Title: Hidden Shadows Seeking Light

Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.

Genre: Drama/Mild Angst

Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.

Just to a little guide as to what things mean:

/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud

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Yoda watched the boy peacefully sleeping on the medical bay. He appeared to be without injury except for a slight reddened area on his neck. The old Master wanted to examine it closer but knew it would require the removal of the collar that the boy wore. Looking once again at Anakin, Yoda decided that it was too dangerous to remove the collar immediately. He wasn't sure what the boy had been through and he didn't want to risk the possibility of him going into psychic shock.

Yoda reached out touching the boy's hand. He looked so innocent as he slept. He knew that the boy had been toying with the dark side. It had been a mistake to allow Qui-Gon to take the boy from the Temple. It had been the Master's own stubbornness and pride that had sent he and boy off into the night leaving behind them the safety of the Temple.

Of course the Council had been just as stubborn and prideful. Tired of tolerating Qui-Gon's defiance, they had chosen to assert their authority once and for all. Looking down upon the face of one so young, Yoda realized that all parties involved had lost in this particular power struggle but none more so than this boy. He had talent and a high midichlorian count but talent and midichlorians were the basic requirements for a padawan. To be a Jedi one had to have a deep devotion to honor, justice, compassion, and freedom. How could one who had never been touched by such things vow to devote himself to them? Without proper training in the WHY of a Jedi then there is no need to train one in the HOW of a Jedi. Why equip one with skills that will only be misused?

Qui-Gon was a good Master but had always been blind to his apprentices. He was emotional where they were concerned dragging his own past insecurities and failings into each training relationship. He had held such hope for Xanatos. A fine Knight the man would have been, but Yoda himself had sensed at times some sort of struggle within that boy.

Of course every young being in the galaxy wrestles with the choices that they make. Each one is searching for their place in the universe. Padawans are no different. There will always be moments of questioning and doubt as to whether they are truly on the path of their destiny.

Yoda had always held to the belief that when such struggles arose it was easier for individuals to feel confident about their current path when all other paths were uncertain. It is hard to leave the one that you are on when any other path seems murky at best. The uncertainty of where other choices would have taken a being in a strange way reassures and lends a sense of validation to the path that has been chosen. Xanatos' burden had been heavier there. He had always known where his other path would have taken him. He would have ruled his planet. His would have been a life of power and privilege. He had instead chosen to dedicate his life to that of service as a Jedi. Yoda would always believe that the man had come to regret his choice and focused the bitterness he harbored on his Master and the Jedi. The temptation of power and prestige had been too great for him.

He had blamed Qui-Gon. He had turned on the man. Those fateful days had led to much suffering on the part of his Master. It had been years before Qui-Gon had considered taking a padawan. It had taken hours of insistence to even get him to attend the padawan matches. Yoda had somehow always believed that Obi-Wan would be the one to bring the older man back to life. He had watched the young man from the time he had first arrived at the Temple. He was always so grounded to the light. He was always so determined and focuses on being a Knight. Usually in padawan pairings it was common for the student to be the sail as were of the ship while the master served as the anchor. Over the years of their pairing Yoda had watched as the roles had been switched between the two.

Qui-Gon had always had a defiant streak within him, but at the same time had always held firm to the code. He had passed on his deep respect for the Force to Obi-Wan as well as his complete and utter dedication to service. He would use this grounding aspect to keep the young man's impatient and enthusiastic feet on the right path. Toward the end of the their time together it was Obi-Wan who was the anchor in their relationship. He was always so consistent, so loyal, so focused. He was the one keeping his eye on the mission and their objectives. They allowed each other the freedom to switch their roles depending on the situation. It was that ability that had made them a good team. There was a balance there. Never before had Yoda witnesses such a perfect balance. A balance based in love, respect, and friendship.

Then just as all had seemed secure between the padawan and his Master, Qui- Gon had done the unthinkable once again. He had abandoned his student. Had Obi-Wan not been so grounded he might have turned at that point. Twice his Master rejected him and twice Obi-Wan survived still grounded in the light.

Now Qui-Gon had a new padawan. This one like Xanatos knew where his path would have taken him. He would have lived and died a slave. It would seem that recognizing the bleakness of the other path would cause the young boy to hold fast to the path that he was on, but this was not always the case. For the path that the boy had chosen to leave was one of despair, desperation and darkness. The boy couldn't let that path go because he had left someone else on that other path. Someone he loved. It was a burden too heavy for one so young to bear. Many were the reasons that beings fell to the darkness. Greed, power, lust, hatred, revenge were all common motives for turning. Anakin had sought the power of the darkness not for personal gain but out of love and a desperate desire to free him mother. Yoda had seen the boy's fear and pain the day he had tested him when Qui-Gon had first brought him to the Temple. It was this fear and desperation which had been the overriding reason that the Council had denied Jinn's petition that the boy be trained.

And yet Yoda found the boy's deep love and devotion to his mother somehow hopeful. Though there was not justifiable reason to reach out to the darkness, love seemed somehow a more forgivable motivation. Yoda would need to consult with both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to assess how deeply the boy had delved into the darkness before he could make an informed decision concerning his training but he refused to lose hope in this boy. He stroked the hair out of the boy's eyes and smiled.

"Lost you are not yet I believe. Still redeemed you may be." Yoda whispered aware that the boy could not hear his words but somehow hoping that by saying them aloud he would feel reassured.



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Adi couldn't wait another moment. Once she sent the transmission to the Council reporting the status of their mission she hurried up to the cockpit. When she arrived she saw Qui-Gon leaning peacefully in the co- pilot's seat. His eyes were closed enjoying the moment of pure relief. Her smile widened as she turned her attention to the ginger hair before her. Obi-Wan was still staring out into the nothingness of space seemingly lost in thought. She grimaced wondering what he might be remembering from his time held captive. She reached out placing her hand upon the Knight's shoulder. He turned and gave her a weary smile. He stood and took her into his arms.

"Adi." He whispered into his hair. She tightened her arms around his waist. Pulling back searching his eyes, she noticed that something seemed different. At the sight of her concerned expression Obi-Wan spoke.

"What is it?" He searched her face earnestly. Adi shook her head dismissing the missing light from his eyes as a result of the extreme exhaustion that she sensed in his body.

"Nothing." She leaned in kissing him lightly on his lips. He wrapped his arm around her tighter and pulled her to him deepening the kiss. She felt her body stiffen. Something was definitely different. Not wanting to alarm the Knight she pulled back again as she painted a smile upon her face.

"You must be exhausted." She whispered shyly.

"Yes Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon interrupted. "You must get some rest. We will all have time for reunions later." He stood and wrapped his arm around the smaller man's shoulders pulling him into a hug himself.

"I know you are both right." He gave one last check over the instruments. "I'm going to check on Anakin then retire for a while." He smiled up weakly at them both. Adi watched Qui-Gon and noticed the man's brows furrow as the Knight made his way past them both and into the corridor.

Adi followed Obi-Wan. Once they arrived at the galley he stopped and turned to her.

"Care to join me for a nap?" He teased. She smirked.

"I thought you needed your rest." She pulled her back to him.

"I do but I need to be near you as well." His breath was hot on her neck. For some reason though she felt uneasy about joining him. It was confusing. All she had thought about since he had disappeared had been taking him in her arms and never letting him go. Now that he was here within her grasp she felt nervous being alone with him. It had been a while since they had been together. Perhaps it was the time coupled with what they had been doing together the last time that they had been alone. They had come very close to joining that night. She was relieved now that they had chosen to wait, but a part of her was more than ready to pick up where they had left off.

"I need to be near you as well, but first things first. You need your rest. We will have time. Now we will have all the time in the galaxy." She kissed him feeling a wave of relief that he was safely in her arms. She had doubted that she would ever have this moment again. She couldn't explain her conflicted emotions. Never had she wanted anyone more and yet felt so certain that now was not the time.

When she pulled back she saw the look of resignation on his face. He understood. They would have time.

"I need to check Anakin."

"I'm sure he is fine. Master Yoda is with him." She noticed a slight shudder go through the Knight's body.

"Obi?" She asked in concern reaching for him again.

"It's nothing. I'm fine. I'm just tired. I will just check in on him and see my Master then head to my cabin." Adi nodded not wanting to let go of his hand. They both stood staring at it for moment. He abruptly pulled it from hers then headed to the medical bay.

"Obi-Wan I will come by and check on you in a bit." Adi called. He turned and regarded her for a moment.

"Promises, promises." He joked.

"Oh I'll be there. Wanna bet?" She played back. To her surprise Obi-Wan merely turned and continued on his way.

His lack of response surprised her. It wasn't like Obi-Wan not to meet her challenge. She tried to dismiss her concern based on the man's exhaustion but something inside of her seemed to be warning her that it was something more.

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As he made his way to the medical bay the taste of the young Master still lingering on the man's lips, Sidious immediately decided that being Kenobi beat being Jinn any day. He sensed that both Masters, Jinn and Gallia, were a little thrown by something. He wasn't sure what he was doing wrong. Perhaps it was just the absence of Kenobi's Force signature. He had to keep the collar in place or they would know immediately who he was. The collar created the Force bubble that prevented the dampening field in the medical bay from affecting him. Now that same bubble prevented the other Masters from feeling him through the Force.

Turning his attention back to the task at hand he quickly evaluated his chances of getting the little green troll out of the medical bay without making him suspicious. Deciding it was worth a try he entered the bay.

Master Yoda rose to his feet acknowledging his entrance.

"Padawan." Yoda greeted him his eyes filled with affection for the young men. Kenobi bowed respectfully and smiled.

"Master. Your timing was impeccable as always." He joked.

"The Force it was. Only an instrument of it am I." He chuckled getting down from his perch and striking out with his walking stick.

He felt and heard it impact with the Knight's leg. It was strange that Obi- Wan hadn't seen it coming. The Master shook his head.

"Getting old are you. Reflexes are failing I fear." The Knight was still rubbing his leg. Sidious cursed himself silently for being so forgetful. He had seen that little troll lash out at his padawan before. He should have known he would do so again today.

"How is Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked stepping over next to the boy.

"Sleeping he is but there is something more here." Yoda considered.

"I'm not sure what happened to us to be honest my Master. I can try to remember and perhaps that would assist you in helping him." Yoda nodded staring hard at the knight for a moment.

"Is something wrong?" Kenobi asked turning his attention first to his Master and then back to the boy. Yoda wasn't sure but something was wrong. He looked closer at the Knight. The man looked exhausted. He wondered what it was that he had endured over the last two days.

"Get us some tea I will." Yoda moved toward the door. "Worry not my Padawan all will be well." He walked out and Sidious smiled.

"Fool." He hissed staring at the door where the Master had just left. He turned to Anakin placing his hands on either side of the boy's head he entered his mind easily. The boy had lost his shields in the last attack.

Moving swiftly he replaced the events that the boy had witnessed with a different scenario. This one involved the sith taking him and knocking him out. He then went through and removed his image from any of the conversations that he had had with the boy. It was too early for anyone to learn of his identity. Hearing the door opening behind him he quickly removed his hands and once again took on the persona of the young Knight.

"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon moved up along side him. "How is he?" He asked reaching out to take Anakin's hand.

"He is recovering I am sure." Obi-Wan reassuringly answered.

Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon stared down at the boy in concern. It was obvious from the man's expression that he felt responsible for all that had happened to the boy. Sidious smiled to himself but kept Kenobi's features unreadable. He watched as an array of emotions raced across Jinn's face. Finally the man lifted his blue eyes to look upon the Knight. His eyes were surprisingly sad and tired.

"And how are you?" Qui-Gon asked his voice soft.

"Recovering as well." He admitted. "It was a long and confusing two days." He glanced over and found Qui-Gon scrutinizing him.

"Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked innocently.

"So you feel alright or do you need medical assistance?" Qui-Gon asked moving to take stock of the supplies that were on hand. He also moved to check the monitor that was relaying Anakin's status.

"I wouldn't say I feel alright but I do not require any sort of medical treatment." Obi-Wan replied his voice a bit hesitant.

"Anakin appears to be holding his own. He should wake soon." Qui-Gon said his eyes turning back to the Knight.

Obi-Wan nodded. Sidious felt the sudden need to get away from this man. He didn't like the way Jinn was acting.

"So did the Sith take on my appearance?" Qui-Gon asked his tone unreadable.

"Yes he did." Obi-Wan stated plainly.

"I am sure that was hard for Anakin. Of course you are use to such treatment from me correct?" Obi-Wan stammered a bit. This was not the way Sidious had expected this conversation to go.

"Excuse me?" He asked but Jinn didn't respond. The room was quiet for a long moment the only sound coming from the small monitor next to the sick bed Anakin was using.

"Do you remember our mission to Nadorian?" Qui-Gon asked obviously lost in thought.

"Nadorian?" Obi-Wan replied.

"Yes. It must have been when you were what? Twenty-one? Twenty-two?" He asked.

"Yes I was twenty-one I think." Obi-Wan replied. Sidious hoped he was right but then again if the Master wasn't sure he could hardly contradict him.

Obi-Wan turned impatiently on his ex-Master waiting for the point of the question.

"This medical bay reminds me of the one in the palace on Nadorian." Qui- Gon waited. Obi-Wan nodded his agreement looking around for effect.

"Well I really need to get some rest. You will wake me when Anakin comes to?" Obi-Wan asked turning to make his way to the door. As it slid open he turned back to address his ex-Master. "After all we've become very close over the last few days. We finally have something in common." Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows smiling. "We both know what it feels like to be hurt by Qui-Gon Jinn."

He walked out of the door without looking back. He didn't have to see the look on the man's face. He could almost smell Jinn's regret and remorse. Sidious laughed to himself as he quickly entered his quarters. He hadn't been able to resist. There was nothing more delicious than seeing someone destroyed by the one that they love.

He really didn't need to rest but he did need to stay away from the other Masters until they arrived on Coruscant. Once there he could slip away and get to his hidden base of operation hidden within the the lower levels of the city. By the time he arrived Darth Kial and Darth Sador should have his prize there waiting for him. No one would be the wiser.

Remembering the kiss he and Master Gallia had shared he wondered for a moment if he dare risk more contact with her before reaching Coruscant. Relishing the feel of the woman in his arms he decided that he would definitely need to explore that relationship further. Her betrayal would be a breaking blow to the Knight when the moment came for him to turn. He only wished he could somehow make a vid of the encounter to back up his claims. He imagined the broken look on Kenobi's face. He laughed wickedly. Nothing turned a man faster to the darkness than love.

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Obi-Wan felt himself slipping away. The darkness was closing in on his mind. It was like a fog rolling in on him. He tried to hold it at bay but felt his body surrendering to it. He could hear in the distance the sound of the Jedi's ship detaching from the chancellor's ship. He had to get to them. He had to warn them.

He pushed down his panic and fought to remember where he was. In his mind's eyes he could see the collar. He felt the Force crying out to him, guiding him towards it. He felt his fingers clawing at the metal floor. Weakness crept into his arms and legs making them feel like weights. It took everything that he had to move his hand. Feeling for the collar he knew that it was his only hope of escape.

The darkness within his mind felt like a vacuum. It was as if his mind was collapsing in on itself under the strain of the Force disruption.

It was then that he felt something odd. He had never felt it before. It was a tingling sensation but from within his mind. Slowly it grew filling his body with a comforting warmth.

Using what strength he had left he turned his focus towards the sensation reaching within hoping it was a way of surviving. He could see in his mind's eye a small ray of light pushing back the menacing darkness. He watched in amazement as the tiny light grew measuring its success by the growing gray haze that was now replacing the ebony that had existed.

Obi-Wan felt a surge of hope as he realized that it was the Force living within him fighting for him trying to save him or to show him how to save himself. This was as perplexing as it was exciting. He had always had to reach out to contact the Force to feel it pulse alive but now he realized it had always been within him. He felt it swell and empower him as he reached out taking the collar in his hand. He stared at it for a moment as his eyes slowly began to focus. What had seemed impossible only moments before had felt effortless following his rescue by the light. He took a shaky breath wondering what it all meant.

Immediately the Force bubble formed around him pushing away the black hole he had been caught up in. It was then that he reached out and felt the Force without join with the Force within himself. He felt strong, powerful and balanced. He'd never felt so connected to it in his life. Taking a deep breath he paused for one moment to relish the feeling. It was better than meditation or the perfect kata. It was more than a mere mental or physical connection. It was as if he were one with the Force no longer just an instrument serving it but a part of it. He understood it and embrace it.

Turning back to his situation he left the medical bay heading for the seal that had been created where the Jedi's ship had been docked. He would need to check on the status of the seal to determine if the ship's hull could withstand the pressures of hyperspace. It was possible that the damage had been minimal.

Arriving at the seal, he could feel the faint signatures of Anakin, Qui- Gon, Yoda and Adi still hanging in the air around him. He felt a wave of longing hit him. They had been so close. They had risked their lives to save him and now were in grave danger because of it. He especially found himself dwelling on thoughts of Adi. He clenched his jaw at the thought of the sith touching her or hurting her. He didn't want that man anywhere near the ones he loved and he was beginning to understand just how very much he did love her.

After examining the seal for the second time, he sighed. It would hold in space but would never survive the jump. He began searching his mind for other solutions. It was then that the proximity sensors alerted once more. Glancing up at the infernal blinking light he realized that he was not alone.

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See ya'll next week. I really did try to post this early as one person had requested but I just couldn't get one scene the way I wanted it. In fact I never did get it exactly right but sometimes I guess we just have to push on. Hope you all are still with me. Thanks for all the reviews and kind words. The emails were really nice too. Hidden Shadows almost has as many reviews as Broken Promises. I am shocked and thrilled. Thanks for taking the time to tell me what you think and for being so encouraging. Not sure where the story is taking us.I am hanging on with both hands myself.