A.N.: I think I am getting lazier and lazier on working on this story... Gah, how horrible I am. Anyways, I am sorta busy working on my other story but i promise I will finish this story. Soon. OMG school is going to start soon... This story is going to come to an end soon. Or maybe not. I think it will be less than 20 chapters though.

Sorry for the horrible wait. Well then, without further do, here is chapter 13.

Chapter 13: Intercepted

It had been a whole week. Qui-Gon thought as he made his way unconsciously to the royal dining hall. A whole weak since he had landed in Cyril and took this mission. The only reason he was taking this sith-like mission was because of the chance of finding clues as to the whereabouts of Obi-Wan. If it wasn't for that, he wouldn't be here at all. Instead, he should be investigating deeper into the whereabouts of pilot he was with for about two months. To say that he was suspicious was an understatement, he was acting downright suspicious or rather, conspicuous. Every time they landed on the planet, the pilot will remind him over and over again that he should return on time. And every time before they went airborne, he could feel eyes boring a hole in the back of his head. And every time he left, the trading transport will land. He was getting too suspicious about this whole thing. It seemed like a big setup for him. And every time the transport land, Qui-Gon felt that familiar force signature again. He knew that it was Obi-Wan's a few weeks after the mission ended. He wasn't sure why he didn't recognize it at first, but it came out to be the biggest important detail he had over looked.

Settling down on one of the chairs, he took a portion of what is offered in front of him. He had felt relieve when he came to acknowledge that Obi-Wan was still alive after the two months of searching. They were so close, yet so far away every time they landed. He gripped the knife in his large land and he felt, rather than saw, the diners around him flinched away in fear. He just wanted to strangle that pilot right here and then for neglecting that information. His relieve had occasionally turned to anger whenever his mind is not occupied with something else.

At least he now know who is with his padawan. The prince of Cyril, son to Queen Treasa of Cyril, Arcturus Togashi. And soon, he knew, that that prince will be landing in the very same planet he was in. He will confront him about Obi-Wan. If that won't do, he will reveal it to the Queen. Sighing softly, he unclenched his fist and slowly stabbed it into the piece of meat on his plate. He was being un-Jedi like a moment ago. Letting his anger and frustrations into the air, he resumed his breakfast politely.

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn." One of the guards called.

Qui-Gon turned and glanced at the owner of the voice politely, inquiring his question with merely a gaze.

"Her Majesty wanted you to escort her to the landing pad." The guard said, coming closer.

"Thank you for informing me." The tall Jedi wiped his mouth with a napkin on the table, "Will you mind informing her that I will be with her shortly outside her room?"

"I will do that." The guard bowed and exited the dining room.

The large Jedi placed his knife on the plate and pushed the chair in, acting polite in front of the other diners. Now, this is where the mission finally start. He thought. Obi-Wan, wait for me. I am coming.

"We are landing." Obi-Wan called unnecessarily, his hands planted on the transparent window.

"Yes, yes, I realized." Mike replied, mumbling uninterestedly, "How fascinated to know, Obi-Wan."

The auburn haired boy spared the blond a glance before looking out at the window again, "Cyril really is big."

"It is not like you haven't been here." The only available guard replied with a yawn, "You were here two months ago."

"It wasn't much of an impression two months ago." The youngest boy objected absently, "But seriously, the palace is just so…grand and fabulous!"

A hand dragged him back into the seat from the behind and he sat down involuntarily with a yelp.

With a hand still on the boy's long black coat, the brown haired man next to him said, "Buckle in."

"Yes, sir." Sighing loudly, the boy did exactly that.

Turning slightly to make himself comfortable, he looked out the window again, amazed by the scenery below him. The palace is just so large and majestic that he was awestruck by it. It wasn't a daily scene and he knew that. The large yet light transport slowly descended, hovering over a large landing pad. Two figures came out, following by three more guards in uniform. The first one was the queen, in her blue and white dress laden with light jewels sparkled in the sunlight. At first sight, she was stunningly beautiful. The person next to her was clad in a simple brown cloak that swirled in the air behind him. A cowl covered his face, making him unidentifiable. But the way he placed his hand, arms inside each sleeves, can unmistakably identify him as a Jedi. And not just any Jedi, it was Qui-Gon.

"That is him, right?" Obi-Wan asked in a small voice, sitting back down again, hoping that the large Jedi did not caught his stare from so high up.

"Who?" Mike was uninterested as usual, "The Queen? Yeah, that is her."

Sir Arcturus knew what he was talking about for he drew the boy closer in affection, "It is."

Sinking in yet not completely, the auburn haired relaxed slightly in the man's hold. Closing his eyes, he swallowed with great difficulties. He just didn't want to meet Qui-Gon yet. He was not up to it. Or so he told himself every day.

Shaking his protégé gently, Sir Arcturus said, "Listen, Obi-Wan. If you are not up to it, just leave it to me. Stay behind me at all time and pull your cowl up after we land."

He then said loudly for the whole crew to hear, "With the exception of Bastien, the rest of you are to stay with Obi-Wan no matter what. Allow no one near him. Well, except my mother. You know how she is about kids."

"She has something toward kids." Mike winked at the youngest boy.

"Don't put it that way, Mike. You will give him the wrong idea." Sir Arcturus said, though he chuckled slightly, "And don't ever say that in front of mother."

"Of course, sir." The blond sighed, "It was just a misphrased of my true meaning."

The middle-aged brunet next to the auburn haired cleared his throat loudly, "Do not allow the Jedi near him at all. That is, unless Obi-Wan requested it."

"Yes, sir." The three guards echoed each other.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said, relieved yet embarrassed at the same time, "Sir Arcturus."

With a gentle smile, Sir Arcturus removed his hand on the boy's arm and sat up straight. Reaching over, he tugged the cowl up for the nervous boy next to him. Obi-Wan felt safe and comfortable all of the sudden. He had grown accustomed to the three guards and Sir Arcturus. To their habits, their way of talking, their culture and most importantly, their presence around him. It made him feel welcomed and wanted. And warm. He smiled slightly.

The transport landed gently and Obi-Wan had to thank Guren's maneuvering skill again. He was lucky that Mike won't be driving any more than he needed to after the incident two months ago where the youngest had to take over in the end. After much scolding from Sir Arcturus, Mike was never allowed to drive again until he had learned how to properly. Much to the amusement of the two other guards.

Gliding to a stop, Guren turned off the engine and stood up. The two other guards followed his example and turned to their boss, awaiting further instructions. Unbuckling himself, Obi-Wan stood alongside the man.

"Alright," The brunet cleared his throat instinctively to get everyone's attention, "Bastien, you will accompany me this time to greet Mother and the Jedi. Mike, Guren, stay with Obi-Wan no matter what. Do not let the Jedi any closer to you then one arm's length. And do keep close to Obi-Wan. If he is uncomfortable near the Jedi, take him someplace else. I will get Mother's consent for that but I think it will be fine even without it."

Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably and embarrassed at the same time. It felt as if meeting the Jedi is a bomb that will explode at any time, causing who knows that. Fingering his bracelet unconsciously, he felt himself calmed down. That is right. He had to face this sooner or later. It didn't matter if he was up to it right now or later, he had to end this soon if he doesn't want to be enveloped in the Jedi's shadow any further than he had already did. If he had hurt his former master…then so be it. Master Jinn never really cared about him after the Melinda/Dann incident anyways. True, it was his fault, his wild instinct that he had stayed and disobeyed a direct order from his master. But he can't just leave the Young, a group of children fighting the elders there, warring against a tragic cause with an unknown outcome. Besides, they had saved their lives once. Shouldn't he repay them?

True, Master Jinn had come to take him back to the temple afterwards. But he had slowly turned cold toward him. He had said that he forgave him already and is just stuck at whether or not to take him back as his padawan learner. Was it really the truth? Or is it just something to persuade him to go back to the temple? Was it really Master Jinn's intention? Or the councils'?

"Then, let's go." Sir Arcturus's deep yet soothing voice jerked him out of his thoughts, "Oh and, Obi-Wan."

The auburn haired boy looked up in surprise and the brunet continued, "I will be there, alright?"

He wasn't sure how, but that sentence made him feel safe. The unease inside him slowly diminished until it was only a small dot.

Returning a smile, Obi-Wan replied, "I know."

The ramp slowly opened. Sir Arcturus and Bastien were the first to descend. Then Obi-Wan step forward, followed Guren and with Mike behind him closely. The familiar force signature hit him again and he trembled. Mike placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him physically and emotionally. Looking anywhere but the Jedi, Obi-Wan made his way slowly forward.

But inevitably, their gaze met. And Obi-Wan felt nothing but hatred in that gaze. There was nothing but anger and frustrations. Nothing at all. Any harboring feelings he had for his former master disappeared in an instant, faster than light.

KungfuKittyKat: ^ ^. Hehe. Of course they are gonna meet. That is how Qui-Gon can TRY to drag Obi-Wan back, right? Emotional strugglesssssss

Inkognito97: Thanks for suggestions and encouragements! Hmmmm, surroundings...I will work on that on the next chapter and the following!