"Look who we have got here," the arrogant and confident form of Xanatos, Qui-Gon's former apprentice, stepped into the light, "If this isn't my former Master's cub… To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"What are YOU doing here?" Obi-Wan couldn't help but ask.
Xanatos chuckled, "Well, I am the leader of this… group." His eyes sparkled dangerously. "But now back to you, cub, what are you doing here?"
"Stop calling me cub," Obi-Wan snapped, but then continued in a calmer tone, "What do you think I am doing here?"
It was a challenge and if the grin that appeared on Xanatos face was any indicator, it was well received, "You are not here to visit me, that much is clear… and I don't sense Qui-Gon nearby. Tell me, peachy Padawan, have you lost your Master?"
Obi-Wan huffed, "Qui-Gon is not my Master."
Xanatos' eyebrows met his hairline, "Has the grand Master finally dumped his pet?"
"More like the Padawan dumped the Master…" he trailed off and shrugged bored.
Xanatos suddenly stepped closer, but Obi-Wan did not even flinch, "And I am supposed to believe that, because…"
"Because I can't stand to be near him anymore… he, he didn't want me and he still doesn't. I realised that now, I am only your replacement," Obi-Wan let his anger rise and directed his heated glance at Xanatos, who looked at him intently, "You know Jinn, you were his Padawan once… you knew the way he always defies the Council and the Code and I am never allowed to say something against it and if I do, he doesn't care. But if I am the one to defy the Council and the Code, because I am following 'the will of the Force' he refuses to help me"
Obi-Wan unconsciously closed his hands to fists. A short pause emerged between them.
"It is his fault she died!" he allowed the pain that came from the memory of Cerasi's death to almost consume him.
The ginger haired boy didn't know how long they stood there, in the middle of the room. He just allowed the emotions to run free and he still made sure to keep the bond heavily shielded and tightly closed. But suddenly laughter brought Obi-Wan out of his dazed state.
"Isn't that just precious? My Padawan brother has finally grown up!" he chuckled at his own joke, "But you aren't a Padawan anymore, are you?"
"I guess not… he doesn't know that I fled, yet."
Xanatos' eyes sparkled, "Oh? Care to indulge me?"
Obi-Wan shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest, "He thinks I am on a solo mission…"
Again the dark haired male laughed, "I like your way of thinking… yes, this will do well."
"What will do well?" the ginger haired male asked, honestly confused now.
"You will become my new apprentice! How exciting, isn't it? I always wanted a worthy apprentice and you will finally get a worthy Master."
"Are you serious?" Obi-Wan let his arms fall to his sides again and stepped eagerly forward.
"Do I really have to remember you, that my name is Xanatos du Crion and not Qui-Gon Jinn?"
"No, of course not, Master!" Obi-Wan emphasized the last word and kneeled before the black haired man.
"Good, my apprentice. Now we just have to remove the last thing that binds you to the Jedi Order," he pulled a knife out of his belt and stepped forward.
"Wait!" Obi-Wan exclaimed and Xanatos' eyes narrowed dangerously, "Wouldn't it be, how shall I say it, more painful for Jinn if I kept it? It could be made as a symbol, to remind him of his failure."
Xanatos grinned again and put the knife back where it belonged, "As I already said, my apprentice, I like your way of thinking."
"I am honoured to please you," Obi-Wan bowed and ignore the sick feeling to his stomach.
The dark haired man motioned for Obi-Wan to get up, to which the younger male immediately complied.
"I would order one of those morons, to show you the place and to explain you the new rules, but I don't want to loose my apprentice so soon," he chuckled at his own joke and Obi-Wan forced himself to smile slightly, "Unfortunately I do not have the time to do so myself, I have an important meeting in a few minutes."
"May I inquire what the meeting is about?" Obi-Wan asked, already playing his part as the perfect apprentice.
"Ah, it is about the future of this hell hole."
"Hell hole, Master? I think it is quite pleasant here."
Xanatos actually laughed at that and Obi-Wan wondered if he had always been like this or if Xanatos just laughed so much to distract others and himself from his sad and destroyed life.
"Jinn and every other Master of the Order would have scolded you for this, but I found it endearing… accompany me," it was no request, so Obi-Wan found himself bowing deeply and following a step behind his new Master.
He ignored the sick feeling in his stomach that appeared when he called the traitor before him Master or when the black haired man called him apprentice. Obi-Wan also prayed to the Force that this mission would quickly be over. He didn't know how long he would be able to endure the treacherous man who was walking in front of him, without going insane himself and he had no doubt that Xanatos WAS insane. That and he didn't want Qui-Gon to figure something out. He knew the man would sooner or later know that something was greatly wrong and even if the grief and the broken heart the man would undoubtedly have to endure would appear real and help his act, Obi-Wan didn't know if he could cope with it. Yes, he decided, he definitely did not need Qui-Gon going on a rampage mission to find him and get him back. He just hoped the Council and Master Yoda could keep the stubborn and stoic man long enough in check to ensure this damn mission.