AN: I haven't actually seen Revenge of the Sith, and don't intend to, so if anything is slightly inaccurate, I apologize. I have been told of the basic events, so hopefully nothing is too inaccurate.
Hope you enjoy.
Never Again
The boy was safe. He was with a good family now, Obi-wan knew. He knew the Lars family personally, and Owen and Beru had been more than willing to take the boy in. As he had left, he had seen Beru holding the child up, looking adoringly into his eyes. Owen had stood silently by, seemingly unmoved, but Obi-wan had seen the barely-hidden pride in the man's eyes as he watched the child that would be his to raise.
They would care for the child well, he knew. But he would still continue to watch, unnoticed by the family.
His brother-of-the-heart's brother by marriage would protect the child, indeed. A pang of loss crept into his heart. Never again would the boy he had once known ask for his advice, laugh with him, or even speak to him.
He had failed.
I will not fail again, he vowed, raising his eyes to the sky. Padmé, I will train him.
But the boy will never call me Master.
His eyes brimmed with tears, and, lowering his head, he let them fall. Never again. Never again will a child call me by that name. He shook his head. Never again will anyone call me by the name that I once was known by. A tear splashed in the sand nearby.
Never again will I bear the title of Master. The name now reminded him of nothing other than failure. He had failed once before, and this time he vowed to do better. I will not fail again. Another tear fell.
Never again.
The man he had known by the name of Anakin no longer existed. He shuddered as he thought of what his apprentice had become.
Never again.
A sob. Oh, Qui-gon, where did I go wrong? How did I fail so tremendously?
Slowly, he lifted his head. The two suns were setting, and for a moment he let himself be absorbed into the brilliant blaze of colors, a world where no pain could exist. He let the peace move through him, removing all unwanted feelings. A quiet sense of hope settled in him as the day gently closed into night. And as the last glowing embers faded away, he closed his eyes with new resolve.
I will not fail again.
Never again.