A.N.: Please enjoy and R&R! Thank you! P.S. I am putting this story on hold. I decided that I will finish my other story first before doing this one. Sorry! But I will definitely finish this one too!
They flopped down on the grass next to each other back in the garden and grinned.
"I beat you." Bant stated.
"You started before me." Obi-Wan pointed out as he pillowed his head with his hands.
"I will still beat you even if I give you two seconds head start." Bant said, giving him a side-way glance.
"Well, I can never beat you." Obi-Wan said with a sigh and sat up, "Don't you have anything to do with Master Tahl? I mean, you being a padawan now and all."
That is right, Obi-Wan thought bitterly. I am no longer a padawan. I can spend my time as much as I want without anyone restraining me. After all, I am an outcast.
Bant noticed the change of the tone almost immediately, "You are not brooding are you?"
"No, I am sulking." Obi-Wan replied with a smile.
Bant punched him playfully on the shoulder, "Very funny."
"Look," Bant sighed as Obi-Wan looked depressed again, "I am sure Master Jinn will take you back as an apprentice."
"What if he doesn't?" Obi-Wan voiced the reason that was tormenting him ever since he came back.
"He will." Bant said confidently, "He knows your value in his heart."
Obi-Wan gave her a half smile. Bant smiled gently back.
"Hey, Happy birthday to you." Bant suddenly said.
Obi-Wan glanced at her, "It isn't my birthday today."
"But it is tomorrow." Bant said, "Happy early birthday. I have a mission tomorrow with Master Tahl so I thought I will wish you an early one than a late one."
"Thanks." Obi-Wan grinned.
"Here." Bant said as she plopped a bracelet onto Obi-Wan's hand.
"What is this?" Obi-Wan observed the bracelet.
It was translucent with multiple colors swirling constantly inside. He peered closely and thought he saw scenes from the temple.
"It is a memory bracelet." Bant explained, "I stored all the good memories I, Garen, and Reeft shared with you into the bracelet. It is for you to remember us by and that you will always have a home with us."
Obi-Wan smiled and hugged his friend, "Thanks, Bant."
"You are welcome, Obi-Wan." Bant said softly as she leaned her hand against Obi-Wan's shoulder.
They sat there for a while, enjoy each other's presence. Then Bant was called away by Master Tahl, leaving Obi-Wan alone in the room.
"Oafy-Wan!" A very familiar voice said from behind him.
"Bruck." Obi-Wan said coldly.
"Feeling down, traitor?" Bruck sneered.
"No, why don't you go away?" Obi-Wan said, turning away to ignore Bruck.
An unexpected punch send him sprawling into the water. Obi-Wan spat out the water and sat up, wiping his mouth.
"Oafy wan feeling down?" Bruck taunted.
A surge of fury engulfed him and he kicked Bruck, "Bastard!"
Bruck landed hard on his back. The air was knocked out of him. Obi-Wan stared at his fist.
"Oh Force." Obi-Wan muttered, "My day just can't get any worse."
"Obi-Wan, Bruck, what are you two doing?" Came the voice of Master Windu.
Obi-Wan winced. Yup, his day really can get worse.
"Obi-Wan hit me because he was angry that Master Jinn won't accept him as his padawan." Bruck whined, holding his stomach where Obi-Wan hit him.
"Obi-Wan." Master Windu turned to him sternly.
"But-" Obi-Wan protested.
"No buts." Master Windu ordered, "Go meditate on this and get out of my sight."
"Yes, Master Windu." Obi-Wan mumbled and walked out of the room.
Irritation was shown on his face but he doesn't care. He walked, or rather stomped, all the way to the garden, where he liked to spend his time with his friends. He sat there, watching the sun sank all the way down before getting up.
Obi-Wan headed for his former master's apartment automatically. He hesitated as he stood in front of the door. He was no longer Master Jinn's padawan, so does he live with him for now or what? Where does he go? He raised his hand to knock but at the last second, he put it down again. He was no longer his padawan so he does not live with Master Jinn anymore. It was quite dark already. The sky was pure black and stars twinkled at him as he stared out at the closest window. How he had missed being at the temple when he was with the Young. But now that he is back, he felt alone and awkward, wishing to be back with the Young. He turned away and shuffled down the hallway dejected.
Or at least that was what he was planning to do until a strong hand grabbed him by the end of his cloak.
"Where are you going?" A familiar voice said from behind him.
Obi-Wan turned. The light spilled out of the opened doorway, illuminating the darkened hallway. Master Jinn stood in front of him, his arms across his chest.
"Where were you going?" Master Jinn asked again.
"I don't know." Obi-Wan said, shrugging, "The garden, maybe."
"It is already dark." Master Jinn pointed out, "Past curfew too."
"I realized." Obi-Wan said, looking anywhere but at Master Jinn.
"Why did you not come back?" Master Jinn asked.
"I..I…" Obi-Wan faltered.
"Yes?"
"I am no longer your apprentice." Obi-Wan muttered, "So I was considering if I am to stay with you or move somewhere else."
Master Jinn didn't reply. For a moment, the silence etched between them. Obi-Wan looked up and to his surprise, his former master had already moved away. Obi-Wan looked down. There is no hope for him to become his padawan again. He walked into the apartment and closed the door behind him.
"There is a bit of food left on the table." Master Jinn informed him as he walked into the apartment.
"Thank you." Obi-Wan said stiffly.
Qui-Gon eyed his former apprentice and sat down again, closing his eyes to continue his meditation. A slight tremor of sadness and self-pity traveled down their closed bond. Qui-Gon frowned slightly. They had officially closed the bond after Obi-Wan's action but why is it that he can still receive emotions from the boy? He slammed up his shield and blocked any other incoming thoughts or emotions. He calmed himself down and let the Force enter his mind. He stayed in the position for a while until his ears quirked up at the uncharacteristic quietness of Obi-Wan closing his door. He concentrated again. This time, a stronger sense of sadness threatened to break through his wall and he slammed up another layer of shield. After a while, Qui-Gon ended his meditation and got up.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes as he sensed a slight disturbance in the force. Qui-Gon stood looming over him with a frustrated look on his face.
"I just received a call from Master Windu." Qui-Gon began.
Obi-Wan can see where the conversation is going and he said nothing.
"Is it true that you hit Bruck?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yes." Obi-Wan said, looking down.
"Look at me." Qui-Gon commanded.
Obi-Wan found himself staring at the unblinking and cold eyes of his former master. He involuntarily flinched.
"Your behavior is shameful." Qui-Gon said, irritated.
It was a long day for Qui-Gon. He had attended numerous council meetings to discuss Obi-Wan's action and Xanatos's past betrayals. He was not in the mood for his former apprentice.
"Yes, Master Jinn." Obi-Wan said miserably.
Somehow, he found the way his former apprentice admitting his fault even more irritating.
"No wonder no other master chose you as a padawan." Qui-Gon said cooly.
Obi-Wan winced and felt his eyes stung.
"You really are a shame to yourself and any master who will actually pick you." No, that is not what I want to say.
"As if anyone will pick you at all." Wait, stop!
"You are a worthless nobody." No!
Words are said and cannot be taken back. Obi-Wan felt each sentence hitting every sore spot in his heart. Of course, Master Jinn must have picked him as an apprentice to prevent a useless person from suiciding. To prevent him being framed as murder.
"Yes, Master Jinn." Obi-Wan felt tears began to pour from the corner of his eyes.
Qui-Gon sneered, "Go back to your room and get out of my sight."
That was the final blow. Obi-Wan staggered to his room and slid the door shut as quietly as he possibly can.