1st chap=Disclaimers

Short post for such a long time away, but writing this has sort of been like pulling teeth lately. My muse up and left me. I think its coming back soon though.

Thanks so much for your patience.

Obi-Wan was awakened in the middle of the night. Groggily she blinked her eyes open. They focused on a Knight who was helping out with the initiates.

"You need to pack young one. You are leaving earlier than expected. Master Yoda has been summoned to a planet close to your assigned group. You will be leaving with him in two hours."

The knight left. Obi-Wan bit back a scathing comment about bedside manner and obediently began to pack her bag. She wouldn't even be able to say goodbye to her friends. Packing quickly, she sat down and recorded messages. It wouldn't be as good as saying goodbye in person, but it would be better then nothing.

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Qui-Gon Jinn was at the moment wishing he wasn't Force sensitive. All night long he had fought against the feeling that his entire life was cruelly dictated by the Force. Only about four in the morning did he finally give into the insistent tugging. With a heave and a groan, he marched off to see the council.

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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" Qui-Gon's voice reverberated unnaturally through the quiet chamber.

Mace looked at him. "Initiate Kenobi left early this morning with Master Yoda. She will not be returning. With Master Yoda gone, I have been left in charge of your particular case. The council agrees with me that you should take Initiate Chun as your apprentice. You will commence the bonding this afternoon."

"No. I. Will. Not. The council bid me choose an apprentice. I did. It is not my fault you did something stupid. I will never touch that odious boy. He is the one who should have been shipped off to the Agri Corp."

Qui-Gon frowned. His outburst had startled even him. He did not know where his animosity had come from for the boy, but he now knew it was there.

Mace's face creased in both concern and reprimand for his friend. "You were ordered to find an apprentice. The council does not believe your choice well advised."

"The council has not even considered my choice. They wish to force me on a boy who I have no care for. Don't you see that if I do train him, his training will fail?"

"You are being ruled by your emotions." Plo Koon stated.

"Indeed, your concern for this girl has boiled over onto the matter of choosing an apprentice. It is well known that she is a rival of Chun. You are merely turning your empathy for the girl into an unjustified dislike for your future apprentice."

Qui-Gon fought very, very hard against the urge to choke Mace Windu. How dare he suggest he should ever take Chun as his apprentice.

"I know this is hard on you, Master Jinn, but I have felt your fledgling bond when you are near the initiates. Bruck Chun is the most logical choice. He is the most like you. You can teach him much. The Force has chosen you for him because you will be compatible."

"But…"

"That will be all Master Jinn. We will see you at five for the ceremony."

(Several lightyears away)

"Master Yoda? I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I feel odd."

Yoda sighed. The child had not looked well when she entered the ship with him. Then, she had taken to hiding because of the staring crew members. Now, he wished he had made her stay with him. She was pale and shaking.

"Feel ill do you?"

"No, Master Yoda. I feel odd, like I'm choking, but not really. I had to fight down the most horrible urge to rip the covering off of one of the chairs. Then it was like I had another voice in my head, raging and screaming."

"Hmmm, felt this before have you, when Training in your Force perceptions class?"

"No, Master. This is different. It's almost like the voice is a part of me."

"Troubling this is. Stay with me you will. Sense this I might if it happens again."

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Qui-Gon growled unintelligibly. He didn't have to do this. He could just leave the

Order, leave everything he'd ever been. That was his only other option. He knew what a direct command from the council meant. It meant that he would be in trouble under normal circumstances. But this order was different. He'd disobeyed too many times. Disregarding their "advise" now would mean forfeiting his Jedi status. This was a very serious issue, one that would not and could not be overlooked.

Still, every fiber of his being revolted against the thought of binding himself to the child. How could his friend even think he was bonded to him? His initial bout of anger had been replaced with a terrible feeling of hopeless doom. It lingered on his senses like the feeling of repressive smog. It had already made him too ill to move earlier in the day.

 He had used the Force to calm himself only to feel what felt like Master Yoda start to poke through his shields. Instinctively, he had snapped his defenses, effectively blocking whatever it was and making him lose his connection with the Force. Now every time he attempted to release into the Force, he felt the same inquiring probe begin. It was just what he needed to complete his perfect day.

Mace watched as Qui-Gon stormed into the council chambers. The glower on his face spoke that if anything his feelings on the matter had strengthened not lessened. In time, Mace thought, he will overcome his problems. He is merely reacting on losing his freedom.

Qui-Gon's eyes flitted over to Bruck who was standing oh so smugly to the side. His hair had already been cut. A small braid hung by his shoulder waiting for its extension from his new master.

"I only accept this boy because it is the council's wish. Therefore, I request that the formal ceremony only be used." It felt oddly good to see a slight twinge of surprise cross Bruck's face. Although he would have to give up his animosity towards the boy, he did not have to have the close relationship that normally accompanied apprenticeship. A formal ceremony meant that there would be no traditional gathering of friends and well wishers. The apprentice would step into his/her new role, but would not have anymore contact with his/her master than was necessary to complete their training.

Mace nodded his head in acquiescence. Bruck was brought before Qui-Gon and the necessary words were said.

Forcing himself, Qui-Gon took control of his mind and forced it to touch Chun's.  Fighting off the returning sickness, he began to form as light as possible of a bond.

His whole being felt on fire as he was jolted away. His body felt like it was being electrocuted. His muscles spasmed as he curled into a fetal position. It literally felt like his mind was being ripped in two. His last waking thought was a jumbled mess of pain that focused around three words, "Obi-Wan help me."

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Short, but I do expect to have the next chapter up soon. Hopefully, it will answer some questions.