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Pride was a dangerous emotion for a Jedi. Obi Wan knew that. He had been taught so since he was in the crèche, first by the crèche master, then by his Master and after he had been knighted by the members of the council. Obi Wan was aware of the dangers that could accompany it.
But he couldn’t help but be proud of his Padawan. He had been unsure about the wisdom of the council assigning both of them to this protection detail. As enthusiastic as his Padawan undoubtedly was, diplomacy was not one of the skills he had been blessed with a natural ability in. He tended to be blunt and direct, particularly with those who he believed were being deliberately vague. They were not the traits that would endear him to the Trask, or any other royal court.
Against his expectations though, the mission had become remarkably well. His young Padawan had charmed the Mon Calmari princess and her entourage, proving that all social niceties could be overlooked if the person in question was as young and enthusiastic as Anakin. Some of the older members of the court still observed Anakin with disgust for his poor engagement with protocol, but most had fallen in line with their princesses position. If anything his Padawan was bristling under the attention. Obi Wan could tell that he was growing frustrated at being treated like an adopted Tooka by the princess.
The attention had however proved very useful for Obi Wan. With his Padawan unwittingly taking the attention of the court it had left Obi Wan with a significantly easier job in attempting to gather information on who was behind the threats on the princess’ life that had brought them to the moon in the first place.
It had become apparent quickly after their arrival that the threat had come from within the court. Only someone who had the inside knowledge of the court could have detailed such specific threats. It was Anakin however who had first raised his suspicions about the Commerce Minister.
The man was an elder in the court, and very clearly not happy with the princess growing interest in setting their own trade duties, and moving away from the influence of the Trade Federation. Obi Wan had initially thought his hostility towards the Jedi and his Padawan was their role in breaking the blockade on Naboo but it was Anakin that pointed out his suspicious behaviour in the council meetings.
A check of the governmental budget had proved their suspicions. The corrupt minister had been syphoning off a large share of the money the Trade Federation gave the moon for use of its extensive docks, as well as offering the franchise at what Obi Wan could only work out as a significantly discounted rate. He wouldn’t have been shocked if he wasn’t actually under the federations employ.
None of which would have been discovered if it wasn’t for Anakin's hunch.
Yes, he couldn’t help it. He was very proud of his Padawan.
There could have been a better place for the minister to find out they were onto him than during the opening of the new dock facilities. Obi Wan would have preferred for the confrontation to happen behind closed doors at the palace. Not during a public ceremony.
The man had pulled out blaster, grabbing both the Princess and his Padawan and was advancing back towards the edge of the dock. Obi Wan threw out an arm stopping the advance of the royal guards. On land they would be able to trace the minister, it would be almost impossible if he brought the princess into the water.
The minister looked smug. “Now Master Jedi. You will let me and her Majesty go, or I will take your charge with us. It’s a good job Humans can breathe underwater. Oh, wait.” The mans face contorted into a snarl. “They can’t.”
Obi Wan ignored him, focusing his attention on Anakin.
There was no sign of fear on the boy's face. He was focused. His face showed no emotions at all. He looked more at one with the force than he had ever seemed during one of their meditations.
He met Obi Wans eyes and gave him an almost imperceptible nod.
The Minister's attention remained focused on Obi Wan as Anakin started to move. He was underestimating Anakin, treating him as if he was an ordinary eleven year old, not a trained Jedi Padawan.
Anakin twisted his leg around the Ministers, before kicking it away. The Minister stumbled, losing his grip on the Princess. Anakin pushed forward with the force, the unsuspecting Princess flew forwards, past Obi Wan and crashing into the guards behind him.
The Minister lashed out, pushing Anakin off to the side and lunging after the Princess.
Obi Wan moved. He knocked the blaster from the Ministers hand before igniting his lightsaber. It was blazing inches from the Minsters throat. He froze, face portraying fear for the first time. The guards moved forward grabbing his arms and cuffing them behind his back.
Obi Wan let out a breath. He lowered his shields slightly before turning and looking for his Padawan. He almost staggered back at the wave of sheer panic that flooded his mind. He looked back to where Anakin had been.
There was no sign of him.
Obi Wan suppressed his own rising panic, surveying the crowd. Anakin couldn’t be seen. Nothing seemed out of place. Except for the fading ripples disturbing the otherwise flat water next to the dock.
Desert Planet. Obi Wan thought. Where would you learn to swim on a Desert Planet?
“Master Kenobi? Came the questioning voice of one of the Queen's council. Obi Wan ignored them, dropping his robe as he ran forward. He took a deep breath and threw himself into the water.
The water was murky, full of debris from the construction works, and thick, thick seaweed.
He had to retain his focus. He needed every ounce of oxygen possible.
He opened the training bond fully, desperately searching for his apprentice. Anakin was always loud, his sense of panic was screaming at him.
But it was getting quieter.
Obi Wan kicked forward desperately. He was getting deeper. Anakin had to be here somewhere. He had to be. He needed to tell him how proud he was, he’d never got the chance. He had to be able to tell him. He had to.
The water was getting even darker as they got deeper, the light from the system's star unable to penetrate the amount of water.
Where was he? He could still sense Anakin, he was getting weaker but he was still there. He felt close. He had to find him. He had to.
Obi Wan caught a glimpse of beige through the dark green mass of the plants. He kicked forward reaching desperately for it.
And grabbed hold of an arm.
Anakin looked pale. His eyes were still open but they looked glassy. He felt a surge of relief surge over the training bond, but it was still getting weaker.
Obi Wan kicked upwards.
The light of the surface looked so very far away.
It was slow progress. The plants that seemed so easy to move through on his way down were tangling around their limbs, holding them back, trying to keep them below. Anakin's weight had become dead, he was kicking feebly but it wasn’t helping, his weight seemingly dragging them further down.
Obi Wan kicked harder, forcing them up.
The water was growing lighter. It couldn’t be far now they were nearly there. Surely. They had to be nearly there.
Obi Wans lungs were screaming.
He felt Anakin sag, a string of bubbles running past him indicating he had released his breath.
Obi Wan gave one last desperate kick.
And broke the surface mouth first.
The Mon Calmari swarmed him, several of the guards were in the water around them.
He felt himself get hauled out of the water. He flailed desperately looking for his Padawan. He was dropped onto the dock, coughing desperately. He rolled over onto his hands and knees, breathing deeply before looking up. Anakin had been a lid on the dock a few meters from him. Their bond was quiet. He didn’t seem to be breathing.
The Mon Calmari seemed to ignore him. They were an aquatic species unused to the phenomenon of drowning, and obviously unused to what humans needed after being pulled from the water.
Obi Wan crawled towards him.
“Anakin” he croaked. There was no response. “Anakin!” he said again, louder. Again silence.
Anakin's chest was not moving.
He wasn’t breathing.
He threw himself over his Padawan. He put his hands on his chest and pushed down, desperately doing compressions.
He got no response.
He kept his shield fully down, desperately reaching out into their bond. It was there. It might have been quiet but it was still there. Obi Wan knew what it was like when a force bond was severed in death. He knew what the pain felt like. That hadn’t happened. His Padawan was still in there.
He kept doing compressions.
How could he have been so cavalier with his Padawan Obi Wan thought morosely? He should have thought this through. Younglings always learnt to swim when they were initiates. It had never even crossed his mind that Anakin might not know how. That he would need to teach him. But it was obvious. Where could he have possibly have learnt before? If he lost him. If Anakin died because of his oversight. Obi Wan didn’t think he could forgive himself.
Obi Wan kept pressing down.
He was losing hope.
But then…
Anakin coughed. Obi Wan stopped helping his Padawan lean over to the side as he coughed up water. His breathing was haggard, rough, unhealthy. But it was there. He was breathing.
Anakin kept coughing, clearing the water from his lungs before slumping back onto the deck.
“Master?” he asked weakly.
“Your fine Padawan” Obi Wan croaked. “You’re safe now. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you, Master.” Anakin closed his eyes, slumping back into unconsciousness. But at least this time there was the reassuring movement of his chest. His Padawan would be fine. Anakin was safe.
Obi Wan dropped his forehead to Anakins.
“I am so, so proud of you Anakin.” He whispered.
Anakin made no response.
Obi Wan slumped onto his back next to him.
He took deep breaths. His vision was going blurry, darkness creeping in at the edges of his sight.
He tried to breathe deeper desperately, trying to stay awake.
He was losing the fight.
I have to do better Obi Wan thought as the darkness overtook him. Anakin deserves better. I have to be better. I have to make him as proud of me as I am of him. I will be better.
Obi Wan let himself fall into unconsciousness.