Heys all, just a little note before I start the story. This is completely AU. The characters are(for the most part) my own as well as the plot, so read at your own risk XD It won first place in a Star Wars AU story contest so I thought I might as well just post it here =] Enjoy!
Learning To Live
Dedicated to:
Anyone who has ever wanted a "real lightsaber".
To my wonderful friends on fanfiction .net , who have supported, inspired and guided me through this journey.
And especially to Mr. Bierfeldt, my incredible 8th grade Social Studies teacher, who is the inspiration behind one of the most important characters of this story.
And every other teacher who has left their indelible mark.
"They have nothing better to do with their lives?" 12 year old Jedi Initiate Shyma Tavrott Lupin rolled her eyes.
"No...no they don't" Anna Oma, one of Lupin's closest friends muttered.
The two walked past the horde of girls that where walking rather slowly on purpose; savoring the sight of the two men down the hall.
Shyma rolled her eyes once more and continued on, walking up to the shorter of the two Jedi Knight.
"Hey Luke" she smiled as she approached him.
"Hey, how are you guys. I take it you have a free period then?" Luke Skywalker replied enthusiastically, momentarily leaving his conversation with the other knight.
And as Anna answered Luke's question, Shyma looked up at him.
The other knight.
He was tall, broad shouldered, dirty blond and light eyed. His expression was that of irritation, and it was brought out all the more by his deep frown. But what stood out the most was the cold aura that radiated off the knight, looking so alone and mysterious.
He was...Jedi Knight Thomas Bierfeldt Kenobi.
"Cool. Since I'm free too this period I'll take you two out to lunch, what do you say?" Luke smiled, putting a hand on each of the girls' shoulders.
"I love you, Skywalker" Shyma grinned playfully, looking up at him.
"I second that" Anna looked up as well.
"Love returned" Luke smiled "Tommy, you wanna come with us?" turning to his friend.
"No" was the other knight's cold reply.
"Aw, you sure? It'll be fun" Luke gave him a mischievous grin.
"Yes" Tommy said simply.
"Alright then, whatever you say. Take care Tom. Watch yourself" Luke said putting a hand softly on his friend's shoulder.
"Hm" And with that, Tommy walked off. Shyma, Luke and Anna barely noticed the girls from before rush to get to the hallway that Tommy was now headed down.
"That arrogant bastard..." Anna muttered once Tommy and the girls where out of earshot.
"He's not arrogant...." Luke said leading the girls along "he just hasn't gotten many social skills is all...."
"It's not that...well it kind of is, but how do you explain the 'fangirls'. You'd have to have the eyesight of a rock to not notice them, and I'm pretty sure the best knight in the order doesn't have the eyesight of a kriffing rock" Anna exclaimed.
"Erm well..." Luke was at a loss for words. She was right.
"He's no arrogant bastard, Anna. It's just that we'd rather look at him as a father figure rather than potential stalking material" Shyma joined in.
"Who is this 'we' you speak of? I think he's just another guy in this temple. You're the one that looks up to him like a master" Anna smirked.
"Shut up" Shyma growled.
"Face it; you're the perfect choice for him. The absolute perfect padawan. With you totally worshiping his dad and all" Anna rolled her eyes.
"She's right you know" Luke agreed.
"Be quiet, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a man worth worshiping" Shyma muttered.
"Was" Anna corrected.
"Is, Anna, is! Saying 'was' is like saying him and his accomplishments are no more!" Shyma half yelled.
"But he is no more" Luke said, almost as though he was trying to provoke the young initiate.
Shyma stopped dead in her track and glared at Luke "No he's not! He may not be physically here anymore, but he's out there somewhere in the force. And he did all that he did for the well being of the galaxy, and for all its inhabitants to respect him and his deeds. Not so we could remember in sorrow of what he once was. You know, Master Yoda always says that the most important thing to do is to focus on here and now. So why do we focus on the impact he had back then rather than the impact he has here and now?" Shyma said with much seriousness.
Despite this, a grin broke out on Luke's face. He turned around and spoke calmly and slowly "Yes Tommy?"
Shyma and Anna raised a brow at Luke before the force presence behind them came clear.
They both spun around and saw the slightly dazed form of Knight Kenobi standing 2-3 ft. behind from them. His normally cold eyes looked stunned and they where gazing right at Shyma.
Shyma suddenly turned a bright shade of red, praying to the force that he didn't just hear her monologue about his father.
"Tom?" Luke called again.
"Hm? Oh yes..." Tommy tore his gaze away from the young initiate and looked over to Luke "Danielle and a few of her friends are going to some party down at Dex's. She wants me to come with her, care to join me?"
Anna rolled her eyes.
Shyma was still red.
And Luke was still grinning "To do what? Accompany you amongst all the ladies?"
Tommy threw his friend a glare that said "If you don't shut up right now I am going to impale my lightsaber into your stomach and turn into a Sith on the spot."
"Sorry, sorry, I was kidding" Luke laughed playfully "I'll meet you at your place around 6-ish"
"Good" and even though he didn't say it, the nod he gave Luke said all the thanks in the galaxy. He glanced at Shyma awkwardly one last time before he turned and left.
"Come on, my dear young red one" Luke grinned putting a hand on Shyma's back and moving her along.
"That's the most I've ever heard him talk. Ever" Anna blinked.
Luke laughed, he, his 'dear young red one' and Anna headed off to their favorite diner...at last.
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To say that 32 year old Thomas Bierfeldt Kenobi was tired, would be an unbelievable understatement.
He had just returned from a mission on the outer-rim planets and was having a rather relaxing conversation with his closest friend, Luke Skywalker.
…..... That is until those two girls showed up. He hated when people would intrude upon the few times he actually decided to talk and vent to his friends, and everyone knew that full well. But that fact that Luke was the most social person alive didn't really help.
So he left for his quarters, when Yoda called him up. So now here he was, on one knee, bent down in front of Yoda in the troll's personal chambers.
"You called for me master?" he said wearily.
"Call you I did, young one" Yoda confirmed.
"Young one?" Tommy smirked and ran a hand through his dirty blond hair "I'm seriously starting to doubt that these days"
"Young you still are" Yoda pointed a finger at the knight "Realize you will, when reach my age you do, padawan."
Tommy looked down and smiled. To most this would be a miracle, Knight Kenobi actually smiling. But Yoda knew his former padawan better. The young man that was just as good as a son to him acted rather differently when they where in private. And he had grown used to it.
"But call you to discuss that I did not" Yoda said after a while "Call you to discuss your status I did."
"My status, master?" Tommy raised a brow.
"An incredible Jedi knight. And serve the Republic well you do. Wish to promote you to the rank of master we do..." Yoda started.
"But..." Tommy said, raising a brow rather cheekily.
"But come across one thing we have. Cold and distrustful you are. Work with anyone you can not. Have a select few friends you do, but cold to even them you are. A good thing individuality is. Allow one to stray from their peer's beliefs too much solitary confinement does. Cause one to loose connection with their society it does. Hate to see that happen to you I would" Yoda finished with a sad nod.
"What do you suggest I do master?" Tommy replied bowing his head.
"Suggest a padawan we do" Yoda said quickly.
"A padawan?" Tommy shot his gaze up to his former master and said in an almost disgusted tone "Unless you want your initiates killed, I wouldn't put them under my care."
"Do it you can, with the right initiate of course" Yoda said.
"The right initiate?" Tommy raised a brow.
"Have one in mind do you?" Yoda said with a curious tone of voice.
"No" Tommy answered too quickly to be considered normal.
"Come to the tournament in 2 days you will" Yoda ordered.
"To watch the initiates face off? But why?" this time Tommy furrowed his brows.
"Dismissed you are" Yoda said with a wave of his hand.
"But master-"
"Dismissed"
"But-"
"DISMISSED!"
Tommy sighed "Yes master."
He slowly got off his knee and made his way out of Yoda's chamber. Oh the things that troll could make you do.
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"Are you serious??! There is no way in the 7 kriffing sith hells that I'm gonna try to impress him!" Shyma yelled at her companions. The last word was spoken with a bit of disgust. She, Luke and Anna sat at one of the closer places to the temple, Dex's Diner. And they where having fun...well at least Luke and Anna where.
"Oh come on! Me and Luke see him just 'happening' to be there when you talk boldly about Master Obi-Wan. He's obviously interested in a padawan" Anna suppressed a grin.
"You know that's cause half the time she talks about Master Obi-Wan I'm there. And seeing that Tom's my closest friend he just kind of ends up getting stuck hearing her. That and it's only happened twice" Luke said matter-of-factly.
"Shut it Skywalker!" Anna yelled smacking Luke on the shoulder "There is no way it was twice! It has to be at least 3 times. 3 times! Not a coincidence!"
Shyma ignored Anna and continued "Nah, he's not like that. He works alone, remember? Need I remind you how many Jedi have died trying to keep up with his crazy tactics?" The initiate glanced from Anna to Luke "I mean I want a master real bad but I kinda wanna live a tiny bit more."
"Yeah but I've gone on missions with Tommy dozes of times. As a matter of fact half the missions he goes on is either with me or one of the guys" Luke said defending his friend.
"But you and your friends are used to it! You're used to the crazy stuff he pulls, and know how to react to all of it. You see what happens when regular Jedi like me are paired up with him!"
"Can I get you anythin' else Lil' Ani?" came the booming voice of Dex from behind the counter, cutting off Luke's response.
Luke smiled. Dex just couldn't remember the simple name of 'Luke' could he? He simply insisted on calling the Luke the pet name that took after his father. Luke actually liked it. It made him feel like Dex really cared. He didn't see why Tommy absolutely hated when Dex pet named him.
"A Baja Shot would do wonderfully Dex" Luke called over to the four armed toydarian.
"One Baja Shot!" Dex called into the kitchen.
"Isn't that alcohol?" Shyma raised a brow.
"Yes..." Luke answered slowly "Barely though. Baja shots are more artificial flavoring than alcohol."
"Whatever, but if you become obscenely drunk and try to chop our heads off or something..." Anna trailed off with a grin.
Luke rolled his eyes.
"Your Baja Shot's ready Lil' Ani!" Dex called.
"Hm? Oh yeah" Luke turned to look at Dex. Then turned back to the girls "You want anything else?"
"Korun Juice sounds good" Shyma answered. Anna nodded in agreement.
"Alright then, I'll be right back" Luke said as he left the booth and headed for the counter.
"Anyway, where were we? Ah yes Knight-" But Shyma quickly cut her best friend off
"Look, I'd rather have Luke pick me than Knight Kenobi."
"Psh yeah right. I bet you want Kenobi to be your master more than anything. Even more than Luke" Anna rolled her eyes.
"No. I'm pretty sure Luke will be the one to pick me. We're beyond superclose" Shyma replied.
"Yeah? Well if you're so close then why hasn't he picked you yet?" Anna retorted sharply.
Shyma opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. She looked down for a while before faintly muttering "Because...he wants me to showcase my talent at the tournament?"
"Face it, even Luke's waiting for Kenobi to pick you" Anna stated.
An awkward silence fell over the two as Anna continued glaring at Shyma. Waiting for her to admit defeat.
That is until Luke returned with his new Baja Shot and two Korun Juices, using the force to levitate the 2nd Korrun juice in the air.
"Ok where were we?" he said as he placed the cups on the table and sat down "Guys?"
But his call didn't break the gaze of Shyma, who knew deep in her heart...her best friend was right.
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"Oh wow. What did he want you to do?" Michael Mascitti raised a brow.
"A padawan" Tommy murmured. The knight had an arm on the counter that his chin rested on. His other elbow was propped on the counter as well, upright all except his wrist which fell over into his ruffled dirty blond hair. And sitting on the counter in front of him was a tall glass of Adamantine V, Coroscant's strongest alcohol drink.
He was drunk.
Usually Tommy was not the one to drink. Even though he held his alcohol better than any of his friends, he normally just watched as they drank. But today was different. After he heard that girl talk about his father, Tommy knew he had to hit a bar. Fast.
And what better time to do it than when his girlfriend Danielle dragged him to that party that had coincidentally been held at a nearby club instead of Dex's? Tommy knew at that moment that the force even wanted him drunk that night. Danielle and her friends eventually separated themselves from the men at the party and went elsewhere, leaving Tommy to reconcile in the company of Luke. That is until 3 more of his good friends, Ferus Olin, Louis D'Angelo, and Michael Mascitti showed up. And they all ended up with a little alcohol in their systems, but just enough to stay in their right minds.
Except Tommy of course.
"You? A padawan?! Wow Yoda's finally lost it" Michael laughed.
"Shut up Mike" Louis snapped, smacking the knight upside the head.
"Thank you, Lou" Luke said smiling at his friend. He then turned to Tommy "Taking a padawan is a great idea."
"He's right Tom" Ferus agreed.
"Yeah? How?!" Tommy attempted to yell.
"Taking Anna as my apprentice is probably the best thing I ever did" Ferus said "She's taught me just as much as, if not more than what I've taught her. Having a padawan is really life changing Tom."
"For you maybe, but I can't do half the things you do" Tommy said, his voice returning to it's normal stoic tone "I'm not cut out for looking after people. I look after myself and myself alone. I'm a real failure at protecting people" he took a slow deep breath "And my dad knows that real good."
"You don't start out good Tom. You never do. You learn to be good" Luke advised the youngest knight in the group "You learn from what happened with Obi-Wan, and make him proud by doing so-"
"How could he ever be proud of what I do Luke?!" Tommy growled, suddenly sitting up straight "I let him die! I kriffing let my own father DIE!" the last few words where screamed in a mix of anger and pain.
The four friends became quiet, as did anyone else who heard the knight's sudden out burst.
Lou, Ferus, Luke, and Michael barely stopped themselves from letting out an 'It wasn't your fault' but they knew better.
Tommy, who seemed to have calmed down, lowered his head back into his arms. He stayed in silence for a while before softly murmuring "You talk big for someone who's never taken a padawan" as if the topic of his father never came up.
His four friends stared at him strangely for a while before deciding to go along with it if it kept him calm.
"That's because my initiate is waiting for you Tom" Luke smirked after a bit.
"Hm?" Tommy turned to face him.
"Nothing" Luke sighed "Nothing at all."
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So there's the first chapter =] Hope you liked(or even understood it for that matter.) I will be posting all the chapters at once, so if you're one of my subscribers and this swamps your inbox even though you don't really give a crap, I'm sorry XD
Review! =]
