United in Battle

Chapter 10

Tori stretched slightly as one of the twin suns of Tatooine shined its light through the window. Her hand made contact with a very bare, very muscular chest. She smiled softly as an arm wrapped around her waist pulled her on top of her pillow. She grinned as she struggled to sit slightly. Sessho-Maru pulled her back down.

"You did remember that we've got a race to get to, didn't you?" Tori managed to push herself up enough so that she could look down into his amber eyes.

He moved his hips slightly; causing his mate's crystal blue eyes to roll back and a moan escape from her lips. He licked at the mark on her neck, making her moan again. "Perhaps the others can enjoy the race without us?" His clawed fingers tunneled through Tori's sandy blonde hair and moved her lips toward his.

A moment before their lips pressed together, a pounding sounded on the door. "Time to wake up!" Sirius's voice floated through the closed door. "We've got a race to get to!"

Tori buried her face into Sessho-Maru's throat and felt, rather than heard, the growl rumbling through his body. She sighed softly as she rolled off his chest. "Your brother is one dead inu."

Sessho-Maru glanced at his mate walking across the room regally, even if she was naked. She pulled a clean dress from her bag and held it up. He growled as she shook it out several times trying to get rid of the minor wrinkles. Sessho-Maru climbed from the bed and moved silently across the room. Tori jumped slightly when she felt Sessho-Maru's arm wrap around her waist. He pulled her back against his chest and placed a kiss onto his mark. Tori's head fell back against his shoulder. Sessho-Maru lifted her into his arms bridal style and carried her back to the bed. "We will go when I say we go."

"I guess we're going to be a bit late." Tori pulled Sessho-Maru down as he laid her onto the bed.

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Sirius glanced over at the door that led to Tori and Sessho-Maru's room. "When do you think they're going to come out of there?"

"When they get done 'waking up'." Koga shuddered slightly when his ears picked up the soft moans and squeals coming from the room. "They should be done soon."

Remus shoved several conjured bottles of water into a small pack before looking over at his new pack mates. "I told you guys not to mess with them when they're behind closed doors. Lord Sessho-Maru is going to kill you, Inu-Yasha."

"Me? Why?" Inu-Yasha looked up from his breakfast. "I didn't do anything."

"That's exactly why you must die." Tori stood in the doorway. She was pulling a brush through her tangled hair. "You should have kept Sirius away from the door." She turned her gaze onto the wizard in question. "And you should learn to listen to your pack mates, Sirius."

Sirius swallowed slightly when Sessho-Maru stepped up behind her. "You've got it." He gave Tori and Sessho-Maru a quick salute.

Tori nodded before moving away from the men sitting around the table. She perched herself in the window seat and worked her brush through her tangled hair. She shoved the skirt of her navy dress down over her knees. "I'm glad Queen Amidala made us bring some changes of clothes. Wearing pants all the time is boring."

"Whatever." Sirius jerked his head around as Tori shrieked in pain. "Are you alright?"

Tori rubbed her head slightly and nodded. "Yeah. I just hit a nasty knot in my hair."

Sessho-Maru moved to sit behind his mate and carefully took the brush from her hand. "Allow me."

The brush slid through her hair. Tori moaned as he worked through the knots and tangles. "That feels so good, Sesshy."

Sirius jerked a thumb at the loving couple. "They remind me of you and Lioness after the full moon, Moony."

"Yeah but this time Sessho-Maru can pounce on you, Padfoot." Remus watched Sirius shudder and laughed.

"If you guys are finished with your breakfast, I think we should head over to the Skywalker place and then to the race." Tori took the brush from Sessho-Maru and climbed to her feet. She turned around and bent down to place a kiss on Sesso-Maru's lips. "Thanks, darling."

"Let's move people." Sirius grabbed his pack from the floor. "I'm ready to see a race."

Remus grabbed his pack and swung it onto his shoulder. "You better behave when you're around Shmi. She might beat you senseless."

"Not a chance." Sirius followed Koga out the door.

Remus shook his head and hurried out the door. Sessho-Maru scooped Tori into his arms and carried her out into the brilliant sunlight.

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Shmi moved through the house waking Anakin and Padme. They would travel later to the race with the rest of the group from Coruscant. Qui-Gon and Jar Jar had set out at first light to the raceway. They would meet up with the rest of the group in a few minutes. She placed the meager breakfast that Qui-Gon had given her onto the table. She knew that Sessho-Maru, Tori, Remus, Koga, Miroku, and Inu-Yasha would be arriving at the house soon. Little did she know that Miroku would never show up that day. Instead she had to deal with Sirius. The knock on her door startled her slightly.

"Coming!" Shmi wiped her hands on her apron and moved to open the door. In the open doorway floated Watto.

"You're coming to the race today." Watto flew into the room.

"Yes, Watto. I want to see Anakin race." Shmi kept her face turned toward the floor. No point in making my master mad.

Watto grabbed Shmi roughly by the chin and pulled her face up to look into her eyes. "You will be the entertainment for my friends."

Watto never saw the demons, cop, and wizards walk through the door at that monment. Sessho-Maru growled at the sight of this thing manhandling a woman when she was clearly not his. Inu-Yasha jumped forward and spun Shmi away from Watto. Sirius caught her as he pulled out his wand and pointed it at the flying blue creature.

"I suggest, Watto, that you leave before my friends and I get angry." Koga had stepped to the front of the group and glared at the Toydarian.

"I apologize, Koga. I didn't know that you were using her services today." Watto flew out the door barely avoiding Sessho-Maru's claws.

Koga moved toward Sirius and Shmi. "Are you okay, Shmi?"

"Yes. He didn't hurt me." She rubbed her chin where a bruise was forming.

Tori hurried forward. "Let me see." She pulled Shmi's hand away from her chin. "That's going to be a nasty bruise."

"Allow me." Sirius turned Shmi around to face him. "Medicor Frendo."

The bruise slowly disappeared along with the slight pain that Shmi had felt. "Thank you, Mr. ..."

"Black. Sirius Black. I'm a friend of Remus's." Sirius brought Shmi's hand to his lips and placed a soft his on the back of it.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Black." Shmi blushed slightly before going into the kitchen to finish making breakfast.

"She's nice." Sirius dropped into one of the chairs surrounding the table.

"We know." Inu-Yasha leaned against the wall as Padme came out of the refresher. "Morning, Padme."

"Good morning, Inu-Yasha." Padme moved toward the table as she scanned the faces in front of her. "Where's Miroku?"

"He decided that his Wind Tunnel wouldn't be of any use here so he went back to the ship and Sirius came to be with us." Remus dropped his bag onto the table as a sleepy Anakin came from his bedroom. "Hey, Anakin. I want you to meet my friend, Sirius Black."

Anakin grinned at Sirius. "Are you a Jedi?"

"Not a chance, runt. I'm a wizard." Sirius reached over and ruffled Anakin's hair. "I'm going with you guys to the race."

"Good." Anakin sat in his chair and began to wolf down his breakfast.

"Slow down, brat." Inu-Yasha raised an eyebrow as Anakin took a drink of his water. "No point in it coming right back up."

"Yes, Master Inu-Yasha." Anakin placed his fork beside his plate. "I'll eat more after the race."

Sessho-Maru looked around the room. "Where is Qui-Gon?"

Shmi poked her head out of the kitchen alcove. "He left already with Jar Jar."

Tori managed to pull herself away from Sessho-Maru for a moment. "What do y'all say to us getting to the races?"

"Let's go." Anakin grabbed his helmet and ran out the back door.

Tori just shrugged and followed him. The others followed after her and Anakin knowing that today was going to be a very eventful day.

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Watto flew along beside Qui-Gon with Jar Jar trailing behind them. "I want to see your ship the moment the race is over."

"Patience, my blue friend." Qui-Gon waved his hand dismissively. "You'll have your winnings before the suns set and we'll be far away from here."

"Not if I have your ship, I think." Watto jabbed his finger into Qui-Gon's chest. "I warn you... No funny business.

"You don't think Anakin can win?"

"Don't get me wrong. The boy is a credit to your race but Sebulba there is going to win. He always does." Watto laughed heartily. "I'm betting heavily on Sebulba."

"I'll take that bet."

"What?!" Watto stared to the Jedi. "What do you mean?"

"I'll wager my new racing pod against...say...the boy and his mother."

"No pod is worth two slaves!"

"The boy then."

Watto pulled a chance cube form his pocket. It had five red sides and one blue. "We'll let fate decide. Blue it's the boy, red his mother." Watto tossed the cube, knowing that it would land red side up. What he didn't see was Qui-Gon reaching out with the Force to flip the cube blue side up. Watto huffed in anger as he whirled around to face. "It makes little difference since you won't win the race."

Qui-Gon smiled knowingly as Watto flew off in a huff. As Watto passed Anakin and the others, Qui-Gon heard his comment about owning him too. He just smiled as he approached the group. "Good morning. I trust you all slept well."

"Sure did." Sirius helped Padme from the back of an eopie. He laughed when Qui-Gon looked at him in surprise. "James and I came to talk to Miroku last night. We decided that I would be of more help than Miroku."

"That's good." Qui-Gon lifted Shmi from the eopie.

Kister was looking around the garage. "This is so wizard, Annie!" He tugged on one of the engines toward the pod. "I'm sure you're going to do it this time."

"Do what?" Remus looked up from the cable he was hooking to the engine.

"Finish the race." Kister looked confused as Tori turned him to face her.

"Do you mean to tell me that Anakin's never finished a race?" Tori stared into Kister's eyes.

"I will this time." Anakin looked a bit upset that no one believed in him.

"Well." Remus pulled out his wand as Sirius did the same. "We'd better put some protections on this racer."

Sirius and Remus moved around the racer and placed various charms and enchantments on the racer. Anakin fiddled with some of the cables. Qui-Gon placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. Anakin looked up at Qui-Gon.

"Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel. Don't think. Trust your instincts." Qui-Gon watched Anakin climb into the pod as the announcements were made. He made his way through the crowds to the seats that were assigned to them. Padme stalked behind him.

"Are sure about this? Trusting our fate in this boy?" Padme glared at the Jedi. "The Queen..."

"The Queen trusts my judgment and so should you, young handmaiden." Qui-Gon walked toward Shmi.

Tori laid a hand on Padme's shoulder. "Calm down, Padme. Anakin is going to win this race."

"How do you know?" Padme looked up at Tori.

"I think I had a dream about it. Annie won and we got to Coruscant." Tori moved to her seat beside Sessho-Maru.

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Anakin sat in the pod waiting for the green light. Suddenly the light lit and he pushed the throttles forward. The engines sputtered and died. He heard the laughter of the crowds. He toggled several switches and the engines roared to life. He took off along the race route. Sebulba was in the lead and Anakin was catching up. He passed one racer after another. One racer exploded in front of him and he raced through the flames. One of the racers swerved to the left to avoid the blaster bolts coming from the Tusken Raiders on a nearby ridge. Anakin felt the pod shudder as one of the blaster bolts. He jerked to the right as on other pod exploded. He passed the starting line and started the second lap of the race. Even more racers dropped from the race as they were either blown up or their pods separated from the engines. Soon it was just Anakin and Sebulba left as they started the third lap of the race. Sebulba slammed his racer into Anakin's and locked up the steering rods. They jerked in opposite directions. Sebulba screamed as Anakin soared over the finish line. Sebulba had crashed into one of the many pillars around the arena. Anakin's pod skidded to a stop among the cheers coming from the stands.

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Qui-Gon, Sessho-Maru, and Sirius moved through the crowds and made his way toward Watto. He knew that Watto wouldn't be happy about letting Anakin go free. Watto finished paying out his bets as Qui-Gon approached him.

"You tricked me. The bet's not valid." Watto was yelling at Qui-Gon. He ignored Sessho-Maru and Sirius.

"Perhaps you would like to take it up with the Hutts?" Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow in question.

Watto fluttered back slightly. "Take him."

Qui-Gon turned on his heel and walked away. Sessho-Maru and Sirius followed after him. None of them noticed the probe droid that flew past the balcony seats. In the garage, Anakin was enduring hugs and kisses from his mother, Tori and Padme.

"We're so proud of you, Annie." Tori kissed Anakin's cheeks. "Now we can go home."

"And get help from the Senate to help the people of Naboo." Padme hugged him tightly.

Sessho-Maru moved up behind the women and boy. "We had better head back to the ship."

"Right. We'll see you soon." Tori hurried after Sessho-Maru.

Padme, Remus, Jar Jar, Inu-Yasha, Koga, and Sirius hurried after them. Qui-Gon helped Shmi onto one of the eopies and watched as the racer was pulled back to the Skywalker hut. He nodded to himself as he made his way to Watto's shop. Watto was stacking several boxes and parts onto a hoversled.

"I trust all the parts are there." Qui-Gon sorted through the parts.

"Everything that you wanted is here." Watto rolled his eyes as Qui-Gon mounted an eopie and started out of town.

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Sessho-Maru paced in front of the ramp as Tori hurried up it to put away some items that they had gotten in the town. Lily same down the ramp as Qui-Gon stopped beside the ship with the parts for the hyperdrive.

"I take it that we've got what we need and can get the hell out of here?" Lily fanned the dust away from her face.

"Yes. I'm taking the animals back but I have some unfinished business as well." Qui-Gon took the reins from Captain Panaka.

Obi-Wan looked up at his master. "Why do I sense that we've picked up yet another pathetic lifeform?"

"It's the boy that helped us get these parts. I must make sure that he's free to come with us and begin his training." Qui-Gon kicked eopie and started back to the settlement.

Tori stepped from the ramp and glared at Obi-Wan. "I would appreciate it if you would get to know people before you judge them. After all, you are a Jedi." She spun around on her heel and stomped up the ramp.

James and Sirius hefted the new hyperdrive and carried it into the ship. Obi-Wan followed them.

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Qui-Gon stepped into the Skywalker home and handed Anakin some coins. "This is yours. I sold the podracer."

"All right!" Anakin raced in and gave the coins to his mother. "We're rich, mom."

"And Anakin's been set free." Qui-Gon stood in the doorway.

"What?" Anakin looked up at Qui-Gon.

"You've been set free." Qui-Gon gave Anakin a slight smile.

"And Mom?"

"Watto wouldn't let her go." Qui-Gon laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's your decision if you want to go and train to become a Jedi."

"More than anything in the world." Anakin turned to face his mother. "But I can't leave you."

"Annie, this is your time now." Shmi gave him a smile. "It's your choice."

Anakin looked between the two adults. "I'll go." He raced into his room and started to pack his meager belongings.

Qui-Gon looked down at Shmi. "I did try to free both of you but Watto is..."

"Hard headed. I know." Shmi climbed to her feet. "Just promise me that you'll watch over him while you can."

"That I can promise." Qui-Gon turned as Anakin stepped from his room.

"Mom, don't sell Threepio. He'll be some help for you around here." Anakin gave his mother one last hug before following Qui-Gon out into the barren wasteland of his home world.

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Qui-Gon and Anakin ran along the sands as the ship started to come into view. Suddenly Qui-Gon felt someone coming up behind them.

"Anakin, get down!" He turned and ignited his lightsaber as Anakin dropped into the sands. A man with a red and black face and horns in a row along what would be the hairline flipped off of his speeder and landed in the sand in front of Qui-Gon. He lit his lightsaber and attacked. Qui-Gon took several swings before he noticed that Anakin was still there. "Anakin, get to the ship! Tell them to take off!"

Little did Qui-Gon know but Sessho-Maru and Inu-Yasha had taken up watch so that they could tell the pilot to warm up the ship. Inu-Yasha saw the stirring of the sands and bounded out to see what was happening and Sessho-Maru followed after him. Inu-Yasha grabbed Anakin and swung him onto his back and bounded back to the ship. Sessho-Maru joined in the fight using his poison whip against the attacker.

Anakin and Inu-Yasha raced up the ramp of the ship. "We've got to help Master Qui-Gon and Lord Sessho-Maru."

"Where are they?" Obi-Wan raced toward the cockpit with Anakin and Inu-Yasha hot on his heels.

Anakin pointed at the cloud of sand in the distance. "There."

"Fly the ship low over there." Obi-Wan ran back to the ramp and started out on it as they flew low over the fighting people.

Sessho-Maru lunged at the attacker as Qui-Gon flipped onto the open ramp. Sessho-Maru flicked his whip one last time and jumped up onto the ramp. They walked up it as the attacker screamed in anger that his quarry had gotten away.

"Are you okay, Qui-Gon?" Sessho-Maru looked down at the panting man.

"Fine. You are quite handy in a battle, Lord Sessho-Maru." Qui-Gon turned to Anakin. "You did well, Anakin." Obi-Wan knelt next to his master. "Obi-Wan Kenobi meet Anakin Skywalker."

Anakin stuck out a hand. "Are you a Jedi too?" Obi-Wan nodded slightly. "Nice to meet you."

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Tori stepped into the corridor and heard a soft crying. She knew that it was Padme. Obi-Wan had told her earlier that a message had been sent from Naboo. Tori moved along the corridor until she was outside the room Padme was crying in. She heard Anakin's soft voice.

"You seem said, Padme." Anakin didn't see Tori looking through the door.

"The Queen is afraid her people are dying."

"You know I had a dream about you leading a great army into battle."

"I hope that I don't have to." Padme half turned to leave when Anakin reached out to her.

"I made this for you." Anakin handed her a necklace. "It's made from a japor snippet."

"I'll treasure it always." Padme draped another blanket over Anakin and moved to the door.

Tori had slipped back into the shadows and waited until Padme shut the door behind her. "What was in the message?"

Padme whirled around. "What message?"

"The one that Obi-Wan said was sent to us." Tori crossed her arms slightly. "It was about your people, wasn't it?"

Padme nodded. "They're suffering, maybe even dying."

"It's okay. I happen to think that it is a ploy to get you back to Naboo. You have to talk to this Senate and tell them what is going on. That's the only way that any of this is going to make sense." Tori pulled the young girl into a tight hug as Sessho-Maru came down the corridor.

"We have a meeting with the Jedi in a few minutes, my mate." Sessho-Maru took in his wife hugging the handmaiden. "We must hear what is to be decided."

"Okay." Tori pulled away from Padme. "Go and get some rest. I'll tell you what happened in the meeting later."

Padme nodded before she turned and went to her quarters. Sessho-Maru looked at Tori straightening the dress that the Queen had given her. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Tori threaded her fingers with his. "I want to ask you something but you have to swear that you won't tell the Jedi."

"On my life."

"Have you noticed that the Queen seems to be getting orders from Padme?"

"Yes. I assume that is because they are a different type of people." Sessho-Maru glanced at Tori who was smiling softly. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason. Let's get to the meeting." Tori pulled on his hand and they made their way down the corridor.

They entered the meeting room together and saw everyone scattered around the room. Qui-Gon was sitting in the chair at the front of the room with Obi-Wan standing behind him. Inu-Yasha was talking to James and Sirius about the man that had attacked Qui-Gon while Lily and Sango were discussing their men. Tori reached up and kissed Sessho-Maru's cheek before hurrying over to Sango and Lily. Remus, Koga, and Miroku were discussing the merits of having droids around. Sessho-Maru moved toward Qui-Gon and stood on the other side of the chair behind him. Kirara jumped into Qui-Gon's lap and curled up.

"I'd like to have your attention please." Qui-Gon watched as everyone took a seat and looked at him. "As you know, we owe a debt to Anakin Skywalker for winning the race that got us the parts for the ship so that we could continue to Coruscant."

"What I want to know is who that guy was that attacked you." Tori flipped her hair over her shoulder. "He could have killed you and taken the Queen captive."

"Whoever he was, he was well skilled in the ways of the Force." Qui-Gon rubbed his forehead slightly.

"So does that mean that he's a Jedi?" Inu-Yasha looked at Qui-Gon.

"No. Over a thousand years ago there was another group of people who knew the ways of the Force. They were known as the Sith. They studied the Dark Side of the Force and basically destroyed themselves. Only one survived. He in turn trained one apprentice. So for a thousand years there has always been two Sith Lords. One was the Master and the other was the Apprentice." Qui-Gon closed his eyes as if waiting for the outburst.

"So which one attacked you and why?" Miroku closed his eyes to mediate on the question he had asked.

"I think if it was the Master wouldn't he be a lot older? I mean that guy had to be about twenty five or twenty six." Tori leaned back in her seat slightly. "I guess we need to let the other Jedi know about this nutball and to be on the lookout for the Master."

"I will inform the Jedi Council when we arrive on Coruscant which will be sometime tomorrow. For now I suggest the rest of you get some rest." Qui-Gon scooped Kirara into his arms and handed her to Sango who shook her head.

"You keep her tonight. She might help you get some sleep as well." Sango allowed Miroku to wrap his arm around her waist and they left the room together.

"Did I miss something?" Qui-Gon looked over at James and Lily.

"They got together last night after the talk that everyone gave him about flirting with other women." Lily smiled softly. "I think it's a good thing too."

"I agree. Now we only have to worry about Koga finding his mate." Tori and Sessho-Maru followed James and Lily from the room.

"Our pack keeps growing, Sessho-Maru." James looked at the demon lord nuzzling Tori's mark.

"Yes. Never forget that we're family now." Sessho-Maru led Tori into their chambers while James and Lily moved down the corridor.

"Yes, hon. I've always wanted a big family and now I've got it." Tori nibbled along Sessho-Maru's neck as he scooped her up into his arms.

"I plan on making our family even bigger." Sessho-Maru carried her to their bed and laid her in the middle.

"I certainly hope you do." Tori pulled Sessho-Maru down to her.