Force. He shook his head. ‘It was a warning,’ he admitted softly. ‘Your body was trying to warn you of the consequences...’

Anakin frowned at his brother’s remarks as he uttered a soft curse. ‘Wonderful. So I can expect this for some time to come then? At least until I’ve grown used to handling the light side as I did before?’ he grumbled not liking the sounds of this one bit. If even meditating in the light side was causing this sort of reaction from him the fallen Jedi was loathed to think what further use of the light side would mean for him.

‘I’m afraid so,’ he replied as Anakin cursed.

A hint of a wry smile crept into his features to the thought. ‘So simply put this is pay back for iquicha-we up one time too many,’ he remarked quietly as he shook his head. ‘Though why you have to suffer for it is beyond me—and we both know you’ll definitely be suffering for it,’ he admitted already knowing what Obi-Wan was going to be up against. Though he was grateful for his brother’s help, this realization only added his shame and humiliation as this should be his punishment and his alone.

Obi-Wan shook his head. ‘It is a small price to pay for being able to help a friend and brother,’ he replied softly with a gentle smile.

The young emperor’s cheeks warmed as he bowed his head. He truly did not deserve this kindness and the thought that it was being bestowed upon him, yet again—especially after all he had done—left him feeling quite small. But at the same time it made him all the more determined not to fail this time. ‘Even if he doesn’t deserve it?’ Anakin remarked softly another wry smile before growing serious.

What Anakin discounted was the fact Obi-Wan was a Jedi Master in the light side of the Force. He wasn’t able to grasp the fact that helping one immersed in the darkness was not like facing the darkness alone. He himself had never once touched the dark side, nor was he ever inclined to do so. ‘What one deserves or does not deserve is not up to me, but to the Force,’ Obi-Wan replied, though feeling humbled by Anakin’s appreciation. His further words served to prove it.

‘I want to apologize for everything, but I know my promises and words really don’t mean much, not anymore. But I want to—’ he furrowed his brow as he briefly fell silent before continuing. ‘I want—I need—to prove to you and to my family that I know what I am and I do regret all the suffering I’ve put all of you through. I know what is coming will not be easy, but I honestly do want to put this behind me to be able to return to my family as a man not a monster. And for you not to be ashamed to call me your brother,’ he concluded quietly.

‘I have never been ashamed to call you brother,’ Obi-Wan said. ‘I have only wished that I could have been a better mentor to you.’

Anakin gave a small sigh to his brother’s words as he fell silent. Only Obi-Wan would be so humble as to deny his own kindness. But then his brother was always a man who could never truly accept his own importance. In reality, Anakin knew this was just one of the many reasons why he was so grateful to him and why he needed him so much. Obi-Wan would never cast judgment on him and would never hate him no matter how undeserving he was of it.

It was because of this that Anakin found the courage to quietly speak his mind, admit to his shame and his wish to prove himself worthy once more. But it was Obi-Wan’s words that truly left its mark on Anakin who now studied him in sheepish admiration. Though his statement was simple it said all that the young emperor needed to hear and it was these words he would never forget for as long as he lived.

‘You are the finest mentor I could have ever asked for, Obi-Wan. I was the fool not you,’ he said in quiet sincerity.

Obi-Wan did not shrug off Anakin’s compliment or gratitude, but was quick to return the topic to the issue at hand. He knew the young man needed to get some rest or else any training at all would be a futile attempt. ‘Now open your mind and allow me to help you,’ Obi-Wan said softly, though his voice was strong. ‘The dark side fears the light. Let go of it...’ He touched Anakin’s head.

At one time, Anakin would have scoffed the idea, but now he was only too aware of his own fears of the darkness to laugh at the idea. Closing his eyes, he felt his brother’s cool fingers against his forehead and was soon clearing his thoughts and finding his centre. Almost immediately, the darkness found in him once more and Anakin felt the familiar sensation of blind panic. Reminding himself repeatedly of his brother’s statement, Anakin did his best to focus on the light and to let go of the darkness that clung to his thoughts. It was a struggle to say the least but slowly he found himself beginning to succeed. Vertigo reminded him of his weakened state. Yet, the emperor continued to cling into the light feeling as though it was the only anchor he now had to grasp onto in the storm. With hands now shaking slightly, while they fiddled with his utility belt, and his breath a little unsteady, Anakin eventually slipped into a state of meditation.

Once Anakin’s thoughts shifted and clung to the light, Obi-Wan immediately felt it as though he were hauling Anakin out of mudhole. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he strained along with Anakin against the darkness that Obi-Wan had never and refused to ever touch. Finally, Anakin found a state in which he could meditate on his own. Breathing hard from the exertion as though he had run for hours, Obi-Wan released his hand, dropping his own from Anakin’s head, though remained close by to jump in should he need to in order to prevent him from slipping again.

Had it not been for his brother’s intervention, Anakin was certain he’d never have been able to withdraw from the darkness. But after what felt like an eternity the former Sith Lord finally found some semblance of peace and was able to properly meditate. With his thoughts entirely focused on the light side, Anakin was able to meditate for a little bit. Though there ware moments when he came close to faltering, as his body struggled against the use of the light side, Anakin managed to hold on for much longer than he had hoped. In the end, he was forced to resurface once more as the dizziness and nausea threatened to take hold. As his eyes snapped open, Anakin said nothing in reply as he rose to shaky feet and swiftly made his way to the fresher where he was forced to give into the sickness brought on by his use of the light side.

Uttering a few soft curses to himself, the former Sith Lord drew in a shaky breath as he felt his cheeks burn. This was going to be a long day to say the least.

His head throbbed and pounded but the fallen Jedi was more embarrassed than dissuaded. Though his body protested Anakin was more determined now than ever to put it behind him. To prove to himself and to those he loved that he wasn’t a complete loss, that he could conquer his demons and that he would.

Rising to feet a shaky Anakin tended to his mess before washing his face as he struggled to clear his thoughts. Though thoroughly shamed he quietly emerged and returned to his seat with the intent to continue.

The rest of the day was filled with mixed results and equally volatile reactions. However in Anakin’s mind some progress—albeit small—was made and though he was exhausted he was in better spirits than he was when he first arrived. Fortunately though Obi-Wan felt it was time to call it a night and Anakin couldn’t resist a hint of a smile to the thought of possibly collapsing to sleep.

When his brother mentioned the would resume training in the morning the emperor gave a wry grin in reply. He knew it would be an even longer day than this one but couldn’t help but find some comfort in the memories of the past. It had been so long since he had last spent any time with Obi-Wan and the thought of being able to do so—even under these strained conditions was a welcomed thought.

‘I’ll be there,’ he said before sheepishly apologizing for his horrid reaction to the meditations as his cheeks burned.

Despite the exhausting workout of meditations the former Sith Lord was still unable to get much rest. But despite this the young emperor was quite awake by the time morning came and was eager to begin the gruelling day that awaited him. In his mind the sooner he tended to the problem, the sooner he could prove to Dormé and his family that he was able to change for good.

But as he entered the training hall his nerves once more returned as he knew what would await him. Obi-Wan was an excellent teacher but a strict one as well and while Anakin was grateful for his brother’s assistance he knew this would be no easy task. As such he silently braced himself for what was to come and inwardly hoped his body wouldn’t fall apart as bad as it did yesterday. However he had a sinking feeling that it would.

The next morning, Obi-Wan rose early in order to prepare for a long day of training with Anakin. He had to get his mind once more in the proper state in order to handle all that was to occur. He hoped to guide Anakin via kinaesthetic. Anakin had always been a visual learner. Although Obi-Wan had a good breakfast, he was fairly certain his half-brother had not, but this did not prevent him from beginning warm-up stretches before igniting his lightsaber. ‘The light side is about defence not about attack,’ he reminded Anakin, spilling the wisdom of old as though this were a decade ago and Anakin was a Padawan learner.

Anakin followed suit and began to warm-up—something he normally didn’t both to do but knew it would be necessary given his body’s condition. It wasn’t long before he was watching his brother in silent attentiveness as he prepared himself for the lesson. Obi-Wan’s words were basic in its nature a lesson Anakin recalled learning when he was a youngling, nevermind a Padawan. But it was a necessary lesson one he had long since forgotten over the years. Remaining silent, he furrowed his brow finding no humour or anger in this lesson despite the fact it was something even younglings learnt in the first years of training. Anakin was aware of the fact he had gone too far to start anywhere but from the beginning again and did his best to be the student he should have been from the start.

It wasn’t long before the emperor found himself falling into the age old habit of showing off. Though he was arrogant and cocky by nature much of it was a smokescreen for his need to seek recognition and be praised. Obi-Wan however was not a man easily blinded by Anakin’s flashy displays of swordsmanship and promptly called him on it.

‘Slow down, Anakin. I know you’re talented with a lightsaber. You don’t need to impress me. That’s not what this is about...’ Obi-Wan reminded him as their duel continued. He wasn’t focusing, Obi-Wan could tell. Anakin always needed to work on his patience, but even more so now. Unlike the first time around, Obi-Wan was far more aware of Anakin’s weaknesses. He wasn’t trying to use it to his own advantage, but rather to help Anakin learn to manage them.

The former Sith Lord’s cheeks immediately burned at his brother’s words though he didn’t argue him on it as it was too obvious he had been caught. Clearing his head once more, Anakin struggled to refocus properly this time on the task at hand. But instincts demanded he touch the dark side and thus began the struggle once more.

‘You don’t need it,’ Obi-Wan warned as he sensed the young man struggling against the dark side.

Anakin furrowed his brow as beads of sweat formed on his brow. At his brother’s reminder Anakin further focussed his thoughts on the light side. It was a struggle with times he was certain he wouldn’t make it. But he was stubborn as well as proud and was damned if he allowed himself to fail this time around. Nevertheless it was difficult and in time the dizziness and pulsating headaches began to make him feel ill which in turn made his movements even sloppier than before. ‘Is this better?’ he asked wryly as he panted from the exertion brought on by refraining to touch the dark side.

‘Better,’ he said as their session continued. He was going easy on Anakin, only to prevent him slipping up. After awhile, he decided to have a break, knowing Anakin would need a chance to shake the dizziness and not wanting it to decrease his ability to refrain from what he was so used to using without forethought.

Leaning against the back wall he promptly sat down and rested his arms on his knees, while his head rested on his arms. Catching his breath but thanking the Force he wasn’t so ill that he needed the fresher again Anakin closed his eyes for a moment only to drift into a light sleep.

Obi-Wan was pleased and hardly surprised when Anakin drifted to sleep. This in and of itself marked improvement on Anakin’s part. Slowly, but surely, and with much patience, Anakin would be well on his way to managing this. He briefly departed the training hall, only to start on something for him to eat. He hoped Anakin would be able to keep food down today, even if it was minimal.

Sleep was unexpected but certainly not unwelcome for Anakin who eventually stirred to find himself quite disorientated at his location. Upon realizing where he was the former Sith Lord felt his cheeks burn as he wondered how long he had been resting for. Obi-Wan was no where in the room but Anakin could sense him nearby and soon he was scrambling to his feet to find his brother and master.

Upon locating the Jedi Master the fallen Jedi couldn’t help but be apologetic. It wasn’t his intention to fall asleep in the midst of his training and could only imagine how bad it looked from his brother’s point of view. ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’ Anakin asked curiously before registering that Obi-Wan was in the process of making food.

‘Why do you think?’ Obi-Wan replied, hoping to spark some useful dialogue that would help him in the long run.

Anakin gave a sheepish smile at his brother’s reply. ‘That you’re working me to death?’ he teased back in reply before feeling his cheeks warm.

‘Your body has undergone quite a lot these past few days, it’s no wonder you’re exhausted. I’m just glad you were able to get a few minutes in. Once we have you sleeping through the night and not nodding off during the day, it will be a testament to your improvement indeed,’ he lightly teased.

‘Oh that’s encouraging! You might be an old man by the time that happens!’ Anakin said with a wry grin before growing a bit more serious at the sight of food. He didn’t register how hungry he was until he saw the plate at his instructions the emperor nodded as his blush deepened to the mention of his embarrassing situation of before. Though he was starving in reality Anakin was mindful of Obi-Wan’s words. Not because he was listening exactly but more out of concern of further humiliating himself in front of his brother again.

‘Old man? Who exactly are you calling old? I don’t see Master Yoda here, do you?’ he replied, knowing it was only fair to get teased in return. He then cautioned Anakin to take his time with his food lest they have a repeat of the day before. Obi-Wan made a plate for himself and sat near his brother, reminded of the last time they shared a meal together. It had been ages, or so it seemed.

‘I didn’t say ancient did I? I just said old!’ Anakin replied with a lopsided grin. Anakin couldn’t help but feel as though it had been an eternity since things were well enough between them to be able to tease and have fun. It was something he wouldn’t forget any time soon and immediately lightened his mood. Between bites the emperor couldn’t help but reminisce a little over the past to the silly things both had been through. Though it seemed like a lifetime ago just being able to do this left Anakin feeling as though he was reliving some of the happier moments of his life—or at least the simpler moments at least.

‘Old like your jokes?’ Obi-Wan replied with raised eyebrow.

Anakin just grinned and poked out his tongue. ‘Oh you’re just jealous that I have a good sense of humour!’ he lightly teased before admitting that Obi-Wan did have his moments to which led to reminiscing. Their meal went by faster than Anakin realized though he was unaware that it slowed his pace when it came to eating. Many of the amusing incidents and cultural misunderstandings on various planets during Anakin’s Padawan training filled their meal with jokes.

When it was time to resume training Anakin silently followed Obi-Wan into the meditation room where he furrowed his brow in curiosity. The room was quite dark and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to it. From the darkness he could make out the silhouette of two candles though what purpose they served he couldn’t say. Taking a seat in front of them he studied his brother wondering what the Jedi Master was up to.

After awhile, Obi-Wan spoke up in low, clear tones. ‘This is darkness. This is your fears. This is pain, hunger, anger, hate, violence, abyss, nothingness… This,’ he said, ‘is the dark side.

‘It’s hard to see. Even your other senses are muted.’

He paused to light the candle. ‘This is light. This is truth, knowledge, joy, peace, compassion, patience, kindness, self-discipline, harmony, life… This,’ he said, ‘is the light side.

‘Light illuminates the darkness. Even when it seems like the darkness is all-consuming and threatening to take hold, the light shines through it. No matter how dark it is, the light side defeats it. Even though this is one small candle, notice how much of the darkness disappears.’

Reaching to the side, he grabbed two more candles and set them up next to the first as he explained, ‘How much more darkness is abolished when people are united in the light?’ He held up the unlit candle. ‘One who is lost,’ he said, then lit the candle from one of the already burning candles, ‘can be reignited.’

Obi-Wan gestured to the centre of the candles. ‘When we face this light, the shadow of the dark side is behind us.’

‘I wish it was just as easy as that,’ he softly remarked in pensive tones. ‘Though I understand now how important it is to be in the presence of others who are in the light,’ he admitted in equally soft tones as he was reminded of how he had too soon pushed Obi-Wan away figuring he could do it alone.

Obi-Wan nodded to Anakin’s words, equally glad to hear that Anakin was slowly beginning to understand the true nature of the Force. ‘I’m pleased to hear that,’ he said humbly.

‘You don’t have to and you shouldn’t have to do this alone.’ He offered one of the lit candles to Anakin.

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A/N: Coming soon--Dormé makes a mistake that could cost them everything...