Title: Paper, Rock, Scissors
Time Period: Jedi Apprentice [AU]
Characters: Jinn, Kenobi, Xanatos, Anakin Skywalker. AND QUINLAN JOS,[later]
Synopsis: Master Jinn finds the 'Chosen One'. He convinces the council to allow his former apprentice, Knight Crion to train him. The training is to be under his watchful eye but is against Obi-Wan's desire for him to do so. (In my story Ani is fourteen and Obi is thirteen}
As always, [italics denotes thoughts or mind speech]
"Mr. Qui-Gon sir, can I go up to the pilot and see how this little baby operates? I have an infinite desire to conquer being able to pilot every ship in the galaxy."
Jinn's pearly white teeth, everyone of them showed in the smile he flashed his new found force sensitive. He had taken the liberty of checking Anakin Skywalker's midichlorians and was astounded at what he found. Never mind that the council would raise a fit over someone out in the field checking a midichlorian count. Initiates were not to have their count made public record until after or if they became knights. Master Jinn didn't even know what Obi-Wan's was.
This boy, Anakin Skywalker was special. Jinn felt it when they first met and watched in awe at the capabilities in the force from this untrained one that would surpass his own apprentices', who had lived at the temple all of his life, minus one year as an infant.
"Yes Ani, you may go up front but please do not interrupt the pilot. If he allows you to inspect the ship, then please my all means do it."
Obi-Wan sat somber and dejected in the corner. He knew his master hadn't tried to ignore him. He wasn't sure why Qui-Gon made such a *too do* about this one, but even he felt something special about him and he was only a padawan.
//No telling what the council will feel through the force about *Ani*. And I suspect my master know even more about the boy.//
Obi-Wan had eavesdropped enough to know that Master Jinn, his master, told his grand master, Yoda the boy had a midichlorian count almost equal to Master Yoda's and unlike some force sensitives, it was still increasing.
Obi felt less than adequate as a padawan now as he thought his midichlorians must be at the lowest level of acceptance as a Jedi for he had had so much trouble with his last kata. So much so, his master had insisted he stop and go back to the easier one.
"Padawan, Attend me, NOW!!!!"
The words spoken to him by his master did not hold the endearing tone to them that his words to Ani did and they weren't accompanied with the pearly-toothed smile.
Jinn's command to Obi-Wan was with a furrowed brow and a look of displeasure for his apprentice. Obi knew it was because of something he had done.. In fact he was sure it was because he had been a little "cold shoulder" to the other boy. Yes, they were close in age and actually Ani was a year older, but his master reminded Obi, 'Ani' only seemed younger because he had had no Jedi training. He also explained to Obi-Wan that his master expected him to be the diplomat of the two. Show him around Qui-Gon said, make him comfortable on the ship, and when they returned to the temple.
//Yeah right, like that is going to happen. I want to stay as far way from this one. His personality is that of Bruck's Chun's and Master should realize how well we *don't* get along. Master's little pathetic life forms he brings home always end up being cared for by me. I don't need an initiate, no matter if he is a chosen one following me around when I have my own friends to be with.//
At that time Obi-Wan never dreamed his master would push for and succeed in having Anakin Skywalker made an apprentice immediately upon arrival to the Jedi temple.
"Yes Master, Did you want me?"
"Not particularly, except to say I detest your attitude and I also resent the treatment you have seen fit to bestow on *Ani*. He will be fearful of the entire Jedi temple after having spent the last two weeks on this ship with you. Punishment my boy will be in my utmost thought when I get Ani settled at the temple. For now I want you meditate on your actions. Meditate through the evening until I have given you leave to get up off your knees."
His tone was curt and it cut Obi-Wan to his soul. It was not so often his master could have so much displeasure with the boy when Obi really hadn't' done anything or so he thought.
The door to their shared cabin created a breeze that left goose bumps on the padawan's skin. He supposed it was the draft of the door that caused the sudden chill but he knew deep down differently. The chill that crept over him as his master left was from the treatment of him by his master. Until now, things between them had… well… had been tolerable. Something about this new force sensitive put fear in Obi, heart and soul.
//Master seems quite taken with this boy. I shouldn't worry though. He can't train two and he wouldn't just break our bond to take another student in my place.//
The *chicken skin* was definitely caused by his master's action for him because with those thoughts, Obi shivered again with a cold chill.
#####On Coruscant, at the temple####
Obi walked a good ten steps back and away from his master. He caught his breath a moment and held it when he saw Xanatos Crion already standing before the council.
He and Xani hadn't really become like siblings as some padawans and knights do when they share a master. There was a noticeable distant between Obi and Xani.. Obi wasn't sure if it was because of him being jealous of Xani or vice versus. Both seemed possessive of their master, even to the point of being "clingy", as Master Yoda described it.
This new force sensitive, Anakin Skywalker stood proudly two steps back and to the left, a spot which should by right be Obi-Wan Kenobi's, the real apprentice to the Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
That in itself had alarmed Obi, though he knew that the conversation his master was to have with the council masters had nothing really to do with him. "I hope."
Jinn plastered an angry glare on his face. Obi-Wan could tell just by that familiar glare and the deep-seeded frown, Qui-Gon was not in the mood to listen to any objections the council masters had for him or for his new little prodigy.
"Masters, you have to see it. The boy *is* special."
"Special he may be, here to argue that point, we are not, Master Jinn. Too old to train he is. Not possible padawan mine."
Yoda had never stopped calling Qui-Gon Jinn his apprentice. He had been twenty five years before and he was Yoda's last apprentice. Wore him out, Yoda always affectionately claimed.
"Look Master, I have spoken with Knight Crion. He is willing to help me train both of them. He can form a training bond with Ani and I will be there to help as he will be there to assist me with Obi-Wan's training."
"When stated that way, sounds effectual it does. Willing you are, Knight Crion to train the boy, become his master?"
Before Xani could step up and reply Yoda turned to Jinn again and started in with him.
"You, Master Jinn, if remember correctly have a few queries as to Knight Crion's abilities since his knighthood."
Though he didn't blush, Jinn felt a certain heat rise from around the collar of his Jedi tunic. He didn't like being reminded that he himself doubted Xani's ability at being a knight. He fought non-stop to see his apprentice, Xanatos Crion become a knight before he became one because the council themselves had questions about him and his intentions. However, after Jinn won Xani the right to be knighted, he began to see what the council thought they saw.
//They must be thinking of that, as I am. I will be there every step of the way to see the boy is trained and does not stray to the dark side. I know the force itself tells me to be wary of him, but if I see personally that he is trained the way he should be??????……//
"What say you Master Jinn, willing you are to allow the one to train Anakin Skywalker that you yourself question his own ability as a Jedi?"
Jinn was stumped. Yes, he questioned Xani's ability and though it stung to have it brought out in the open, it was especially difficult with the his former apprentice, Knight Crion just to his right listening to every word.
"I never said I didn't' trust Xani and you know it. Had I not trusted him, he wouldn't be a knight."
//I hope what I am saying to the council is the truth. It is what I force myself to believe though my crafty former master is able to see right through me and know the truth whether I speak it or not.//
Jinn waited, waited for a word from Yoda that would announce that he'd just said were untruths. He himself didn't know the entire truth where Xanatos was concerned and maybe neither did Yoda. The thing with Yoda was, what he thought was the truth would be pronounced so.
The other council masters had sat silently and watched Jinn and Yoda parley their arguments back and forth. All knew if Yoda wanted it, it would be.
Jinn would train Anakin in a round about way. However if Master Yoda was against it, Jinn was fighting a lost battle. The council masters knew it. Both the present and past padawans to Jinn knew it, but the stubbornness in the overly large Jedi master would not allow Yoda to have the last word.
Yoda knew his former and most precious padawan wanted to win this argument, though something through the force told Master Yoda it might not be the wisest to train this boy. In fact had Yoda spoken the truth in his mind he would have had to say that the force told the Jedi, all of them to get away from this one as soon as possible and as far. However even he thought because the boy was young, yet too old to train there might be worth in him.
//Feel it I do, strong in the force this Skywalker is. Feel I also do that problem he could be. Close eye on him we should keep. If one there is one among us incapable of turning to the dark side, my apprentice Jinn it is. Better to have him oversee the child in a round-about- way.//
"Very well, hear my thoughts on this all of you will. Agree I do, strong in the force this one is."
All the masters including the leery Mace Windu, shook their heads in agreement.
"Agree with you I also do watch the boy we should. Dark side he should not suffer temptation from. Learn to control raw energy the force has bestowed upon him. Possible this can be. Xanatos Crion here before us now agrees to it as well?"
Xanatos bowed to the council masters, with his eyes steadfastly fixed on Master Yoda presence, with nothing but utmost respect. He waited a monet with at touich of hesitancy. He wondered if Master Yoda was finally going to let him speak or interrupt him again. Finally he realized Yoda expected an answer this time.
"Yes Master, I accept Master Jinn's offer. If the boy is agreeable, I will become his master."
Xani couldn't be happier. To have the 'Chosen One' fall right in his lap was certainly a stroke of luck. To have the council and his master behind him in his training was even more than sheer luck. To have a boy that hardly needed to be trained because of his immense power through the force was indeed a gift Xani wouldn't turn down.
//Makes being a master so much easier when they aren't as incapable of things as Obi-Wan Kenobi is.//
No one noticed the slight smirk of a smile on Xani's face as they left the council chambers.
##################
For the fourth time that day Obi-Wan had failed miserably a the fifth kata but watched as Anakin Skywalker, a padawan for only two weeks best him step for step in the kata. It was the same kata Obi had trouble with before they found Ani and he still hadn't found a way to master it yet.
Yes, the new padawan learned his lessons well, whether in the class with his books under the watchful eyes of young knight instructors, ready to pounce if he made a mistake, or in saber training under the watchful prideful eyes of their shared masters Crion and Jinn.
He was not a likeable boy at the temple and Obi-Wan understood why. He believed this new padawan knew more than the teacher instructing him. The really bad thing about it Anakin Skywalker believed he was more intelligent than any one around him. What made the entire situation almost insufferable was Obi-Wan's master and his surrogate one, Xanatos Crion was under the same belief as their new little super pad wan; he knew all could do all, and was the pride of both masters.
################
Knight Crion was advising his apprentice Anakin Skywalker and Jinn's padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi in the art of saber handling and katas in their saber usage.
Master Jinn was always there normally to see that the training went equally well for both apprentices and for that Obi-Wan was thankful. His master was far more fair in his training of the two than Knight Crion was.
However, Master Jinn had been pulled away from the training over the last few days because of a pending mission that the four might have to go on. He had held council with two masters who considered which missions were for which masters, a representative from the Coruscant defense ministry, and the primary senator of Alderran, Balastar Organa.
Concerns over frequent attacks on the people of Alderran by the Hutts had been the topic of their conversation. It was suspected the attacks were being fueled directly by the dark side; the reason as of yet unknown. That would be Jinn's job, if they were dispatched to the planet, to find out why such an assault had been mounted against the peace-loving people of Alderran.
"Let's give up on the katas for awhile, shall we? It would be quite difficult to teach you a more difficult kata while Padawan Kenobi has to be trained on an easier one."
Crion enjoyed demoralizing Jinn's apprentice. He enjoyed it so much he didn't even notice that Master Jinn had entered the practice arena and chose a place high in the bleachers to watch the training. He still had several data pads with the information from Senator Organa about his home world, in his hands. He intended to continue studying them while he watched the end of the practice session. He would find later he would have no time for reading or anything else.
Qui-Gon intentionally wanted to go unnoticed. He wanted to see how his own apprentice was doing, how Crion taught the two, and how well Ani was progressing. He had to keep from busting with pride over the fact that the boy had bested his apprentice in the katas. Jinn attributed his enthusiasm for Ani to do well because he personally discovered him.
//I know how proficient Obi-Wan is when he wants to be. I will have to have him meditate tonight on staying focused. //
While Knight Crion failed to notice Jinn, neither Ani or Obi let the master's presence go unnoticed. Ani was in a hurry to show Master Qui-Gon, the one who found him, how well he could do.
//What better way to do it than to out do his own apprentice in everything we both attempt together. I bet Qui-Gon sir hates it when I show him how powerful I really am and he is stuck with little Kenobi. //
*Little Kenobi* had quickly become the nickname Ani gave to Obi, because he was a good six inches shorter than the taller Anakin Skywalker. No he didn't use it in front of Master Jinn, but Obi and his master, Master Crion had heard him call Obi that.
Obi-Wan hadn't said anything for fear his master would say he was being petty toward the other apprentice. As for Xani, he was amused by it.
Ani had to admit it felt more comfortable with Master Xani as his mentor. He was allowed to be more himself, be more of his vicious, know-it-all self. Master Crion encouraged the heated rivalry between the boys, with the hope always that his padawan would come out on top. It put a gleam in the young master's eyes when his padawan showed up Obi-Wan and he liked nothing better than to have an audience of other padawans, knights, and masters in the training arena when it happened.
Anakin and his master, Crion had become like brothers in a way and their bond just kept getting stronger and stronger.
Master Jinn was a little surprised that the two boys were to engage in a mock duel with their sabers. He had very clearly instructed Crion to work on the fifth Kata with the two of them.
//Oh well, I will just speak to Xani about it later. There must have been some mix-up about what I told him to do. //
Jinn never thought that his former apprentice just rushed ahead, ignored Jinn's instructions to him, and all because he knew there was a growing audience of teetering little awe-struck padawans, around them.
//Another excellent opportunity to put Jinn's little apprentice in his place with the help of *MY* 'Chosen One'.//
Xani did what he wanted, the way he wanted it done.
In the beginning Jinn felt sorry for Padawan Skywalker. The other padawans clearly cheered on their friend and more likeable apprentice, Obi-Wan.
The cheers that rang through Ani's ears for Obi-Wan Kenobi only increased his desire to beat him in the mock duel which at the moment seemed more intense than a mock duel.
Master Jinn felt the force's power swirl around the arena. Everyone grew quiet as the battle became more intense than the usual mock duel between two trained apprentices. This was more like a battle between good and evil and the only thing the Jedi audience had to do was to figure out which was good and which came from evil itself.
Someone on the training floor, in the battle, was using the force in a ruthless reckless way to beat his opponent. That was not acceptable by any apprentice to let his anger get way from him and harbor a desire to actually harm his opponent but any master who watched knew one fought out of anger and not in defense in a battle as a properly trained Jedi should.
Obi-Wan had landed a couple of good blows to Ani's arms that singed his tunic sleeves, but no really good convincing hit had been made by either boy. That is until A fiery-eyed Anakin Skywalker lunged at Obi-Wan right after being stung by his saber.
It was not from a natural lunge. Grasps escaped the lips of several older masters, Jinn included, as they watched. A lunge of that distance and with that power could only have been done with a very deliberate and massive use of the force to power it.
Obi-Wan sidestepped Anakin Skywalker's lunge and the saber in front of him. When Anakin fell to the floor with a very loud hard thud, the boy became even more angry at Obi-Wan than he was before.
Xani felt his anger through their bond, but chose to ignore it and to ignore the fact that Ani was pulling power from the force feverishly. He was too into the fight to even care how his apprentice won, just as long as he won.
Jinn felt the anger build from the floor and suspected it was from Anakin and not his apprentice, Obi-Wan. He sat there a moment and waited for Xanatos to intercede, break up the fight, which he assumed Xani would.
Master Jinn thought it would look bad if he stepped into what was Xani's instructions of the two apprentices. The knights and masters would think Jinn had no confidence in his former apprentice if he broke up the fight. .
Anakin lay on the floor and allowed his powers be fed by his anger freely and intentionally. Obi-Wan whipped around quickly to offer his opponent assistance up off the floor.
He actually had his hand extended to offer assistance when all of the sudden Ani's saber flew out in front of him. Obi jumped to avoid being struck in the shins with it, but when he did, he realized to his horror that the his jump was being powered by the other boy's own connection to the force. Ani used his power to accelerate and accent Obi's jump.
Obi-Wan jetted a good thirty feet in the air and was tossed to the other side of the arena against the wall. He landed on the hard pine-wood finished floor in a crumpled heap of broken bones, oozing blood, and unbearable pain.
Pain combined with embarrassment flushed the apprentice's face a bright pink. He held in, quite admirably, the moan that wanted to come from his mouth because of the growing pain.
Suddenly knelt down before him, at first thought, like a guardian angel, was Qui-Gon Jinn, his dutiful master. However, with another glance through his blurred vision, Obi-Wan saw a *different* look on his master's face, even though his master had very gently slid his large arm under his neck to help eliminate the pressure the hard wood floor created on his already throbbing head. Through the blinding pain which caused him not to think clearly, Obi-Wan recognized that *look*.
His master didn't really have that angelic-like appearance. He resembled more a man directed by anger and dismay all in one. Propelled by the emotions of fire and ice.
The ice was the cooling touch of his master's hands that touched the already fevered skin around the broken bones. The fire was not from Obi's fever, but from his master's eyes. It was overwhelmingly evident along their bond and those fiery lit blue eyes of Qui-Gon Jinn's that he was disappointed and embarrassed that Anakin Skywalker, two weeks into his Jedi apprenticeship training had managed to not only best his apprentice but do him bodily harm.
Whether his thoughts were true or not it was enough to make Obi-Wan in more pain, just with the thought that he had disappointed his master.
It felt good, less stressing to allow unconsciousness to claim what little bit of coherency he had left. Obi-Wan's eyes closed with his master's confused gaze still directed on him, yet not a word had been spoken between the two.
################
Master Jinn waited outside the examining room. Healer Belk thought that odd for the master who usually was so adamant about staying with his apprentices when injured. What the healer found even more odd was the pain Obi-Wan suffered hadn't abated since being brought to the healer's ward.
"Master Jinn, I am sorry to bother you, but would you mind stepping in here a moment?"
Jinn raised his head from the data pad he had been hard at work on. With one eyebrow raised in query as to why the healer was out out with him and not in tending to Obi-Wan, he spoke.
"Yes, of course."
Master Jinn laid his work down in the chair and followed the Master Healer into Obi-Wan's room. As soon as the healer closed the door, he started to explain the confusion he had over Obi-Wan's injury and the inability to control the pain.
"I would like to set the bones broken Master Jinn, but as of yet your apprentice had not been able to gain control of his pain."
"Ah, so that is what is taking so long. Maybe my apprentice is not as adept in the ways of self-healing as I thought he was. Nevertheless, I can assure you he has been trained up to the level he should be. I can also assure you he did an excellent job of grasping that training. Maybe the shock of the injury is keeping him from inducing a self healing trance."
"I don't question his training. I am sure he is doing all he can to hold his pain at bay. I wondered though, have *YOU* enacted an additional connection with him, a healing one to reinforce his own healing with a wave of your own healing force?"
Jinn remained silent. He would not direct his gaze to the healer and certainly not on his little padawan who lay on the gurney and still battled immense pain.
"Let me assure you yet again, if there is anything wrong with my apprentice it is only because of the shock of his injury."
"Please Master Jinn, you jump to conclusions too quickly and in quit a hysterical state. What is the saying, you protest *TOO* much."
The healer gave Master Jinn time to regain control of his rapid breathing and to stop darting his eyes suspiciously back and forth.
"I am not questioning the ability of your apprentice, I question whether you extended to Padawan Kenobi, courteously and dutifully your healing aid from the force?"
Now Master Jinn seemed to become even more disoriented and agitated by the healer's words to him. His temper bordered anger, but for who and over what?
"Oh Healer Belk, I know very well what is said behind my back; that I ignore my apprentice for the 'Chosen One'. It isn't true and you of all people should know that. You know me and you have for years."
Belk nodded his head meekly in agreement. However, that wasn't exactly how he felt about the situation at hand. It was the complete opposite. He had followed the gossip and to him Jinn showed signs of severely ignoring his apprentice's needs, even medical ones.
"Besides I don't have to justify myself to anyone, unless it is to the council masters or the force. Neither have called me up for being derelict in my duty as a master to Obi-Wan so far. Now if you would continue to heal my apprentice, I would appreciate it. You have my permission to use a synthetic means to calm him and keep his pain under control."
Even as Master Jinn denied to the healer that he had not ignored his apprentice, he wondered if he had.
//Impossible, I have never intentionally withheld any training or anything connected to our bond..//
Nevertheless, the Jedi master couldn't ignore what he felt at the moment. There was *something* akin to a haze between them and their bond that he hadn't noticed until in the healer's ward. He wasn't sure if it was there before but to his chagrin, *IT* was very much there now. *IT* acted as a buffer between he and his padawan and *IT* altered in someway their bond. Master Jinn was perplexed as how *IT* happened or from where *IT* came. He convinced himself nothing hadn't come from his side of the bond that would created such a hazy *smoke screen* directly through their bond..
What truly was incredulous to Qui-Gon was that Healer Belk stood before him and actually accused him of withholding healing help from his apprentice. Did the healer think Jinn capable of such a monstrous act as to impede Obi's healing process? It became very clear he did think that of Qui-Gon with his next statement to the most respected Jedi warrior within the Jedi order.
"Let me see if I understand you right, Master Jinn. I have your permission to sedate Padawan Kenobi because you yourself don't want to be *bothered* with the child at the moment. What is more pressing than *YOUR* apprentice's recovery? May I at least know that?"
"Master, you are hovering. I told you I was fine and I am."
"Yes, well I know, but the healer did say to watch for signs of concussion, vomiting headache blurred vision. Don't suppose you have any of those symptoms?"
Jinn's face had a look of anticipation and concern until Obi reassured him yet again he was not mortally injured.
"No I am fine. I just don't' feel like eating right now."
Obi spoke the truth. He was fine he thought. With so many places hurting at one time, it was hard to find any interest in moving around or sitting up to feed himself.
"Well, I will leave you alone. Master Yoda and Mace said they would be by later to check on you."
The door closed to Obi-Wan's room, with a sigh of relief from Obi as it did.
Not that he didn't appreciate his master's concern. It was just that it had gone a little too far. Further in fact than ever before and Obi thought it had something to do with his master's guilty conscience.
//Master Qui-Gon must have a guilty conscience. He is the one that brought the 'Chosen One' and insisted he supervise Crion's training of him. I suppose he also would feel guilty about not correcting 'Padawan Precious'* for what was clearly improper etiquette between two sparring apprentices. Etiquette heck, he bordered trying to kill me. "Master" Xani thought it amusing. I saw the stern look my master cast him but nothing for the little 'Chosen One', not a word of condemnation. Had it been me, Master Jinn would have already had me skinned and hung up by my thumbs for an undetermined amount of time. //
Obi knew he was exaggerating what his master would have done but in a sense he knew Ani was getting preferential treatment from his master.
###later that evening#####
Jinn began preparation for last meal without his usual zest to do so. He had invited Xanatos and Ani over for last meal two days prior. Oh Xani had offered to not come but in front of Jinn he told Ani they would have to pick up a pizza or burgers somewhere.
//I certainly don't want to be the reason the newly named apprentice suffers malnutrition. I have to believe 'Master' Xani quite often picks up fast food to supplement their last meal. Unlike Obi-Wan, Xani never cared for cooking. He did not like to learn how to cook. He only indulged in the culinary delights of someone else's sweat and toll preparing the food, usually me. //
He knew Ani wouldn't suffer much from the fast food for last meal and that he probably preferred it to the more nutritional meals the Jedi served. The truth of it was Jinn really did like spending time with the boy just too occasionally test his abilities.
He'd noticed Xani wasn't as concerned for honing Ani's Jedi talents as much as he hoped he'd be. Xani insisted everything would fall into place because the boy was so very powerful in the force; things just came natural for him. Jinn had to agree in part. Still Anakin needs to be taught the right and wrong of the Jedi. If only I could convince my former bull-headed apprentice that.
Until today, during the mock duel, Jinn had begun to feel more comfortable with the fact he had given Xanatos Crion the 'Chosen One' to train.
He told himself he certainly wouldn't have traded his Obi for Ani had he been given the choice to do so. That did not keep the nagging thought from the Jedi's master's mind that maybe... just maybe had the council agreed; he might have given Obi to another master, with the chance to train the 'Chosen One'.
//Not because I think Obi is less than worthy to be a Jedi but because I know Ani needs to be trained.//
The big Jedi shuttered with the thought and shook it off as quickly as he thought it.
However, with the mess-up Xani allowed today Jinn was put on edge again. He was glad that Xani and Anakin still had to come for last meal. He hoped to discuss some matters with Xanatos about his lackadaisical way of training not only Ani but Obi-Wan while he himself had been called away for meetings with the council.
######################
A strained and quiet last meal was over. Xanatos sensed Jinn's displeasure over what happened in the training room and to the older Jedi master's surprise, Xani hadn't bother to shield his knowledge of Jinn's displeasure from his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. Jinn's concern over today's events sternly but slowly flowed through the nearly gone training bond between Xani and Jinn, it flew across the newly formed and very strong training bond between Xanatos and Anakin.
Skywalker, innocently or not so innocently piped up with a questioning from his salvation from slavery, Master Jinn.
"Master Jinn I hope you don't blame my master for what happened. Xani didn't realize I was so much more powerful than Obi-Wan. How could he? I myself didn't know it until I suppose it was too late and the result was Obi-Wan's injury. I know you have assured Master Xani said 'Little' Obi-Wan is fine and I do hope he is."
Jinn held in a touch of anger for the boy that sat at his table and swore ignorance to act done to his apprentice that Qui-Gon knew full well was intentional; was done out of anger and without forethought of how injurious it could be for his apprentice.
"Ani, I think it might be best to address your master as Master Crion or at least Master Xani. The council masters if they hear you use such endearing name for your mentor might find complaints in it."
//Good Jinn, right to the point. Make a lame attempt to correct what he calls his master instead of the tackling the fact that he attacked your apprentice with such furor it is a wonder Obi-Wan wasn't more seriously injured.
Jinn wasn't one to talk things over with himself in his mind, but with the overseeing of Xanatos training the 'Chosen One' Qui-Gon found himself doing it more and more. The Jedi master tried it again. He would state out loud to Xani and Anakin what his concerns were about today during the mock duel. He would point out what he thought was missing in the duel.
"Maybe your master hasn't taught you one of the main rules while in a mock duel. One Jedi apprentice does not intentionally try to injure another. You should fight with a defensive pose not one that makes it seem you are trying to actually murder your opponent.
"Oh Master I had no ill will when I battled Obi."
Jinn threw his hand up to stop the boy and cast Xani a long stern look.
"Ani please don't lie. That is another part of the Jedi Litany you need taught by your master. I know you fought out of anger. The entire auditorium watching, knew you did. I am not sure you would have had to be a force sensitive to feel it in the air. It was charged with your anger for Obi-Wan and I am not sure why?"
Anakin dropped his head right after plastering the most hurt look on his face he could muster up without laughing outright in the older master's face. He made sure he was shielded from Master Jinn quite securely. Master Xani had thought him first off how to do it and also encouraged him to shield from Qui-Gon.
He had already been instructed that Master Jinn might not like the techniques he used to teach his new little prodigy; Anakin Skywalker absolutely took pleasure in them. Xani's *way* allowed him to be as cruel to Kenobi as he wanted. And while Xani didn't know it, Ani's ill will for Obi stemmed from jealousy because Obi had Master Jinn as his master Even though Ani didn't want Jinn as his master, he didn't like Jinn's attention spit between he and Obi. He very selfishly wanted it all praise, attention, and adoration directed to him from both masters. Anakin had gull enough to think the council should have let him have any master he wanted with his extraordinary talents and resented being told *NO* by anyone for any reason.
Anakin put on a facade of nervousness as he twisted the cloth napkin in his hands.
"Master Jinn, you are right of course. I did fight with anger. I realized it only after Obi-Wan fell. Please let me assure you I don't have anger for your apprentice. No, the opposite is true. I have the utmost respect for your padawan. I just wanted to do my best. When I saw you in the crowd, I wanted to please you and to make you proud for your immense efforts to bring me here and have me trained as a Jedi."
Jinn cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders.
He was sucked into Ani's lies and began to feel sorry for the boy. He thought Ani must have felt uncomfortable at the temple because he was so special and he wrongly began to see how he might want to show off a little to prove himself in front of so many. gathered there. Jinn was actually flattered that Ani felt so concerned for what Jinn thought of him.
"Well.. Yes… I suppose I can understand how you want to fit in and want to show me your best but you must control your anger. It is that control that is the very crux of a Jedi. I am sure your master has already discussed that with you."
Xani smiled to himself. He knew Ani had been able to worm his way out of this little spot of trouble. Now it would be his turn and he knew he would be just as successful as Ani was. He always had been able to work Jinn the way he wanted too..
//I only hope I can be as convincing to my former master as my padawan was. Well after all, *I* am the one who thought him his conniving ways. I should be able to contrive just as convincing excuse as Ani did. All I have to do is wait until Jinn starts on me.//
"Well I think you should go see Obi-Wan and apologize. You don't have to go into what we have discussed, just tell him your power got away from you. "
Jinn knew that wouldn't be enough because Obi-Wan had to have felt the rage surge through Ani as they fought. However, Jinn knew Obi was wise enough that if Ani didn't bring it up, he wouldn't. Besides Jinn had noticed that Obi-Wan was a much more submissive child than Anakin.
//I suppose that comes from not being sure of his abilities where as Ani knew it is nearly impossible for him not to succeed where as Obi has to work continually to do so.//
Jinn still harbored no thoughts of Obi not being good enough. He just knew or thought he did that Ani was the more talented of the two. Where Ani could breeze through his apprenticeship, Obi would have to struggle with his, because as far as Jinn could tell Obi had always struggled with everything he did.
Ani excused himself. He hated the idea of apologizing to Obi but it was a requirement he was not going to be able to get around.
With Jinn and Xani alone, Xani knew his time was coming. His lecture began just as soon as Ani reached the door to Obi's room.
"Well what have you to say? I can't really blame a green kid in the ways of a Jedi for all his actions. You knew enough to stop the fight before it got out of hand. Surely you felt Ani's malicious feelings for Obi grow before he finally blew up and literally attack Obi-Wan."
"Oh Master, you are so dramatic about everything. I let the boys fight, period. I wanted to see and let you see how far my apprentice has come. You know yourself out on a field mission, a little anger does nothing but fuel our power, make us better fighters, better Jedi."
"Fighters maybe, but not better Jedi. And besides they were not out on a mission. The boys were in a training session. One that you would think neither would be injured more than a saber burn here and there. I thought you about the use of anger only when you became a senior padawan, a good seven years older than either of them is now."
Xanatos leaned over the kitchen table to allow his direct stare to be more direct, right up in his former master's face. Both had that look of defiance, both knew so well from the other.
"Master Jinn, Qui-Gon, you miss what I try to tell you. The boy needs to unleash his anger sometimes. All those padawans talk behind his back, make jokes that they are better than the *little slave Jinn drug in*. Now they will think twice about who they antagonize with whispers, innuendoes, and ridiculous temple gossip. ."
Qui-Gon threw his balled up napkin on the table and pushed his chair back to get up with such force he nearly knocked it over.
"You are impossible Crion. Do you know that? You can't teach the boy to get back at others, especially when the others are other Jedi, peers. Anakin is powerful in the force there is no question about it. There is no question but what some of the apprentices' are jealous of him though they know it isn't allowed exhibit an emotion like that. We or you have to be able to train him to look beyond their jealousies. Once the others get to know the boy they will like him as… well as Obi-Wan does."
Jinn knew maybe he shouldn't have said that. He wasn't really sure Obi liked Anakin, he just tolerated him.
Qui-Gon fumbled with the dirty dishes as he gathered them and placed them in the sink.
"Come on Qui-Gon you know your apprentice doesn't *like* Ani. If anything he might be the one to hold the most jealousy and envy of him. Instead of telling me what to do with my apprentices' unfettered emotions maybe you should work a little on trying to get Obi-Wan to tame his. He got just what he deserved. He hasn't offered to help my apprentice acclimate to temple life. He has nothing but tried to keep his friends from becoming Ani's friends. So don't' talk about petty jealousies until you reign your apprentice in."
Jinn couldn't or didn't' want to believe everything Xani said but it made sense. Maybe that jealous part to Obi was stored and tucked safely in his mind; a place far enough in that Master Jin couldn't feel it when he accessed Obi's mind through their bond.
"Well I hope what you said is not true but we will be able to get first hand observation at very close quarters it, if is."
Xani interest in Jinn's words increased.
"What do you mean close quarters? We are together every afternoon for training. How much closer can the four of us get?"
"Well the reason I have had you training Obi in the first place was because I had to set in on caucuses concerning a delicate matter on Alderaan. You knew that."
"Yes, but what does that have to do with our apprentices'. If the council and Organa are finished with you, you can go back to supervising Obi privately and things will work themselves out between the boys."
"Well, the council has decided they want to see how Anakin reacts on a mission. I know he hasn't trained long but…"
"But… but nothing the boy isn't ready to go on a mission."
"It isn't that dangerous and besides he has you to keep him out of trouble if you can manage to keep yourself out of it."
Flair of remembrance of what Xani was like right before he became a knight flashed through Jinn's mind. It was the reason behind the words to him that maybe shouldn't have been spoken.
"You just can't let the past go. You wanted to be connected to this boy, my padawan's training so badly, you were willing to let me, and little old incompetent me train him. Well Jinn realize this. Until the council removes me, I am his master and he will take orders from me. If I think he is doing alright, then he is. Go ahead accept that mission. I will see to it Anakin excels in anything he does during it. Quite possibly Ani will perform far more admirably than that little crumpled heap of emotions, Kenobi. He should have sent to the Argricorps and never been chosen. If it wasn't for Master Yoda asserting his opinions on you, that is exactly where he would be right now and you know it. On Bandomeer by your direct orders. You always did listen to that little green troll too much. Now you see where his wishes have gotten you; an apprentice that will more than likely never make it to knighthood. Qui-Gon, he can't even master that fifth kata and Anakin had reached the seventh one. That is why I had the boys spar today in the first place.. I couldn't train both of them on different levels at the same time."
Xani stopped right there when Jinn wheeled around from his sink of dishes to glare unbelievably at his former apprentice. Xani had let too much come out and some of what did come out were things Jinn himself thought about Obi but refused to let surface any longer. Now Jinn let his own emotions show with this shaky voice.
"Hold it right there Xanatos Crion. You do not need to worry about Obi-Wan's abilities. If there is need to be concerned for his progression, the concern is soley mine. I see no need for either of us to be worried as to how my apprentice is progressing in his training. My mistake is that I confided in you about what I once thought of Obi-Wan. *Once thought* being the key words Xani. I don't feel that way about him now." //DO I?. //
"Calm down Qui-Gon. It is good we had this chat. We both agree. You keep your less than complimentary thoughts about my apprentice to yourself and I will contain mine. I don't' suppose it would do for Kenobi to know you didn't really want him. I know he suspects it but to know would probably destroy what little bit of confidence the boy has."
####################
Anakin heard the burst of angry words but before that he felt the stronger pull and tug of anger between the two masters as it resonated along he and Xani's training bond.
//They are at it again. I don't know maybe Master Jinn does want me as his apprentice and I would have liked that, had he not been so strict, so stoic and typically boring as are all Jedi, except Master Xani.//
Ani stood with the door partially opened to Obi's room as he listened as the argument escalated. It started to get really interesting when Obi's name was brought up. Ani always felt there was something about the boy that Jinn kept hidden. Ani knew things might be said that even Obi-Wan was not aware of and this would be a perfect time to wake the other padawan up.
//More ways than one I think. First I will wake him from his slumber and then hopefully he will hear something during this little rift that will wake him up to where he really stands with his master. It is inconceivable Master Qui-Gon, could ever be satisfied with him with me here to accent how inept he really is. I'll just use a little force powered nudge…// With that, he pointed his finger and sent a sharp push to Kenobi, enough to jolt him out of his sleep.
Ani pressed his index finger to his lips as a startled Obi-Wan rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Listen…. Your master and mine are in an argument."
Ani thought that the idea that the two Jedi masters were locked in a heated argument would be enough to arouse the other padawan out of sleepiness and pique his interest as to what they argued about.
Obi-Wan was not particularly pleased to see Anakin Skywalker in his room and he was even less curious about the argument Qui-Gon and Xani were in. In fact, he thought it was about Ani's actions. Nevertheless, he aborted his intentions to roll over and go back to sleep when he heard his name mentioned from Xani's mouth in a harsh tone.
Funny how the voices carried so much stronger and louder just at that moment. Maybe it was because Obi had all his attention on the disagreement his master and Xani were locked in, or it could have been the concussion he suffered earlier in the day, whatever the reason, he failed to realize the voices became louder just at the point the topic of the argument migrated to him. Had Obi-Wan been of clear thought he might have known Anakin Skywalker used his powerful force abilities to enhance and magnify the voices so he would be able to hear more clearly the negative words about him by Xani and Jinn…
Obi-Wan heard every hurtful thing Xani and his master said about him. What made it all far worse was that Anakin Skywalker now knew the truth about how his master had questioned, in the beginning, Obi's ability to become a Jedi knight. How the great Qui-Gon Jinn… hadn't really wanted him at all…….
PEACE ewen
Time Period: Jedi Apprentice [AU]
Characters: Jinn, Kenobi, Xanatos, Anakin Skywalker. AND QUINLAN JOS,[later]
Synopsis: Master Jinn finds the 'Chosen One'. He convinces the council to allow his former apprentice, Knight Crion to train him. The training is to be under his watchful eye but is against Obi-Wan's desire for him to do so. (In my story Ani is fourteen and Obi is thirteen}
As always, [italics denotes thoughts or mind speech]
"Mr. Qui-Gon sir, can I go up to the pilot and see how this little baby operates? I have an infinite desire to conquer being able to pilot every ship in the galaxy."
Jinn's pearly white teeth, everyone of them showed in the smile he flashed his new found force sensitive. He had taken the liberty of checking Anakin Skywalker's midichlorians and was astounded at what he found. Never mind that the council would raise a fit over someone out in the field checking a midichlorian count. Initiates were not to have their count made public record until after or if they became knights. Master Jinn didn't even know what Obi-Wan's was.
This boy, Anakin Skywalker was special. Jinn felt it when they first met and watched in awe at the capabilities in the force from this untrained one that would surpass his own apprentices', who had lived at the temple all of his life, minus one year as an infant.
"Yes Ani, you may go up front but please do not interrupt the pilot. If he allows you to inspect the ship, then please my all means do it."
Obi-Wan sat somber and dejected in the corner. He knew his master hadn't tried to ignore him. He wasn't sure why Qui-Gon made such a *too do* about this one, but even he felt something special about him and he was only a padawan.
//No telling what the council will feel through the force about *Ani*. And I suspect my master know even more about the boy.//
Obi-Wan had eavesdropped enough to know that Master Jinn, his master, told his grand master, Yoda the boy had a midichlorian count almost equal to Master Yoda's and unlike some force sensitives, it was still increasing.
Obi felt less than adequate as a padawan now as he thought his midichlorians must be at the lowest level of acceptance as a Jedi for he had had so much trouble with his last kata. So much so, his master had insisted he stop and go back to the easier one.
"Padawan, Attend me, NOW!!!!"
The words spoken to him by his master did not hold the endearing tone to them that his words to Ani did and they weren't accompanied with the pearly-toothed smile.
Jinn's command to Obi-Wan was with a furrowed brow and a look of displeasure for his apprentice. Obi knew it was because of something he had done.. In fact he was sure it was because he had been a little "cold shoulder" to the other boy. Yes, they were close in age and actually Ani was a year older, but his master reminded Obi, 'Ani' only seemed younger because he had had no Jedi training. He also explained to Obi-Wan that his master expected him to be the diplomat of the two. Show him around Qui-Gon said, make him comfortable on the ship, and when they returned to the temple.
//Yeah right, like that is going to happen. I want to stay as far way from this one. His personality is that of Bruck's Chun's and Master should realize how well we *don't* get along. Master's little pathetic life forms he brings home always end up being cared for by me. I don't need an initiate, no matter if he is a chosen one following me around when I have my own friends to be with.//
At that time Obi-Wan never dreamed his master would push for and succeed in having Anakin Skywalker made an apprentice immediately upon arrival to the Jedi temple.
"Yes Master, Did you want me?"
"Not particularly, except to say I detest your attitude and I also resent the treatment you have seen fit to bestow on *Ani*. He will be fearful of the entire Jedi temple after having spent the last two weeks on this ship with you. Punishment my boy will be in my utmost thought when I get Ani settled at the temple. For now I want you meditate on your actions. Meditate through the evening until I have given you leave to get up off your knees."
His tone was curt and it cut Obi-Wan to his soul. It was not so often his master could have so much displeasure with the boy when Obi really hadn't' done anything or so he thought.
The door to their shared cabin created a breeze that left goose bumps on the padawan's skin. He supposed it was the draft of the door that caused the sudden chill but he knew deep down differently. The chill that crept over him as his master left was from the treatment of him by his master. Until now, things between them had… well… had been tolerable. Something about this new force sensitive put fear in Obi, heart and soul.
//Master seems quite taken with this boy. I shouldn't worry though. He can't train two and he wouldn't just break our bond to take another student in my place.//
The *chicken skin* was definitely caused by his master's action for him because with those thoughts, Obi shivered again with a cold chill.
#####On Coruscant, at the temple####
Obi walked a good ten steps back and away from his master. He caught his breath a moment and held it when he saw Xanatos Crion already standing before the council.
He and Xani hadn't really become like siblings as some padawans and knights do when they share a master. There was a noticeable distant between Obi and Xani.. Obi wasn't sure if it was because of him being jealous of Xani or vice versus. Both seemed possessive of their master, even to the point of being "clingy", as Master Yoda described it.
This new force sensitive, Anakin Skywalker stood proudly two steps back and to the left, a spot which should by right be Obi-Wan Kenobi's, the real apprentice to the Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
That in itself had alarmed Obi, though he knew that the conversation his master was to have with the council masters had nothing really to do with him. "I hope."
Jinn plastered an angry glare on his face. Obi-Wan could tell just by that familiar glare and the deep-seeded frown, Qui-Gon was not in the mood to listen to any objections the council masters had for him or for his new little prodigy.
"Masters, you have to see it. The boy *is* special."
"Special he may be, here to argue that point, we are not, Master Jinn. Too old to train he is. Not possible padawan mine."
Yoda had never stopped calling Qui-Gon Jinn his apprentice. He had been twenty five years before and he was Yoda's last apprentice. Wore him out, Yoda always affectionately claimed.
"Look Master, I have spoken with Knight Crion. He is willing to help me train both of them. He can form a training bond with Ani and I will be there to help as he will be there to assist me with Obi-Wan's training."
"When stated that way, sounds effectual it does. Willing you are, Knight Crion to train the boy, become his master?"
Before Xani could step up and reply Yoda turned to Jinn again and started in with him.
"You, Master Jinn, if remember correctly have a few queries as to Knight Crion's abilities since his knighthood."
Though he didn't blush, Jinn felt a certain heat rise from around the collar of his Jedi tunic. He didn't like being reminded that he himself doubted Xani's ability at being a knight. He fought non-stop to see his apprentice, Xanatos Crion become a knight before he became one because the council themselves had questions about him and his intentions. However, after Jinn won Xani the right to be knighted, he began to see what the council thought they saw.
//They must be thinking of that, as I am. I will be there every step of the way to see the boy is trained and does not stray to the dark side. I know the force itself tells me to be wary of him, but if I see personally that he is trained the way he should be??????……//
"What say you Master Jinn, willing you are to allow the one to train Anakin Skywalker that you yourself question his own ability as a Jedi?"
Jinn was stumped. Yes, he questioned Xani's ability and though it stung to have it brought out in the open, it was especially difficult with the his former apprentice, Knight Crion just to his right listening to every word.
"I never said I didn't' trust Xani and you know it. Had I not trusted him, he wouldn't be a knight."
//I hope what I am saying to the council is the truth. It is what I force myself to believe though my crafty former master is able to see right through me and know the truth whether I speak it or not.//
Jinn waited, waited for a word from Yoda that would announce that he'd just said were untruths. He himself didn't know the entire truth where Xanatos was concerned and maybe neither did Yoda. The thing with Yoda was, what he thought was the truth would be pronounced so.
The other council masters had sat silently and watched Jinn and Yoda parley their arguments back and forth. All knew if Yoda wanted it, it would be.
Jinn would train Anakin in a round about way. However if Master Yoda was against it, Jinn was fighting a lost battle. The council masters knew it. Both the present and past padawans to Jinn knew it, but the stubbornness in the overly large Jedi master would not allow Yoda to have the last word.
Yoda knew his former and most precious padawan wanted to win this argument, though something through the force told Master Yoda it might not be the wisest to train this boy. In fact had Yoda spoken the truth in his mind he would have had to say that the force told the Jedi, all of them to get away from this one as soon as possible and as far. However even he thought because the boy was young, yet too old to train there might be worth in him.
//Feel it I do, strong in the force this Skywalker is. Feel I also do that problem he could be. Close eye on him we should keep. If one there is one among us incapable of turning to the dark side, my apprentice Jinn it is. Better to have him oversee the child in a round-about- way.//
"Very well, hear my thoughts on this all of you will. Agree I do, strong in the force this one is."
All the masters including the leery Mace Windu, shook their heads in agreement.
"Agree with you I also do watch the boy we should. Dark side he should not suffer temptation from. Learn to control raw energy the force has bestowed upon him. Possible this can be. Xanatos Crion here before us now agrees to it as well?"
Xanatos bowed to the council masters, with his eyes steadfastly fixed on Master Yoda presence, with nothing but utmost respect. He waited a monet with at touich of hesitancy. He wondered if Master Yoda was finally going to let him speak or interrupt him again. Finally he realized Yoda expected an answer this time.
"Yes Master, I accept Master Jinn's offer. If the boy is agreeable, I will become his master."
Xani couldn't be happier. To have the 'Chosen One' fall right in his lap was certainly a stroke of luck. To have the council and his master behind him in his training was even more than sheer luck. To have a boy that hardly needed to be trained because of his immense power through the force was indeed a gift Xani wouldn't turn down.
//Makes being a master so much easier when they aren't as incapable of things as Obi-Wan Kenobi is.//
No one noticed the slight smirk of a smile on Xani's face as they left the council chambers.
##################
For the fourth time that day Obi-Wan had failed miserably a the fifth kata but watched as Anakin Skywalker, a padawan for only two weeks best him step for step in the kata. It was the same kata Obi had trouble with before they found Ani and he still hadn't found a way to master it yet.
Yes, the new padawan learned his lessons well, whether in the class with his books under the watchful eyes of young knight instructors, ready to pounce if he made a mistake, or in saber training under the watchful prideful eyes of their shared masters Crion and Jinn.
He was not a likeable boy at the temple and Obi-Wan understood why. He believed this new padawan knew more than the teacher instructing him. The really bad thing about it Anakin Skywalker believed he was more intelligent than any one around him. What made the entire situation almost insufferable was Obi-Wan's master and his surrogate one, Xanatos Crion was under the same belief as their new little super pad wan; he knew all could do all, and was the pride of both masters.
################
Knight Crion was advising his apprentice Anakin Skywalker and Jinn's padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi in the art of saber handling and katas in their saber usage.
Master Jinn was always there normally to see that the training went equally well for both apprentices and for that Obi-Wan was thankful. His master was far more fair in his training of the two than Knight Crion was.
However, Master Jinn had been pulled away from the training over the last few days because of a pending mission that the four might have to go on. He had held council with two masters who considered which missions were for which masters, a representative from the Coruscant defense ministry, and the primary senator of Alderran, Balastar Organa.
Concerns over frequent attacks on the people of Alderran by the Hutts had been the topic of their conversation. It was suspected the attacks were being fueled directly by the dark side; the reason as of yet unknown. That would be Jinn's job, if they were dispatched to the planet, to find out why such an assault had been mounted against the peace-loving people of Alderran.
"Let's give up on the katas for awhile, shall we? It would be quite difficult to teach you a more difficult kata while Padawan Kenobi has to be trained on an easier one."
Crion enjoyed demoralizing Jinn's apprentice. He enjoyed it so much he didn't even notice that Master Jinn had entered the practice arena and chose a place high in the bleachers to watch the training. He still had several data pads with the information from Senator Organa about his home world, in his hands. He intended to continue studying them while he watched the end of the practice session. He would find later he would have no time for reading or anything else.
Qui-Gon intentionally wanted to go unnoticed. He wanted to see how his own apprentice was doing, how Crion taught the two, and how well Ani was progressing. He had to keep from busting with pride over the fact that the boy had bested his apprentice in the katas. Jinn attributed his enthusiasm for Ani to do well because he personally discovered him.
//I know how proficient Obi-Wan is when he wants to be. I will have to have him meditate tonight on staying focused. //
While Knight Crion failed to notice Jinn, neither Ani or Obi let the master's presence go unnoticed. Ani was in a hurry to show Master Qui-Gon, the one who found him, how well he could do.
//What better way to do it than to out do his own apprentice in everything we both attempt together. I bet Qui-Gon sir hates it when I show him how powerful I really am and he is stuck with little Kenobi. //
*Little Kenobi* had quickly become the nickname Ani gave to Obi, because he was a good six inches shorter than the taller Anakin Skywalker. No he didn't use it in front of Master Jinn, but Obi and his master, Master Crion had heard him call Obi that.
Obi-Wan hadn't said anything for fear his master would say he was being petty toward the other apprentice. As for Xani, he was amused by it.
Ani had to admit it felt more comfortable with Master Xani as his mentor. He was allowed to be more himself, be more of his vicious, know-it-all self. Master Crion encouraged the heated rivalry between the boys, with the hope always that his padawan would come out on top. It put a gleam in the young master's eyes when his padawan showed up Obi-Wan and he liked nothing better than to have an audience of other padawans, knights, and masters in the training arena when it happened.
Anakin and his master, Crion had become like brothers in a way and their bond just kept getting stronger and stronger.
Master Jinn was a little surprised that the two boys were to engage in a mock duel with their sabers. He had very clearly instructed Crion to work on the fifth Kata with the two of them.
//Oh well, I will just speak to Xani about it later. There must have been some mix-up about what I told him to do. //
Jinn never thought that his former apprentice just rushed ahead, ignored Jinn's instructions to him, and all because he knew there was a growing audience of teetering little awe-struck padawans, around them.
//Another excellent opportunity to put Jinn's little apprentice in his place with the help of *MY* 'Chosen One'.//
Xani did what he wanted, the way he wanted it done.
In the beginning Jinn felt sorry for Padawan Skywalker. The other padawans clearly cheered on their friend and more likeable apprentice, Obi-Wan.
The cheers that rang through Ani's ears for Obi-Wan Kenobi only increased his desire to beat him in the mock duel which at the moment seemed more intense than a mock duel.
Master Jinn felt the force's power swirl around the arena. Everyone grew quiet as the battle became more intense than the usual mock duel between two trained apprentices. This was more like a battle between good and evil and the only thing the Jedi audience had to do was to figure out which was good and which came from evil itself.
Someone on the training floor, in the battle, was using the force in a ruthless reckless way to beat his opponent. That was not acceptable by any apprentice to let his anger get way from him and harbor a desire to actually harm his opponent but any master who watched knew one fought out of anger and not in defense in a battle as a properly trained Jedi should.
Obi-Wan had landed a couple of good blows to Ani's arms that singed his tunic sleeves, but no really good convincing hit had been made by either boy. That is until A fiery-eyed Anakin Skywalker lunged at Obi-Wan right after being stung by his saber.
It was not from a natural lunge. Grasps escaped the lips of several older masters, Jinn included, as they watched. A lunge of that distance and with that power could only have been done with a very deliberate and massive use of the force to power it.
Obi-Wan sidestepped Anakin Skywalker's lunge and the saber in front of him. When Anakin fell to the floor with a very loud hard thud, the boy became even more angry at Obi-Wan than he was before.
Xani felt his anger through their bond, but chose to ignore it and to ignore the fact that Ani was pulling power from the force feverishly. He was too into the fight to even care how his apprentice won, just as long as he won.
Jinn felt the anger build from the floor and suspected it was from Anakin and not his apprentice, Obi-Wan. He sat there a moment and waited for Xanatos to intercede, break up the fight, which he assumed Xani would.
Master Jinn thought it would look bad if he stepped into what was Xani's instructions of the two apprentices. The knights and masters would think Jinn had no confidence in his former apprentice if he broke up the fight. .
Anakin lay on the floor and allowed his powers be fed by his anger freely and intentionally. Obi-Wan whipped around quickly to offer his opponent assistance up off the floor.
He actually had his hand extended to offer assistance when all of the sudden Ani's saber flew out in front of him. Obi jumped to avoid being struck in the shins with it, but when he did, he realized to his horror that the his jump was being powered by the other boy's own connection to the force. Ani used his power to accelerate and accent Obi's jump.
Obi-Wan jetted a good thirty feet in the air and was tossed to the other side of the arena against the wall. He landed on the hard pine-wood finished floor in a crumpled heap of broken bones, oozing blood, and unbearable pain.
Pain combined with embarrassment flushed the apprentice's face a bright pink. He held in, quite admirably, the moan that wanted to come from his mouth because of the growing pain.
Suddenly knelt down before him, at first thought, like a guardian angel, was Qui-Gon Jinn, his dutiful master. However, with another glance through his blurred vision, Obi-Wan saw a *different* look on his master's face, even though his master had very gently slid his large arm under his neck to help eliminate the pressure the hard wood floor created on his already throbbing head. Through the blinding pain which caused him not to think clearly, Obi-Wan recognized that *look*.
His master didn't really have that angelic-like appearance. He resembled more a man directed by anger and dismay all in one. Propelled by the emotions of fire and ice.
The ice was the cooling touch of his master's hands that touched the already fevered skin around the broken bones. The fire was not from Obi's fever, but from his master's eyes. It was overwhelmingly evident along their bond and those fiery lit blue eyes of Qui-Gon Jinn's that he was disappointed and embarrassed that Anakin Skywalker, two weeks into his Jedi apprenticeship training had managed to not only best his apprentice but do him bodily harm.
Whether his thoughts were true or not it was enough to make Obi-Wan in more pain, just with the thought that he had disappointed his master.
It felt good, less stressing to allow unconsciousness to claim what little bit of coherency he had left. Obi-Wan's eyes closed with his master's confused gaze still directed on him, yet not a word had been spoken between the two.
################
Master Jinn waited outside the examining room. Healer Belk thought that odd for the master who usually was so adamant about staying with his apprentices when injured. What the healer found even more odd was the pain Obi-Wan suffered hadn't abated since being brought to the healer's ward.
"Master Jinn, I am sorry to bother you, but would you mind stepping in here a moment?"
Jinn raised his head from the data pad he had been hard at work on. With one eyebrow raised in query as to why the healer was out out with him and not in tending to Obi-Wan, he spoke.
"Yes, of course."
Master Jinn laid his work down in the chair and followed the Master Healer into Obi-Wan's room. As soon as the healer closed the door, he started to explain the confusion he had over Obi-Wan's injury and the inability to control the pain.
"I would like to set the bones broken Master Jinn, but as of yet your apprentice had not been able to gain control of his pain."
"Ah, so that is what is taking so long. Maybe my apprentice is not as adept in the ways of self-healing as I thought he was. Nevertheless, I can assure you he has been trained up to the level he should be. I can also assure you he did an excellent job of grasping that training. Maybe the shock of the injury is keeping him from inducing a self healing trance."
"I don't question his training. I am sure he is doing all he can to hold his pain at bay. I wondered though, have *YOU* enacted an additional connection with him, a healing one to reinforce his own healing with a wave of your own healing force?"
Jinn remained silent. He would not direct his gaze to the healer and certainly not on his little padawan who lay on the gurney and still battled immense pain.
"Let me assure you yet again, if there is anything wrong with my apprentice it is only because of the shock of his injury."
"Please Master Jinn, you jump to conclusions too quickly and in quit a hysterical state. What is the saying, you protest *TOO* much."
The healer gave Master Jinn time to regain control of his rapid breathing and to stop darting his eyes suspiciously back and forth.
"I am not questioning the ability of your apprentice, I question whether you extended to Padawan Kenobi, courteously and dutifully your healing aid from the force?"
Now Master Jinn seemed to become even more disoriented and agitated by the healer's words to him. His temper bordered anger, but for who and over what?
"Oh Healer Belk, I know very well what is said behind my back; that I ignore my apprentice for the 'Chosen One'. It isn't true and you of all people should know that. You know me and you have for years."
Belk nodded his head meekly in agreement. However, that wasn't exactly how he felt about the situation at hand. It was the complete opposite. He had followed the gossip and to him Jinn showed signs of severely ignoring his apprentice's needs, even medical ones.
"Besides I don't have to justify myself to anyone, unless it is to the council masters or the force. Neither have called me up for being derelict in my duty as a master to Obi-Wan so far. Now if you would continue to heal my apprentice, I would appreciate it. You have my permission to use a synthetic means to calm him and keep his pain under control."
Even as Master Jinn denied to the healer that he had not ignored his apprentice, he wondered if he had.
//Impossible, I have never intentionally withheld any training or anything connected to our bond..//
Nevertheless, the Jedi master couldn't ignore what he felt at the moment. There was *something* akin to a haze between them and their bond that he hadn't noticed until in the healer's ward. He wasn't sure if it was there before but to his chagrin, *IT* was very much there now. *IT* acted as a buffer between he and his padawan and *IT* altered in someway their bond. Master Jinn was perplexed as how *IT* happened or from where *IT* came. He convinced himself nothing hadn't come from his side of the bond that would created such a hazy *smoke screen* directly through their bond..
What truly was incredulous to Qui-Gon was that Healer Belk stood before him and actually accused him of withholding healing help from his apprentice. Did the healer think Jinn capable of such a monstrous act as to impede Obi's healing process? It became very clear he did think that of Qui-Gon with his next statement to the most respected Jedi warrior within the Jedi order.
"Let me see if I understand you right, Master Jinn. I have your permission to sedate Padawan Kenobi because you yourself don't want to be *bothered* with the child at the moment. What is more pressing than *YOUR* apprentice's recovery? May I at least know that?"
"Master, you are hovering. I told you I was fine and I am."
"Yes, well I know, but the healer did say to watch for signs of concussion, vomiting headache blurred vision. Don't suppose you have any of those symptoms?"
Jinn's face had a look of anticipation and concern until Obi reassured him yet again he was not mortally injured.
"No I am fine. I just don't' feel like eating right now."
Obi spoke the truth. He was fine he thought. With so many places hurting at one time, it was hard to find any interest in moving around or sitting up to feed himself.
"Well, I will leave you alone. Master Yoda and Mace said they would be by later to check on you."
The door closed to Obi-Wan's room, with a sigh of relief from Obi as it did.
Not that he didn't appreciate his master's concern. It was just that it had gone a little too far. Further in fact than ever before and Obi thought it had something to do with his master's guilty conscience.
//Master Qui-Gon must have a guilty conscience. He is the one that brought the 'Chosen One' and insisted he supervise Crion's training of him. I suppose he also would feel guilty about not correcting 'Padawan Precious'* for what was clearly improper etiquette between two sparring apprentices. Etiquette heck, he bordered trying to kill me. "Master" Xani thought it amusing. I saw the stern look my master cast him but nothing for the little 'Chosen One', not a word of condemnation. Had it been me, Master Jinn would have already had me skinned and hung up by my thumbs for an undetermined amount of time. //
Obi knew he was exaggerating what his master would have done but in a sense he knew Ani was getting preferential treatment from his master.
###later that evening#####
Jinn began preparation for last meal without his usual zest to do so. He had invited Xanatos and Ani over for last meal two days prior. Oh Xani had offered to not come but in front of Jinn he told Ani they would have to pick up a pizza or burgers somewhere.
//I certainly don't want to be the reason the newly named apprentice suffers malnutrition. I have to believe 'Master' Xani quite often picks up fast food to supplement their last meal. Unlike Obi-Wan, Xani never cared for cooking. He did not like to learn how to cook. He only indulged in the culinary delights of someone else's sweat and toll preparing the food, usually me. //
He knew Ani wouldn't suffer much from the fast food for last meal and that he probably preferred it to the more nutritional meals the Jedi served. The truth of it was Jinn really did like spending time with the boy just too occasionally test his abilities.
He'd noticed Xani wasn't as concerned for honing Ani's Jedi talents as much as he hoped he'd be. Xani insisted everything would fall into place because the boy was so very powerful in the force; things just came natural for him. Jinn had to agree in part. Still Anakin needs to be taught the right and wrong of the Jedi. If only I could convince my former bull-headed apprentice that.
Until today, during the mock duel, Jinn had begun to feel more comfortable with the fact he had given Xanatos Crion the 'Chosen One' to train.
He told himself he certainly wouldn't have traded his Obi for Ani had he been given the choice to do so. That did not keep the nagging thought from the Jedi's master's mind that maybe... just maybe had the council agreed; he might have given Obi to another master, with the chance to train the 'Chosen One'.
//Not because I think Obi is less than worthy to be a Jedi but because I know Ani needs to be trained.//
The big Jedi shuttered with the thought and shook it off as quickly as he thought it.
However, with the mess-up Xani allowed today Jinn was put on edge again. He was glad that Xani and Anakin still had to come for last meal. He hoped to discuss some matters with Xanatos about his lackadaisical way of training not only Ani but Obi-Wan while he himself had been called away for meetings with the council.
######################
A strained and quiet last meal was over. Xanatos sensed Jinn's displeasure over what happened in the training room and to the older Jedi master's surprise, Xani hadn't bother to shield his knowledge of Jinn's displeasure from his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. Jinn's concern over today's events sternly but slowly flowed through the nearly gone training bond between Xani and Jinn, it flew across the newly formed and very strong training bond between Xanatos and Anakin.
Skywalker, innocently or not so innocently piped up with a questioning from his salvation from slavery, Master Jinn.
"Master Jinn I hope you don't blame my master for what happened. Xani didn't realize I was so much more powerful than Obi-Wan. How could he? I myself didn't know it until I suppose it was too late and the result was Obi-Wan's injury. I know you have assured Master Xani said 'Little' Obi-Wan is fine and I do hope he is."
Jinn held in a touch of anger for the boy that sat at his table and swore ignorance to act done to his apprentice that Qui-Gon knew full well was intentional; was done out of anger and without forethought of how injurious it could be for his apprentice.
"Ani, I think it might be best to address your master as Master Crion or at least Master Xani. The council masters if they hear you use such endearing name for your mentor might find complaints in it."
//Good Jinn, right to the point. Make a lame attempt to correct what he calls his master instead of the tackling the fact that he attacked your apprentice with such furor it is a wonder Obi-Wan wasn't more seriously injured.
Jinn wasn't one to talk things over with himself in his mind, but with the overseeing of Xanatos training the 'Chosen One' Qui-Gon found himself doing it more and more. The Jedi master tried it again. He would state out loud to Xani and Anakin what his concerns were about today during the mock duel. He would point out what he thought was missing in the duel.
"Maybe your master hasn't taught you one of the main rules while in a mock duel. One Jedi apprentice does not intentionally try to injure another. You should fight with a defensive pose not one that makes it seem you are trying to actually murder your opponent.
"Oh Master I had no ill will when I battled Obi."
Jinn threw his hand up to stop the boy and cast Xani a long stern look.
"Ani please don't lie. That is another part of the Jedi Litany you need taught by your master. I know you fought out of anger. The entire auditorium watching, knew you did. I am not sure you would have had to be a force sensitive to feel it in the air. It was charged with your anger for Obi-Wan and I am not sure why?"
Anakin dropped his head right after plastering the most hurt look on his face he could muster up without laughing outright in the older master's face. He made sure he was shielded from Master Jinn quite securely. Master Xani had thought him first off how to do it and also encouraged him to shield from Qui-Gon.
He had already been instructed that Master Jinn might not like the techniques he used to teach his new little prodigy; Anakin Skywalker absolutely took pleasure in them. Xani's *way* allowed him to be as cruel to Kenobi as he wanted. And while Xani didn't know it, Ani's ill will for Obi stemmed from jealousy because Obi had Master Jinn as his master Even though Ani didn't want Jinn as his master, he didn't like Jinn's attention spit between he and Obi. He very selfishly wanted it all praise, attention, and adoration directed to him from both masters. Anakin had gull enough to think the council should have let him have any master he wanted with his extraordinary talents and resented being told *NO* by anyone for any reason.
Anakin put on a facade of nervousness as he twisted the cloth napkin in his hands.
"Master Jinn, you are right of course. I did fight with anger. I realized it only after Obi-Wan fell. Please let me assure you I don't have anger for your apprentice. No, the opposite is true. I have the utmost respect for your padawan. I just wanted to do my best. When I saw you in the crowd, I wanted to please you and to make you proud for your immense efforts to bring me here and have me trained as a Jedi."
Jinn cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders.
He was sucked into Ani's lies and began to feel sorry for the boy. He thought Ani must have felt uncomfortable at the temple because he was so special and he wrongly began to see how he might want to show off a little to prove himself in front of so many. gathered there. Jinn was actually flattered that Ani felt so concerned for what Jinn thought of him.
"Well.. Yes… I suppose I can understand how you want to fit in and want to show me your best but you must control your anger. It is that control that is the very crux of a Jedi. I am sure your master has already discussed that with you."
Xani smiled to himself. He knew Ani had been able to worm his way out of this little spot of trouble. Now it would be his turn and he knew he would be just as successful as Ani was. He always had been able to work Jinn the way he wanted too..
//I only hope I can be as convincing to my former master as my padawan was. Well after all, *I* am the one who thought him his conniving ways. I should be able to contrive just as convincing excuse as Ani did. All I have to do is wait until Jinn starts on me.//
"Well I think you should go see Obi-Wan and apologize. You don't have to go into what we have discussed, just tell him your power got away from you. "
Jinn knew that wouldn't be enough because Obi-Wan had to have felt the rage surge through Ani as they fought. However, Jinn knew Obi was wise enough that if Ani didn't bring it up, he wouldn't. Besides Jinn had noticed that Obi-Wan was a much more submissive child than Anakin.
//I suppose that comes from not being sure of his abilities where as Ani knew it is nearly impossible for him not to succeed where as Obi has to work continually to do so.//
Jinn still harbored no thoughts of Obi not being good enough. He just knew or thought he did that Ani was the more talented of the two. Where Ani could breeze through his apprenticeship, Obi would have to struggle with his, because as far as Jinn could tell Obi had always struggled with everything he did.
Ani excused himself. He hated the idea of apologizing to Obi but it was a requirement he was not going to be able to get around.
With Jinn and Xani alone, Xani knew his time was coming. His lecture began just as soon as Ani reached the door to Obi's room.
"Well what have you to say? I can't really blame a green kid in the ways of a Jedi for all his actions. You knew enough to stop the fight before it got out of hand. Surely you felt Ani's malicious feelings for Obi grow before he finally blew up and literally attack Obi-Wan."
"Oh Master, you are so dramatic about everything. I let the boys fight, period. I wanted to see and let you see how far my apprentice has come. You know yourself out on a field mission, a little anger does nothing but fuel our power, make us better fighters, better Jedi."
"Fighters maybe, but not better Jedi. And besides they were not out on a mission. The boys were in a training session. One that you would think neither would be injured more than a saber burn here and there. I thought you about the use of anger only when you became a senior padawan, a good seven years older than either of them is now."
Xanatos leaned over the kitchen table to allow his direct stare to be more direct, right up in his former master's face. Both had that look of defiance, both knew so well from the other.
"Master Jinn, Qui-Gon, you miss what I try to tell you. The boy needs to unleash his anger sometimes. All those padawans talk behind his back, make jokes that they are better than the *little slave Jinn drug in*. Now they will think twice about who they antagonize with whispers, innuendoes, and ridiculous temple gossip. ."
Qui-Gon threw his balled up napkin on the table and pushed his chair back to get up with such force he nearly knocked it over.
"You are impossible Crion. Do you know that? You can't teach the boy to get back at others, especially when the others are other Jedi, peers. Anakin is powerful in the force there is no question about it. There is no question but what some of the apprentices' are jealous of him though they know it isn't allowed exhibit an emotion like that. We or you have to be able to train him to look beyond their jealousies. Once the others get to know the boy they will like him as… well as Obi-Wan does."
Jinn knew maybe he shouldn't have said that. He wasn't really sure Obi liked Anakin, he just tolerated him.
Qui-Gon fumbled with the dirty dishes as he gathered them and placed them in the sink.
"Come on Qui-Gon you know your apprentice doesn't *like* Ani. If anything he might be the one to hold the most jealousy and envy of him. Instead of telling me what to do with my apprentices' unfettered emotions maybe you should work a little on trying to get Obi-Wan to tame his. He got just what he deserved. He hasn't offered to help my apprentice acclimate to temple life. He has nothing but tried to keep his friends from becoming Ani's friends. So don't' talk about petty jealousies until you reign your apprentice in."
Jinn couldn't or didn't' want to believe everything Xani said but it made sense. Maybe that jealous part to Obi was stored and tucked safely in his mind; a place far enough in that Master Jin couldn't feel it when he accessed Obi's mind through their bond.
"Well I hope what you said is not true but we will be able to get first hand observation at very close quarters it, if is."
Xani interest in Jinn's words increased.
"What do you mean close quarters? We are together every afternoon for training. How much closer can the four of us get?"
"Well the reason I have had you training Obi in the first place was because I had to set in on caucuses concerning a delicate matter on Alderaan. You knew that."
"Yes, but what does that have to do with our apprentices'. If the council and Organa are finished with you, you can go back to supervising Obi privately and things will work themselves out between the boys."
"Well, the council has decided they want to see how Anakin reacts on a mission. I know he hasn't trained long but…"
"But… but nothing the boy isn't ready to go on a mission."
"It isn't that dangerous and besides he has you to keep him out of trouble if you can manage to keep yourself out of it."
Flair of remembrance of what Xani was like right before he became a knight flashed through Jinn's mind. It was the reason behind the words to him that maybe shouldn't have been spoken.
"You just can't let the past go. You wanted to be connected to this boy, my padawan's training so badly, you were willing to let me, and little old incompetent me train him. Well Jinn realize this. Until the council removes me, I am his master and he will take orders from me. If I think he is doing alright, then he is. Go ahead accept that mission. I will see to it Anakin excels in anything he does during it. Quite possibly Ani will perform far more admirably than that little crumpled heap of emotions, Kenobi. He should have sent to the Argricorps and never been chosen. If it wasn't for Master Yoda asserting his opinions on you, that is exactly where he would be right now and you know it. On Bandomeer by your direct orders. You always did listen to that little green troll too much. Now you see where his wishes have gotten you; an apprentice that will more than likely never make it to knighthood. Qui-Gon, he can't even master that fifth kata and Anakin had reached the seventh one. That is why I had the boys spar today in the first place.. I couldn't train both of them on different levels at the same time."
Xani stopped right there when Jinn wheeled around from his sink of dishes to glare unbelievably at his former apprentice. Xani had let too much come out and some of what did come out were things Jinn himself thought about Obi but refused to let surface any longer. Now Jinn let his own emotions show with this shaky voice.
"Hold it right there Xanatos Crion. You do not need to worry about Obi-Wan's abilities. If there is need to be concerned for his progression, the concern is soley mine. I see no need for either of us to be worried as to how my apprentice is progressing in his training. My mistake is that I confided in you about what I once thought of Obi-Wan. *Once thought* being the key words Xani. I don't feel that way about him now." //DO I?. //
"Calm down Qui-Gon. It is good we had this chat. We both agree. You keep your less than complimentary thoughts about my apprentice to yourself and I will contain mine. I don't' suppose it would do for Kenobi to know you didn't really want him. I know he suspects it but to know would probably destroy what little bit of confidence the boy has."
####################
Anakin heard the burst of angry words but before that he felt the stronger pull and tug of anger between the two masters as it resonated along he and Xani's training bond.
//They are at it again. I don't know maybe Master Jinn does want me as his apprentice and I would have liked that, had he not been so strict, so stoic and typically boring as are all Jedi, except Master Xani.//
Ani stood with the door partially opened to Obi's room as he listened as the argument escalated. It started to get really interesting when Obi's name was brought up. Ani always felt there was something about the boy that Jinn kept hidden. Ani knew things might be said that even Obi-Wan was not aware of and this would be a perfect time to wake the other padawan up.
//More ways than one I think. First I will wake him from his slumber and then hopefully he will hear something during this little rift that will wake him up to where he really stands with his master. It is inconceivable Master Qui-Gon, could ever be satisfied with him with me here to accent how inept he really is. I'll just use a little force powered nudge…// With that, he pointed his finger and sent a sharp push to Kenobi, enough to jolt him out of his sleep.
Ani pressed his index finger to his lips as a startled Obi-Wan rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Listen…. Your master and mine are in an argument."
Ani thought that the idea that the two Jedi masters were locked in a heated argument would be enough to arouse the other padawan out of sleepiness and pique his interest as to what they argued about.
Obi-Wan was not particularly pleased to see Anakin Skywalker in his room and he was even less curious about the argument Qui-Gon and Xani were in. In fact, he thought it was about Ani's actions. Nevertheless, he aborted his intentions to roll over and go back to sleep when he heard his name mentioned from Xani's mouth in a harsh tone.
Funny how the voices carried so much stronger and louder just at that moment. Maybe it was because Obi had all his attention on the disagreement his master and Xani were locked in, or it could have been the concussion he suffered earlier in the day, whatever the reason, he failed to realize the voices became louder just at the point the topic of the argument migrated to him. Had Obi-Wan been of clear thought he might have known Anakin Skywalker used his powerful force abilities to enhance and magnify the voices so he would be able to hear more clearly the negative words about him by Xani and Jinn…
Obi-Wan heard every hurtful thing Xani and his master said about him. What made it all far worse was that Anakin Skywalker now knew the truth about how his master had questioned, in the beginning, Obi's ability to become a Jedi knight. How the great Qui-Gon Jinn… hadn't really wanted him at all…….
PEACE ewen