Ahsoka Tano is worried. Her master disappeared from the Temple earlier in the afternoon and hasn't returned. And he's not answering him commlink either. She knows, because she tried calling him several times. She has no idea where he could have gone this time, and she's only worried because he's been acting so... different.
Ever since Obi-Wan died, he became extremely quiet and withdrawn. She's never seen him look so exhausted when not at war. But what worries her the most is his anger. He didn't lash out at anyone, but she could feel a burning anger simmering in him through the Force. And it scares her.
Ahsoka paces back and forth in her room, trying to reassure herself that Anakin is alright. "He'll be fine," she mutters, "He'll be back soon and laugh at me for worrying." Not helping.
She stops in the middle of the floor. She just has this feeling that something is off. And it seems to center around Anakin's absence. Maybe. She closes her eyes, reaching out with the Force and trying to sense what's off. Around her, in the Temple, the Force is flowing as it always does. There is no whispers or warnings of impending danger. What then, is wrong? Because she knows that it's something.
That's when she feels Anakin. He feels different somehow, not that it's unusual. But he doesn't feel angry or sad, just something else she can't quite place. Resigned? Maybe that's it.
"Ahsoka," he calls to her through their Force bond, and she starts slightly, not having expected it.
"Yes, Master?" she replies. This is odd. Everything is odd. Even his voice seems slightly odd. He sounds strained and maybe a little cautious.
"I know I can trust you, but if I tell you something, can you keep it a secret from everyone? Even the Council? I don't want anyone to know," Anakin explains.
That's strange. Anakin has never been one to tell her secrets before, and Ahsoka wonders what it might be. Only one way to find out. "Of course, I'll keep your secret, Skyguy," she answers, almost hurt that Anakin thinks she wouldn't. What could be so terrible that she would betray him? Did he break the Jedi Code? That seems to happen on a regular basis.
The only thing she would never keep a secret, is if he turned to the Dark Side, but that's not the kind of secret that someone would tell. She feels a sense of relief through the Force before Anakin responds. "There's something I have to do, and I need to fake my death, Snips. I'll be back. I promise you, and then I'll explain everything."
That takes her off guard. What could be so serious that he would fake his death? From his tone, she knows she won't get any answers. Now she understands why he told her. He cares about her. He doesn't want her to be hurt.
"Thanks for trusting me, Master. I won't tell anyone. I promise." He doesn't answer, but she can feel his smile and gratitude. With a smile of her own, Ahsoka opens her eyes, pulling out from the Force. She hardly feels Anakin pull away from her as their bond goes eerily silent. It's not broken, but it's being buried, and she doesn't like the feeling.
Ahsoka frowns, realizing that this means she won't be able to contact Anakin until he decides to return from – from wherever he's going. Please be careful, Master. I don't want to lose you too.
***
Padme Amidala is very busy. So much is happening at the Senate, and she's having a hard time keeping up with everything. It doesn't help that one of her closest friends, Obi-Wan, just recently died. As heartbroken as she is, she's even more concerned for Anakin. He's not been himself. He's been sullen and moody. He hardly responds to anyone, and she hasn't even seen him since the funeral.
It's been bothering her, though she won't let her concern affect her work. Anakin usually let his emotions out around her, since the Jedi won't listen to him. If he's not talking to her, then he's not talking to anyone, and the implications are disturbing, to say the least. As Padme prepares to sit down to her evening meal, she can't help but wonder about Anakin again. Where is he? What's happening to him? Is he alright?
Shaking her head, she leaves her bedroom and walks towards the dining room, stopping dead in her tracks when she sees Anakin standing in the doorway. He looks terrible, like he hasn't slept in days. But the expression in his eyes is worst of all. Padme stands frozen, staring at his emotionless eyes. He looks totally numb, but beneath his shield, she can almost feel a raging storm of pain and fear and anger. Oh, Ani!
"Ani," she exclaims rushing to him.
"Padme," he whispers, but even his voice sounds off. He's not acting right at all, and she can tell that depression doesn't even begin to cover how he feels. She can't really relate. She's never lost a parent, and Anakin – He's just so different from everyone else. He needs people; he can't bear to lose them. This – Obi-Wan's death – it's destroying him, and she doesn't want to consider what might happen if she can't help him. But does he even want her help? Or anyone's?
She throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly, "I was so worried about you," she murmurs, holding him.
He wraps his arms around her, but his actions seem almost robotic. He's closed himself off from everything, and she's terrified she won't be able to reach him. "I'm fine, Angel," he replies, resting his head on hers. And that, is a lie. He's not fine. Not at all.
"No, Ani, you're not fine. No one would be," she replies firmly. When he doesn't answer, Padme steps back, looking up at him with her dark brown eyes.
"Will you stay?" she asks hopefully.
He just looks at her, his eyes dead, before shaking his head, "I can't."
"Have you eaten anything yet?" she pushes, and he just stops. For a moment, he almost seems surprised. Not that she asked, but that he'd never thought about it. Oh no. That's not good. If he's not even eating, then he's worse than she'd realized.
"I ate," he answers vaguely.
"When?" she demands, frowning at him, "You can't neglect yourself, and you need to eat unless you want to end up collapsing from exhaustion."
"I don't know," he replies slowly his voice distant. She narrows her eyes, studying his expression. He looks exhausted. Has he even slept at all?
"Have you even slept recently?" she challenges.
He shifts uncomfortably under her scrutiny, not meeting her gaze, his eyes focusing on something only he can see. "Can't sleep," he finally mutters, probably guessing correctly that she won't let him get away with not answering her question.
A wave of sympathy floods her, and she reaches up to touch his cheek with her hand. "You can't go on like this, Ani. I know it's not what Obi-Wan would want you to do," she whispers gently.
He flinches away from her, turning his back on her and stepping to the window. His breathing is irregular, and he finally runs a hand through his hair. "I can't stay," he says, his voice strained, "I need to get away. I – I need to be alone. Just for a bit."
Anakin turns back, meeting her eyes, his expression tormented. "There's something I need to do, Padme, and I – I need to –" he pauses, looking away, "I need to fake my death."
"What?" she cries, staring at him in shock, "Anakin, you can hardly take care of yourself right now. You can't just leave."
"It's what I have to do," he repeats, and she can see a faint determination in his eyes.
"Why?" she asks desperately.
He hesitates, looking undecided, until he finally straightens, "I'll tell you everything when I get back, Angel. I promise. Just don't tell anyone what I told you."
A quiet sigh escapes her, and she nods reluctantly. She's unable to shake the feeling he's going to do something reckless which will land him into a serious mess, but there's nothing she can do about it. Except –
Padme steps forward, wrapping her arms around her husband once more, "Please be careful, Ani. Don't do anything reckless. I'd hate for something to happen to you."
"I'll be careful," he murmurs, holding her tightly as though she's his only anchor to the world. And maybe she is. She really doesn't know.
Finally, Anakin lets her go. "I'll be back," he promises, "It shouldn't be too long." He gives her a quick kiss before turning and striding away.
As Padme watches him leave, she can't shake off a terrible feeling of foreboding, almost as though a disaster is looming right around the corner. She closes her eyes, offering up a silent prayer to whatever force is listening that her Ani be kept safe, knowing even as she does that the eye of the approaching storm is likely centered right around him.