Rise of the Warrior

Chapter 2

Jinn, Anakin and Padme ate a fine mid-day meal at a local restaurant and were seated at a private table. The owner seemed to know Padme pretty well and it was then that Jinn learned that she was the Senator of Naboo. She explained how she used to be the Queen and how she and Anakin first met. Jinn thought it was a great story and was hanging on her every word. He hardly said a thing to interrupt her as she spoke and occasional Jinn was ask Anakin to tell him something about Obi-Wan to get him to join in.

Meanwhile, the two humans were surprised as their otherworldly guest order a bottle of wine and began to sample the drink like a pro. Skillfully, he swirled the brew in his glass and scented the red liquid before sipping it with a grin.

"Mmmm, it's very good. Master would approve wholeheartedly."

Padme narrowed her brow. "Master? But I thought you said you weren't a Jedi?"

"Oh no, I'm not, but I still have a Master. She's very stern, but still very lovely."

The Senator beamed. "She? Well, this I have to hear. Tell me Jinn, tell me something about your Master."

"Oh, she's hard. Everyday it's work, work, work, but she's kind deep inside. I know because I can see it in her eyes. She told me once that she only worked me so hard because she wanted me to be strong. She said it was the responsibility and that elders should care for the young. She said we ought to leave behind our wisdom to help nurture those who are in need."

Jinn then locked eyes with Padme and said, "I miss her."

Bashfully, the Senator lowered her gaze and said, "It sounds like the two of you were close."

The amber-eyed warrior grinned. "Only as much as a disciple can, Milady."

"But, Jedi are not allowed to form attachments, " said Anakin. "If you're serious about joining the Order than you won't be allowed to love."

Jinn gaped at Anakin in disbelief. "Not—not love? But, love is the greatest force in the universe. A warrior who does not fight with all his heart is doomed to live numb and unfeeling. All good things are made with love, Anakin. Don't you love being a Jedi?"

"Don't be so naïve, Jinn. Of course, I love being a Jedi, but being in love and loving what you do are two completely different things."

Jinn frowned and calmly replied, "No…they are not. The people of my heart are as equally important to me as the mission of my oath. They require my full conviction and for that they require my love. A man isn't an island, Sir Knight. To call yourselves only the servants of the people is the same as saying you're a drone."

"Jinn, please," said Padme. She gently placed her hand over his to calm him down and he instantly yanked his hand away from hers.

"No, do not touch me."

At his sharp retort, Padme began to feel badly and drew her hand into her lap and replied, "Oh…I'm sorry Jinn."

In reaction, Anakin rage at how insensitive the warrior was being and grabbed him by the arm. "What's your problem?" he shouted, but with a cool look the amber-eyed man pulled free and stood up from the table.

"I don't have a problem. I just didn't want Miss Padme to feel my emotions through the Force. She isn't Force-sensitive and it can be very overwhelming. Now, if you will excuse me I shall take my leave."

"But, Jinn—"

"No, I don't want to say anything I will later on regret. I'm going to go see Obi-Wan."

The warrior than left the couple to themselves and headed towards the transports and back to the Temple. Meanwhile, Padme gave Anakin a glare and rose up from her seat as well. Startled, the young Knight tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen.

"No, Ani. You didn't need to overreact like that. You didn't have to be so mean to him. He isn't a Jedi, so you didn't need to rip into him like that. I don't understand you. I'm going back to my apartment and finishing my reports."

In reaction, Anakin was devastated. He didn't want his Angel to be upset with him. It was all Jinn's fault. It was him and his talk about love and feelings. What did some nobody know about what it means to be a true Jedi anyway? Plus, he was glad he was gone. He was getting too friendly with his fiancée. No one was allowed to be that close to his Padme, but him.

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Location: Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan's quarters

In the quite sitting room, Obi-Wan was reading over some topics of interest to the High Council when he heard a loud pounding on his front door. Curious, he rose and answered it and saw that it was Jinn. Irritated, the young man stormed into the room and startled to pace while subconsciously gripping and releasing the handle on his black blade.

"Damnation! A hex upon that dog and his unfeeling way! He just had to go and spoil a perfectly good meal."

Yet, in answer Obi-Wan was confused. It was obvious that Jinn was upset. He also had a colorful way of showing it too. Calmly, the Jedi Master closed the door and sat back down.

"What's the matter, Jinn?"

"It's that basted Knight, Anakin! There we were at the Senate and then at a restaurant at the finical district with Miss Padme having a pleasant mean when suddenly we had a difference of opinion."

"Wait, you ate with Padme?"

"Yes, but Anakin does not believe in love!"

Amused, Obi-Wan grinned and said, "Well, of course not, it isn't the Jedi way. It goes against the Code of non-attachments."

"Oh hellfire, not you too. I don't believe I have ever heard such nonsense in all my life. And I don't believe for a second that Anakin does not believe in love or is immune to its trappings. He's as taken with Miss Padme as any man."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard and replied, "Yes, well they are good friends. They've known each other for a long time."

Exasperated, Jinn dropped down onto the sofa and buried his face into his hands and muttered, "Great Spirits, I miss my Master terribly. She'd know what to say to me. She warned me that human lives were complicated." He then looked up and said, "Tell me, father. Do you believe in love?"

Uncomfortably, Obi-Wan began to think about leaving. He did not want to have this conversation and especially with a young man claiming to be his son. "Uh—well, first a Jedi is permitted to love, but only abstractly. He is permitted to love the universe and his fellow being. However, romantic love is forbidden because such thought can lead to the Dark Side of the Force where feelings like jealousy and hate come into play. To avoid such things, the elders long ago dispensed with this feeling and that is how the Code is today."

Jinn frowned. "That doesn't answer my question, father. What do you believe?"

Annoyed, Obi-Wan said, "Love is not the Jedi way. I respect the elders ruling. Love complicates things, but Jedi is permitted to have friends and I for one have many."

"I disagree, my Master said we can learn to love the bird in the trees, but it isn't love if you place her in a cage."

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Location: Padme's apartment

Padme got knock on her door and her handmaiden Sabe answered it and she was surprised to learn that it wasn't Anakin, but Jinn. The warrior presented the Senator with a handful of flowers and a grin. He gave her a bow and straightened up almost anxiously.

"I hope I'm not intruding, Miss Padme, but I wanted to apologize for kidnapping you from your work and leaving so abruptly. I wasn't acting like the gentleman I promised to be. I—I hope you like the flowers."

Padme tried not to laugh at his nervousness and gave the flowers a whiff. "Oh, why thank you, Jinn. You didn't have to bring me flowers. Where did you get them?"

"I took them from the Temple garden's, Milady. They are lovely on the ground, but not as nearly as lovely they are in your arms."

The lady-Senator giggled at such a mushy retort. It was so weird hearing such romantic words come out from the mouth of a man who looked so much like Obi-Wan. Plus, she couldn't remember if Anakin had ever brought her flowers. It was such a kind gesture.

"Again, thank you, Jinn. I had no idea you were such a sweet talker."

"Why never, Miss Padme. I'm only speaking the truth. Though, stolen flowers have more charm than any honest bouquet could ever have."

Padme laughed at how childish he was being and shook her head as she handed over her flowers to Sabe to place in some water. Casually, she invited him in and together they say and talked.

"Well, is apologizing the only reason that you can, Jinn?"

"Uh, not exactly, Milady. I don't know if you will see Anakin again or not, but please convey my apologizes if you see him. However, I also thought that we might be friends. You seem to know a great deal about Obi-Wan and I would like to know more about him."

The brown-eyed beauty narrowed her brow. "But, why not get to know him yourself?"

"Oh, I will but I'd like to know what others think of him as well. I think for now I make him uncomfortable. He is for some reason very important to me."

"Why is that? Don't you two get along?"

Jinn crossed his arms over his chest and began to touch his cleft and started to space out and said, "It's too early to tell. I came here in hopes of finding a missing part of me. My Master has taught me many things, but there is still so much I wish to discover for myself. I want to know if I am capable. I want to know if I can be Obi-Wan's equal. I want to be tested."

Padme smiled. "You always say such grand things Jinn, but I think I understand. When I was a teenager I wanted to see what I was capable of too."

"So, you don't think I'm being foolish?"

Laughing, Padme shook her head. "No, far from it. I think you're awfully wise, almost as wise as Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Amused, the warrior beamed and bashfully lowered his golden gaze to his hands and rubbed his palms. He wondered what his mentor would say to him being called wise. Though, knowing her she'd probably say he was too much of pup to know even what that means. Yet, smoothly he got up and gave her a bow.

"I had no idea that Obi-Wan was marked for his wisdom, Milady. However, I will bid you good night. I don't wish to be anymore of an inconvenience."

Padme rose up from her seat as well. "Oh no, Jinn. It's all right. I enjoyed our talk. Maybe we can talk together again?"

"I would like that, Miss Padme. And maybe next time I might be able to steal you a gem."

The lady-Senator laughed and escorted the warrior to the door—"Well, see Jinn, but no more stealing"—but once the two reached the door and opened it they saw that standing at the threshold was Anakin. Shocked, he started at the Angel in disbelief as he caught the sight of her hand on the other man's chest and the carefree smile on her angelic face. What was she doing with this troublemaker anyway? Didn't she remember that she was supposed to be engaged to him, not Jinn Kenobi. What did she think she was doing?

"Padme…I didn't know you were entertaining guest. Maybe I ought to leave."

Startled, she forced a smile and shook her head. "Oh no, Ani. Jinn was just leaving."

"Yes, but I meant to give you my apology about our disagreement earlier today, Anakin. I let my temper get the best of me and I wanted to let you know that I am sorry."

Anakin frowned. He wasn't expecting that. He gave Jinn an odd look and watched as he extended his hand for a shake. "Yeah, it's ok. I think I overreacted as well." The two then shook hands, but Jinn was surprised at how much hostility the young Knight was projecting. It almost felt like he hated his guts.

"Yes—well, I'm glad. Maybe we could clear the air sometime with a good spar?"

At that Anakin laughed. "Ah, you? Yeah right, I'll wipe the floor with you, Jinn."

The amber-eyed warrior gave him a sly grin. "We shall see, Sir Knight. It's a date."

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Meanwhile, as Jinn left Anakin came into Padme's apartment and pair shared an embrace. Tenderly, the brown-eyed beauty placed her head by her fiancé's shoulder and breath out a long sigh. Then, as she let him go she gave him a smile.

"Well, I'm glad you two made up. Jinn reminds me so much of Obi-Wan sometimes that it's uncanny."

"Yes, I know Angel, but I don't like you being so friendly. You just met him."

Padme shook her head and began to walk inside her quarters and said, "Oh, Ani stop being so jealous. Jinn was a prefect gentleman. He only came over to apologize. In fact, I think you could learn a thing or two about manners from warrior like him."

Anakin narrowed his brow. "More lessons in manners? Me? Come on, Padme. Don't fall for his charms and besides, we can't everybody know that you belong to me. I had to say those things. You know they aren't true."

"Yes, well you didn't have to be so convincing."

The young Knight smiled at his bride to be and began to cross the room to join her by the window, but paused when he noticed the bouquet of flowers sitting on a vase on her sitting room table. He ran his fingers across the yellow petals and remembered seeing the same ones growing inside the Temple gardens. They were yellow lilies and they only grew on a few Core worlds.

"Padme, where did you get these?"

"Oh, Jinn brought them over. It's a peace offering. He said he stole them from somewhere. Isn't he silly?"

In anger, Anakin plucked one of the petals and smothered it between his fingertips. He could not believe that rouge. He couldn't believe how he had almost been deceived. He didn't just want to be his Angel's friend. He wanted to steal her. He wanted to take her from right under his nose like a dirty thief. Anakin was so enraged with possession and hate that he knocked the vase off the table in a fit and marched back towards the front door.

"Anakin! What's wrong?"

Yet, all the lady-Senator heard was the door slamming shut in his wake and then the stillness of the night. She had no idea what had happened. Instead, she stood in her sitting room stunned and watched as the water from the broken vase bleed out onto the floor among the ruined lilies.

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TBC

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