Anakin Skywalker does not want a new padawan.

He does not need a new padawan.

He had a padawan.

She’s gone now, due to the council and the Senate and even Palpatine, a man that Anakin had always thought he could trust to help him out.

But Palpatine hadn’t helped Anakin’s padawan, even after Anakin had gone to the man and practically begged him and yet, despite knowing that he could, Palpatine had not helped Ahsoka. Anakin knew that he could.

He wasn’t stupid, he knew how much power the Chancellor had been steadily getting throughout the war, emergency protocols put into place.

He could have helped.

Then Anakin would still have his padawan and the idea of a new one would not be necessary.

He understood that Qui-Gon couldn’t help, the man was the maverick of the Jedi order for a reason, the council listening to Qui-Gon properly was as likely as Anakin growing wings.

And to be fair to the council, the Senate had involved itself in the proceeding.

After that it had all become a shit show anyhow, the Senate and politicians were never considerate to the Jedi, all of their efforts to reach out were usually brushed aside, requests for information denied, for more lenient actions…

Anakin hated politicians.

Not even Padme had properly helped, the Jedi had so little influence in the Senate. ‘I thought she fought for those who couldn’t fight themselves.’ Anakin thought bitterly as he crossed his arms over his chest. He knew that Ahsoka hadn’t made the situation any better by running away but she was young and scared and he understood her better than he understood Padme.

The situation was making cracks appear in their relationship, Padme knew he was angry with her.

In the end, only one person had really helped Ahsoka, Ventress.

Ventress had been the only one to truly, honestly help Ahsoka.

And with the lack of aid and trust, Ahsoka had left.

Anakin no longer had a padawan.

‘So why does the Force lead me to you every day?’ Anakin glanced up through his bangs, leaning back against the tree trunk as he watched the boy in Initiate clothing sitting by one of the many rivers of the Rooms of a Thousand fountains.

He was a near human or maybe even baseline human of maybe twelve or closer to thirteen from what Anakin could tell, bright copper hair tied back in a small nerf tail and pale skin that were covered in freckles from sun exposure. A cute button nose and a smiling mouth but the most drawing feature were the boys eyes.

Because he had a bright pink scar, crossing straight over his pale green, unfocused eyes.

And Anakin recognized the type of scar, carrying several himself.

It was a lightsaber scar.

The boy had been blinded by a lightsaber at some point of his life.

The Force had been consistently leading him to the boy for several days now.

In the commissary, in the salle, in the halls, hell, even the one time Qui-Gon got him to volunteer down in the creche to get his mind off things, the Force had drawn him to the boy.

And now in the large gardens of the temple.

It should have been improbable for Anakin to come over the boy, as large as it was, the boy could have been anywhere and yet, here he was, sitting with his leggings rolled up to his knees, his feet in the river and a cane resting over his lap.

He seemed content, swirling his feet in the water slowly but…

He was all alone.

‘Why is he all alone? Where are his friends?’ Anakin swallowed a bit. He knew that many padawans were unfortunately out in the front but they tried not to send too young padawans out. He and Ahsoka and Depa and Caleb were one of the exceptions, not the norm.

So where was this boy’s friends?

Tightening his arms over his chest, staring at the boy, Anakin breathed out slowly as the Force practically pulled on his tunic, whispering furiously. “…Fine, fine you win. I’ll talk to him at least.” The Force instantly turned smug much to Anakin’s annoyance as he pushed from the tree and made his way towards the boy.

‘Why did I have to be a Force child? Annoyingly loud, that’s what you are.’ He inwardly complained, keeping his steps light but enough to make noise, not wanting to scare the boy.

The crunch of leaves alerted the boy about four meters away form him and he turned his head, sightless eyes curious as they flickered in Anakin’s direction. “Hello there.” The boy chirped.

Anakin’s lips twitched slightly.

He knew the kind of impression he left of in the Force, it could be hard on even masters sometimes to have to do with him. This youngling however seemed unbothered and unafraid. “…Hello there youngling. What’s your name?” He questioned, coming to stop by the boys side.

Peering up at him with those sightless eyes, the boy gave a guileless smile. “I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Sliding to his knees beside the boy, Anakin stared at him. “…Hello there, Obi-Wan Kenobi.” He whispered, ignoring the Force triumphing in his mind.

Anakin Skywalker hadn’t wanted another padawan.

And then he meet Obi-Wan Kenobi.