♥️

~

The Tatooine suns were setting when Anakin stopped to ask some Jawas for directions. They were helpful and guided Anakin to the right place. It was a little past midnight by the time Anakin parked the speeder bike on the edge of the cliff that overlooked the Tusken camp. He knew it was the right camp. Anakin could feel his mother's presence there, her pain. She was definitely in one of those huts covered in hide. Anakin tried to calm himself as he felt your worry. You were trying not to call out to him through the connection, but you were overwhelmed with worry for him.

I'm sorry ____.

Anakin said to you before closing himself off to you in your shared Force Bond. He didn't didn't have a good feeling about what was about to happen. He needed to do this alone and protect you from the negative thoughts and emotions he will experience.

~

You couldn't sleep at all. Beru was very kind and gave you a blue tunic dress outfit to wear for your stay there. It was a thin medium blue matte short sleeved dress that touched the floor. You wore a poncho-like tunic over the dress. It had a deep V cut in the front and a smaller one in the back. It had various Tatooine designs in a pale gold color, orange, light blue, and lavender. You had undone your previous hairstyle and pulled it back into a high ponytail with your Padawan braid left out.

You clenched your necklace in your hand as you walked into the garage where Threepio was working. You were too worried about Anakin to sleep and everyone else was. You decided to spend some time with the droid instead of worrying yourself away in your room.

"Hello, Miss ___!" he greeted you happily.

"Hello, Threepio." you replied.

"You cannot sleep?"

"No, I just have too many things on my mind." you answered truthfully as you walked around the garage.

"Are you worried about your work in the Senate and for the Jedi?" Threepio asked.

"No, I am concerned about Anakin." you admitted as you sat down on the one of the steps of the tiny stair walkway to the slightly lower level of the garage. "I said things... I'm afraid I may have hurt him beyond repair. I don't know. Maybe I only hurt myself. For the first time in my life, I am confused."

"I'm not sure it will make you feel any better, Miss ____, but I don't think there's been a time in my life when I haven't been confused." Threepio reassured you.

"I want him to know I care about him. I do care about him." you sighed. You knew he wasn't okay and not being there with him only added to your worries.

"Don't worry about Master Ani. He can take care of himself. Even in this awful place." Threepio said. You went to reply when Anakin's voice echoed in your mind.

I'm sorry, ____.

You let out a small gasp when you suddenly felt nothing from Anakin. He had closed off everything from you. That meant one thing. Anakin was about to do something he doesn't want even you to know about. He was acting on his feelings, something you both were taught not to do as a Jedi. You had an awful feeling about it.

"Miss ____? Are you alright?" Threepio asked, concerned.

"Yes..." you trailed off as you looked towards the open entrance of the garage into the night sky.

Please be okay, Anakin.

~

Anakin hopped down from the edge of the cliff and landed safely on his feet. Anakin silently walked up to the camp. There were a few male Tusken outside by the campfire and their dog creatures were fighting over bones. Most likely from past victims of the Tuskens. Anakin snuck behind the huts as he followed where his mother's presence was the strongest. When he got to the hut, he ignited his lightsaber and cut an opening through the back of it as quietly as possible. He kicked the wall in and duck in as he entered the hut.

There were dozens of candles of various sizes everywhere. However, it was still barely enough light. The moonlight from the hole provided some more light as it shined on Shmi, who was hanging from a wooden frame in the middle of the hut. Anakin rushed to her side and cut her free. Anakin felt sick to his stomach at the sight of his beloved mother so beaten and bloodied. Her hair was a matted mess and there was a deep cut on her left cheek, just the bare surface of all of her injuries.

Anakin gently lowered her to the ground before cradling her tenderly in his arms.

"Mom.. Mom... Mom..." Anakin whispered fretfully.

"Ani..? Is it you..?" Shmi breathed out. Her breathing was very uneven. She was on the brink of death. She looked up at Anakin as her tired eyes had a hard time adjusting and focusing on him. Anakin let out a choking gasp as refused to believe that they were in the final moments of his mother's life.

"I'm here, Mom. You're safe. Hang on. I'm going to get you out of here." Anakin whimpered out.

"Ani? Ani? Oh, you look so handsome." Shmi whispered as she gazed up at her son and placed a hand on his cheek. Anakin gently kissed her hand as he leaned into his mother's loving touch. "My son... my grown-up son. I'm so proud of you, Ani... so proud..."

"I missed you." Anakin said quietly to her as tears formed.

"Now, I am complete." Shmi mumbled as the last of her strength and life started to leave her body. She was holding on as long as she could so she could see her son one last time. She was so tired now and just wanted to close her eyes now and rest. She truly felt completed now, seeing Anakin as the strong, young man she always knew he would turn out to be. With the last of her strength, she looked up at Anakin one last time.

"I love you..." she breathed out as she fell limp in Anakin's arms. Shmi's hand fell down onto her chest and her head fell back. One last breath left her lips as Anakin trembled. His worst nightmare had come true as he cradled Shmi closer to his chest. Tears fell as he reached over and closed her eyes. He let out a pained gasp before something snapped within himself. Anakin angrily looked up at the entrance of the hut. He felt nothing but rage and hatred. He gently laid Shmi's body down as he stood up.

Dawn broke as Anakin swiftly made his way to the hut entrance. He saw red as he ignited his lightsaber once again. He wanted to make the Tusken feel his wrath and pain, to pay for taking his mother away from him. Anakin stepped out of the hut, surprising the two Tusken guards. Anakin didn't give them a chance to grab their weapons as he swung his lightsaber down on them, killing them instantly. There were cries and screams as the Tuskens mourned for the two Tuskens slayed.

Anakin raised his lightsaber again.