Is that what Obi-Wan told you, that I just left him?"
"Mother I don't wish to embarrass you further so I will tell you I was three or four hover cars behind you and watched you speed away with the boy standing in a preverbal blizzard."
"Very well you want an explanation and I will certainly give you one. I think it best Damien if you also go to your room. I will come and get you once our conversation is over."
Damien had a bad feeling. Grandmother was his protector but Jinn was the one who had custody of him. He didn't want either of them angry with him. All the blame went to Obi-Wan.
"Well Mother he is gone now. Care to explain to me?"
"I am tired Qui-Gon, very tired of always being reprimanded as if I were a child when it comes to that boy in there."
"That boy is Obi mother; my son and your grandson."
"Oh I see it now. You are letting him come between you and Damien. You have betrayed your brother's trust in you. On his death bed you made a promise and now you try to renege on it."
"I am doing no such thing mother. I can care for two boys."
"Sure you could but you put all you energy on caring for the little one, your son. You never spend time with Damien any more. Now you consider the temple to raise him as we speak. Is it for the benefit of your brother's son to go there for his schooling or are you only concerned with getting Obi-Wan into Jedi training and it can be done faster this way if you go and run the temple? Which is it Qui-Gon?"
"You change the subject mother. It doesn't matter why I might choose to go to the temple for. Both boys would benefit from it.
"Yes and Damien would take a back seat to Obi-Wan if he becomes not only your son but your apprentice. You can't deny that. Every waking moment except when he is in classes will be spent with him and were does that leave Damien, out in the cold with no one. He can't compete against a Jedi for your attention or your love."
"Mother he has my love and he has yours. You have spoiled the child until he thinks there is nothing he can't ask for and not get."
"Why shouldn't he? He has had a hard life. I thought it would straightened out since he had you now but Obi-Wan came into the picture. That promiscuous mother of his had to die and leave him with us. Didn't he have any other relative he could have been pawned off on?"
"That's enough Mother. My decision has been made. We will be going to the temple in about three weeks. You may tell Damien or I will. Now I have to go see to my son."
Myra's anger flared. She wanted to hurt Qui-Gon.
"Go on and I will go see to Damien now that you have abandoned him, Qui-Gon. How do you just stop loving someone so easily? Oh I forgot that was what happened to Obi-Wan's mother isn't it? Something else piqued your interest more than her, the Jedi. Now you plan to abandon your nephew just like you did her for the Jedi and now for your Jedi son."
The words did just what his mother hoped they would do. They hurt the big master and more importantly they started him to think. Was he betraying Damien for Obi-Wan and the Jedi?
Was it his selfishness that made him decide to go run the temple or was it truly for the good of Damien? Had he done the very same to his lover, Obi-Wan's mom.
So many things that would have to be thought through but Qui-Gon had to deal with Obi first. That brought a second of regret. He had so much responsibility with this little one who was quickly worming his way into Jinn's heart.
//That will have to be stopped. I can't let another in. I betrayed one, Obi's mom and I threaten to betray another, Damien. There has to be some way to balance this feeling I have for Obi-Wan. It has become too intense. Although I would never admit it to Mother or Damien, my feelings for Obi-Wan has literally taken over my life.//
Memories of Obi-Wan's mother swept his mind. He left her not unlike the situation he had here. Both for the Jedi. Was his mother right? She had accomplished what she wanted. Although he was convinced it truly would help Damien by going to live at the temple, Qui-Gon also had thoughts of what training Obi-Wan within the Jedi order would entail. It might interfere with the rearing of his brother's son and Amos had basically died because of him and his Jedi life.
Qui-Gon was now torn with decisions. Should he allow the little one any further entrance in his life? Maybe he should let another master train him.
//Yes, that might balance things out between Damien and Obi-Wan. I will let Master Tyrell become his master or at least his overseer until he reaches and age of apprenticeship. He can't be as cruel as my mother has been to Obi and he will benefit from the training with his force abilities.//
Jinn went in Obi-Wan's room. He would discuss the matter of moving later that evening with all of them. He would however tell Obi-Wan now that he would be overseen by another master until he was twelve years old and then his father would decide definitely if he wanted Obi-Wan to be an apprentice with in the Jedi order and most importantly Obi-Wan wuld help make that decision.
He found the little one asleep on his bed with his wet clothes still on and a tear streaked face. Qui-Gon realized that Obi-Wan must have thought he was angry with him when he sent him to his room.
Qui sat down on the edge of the bed which brought the child immediately awake and alert.
"Little one, I did not mean to sound gruff in there or to let you assume you are in trouble, for you are not. I also have reached a decision. We will be going to the temple for Damien to be taught in the best school. However this move will be for you also. You will be able to increase your force abilities and learn how to control them. There will be no more abuse suffered at the hands of my mother. I will have another master guide you through your beginning journey through the Jedi training program. Once you have reached the age to become a full padawan, twelve, you can decide for yourself if you truly want to be a Jedi."
Obi-Wan was sincerely glad his father had not been angry with him but being hit with such news when one just wakes up from a nap was terrible thought Obi-Wan.
"You mean we won't be a family?"
Jinn could not understand. Having grown up with the Jedi he had excepted his separation from his mother and father, yet he still considered them family.
"No little, one we will be a family. I did the same thing but I went to the temple when I was much younger and see I still have a family."
Not much of one.
At least it wasn't the loving family Obi-Wan had been raised in. His mother could at least show and give love.
"I don't want to leave you father. I want us to remain a family, "together"."
"You won't be leaving me. Enough for now. You need to wash up for last-meal and we will discuss this as we eat."
//This is just another way to get rid of me so he can give Damien's all his time. I thought he actually wanted me. I am wrong as usual. My father will just pass me around to anyone at the temple, willing to train me.. //
"Dad, may I say one more thing?"
Sad ocean-churned blue eyes looked at his father.
"Very well, then you have to wash up for last-meal."
"I would rather suffer at the hands of your momma than to be separated from you at any old Jedi temple. We just found each other………………….."
It wasn't hard to find someone to act as caretaker for the Jinn farm. An old family friend who had financial difficulties lost his farm and welcomed the opportunity to live at and care for the Jinn spread. Qui-Gon also got more good news.
Because the little temple sat on the mountainside just outside of the small town, it had a stable that only housed a couple of horses because of the expense of buying them. It gave the padawans added duties and outdoor activity to work in the stables and the grazing pastures.
Qui-Gon was welcome to bring Raven and another horse with them. Everything was ready to make their move tomorrow.
Damien was really excited. He did not think how it would be to be the one "less special", not as important. He thought his uncle would run the temple that and that alone would place him in some high station there. He was not worried about Obi-Wan, however. Even his grandmother seemed to relax over the situation when they found out Obi-Wan would be given to another master. That meant Obi would most surely be out of their hair a great deal of his time.
This would be the last day Obi-Wan would have to do all the stable work alone. He knew he would get to help care for Raven at this Jedi temple they were going too and that brought him a little comfort. Losing his father though was more than the little boy could tolerate. He tried hard to hide his disappointment. He had come to realize this move would probably make his dad's family happier, well for everyone except him. Myra Jinn seemed to quickly change her mind and wanted them to go.
//Yeah as soon as she found out I would be given away she was all for going to the temple. Now I will barely be able to see Dad and then I will have someone else over me telling me what to do. I guess my Grandma got what she wanted after all. I will be out of my dad's hair and he will have more time to focus on Damien. Maybe it is for the best. I was never really one of them anyway. Although I am not sure I want to be a Jedi either. //
The Jedi temple they moved too turned out to be nothing more than a small mansion nestled at the base of the mountains much like their home had been only situated on the other side of the same mountains.. It had one common room. It was a very large area with a big fireplace and lots of couches and other seating for evening activities.
There were several offices for the head master there and a dining area, large kitchen and numerous bedrooms. The padawans, all five of them and Obi-Wan each had a small bedroom that joined their masters' room.
It was agreed too by Tyrell and Jinn that the grumpy master would just oversee to Obi-Wan's training for awhile to see if they were matched for each other and then again Obi was too young to be an actual apprentice.
His care and teaching and even discipline would be taken care of by Tyrell. Master Jinn would be no more to the child than he was to any child there. At the moment there were no initiates, just the five padawans. Each had a master.
Jinn noticed one apprentice, a boy by the name of Bruck Chun that seemed to stand out among all the other apprentices. He was Damien's age and Qui had already seen them together. He thought it was good that Damien had already made a "friend" with this Bruck.
Little did Jinn know that Bruck was the most troubling of all the apprentices there. He had such a knack of hiding his trouble or blaming them on someone else. It would take Jinn a while to realize who caused all the problems at the temple among the padawans, Damien and his son once the problems did start to surface and multiply...
########
Obi-Wan sat in the office of his father….. well no, it was the office of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He had been instructed by his new guardian or master or whatever, that he must never refer to his dad by anything other than master.
He swung his legs back and forth nervously. They were as of yet unable to reach the floor and that was the only thing Obi-Wan could think of doing with them.. He waited for Master Tyrell and Master Jinn to come back in. They were in another little room of the office more than likely discussing him, he thought. Obi-Wan decided for his father, for Master Jinn's sake, he would try to make the best of this.
Obi was not at all sure he wanted to be a Jedi and his "father", no Master Jinn had told him that the Jedi had been misrepresented to him. He asked Obi-Wan to keep an open mind concerning his ideas of the Jedi and form his own opinion of them. He would do it for his "Dad", but not for Master Jinn. Obi-Wan was not so sure he liked the Master Jinn part of Qui-Gon.
####In the next room.######
"You may not believe this Master Jinn but I am exceedingly glad that you took this position. I had it offered to me but then they recanted the offer when they knew you might come back. I don't like to deal with children and here you will have to oversee five padawans and their masters. Of course then there with be Kenobi and I. I think it best that you try to stay your distance from the child until he adjusts to the Jedi ways. After I have given him some instruction on being a Jedi and he fully understands his place within the order, then possibly you could interject yourself back in his life."
Those words pained Master Jinn. He already regretted giving his son to this man. He felt lonely just thinking of not being around "his" Obi-Wan. He thought he was doing this for the good of all, including Obi-Wan but just for a moment he wished he could back track and take Obi-Wan with him. He tried to visualize a future without the little one in his life. That life he projected in his mind without Obi seemed dull, lifeless, almost naked and devoid of happiness.
"I also think it is wise not to train your own child. I know there have been masters than have kept their children, yet I feel they don't get the full benefit of their Jedi training if they are coddled by their parents."
"Yes, I guess I can understand your feelings. Should we go back into with Obi-Wan? I have his things ready to go to his new room attached to yours."
"Yes well I think we should get this day started."
Master Tyrell smiled. He did like Master Jinn. In fact he thought highly of him and he was determined to do his best to train the son of the great Master Jinn.
In his own twisted way of teaching the Jedi Master Tyrell thought Master Jinn would appreciate his strictness and sternness. Jinn himself was noted to be a hard master . However Master Jinn had never been known as an abusive and exceedingly cruel master.
Master Tyrell on the other hand had been counseled for his excessive use of the force by putting almost impossible challenges before his apprentices. Challenges made by a master yet unable to be completed by an apprentice, to a Jedi was as abusive as physical punishment. They were given tasks that they couldn't complete and it lower their self-esteem because of their inability to complete them..
Jinn fumbled with his hands as if he were the child and Tyrell was the only adult in the room. Qui-Gon walked to the window and looked out. He felt in a way he had betrayed his little son.
"Master Jinn?"
Tyrell was upset that the master had just turned his back on him and had sunken himself in deep thoughts of his own. Tyrell got the impression that Master Jinn barely heard his last words. Nevertheless the words that would come next needed to be said.
"Master Jinn?"
There, he had gotten Jinn's attention again. Qui-Gon whirled around to face the aging master.
"I must request that you shield from your son. I am aware that you have a bond with him. Now, I don't expect to be able to form a bond with the child immediately, yet I feel his mind needs clear of any interference."
//What does he mean interference? We are father and son. I would never interfere. I don't know for how long this will work. He seems to want me to have nothing whatsoever to do with my own son. //
"You don't think that it would leave the child confused to find his mind suddenly empty and alone. I mean the bond formed its self since we have been together. I am sure it brings him solace."
If the truth be known, it was Qui-Gon worried about having an empty mind; void of his vibrant and lively "Obi-Wan" in it. He had grown to receive comfort from the little one being nestled in his sub-conscious.
There was a touch of annoyance in Tyrell's voice but no real anger.
"Master Jinn the boy does not need solace. He needs to know that it is a rough road to becoming a Jedi and if he wants to become my apprentice or an apprentice to anyone, he has to learn to walk that road alone, not with his father lifting him up every time he falters." I have to insist on this."
"Very well. I think you will find Obi-Wan will do as you say."
"I am sure I will and if I don't, a month with me and the child will be a perfect example of complete, unconditional obedience. You should have no worry of that."
Jinn shot a quick glare at the man before him. He was not sure whether to take that as a threat or not. He personally had nothing against this master other than he knew he was very intense with the training of padawans.
Qui-Gon first thought Obi-Wan would benefit from this master's intensity and rigidity, but now he questioned his own judgment.
"May I have a moment with him?"
"I think it might be best if I just go to your main office and take him away. No goodbyes, things like that. Don't want to deal with a crying child. I have never taught one so young; eight you said, however he surely looks at least two years younger. I hope his mind is ahead of his body. I will tell him your farewells for you. I mean he will still be under the same roof just not under your care or guidance."
With that, the overly large and silver-headed master walked in Jinn's office to retrieve his new ward, Obi-Wan Kenobi………………….
Bruck and Damien had become almost inseparable since Damien's arrival. Bruck was in a study cycle at the temple so that meant aside from his studies and saber practice, he had free time in the evenings. That free time was spent with Damien.
Bruck could tell that Master Jinn was impressed with him. He almost wished he had been the apprentice to the great Qui-Gon Jinn. Of course that couldn't be. He had a master and what he understood, Jinn would not take a padawan. There was still uncertainty about whether he would train his own son later on, if Master Tyrell did not keep him.
The day started out as many. They all assembled in the large dining hall for break-fast at the same time. The masters talked over their plans for the day with Qui-Gon. Afterwards padawans along with Obi-Wan went to their respective classes to begin their day of studying followed by saber classes..
It was not like Obi-Wan did not get to see his father. He saw him every time they ate. This temple was not large enough for the masters to have their own little kitchen that the large temple on Coruscant had.
Qui-Gon had yet to utter a word to his son, Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon could tell at break-fast that day Obi-Wan seemed to have lost that zest and zeal he had slowly gotten at the farm when just he and Obi-Wan were together.. Even when Myra was hard on him it took something really bad like the day he was left in the blizzard to bring him down.
//The last four days I have sat and watched the boy going steadily down hill, barely being able to eat more than a few bites of food during each meal. I wonder what has been going on those four days between he and Tyrell? //
Just a day earlier, Jinn attempted to approach his son in a private setting among the only very small garden they had, but was immediately rebuked and turned away by Master Tyrell. He felt that Jinn should still not have any communication with his son.
//It was almost creepy. It was like Master Tyrell sat in wait like an animal for prey. He had to be watching Obi-Wan that day to know I was there. He was on us before I could get two words out. //
Master Tyrell had informed Qui-Gon he was having a more difficult time that he first expected with Obi-Wan and that it would be best not to speak with his son.
Jinn thought better of pressuring the maser for more information but now at the table after break-fast, the master decided he would do a little "private" investigating on his own if the situation with Obi-Wan didn't turn around soon.
Qui-Gon doubts about Master Tyrell's patience when it came to tutoring Obi-Wan increased with the days Obi stayed with him. Concern for his son mounted.. He could see unhappiness etched deeply in the boy's face. While the other young ones happily went about consuming their break-fast, Master Jinn couldn't help but notice his child tended to eat very little, much like he did when he first came to the Jinn farm.
Qui-Gon might have stayed ignorant to the fact Obi was not eating well except he could not stay oblivious because of Master Tyrell's curt barking of a reprimands to Obi-Wan.
"Kenobi" the master said in a low baritone voice. That voice with one word carried with it a promise of severe repercussions if Kenobi did not do immediately what his master wanted of him.
Without another word the master pointed his fork to Obi and motioned to the boy's plate.
Obi-Wan didn't have to hear another spoken word by this man who had taken over his training. He dug into the food with a quiet self- abandonment of some one starved to death instead of the little one, who earlier was unable to raise a morsel to his lips. He seemed to almost gag on the first couple of bites. However the next few seem to go down better as he washed each bite down with water. Obi-Wan seemed almost ill at having been forced to eat.
Jinn knew that if the harshness of Tyrell could be so easily exhibited in front of the other masters, padawans, and even Obi's own father, he shuttered at the thought of the reprimands Obi-Wan might get behind closed doors. He was also alarmed by how quickly Obi-Wan did the master's bidding. Tyrell's request for the boy to eat was followed with too much haste. It was a frantic haste of one who feared repercussion of some kind if the master's commands were not immediately followed by the young one.
Jinn witnessed this frenzy to obey when young knights with their first padawans, over compensated for their own mistakes and were too critical of their padawans' errors. The quickness of obeying their new master was the result of promised discipline by master to apprentice. Qui-Gon had also been witness to and part of the official censure by the council that followed, given to the young knights for their harshness in teaching strategies.
Qui-Gon Jinn decided it was time to find out just how far in his disciplinary actions this master went with this son.
#########
The Jinns had been at the temple for three weeks. Last-meal started out very calm and enjoyable. The masters praised Jinn's mother on her leg of lamb and seasoned vegetables. Qui-Gon glanced once at Obi-Wan to see the boy pushing his food around in the plate, with no attempt to conceal his lack of appetite. He had not raised his fork to his lips since he sat down.
Tyrell looked exceedingly worn out.
Jinn smiled to himself.
//Obi-Wan could do that to a person, sap their very strength. he thought especially one of the age Master Tyrell is.//
His thoughts of mirth where it concerned Obi and Tyrell was soon replaced by a growing anger that built continually through the meal.
Master Tyrell had noticed the same thing about Obi-Wan not eating. Maybe Obi-Wan had sucked all his energies that day or either the Master had just tolerated all he could from the child, for he burst in a fit of uncontrolled rage directed at Obi-Wan..
He pulled the fork from Obi-Wan's hands.
"Evidently I did not make myself clear to you this morning or you chose not to listen. You are excused Kenobi. You may start your evening meditations early because as soon as I am finished with my meal they will increase greatly in number."
Kenobi could not look up at anyone at the table. He had become well accustomed to being corrected and belittled by this master almost daily but normally the master saved his curt and even cruel remarks for the privacy of their rooms between he and Obi-Wan. This was the second time he had been called out for his inability to eat.
Jinn was fed up with this master.
"Stay where you are Obi-Wan."
"Excuse Master Jinn, but I told you it would best if you stayed out of the boy's life for awhile. Now I would request that you not overrule my commands or discipline of the boy. That is unless you plan to take over his training entirely."
"I am not sure. I would like to find out why he is not eating. Has a healer been consulted?"
"Of course not. I can see his illness for what it is, a facade. Why can't you? He hopes to be allowed to returned to you where things are easier on him. He has cried every night I have had him. No wonder he gets sick so much.
Now Jinn was truly angered by the master's words, but his anger did not deminish his concern for Obi-Wan's continual illness. He looked at Obi-Wan to see a pink hue cover his little face from Master Tyrell's announcement to the others at the table that he considered Obi a "cry-baby".
"You mean the child has been physically ill and you have not sought medical attention for him yet?"
" Like I have already told you, I saw it for what it was, a cry to be allowed to return to the safety of his daddy's arms. He just needs to be toughened up. I assure you, he will be alright."
"If my horse Raven does not eat, I see to it an animal healer visits her, yet you could not send for Master healer to see to my son? Is not my son as important as an animal?"
"Jinn don't make so much out of this. The boy is spoiled. I can handle him. He just has to be gotten under more control."
"That will be quite alright. I think I will take over his training and care. I don't think you and he are connecting too well."
"Fine with me!! I will ask for immediate reassignment or a mission. I am quite tired of wiping snooty noses and cleaning up puke all over our shared room. He is too young to be a padawan."
Tyrell tried to remain calm but he as not all that successful. He did not like being corrected by Jinn in front of all the others.
"And I told you he was not as of yet an apprentice and shouldn't be treated as one. He is but a child and I thought he would be treated as one. Now I don't wish to argue further. I will take Obi-Wan to my room and send for his things tomorrow."
Jinn went over to the chair where his little one sat; ashen in color and worried that he was responsible for the outburst between Master Tyrell and his father. He really did want to do what his father had wanted of him.
Jinn picked the small little boy up and carried him up stairs. Obi-Wan tear streaked face pressed tightly in his dad's tunic from embarrassment, but he did not refuse the "lift" he got from Qui-Gon. Right now he needed the closeness of his father. He wasn't sure he would even let go of Qui-Gon once safely in his father's room.
It seemed Obi-Wan tried to bury himself deeper and deeper against his father's chest; his little fists grabbed and clung to Qui-Gon's robe. His knuckles turned white from lack of blood and still the child was unwilling to release any tension from his hold on this man he had grown to not only respect but to love; love equal to what he felt for his mother.
Just as Jinn started to walk upstairs with his son, he instructed Master Morgan, the healer for the temple, that if it was not too much trouble he could come to Jinn's suite of rooms and check on Obi-Wan once he had finished his last-meal.
##########
Bruck watched the entire confrontation between the two masters with immense personal interest. He was well aware of Damien's resentment of the boy. Damien had voiced his hope that Obi-Wan would never be back in their lives to the degree he was when they left the farm.
Bruck realized Obi-Wan would once again take over his friend's place with Qui-Gon. Both Damien and Bruck's deviously evil minds starting working simultaneously to find a way to rid Damien of Obi-Wan Kenobi's very presence. If that couldn't be successfully accomplished, Bruck thought just maybe he could find a way to lessen Jinn's opinion of the boy…
t took no prodding from Qui-Gon to convince Obi-Wan to remove his outer tunic, boots, and climb into the big bed of his father's.
Obi-Wan wasn't sure what he would have to call his father now. He didn't care. All he knew or thought he knew was that things would be back to normal, more of the way they were until he was handed to Master Tyrell for Jedi instructions.
Jinn's little one had grown more leery of the Jedi. He knew he promised his dad he would keep an open mind about them, since his mother had pumped such heinous thoughts into Obi-Wan's mind while he was still very young; Misrepresentations of the Jedi, his father said were not true. However Obi-Wan questioned that. Master Tyrell was cruel, not in the way his grandmother was, but in his own way his Jedi way, every it as cruel or more so than his Grandmother had been to him.
The child as he rested against the big fluffy pillows of Qui-Gon's bed as he tried to release all his bad thoughts into the force as Master Tyrell said. The only problem with that was Obi-Wan wasn't sure what this force was or where the ever elusive force hid. He had never seen what the Jedi always referred too. He knew he had special powers but it had nothing to do with this guiding unseen force of the Jedi, Obi reasoned to himself.. He was just born with it.
"When was the last time you ate an entire meal Obi-Wan, or have you?"
"I am not sure Master, but I'm not very hungry."
Just for caution's sake Obi, trying to be ever obedient, referred to his dad as master. He wasn't going to take any chances of making his dad angry with him. Unless or until he was told otherwise his dad would remain Master when spoken too by Kenobi. These Jedi were perplexing people for a little boy of eight who a never been raised around them.
Qui sat down on the edge of the boy and visually went over every inch of Obi-Wan as he searched for something, yet he wasn't. He couldn't get enough of seeing the child.
Yes, he had eaten with him sometimes as much as three times of day until business for the Jedi prevented him from doing so. Nevertheless he wanted to drink the view in front of him of his helpless little son who had battled first with hid Jinn's own mother and now Master Tyrell.
//Some father I have turned out to be. I can't make a decision that hasn't put the child in some harms way yet. Maybe I will learn over time how this dad thing works.//
Obi-Wan crossed his arms and put them under his head as he crossed his legs in a comfortable position on his dad's bed. He hoped he fell asleep there and wouldn't have to sleep somewhere else. Now that he wouldn't be coupled with Master Tyrell he wasn't sure where his bedroom was. He had a devious little plan of his own to remain right where he was tonight. Even if it meant faking sleep to do so. He wasn't past a little trick on his old "papa" to get what he wanted tonight and he wanted nothing more than to stay as close to Qui-Gon at least for this night.
Their bond screamed connection. Qui-Gon could feel it as he opened his side of the bond back up to his son. He did it very slowly as not to shock the boy's system himself being projected back in Obi's mind. Jin could have saved his worry and concern. Obi-Wan's side of the bond was open and as Jinn opened his Obi's own mind seem to grab it and literally engulf the mental connection as if in someway it would be taken away from him.
When the child felt the bond opening, much of his physical discomfort started to ease, just disappear with each passing movement. Once the bond was totally opened and father and son where once again mentally connected all his ills seem to disappear and a sudden urge to eat anything and everything took over the child. Jinn could feel the hunger and the desire to have anything right then to eat.
Healer Morgan knocked on the master's door before he let himself in. He planned to check the child over and make sure everything was well with him. He was at the table when Master Tyrell spoke of Obi-Wan medical problem. Although knowing the history of Obi-Wan and his father he suspected the quelling of their bond had something to do with Obi's mental stress by crying all the time and his physical discomfort with his tummy
Obi-Wan sat up for the healer to examine him. After the exam was over, Obi flopped exaggeratedly back down on his dad's overstuffed pillows and rolled his eyes in sarcasm at having to be checked over by a healer.
//I feel fine now. There is nothing wrong with me that being close to my father won't help..//
After the quick exam and a proclamation of the boy's health being all in all good, Master Morgan told Jinn what he thought.
"I think you gave him the medicine I would have suggested before I could even get up here Master Jinn."
"What is that?"
"You opened the bond back up. I suspect this bond is more than a father and son bond. I would think with the power it has over Obi-Wan, it means it just might be a training bond trying to establish its self between the two of you
Master Morgan smiled as if the new bond thing was good notice Obi-Wan. He himself had his doubts.."
Jinn knew well of the father and son bond. He had come to enjoy that connection, but this.. this was something new. Would he be willing to form a training bond with Obi? The thought was not so disagreeable to the master, but he got distinct negative vibes from Obi-Wan, through their bond at the mention of a Jedi training bond between the two of them..
//Does he not want to become a Jedi even if I were his master? I thought if he was back with me, things would be better. Am I so wrong about my own son?//
Obi-Wan pretended he hadn't heard what the Master healer said, although he knew well his father knew differently.. He didn't want to be confronted with any major decisions tonight. He just wanted the comfort of being with his dad. He was not all that sure he wanted to be a Jedi. Would his father make him?
Obi had learned enough about Qui-Gon to know his father would not forcibly make him, but he could pile enough quilt on the boy that he wouldn't be able to out and out say no. Then again thoughts crossed the child's mind that maybe he would lose his father entirely if he said no. Qui-Gon had worried about Damien coming here to the temple to be taught since he wasn't a Jedi. What would happen to him if it refused the Jedi training offered him.
//Maybe Master Yoda or Master Mace will make me leave if I don't agree to Jedi training. Maybe I will disappoint my Dad if I say no.//
The nausea came back but not with as much power this time. Obi-wan would be put into another situation he truly didn't want to be in.
//How can I tell my Dad after he has stood up to his mother and Master Tyrell for me that I don't want to be a Jedi, let alone form a training bond with him. What if this new bond does something to our bond thing as father and son. Neutralize it or worse just remove it. I wouldn't like that at all. //
Obi-Wan's own thoughts swirling his mind made him realize something that he mentally suspected was very pathetic about himself. The only person who had cared anything for him was Qui-Gon.
//Can I help it if no one likes me?//
That hit a cord, some bad feeling deep down in Obi's mind. No one had really seemed to like him since he left home when his mom died. Master Mace had been nice but "stand-offish" with him, Master Yoda was confusing, no one in the Jinn home cared anything for him except his dad and Master Tyrell felt he would make a horrible Jedi. Things did seem to be stacked against him, at least in a small child's mind. He was now convinced he could not disappoint his father. He would have to at least agree to take the training the Jedi had and see where that led him. His one big fear was that he would not do well and it would alienate him and his Dad if he couldn't do what was expected of him in this Jedi program, everyone seemed to be pushing him toward.
//Maybe Dad will think I make a bad Jedi just like Master Tyrell thought. //
Oh my, that made the child worry more. I
//If I am no good at this Jedi stuff, I just might find myself shipped off somewhere away from the only person that means anything to me in my life, Dad. No, no no, I mean my Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.//
#####
Please forgive me for not always answering your feedback. I love reading them. Work however seems to have consumed my life for the last few days. It has taken all my free time to see you get your posts. I love writing them though. So forgive me . .I am not ignoring you guys.
PEACE ewen
"Mother I don't wish to embarrass you further so I will tell you I was three or four hover cars behind you and watched you speed away with the boy standing in a preverbal blizzard."
"Very well you want an explanation and I will certainly give you one. I think it best Damien if you also go to your room. I will come and get you once our conversation is over."
Damien had a bad feeling. Grandmother was his protector but Jinn was the one who had custody of him. He didn't want either of them angry with him. All the blame went to Obi-Wan.
"Well Mother he is gone now. Care to explain to me?"
"I am tired Qui-Gon, very tired of always being reprimanded as if I were a child when it comes to that boy in there."
"That boy is Obi mother; my son and your grandson."
"Oh I see it now. You are letting him come between you and Damien. You have betrayed your brother's trust in you. On his death bed you made a promise and now you try to renege on it."
"I am doing no such thing mother. I can care for two boys."
"Sure you could but you put all you energy on caring for the little one, your son. You never spend time with Damien any more. Now you consider the temple to raise him as we speak. Is it for the benefit of your brother's son to go there for his schooling or are you only concerned with getting Obi-Wan into Jedi training and it can be done faster this way if you go and run the temple? Which is it Qui-Gon?"
"You change the subject mother. It doesn't matter why I might choose to go to the temple for. Both boys would benefit from it.
"Yes and Damien would take a back seat to Obi-Wan if he becomes not only your son but your apprentice. You can't deny that. Every waking moment except when he is in classes will be spent with him and were does that leave Damien, out in the cold with no one. He can't compete against a Jedi for your attention or your love."
"Mother he has my love and he has yours. You have spoiled the child until he thinks there is nothing he can't ask for and not get."
"Why shouldn't he? He has had a hard life. I thought it would straightened out since he had you now but Obi-Wan came into the picture. That promiscuous mother of his had to die and leave him with us. Didn't he have any other relative he could have been pawned off on?"
"That's enough Mother. My decision has been made. We will be going to the temple in about three weeks. You may tell Damien or I will. Now I have to go see to my son."
Myra's anger flared. She wanted to hurt Qui-Gon.
"Go on and I will go see to Damien now that you have abandoned him, Qui-Gon. How do you just stop loving someone so easily? Oh I forgot that was what happened to Obi-Wan's mother isn't it? Something else piqued your interest more than her, the Jedi. Now you plan to abandon your nephew just like you did her for the Jedi and now for your Jedi son."
The words did just what his mother hoped they would do. They hurt the big master and more importantly they started him to think. Was he betraying Damien for Obi-Wan and the Jedi?
Was it his selfishness that made him decide to go run the temple or was it truly for the good of Damien? Had he done the very same to his lover, Obi-Wan's mom.
So many things that would have to be thought through but Qui-Gon had to deal with Obi first. That brought a second of regret. He had so much responsibility with this little one who was quickly worming his way into Jinn's heart.
//That will have to be stopped. I can't let another in. I betrayed one, Obi's mom and I threaten to betray another, Damien. There has to be some way to balance this feeling I have for Obi-Wan. It has become too intense. Although I would never admit it to Mother or Damien, my feelings for Obi-Wan has literally taken over my life.//
Memories of Obi-Wan's mother swept his mind. He left her not unlike the situation he had here. Both for the Jedi. Was his mother right? She had accomplished what she wanted. Although he was convinced it truly would help Damien by going to live at the temple, Qui-Gon also had thoughts of what training Obi-Wan within the Jedi order would entail. It might interfere with the rearing of his brother's son and Amos had basically died because of him and his Jedi life.
Qui-Gon was now torn with decisions. Should he allow the little one any further entrance in his life? Maybe he should let another master train him.
//Yes, that might balance things out between Damien and Obi-Wan. I will let Master Tyrell become his master or at least his overseer until he reaches and age of apprenticeship. He can't be as cruel as my mother has been to Obi and he will benefit from the training with his force abilities.//
Jinn went in Obi-Wan's room. He would discuss the matter of moving later that evening with all of them. He would however tell Obi-Wan now that he would be overseen by another master until he was twelve years old and then his father would decide definitely if he wanted Obi-Wan to be an apprentice with in the Jedi order and most importantly Obi-Wan wuld help make that decision.
He found the little one asleep on his bed with his wet clothes still on and a tear streaked face. Qui-Gon realized that Obi-Wan must have thought he was angry with him when he sent him to his room.
Qui sat down on the edge of the bed which brought the child immediately awake and alert.
"Little one, I did not mean to sound gruff in there or to let you assume you are in trouble, for you are not. I also have reached a decision. We will be going to the temple for Damien to be taught in the best school. However this move will be for you also. You will be able to increase your force abilities and learn how to control them. There will be no more abuse suffered at the hands of my mother. I will have another master guide you through your beginning journey through the Jedi training program. Once you have reached the age to become a full padawan, twelve, you can decide for yourself if you truly want to be a Jedi."
Obi-Wan was sincerely glad his father had not been angry with him but being hit with such news when one just wakes up from a nap was terrible thought Obi-Wan.
"You mean we won't be a family?"
Jinn could not understand. Having grown up with the Jedi he had excepted his separation from his mother and father, yet he still considered them family.
"No little, one we will be a family. I did the same thing but I went to the temple when I was much younger and see I still have a family."
Not much of one.
At least it wasn't the loving family Obi-Wan had been raised in. His mother could at least show and give love.
"I don't want to leave you father. I want us to remain a family, "together"."
"You won't be leaving me. Enough for now. You need to wash up for last-meal and we will discuss this as we eat."
//This is just another way to get rid of me so he can give Damien's all his time. I thought he actually wanted me. I am wrong as usual. My father will just pass me around to anyone at the temple, willing to train me.. //
"Dad, may I say one more thing?"
Sad ocean-churned blue eyes looked at his father.
"Very well, then you have to wash up for last-meal."
"I would rather suffer at the hands of your momma than to be separated from you at any old Jedi temple. We just found each other………………….."
It wasn't hard to find someone to act as caretaker for the Jinn farm. An old family friend who had financial difficulties lost his farm and welcomed the opportunity to live at and care for the Jinn spread. Qui-Gon also got more good news.
Because the little temple sat on the mountainside just outside of the small town, it had a stable that only housed a couple of horses because of the expense of buying them. It gave the padawans added duties and outdoor activity to work in the stables and the grazing pastures.
Qui-Gon was welcome to bring Raven and another horse with them. Everything was ready to make their move tomorrow.
Damien was really excited. He did not think how it would be to be the one "less special", not as important. He thought his uncle would run the temple that and that alone would place him in some high station there. He was not worried about Obi-Wan, however. Even his grandmother seemed to relax over the situation when they found out Obi-Wan would be given to another master. That meant Obi would most surely be out of their hair a great deal of his time.
This would be the last day Obi-Wan would have to do all the stable work alone. He knew he would get to help care for Raven at this Jedi temple they were going too and that brought him a little comfort. Losing his father though was more than the little boy could tolerate. He tried hard to hide his disappointment. He had come to realize this move would probably make his dad's family happier, well for everyone except him. Myra Jinn seemed to quickly change her mind and wanted them to go.
//Yeah as soon as she found out I would be given away she was all for going to the temple. Now I will barely be able to see Dad and then I will have someone else over me telling me what to do. I guess my Grandma got what she wanted after all. I will be out of my dad's hair and he will have more time to focus on Damien. Maybe it is for the best. I was never really one of them anyway. Although I am not sure I want to be a Jedi either. //
The Jedi temple they moved too turned out to be nothing more than a small mansion nestled at the base of the mountains much like their home had been only situated on the other side of the same mountains.. It had one common room. It was a very large area with a big fireplace and lots of couches and other seating for evening activities.
There were several offices for the head master there and a dining area, large kitchen and numerous bedrooms. The padawans, all five of them and Obi-Wan each had a small bedroom that joined their masters' room.
It was agreed too by Tyrell and Jinn that the grumpy master would just oversee to Obi-Wan's training for awhile to see if they were matched for each other and then again Obi was too young to be an actual apprentice.
His care and teaching and even discipline would be taken care of by Tyrell. Master Jinn would be no more to the child than he was to any child there. At the moment there were no initiates, just the five padawans. Each had a master.
Jinn noticed one apprentice, a boy by the name of Bruck Chun that seemed to stand out among all the other apprentices. He was Damien's age and Qui had already seen them together. He thought it was good that Damien had already made a "friend" with this Bruck.
Little did Jinn know that Bruck was the most troubling of all the apprentices there. He had such a knack of hiding his trouble or blaming them on someone else. It would take Jinn a while to realize who caused all the problems at the temple among the padawans, Damien and his son once the problems did start to surface and multiply...
########
Obi-Wan sat in the office of his father….. well no, it was the office of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He had been instructed by his new guardian or master or whatever, that he must never refer to his dad by anything other than master.
He swung his legs back and forth nervously. They were as of yet unable to reach the floor and that was the only thing Obi-Wan could think of doing with them.. He waited for Master Tyrell and Master Jinn to come back in. They were in another little room of the office more than likely discussing him, he thought. Obi-Wan decided for his father, for Master Jinn's sake, he would try to make the best of this.
Obi was not at all sure he wanted to be a Jedi and his "father", no Master Jinn had told him that the Jedi had been misrepresented to him. He asked Obi-Wan to keep an open mind concerning his ideas of the Jedi and form his own opinion of them. He would do it for his "Dad", but not for Master Jinn. Obi-Wan was not so sure he liked the Master Jinn part of Qui-Gon.
####In the next room.######
"You may not believe this Master Jinn but I am exceedingly glad that you took this position. I had it offered to me but then they recanted the offer when they knew you might come back. I don't like to deal with children and here you will have to oversee five padawans and their masters. Of course then there with be Kenobi and I. I think it best that you try to stay your distance from the child until he adjusts to the Jedi ways. After I have given him some instruction on being a Jedi and he fully understands his place within the order, then possibly you could interject yourself back in his life."
Those words pained Master Jinn. He already regretted giving his son to this man. He felt lonely just thinking of not being around "his" Obi-Wan. He thought he was doing this for the good of all, including Obi-Wan but just for a moment he wished he could back track and take Obi-Wan with him. He tried to visualize a future without the little one in his life. That life he projected in his mind without Obi seemed dull, lifeless, almost naked and devoid of happiness.
"I also think it is wise not to train your own child. I know there have been masters than have kept their children, yet I feel they don't get the full benefit of their Jedi training if they are coddled by their parents."
"Yes, I guess I can understand your feelings. Should we go back into with Obi-Wan? I have his things ready to go to his new room attached to yours."
"Yes well I think we should get this day started."
Master Tyrell smiled. He did like Master Jinn. In fact he thought highly of him and he was determined to do his best to train the son of the great Master Jinn.
In his own twisted way of teaching the Jedi Master Tyrell thought Master Jinn would appreciate his strictness and sternness. Jinn himself was noted to be a hard master . However Master Jinn had never been known as an abusive and exceedingly cruel master.
Master Tyrell on the other hand had been counseled for his excessive use of the force by putting almost impossible challenges before his apprentices. Challenges made by a master yet unable to be completed by an apprentice, to a Jedi was as abusive as physical punishment. They were given tasks that they couldn't complete and it lower their self-esteem because of their inability to complete them..
Jinn fumbled with his hands as if he were the child and Tyrell was the only adult in the room. Qui-Gon walked to the window and looked out. He felt in a way he had betrayed his little son.
"Master Jinn?"
Tyrell was upset that the master had just turned his back on him and had sunken himself in deep thoughts of his own. Tyrell got the impression that Master Jinn barely heard his last words. Nevertheless the words that would come next needed to be said.
"Master Jinn?"
There, he had gotten Jinn's attention again. Qui-Gon whirled around to face the aging master.
"I must request that you shield from your son. I am aware that you have a bond with him. Now, I don't expect to be able to form a bond with the child immediately, yet I feel his mind needs clear of any interference."
//What does he mean interference? We are father and son. I would never interfere. I don't know for how long this will work. He seems to want me to have nothing whatsoever to do with my own son. //
"You don't think that it would leave the child confused to find his mind suddenly empty and alone. I mean the bond formed its self since we have been together. I am sure it brings him solace."
If the truth be known, it was Qui-Gon worried about having an empty mind; void of his vibrant and lively "Obi-Wan" in it. He had grown to receive comfort from the little one being nestled in his sub-conscious.
There was a touch of annoyance in Tyrell's voice but no real anger.
"Master Jinn the boy does not need solace. He needs to know that it is a rough road to becoming a Jedi and if he wants to become my apprentice or an apprentice to anyone, he has to learn to walk that road alone, not with his father lifting him up every time he falters." I have to insist on this."
"Very well. I think you will find Obi-Wan will do as you say."
"I am sure I will and if I don't, a month with me and the child will be a perfect example of complete, unconditional obedience. You should have no worry of that."
Jinn shot a quick glare at the man before him. He was not sure whether to take that as a threat or not. He personally had nothing against this master other than he knew he was very intense with the training of padawans.
Qui-Gon first thought Obi-Wan would benefit from this master's intensity and rigidity, but now he questioned his own judgment.
"May I have a moment with him?"
"I think it might be best if I just go to your main office and take him away. No goodbyes, things like that. Don't want to deal with a crying child. I have never taught one so young; eight you said, however he surely looks at least two years younger. I hope his mind is ahead of his body. I will tell him your farewells for you. I mean he will still be under the same roof just not under your care or guidance."
With that, the overly large and silver-headed master walked in Jinn's office to retrieve his new ward, Obi-Wan Kenobi………………….
Bruck and Damien had become almost inseparable since Damien's arrival. Bruck was in a study cycle at the temple so that meant aside from his studies and saber practice, he had free time in the evenings. That free time was spent with Damien.
Bruck could tell that Master Jinn was impressed with him. He almost wished he had been the apprentice to the great Qui-Gon Jinn. Of course that couldn't be. He had a master and what he understood, Jinn would not take a padawan. There was still uncertainty about whether he would train his own son later on, if Master Tyrell did not keep him.
The day started out as many. They all assembled in the large dining hall for break-fast at the same time. The masters talked over their plans for the day with Qui-Gon. Afterwards padawans along with Obi-Wan went to their respective classes to begin their day of studying followed by saber classes..
It was not like Obi-Wan did not get to see his father. He saw him every time they ate. This temple was not large enough for the masters to have their own little kitchen that the large temple on Coruscant had.
Qui-Gon had yet to utter a word to his son, Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon could tell at break-fast that day Obi-Wan seemed to have lost that zest and zeal he had slowly gotten at the farm when just he and Obi-Wan were together.. Even when Myra was hard on him it took something really bad like the day he was left in the blizzard to bring him down.
//The last four days I have sat and watched the boy going steadily down hill, barely being able to eat more than a few bites of food during each meal. I wonder what has been going on those four days between he and Tyrell? //
Just a day earlier, Jinn attempted to approach his son in a private setting among the only very small garden they had, but was immediately rebuked and turned away by Master Tyrell. He felt that Jinn should still not have any communication with his son.
//It was almost creepy. It was like Master Tyrell sat in wait like an animal for prey. He had to be watching Obi-Wan that day to know I was there. He was on us before I could get two words out. //
Master Tyrell had informed Qui-Gon he was having a more difficult time that he first expected with Obi-Wan and that it would be best not to speak with his son.
Jinn thought better of pressuring the maser for more information but now at the table after break-fast, the master decided he would do a little "private" investigating on his own if the situation with Obi-Wan didn't turn around soon.
Qui-Gon doubts about Master Tyrell's patience when it came to tutoring Obi-Wan increased with the days Obi stayed with him. Concern for his son mounted.. He could see unhappiness etched deeply in the boy's face. While the other young ones happily went about consuming their break-fast, Master Jinn couldn't help but notice his child tended to eat very little, much like he did when he first came to the Jinn farm.
Qui-Gon might have stayed ignorant to the fact Obi was not eating well except he could not stay oblivious because of Master Tyrell's curt barking of a reprimands to Obi-Wan.
"Kenobi" the master said in a low baritone voice. That voice with one word carried with it a promise of severe repercussions if Kenobi did not do immediately what his master wanted of him.
Without another word the master pointed his fork to Obi and motioned to the boy's plate.
Obi-Wan didn't have to hear another spoken word by this man who had taken over his training. He dug into the food with a quiet self- abandonment of some one starved to death instead of the little one, who earlier was unable to raise a morsel to his lips. He seemed to almost gag on the first couple of bites. However the next few seem to go down better as he washed each bite down with water. Obi-Wan seemed almost ill at having been forced to eat.
Jinn knew that if the harshness of Tyrell could be so easily exhibited in front of the other masters, padawans, and even Obi's own father, he shuttered at the thought of the reprimands Obi-Wan might get behind closed doors. He was also alarmed by how quickly Obi-Wan did the master's bidding. Tyrell's request for the boy to eat was followed with too much haste. It was a frantic haste of one who feared repercussion of some kind if the master's commands were not immediately followed by the young one.
Jinn witnessed this frenzy to obey when young knights with their first padawans, over compensated for their own mistakes and were too critical of their padawans' errors. The quickness of obeying their new master was the result of promised discipline by master to apprentice. Qui-Gon had also been witness to and part of the official censure by the council that followed, given to the young knights for their harshness in teaching strategies.
Qui-Gon Jinn decided it was time to find out just how far in his disciplinary actions this master went with this son.
#########
The Jinns had been at the temple for three weeks. Last-meal started out very calm and enjoyable. The masters praised Jinn's mother on her leg of lamb and seasoned vegetables. Qui-Gon glanced once at Obi-Wan to see the boy pushing his food around in the plate, with no attempt to conceal his lack of appetite. He had not raised his fork to his lips since he sat down.
Tyrell looked exceedingly worn out.
Jinn smiled to himself.
//Obi-Wan could do that to a person, sap their very strength. he thought especially one of the age Master Tyrell is.//
His thoughts of mirth where it concerned Obi and Tyrell was soon replaced by a growing anger that built continually through the meal.
Master Tyrell had noticed the same thing about Obi-Wan not eating. Maybe Obi-Wan had sucked all his energies that day or either the Master had just tolerated all he could from the child, for he burst in a fit of uncontrolled rage directed at Obi-Wan..
He pulled the fork from Obi-Wan's hands.
"Evidently I did not make myself clear to you this morning or you chose not to listen. You are excused Kenobi. You may start your evening meditations early because as soon as I am finished with my meal they will increase greatly in number."
Kenobi could not look up at anyone at the table. He had become well accustomed to being corrected and belittled by this master almost daily but normally the master saved his curt and even cruel remarks for the privacy of their rooms between he and Obi-Wan. This was the second time he had been called out for his inability to eat.
Jinn was fed up with this master.
"Stay where you are Obi-Wan."
"Excuse Master Jinn, but I told you it would best if you stayed out of the boy's life for awhile. Now I would request that you not overrule my commands or discipline of the boy. That is unless you plan to take over his training entirely."
"I am not sure. I would like to find out why he is not eating. Has a healer been consulted?"
"Of course not. I can see his illness for what it is, a facade. Why can't you? He hopes to be allowed to returned to you where things are easier on him. He has cried every night I have had him. No wonder he gets sick so much.
Now Jinn was truly angered by the master's words, but his anger did not deminish his concern for Obi-Wan's continual illness. He looked at Obi-Wan to see a pink hue cover his little face from Master Tyrell's announcement to the others at the table that he considered Obi a "cry-baby".
"You mean the child has been physically ill and you have not sought medical attention for him yet?"
" Like I have already told you, I saw it for what it was, a cry to be allowed to return to the safety of his daddy's arms. He just needs to be toughened up. I assure you, he will be alright."
"If my horse Raven does not eat, I see to it an animal healer visits her, yet you could not send for Master healer to see to my son? Is not my son as important as an animal?"
"Jinn don't make so much out of this. The boy is spoiled. I can handle him. He just has to be gotten under more control."
"That will be quite alright. I think I will take over his training and care. I don't think you and he are connecting too well."
"Fine with me!! I will ask for immediate reassignment or a mission. I am quite tired of wiping snooty noses and cleaning up puke all over our shared room. He is too young to be a padawan."
Tyrell tried to remain calm but he as not all that successful. He did not like being corrected by Jinn in front of all the others.
"And I told you he was not as of yet an apprentice and shouldn't be treated as one. He is but a child and I thought he would be treated as one. Now I don't wish to argue further. I will take Obi-Wan to my room and send for his things tomorrow."
Jinn went over to the chair where his little one sat; ashen in color and worried that he was responsible for the outburst between Master Tyrell and his father. He really did want to do what his father had wanted of him.
Jinn picked the small little boy up and carried him up stairs. Obi-Wan tear streaked face pressed tightly in his dad's tunic from embarrassment, but he did not refuse the "lift" he got from Qui-Gon. Right now he needed the closeness of his father. He wasn't sure he would even let go of Qui-Gon once safely in his father's room.
It seemed Obi-Wan tried to bury himself deeper and deeper against his father's chest; his little fists grabbed and clung to Qui-Gon's robe. His knuckles turned white from lack of blood and still the child was unwilling to release any tension from his hold on this man he had grown to not only respect but to love; love equal to what he felt for his mother.
Just as Jinn started to walk upstairs with his son, he instructed Master Morgan, the healer for the temple, that if it was not too much trouble he could come to Jinn's suite of rooms and check on Obi-Wan once he had finished his last-meal.
##########
Bruck watched the entire confrontation between the two masters with immense personal interest. He was well aware of Damien's resentment of the boy. Damien had voiced his hope that Obi-Wan would never be back in their lives to the degree he was when they left the farm.
Bruck realized Obi-Wan would once again take over his friend's place with Qui-Gon. Both Damien and Bruck's deviously evil minds starting working simultaneously to find a way to rid Damien of Obi-Wan Kenobi's very presence. If that couldn't be successfully accomplished, Bruck thought just maybe he could find a way to lessen Jinn's opinion of the boy…
t took no prodding from Qui-Gon to convince Obi-Wan to remove his outer tunic, boots, and climb into the big bed of his father's.
Obi-Wan wasn't sure what he would have to call his father now. He didn't care. All he knew or thought he knew was that things would be back to normal, more of the way they were until he was handed to Master Tyrell for Jedi instructions.
Jinn's little one had grown more leery of the Jedi. He knew he promised his dad he would keep an open mind about them, since his mother had pumped such heinous thoughts into Obi-Wan's mind while he was still very young; Misrepresentations of the Jedi, his father said were not true. However Obi-Wan questioned that. Master Tyrell was cruel, not in the way his grandmother was, but in his own way his Jedi way, every it as cruel or more so than his Grandmother had been to him.
The child as he rested against the big fluffy pillows of Qui-Gon's bed as he tried to release all his bad thoughts into the force as Master Tyrell said. The only problem with that was Obi-Wan wasn't sure what this force was or where the ever elusive force hid. He had never seen what the Jedi always referred too. He knew he had special powers but it had nothing to do with this guiding unseen force of the Jedi, Obi reasoned to himself.. He was just born with it.
"When was the last time you ate an entire meal Obi-Wan, or have you?"
"I am not sure Master, but I'm not very hungry."
Just for caution's sake Obi, trying to be ever obedient, referred to his dad as master. He wasn't going to take any chances of making his dad angry with him. Unless or until he was told otherwise his dad would remain Master when spoken too by Kenobi. These Jedi were perplexing people for a little boy of eight who a never been raised around them.
Qui sat down on the edge of the boy and visually went over every inch of Obi-Wan as he searched for something, yet he wasn't. He couldn't get enough of seeing the child.
Yes, he had eaten with him sometimes as much as three times of day until business for the Jedi prevented him from doing so. Nevertheless he wanted to drink the view in front of him of his helpless little son who had battled first with hid Jinn's own mother and now Master Tyrell.
//Some father I have turned out to be. I can't make a decision that hasn't put the child in some harms way yet. Maybe I will learn over time how this dad thing works.//
Obi-Wan crossed his arms and put them under his head as he crossed his legs in a comfortable position on his dad's bed. He hoped he fell asleep there and wouldn't have to sleep somewhere else. Now that he wouldn't be coupled with Master Tyrell he wasn't sure where his bedroom was. He had a devious little plan of his own to remain right where he was tonight. Even if it meant faking sleep to do so. He wasn't past a little trick on his old "papa" to get what he wanted tonight and he wanted nothing more than to stay as close to Qui-Gon at least for this night.
Their bond screamed connection. Qui-Gon could feel it as he opened his side of the bond back up to his son. He did it very slowly as not to shock the boy's system himself being projected back in Obi's mind. Jin could have saved his worry and concern. Obi-Wan's side of the bond was open and as Jinn opened his Obi's own mind seem to grab it and literally engulf the mental connection as if in someway it would be taken away from him.
When the child felt the bond opening, much of his physical discomfort started to ease, just disappear with each passing movement. Once the bond was totally opened and father and son where once again mentally connected all his ills seem to disappear and a sudden urge to eat anything and everything took over the child. Jinn could feel the hunger and the desire to have anything right then to eat.
Healer Morgan knocked on the master's door before he let himself in. He planned to check the child over and make sure everything was well with him. He was at the table when Master Tyrell spoke of Obi-Wan medical problem. Although knowing the history of Obi-Wan and his father he suspected the quelling of their bond had something to do with Obi's mental stress by crying all the time and his physical discomfort with his tummy
Obi-Wan sat up for the healer to examine him. After the exam was over, Obi flopped exaggeratedly back down on his dad's overstuffed pillows and rolled his eyes in sarcasm at having to be checked over by a healer.
//I feel fine now. There is nothing wrong with me that being close to my father won't help..//
After the quick exam and a proclamation of the boy's health being all in all good, Master Morgan told Jinn what he thought.
"I think you gave him the medicine I would have suggested before I could even get up here Master Jinn."
"What is that?"
"You opened the bond back up. I suspect this bond is more than a father and son bond. I would think with the power it has over Obi-Wan, it means it just might be a training bond trying to establish its self between the two of you
Master Morgan smiled as if the new bond thing was good notice Obi-Wan. He himself had his doubts.."
Jinn knew well of the father and son bond. He had come to enjoy that connection, but this.. this was something new. Would he be willing to form a training bond with Obi? The thought was not so disagreeable to the master, but he got distinct negative vibes from Obi-Wan, through their bond at the mention of a Jedi training bond between the two of them..
//Does he not want to become a Jedi even if I were his master? I thought if he was back with me, things would be better. Am I so wrong about my own son?//
Obi-Wan pretended he hadn't heard what the Master healer said, although he knew well his father knew differently.. He didn't want to be confronted with any major decisions tonight. He just wanted the comfort of being with his dad. He was not all that sure he wanted to be a Jedi. Would his father make him?
Obi had learned enough about Qui-Gon to know his father would not forcibly make him, but he could pile enough quilt on the boy that he wouldn't be able to out and out say no. Then again thoughts crossed the child's mind that maybe he would lose his father entirely if he said no. Qui-Gon had worried about Damien coming here to the temple to be taught since he wasn't a Jedi. What would happen to him if it refused the Jedi training offered him.
//Maybe Master Yoda or Master Mace will make me leave if I don't agree to Jedi training. Maybe I will disappoint my Dad if I say no.//
The nausea came back but not with as much power this time. Obi-wan would be put into another situation he truly didn't want to be in.
//How can I tell my Dad after he has stood up to his mother and Master Tyrell for me that I don't want to be a Jedi, let alone form a training bond with him. What if this new bond does something to our bond thing as father and son. Neutralize it or worse just remove it. I wouldn't like that at all. //
Obi-Wan's own thoughts swirling his mind made him realize something that he mentally suspected was very pathetic about himself. The only person who had cared anything for him was Qui-Gon.
//Can I help it if no one likes me?//
That hit a cord, some bad feeling deep down in Obi's mind. No one had really seemed to like him since he left home when his mom died. Master Mace had been nice but "stand-offish" with him, Master Yoda was confusing, no one in the Jinn home cared anything for him except his dad and Master Tyrell felt he would make a horrible Jedi. Things did seem to be stacked against him, at least in a small child's mind. He was now convinced he could not disappoint his father. He would have to at least agree to take the training the Jedi had and see where that led him. His one big fear was that he would not do well and it would alienate him and his Dad if he couldn't do what was expected of him in this Jedi program, everyone seemed to be pushing him toward.
//Maybe Dad will think I make a bad Jedi just like Master Tyrell thought. //
Oh my, that made the child worry more. I
//If I am no good at this Jedi stuff, I just might find myself shipped off somewhere away from the only person that means anything to me in my life, Dad. No, no no, I mean my Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.//
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Please forgive me for not always answering your feedback. I love reading them. Work however seems to have consumed my life for the last few days. It has taken all my free time to see you get your posts. I love writing them though. So forgive me . .I am not ignoring you guys.
PEACE ewen