-1Obi-Wan thought now that they were back from Bandomeer, and Qui-Gon had chosen him as his Padawan, things would get better. It did somewhat, but not as he had imagined. Jinn cut his hair in the Padawan style, buzzed with a nerf tail. When it came to his braid, it was sloppy and rushed. The absence of his Master's own hair in the braid spoke volumes to Obi-Wan. The bond between Master and Padawan was a frail fiber forgotten until a strong feeling rushes through the narrow channel. It was even more of a blow when, in front of the Council, his Master decided to leave him at the Temple. Not feeling him emotionally ready to go on the mission.
Obi-Wan waited at the Temple for his Master's return. Thank the Force for beings like Master Yoda. He spent most of his time with the venerable Master discussing visions of the future and past. There was no berating from his Master to think in the moment and be mindful of the present. Obi-Wan just didn't work like that. He was stronger in the Unifying Force; he was a tactician and a planner. He liked being a few steps ahead and prepared for any occurrence. There was nothing in his being that spoke of winging it like his Master.
If he thought when his Master returned from his mission everything would improve, he was terribly wrong. Not only had his Master forgotten him while away, but returned with a blinded Knight Tahl that he vowed to care for. At first Obi-Wan was a little angry with being ignored and forgotten. Now he had to share what limited attention Qui-Gon had with another person, especially since they got a twinkle in his Master's eyes that had thus far been withheld from him. The anger was soon replaced with rejection, depression, and many talks with Masters Yoda and Windu about his feelings.
His Master had wasted little time assigning him to classes and training courses to keep Obi-Wan busy leaving him free to take care of Tahl. It was okay later though, with his Master taking care of Tahl, it allowed him to be with his friends Bant, Garen, Reeft and Vos while they were planet side. The draw back to being with friends who had Masters was you envied them and were jealous of the happy partnerships. He was resentful towards Bant for a couple of days when he found Tahl was her Master, but this soon gave way to guilt and an apology when he thought about what would have happened to Bant if her Master had died.
Months passed since his Master's return. The Temple began being stolen from. Masters Windu and Yoda made it a point to assign him and his Master to investigate the thefts. A last ditch effort to strengthen the weak and floundering partnership before they had to step in and take action.
After discovering it was Qui-Gon's former Padawan Xanatos behind everything, Obi-Wan saw a side of his Master he hadn't seen before. He was angry, more angry than it was healthy for a Jedi to be without giving into the Dark Side. After giving their report of the happenings: one, discovering Xanatos, two, the location of the items, and three, the death of Bruck Chun, his Master wanted to chase his former apprentice, with or without consent of the Council. Obi-Wan stood in the Council Chamber, head bowed in submission to his Master's wishes and prepared to do what was told. Even if he did not agree, or feel it was right. In the end, he was to stay in the Temple at his Master's insistence.
Obi-Wan didn't argue because in truth he didn't want to be anywhere near the Knight. He didn't want to go with Qui-Gon to chase an elusive Dark Jedi. He needed his Master to stay and help him move on from the death of Bruck. They might have been rivals, but he still felt guilty and sad about the death. If he had to do it again, he would have still saved Bant, and that was a question he wanted to ask his Master. Was it okay to think that way? Was it wrong of him? Did it make him any less a Jedi to choose a friend over an enemy?
At the end of the day he was left to watch his Master sweep from the Council Chamber to acquire his appointed ship in pursuit of Xanatos. Obi-Wan stood with down cast eyes in front of twelve of the most honorable and respectful Jedi of the Order, rejected. They had granted his stay when faced with the glare of his Master, if Qui-Gon was still his Master. He could feel their eyes on him, but didn't want to raise his head to see the sympathy and pity. Briskly wiping the tears from his boyish face, Obi-Wan raised his head to meet the sad eyes of Master Yoda. Golden eyes watched as he tried to put on a brave face and be more Jedi-ish than emotional child. In that moment, he suddenly thought about asking to be sent to Bandomeer to be a farmer. If this wasn't the will of the Force then he didn't know what was.
"My Master...Master Jinn, has left me. Again." Eyes full of despair looked around the room searching for an answer, "What is to become of me now?" His eyes landed on Master Yoda's sorrow filled ones.
"In initiate dorms, rest you will," Yoda spoke for the Council, "Discuss your fate we will young Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you."
Obi-Wan bowed at the dismissal, "May the Force be with you too Masters," and walked out of the room to the lifts. Hearing the shutting of the ancient doors behind him, he felt it was not only closing on the chamber, but a part of his life. Now, everything would change.