I had so much positive feedback how could I not finish my stories?
Since this story stirred the hornets nest, let me clarify it for you, in case you did not read it correctly.
Qui-Gon was not on a vacation, he sought total isolation to help himself get over Xani's betrayal. Why else would anyone choose Dagabah to hide out in.. He is not out of character. He is gruff and still not over what happened to him and Xanatos. He is very *IN* character for how I want him in this story. Qui is the one who believes he is over Xani, but Yoda thinks he is lying to himself.
Yes, there were two sentences that did not have quotations at the end to signal the conversation was over. BIG SORRY HERE!!
If you notice I do not post little chapters of four or five hundred words. Usually there are 3 to five thousand words and I make mistakes. If I didn't I would be asking George for permission to write, as does Jude Watson. [Which by the way, mistakes can be found in her books as well].
Enough said, the person who gave me the *ADVICE* apologized and when I sign Peace before my name I mean it. I will presume all her advice was for my own good. Now read this and let me know what you think!!! Ewen
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"Please Master Yoda, I am at more peace than I have been in five years. It has done me a great deal of good to be here; to be able to spend time in my most favorite of places, right here in this garden, don't spoil it. There was no choice to make in apprentices. Not that they weren't worthy enough to be anyone's apprentices, they were. The *one* I search for just wasn't this this group. I will know him when I see him. The force has graciously granted me that much insight on my future apprentice."
Yoda pressed his lips together and was content to let the tranquility of the gardens swirl around them and mingle with silence between the two.
Master Jinn too, felt the serenity of this particular spot. It was one he was often brought to by Yoda himself to meditate after extremely hard mission or if things just hadn't gone right that day.
After a lengthy time of stillness between them, Qui-Gon got up to leave.
"I am sorry, but I have to check up on the class roster for saber training. It will start in three days. and I want to see what time I am scheduled to teach."
Yoda only groaned again and nodded his understanding.
"Master Jinn?"
Qui-Gon turned at the formal name Yoda used. Usually he was his padawan or just Qui-Gon but never Master Jinn unless he was before the council and in trouble some way with them.
"Do you require something of me Master Yoda?"
"Too feeble today to go to the archives. Many steps there are. Put in an elevator they should."
Qui-Gon smiled and walked back to where his master sat.
"Master Yoda, you are the one so vehemently opposed to the elevator when it was brought before the council to have one installed. You said we all needed the exercise."
"Past exercising, I am. However need some books I do."
"Well if you can wait until I check the teaching roster, I will be more than happy to go there and get what books you need. Do you have the list of them?"
From his pocket, Yoda pulled a slip of paper. Qui-Gon took it and read the list.
Qui-Gon read the list and now it was his turn to shake his head.
"Quite an unusual list of books for a master who claims not to be able to walk the steps to retrieve them."
Master Jinn hesitated as he looked down at the paper in hand and read over the list again to make sure he read it right the first time.
"The study of Samurai swordsmanship of ancient earth? My, ancient indeed, That planet hasn't existed in…. well… in several hundred years."
"Four hundred to be exact. Opportunity I had once to go there. Enjoyable it was no matter how ecologically challenged and evidently destructive they were. Met scholars and practitioners of ancient samurai swordsmanship I did. Know further of it I wish too."
Master Jinn helped Master Yoda from the bench and then continued with his errands.
##########Later in the afternoon.########
Qui-Gon was very pleased with the schedule. Neither too late nor too early were his classes he taught. After an enormous mid-meal, he decided the walk down the many steps to the book archives was, just what he needed after the meal he indulged in.
Once downstairs, he walked toward the section of archives he thought he would need to find the books Master Yoda requested.
His head was down and he was preoccupied going over the list. A quick glance up to make sure of his clear path and Qui-Gon saw the "boy". It was the one Master Yoda *suggested* he take as an apprentice. On one heel, he did a one-hundred eighty degree turnaround to walk out of the archives.
//SO, that is why the old toad of a master wanted me down here. He is trying to force me into becoming acquainted with the boy. While I feel bad he was not chosen, I also know not all Jedi are meant to be masters, *warriors* as the young ones call us. It is just as dignified to help in the Jedi order… like…like he does here in the library archives. //
Qui-Gon wasn't sure he believed that himself. Had he not been knighted in the Jedi order, he realized he would have been devastated. He truly believed being a Jedi master *was* his calling.
//What if the boy believes the same. He must be horribly disappointed and sad.//
Just then from behind him the *BOY* spoke.
"May I help you," There was a long pause between them before Obi got the rest of his sentence out... .."Master Jinn?"
Obi had to wait for the giant of a master to turn around to make sure he addressed him with the right name. This master was the size of Master Jinn but, he wasn't at all how Obi remembered him in looks.
He hadn't even seen him during the day of choosing. Obi-Wan met him once, that evening on the temple steps.
//He looked like he just crawled out of a trash dumpster that night.. Nothing like he does now.//
Kenobi had been too nervous to look at the stadium stands, where the masters sat for their observation of the duels. He certainly had no desire to look at the most frightening master there, Qui-Gon Jinn. He had enough fear in his heart, without compounding it.
With the greeting from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon knew the boy saw him and worse, recognized him. He felt sorry for the child and decided it would be rude just to walk away without a comment.
"Yes, that's right, I'm Master Jinn. You are Sierra's brother are you not? What an outstanding knight she will make one day."
The words came from Jinn before he realized it was like rubbing salt into a wound; to mention his sister and how great she would be as a knight and he, little tiny squirt that he was, would not hve the opportunity to complete his life's desire, to become a knight in the Jedi order.
"Oh forgive me how insensitive that comment was to your feelings."
Obi didn't know what he meant at first. Then he realized Master Jinn was afraid of harming his possibly already bruised ego with the mention of how excellent his sister was in her position as senior padawan to Master Windu."
"No Master Jinn, please don't stop. I love to hear people brag about Sierra, although I am sure Master Yoda would say pride will lead to the dark side, however I am still very proud of her."
Jinn had to smile. He thought he would be met will a dull unhappy dejected little kid and here before him was a bubbly bright-eyed eager child, or he seemed to be. Obi-Wan could tell the master's smile was genuine and sent one right back at him.
"You certainly know Master Yoda well don't you?"
"Yes he is very nice. Master Yoda and I spend a lot of time together and after... well... you know after I *wasn't* chosen by a master, he helped him work through my disappointment and maybe just a touch of anger. I am fine now.""
Jinn laughed at that one, although he held it to a very soft laugh. Others were reading in the archives.
"You know, I think Master Yoda is nice as well, but if you gave some knights and masters a paper to list words to best describe my former master, I don't think *nice* would be on a single one of them."
Obi-Wan was curious now. He did not know about Jinn's apprenticeship to Yoda or he didn't recall anyone mentioning it. He did know that Master Yoda was quite fond of Qui-Gon and until just this moment when he saw the bight smile beam across the master's face so freely and sincerely, he never quite knew why. Now he thought he better understood Master Yoda's affection for him..
"They maybe just don't know Master Yoda like you and I do, I guess. Master Yoda has helped me a great deal through all this. I mean not being chosen and all. I don't know what I would have done without him and sis."
A worried look appeared on Jinn's face and Obi thought it was because of something he'd said.
"Master Yoda hasn't promised you an apprenticeship with anyone has he?"
//Surely Yoda would not speak for me as I have already spoken concerning this little one's inept abilities or his all out lack of them.//
"Oh no, nothing like that, Master Jinn. Just probably the same pep talk he gives others when they have failed, you know. I can still be of use to the Jedi, important and productive, all that stuff. I may not believe all of it, but I sure appreciate hearing someone other than my sister say I am worthy of something."
Whoops!! an instant tug to the master's heart. The first real feeling of sympathy for anyone since Xanatos left him. He knew all too well, he wallowed in his own self-sympathy and had little for others. However now, he found a reason for feeling sorry for someone, but himself.
Qui-Gon noticed within himself a renew sense of appreciation and respect for the child so heavily burdened with disappointment, yet so readily did he bounce back from it.
Jinn found himself much more relaxed under the scrutinizing eyes of the little failed initiate. He was certainly more comfortable as his conversation continued with the boy than he thought he would be when he first saw him. Qui-Gon saw the tension in Obi-Wan leave as well. His shoulders seemed to relax from the worry of their first meeting since the big master rejected him.
//Maybe he was just as nervous as I was for our first exchange of words and then… My refusal of him on Choosing day. I wasn't exactly kind to him when I first met him and I looked like a homeless ruffian, quit possibly scary too…//
Qui-Gon let his tense muscles relax under the worry of meeting the child he had to reject.
"Well I have to see to the list I have in my hand. "
"Could I help you Master Jinn?"
"Well thank you Obi-Wan, but I don't think so. Master Yoda wants to do some research on that of samurai swordsmanship from the now extent planet earth. Way before your time, I'm afraid."
"Before my time but I know a great deal of the Japanese samurai warriors. Even part of my name *IS* part of their dress uniforms. Obi."
The master looked down, way down at the child. He was not sure what Obi meant until the little *librarian* explained it further."
"OBI is the name of the sash the warriors used around their kimonos. I am "Obi" like their belts or sash…. Obi… get it.?"
Jinn finally gave Obi Wan a look that meant he understood what the boy said.
Obi laughed and covered his mouth quickly to stifle the sound that was too loud for the archives
"I am sorry. I *can* help you find your books. I don't want to get into trouble or I won't have any place to live if I am put out of the Jedi temple for being too loud down here."
"I doubt Master Yoda would turn you out of the temple, just for laughing, even if it is a little loud."
Jinn, still surprised at Obi knowing anything about the samurai, could see the look of the smiling boy turn to a look of turmoil and trepidation.
"You do have a home to return too don't you? I mean not that you would have to leave here, but if you chose to leave? Padawan Sierra talked at great lengths about your home and parents."
Qui-Gon knew he was being noisy but he seemed drawn into Obi-Wan's misery, almost destined to share it, though he felt no feeling through the force of a bond trying to form as Yoda implied. The boy did have a home. Sierra had mentioned her family and home life to Master Jinn.
"Yes you are correct, Master Jinn. Sierra has a home to go too, but I don't. I am not as welcome there, as she is. I guess I came along at the wrong time in their lives or worse yet, I *CAME ALONG* at all.."
Obi-Wan walked Master Jinn over to where he could find what he needed. Jinn started his search only to be interrupted by the child who remained beside him, though his help was no longer needed.
As Master Jinn searched through the books with not much luck Obi launched into a walking, talking encyclopedia of information about the samurai.
"The most important thing to know about the Samurai, which in their language means knight-retainers, is that they are a great deal like us. Well there is one difference. When they first organized, around the mid sixteen-hundreds they had a legal ability to kill any commoner that spoke ill of them or showed lack of respect. They carried two swords one long, the Daito-kanta and one short sword, the Shoto-Wkizashi Their swords were considered the extension of their souls; the soul of their warriorship is what they thought of them as. They valued them much as the Jedi do their sabers. In the 1700's when it became illegal for the samurai to carry the sword or Kanta in public, they invented a short "stick" blade which was concealed in a cane, much like the one Master Yoda carries, his gimer stick. Like I said they were a great deal like the Jedi. A true Samurai warrior, as do the Jedi warrior, followed an unwritten mantra which held bravery, honor, and personal loyalty above life itself. The Daimyo, their leader was usually the most powerful and richest man in the Japanese empire. The samurai swore their allegiance to him and would die for him. In fact, like we think death is another of realm of life they believed there was no death or if there was, it was not a thing of worry. They freely accepted it. They had a saying they lived by. In the "Book Of The Five Rings", there is a quote. "The way of the warrior is a resolute acceptance of death." Cool. UHN?"
Master Jinn watched the child's eyes light up with each bit of information he passed along to the Jedi master, who until now was a little back on his studies of ancient earth. With the hyped-up excitement from the way Obi told his story, one could easily be drawn into it and become curious about it, just as Master Yoda has basically done. He was mesmerized by the knowledge that came from such a small boy. This was not the usual thing that came out of an initiate's mouth. Even senior padawans would be hard pressed to remember so much about a culture that in a way was very similar as the Jedi. They were dissimilar mainly in their violence of their history. .
"You do know a great deal and you have impressed me with your knowledge. Something I might add is not easily done."
"Well I have to admit I was the one who told Master Yoda about the Samurai. Well not told exactly, mentioned them and got him interested. He had heard of them before. I imagine you don't tell Master Yoda much of anything. He knows everything. I mean he is really smart. Anyway when I mentioned they were similar and told him of some of the similarities, like the loyalty and undying commitment, he said he wanted to read more on it."
"Oh so this search I am on is really as much for your benefit as it is his?"
"Well I suppose, but I know about everything there is to know about the samurai, not bragging just fact.. Master Yoda wanted to learn more. He said we might discuss it over last-meal tonight."
Obi dropped his eyes to the floor and toed the spilt linoleum with his boot.
"He kinda spends time with me some evenings. Kinda to get me through this since Sierra is gone. Well, I have accepted it and all, that I won't become a Jedi in the way I had hoped. I guess he feels sorry for me."
"I am sure Master Yoda spends time with you for more reasons than that. You can hold a conversation just in this and he loves it when someone speaks about something he is interested in and is knowledgeable about what you speak. I have to admit you are know a lot about the samurai."
Qui-Gon hesitated to see if the boy wanted to say any more.
"I have to go now. Maybe I will see you tonight. I might finagle an invitation to last-meal with Yoda myself."
Obi smiled. He liked the idea of spending more time with this master. NO pressure to be something he couldn't anyway, an apprentice. The Jedi expected nothing from him, just friendship and conversation. That was all Obi wanted for now. That was all he really was privy too at the temple anymore.
Qui-Gon left after Obi-Wan quite efficiently found every book he wanted. He was surprised that the young one had read everyone of them. What surprised him even more was the fact he suggested he would invite himself to eat with Master Yoda and Obi.
//I can't do that. Master Yoda will have accomplished what he wanted, to pull us together. As along as he is in the Jedi order, until this thirteenth birthday, he can be taken by a knight or master as their apprentice, if they decide they wish too. Of course, Master Yoda knows that, he put that stipulation in the Jedi code for apprentices. No, I will just not ask Master Yoda to eat Last-meal with him. I will see if Adia is busy tonight or Plo Koon, anyone other than Yoda and Obi-Wan.//
Yoda was beaming from ear to ear when his former padawan delivered his books.
"Help you had to find these, you did?"
Yoda's questions were always in a form of an answer only he waited for you to answer anyway.
"Yes, you old toad and you know very well who helped me. You probably even exaggerated you aches and pains to get me down there."
"Lie to you I would never, exaggerate maybe, but today I did not. Ache I do. "
"Never mind, here are your books, enjoy them."
"Chance you had to visit with the boy in archives maybe?"
"Noisy we are today, aren't we?"
"Padawan mine. I resent your words I do. Mock my pronunciation of them and infer conspiracy Obi and I have for you. Nothing is as wrong as your assumptions."
Yoda hung his head to mime his feelings were hurt. Jinn however, could feel the mischievousness in his old master. When Yoda looked back up, Qui-Gon could see mirth written all over his face.
"Yes, I spoke with the boy and found him to be quite different than I first thought. Intelligent little bugger he is, but I did not change my mind about me wanting him as my apprentice or not, I don't. Now is that all you wanted to know or should I go over the list of what I ate at mid-meal? Might take a long time though, as heartily as I ate."
"Need to eat more you do. Thin from being away from my cooking, you are."
"You have that backward my beloved master. I was thin from eating your cooking. I just haven't gained any since I left."
"Then perhaps eat with Obi and I tonight. Go over some of these l books I wish too. Easier for him to recant tales from them than for me to read all of them it is. Correct am I not?"
"I suppose. However, you will have to go it alone, you and Obi-Wan. I had thought to have last-meal with Plo Koon, if he is free."
"Aye now know desperate you are for company. Come to my flat you will. Plo Koon and you have never gotten along. Help me prepare the meal you may. Feeble I still am but promise to the child I made. Break it I can not for too many tings his life waylaid already. More harm I wish to do to the child I do not."
"Are you suggesting I harmed him by not taking him as my apprentice? You know that is not true."
"Harm him you did not. Afraid I am, parents did all the harm necessary to prevent him knighthood in Jedi order. Lack of confidence hinders him. Self-respect he never accomplished for himself. The two combined, impeded his progress as a Jedi; kept the young one from doing his best. Expected the worse from himself he always did and saw to it "the worst was the best he could do?"
"Stop, you make me dizzy when you talk in your riddles and that one was a doozy of a riddle. What do you mean?"
"Parents made him feel unworthy of their love, of anything important. Maybe his own mind's way of seeing to it they were right. Failed in everything he did. Appease them he does right now. Proves them right he does with his failure here."
Master Jinn was not sure if Master Yoda knew what he spoke up when it came to Obi-Wan.
//Why would you prove them right. Obi should have wanted to prove them wrong?//
"Look Master Yoda, you know as well as I do that if you are unable to prepare food you may send for a chef droid to do it for you and the child. I really can't stay tonight."
"Can't or won't?"
A touch of irritability came over Jinn that was unlike him when he was around Master Yoda. Nevertheless, the little troll had managed to bring out the worst in Qui-Gon. The master felt himself developing a headache and part of that "headache* was his beloved former master.
"Can't , won't, does it matter? Like I said I will be having last-meal somewhere other than here tonight. Another time possibly."
Master Jinn bowed respectively to his master and waited for his last words.
"Can't is not the word. Won't is more like it and know the reason I do. However press the issue now I will not."
"Well you won't have much time to press anything. After I went to the archives, I spoke with Master Windu and Master Gallia. Respectively declined the position to teach right now. I have requested and received a mission in two days."
Qui-Gon knew Yoda would see through his weak-veiled façade; knew the reason for Master Jinn's abrupt change of plans. Change of plans so sudden, Yoda himself had not been alerted to them.
Jinn was running again. This time it wasn't from the ghost of Xanatos Crion. It was the real life Obi-Wan Kenobi that made him want to escape the temple………..
While Obi-Wan enjoyed his time with Master Yoda, he kept waiting for something. That was the only way Yoda could say it as he watched Obi occasionally turn his head to the door as if a miracle would happen and Master Jinn would walk through it. He would not however and Yoda knew the reason why. The boy had touched Qui-Gon in some personal, intimate way and he didn't want to deal with that level of intimacy as it would require if he took Obi-Wan as an apprentice or even became his friend. .. Proof of that was the trip he suddenly planned, ditching Yoda's idea for him to teach.
//Still not accepted his fate and that of Xanatos Crion's he has not, also. Nothing I can do but wait until he has. Shame it is for Obi-Wan. New master I must seek now. Possibly Master Jinn knows better than I. Ready for an apprentice he might not be. Push him into something not prepared for I should not. Care much about him I do.//
#################### A few days later###############
The last person Mace Windu expected to see by his side in a battle for his life at that moment on Tecreet was Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He had called the temple for assistance but the teachers were not usually sent out of rotation to help a fellow Jedi. That was reserved for the master's waiting for mission. When he left Coruscant, Qui was waiting for a class to start, not for a mission.
Jinn jumped in front of the Hutt Mace had been very successfully fending off until Master Jinn caught his attention. He lost his footing and tripped. Luckily Qui-Gon was there to intercept the blow of the Temi sword being brandished at Mace at the moment.
"I knew you needed the best negotiator to settle things here, but I didn't know I would be called on to use my saber expertise, as well."
"Ha ha, I wouldn't have needed your saber expertise had you not drawn my attention away from my attacker."
The Hutt downed by one quick sweep of Master Jinn's sword was injured, but would not die. He seemed a little surprised that two Jedi would engage in a quaint little conversation while they were in battle.
The Hutts were never known for their battling one-on-one and could be easily defeated by the Jedi. That is of course unless the Jedi's attention was drawn from his adversary and a mistake made. It was necessary to stop the humor and salutations until they had battled three more Hutts.
Jinn watched from the corner of his left eye while Sierra took out quite handily the fiercest fighting one of the bunch. She made the task look easier than it was.
Battle over, both older Jedi short of breath whereas Sierra was yet to have to take a deep cleansing breath from all her activity.
"Master I think we will have to bring along an oxygen tank for you next time. Either that or you need more exercise."
Jinn laughed thunderously at that comment until Sierra practically said the same thing about him, his shortness of breath and alluded to the fact that he as well as her master, getting up in years.
#####That evening camped just outside the city limits.######
The first half of the conversation was an uncomfortable one. Sierra had to know every little bit of news about Obi-Wan she could glean from Master Jinn. He wanted to calm her fears and worry about the young one, however, it made him uncomfortable to talk about Obi-Wan. He did let her know the boy was fine and assured her he and Yoda had a growing friendly relationship. He told her about the last-meal plans Obi and Yoda had.
He omitted the long conversation he had with Obi and that he came close to promising Obi-Wan to show up for last-meal only to renege on it. He certainly didn't plan to tell Sierra or anyone Obi-Wan Kenobi was the main reason he left the temple. He just wasn't ready to face such a close relationship as he felt could occur if he stayed there and saw the child often.
Sierra excused herself to go to bed in the tent. Jinn and Mace lingered around the camp fire to talk over the events of the day and plans for tomorrow.
"I wouldn't have stumbled had you not surprised me. I thought I was in a dream at first. I had no idea you were sent on a mission.."
"I suppose you are not privy to that now that you are a real working Jedi with an apprentice. You don't know what the council's up too. Yes I decided I had no wish to teach right now, maybe later. "
"I thought the entire purpose of your return was to stay."
"I thought so too. I have had time to think things through and I felt I would be better off to get back into the swing of things. Instead of staying at the temple, I have decided to go on missions…lots of missions. At least I an not "holed" up on Dagabah pining my life away for a failed apprentice."
"Yes, but are your running away from something else?"
"You sound like Yoda. I am not running away from anything. I have accepted what Xani did. Now I have to just rebuild my life."
"And leaving the temple will do that?"
"It is enough you know that I didn't want to stay."
Qui-Gon was glad that Sierra had retired to the tent for the evening. They stayed outside the city for their own protection. Out in the wide open they would know if a planned attack was imminent.
"Now Mace what went wrong with the negotiations. After all, that is why I was pulled off my real assignment to come here and help you convince a bunch of unruly Hutts just why they have to live and co-exist with the natural born people of this planet. Their habit has always been to settle another planet and take over their government and its people. Why have the Jedi decided this time will be different?"
"Because the people of Tecreek will not allow it. They are not prepared to give up so easily and I think it is admirable. Maybe a death wish but admirable. The group of Hutts here are ruled by Gibbon. He can be reasoned with, but a couple of his rogue outcasts decided to take it upon themselves to break up the negotiations and at the same time do away with its mediator, the Jedi, me."
Mace waited and got no response. He tried to broach the subject again about Qui-Gon's quick departure from the temple.
"I suppose I was surprised to see you because you seemed so adamant about your return and about the needed time at the temple for the next few months."
Mace cocked his head in order to see Qui-Gon's face in the only light that was afforded them, the campfire.
"No, nothing happened, if that is what you are hinting at.. I just wanted a mission. I found I missed the action, the vibrancy of them."
Mace had a look on his face that meant he didn't quite believe his old friend. They did not share a bond but they grew up together since they were crèchelings and had for that long been best friends. If anyone knew him inside and out, it was Mace, besides Master Yoda.
Qui-Gon was sure the little master still lurked nosily in his mind at times. Their bond was still that strong if both did not shield from the other. Of course it wasn't past Master Yoda to indeed be nosy and poke around in the privacy of Jinn's thoughts.
Qui-Gon changed the subject for fear that Mace would catch on, that yes, there was a definite reason for leaving the temple so abruptly. That reason, was Obi-Wan Kenobi………..
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The samurai info will play an important part in the story later on.
Credit where credit is due. My info on the Samurai was gotten from this book.
The Samurai Warriors
Miyamoto Musashi, "The Book of Five Rings"
PEACE ewen
Since this story stirred the hornets nest, let me clarify it for you, in case you did not read it correctly.
Qui-Gon was not on a vacation, he sought total isolation to help himself get over Xani's betrayal. Why else would anyone choose Dagabah to hide out in.. He is not out of character. He is gruff and still not over what happened to him and Xanatos. He is very *IN* character for how I want him in this story. Qui is the one who believes he is over Xani, but Yoda thinks he is lying to himself.
Yes, there were two sentences that did not have quotations at the end to signal the conversation was over. BIG SORRY HERE!!
If you notice I do not post little chapters of four or five hundred words. Usually there are 3 to five thousand words and I make mistakes. If I didn't I would be asking George for permission to write, as does Jude Watson. [Which by the way, mistakes can be found in her books as well].
Enough said, the person who gave me the *ADVICE* apologized and when I sign Peace before my name I mean it. I will presume all her advice was for my own good. Now read this and let me know what you think!!! Ewen
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"Please Master Yoda, I am at more peace than I have been in five years. It has done me a great deal of good to be here; to be able to spend time in my most favorite of places, right here in this garden, don't spoil it. There was no choice to make in apprentices. Not that they weren't worthy enough to be anyone's apprentices, they were. The *one* I search for just wasn't this this group. I will know him when I see him. The force has graciously granted me that much insight on my future apprentice."
Yoda pressed his lips together and was content to let the tranquility of the gardens swirl around them and mingle with silence between the two.
Master Jinn too, felt the serenity of this particular spot. It was one he was often brought to by Yoda himself to meditate after extremely hard mission or if things just hadn't gone right that day.
After a lengthy time of stillness between them, Qui-Gon got up to leave.
"I am sorry, but I have to check up on the class roster for saber training. It will start in three days. and I want to see what time I am scheduled to teach."
Yoda only groaned again and nodded his understanding.
"Master Jinn?"
Qui-Gon turned at the formal name Yoda used. Usually he was his padawan or just Qui-Gon but never Master Jinn unless he was before the council and in trouble some way with them.
"Do you require something of me Master Yoda?"
"Too feeble today to go to the archives. Many steps there are. Put in an elevator they should."
Qui-Gon smiled and walked back to where his master sat.
"Master Yoda, you are the one so vehemently opposed to the elevator when it was brought before the council to have one installed. You said we all needed the exercise."
"Past exercising, I am. However need some books I do."
"Well if you can wait until I check the teaching roster, I will be more than happy to go there and get what books you need. Do you have the list of them?"
From his pocket, Yoda pulled a slip of paper. Qui-Gon took it and read the list.
Qui-Gon read the list and now it was his turn to shake his head.
"Quite an unusual list of books for a master who claims not to be able to walk the steps to retrieve them."
Master Jinn hesitated as he looked down at the paper in hand and read over the list again to make sure he read it right the first time.
"The study of Samurai swordsmanship of ancient earth? My, ancient indeed, That planet hasn't existed in…. well… in several hundred years."
"Four hundred to be exact. Opportunity I had once to go there. Enjoyable it was no matter how ecologically challenged and evidently destructive they were. Met scholars and practitioners of ancient samurai swordsmanship I did. Know further of it I wish too."
Master Jinn helped Master Yoda from the bench and then continued with his errands.
##########Later in the afternoon.########
Qui-Gon was very pleased with the schedule. Neither too late nor too early were his classes he taught. After an enormous mid-meal, he decided the walk down the many steps to the book archives was, just what he needed after the meal he indulged in.
Once downstairs, he walked toward the section of archives he thought he would need to find the books Master Yoda requested.
His head was down and he was preoccupied going over the list. A quick glance up to make sure of his clear path and Qui-Gon saw the "boy". It was the one Master Yoda *suggested* he take as an apprentice. On one heel, he did a one-hundred eighty degree turnaround to walk out of the archives.
//SO, that is why the old toad of a master wanted me down here. He is trying to force me into becoming acquainted with the boy. While I feel bad he was not chosen, I also know not all Jedi are meant to be masters, *warriors* as the young ones call us. It is just as dignified to help in the Jedi order… like…like he does here in the library archives. //
Qui-Gon wasn't sure he believed that himself. Had he not been knighted in the Jedi order, he realized he would have been devastated. He truly believed being a Jedi master *was* his calling.
//What if the boy believes the same. He must be horribly disappointed and sad.//
Just then from behind him the *BOY* spoke.
"May I help you," There was a long pause between them before Obi got the rest of his sentence out... .."Master Jinn?"
Obi had to wait for the giant of a master to turn around to make sure he addressed him with the right name. This master was the size of Master Jinn but, he wasn't at all how Obi remembered him in looks.
He hadn't even seen him during the day of choosing. Obi-Wan met him once, that evening on the temple steps.
//He looked like he just crawled out of a trash dumpster that night.. Nothing like he does now.//
Kenobi had been too nervous to look at the stadium stands, where the masters sat for their observation of the duels. He certainly had no desire to look at the most frightening master there, Qui-Gon Jinn. He had enough fear in his heart, without compounding it.
With the greeting from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon knew the boy saw him and worse, recognized him. He felt sorry for the child and decided it would be rude just to walk away without a comment.
"Yes, that's right, I'm Master Jinn. You are Sierra's brother are you not? What an outstanding knight she will make one day."
The words came from Jinn before he realized it was like rubbing salt into a wound; to mention his sister and how great she would be as a knight and he, little tiny squirt that he was, would not hve the opportunity to complete his life's desire, to become a knight in the Jedi order.
"Oh forgive me how insensitive that comment was to your feelings."
Obi didn't know what he meant at first. Then he realized Master Jinn was afraid of harming his possibly already bruised ego with the mention of how excellent his sister was in her position as senior padawan to Master Windu."
"No Master Jinn, please don't stop. I love to hear people brag about Sierra, although I am sure Master Yoda would say pride will lead to the dark side, however I am still very proud of her."
Jinn had to smile. He thought he would be met will a dull unhappy dejected little kid and here before him was a bubbly bright-eyed eager child, or he seemed to be. Obi-Wan could tell the master's smile was genuine and sent one right back at him.
"You certainly know Master Yoda well don't you?"
"Yes he is very nice. Master Yoda and I spend a lot of time together and after... well... you know after I *wasn't* chosen by a master, he helped him work through my disappointment and maybe just a touch of anger. I am fine now.""
Jinn laughed at that one, although he held it to a very soft laugh. Others were reading in the archives.
"You know, I think Master Yoda is nice as well, but if you gave some knights and masters a paper to list words to best describe my former master, I don't think *nice* would be on a single one of them."
Obi-Wan was curious now. He did not know about Jinn's apprenticeship to Yoda or he didn't recall anyone mentioning it. He did know that Master Yoda was quite fond of Qui-Gon and until just this moment when he saw the bight smile beam across the master's face so freely and sincerely, he never quite knew why. Now he thought he better understood Master Yoda's affection for him..
"They maybe just don't know Master Yoda like you and I do, I guess. Master Yoda has helped me a great deal through all this. I mean not being chosen and all. I don't know what I would have done without him and sis."
A worried look appeared on Jinn's face and Obi thought it was because of something he'd said.
"Master Yoda hasn't promised you an apprenticeship with anyone has he?"
//Surely Yoda would not speak for me as I have already spoken concerning this little one's inept abilities or his all out lack of them.//
"Oh no, nothing like that, Master Jinn. Just probably the same pep talk he gives others when they have failed, you know. I can still be of use to the Jedi, important and productive, all that stuff. I may not believe all of it, but I sure appreciate hearing someone other than my sister say I am worthy of something."
Whoops!! an instant tug to the master's heart. The first real feeling of sympathy for anyone since Xanatos left him. He knew all too well, he wallowed in his own self-sympathy and had little for others. However now, he found a reason for feeling sorry for someone, but himself.
Qui-Gon noticed within himself a renew sense of appreciation and respect for the child so heavily burdened with disappointment, yet so readily did he bounce back from it.
Jinn found himself much more relaxed under the scrutinizing eyes of the little failed initiate. He was certainly more comfortable as his conversation continued with the boy than he thought he would be when he first saw him. Qui-Gon saw the tension in Obi-Wan leave as well. His shoulders seemed to relax from the worry of their first meeting since the big master rejected him.
//Maybe he was just as nervous as I was for our first exchange of words and then… My refusal of him on Choosing day. I wasn't exactly kind to him when I first met him and I looked like a homeless ruffian, quit possibly scary too…//
Qui-Gon let his tense muscles relax under the worry of meeting the child he had to reject.
"Well I have to see to the list I have in my hand. "
"Could I help you Master Jinn?"
"Well thank you Obi-Wan, but I don't think so. Master Yoda wants to do some research on that of samurai swordsmanship from the now extent planet earth. Way before your time, I'm afraid."
"Before my time but I know a great deal of the Japanese samurai warriors. Even part of my name *IS* part of their dress uniforms. Obi."
The master looked down, way down at the child. He was not sure what Obi meant until the little *librarian* explained it further."
"OBI is the name of the sash the warriors used around their kimonos. I am "Obi" like their belts or sash…. Obi… get it.?"
Jinn finally gave Obi Wan a look that meant he understood what the boy said.
Obi laughed and covered his mouth quickly to stifle the sound that was too loud for the archives
"I am sorry. I *can* help you find your books. I don't want to get into trouble or I won't have any place to live if I am put out of the Jedi temple for being too loud down here."
"I doubt Master Yoda would turn you out of the temple, just for laughing, even if it is a little loud."
Jinn, still surprised at Obi knowing anything about the samurai, could see the look of the smiling boy turn to a look of turmoil and trepidation.
"You do have a home to return too don't you? I mean not that you would have to leave here, but if you chose to leave? Padawan Sierra talked at great lengths about your home and parents."
Qui-Gon knew he was being noisy but he seemed drawn into Obi-Wan's misery, almost destined to share it, though he felt no feeling through the force of a bond trying to form as Yoda implied. The boy did have a home. Sierra had mentioned her family and home life to Master Jinn.
"Yes you are correct, Master Jinn. Sierra has a home to go too, but I don't. I am not as welcome there, as she is. I guess I came along at the wrong time in their lives or worse yet, I *CAME ALONG* at all.."
Obi-Wan walked Master Jinn over to where he could find what he needed. Jinn started his search only to be interrupted by the child who remained beside him, though his help was no longer needed.
As Master Jinn searched through the books with not much luck Obi launched into a walking, talking encyclopedia of information about the samurai.
"The most important thing to know about the Samurai, which in their language means knight-retainers, is that they are a great deal like us. Well there is one difference. When they first organized, around the mid sixteen-hundreds they had a legal ability to kill any commoner that spoke ill of them or showed lack of respect. They carried two swords one long, the Daito-kanta and one short sword, the Shoto-Wkizashi Their swords were considered the extension of their souls; the soul of their warriorship is what they thought of them as. They valued them much as the Jedi do their sabers. In the 1700's when it became illegal for the samurai to carry the sword or Kanta in public, they invented a short "stick" blade which was concealed in a cane, much like the one Master Yoda carries, his gimer stick. Like I said they were a great deal like the Jedi. A true Samurai warrior, as do the Jedi warrior, followed an unwritten mantra which held bravery, honor, and personal loyalty above life itself. The Daimyo, their leader was usually the most powerful and richest man in the Japanese empire. The samurai swore their allegiance to him and would die for him. In fact, like we think death is another of realm of life they believed there was no death or if there was, it was not a thing of worry. They freely accepted it. They had a saying they lived by. In the "Book Of The Five Rings", there is a quote. "The way of the warrior is a resolute acceptance of death." Cool. UHN?"
Master Jinn watched the child's eyes light up with each bit of information he passed along to the Jedi master, who until now was a little back on his studies of ancient earth. With the hyped-up excitement from the way Obi told his story, one could easily be drawn into it and become curious about it, just as Master Yoda has basically done. He was mesmerized by the knowledge that came from such a small boy. This was not the usual thing that came out of an initiate's mouth. Even senior padawans would be hard pressed to remember so much about a culture that in a way was very similar as the Jedi. They were dissimilar mainly in their violence of their history. .
"You do know a great deal and you have impressed me with your knowledge. Something I might add is not easily done."
"Well I have to admit I was the one who told Master Yoda about the Samurai. Well not told exactly, mentioned them and got him interested. He had heard of them before. I imagine you don't tell Master Yoda much of anything. He knows everything. I mean he is really smart. Anyway when I mentioned they were similar and told him of some of the similarities, like the loyalty and undying commitment, he said he wanted to read more on it."
"Oh so this search I am on is really as much for your benefit as it is his?"
"Well I suppose, but I know about everything there is to know about the samurai, not bragging just fact.. Master Yoda wanted to learn more. He said we might discuss it over last-meal tonight."
Obi dropped his eyes to the floor and toed the spilt linoleum with his boot.
"He kinda spends time with me some evenings. Kinda to get me through this since Sierra is gone. Well, I have accepted it and all, that I won't become a Jedi in the way I had hoped. I guess he feels sorry for me."
"I am sure Master Yoda spends time with you for more reasons than that. You can hold a conversation just in this and he loves it when someone speaks about something he is interested in and is knowledgeable about what you speak. I have to admit you are know a lot about the samurai."
Qui-Gon hesitated to see if the boy wanted to say any more.
"I have to go now. Maybe I will see you tonight. I might finagle an invitation to last-meal with Yoda myself."
Obi smiled. He liked the idea of spending more time with this master. NO pressure to be something he couldn't anyway, an apprentice. The Jedi expected nothing from him, just friendship and conversation. That was all Obi wanted for now. That was all he really was privy too at the temple anymore.
Qui-Gon left after Obi-Wan quite efficiently found every book he wanted. He was surprised that the young one had read everyone of them. What surprised him even more was the fact he suggested he would invite himself to eat with Master Yoda and Obi.
//I can't do that. Master Yoda will have accomplished what he wanted, to pull us together. As along as he is in the Jedi order, until this thirteenth birthday, he can be taken by a knight or master as their apprentice, if they decide they wish too. Of course, Master Yoda knows that, he put that stipulation in the Jedi code for apprentices. No, I will just not ask Master Yoda to eat Last-meal with him. I will see if Adia is busy tonight or Plo Koon, anyone other than Yoda and Obi-Wan.//
Yoda was beaming from ear to ear when his former padawan delivered his books.
"Help you had to find these, you did?"
Yoda's questions were always in a form of an answer only he waited for you to answer anyway.
"Yes, you old toad and you know very well who helped me. You probably even exaggerated you aches and pains to get me down there."
"Lie to you I would never, exaggerate maybe, but today I did not. Ache I do. "
"Never mind, here are your books, enjoy them."
"Chance you had to visit with the boy in archives maybe?"
"Noisy we are today, aren't we?"
"Padawan mine. I resent your words I do. Mock my pronunciation of them and infer conspiracy Obi and I have for you. Nothing is as wrong as your assumptions."
Yoda hung his head to mime his feelings were hurt. Jinn however, could feel the mischievousness in his old master. When Yoda looked back up, Qui-Gon could see mirth written all over his face.
"Yes, I spoke with the boy and found him to be quite different than I first thought. Intelligent little bugger he is, but I did not change my mind about me wanting him as my apprentice or not, I don't. Now is that all you wanted to know or should I go over the list of what I ate at mid-meal? Might take a long time though, as heartily as I ate."
"Need to eat more you do. Thin from being away from my cooking, you are."
"You have that backward my beloved master. I was thin from eating your cooking. I just haven't gained any since I left."
"Then perhaps eat with Obi and I tonight. Go over some of these l books I wish too. Easier for him to recant tales from them than for me to read all of them it is. Correct am I not?"
"I suppose. However, you will have to go it alone, you and Obi-Wan. I had thought to have last-meal with Plo Koon, if he is free."
"Aye now know desperate you are for company. Come to my flat you will. Plo Koon and you have never gotten along. Help me prepare the meal you may. Feeble I still am but promise to the child I made. Break it I can not for too many tings his life waylaid already. More harm I wish to do to the child I do not."
"Are you suggesting I harmed him by not taking him as my apprentice? You know that is not true."
"Harm him you did not. Afraid I am, parents did all the harm necessary to prevent him knighthood in Jedi order. Lack of confidence hinders him. Self-respect he never accomplished for himself. The two combined, impeded his progress as a Jedi; kept the young one from doing his best. Expected the worse from himself he always did and saw to it "the worst was the best he could do?"
"Stop, you make me dizzy when you talk in your riddles and that one was a doozy of a riddle. What do you mean?"
"Parents made him feel unworthy of their love, of anything important. Maybe his own mind's way of seeing to it they were right. Failed in everything he did. Appease them he does right now. Proves them right he does with his failure here."
Master Jinn was not sure if Master Yoda knew what he spoke up when it came to Obi-Wan.
//Why would you prove them right. Obi should have wanted to prove them wrong?//
"Look Master Yoda, you know as well as I do that if you are unable to prepare food you may send for a chef droid to do it for you and the child. I really can't stay tonight."
"Can't or won't?"
A touch of irritability came over Jinn that was unlike him when he was around Master Yoda. Nevertheless, the little troll had managed to bring out the worst in Qui-Gon. The master felt himself developing a headache and part of that "headache* was his beloved former master.
"Can't , won't, does it matter? Like I said I will be having last-meal somewhere other than here tonight. Another time possibly."
Master Jinn bowed respectively to his master and waited for his last words.
"Can't is not the word. Won't is more like it and know the reason I do. However press the issue now I will not."
"Well you won't have much time to press anything. After I went to the archives, I spoke with Master Windu and Master Gallia. Respectively declined the position to teach right now. I have requested and received a mission in two days."
Qui-Gon knew Yoda would see through his weak-veiled façade; knew the reason for Master Jinn's abrupt change of plans. Change of plans so sudden, Yoda himself had not been alerted to them.
Jinn was running again. This time it wasn't from the ghost of Xanatos Crion. It was the real life Obi-Wan Kenobi that made him want to escape the temple………..
While Obi-Wan enjoyed his time with Master Yoda, he kept waiting for something. That was the only way Yoda could say it as he watched Obi occasionally turn his head to the door as if a miracle would happen and Master Jinn would walk through it. He would not however and Yoda knew the reason why. The boy had touched Qui-Gon in some personal, intimate way and he didn't want to deal with that level of intimacy as it would require if he took Obi-Wan as an apprentice or even became his friend. .. Proof of that was the trip he suddenly planned, ditching Yoda's idea for him to teach.
//Still not accepted his fate and that of Xanatos Crion's he has not, also. Nothing I can do but wait until he has. Shame it is for Obi-Wan. New master I must seek now. Possibly Master Jinn knows better than I. Ready for an apprentice he might not be. Push him into something not prepared for I should not. Care much about him I do.//
#################### A few days later###############
The last person Mace Windu expected to see by his side in a battle for his life at that moment on Tecreet was Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He had called the temple for assistance but the teachers were not usually sent out of rotation to help a fellow Jedi. That was reserved for the master's waiting for mission. When he left Coruscant, Qui was waiting for a class to start, not for a mission.
Jinn jumped in front of the Hutt Mace had been very successfully fending off until Master Jinn caught his attention. He lost his footing and tripped. Luckily Qui-Gon was there to intercept the blow of the Temi sword being brandished at Mace at the moment.
"I knew you needed the best negotiator to settle things here, but I didn't know I would be called on to use my saber expertise, as well."
"Ha ha, I wouldn't have needed your saber expertise had you not drawn my attention away from my attacker."
The Hutt downed by one quick sweep of Master Jinn's sword was injured, but would not die. He seemed a little surprised that two Jedi would engage in a quaint little conversation while they were in battle.
The Hutts were never known for their battling one-on-one and could be easily defeated by the Jedi. That is of course unless the Jedi's attention was drawn from his adversary and a mistake made. It was necessary to stop the humor and salutations until they had battled three more Hutts.
Jinn watched from the corner of his left eye while Sierra took out quite handily the fiercest fighting one of the bunch. She made the task look easier than it was.
Battle over, both older Jedi short of breath whereas Sierra was yet to have to take a deep cleansing breath from all her activity.
"Master I think we will have to bring along an oxygen tank for you next time. Either that or you need more exercise."
Jinn laughed thunderously at that comment until Sierra practically said the same thing about him, his shortness of breath and alluded to the fact that he as well as her master, getting up in years.
#####That evening camped just outside the city limits.######
The first half of the conversation was an uncomfortable one. Sierra had to know every little bit of news about Obi-Wan she could glean from Master Jinn. He wanted to calm her fears and worry about the young one, however, it made him uncomfortable to talk about Obi-Wan. He did let her know the boy was fine and assured her he and Yoda had a growing friendly relationship. He told her about the last-meal plans Obi and Yoda had.
He omitted the long conversation he had with Obi and that he came close to promising Obi-Wan to show up for last-meal only to renege on it. He certainly didn't plan to tell Sierra or anyone Obi-Wan Kenobi was the main reason he left the temple. He just wasn't ready to face such a close relationship as he felt could occur if he stayed there and saw the child often.
Sierra excused herself to go to bed in the tent. Jinn and Mace lingered around the camp fire to talk over the events of the day and plans for tomorrow.
"I wouldn't have stumbled had you not surprised me. I thought I was in a dream at first. I had no idea you were sent on a mission.."
"I suppose you are not privy to that now that you are a real working Jedi with an apprentice. You don't know what the council's up too. Yes I decided I had no wish to teach right now, maybe later. "
"I thought the entire purpose of your return was to stay."
"I thought so too. I have had time to think things through and I felt I would be better off to get back into the swing of things. Instead of staying at the temple, I have decided to go on missions…lots of missions. At least I an not "holed" up on Dagabah pining my life away for a failed apprentice."
"Yes, but are your running away from something else?"
"You sound like Yoda. I am not running away from anything. I have accepted what Xani did. Now I have to just rebuild my life."
"And leaving the temple will do that?"
"It is enough you know that I didn't want to stay."
Qui-Gon was glad that Sierra had retired to the tent for the evening. They stayed outside the city for their own protection. Out in the wide open they would know if a planned attack was imminent.
"Now Mace what went wrong with the negotiations. After all, that is why I was pulled off my real assignment to come here and help you convince a bunch of unruly Hutts just why they have to live and co-exist with the natural born people of this planet. Their habit has always been to settle another planet and take over their government and its people. Why have the Jedi decided this time will be different?"
"Because the people of Tecreek will not allow it. They are not prepared to give up so easily and I think it is admirable. Maybe a death wish but admirable. The group of Hutts here are ruled by Gibbon. He can be reasoned with, but a couple of his rogue outcasts decided to take it upon themselves to break up the negotiations and at the same time do away with its mediator, the Jedi, me."
Mace waited and got no response. He tried to broach the subject again about Qui-Gon's quick departure from the temple.
"I suppose I was surprised to see you because you seemed so adamant about your return and about the needed time at the temple for the next few months."
Mace cocked his head in order to see Qui-Gon's face in the only light that was afforded them, the campfire.
"No, nothing happened, if that is what you are hinting at.. I just wanted a mission. I found I missed the action, the vibrancy of them."
Mace had a look on his face that meant he didn't quite believe his old friend. They did not share a bond but they grew up together since they were crèchelings and had for that long been best friends. If anyone knew him inside and out, it was Mace, besides Master Yoda.
Qui-Gon was sure the little master still lurked nosily in his mind at times. Their bond was still that strong if both did not shield from the other. Of course it wasn't past Master Yoda to indeed be nosy and poke around in the privacy of Jinn's thoughts.
Qui-Gon changed the subject for fear that Mace would catch on, that yes, there was a definite reason for leaving the temple so abruptly. That reason, was Obi-Wan Kenobi………..
###############
The samurai info will play an important part in the story later on.
Credit where credit is due. My info on the Samurai was gotten from this book.
The Samurai Warriors
Miyamoto Musashi, "The Book of Five Rings"
PEACE ewen
