Excitement filled every molecule of Obi-Wan's body, he couldn't believe at nine years old he was leaving to go on an adventure with Master Yoda. He packed what few clothes he had and carried supplies onto Master Yoda's personal craft for the journey; He was onboard putting the last box of holocron's and study books on when Qui-Gon and Xanatos arrived at the bottom of the ramp where Yoda stood.

"Master," Qui-Gon said in a pleading tone. "What do you think you are doing…? Mace just told me that you're leaving. How can you give up everything that the order means to you for a child who has no future with the Jedi? The Jedi order is your life; don't throw it away."

Yoda felt disappointment rise at Qui-Gon's words and he sighed resting his hands on his cane. "Know for a fact you do, that Obi-wan has no future. Call yourself and expert do you? Listen to me you did not, when decided your own future."

His eyes glanced sideways at Xanatos and back to stare at Qui-Gon.

"It's not my future we are talking about Master… It's yours, don't throw it away." Qui-Gon begged.

"Throw it away I will not, saving the future I am. When the time is right, help me you will. Save you too it will. Now go we must." Yoda stated as he went inside and closed the ramp closed.

ooo

Qui-Gon and Xanatos stepped back, moving out of harms way from the powerful engines as they lifted the ship off the landing platform and began the ascent into the sky and then up into the atmosphere.

Qui-Gon gazed up following the trail of white vapours as the ship rose higher and higher and he wondered how long it would be until the old Master realised his mistake and came back.

Yoda's words about Qui-Gon's own future made him smart with disbelief.

He glanced at Xanatos, who was standing quietly watching the ship disappear.

He was appalled that Yoda would accuse his padawan of attempting to kill a defenceless boy, one who was sickly and unable to defend himself and barely out of the crèche. There wasn't any proof of wrongdoing by Xani, and the thought that Yoda believed it so, left a bitter taste in Qui-Gon's mouth.

ooo

Xanatos could barely contain his delight seeing Yoda's ship leave and fade away into the evening sky. He maintained his shields at maximum as his master seemed to be drowning in his sorrows because the old troll was leaving.

Long minutes passed and he controlled his impulse to fidget as he waited for Qui-Gon to give up on watching empty space where once there was a ship. After awhile he intentionally placed his hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder and sent sympathising thoughts through the Force.

A sigh and a dip of the head was an announcement to Xanatos that he'd got through to the moping thoughts Qui-Gon was holding back within his own strong shields. However, it had the desired effect and Xanatos smiled at his master and raised his hand suggesting that they head back to the temple.

"Master, do you believe that little Obi-Wan has a chance to survive and grow up to become a Jedi like Master Yoda believes?" He asked putting as much sincerity into his words as he could.

"Xani, I hesitate to even guess what Master Yoda believes; my old master has changed ever since that poor child came into his life. I'm disappointed that he's become so attached to the sickly boy that he's lost sight of what is most important to him."

"It does seem odd that Master Yoda would give up his position on the council and leave the temple, do you know where he's going Master?" Xanatos asked cordially. He couldn't bear the fact that he didn't know where Yoda was going and he'd gone through every data disk his master had to find out the trolls destination.

A sigh and the shake of his masters head was his only answer.

"But Master what if something happens to Master Yoda or the little one. Surely, he told you where he was going?"

Xanatos had to focus on his breathing to keep from allowing his real thoughts from leaking through his shields.

He hated having to call the troll anything but an aggravating annoyance and that puny brat didn't deserve all the attention he got from everyone either. He should be dead.

"He didn't tell me Padawan, and I'm sure I would be the last person he would want to tell where he was going."

Xanatos knew Yoda was keeping it a secret because Qui-Gon would tell him and that would be the last thing the troll would want. Xanatos snorted, the troll's suspicions were true. However, the old Jedi couldn't convince Qui-Gon or the council that Kenobi's accidents and illnesses were all caused by him. He almost grinned, thinking of all the times he'd purposely caused the little brat pain and suffering and how intellectually superior he was to hide his true nature from all of the pathetic Jedi.

"It's because of me Master isn't it, I'm so sorry that you and your master have parted under strained circumstances. I don't know what more that I could have done to convince Master Yoda of my sincerity."

He knew that Qui-Gon would practically grovel to convince 'his' Xani that it wasn't his doing.

"No, Padawan, I know you're above reproach and have done nothing wrong. I am ashamed that I even listened when my master insisted that you were hiding your true intentions."

ooo

Yoda's ship sped through the atmosphere and left the confines of the planet Coruscant far behind. Obi-Wan sat in the co-pilots seat gripping the padded arm rests with his eyes closed.

"Again your fear holds you back youngling, tell me what is it that causes these feelings within you?"

"I've never been in a space ship before Master, and I'm not sure that I like it?"

"Then learn to like it you will. First lesson begins now! Theory and techniques studied in class, did you not?"

"Y-yes Master, I did."

"Passed your exams you did?"

"Yes, in theory I felt confident, but my feet were on the ground and I felt safe. During the week of the practical test I was in the healers ward. The others told me about going into space and that it was weird and very dark up here and now that I'm here it scares me when I look out the view screen and it looks so empty and black."

"Then this will be your practical test young one."

"But Master, what if I do something wrong and we crash?"

"If crash we do, then no need of fear will you require; for in the arms of the force we shall be." Yoda said amusement lacing his reply.

"Master it's not funny, what if I'm not worthy of your trust, you might die?"

"Return to the Force we all do at some time. Tell me young Obi-Wan, time is it for you to return to the Force?"

Obi-Wan thought it over and shook his head. "I had a vision that I grew up and I was a Jedi and I fly ships, although in my vision I think that I don't like flying either."

"Then change the outcome of that vision we must; follow my lead and fly us to our destination you will."

Obi-Wan felt his fear rise, but a look from Master Yoda made him draw in a calming breath and he concentrated on logging every movement Master Yoda made, into his mind. The old master explained how to keep the craft level by using the control lever and pressing buttons to activate certain navigation plotting.

After several failed attempts to fly the ship without veering off course and spinning out of control, Obi-Wan stopped listening to his own fears and began listening to the Force and Master Yoda.

Another attempt to control the ship brought a smile to Obi-Wan's face. Finally, he was flying their ship in a straight line without sheer panic gripping him.

Yoda spent the next few hours teaching Obi-Wan the finer arts to flying. Teaching him to change course and then return to the original settings.

By the end of the days lessons, Obi-Wan was more relaxed than he had been when boarding the ship, but his eyes lids were drooping and Yoda sensed the exhaustion in his young charge.

"Enough for today youngling, time to eat it is, set the controls to auto and take care of our bodies now we will. Rest and food you require and then resume your lessons we will."

Yoda considered the future as Obi-Wan slept and sensed his aura was growing brighter the further from Coruscant they travelled. It was like the veil that hid his potential was dissolving and his sensitivity to the Force not only surrounded him but it was infused throughout his body.

He nodded in satisfaction, after nine years of dedication on his part the true nature of Obi-Wan's inner purpose was finally there for all to see. Nevertheless, he knew that it was a secret that he would continue to keep to himself until the time was right for Obi-Wan to fulfil his destiny.

The sensation of an inquiring mind filled Yoda and he saw two pale blue eyes watching him intently.

"Good morning youngling, sleep well did you?"

"I did sleep well Master, I didn't have any dreams and I feel really good!"

"Pleased I am to hear that Obi-Wan, landing on Dagobah soon we will be."

"Dagobah? Master, I've never heard of Dagobah, is it like Coruscant; is there a temple on this planet?"

"No youngling, Dagobah is nothing like Coruscant, a place it is to be at peace and grow strong it is."

"Who else lives here Master, are there other Jedi here?"

"Patience youngling, too many questions you do ask. Time to land it is and then continue your studies you will."

The sun filtered through the canopy of trees in what appeared to be a thick jungle as the ship settled on solid ground. Surrounding the ship was green moss and a large leafy vine covered the ground.

As the ramp rumbled open, Obi-Wan peered out surveying an abundance of tall trees and a thick green forest floor. It was unlike any garden in the temple and his excitement piqued his curiosity and like most excitable young boy's he didn't wait for instructions and ran down the ramp to the forest floor below.

"Wait you should, impatient you are, know not what awaits you down there young one!" Yoda called after him.

But it was too late.

'Plop!'

Obi-Wan disappeared under the leaves. In his haste to explore, he'd run right into a small swampy pond. His arms groped wildly at the tangle of vines surrounding him as he shook his head clearing his eyes of slimy water.

"Master help!" He spluttered as he grabbed a fallen branch at the edge of the pond.

"Told you I did, listen to me you do not!...So now in the swamp you are!"

Ewww yuck! it tastes bad!" He said spitting out brown water.

"Get used to it you will. Learn to use your eyes and the Force before you leap. Now remove your self from the swamp; time to waste playing we do not have young Padawan."

"Padawan? – I'm not a padawan, Master." He said pulling himself out of the pond.

"Teach you to listen to the force, impossible it will be, if control your impulsiveness I cannot. A training bond we need to keep your mind on your training." Yoda explained.

"A training bond with me, are you sure Master."

"Yes young one! Worthy you are!" Yoda stated.

"I guess so." Obi mumbled as he shrugged his wet shoulders, and bits of swamp muck fell of his clothes.

"Guess!. A word you will not use again! Know it I do, and so do you. Now lead the way my apprentice, find for me my old home. Visited it I have not for many years, will need a clean, as one youngling also needs a clean." Yoda cackled.

"Oh! I think something's in my shirt…. It's wriggling." Obi-Wan declared as he stood stock still.

"Found an inhabitant of this wondrous place, you have." As Yoda reached in and took the wriggly creature and threw it back in the swamp.

"Now clear your mind and listen to the Force let it guide you onwards to our dwelling." Yoda announced as he waved his cane...

tbc...