Learning who we are
Chapter 1
The sky gradually grew darker, changing the colours in a ranging from deep blue of night to the dusky pink as the sun began to disappear from view from the horizon.
Not that Obi-Wan Kenobi could see the horizon, with all the towering skyscrapers that yearned for the stars that winked above Coruscants orbit, and the constant flow of traffic, it was any wonder how the great city saw any sunlight at all.
Coruscant was the centre of the Republic, that of which had been standing for over a thousand years. The planet itself had been enveloped with the growing populations demand for housing, business and pleasure, the entire planet was one large city. Within its mass of towers, spirals and columns, the Jedi Temple remained that of a place of mystery, no outsider was allowed within its walls of peace and contemplation except those who which to serve the Republic as Jedi Knights.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, stared out at the flow of traffic as it wound its way in between the buildings. He had been at the Temple most of his life, taken by a Jedi Master from his home on Dantooine during early infancy. Now at last, he was well on his way to becoming one of the many species that dedicated their lives to serving the Force and becoming one with it. He gave his thin braid a small tug, he liked the pressure it built up behind his right ear; although this braid was one that would constantly remind him of what he nearly lost.
He gave a small smile and shook his head, what time was it? Qui-Gon Jinn would be out soon, the older Jedi, his Master, had specifically told him to wait outside the Main Council Chamber, but that was two hours ago. Boredom was slowly taking hold of the young Jedi's mind, as hunger began to eat away at him.
It wasn't that Obi-Wan didn't understand the rules of being de-briefed after a mission, he knew them all. But with fatigue slowly setting in, his muscles screaming for a shower and rest, patience was a little hard to come by.
The boy turned his back to the view from the window and slid down the wall, gathering up his long legs, bringing them up to his chest. He folded his arms across the tops of his knees and rested his forehead on top. He heaved a great sigh and closed his eyes for a moment.
* * *
"Obi-Wan...." came a far off voice. The boy tried to pin-point its location. Where was he?
"Obi-Wan, wake up," the voice came again, a little stronger this time. He wasn't asleep....was he? He opened his eyes and slowly lifted his head, why did it feel so heavy? His blue, green eyes slowly came into focus, his vision clearing as a face loomed before him.
"Master!" the boy cried, he jerked to life so quickly he smacked his head against the window. Qui-Gon Jinn chuckled as his apprentice rubbed the back of his head where a small pony-tail was located. He reached down to help Obi-Wan to his feet.
"Where were you?" Qui-Gon asked. His face remained inexpressive, but his dark blue eyes smiled as Obi-Wan climbed to his feet. The young teenager noticed that the sky was now pitch black outside, and the city lights now illuminated the skyline, obscuring any stars that tried to shine through.
"Where was I?" Obi-Wan asked feeling a little puzzled. "Where were you?"
"The meeting went on a little longer than I expected," the Jedi Master explained. "I would have thought you would have gone to get something to eat," Qui-Gon knew his Padawan had a big appetite, and was often hungry.
"You told me to remain here," Obi-Wan replied as Master and Padawan began to walk towards the turbo lift that would take them down to the lower levels where the food hall and the main living quarters were located. Qui-Gon had not expected this answer from the boy, and was a little surprised.
"You did well Padawan," Qui-Gon commented as they entered the turbo lift. "I have to admit I was surprised to see you still outside the Council Chamber,"
Obi-Wan didn't reply, he could feel the tendril of sleep beginning to wrap around his brain once more. He sighed, his gaze directed at the floor. Through their shared bond, a bond that all Master and Apprentices had. Qui-Gon Jinn could sense his friends exhaustion, smiling to himself he knew that Obi-Wan would have no trouble sleeping that night.
The lift came to a halt, opening its doors to a long hallway, the lights on the walls were dimmed. Qui-Gon led his apprentice down the hall, finally he found their apartment and pushed a button to open the slid doors which opened with a slight hiss.
The room was sparsely furnished. A large opaque table dominated the centre of the room, which still had Obi-Wan's homework strewn across it from two weeks ago before the mission was taken on, bean bags of neutral colours dotted the floor. Four doors opened up to other rooms within the apartments, kitchen, bathroom and of course the sleeping areas of the two tired Jedi.
Qui-Gon Jinn took off his dark robe and folded it on a bean bag nearest the window. This window occupied the entire wall, allowing the sunlight to filter through every morning. Qui-Gon liked this wall, it helped him to feel less claustrophobic within the confines of the Temple. He turned back to face Obi-Wan, the boy looking dead on his feet, his eyes almost closed as he eyed his homework on the table before him.
"Go and get some rest Padawan," said Qui-Gon softly. "That can wait till the morning,"
Obi-Wan Kenobi gave a small nod of the head and bowed deeply to his Master. He was happy to abandon his work for now, he felt exhausted.
He entered his room, he didn't request for the lights to illuminate his room, he knew where everything was. His bed was at the far end of the room, nearest the window. He liked the idea of waking up over looking the city below, waking up with the feeling of flying.
He shuffled towards the bed, his blue green eyes almost shut. Reaching the bed, he took a great breath and allowed sleep to take hold of him. He fell forwards onto the bed, fully clothed and with his boots still on his feet. Not that he cared, he'd have fresh clothes in the morning.