Blackheart Syaoran,
I agree, Xanatos isn't exactly a name that strikes fear into everyone's heart. You are evil, aren't you? Obi-Wan might need some therapy after this story is over, if he survives that is :D Enjoy!
K-rock
Short once again, can't seem to make the chapters long, but as long as I update, right?
Hope you did pass, I need to try and get some college done, but sadly I don't have enough money right now, I may be taking some this summer with a friend, in the evenings after work. The lyrics are certainly interesting, I'll give you that much, I listened to some of their music, but it's not really my type. Oddly enough I listen to mostly New Age and internationally, especially Celtic/Irish/Scottish music. Disney is also a big one for music for me. My CD collection is huge and I prb don't know where half my stuff is. I enjoy Phil Collins, Savage Garden, and Broadway is nice too and gotta love soundtracks. Anyways…I'm rambling now, lol, I hope you enjoy the next chappie!
MusicDreamer
I thought about putting it in, and decided it would be best for character. A little ignorant of the masters, yes, but a nice touch I feel. Tahl will be more in the story, I was so upset that they killed her off too. She's one of my favorites, I plan to keep her around as long as possible.
Mellaithwen
I'm am getting better, I have some trouble with names, lol, took me and my friend two months to remember each other's name, and we have almost the same names! Wonderful memories.
I love Deceptions, wonderful book, one of my favorites!
Painful Journeys is an awesome story, I love CSI too, and just started my own fic too! Whoa, wait a minute, Greggo is mine, I have already claimed him:D To bad so sad, try again later –lol-
If you haven't read any of Slynn's stories, I highly recommend you do, wonderful CSI fics centering Greg.
Felealian
I had to add that bit about them forgetting about Obi-Wan just for character, thanxs for reading, catch ya later sometime
Chapter Three: Dreams
Sweat trickled down his face as he moved quickly to the side, raising his lightsaber to block the already oncoming blow. He could feel the force moving through him, feel its power; his body was taking it in, like a sponge soaking up water. Obi-Wan's eyes meet those of Bruck's, the boy had grown quickly over the last few months, matching Obi-Wan, maybe even suppressing him in height despite how much Obi-Wan had grown.
"She doesn't look to good, does she?" Bruck asked him quietly, a smirk playing on his face.
Obi-Wan faltered, turning to look down at the still form in the pool below. It was then he remembered why he had come here in the first place. He turned back to Bruck, the other boy had not moved, waiting for Obi-Wan to take the lead. Obi-Wan did so without hesitation. His plan was to disarm Bruck, once he was disarmed, there was nothing else Bruck could do, but forfeit, give up.
The water gushed out of the hidden pipes, and when Bruck had tried to strike out against him, the water shorted his weapon. Obi-Wan could hear him cry out in anger, could feel the darkness surge.
"That's it Bruck," Obi-Wan told him, lowering his weapon. "Give up, it's over."
"No, Obi-Wan" another voice said softly. Caught off guard he turned to see Bant walking up to his side, an unsettling look on her face.
Obi-Wan could only shake his head as he watched her approach. "But how," he started, turning to look at Bruck, only to realize that he was no longer there, the waterfall was also gone, it seemed as if it never even had been there.
He glanced at Bant, her silver eyes watching his confused expression. "How did you get out," he mumbled quietly, walking over to her.
"You could have saved him," she told him quietly, her eyes trailing down the sides of dry banks, into the crystal pool below.
Obi-Wan followed her gaze, sucking in a quiet breath at what he saw there. Bruck was chained to the pool, his eyes open, staring…staring at nothing. Obi-Wan felt a void now, realizing that Bruck was dead. He swung back around to Bant, but she was gone now, he was alone.
Or so he thought, he could feel someone watching him. His master shook his head, smiling sadly at his padawan. "Killing does solve a problem, young Kenobi. The evil that was there will still live on, and you have only succeeded in taking away a life that could have still been redeemed."
Obi-Wan watched his Master's face, unbelieving. "But I didn't," he started, only to stop as his Master's face changed.
The older man's eyebrows furrowed, as he removed his lightsaber, striking out with astonishing speed. Obi-Wan was barely able to meet the blows, he was no match for this man.
He was fighting his Master; a metallic feeling had entered his stomach, falling down to his gut, weighing him down. He could barely move his arms, they felt like lead. Obi-Wan watched numbly as Qui-Gon's features slowly melted away, he could feel the force flutter as Xanatos now fought with him.
"Come with me, fight by my side, I can show you great things," Xanatos told him, grinning ear to ear.
Obi-Wan only shook his head, taking another deep breath as he blocked another blow. He couldn't last for much longer.
"You prefer to work alone then? As do I, if you cannot have control over the situation, you must make it so. Bruck was the only one standing in your way. Once he was gone from the picture, you could take over."
Xanatos laughed as Obi-Wan feel to his knees, panting now. His body shook from the force he had exerted from it, his arms ached and legs were cramping as he raised his head to look up at Xanatos.
"You wanted him gone," Xanatos told him quietly, his teeth showing in his crooked smile. "It would be so easy, and there was no one around to see, no one to call off the fight, one simple push, and he was gone forever. I have never been prouder."
Obi-Wan felt sick, shaking his head to deny the last words, but Xanatos only laughed. "You know that it is true, now," he told him, laughing harder as he raised his lightsaber. Obi-Wan did nothing as the pulsing blade came down on him.
Obi-Wan sat up quickly, breathing heavily, panting almost as he glanced around. It was dark outside again, how long had he been asleep? Sighing he dropped his head into his hands, running them through his short hair. He was covered in a sheen of sweat, but even though he still felt cold.
Rolling off the couch, Obi-Wan made his way into the small wash room that was adjacent to the quarters. He was alone, Obi-Wan was certain of that. He splashed some cool water on his face, trying to calm himself down. It wasn't the first time he had dreams like that, but it was the first time they had been so real.
Obi-Wan raised his head, looking into the mirror for the first time. Dark circles lined his eyes, giving him a ghost like appearance. Obi-Wan splashed more water on his face, rubbing his hands vigorously over eyes, trying to wash the marks away. Looking back into the mirror he let out an exasperated sigh to find that they were still there, as if hoping they would be gone.
Stepping into the fresher he let the warm water cascade over him, closing his eyes and welcoming the sensation. How did he end up in such a mess, he wondered dimly, stepping out and wrapping a towel around himself. Once changed Obi-Wan sat back down on the window sill, the same place he had been last night.
He was edgy, there wasn't much to do, being confined inside his quarters and all. His master had returned sometime while he was cleaning, a fresh tray of food sat on the table. Obi-Wan shook his head, groaning softly. He needed to get out, even if it was for only a little while.
It was the in the late morning that Obi-Wan sat cross-legged on the floor, across from Aalto. There gazes met briefly, before Obi-Wan closed his eyes once more. Both of them were supposed to be concentrating on meditation, which was ironic if one thought about it, meditation was supposed to be a time of reflection, a time to cleanse your mind, it required no thought. But it was hard to sit there and not concentrate on anything, listening only to the breathing and the beat of your heart. Especially now, since Obi-Wan's mind was racing at over a hundred miles an hour.
Next to him, his Master sat, in meditation as well, he had only opened an eye, silently warning Obi-Wan to keep on task. Yoda was off to his other side, seemingly unaware of what was going on around him. Obi-Wan sighed inwardly. He had been permitted to come out of his quarters, but only for sessions like these, it was unnerving.
Qui-Gon had promised him that he would speak with the council on this matter, but also warned him not to get his hopes up. Obi-Wan knew the council was taking strict precautions in order to figure everything out. He had been told little more than that the case against him would be reexamined by the council and the council alone, only then would they decide if it needed to be overseen in the Coruscant justice system.
Obi-Wan hoped that it would not come to that, mostly because if it did, it meant that the council would have to contact Bruck's family again. Obi-Wan was not up to seeing either his father or brother again.
He bit his lip to keep from sighing out loud. He longed to talk with Bant, or Garren, longed to talk to someone about what had happened, longed to figure out what was going on. He was even willing to talk to Aalto about it at the moment; the silence was driving him insane almost.
Obi-Wan could feel his master watching him, and he got back on task. The last thing he needed was a reprimand after the session, but he had a feeling that he was going to receive a lecture anyways.
After what seemed like hours, Yoda finally opened his eyes, blinking at the other three. "Go now, you may. Meet again we shall."
It had been short, unexpectedly. Usually Yoda would have much more to say after the end of meditation sessions, but it was as if he could sense Obi-Wan's unease and had cut off the meeting early on purpose.
Aalto had left quickly, but Obi-Wan remained seated, watching him go. Beside him his Master was watching him, and Obi-Wan prepared for the lecture that was about to start.
"You feel like coming over to Didi's for a while?" he asked instead.
Obi-Wan glanced at him, frowning some, in sharp contrast to his master's smile. "How?" he wondered out loud, surprised when his master laughed.
"The council has permitted you to leave the quarters as long as you are with someone."
Obi-Wan nodded, flexing his muscles as he stood. Didi's wasn't his first choice, but it seemed like a good idea.
"Bant is welcome to come as well," Qui-Gon told him as he stood as well.
He laughed as his padawan's face brightened. "Really?" Obi-Wan desperately needed someone to talk to.
Qui-Gon nodded. "She's waiting for us down on the third floor," he told the youth. He had already talked to Bant before hand, knowing that Obi-Wan would have appreciated it. Obi-Wan nodded his thanks, smiling as he followed Qui-Gon out of the room. Perhaps today wasn't going to be so bad after all.
TBC
