trust

the night grew closer as we travelled on the sand, hand in hand, my head on his shoulder.

we yawned in sync, and became more tired with every step.

"are we close?" anakin asked me, his eyes fluttering shut.

"i- i can't tell." i whispered, trudging up another sand hill.

"what's that- in the distance?" anakin pointed, as he reached the top before me.

"what is it? - my god, this is it!" i screeched, my energy instantly revived.

"alright slow down." he laughed, grabbing my hand, running after me.

"we need to stay low and blend in." i whispered, releasing my hand from his and standing further up right.

"we can't show that we're jedi." i added, flashing him a reassuring smile.

he nodded, pulling his hood over his head, and assisting with mine.

"go ahead, i'm following." he smiled, gesturing for me to go forward.

we strode through the village, the citizens staring as we walked past. and eventually we reached a bar, and i was hoping my good friend was inside.

"do you know any of these people?" ani whispered in my ear, trying not to be noticed.

"only one. i'm hoping that he's here actually."

"your friend is a 'he?'"

"yes. and your point is?"

he stared in silence for a few seconds, a surprised smirk forming on his face. until he shook his head to take him away from the hesitation.

"nothing. let's find him."

i shook my head in disbelief, laughing quietly.

until i received an incoming call from obi wan.

this time, i answered.

"you took your time."

"i'm sorry obi wan. i've left, for good. it's better that i get out of your way."

"don't be stupid aria. i'm coming to get you. where are you?"

"i told you obi wan, i'm fine."

"no you aren't. darth maul is still after you and anakin is in danger."

"anakin isn't in danger - he's with me."

"what!"

"don't be angry. if we aren't jedi anymore it's-"

"you aren't jedi anymore?"

"yes - we're still jedi, just, if we leave the order-"

"if you leave the jedi order - you're no longer jedi."

"we just - don't go by the rules."

"then you're disobeying the order?"

"no - obi wan."

"what."

"look - we're fine. and anakin isn't turning to the dark side. everything is fine."

"you're putting yourself and anakin in a very dangerous situation. this isn't very responsible of you."

"we're grown adults. we can make our own decisions."

"and who made the decision for you to run away together?"

"it was a mutual decision."

"so you did run away together?"