.Blind Eyes.

Chapter 3-The Chancellor and the General


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Watching them all feel such dread and pity...

Was it my doing? Was I the one to cause such painful feelings and heartache?

Was I the burden? Was I the essence of hurt?

Was I the one who caused their tears of sorrow to fall from their cheeks? Was I the one to strip their shattered hearts?

Was I the one to cause mourn in their minds?

Was I the one who destroyed our relationships? Was I the one who caused our hearts to break?

Did I poke at it and poke at it, until it fell to pieces?

Did I cause this mess? Did I want you to feel this way? Was I happy? ...

No.

... I loved all of you ...

I just want you all to know that.

Keep it close to your hearts, and please...

If I may ask...

... Hold it close.

---

It had been a long day with Master Yoda. I was about to drop as I crashed into my bed. I snuggled up to the blankets, covers, and pillows. I felt warm and comfortable as they seemed to hug me with their softness.

My eyes became lazy as my eyelids dropped. I felt myself falling into a trance. No matter how bad I tried to stop it, my exhaustion overwhelmed me. I began to drift away in a deep slumber.

It had been a long day, indeed. Master Yoda had me doing some odd things, though. For one, he had me sit on the floor and dwell on matters and thoughts for a very extended amount of time.

Secondly, Master Yoda had me maintain my balance. According to him, that was my weak point. Though, that were to be the case, however, he told me right away that it could be corrected promptly.

Third, he had me touch just about everything I came in contact with. 'How strange that was,' I thought. He let me know that lacking a sense was not a weak point at all. In fact, he told me that it made me even more unique and strong in a way.

Finally, he showed me how to use my hearing in a way so that it would come in handy. He had me walk in each room and snap my fingers. It baffled me at first, but the more I did it, the more I comprehended on what he meant for me to do.

I began to understand. Once I snapped my fingers, I could tell where each object was. The echo bouncing off of the objects caused me to realize that something was in the way, or that their was a wall there.

Each item sounded different as I kept on progressing in that state. It was strange, but it guided me as I advanced. I felt better about myself. No one would need to guide me everywhere now, rather than seeing my way through, I could 'hear' my way through.

My eyes fluttered open as my alarm clock went off. I outstertched my arms, and let out a rested yawn. I pounded on my alarm for it to stop, which it finally did after a while. I went to freshen myself up as I snapped my fingers. I grinned while thinking to myself how much easier things would be now...

After that, I walked out of my room, and I heard footsteps walking my way at a fast pace. I snapped my fingers, and there was in fact someone headed towards me. I grinned in a friendly manner.

"Hello," I greeted. To my shock, I heard a familiar voice. "Oh... Well, hey there, Leeua," Anakin's voice rang out. I smiled even wider. "Oh, Anakin, hey! How's it going?" "Uhhh, good. Just great." He sounded flusttered in my opinion, like there was a lot on his mind.

"Are you ok?" I asked in my concernment. "You sound... tense." His breathing even sounded as if tension welled up iside of it. "I'm fine, I'm fine," He assured me. "Oh, how's your training with Master Yoda?" Apparently, he was hiding something from me, though I allowed it to slide.

"Good," I replied. "He's a wonderful Master! I couldn't ask for a better one!" "Great!" He stated. "Do you need any help in getting to your destination?" I shook my head and answered, "Nope, he's taught me how to use my other senses in a way to where I can find my way around easier. It's pretty clever."

"Well, that's nice!" He said in a content tone. "... Well, I had better be on my way. Obi Wan's waiting for me, and he'll have my head if I don't make it there in time." I nodded, "Ok, but I'll see you later!"

"Bye!" He exclaimed. I waved, smiling. I snapped my fingers, and a grin spread across my face. "This way, I presume," I said aloud to myself. I began making my way to where my Master was...

---

I finally found him with my sense of hearing. I could pick up his humerous speech up a mile away. I walked into the room and, stated, "Hey, Master Yoda!" I heard his light chuckle; I smiled. "Leeua," He replied. "Good day to you." I bowed. "Shall we start our training?" I asked.

"Yes," He answered. "We shall. Find your way to the Jedi Training Quarters, I see you managed, hmm?" I laughed and nodded. "Yes, sir," I said. "I did, but all thanks to you!" He once again laughed.

"Very well then," He went on, "Before starting, young Leeua, introduce you to Chancellor Palpatine I'd like to." My eyes wandered, I had no clue someone else was in the room.

"Oh, hello," I outstretched my hand, I felt a hand grip it. "I'm sorry. I had no idea someone else was in here." "It's quite alright," I heard an elderly man reply. I could tell he was in age, his voice, his frail hands, and his shake.

"Master Yoda has told me much about you," He said. "I know of your situation." I blushed; though I didn't mind people realizing my state, it still embarrased me in a way.

"Oh, well," I continued, "It was nice meeting you!" "Likewise, Leeua," the Chancellor replied. "Master Yoda here will tell you of my predicament I experienced, though for now, I bid you all a do." I heard his footsteps echo out of the room, I presuming several Clone Troopers following him too.

"Master Yoda," I got his attention once he left. "What did he mean by predicament?" Yoda replied with a 'hmm,' though he answered my question quick enough. I don't know the reason why, but I was just not fond of this 'Chancellor Palpatine.'

"You see, Leeua, " Yoda went on, "Chancellor Palpatine, captured he was by a terrible member of the sith. General Grievous, his kidnapper, yes." My head lingered to the side. 'General Grievous?' I thought.

"Who's that?" I asked. "One of the most highly skilled warriors in our galaxy, is he. Ruthless, effective hunter of Jedi he potrays himself as, and has vanquished several of our most accomplished warriors with ease," He explained.

I shuddered at the thought. He seemed like a terrible killing machine! "He sounds horrible," I replied as I shook. Yoda chuckled. "Fear not, Leeua," He continued, "Start our training, shall we?" I nodded with enthusiasm. "Let's!"

I walked out of the Jedi Training Room literally full of exhaustion. "Bye, Master Yoda!" I exclaimed. "Same time tomorrow, right?" Yoda answered in a gruff laugh, "Yes, yes indeed, my padiwan. See you then, I shall."

With that, I waved and said my goodbyes. As I was walking to my room to head in for the night, I ran right into someone. "Oof!" I exclaimed. I clasped my hands to my mouth exclaiming, "I am so sorry! Are you ok?" I heard a similar voice let out a chuckle.

"I'm fine, little Leeua," Chancellor Palpetine replied in a kind voice. "How was your training today?" I nodded, grinning, "Great! I'm learning the basics, but I am advancing, or so says my Master. He's a wonderful teacher!"

"That's good," He continued, "I see improvements even from when I saw you this morning. Your skills are outstanding, Leeua. I commend you for that!" I bowed, "Thank you so much, sir. I deeply appreciate your kind compliments."

"I, in fact," Palpetine went on, "don't see why Master Yoda does not already let you advance in your step from padiwan to Jedi Knight." I raised an eyebrow as my gaze lowered.

"Well, Chancellor," I replied. "My Master is quite intelliegent, and I highly respect him with the utmost authority. He knows what's best for me, and I appreciate that from him." I couldn't place it on my finger, I didn't like him...

"Suit yourself, Leeua," He said. I felt his frail, gentle hands lift my chin. "Just know that I have much confidence in you to where you could do anything your heart desires." I heard a slight laugh come from his tone as he walked away.

My eyes followed to where he was headed as a Clone Trooper ran head on into me. "Watch it," He hissed in my ear, menacingly. I could tell it was a trooper by the way his footsteps sounded, metal, hard, and rugged.

I was stunned. Usually, they were quite nice folk, but he must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. I shrugged the feeling away as I headed back to my room. I ran into a friendly acquaintance though on the way.

"Good day, Leeua!" exclaimed the voice of Master Obi Wan Kenobi. "How have you been?" I smiled widely, "Hello, Master Obi Wan!" I bowed in respect. "I've been well; yourself?" "Can't complain," He replied.

"How has your training with Master Yoda been going?" He asked. "Exceptionally well," I replied. "He's an outstanding tutor, and I couldn't ask for a better one." My lips curved into a grin as my eyes gazed in the direction of his voice.

"Good," He said. "I see you are even finding your way around better than ever, if I may add." I nodded, "Most definitely! He's taught me how I can progress in using the force by using the senses I have, rather than using the one's I lack."

"His teaching skills outmatch those of the normal jedi, Leeua," Obi Wan continued, "so I know you'er in good hands." I smiled, "Thank you, master." I appreciated his words of encouragement. They really touched me.

"Tell me, Leeua," Obi Wan said, smoothly. "Are you familiar with General Grievous?" I nodded to his surprise. "Yes, sir. In fact, Master Yoda and I had a conversation about him just this morning. He explained to me who he was. He sounds terrible."

"Indeed," agreed Obi Wan, "He is a wicked, cruel member of the Sith family, and he must be taken down with force. Leeua, I was going to ask you a question. Do you have time to chat a bit?" I nodded. My face was full of wonderment, however.

"You see," he explained, "I have a feeling this General Grievous is in Utapah, which I'm sure you have heard of such a place." I nodded. I had always remembered seeing pictures of it. It was quite an interesting area.

"Why do you think that?" I asked inquisitively. "Well, Leeua, I have my sources," he laughed slightly as I joined in. "I'm sorry to be in a rush though, Master," I continued, "but what are you getting at?"

"My assignment is to go there, and destroy him," he added. "I need an accomplice with me, but my padiwan, Anakin, is going to be gone that specific date." I had a feeling where he was going now. I shook at the thought.

"Well," Obi Wan went on, "I knew Master Yoda had not even given you any missions to start yet, but I was thinking of asking you to join me on the certain mission." My eyes grew wide; I stuttered.

"W-Well," I let out. "Master O-Obi Wan, I ...Sure." What could I say? I couldn't decline that offer; it was to good to be true. I heard his hands clap together as he rubbed them. "Excellent!"

"Shouldn't I let Master Yoda know?" I asked. He replied without any hesitation, "I'll get on that right now." I nodded. This could be a big chance to prove myself to many people that I'm more than what I seem.

"Oh., and one more question," I said. "When is this all going to be settled?" There was a blunt silence. "I'll notify you," Obi Wan replied. "For now, just keep up your training with Master Yoda." I nodded, "Yes, sir."

He placed his hands on my shoulders. "You've done well, Leeua," he continued, "Ever since you have come here, you have made drastic changes, and I'm very proud of you. I also know Master Yoda is VERY proud of you."

I smiled from ear to ear replying, "Thank you so much, master. I truly appreciate your words of generosity." He patted me on the back, "Keep up the good work, Leeua. Take care." I heard his footsteps linger away.

"Goodbye master!" I shouted in return. My eyes at that moment were aching with tedious, tiresome exhaustion. I sighed as I began to make my way back to my room in peace without anymore distractions or encounters.

tbc...