n// sorry for the long chapter y'all but there was so much to cover and i didn't want to split it into two parts so here u go!! enjoy my loves <3
It felt like Ryha had merely blinked by the time that she was being woken up, and for a moment it felt like all was well and normal in her life. But that all came crashing down as soon as Anakin opened his mouth.
"Wake up, Ry! We have to get to the race!"
Sitting up straight, Ryha hopped out of bed without hesitation, rushing to Anakin's side. She couldn't believe that she had been sleeping at a time like this — but she was up now, and that's all that mattered.
"Why didn't you wake me earlier?" she asked groggily as they all stumbled out of the hut and began making their way to the arena.
"Because you needed sleep." Anakin shrugged, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Which, to him, it was. But to Ryha, she was wasting the last minutes she might've ever had with her beloved best friend sleeping. The thought made her stomach lurch, and she wanted to curl up in a ball and cry at the thought of him not being there for her anymore, but she didn't. She walked alongside the boy, pulling a wagon that contained an engine of sorts, while he pulled one that carried the other parts of the engine. The walk there was relatively short, but with every step Ryha's heart got heavier and heavier, until it ultimately felt like there was a boulder in her chest. But as they walked into the arena, they passed Watto, who looked up at them with a look Ryha couldn't place.
"Better stop your friend's betting," he sneered, looking between the group and Qui-Gon. "Or I'll end up owning him, too."
After his comment, he walked off, laughing to himself in the way that Ryha detested so much.
"What did he mean by that?" Anakin asked, looking up at the Jedi expectantly.
"I'll tell you later."
And although the answer left Ryha feeling even more concerned, Anakin seemed to brush it off just fine, turning to his best friend with a smile on his face.
"Isn't this wizard, Ry?" he asked excitedly.
Unable to remain sober around his infectious moods, Ryha found herself putting her worries and fears aside, and agreeing.
"This is amazing," she agreed. "I'm sure you'll do it this time, Annie."
"Do what?" Padmé asked.
"Finish the race." Ryha replied.
"You've never won a race?!"
"Well... not exactly..."
"Not even finished?!"
Anakin looked up at the young woman with a sheepish look on his face, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck with embarrassment. However, his bashful attitude was only there for a moment before he sobered up with confidence once more.
"Besides, Ryha's right. I'll finish this time, and better yet, I'll win."
"Of course you will." Qui-Gon intruded, giving him a fatherly clap on the shoulder. "Now, let's get you on the tracks. The race is going to start any minute now, Anakin."
Nodding, Anakin got the rest of his stuff to the tracks, and made some of his last minute adjustments, all while Ryha and Shmi watched from the sidelines. Above her, the crowd was cheering, as the disgusting monster that she'd grown to know as Jabba the Hutt had just entered the arena. The minutes that she had left with Anakin seemed to be going by at a speed that she wasn't anticipating, and the very thought of it was enough to put her in tears.
"Ryha, what's wrong?" Shmi asked quietly, leaning down to her height and wiping the little droplets of water that began to stain her cheeks.
"I-I..." she muttered, trying to compose herself as best as she could. "I don't want Anakin t-to leave."
"Oh, Ryha, you've always been wise beyond your years..." Shmi sighed, trying to fight back tears of her own. "It'll be okay, sweet girl. It'll be alright."
Ryha shamelessly hugged the woman's torso, clinging onto her like she was her best friend. Shmi welcomed the affection, rubbing small circles on her back before letting go and bending down to her level.
"Saying goodbye is never easy, Ryha," she spoke, looking into the little girl's dark eyes. "But right now is not goodbye. Enjoy what you have left. Anakin wouldn't want to see you like this, and I'm sure that you don't want to spend your last moments with him like this, either."
Ryha nodded, wiping under her eyes furiously. Anakin didn't know his fate yet, and she couldn't give it away like that. She wanted what could potentially be the last day she ever saw Anakin to be a good one. Not one where she spent it sleeping and crying. So, she took some deep breaths, and sobered her little self up.
"Thank you, Shmi," she muttered, not trusting her voice quite yet. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweet girl." she smiled, bringing the girl in for another hug. "Now, do you think you're feeling up to wishing Anakin luck before the race?"
Ryha nodded with determination, rubbing her fists over her eyes once more, ridding herself of any last tears that threatened to escape. Taking the larger hand of the only mother she ever had, she walked over to where Anakin was, and where the rest of the rag-tag team of odd creatures met.
"You carry all our hopes." Padmé spoke, holding the boy by his shoulders.
"I won't let you down." he replied.
Ryha smiled a little bit at his response, just finding it to be so Anakin. He was always so sure of himself, and sometimes that bravery led to recklessness. It was one of the many things that she loved about her best friend, but it was also something that she hated all the same.
Next, his mother approached him, engulfing him in an even bigger hug than she'd just given Ryha earlier. Pulling away, she planted a large kiss on his cheek, and looked dead into his eyes.
"Be safe."
"I will, mom. I promise."
Then it was Ryha's turn.
She'd never known a life before Anakin, and he was the person that brought her the most comfort. She knew him in and out, and he knew her just the same. So why was she feeling so shy all of the sudden?
"Come here," he spoke, closing the distance and hugging her the tightest. "I'll be okay, Ry."
"I know, Ani."
Anakin was the first to pull away, and Ryha almost whimpered at the loss of contact, but she held her composure.
"I'll see you after I win," he grinned, looking down at her with excitement. "Then we can celebrate!"
"I can't wait." she smiled.
And with one last quick hug, Anakin jumped into his racer, and Ryha returned to Shmi's side, as they watched Qui-Gon approach the boy.
"Come on," Shmi spoke, leading Ryha away from the track. "Let's go to the viewing platform."
The viewing platform was nothing glamorous, but it allowed Ryha a closer look at her Anakin without being in harms way, so she tolerated it. After a moment, Qui-Gon entered, and made his way over to Shmi.
"Is he nervous?" she asked, stroking Ryha's hair.
Whether the act was for her own comfort or Shmi's, Ryha was unsure.
"He's fine." Qui-Gon replied with a reassuring smile. "More excited than anything, it appears."
"You Jedi are far too reckless." Padmé interjected. "The queen—"
"The queen trusts my judgement, young handmaiden. You should, too."
"You assume too much."
Ryha furrowed her brow at Padmé's remark, but was quickly distracted by the booming voice over the speakers.
"Start your engines!"
Ryha couldn't help but let out a whimper, this time. Turning to face the child, Qui-Gon decided to test a theory of his. Subtly waving his hand in front of her, he spoke, "You will be calm, young Ryha."
To which she replied, "I don't think that's possible, sir."
His hypothesis was correct. Her mind was strong — strong enough to resist the strength of his mind tricks, even at her tender age. The thought was enough to bring a smile to his face.
"And they're off!"
Suddenly, the conversation meant nothing to any of them, as they all focused on the pods. But what they saw brought a sinking feeling to them all.
"Oh... wait! Little Skywalker has stalled!"
Jar Jar and Padmé looked disappointed almost immediately, like they were giving up hope. Ryha and Shmi, on the other hand, looked petrified. Sensing the younger of the two's obvious despair, Qui-Gon scooped her up into his arms and wrapped an arm around the boy's mother, comforting them as best he could, in the moment.
"He'll be alright," he spoke quietly, so that only Ryha could hear. "He's a strong boy. He'll make it."
And as if his words of affirmation were magic, Anakin's engines started up again, and he was off.
"And there goes Skywalker! He'll be hard pressed to catch up with the leaders today."
"He'll do it." Ryha muttered. "He'll make it. Just wait."
Ryha didn't know how long the race truly lasted. It could've been minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or even lightyears. Time wasn't the same during the race, and the only thing that let her know that it was even real was the loud voices over the speaker that broke through her haze every few minutes.
"Looks like a few Tusken Raiders have come out of the canyon dune turn."
"There goes Quadinaros' power couplings."
"Here comes Sebulba in record time!"
"It looks like Skywalker is moving up through the field. He's in... sixth place! Not bad."
"At the start of the third and final lap, Sebulba is in the lead, closely followed by Skywalker..."
This one caught Ryha's full attention.
Looking up at the screen, she clutched Qui-Gon's tunic for dear life, almost shaking with anxiety.
"Skywalker is forced onto the service ramp!"
"He's catching up to Sebulba! Incredible!"
"That little human being is out of his mind!"
"They're neck and neck!"
"They're side by side!"
"Shoulder to shoulder!"
Ryha held her breath and stared out onto the track, just waiting to see her Anakin safe and sound. She didn't care if he won or not, all she cared about was him making it out alive. And then it happened. Sebulba's racer exploding. Anakin flying through the smoke. The crowd cheering. Anakin passing the finish line.
"It's Skywalker! The crowd are going nuts!"
Ryha didn't even feel herself moving, pushing Qui-Gon away and jumping out of his arms and racing onto the track. She didn't feel her happy tears, she didn't even feel the wind racing through her hair. All she felt was Anakin's arms around her, spinning her around in circles.
"We did it, Ryha!" he screamed, still spinning. "We won!"
Ryha let out a stream of contagious giggles, overwhelmed with joy due to the monumental occasion. But their moment was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the gang, lead by none other than Anakin's mother.
"Anakin!" she shouted, giving him a split second to let go of Ryha before engulfing him in her tight embrace and planting kisses all over his dirty face.
"Hi, mom." he grinned, feeling almost smug in the moment.
Anakin loved proving people wrong, even if it was his own mother.
"It's so wonderful, Annie. You have brought hope to those who have none. I'm so very proud of you!"
Next in line for hugging the boy was Jar Jar, and then Padmé, who couldn't have been happier at how the morning turned out.
"We owe you everything."
Anakin laughed, a high pitched and childish sound, but Ryha's favorite nonetheless.
"Just feeling this good was worth it."
Anakin and Ryha were so invested in the feelings of glory and relief that they hardly noticed Qui-Gon harnessing containers of ship parts to the eopies.
"Padmé, Jar Jar, let's go. We've got to get these parts to the ship."
The group walked over to where the eopies were, Ryha and Anakin giggling to each other as they watched Jar Jar try to mount one of them. As the eopies began to walk off, the Skywalker family waved to their new friends, and they waved in return.
"We'll return the eopies by midday," he promised. "It shan't take long."
"Take your time..." Ryha spoke, looking Qui-Gon in the eyes as he left.
It was then when Anakin got the feeling that they knew something that he didn't. He knew Ryha, and he knew that she wouldn't say something like that unprovoked — she was far too reserved for that type of behaviour. However, something in him chose to remain silent about his gut feeling — an unusual thing for the boy, but he didn't want to ruin a good day. No, good was an understatement. He didn't want to ruin the best day of his life.
Turns out, someone else had plans to do so.
Anakin and his family walked home, Shmi going ahead of he and his best friend to prepare a celebratory meal in his honour. Kissing both of their heads, she made them promise to have fun and stay out of trouble, but with Anakin, that was easier said than done.
As he and his best friend made their way through the Tatooine streets, all was well, until the familiar face of Greedo unfortunately made an appearance.
"You cheated!" he accused, storming right up to the duo, gaining the attention from the people that littered the streets. "You cheated, Anakin Skywalker!"
"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked, shocked that anyone would even assume something like that of his character. "I didn't cheat! I won fair and square!"
"There's no way your pod stalled out and you still came in first." the green creature spoke pointedly. "That's impossible!"
"Obviously not," Anakin sneered. "Seeing as it happened."
"Obviously it did," Greedo mocked. "Seeing as it happened."
"You're just mad that Anakin's the best racer in the galaxy." Ryha pointed out. "Leave us alone, Greedo."
"Of course you're defending him. You were probably in on it, too!" the boy yelled, drawing in a crowd. "Just like the scum you are—"
It took all of a split second for Ryha and Anakin to process his words, and that split second was all it took for Anakin to take Greedo down to the floor. Ryha couldn't help but let out a scream at the sight, wanting nothing more than to get the two to break it up so that they could return to what was supposed to be their perfect last day. But no matter how much she yelled at them, they wouldn't listen. The two young boys kept wrestling in the desert sand, and they didn't seem to have any intentions of letting up, either. For a moment, she began to think that all hope was lost, until she saw the familiar robes of the Jedi she dreaded seeing since he left.
Had it already been that long?
"Qui-Gon!" she called out, racing over to the tall man and tugging on his arm. "Help! Please, it's Anakin!"
Wasting no more time, Qui-Gon let the girl lead him over to where the crowd had formed, seeing that Anakin, was, in fact, in the middle of trouble. Except, it didn't seem like he was in trouble; it seemed as if the boy he was pounding to a pulp was the one that really needed the help. And just as Qui-Gon knew he would, Anakin stopped his assault against his peer, and looked up.
"What's this?" the Jedi asked, keeping a firm hand on Ryha's shoulder.
"He said I cheated." Anakin spat.
"Did you?"
"No!"
Turning to the boy that was just being pummeled by the future padawan, Qui-Gon began his second round of questions.
"Do you still think he cheated?"
"Yes!" Greedo responded.
"Well, Annie, you know the truth. You will have to tolerate his opinion, fighting won't change it."
"He also called Ryha scum." Anakin spat out, acting as if the word was acid on his tongue.
There it was: the real reason Anakin had been so relentless. The more Qui-Gon observed of the two, the more dangerous he found their relationship to be. He'd never seen such blind loyalty, and for a second, he wondered if anything could keep these two apart. However, that wasn't the situation at hand. So, he turned to Ryha and bent down so that he was her height.
"Is that true, Ryha?"
Ryha, as he knew she would, avoided his eyes, but reluctantly nodded anyways.
"Are you scum, Ryha?"
At that, Ryha stayed silent, giving him all the answers he needed on what she thought of herself. Her silence also gave Anakin those answers, as well.
"The answer is no, Ryha." Qui-Gon spoke again, before Anakin got the chance to do anything else. "You are not scum, you are a girl. You are loved. You are cherished. You are protected. Do not listen to anyone that says otherwise, do you understand?"
Ryha bashfully nodded, wanting the whole thing to be over already before she died of embarrassment.
"Good." Qui-Gon spoke, standing once more. "Come now, let's get you two home."
It took everything in Anakin not to launch at Greedo and make him pay for the way he made Ryha feel, but he managed. Standing up, he didn't even bother ridding himself of the dust on his clothes, he simply went straight for Ryha, taking her hand in his own and continuing where they left off. Qui-Gon, remembering what he came to do, caught up to the pair within a few strides, and tossed the bag of credits he had been carrying in his pocket to the boy.
"What's this?" he questioned, looking down at the bag.
"These are yours. We sold the pod."
At this news, it was like the fight never happened. The boy beamed, grinning from ear to ear, and began jumping for joy. The trio made their way to Anakin's hovel, Anakin and Ryha practically dancing their entire way there. Anakin was just happy that he could bring home some credits for his family, and Ryha was just enjoying his mood while it lasted. She and Qui-Gon both knew that it wouldn't last for much longer.
"Mom!" Anakin called as soon as they stepped foot in his home. "Mom, he sold the pod! Look at all the money we have!"
Anakin basically threw the money in his mother's hands, bringing a smile to her face, too.
"Oh, my goodness! That's wonderful!"
Qui-Gon decided that now was as good as any to break the news to the boy, and gave Ryha's hand a squeeze before doing so.
"And Anakin has been freed."
"What?!" the boy screamed, facing the Jedi.
"You're no longer a slave, Anakin."
At this point, if Anakin jumped any higher, he would've hit the ceiling of the hovel.
"Was that part of the prize, or what?"
"Let's just say that Watto has learned an important lesson about gambling."
Shmi turned to her son, smiling just as wide as he was.
"You can finally make your dreams come true, Annie. You're free!" she declared, happy tears in her worn out eyes. "Is he to become a Jedi?"
"Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens on accident. Anakin is strong with the force, but he may not be accepted by the Council."
This didn't seem to deter Anakin in the slightest.
"A Jedi! Mighty blasters, you mean I get to go with you in your starship and everything?!"
"Anakin, training to be a Jedi will not be an easy challenge. And if you succeed, it will be a hard life."
"But it's what I want. What I've always dreamed about. Can I go, mom?!"
"This path has been placed for you, Annie; the choice is yours alone."
Anakin looked from his mother to Qui-Gon, seeming to make his mind up relatively quickly.
"I want to go."
"Then, pack your things. We haven't much time."
"Yippee!" Anakin exclaimed, running over to his mom and giving her a big hug, Ryha being next. Then, he stopped.
The moment they had all been dreading had finally come.