Anakin did not approach Obi-Wan during the whole trip back to the city planet, which could very well have been, because a certain ginger haired Sith Lord usually hung around Obi-Wan. The General did not let himself be bothered by it, not even by the Sith's comments, which earned him some hesitant laughter from the crew. Blade could be spotted sitting in one of the corners, together with Cody and Rex. The three of them seemed to know each other pretty well, which was no surprise, since Blade came from the same generation as Cody. He was not the only clone who had been thought dead and it was almost endearing to see the men greet each other with joy in their eyes. It was also good to know that not every clone who had been deemed 'broken', had been murdered.

At one point Obi-Wan and Ben had decided to play a game of Dejarik. To both it was a welcoming challenge.

"You are good," Obi-Wan commented after one of his brother's turns. Ahsoka sat next to Obi-Wan and observed the game. Sometimes the ginger haired Jedi would ask her for her opinion, which delighted the young mind.

"Tyranus is very... fond of this game," Ben answered, his blue-green eyes darting over the board, already planning a few new strategies.

Obi-Wan moved one of his figures. It was a simple yet effective trap and the table would turn in his favour should Ben step into it. To his disappointment, the Sith did not.

"Who is Tyranus?" Ahsoka asked and pointed to one of the figures on Obi-Wan's side. The older male nodded and followed her lead.

"I guess you know him under the name Dooku. Good move young one." Ahsoka blushed at the unexpected compliment from the Sith.

"General?" the red haired clone hesitantly asked. The man clad in black tilted his head to show that he was listening. Blade stepped closer and began whispering something into the other male's eyes. The two Jedi did not understand what was being said, but they saw that the Sith's eyes narrowed. Ben huffed, "Tell Tyranus to go to hell, I'm busy."

"He won't take that well," answered the Commander.

"Of course he won't," the Sith had turned back to the board and made his move, "but that's what makes it so much fun."

"Yes Sir," the clone disappeared and Obi-Wan groaned in frustration at the state of the board.

"Is Dooku your Master?" the young Togruta asked interested.

"He likes to think that, yes. The thing is, I am higher ranked as him."

"Really?"

"The hierarchy in a Sith organisation is not as complicated as the Jedis' is. There is the Master, who leads the whole Order and then there is his apprentice, which I am. The others are minions in the Master's eye. He usually does not care for their status."

"But Dooku is higher ranked than Grievous and Ventress..." Ahsoka protested.

"They regulated that on their own. Tyranus has more skill than Ventress and Grievous is a coward, who fears the consequences should he not win in a fight against Tyranus," Ben explained patiently. Obi-Wan was listening with half an ear.

"Would he win? Grievous I mean, would Grievous win against Dook?."

Ben sighed, "In a fair battle, yes."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, young Padawan," Obi-Wan cut in and he finally moved one of his figures, "that Dooku is tricky and usually has one or two escape plans at hand. That and he has connections and supporters that Grievous has not."

"I see."

"It's all a matter of strategy really," the Sith said and directed his figure to hit one of Obi-Wan's. "And my strategy... is better."

Blue-green eyes widened once he realised that he had been beaten. "You win..."

"What?" Ahsoka exclaimed in confusion.

"Victory in four draws..."

"Six if I make it clever," Obi-Wan protested.

"Is this of importance?" the Padawan wanted to know, "I mean, you are defeated either way."

"That's true, but in reality it can be of great difference if you have four minutes or six."

The girl blinked in understanding, "This way reinforcement can arrive."

"Indeed," Ben agreed and with that they started another round.

In the end Obi-Wan counted two losses and one win, even though he highly suspected that Ben had allowed himself to get a little... distracted during the third round. Whatever it was, it was a nice and unexpected gesture of the Sith Lord.

Anakin was out of the ship without a single word and Obi-Wan looked after him with worry and sadness clear in his eyes.

"Just a phase," a voice whispered next to him and the Jedi General found himself nodding despite the slight doubt that was starting to form in his chest. "You should show more... hostility in the Council chamber towards me... otherwise your little friends might come to... bad conclusions."

"Agreed," Obi-Wan answered and then followed his older brother out of their transport.

Without another disruption, the two Kenobis and Ahsoka made their way towards the Council chamber. The large doors were still closed, which is why a certain brown haired Jedi was pacing impatiently before them. His eyes narrowed upon seeing the form of the Sith.

"I don't understand why you brought him with us, in the temple," he eventually said towards Obi-Wan, who was surprised to be addressed.

"It is his right to ask to speak before the Jedi Council... as a free man, as long as he does not do something... rash." Obi-Wan's eyes rested on the hooded figure, who avoided his gaze to lean against one of the walls.

Anakin huffed, "Why do we have to wait? I mean, you are on the Council, aren't you?"

"That is a question I cannot answer." Anakin looked as if he wanted to protest, so the older male quickly added, "It's not like I do not want to answer that question, I simply can't, because I do not know the answer." Anakin nodded slowly, it was clear that he had not expected such an answer.

The four Force users remained silent for the remaining time they had to wait. After what felt like a small eternity, the doors finally opened and they were called in. Automatically Obi-Wan stepped forward, bowed and then sat on his seat. This was the usual procedure. Unusually and therefore in the middle of the attention, was the fact that an armed Sith Lord had just stepped foot in the Council chambers.

Sorry that I did not update this story sooner. I was ill and had to work the last few weekends and therefore I had no time to write... O.O

I hope you can forgive me... XD

R&R