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A Beginning of Fear

Heather Hambel

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FEEDBACK. Yeah baby!

POSTING: Yeah! Kayla, my dear Qui-Gon fanatic...that's to you!

RATING: Same as usual. No sex (yet), not really violent...(yet)...just...uh...there.

DISCLAIMER: The only characters that I own are Azoria, Tyrany, and Master Lonys. The rest belong to George Lucas. I don't own them and I don't pretend to. They've just become very fun to...play with.

SOUNDTRACK: Mostly, this part was written to BSB's "I Want It That Way" and Fastball's "Outta My Head". But, that's only because those two songs remind me of who I like.

Chapter 7

Obi-Wan nodded. His stomach twisted, his heart pounded, and his hands felt _so_ sweaty...what was wrong with him?! "The boy can help your cousin...are you sure there's no way you can get us to her?" Azoria sighed sadly. "Obi-Wan...I've only spoken to my cousin once since she was born, and that was only to offer my condolances about...her parent's death. I'm not _allowed_ to see her." "Why not?" Azoria's eyes shifted around uncomfortably. "I wish I could tell you...but..." "You can trust me, my lady," Obi-Wan said softly, as he gently brushed a strand of her hair from her face. "I would never betray you." Azoria studied him for a moment. "I - I know...but...I'm sure it's nothing. Really." Obi-Wan wasn't convinced. He very gently tilted her head up and stared into her intoxicating eyes... Out of nowhere, Dartyne jumped up and clamped his sharp teeth over Obi-Wan's hand. Obi-Wan winced at the pain and quickly drew in a breath. "DARTYNE!" Azoria shrieked, smacking the creature on his nose. It released Obi-Wan's hand and dashed into the weeds while emitting a low, menacing growl. Azoria grabbed Obi-Wan's hand and critically looked at it. "Are you alright? Dartyne isn't really as ferocious as he acts...I'm _so_ sorry!" "It's okay," Obi-Wan said, glancing at the yellow, glowing eyes that peered at him from the brush. "It's not bleeding." Azoria ran her soft fingers over the bite mark on Obi-Wan's hand. Before she could say anything, however, a voice in the palace could be heard yelling her name. "I must go," she whispered frantically. "Come back tomorow and I'll get the boy to my cousin." "But I thought you said - " Azoria placed a finger over Obi-Wan's lips. "Don't worry. You'll see her. To leave the gardens, you must walk along this wall until you reach the fountain. Directly behind it is a very small door. Through it you will be on the far east side of the palace. Until tomorrow...my Jedi." With that said, she ran down the path, pausing only to let Dartyne leap onto her shounders. Then, she was gone. * * * *

Later that night, Obi-Wan stared at the ceiling, his thoughts on Azoria. Her eyes...her smile...when he closed his eyes he could still see her face. The was she had touched his hand...but, why did she act the way she did yesterday? Why wasn't she allowed to see Tyrany? Why...why did he feel like he was loosing his grip on reality?

* * * *

The front gate was desterted. Obi-Wan gently knocked again, but there was still no response. Anakin yawned and rubbed his eyes. It seemed like everyone but him wanted to get to the princess but him. Master Lonys had left early to fly to D'Mar Three to "speak with the Council about the princess"...Obi-Wan had been pacing around nervously all morning - how silly! To get worried about something as dumb as a _girl_. He hoped - no _knew_ a girl would _never_ do that to him. Suddenly, the door opened and a girl stepped out. Anakin watched in disgust as Obi-Wan got a goofy grin on his face and almost tripped walking over to her. "Azoria! Is everything all right?" Azoria nodded. "I think so, but we must hurry." "This is Anakin Skywalker," Obi-Wan said. "Anakin, this is Queen Azoria of Rykaara." Azoria knelt down and shoot Anakin's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Anakin." Anakin smiled and looked past her. "Is that an Ebian?" Azoria turned, then laughed. "Yes, his name is Dartyne." Obi-Wan groaned. Dartyne trotted over to Anakin and, after cautiously regarding him, hopped into his arms and gently nuzzled his neck. Anakin laughed - and it was for the first time since they'd left Tatooine. "I like him!" Azoria stood up and smiled at the small boy. "And he likes you!" She walked over to Obi-Wan and placed a hand on his. "He's just jealous of you, Obi-Wan. I think in his mind, he believes he's being replaced." She squeezed his hand and pulled him to her side. "Follow me." She quickly led them through a maze of halls and staircases until they reached a heavy door, guarded by only a familiar looking short man. "All is clear, my lady," he whispered. Azoria nodded and pushed the door open. Inside, was a very empty and dark room, with a very sad little girl sitting on top of a bed. Her dark brown eyes were filled with sadness and terror, but brightened a little when she saw Azoria. She ran across the room and threw herself at the Queen. "You came!" "This is Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker," Azoria smoothed down the little girl's dark hair. "They've come to help you." Tyrany looked at Anakin. "Hello." Anakin blinked a few times. "Hi." "Obi-Wan, can I speak to you outside?" Azoria suddenly said, grabbing his hand and pulling him outside the room. "What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked, noticing that the short man was no longer outside the door. "I didn't want to tell you...but this morning..." she looked up at him and bit her lip. "I think someone is trying to kill me and Tyrany." "Kill you?!" Obi-Wan instintivly pulled her closer. "What happened?!" "When you came the first time...I was told to drive you and your Master away...so...you wouldn't interfear...But then, when you came back, they weren't here...so..." Azoria sighed. "And then, this morning...there was someone in my room..." "Who?" Obi-Wan searched her eyes. "Do you know?" Azoria shook her head. "He - he had a black cloak..." Obi-Wan's heart almost stopped. "Sidious." "Who?" "We have to get you and the princess off of this planet," Obi-Wan said firmly. "Now."

* * * *

His black cloak billowed out around him as he kneeled infront of his master. "All is going according to your plans, my lord." "Very well, young apprentice. Once you have killed the Jedi, bring the children to me." "And of the Queen?" "You may do with her as you wish."

TO BE CONTINUED