Warning: Slight kiss between two men in the middle of the chapter. You can skip if you want, it will be easy to recognize it. Also, slight mushy scene. I may have been sleeping while writing the scene, believe or not.
An: So, what do you guys think?
Chapter 8: Reunion and secret meeting.
The night where he and has friends had gathered was far more rewarding, for it made Obi-Wan see many things. His bonds with his friends were far stronger than before. Far stronger than he remembered.
Xanatos has changed many things, a lot of them for the better. Bruck's friendship in the little group brought a better understanding and harmony. A former enemy, once proven that he could be trusted, made a far greater friend than a friend first made.
With his hot-temper that he had to learn how to control, he helped Garen with his own problems in controlling his tempers. A great opponent in a duel of words for Bant. Their rivalry haven't changed despite that the bite had lessened considerably.
Ferus and Anakin started to grow their own bond of friendship. After eating dinner — a wonderful assortment of dishes from Bant's home planet, Dac — the two young boys took over the kitchen table to work on possible new designs for the Irisia.
Meanwhile, Garen and Obi-Wan were greatly amused at all the moaning Knight Chun, Knight Tachi and Healer Knight Eerin were doing. The two Padawans were soaking up all the advice the three more 'advanced' friends were unintentionally giving to survive their first year of knighthood with little to no problems that could be averted.
Well, mostly Garen since Obi-Wan had already done it once with a new Padawan learner to boot. He thanked the Force (both Light and Dark Side) for sending him near the end of his training before becoming a Knight. He wouldn't know how he would have survived trying to lower his standards and go through more than a decade of re-learning everything.
Coming back home, Obi-Wan realized that they had a small problem. His master and him had completely forgotten where Anakin would be sleeping. The sofa was a possibility, but it was hard, lumpy and Obi-Wan felt that Anakin would not sleep a wink due to the darkness of the living room. An extra bedding could be made with the spare sheets, but they had to few to make a decent bed.
Finally, Qui-Gon proposed a simple solution. Obi-Wan and Anakin could sleep together on his bed, while he took his Padawan's. It was, by far, a better solution, at least for Anakin.
Ensconced in the warm sheltering embrace of the Senior Padawan, the boy did not have any nightmares like he was prone to during the trip from Tatooine to Coruscant. Obi-Wan emitted, during his sleeps, small waves of comfort.
It was thanks to his bond with his son that Qui-Gon felt those same waves of comfort. Awoke for only a minute, he smiled at the way his Padawan had taken the former slave under his wing. Obi-Wan was already acting like the boy was his own Padawan learner. Interesting.
Morning reports in front of the Council was one thing Obi-Wan hated the most. Staring in front of the Jedi Masters' somber face that composed the esteemed Council of Twelve. Obi-Wan took comfort at the fact that Master Yoda seemed to be on their side after their discussion yesterday afternoon.
When Qui-Gon had brought up Anakin's situation, Yoda did not refuse right away nor did he backed Master Windu's arguments to not train him. He did say, however, that Qui-Gon would not be the one to train him. "To be trained, the boy shall. Decided, the Force has. Another Jedi that the boy trusts, I see."
Master Windu leaned forward. "The boy shall be tested before the Council shall give its decision. Bring him here this afternoon and then we shall decide his future."
The Master and Padawan bowed before the Council, then left. As they boarded the elevator, Obi-Wan looked directly into his Master's eyes. "May I be excused this afternoon? I have someone who I would like to meet."
"What about Anakin? Do you think that he would be alright this afternoon?"
"Master, we both know that the Council would not allow us to be with him. I prefer to be with someone who can help me assuage my fears than to be controlled by them while I wait."
Qui-Gon bowed his head slightly. "Very well, will you tell Anakin?"
"Of course I will Master." Protested Obi-Wan. "He trusts me. I will not let another tell him of his fate."
"Wisely spoken, my Padawan. You have grown very much in the past month. I am proud."
Anakin, as Obi-Wan had predicted, was scared of what awaited him in the afternoon. He wouldn't stop pestering Obi-Wan with questions that were repeated frequently up until the point that Obi-Wan sat down with him and held him to his chest as he calmed Anakin down through the Force. Then, they did a bit of meditation which helped to sooth both of their nerves. The Force, that surrounded them, gave them strength and courage.
Lunch was a more silent affair, only the clicking noises of the spoons against the plates filled with soups could be heard. Small talk couldn't be made, not mindless conversation. It was also light due to the nerves of Anakin and that the Senior Padawan was to eat with his friend.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon accompanied Anakin to the Chamber where the Jedi Masters awaited. Before he could enter, Anakin turned around to hug Obi-Wan tightly seeking reassurance that all would be well. He was relieved to feel Obi-Wan return the hug.
"Go now." He heard the young man whisper in his hair. "Master Yoda is in there and you know that he is your friend. Do not fear the Council and know that whatever happens, I promise you that you will be safe."
Reluctantly, Anakin walked through the double giant doors that led to the Council Room. Squaring his shoulders, he walked in confidently, somehow feeling better than before.
As the doors closed behind the blond-haired boy's back, Obi-Wan turned around to go to meet Granta Omega, the owner of MaskedStars, and Xanatos' son. The encounter was to take place in the "Swallow-tailed Amphibian", a private restaurant that catered to a rich clientele who knew how to be discrete.
Arriving with just five minutes to spare, Obi-Wan was led to a more private room. Granta had already arrived and was facing away from the door. The short black hair reminded Obi-Wan of someone very familiar. When the man turned, he realized why he knew that hair. He had stroke the strands in bed after they had been intimate. It was the same color he had gazed in the morning sunlight when he had the time.
He was staring at the face of Ran.
Hearing the click, Granta Omega Du Creon turned to face this Obi-Wan Kenobi that his father kept secrets about. The face that met his was someone he knew very well.
"Ben?" It could be more of a statement than a question.
"Ran?" Came the echoing tone.
Granta gracefully stood up to get closer to the person he thought he wouldn't see again. They had small doses of communications, via coded datapads that were only two-ways with no images, but they rarely saw each other for the past five years. It was the same face that held him. Piercing grey-blue eyes that captivated him as they made love together in the night. That same short auburn hair in which he ran his fingers through so many times.
Hair that he was now running through with his fingers as his eyes searched every detail that was his former lover. They had both grown since their teenage years, reaching a similar hight to each other with Granta being the taller one by a couple of centimeters.
"Are you Obi-Wan Kenobi?" He asked, words lingered between them.
"Yes." Came the reply. "And you are Granta Du Creon, Xanatos' son, right?"
Faces came closer and closer before their lips met together. It was as wonderful as they remembered, even more so now that they knew who each other really was.
On of Granta's hands clutched the short strands of red hair on the back of Obi-Wan's head while the other tightened its hold around the waist. Obi-Wan's hands encircled his neck to make them be closer to each other.
The kiss seemed to last for a life time, for both young men, but in reality, it was barely two minutes. Once they separated for breath, their foreheads rested against one another as they soaked in the presence.
The business man was the first to break the silence. "What are the chances that we met before we knew who the other was?"
"I don't know. But I'm glad that we did meet again."
The Senior Padawan couldn't stop staring at Granta. He had fallen in love before, but not as deeply as he had for Granta. Their previous encounters, before Obi-Wan 'came back', were filled with hate, anger and vengeance. Not this sweetness of love. At least, on his part. Obi-Wan was uncertain if Granta was still in love with him as before, but the kiss could prove that he was.
"Why don't we sit down and eat? We can discuss things during the meal." Granta took over, seeing that the Senior Padawan wasn't going to take actions right away. They had little time, despite the fact that Granta wished the contrary. Now that their identities were revealed, it would be easier to meet.
Shaken from his thoughts, Obi-Wan gave a shy smile. "Yes, let's."
Lunch was ordered quickly. While waiting, small talk was made. The first topic, of course, was Granta telling Obi-Wan that he knew who he really was. "Dad was sick and started to ramble. He let slip small things that made me suspicious. For three days, I listened to him ramble and pierced a shaky picture. I knew that another time-traveller was suppose to come back in the future, you to be exact, but I didn't know exactly who you were. I involuntary confessed to my Dad that I knew when he commed me to help you. Never would I have dreamed that you were my Ben."
The use of the possessive made Obi-Wan's heart warm. Myriam had told him that the Code was wrong in many things. Love being the main one. "I only woke up about a month ago during the Naboo mission. I didn't connect the Granta I knew with the Ran that was present."
"Were we lovers as well, before?"
"No. You blamed me for the death of your father and tried many times to kill me and my Padawan. That's another reason why I couldn't connect Ran with Granta."
"I see." A slight tremor could be heard for those who knew him.
Picking it up, Obi-Wan assured. "I don't blame you. Right now, I'm still trying to organise my memories, separating what I knew from what really happened. Many changes have been made, small but many. I can at least tell you that I do not feel the same way as before."
"Does that mean that I still have your heart?" Hope started to blossom. They had separated because of the Code that forbid Ben — or should he say Obi-Wan — from forming attachments. They preferred to be staying as friends then to not see each other. It was difficult, at least on Granta's part, since he knew that his heart belonged to Obi-Wan and no-one could replace him. Any lovers he had taken to bed always looked like him in a small way. Same hight — when they had met —, same hair, same eyes, same complexion, … anything that reminded Granta of Ben.
"It never left your possession." Promises were made. They would not be separated again from one another.
They lapsed in a comfortable silence. Waiting for the first plates to arrive. They did not have to wait long.
Obi-Wan was the one to break the silence. "You know why came originally?"
Granta nodded. Business before pleasure, they had all the time in the future. "Yes. You are in need for our security force to help planet Naboo. Already, I have dispatched a small number of our best soldiers to start helping the civilians. Little by little, they spirited some of them away, mostly children since they are easier. They are also helping the resistance in doing some guerrilla tactics."
"That is a relief. How many men can you spare?" At least something was going according to plan.
The CO of MaskedStars laughed. A warm laughter that Obi-Wan remembered from their time together. Mentally, the Senior Padawan chastised himself. It was not the time to go down memory lane. Later, when all was quite and he wasn't distracted by anything.
"Ben, we are in time of peace. I have practically an army ready. My company does deal in weapon technology, shielding and warriors-for-hire. Since you are someone that both my father and I know, it will be for free. Tell the queen that it is a small favor from my part."
"Thank you, Ran. Now, how have you been doing since your last missive?"
"Not to bad. To much paperwork but that's part of the job. I swear my dad gave me the post just to escape the paperwork. They could kill a Sith."
"If only it was that easy. Us Jedis would have used that tactic long ago. At least the Sith that need to be stopped."
"Or any enemy that stand in our way." They shared a smile between the two of them. "What about you?"
"Who … me? Apart from waking up to a different past then I remember, meeting my lover from long ago, connecting with a boy whom I'm trying his destiny, … It wasn't to bad of a month."
"You haven't lost that humor I see."
"Keep saying that. But deep down, you love my humor for what it is."
The rest of the lunch continued in that same vein of thought. The two lovers reconnecting with each other. It was when he had finished desert that Obi-Wan looked at the clock. Realizing that Anakin would soon be finished with the Council, he stood up. "Not that it wasn't interesting, I have to go back to my charge."
"Not a problem. Just one thing. I realized that I haven't asked his name." He took his glass of wine, intending on taking a sip.
"His name is Anakin Skywalker." Red rivulets sprayed the tablecloth.
Coughing — to the concern of Obi-Wan — Granta asked. "I'm sorry. I must have misheard. What was his name again?"
"Anakin Skywalker. Why?" Confusement was such a cute aspect on Obi-Wan.
"Anakin Skywalker, nine standard years old human boy, who won the Boonta Eve Classic less than two weeks ago? That Anakin Skywalker." Disbelief was conveyed quite easily.
Puzzled, Obi-Wan affirmed. "Yes, that Anakin Skywalker. Unless you know another boy called like that?"
Granta laughed again. "Of course. The Force has already put us together before we met. It would also do the same for the Chosen One."
"How do you know Anakin?"
"Yesterday, you met a Jaffa called Klit at Dex's Dinner, right?"
"Ye~es." Trailed Obi-Wan, lifting an eyebrow to convey his confusion.
"Klit happens to be my adoptive uncle. He has started to like podracing and was bouncing when he came back from lunch after meeting the winner of the Boonta Eve Classic."
Startling news indeed. "I see. The Force does move in mysterious ways. Would you like to meet him?"
"Who? Anakin? Of course I would love to. If I'm not mistaking, he was your Padawan so practically like a son. If he becomes your padawan again, that means he will be part of your life, hence mine as well." He took a sip of wine. "Why don't you bring him to my place tomorrow? Uncle Klit is celebrating his 78th birthday and he would be overjoyed to see Anakin again. He may have already sent the invitation." Seeing that Obi-Wan was slightly hesitating, Granta added. "Besides, my dad will be there and he will be bringing Shmi. It would be a nice surprise for Anakin."
"So he won Shmi, didn't he? Alright, you convinced me to come. Send me the coordinates via our usual method?"
"Of course. Until then." Before he left, Obi-Wan received another kiss, filled with promises of the future.
Anakin felt slightly nervous when entering the chamber. No, not nervous, more anxious then nervous. He rationalized it by telling himself that his future was to be decided by them: the Council Masters.
He tried to put on a brave front when entering, he was not to show any weaknesses. A lesson he had learned from being a slave. If anyone saw a weakness, even a small one, it would have been exploited to it's maximum potential, bringing more pain and suffering.
He looked at the Jedi Masters that represented the Council. They all looked so somber, so grave, … so menacing. He looked at Master Yoda for reassurance.
The green troll gave a discreet smile. It did bring what the young boy was looking for: receding the small ball of fear.
"I am Master Mace Windu. Do you know why you are here, Anakin Skywalker?" The Korun Master was the official leader of the Council today.
"I am to be tested to see if I can train as a Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan had explained slightly what the test was about. All tests were different, only the main goal being the common thing.
"That is correct. We will be doing a couple of tests and then we will discuss. Any questions?"
Anakin shook his head. He wished that Obi-Wan was here beside him, or his mom. Warmness flushed through him, the signature being that of Obi-Wan. He would recognize it anywhere after the numerous times the older boy would send calming waves through the Force to him.
Even far away, Obi-Wan was calming his future Padawan without realizing it.
Master Windu brought out a datapad. "Can you tell us the images on this datapad? Use your feelings to see."
Anakin concentrated. A 'voice' he knew from the many times it helped him, whispered the images that passed on the datapad. Ship, cup, bowl, ship, … it went on for ten minutes in which Anakin never made a mistake. Confidence began to return and take hold of him.
The next test was to fly a ball around the room according to the instructions of the Jedi Master. Sometimes, it would be harder for a couple of seconds before Anakin could retake control. He did not know that from time to time, one master or more would use the Force to try and slow the ball down. Making it harder for young Skywalker to manipulate the ball and see his power of control on the Force.
Test after test were done. Some easy, some hard, … each and every one of them to test either specific portion of the Force, either an aspect of schooling — something Anakin felt was mortifying even with the small help of Obi-Wan before — or any other aspects that did not make sense to Anakin at the time.
Three hours passed. It wasn't to bad since Anakin used to standing up for long periods of time. Sensing that the child was starting to become slightly tired, Master Yoda intervened. "Sit down, you lay. Discussion only, there is left."
"Thank you Master Yoda." Anakin thanked gratefully. He sank down in his favorite meditation position when he did it with Obi-Wan. Automatically, he started to clear his mind, guided by a phantom Obi-Wan whom he had done it many times of the past week.
Many Masters were surprised at the level of meditation he had sank in. For a young boy who hadn't been trained, it was astonishing.
Master Yoda hummed softly in contentment. The boy will convince the Council without much of his backing needed.
Of course, Anakin wasn't aware of the awe he was the subject of. He had sank in the Force and was ready for any questions.
Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was the first to break the peaceful silence. "Tell us, why do you want to become a Jedi Knight?"
Thinking carefully, Anakin replied. "I want to help others. To be able to defend them, protect them. I want to be a Jedi Knight so that others like me don't suffer."
"Valuable goal, that is. Know what a Jedi Knight really is, do you?" Master Yoda observed.
The youth shook his head. "Not really sir. Obi- … I mean, Padawan Kenobi tried to explain it to me, but he couldn't find the exact words that would help me understand."
"Understand you shall. The time, it is not. Close to you, Padawan Kenobi is. Hmm?"
"Yes sir. He helped me a lot."
"Such as?" Master Windu pushed on.
"Well, he helped me in my reading and writing in Basic, taught me how to meditate and even helped me feel welcome."
Knotting his fingers together, the Korun Master reflected on this. When Qui-Gon and his padawan came, he would discuss this.
"How do you feel right now?" Master Plo Koon inquired.
"Calm and a little cold, sir."
"Afraid, are you?" Master Yoda stated.
"Yes sir, even if I try not to."
"Control you, let it?"
"No sir. Padawan Kenobi tried his best to help me there."
"I see." Master Windu declared. "Anakin, would you wait outside for a couple of minutes? The Council would like to discuss what we have learned. We will call Master Qui-Gon, Padawan Kenobi and you when we are finished."
"Of course Masters." Anakin stood up, bowed to the members respectively, then left to wait outside. He knew that his future was out of his hands now.
Outside, he was disappointed that Obi-Wan was not there waiting for him. Master Qui-Gon, however, was.
"How did it go?" The Jedi Master asked.
"Alright, I guess." Anakin looked around the hallway, expecting Obi-Wan to come down running (or something similar since the older boy was to proud to be seen running somewhere). "Where is Obi-Wan?"
"He went for lunch with a friend. He should be coming any second now."
Just as the older man stated this, they heard hurried footsteps that was coming from the hall. Obi-Wan came from around the corner, looking as calm and composed that the "Perfect Padawan" could do except for the rapidness of which he walked.
"Have you been waiting long?" He hoped it wasn't to long.
"No, my padawan. Anakin has just came up." Qui-Gon reassured. "How was lunch?"
"Quite informative. Which reminds me, do we have anything planned tomorrow?"
Seeing that his student wanted to change the subject for the moment, Qui-Gon replied. "Not that I am aware of. Why?"
"Well, the uncle of my friend is going to celebrate his 78th birthday tomorrow. Since he is in podracing, he thought that it would be a nice surprise for Anakin to meet him."
"Do I know him?"
"You don't master, but Anakin does."
"I do?" Anakin was puzzled. He wasn't aware that he knew anybody like that.
"He was that Jaffa we met at Dex's Dinner." Obi-Wan announced.
"A Jaffa, padawan? Really? I wasn't aware that you had a Jaffa friend." Qui-Gon rose his eyebrow that usually made his apprentice squirm.
"Oh my friend is human. His adoptive uncle on his mother's side of the family is a Jaffa."
"You mean Klit? I can go see him tomorrow?" The young boy was excited.
"If we don't have a last minute thing, we can. I think he has even a surprise for you."
"Unfortunately, I have a previous engagement that I must take care of." Qui-Gon stated.
"You mean the Younglings?" At the surprised look he retorted. "I know that there is a certain bet going on between you and Master Windu. I don't know the terms but I do not the outcome for the loser. Judging by the smug look you send Master Windu, I can deduce that you are winning, hence the visit to the Crèche to plan your revenge on the Jedi Master. Please correct me if I am wrong, Master."
"You have deduced everything correctly, Obi-Wan. Got any ideas that you want to see on our favorite Master?"
"None, Master Qui-Gon. Just film it please."
"That goes without saying."
The doors opened to signal to the trio that the Masters of the Council have finished to reconvene. Feeling a small hand slip into his, Obi-Wan grasped Anakin's tighter as they entered the room.
"We have decided." Master Windu uttered. "Anakin will not be trained at the moment."
He held up a hand to forestall Qui-Gon's arguments. "I said at the moment. Master Yoda has discovered something between Padawan Kenobi and young Skywalker." He turned to look at the agin master.
"Formed, a bond has, between your Padawan and the boy. The future clear when together, but dark if not. Once knighted, take Anakin as Padawan, Obi-Wan will. Decided the Council has."
"And until Obi-Wan takes his trials?"
"Stay with you, the boy shall. Help him in his schooling, you should do, until he is like the others."
Anakin was so happy that he beamed. He would be trained to be a Jedi Knight. The best part was that Obi-Wan will be his teacher.
Yoda looked gravely at Obi-Wan. "Speak with you Padawan, I must. In private, much to discuss."
Obi-Wan nodded. It would seem that his charade did not work on Yoda. However, the oldest master of the Temple hadn't informed the other members of the Council or his own. "Of course, Master Yoda."
Anakin bowed to the Jedi Masters right after Qui-Gon did. The youth whispered to Obi-Wan. "I'll be waiting outside for you."
He received a wave of gratefulness. Anakin left. Meanwhile, one by one, the other Jedis of the Council left, until only Yoda and Obi-Wan were left in the room.
