Depths...
Anakin sighed as he watched the other Padawan Learners gather in groups, talking and laughing. Ignoring him; for he was older than them but newer at training, he was faster and could sense the future stronger… because he was the Chosen One the Council didn't trust so we must stay away from him, he would always hear. The whispers followed him every where. Down the halls, in the classrooms when the teachers were out of the room. Malicious little digs about what his Sith name would be, who he would kill first. If he would be the Sith Lord's dog or be man enough to kill him and fill his boots.
He pretended it didn't bother him, projected an air of innocence so that they wouldn't even know he knew their true thoughts. He was good at it, at lying and concealing. It was how he divined the true thoughts of the Council when they least expected it. Their shields were no match for him.
It was natural, his mother said, for him to react the way he did to things others wouldn't find so important. You're more sensitive than most, my Ani, she would always say. He never told her that it was because he knew how often others lied, how untrue the universe was. What secrets they kept in the dark corners of their minds as they smiled pleasantly and pretended to enjoy what you were saying. He never went to her and said, "It's because I can sense their most inner depths. I can navigate through those dark recesses and feel their true thoughts. Hardly any of them are ever what they say out loud and none of them are ever untainted with darkness and anger."
The tow-head turned as a Master and his apprentice passed by mere meters from his concealed position, their affection for one another apparent to all. It was a circumstance not at all known to Anakin, but one he wished to have with Obi-Wan with all his heart. He knew he would never get it. He had been Obi-Wan's Padawan for some time now and still the man was wary of him. It hurt like a Force Mind-Grip, twisting and twisting until it about made his eyes pop out.
"Obi-Wan! Wait!" Heads turned in disapproval as Anakin ran through the marbled floor of one of many halls in the Temple, his heels clacking raucously along under his feet. The young apprentice watched as his Master turned with stern censure writ across his face. He stood still as a Sand Ant on the hunt, waiting to trap its prey between the massive incisors sticking out from its, er, his face… which would be mustache in the case of this particular predator.
Anakin skidded to a halt and bowed low, respectively, as demanded, before doing the most disrespectful thing of pulling his master by his robe sleeve into an alcove. Obi-Wan was used to such antics, having had the boy as a Padawan for the past year. And yet it never ceased to irk. "What is it, Padawan?" His tone implied that it had better be important for such a scene to even be considered remotely dismissible.
Anakin stopped to catch his breath before leaning in and whispering, "We need to talk privately. In our quarters." His eyes gleamed up at Obi-Wan, seemingly drowning the older man in their cerulean blue depths. It was a feeling he didn't like much. It made him feel as if he were Anakin's prey. An unsuspecting meal being coaxed along until the time was absolutely right. Qui-Gon, bless his soul, never saw this side to the boy… the dangerous side. The side that made your neck hairs hackle and your spine tingle in a suspecting way, bracing itself for the blow.
Settled comfortably into the cushions of their small couch in their living room, mugs of Fire Tea in their hands, Obi-Wan looked at his charge expectantly. Anakin gulped down some tea and licked his lips before stating proudly and unequivocally, "I don't trust Chancellor Palpatine. He seems faintly… reptilian. I sense something not right from him. What are we to do?" Obi-Wan blinked slowly, settled into the back cushion and took a slow, contemplative sip of his tea.
"Anakin, your senses aren't that attuned yet. I and others on the Council have been in closer proximity for longer periods of time to the man than you have. We have sensed nothing of the kind. It is just your overly excitable mind making up scenarios where you get to be the center of attention. Which, I might add, is not a trait we like to encourage in our younglings."
Anakin's expectant expression didn't fade from his face, but on the inside he shut down. Could I have been wrong? Master is right that as the elder his senses would be more attuned… but I have always been able to sense these things, Jedi training or no. Anakin distantly watched as Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder. "It was admirable of you to inform me of such an important thing, Anakin. I'm sure your heart was in the right place and not wanting to focus attention on yourself. But you simply would not be able to tell such a thing at your age, especially when two of the greatest Jedi do not think him a threat."
A huge ball settled in the bottom of the young boy's heart, sprouting tendrils that twined around said organ and clung, tightening with each breath he took. It shot small tremors of doubt through his heart, making him think twice about all the times he `knew' others' true thoughts. If Masters Yoda, Windu, and Kenobi couldn't sense anything, what made Anakin think he could? All those times he was disgusted with the plays put on around the city he lived could have, in fact, been reality. How arrogant could he be, thinking he could see into the hearts and souls of so many when the greatest, oldest, and wisest could not?
A small Never-Real-But-Always-Fooled-His-Master smile plastered itself to the corners of the child's lips before he got up, slowly and dejectedly, from the couch and headed to his room. Obi-Wan watched his young apprentice, failing - yet again - to decipher his real feelings. As the youngling's door closed, cutting him off from any more contemplation about the boy's body language, the Master Jedi could have sworn he'd heard the slightest sniffle. But, no. Anakin never felt the need to cry. One lesson not needed to be taught him. Obi-Wan was sure of it. After all, the child may have hidden depths, but the Council felt sure they knew his limits and accomplishments.
"Trust in your feelings Anakin. Let yourself go to the Force and it will guide you through your feelings. Now, again." Once more Anakin growled in frustration as the Blaster Ball was set on low - an agonizing reminder of how behind he was from every other Padawan - and the Eye Shields were secured into place. Trust in your feelings, Anakin. He didn't dare. He'd nearly caused the downfall of a dear friend, a… father. Well, he nearly would have, had Obi-Wan not been wise enough to catch it before his accusation got any further. Trust in your feelings, Anakin. He didn't dare, for therein lies disaster.
Yet another added depth within his soul that those who call themselves friend would never in a million years fathom. Yet another burden for the pre-pubescent to carry alone.
…Or not. The Chancellor always did ask for Anakin's complete trust, in return for his.