PART EIGHT: I DON'T WANT TO DOUBT HIM
Obi-Wan was nearly gone for three hours when he returned to the comfort of the apartment.
The place was already fully designed to fit the comfort of the three Jedi staying in there. Each apartment at the Temple had three bedrooms, a kitchen and'fresher unit along with a living room space. Some of the rooms had a balcony, but not many. Theirs was one to see though, with it's amazing view of Coruscant. But each was personally designed to fit the need of both the master and the apprentice. Most of the time the third room was used as an extra sparring room or guest room, depending on what was needed most.
Obi-Wan's room was located on the farthest side of the quarters, away from Anakin and Qui-Gon. But he didn't seem to mind, but Qui-Gon took some concern when they first came back to Coruscant with the young boy only weeks ago. He felt that the two of them should have easy access to each others room, due to the fact that they were closer to age, hoping the two could make a bond quickly. Obi-Wan felt that the gesture was more of a way to annoy him. As much as he liked his master's company, he was a very private person when it came to his personal life. And wasn't afraid to raise a few eyebrows when he got an attitude with someone.
By the time Obi-Wan was completely in the room, Anakin popped out in attempts to scare his Master. It didn't work. Obi-Wan had sensed the boy behind the chair. He kept squirming around, making it far too obvious he was trying to scare the Jedi.
"Hello, Anakin." Obi-Wan said sternly, removing his cloak.
"Ahhhh, you didn't even flinch." Anakin said sadly.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm not one to play games with, Anakin. And neither should you. It's time to take things a little more seriously, my young Padawan." A rush of anxiety shook Obi-Wan with those words: 'my young Padawan.' He hid a smile, knowing that he was the same way when he was Anakin's age. "A Jedi's life cannot be bestowed upon laughs. It is a very serious life, and will take time to learn the tricks of the trade around the galaxy."
Anakin looked down. "Yes, sir."
Obi-Wan still despised the fact that Anakin hadn't directed him as 'Master' yet. He looked about the room. "Where's Qui-Gon?"
Anakin just shrugged.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms. "Anakin?" His tone grew serious again.
"He's out on the balcony meditating..." Anakin sighed in defeat.
Obi-Wan looked at the quiet young boy. He longed to just hear that word once from Anakin, but it just couldn't come out. "Thank you. Now, go and get ready for the ceremony, Anakin." He didn't want to direct it as a command, but it seemed to come out that way.
Obi-Wan walked over to the young boy, but caught his words. Anakin's gaze met the ground again.
"Yes, Master." Anakin finally said as Obi-Wan reached the threshold out to the balcony.
Obi-Wan stopped and looked back only to realize the young man had disappeared into his bedroom. Obi-Wan was appalled, but somehow relieved that Anakin was now seeing him as his master as well. But two Jedi training one? It just doesn't seem to make any sense. Am I truly not ready or is Anakin too much of a challenge for just one master to handle? But the whole idea of him being accepted into the Order is another thing. He was just too old, but somehow the Council didn't seem to notice or care. Or was this just a test for both me and my master?
Obi-Wan walked onto the balcony and saw the older Jedi sitting in a meditative stance on a mat. The wind blew freely through his hair, making him look more radiant. Qui-Gon was truly a man the Council could never deny would make an impact on the Temple. Not for just his independence and following his own lead, but for the incredible ability to live in the moment of the Force. It made Obi-Wan smile to know he was trained by the best the galaxy has come to see. The young Jedi sat next to the meditating Jedi, taking up the same position and closed his eyes.
After awhile Qui-Gon broke the silence. "You're still having your doubts about the boy, Obi-Wan," the older Jedi could sense the uneasiness in his old apprentice.
Obi-Wan only reached a calm meditative state for a brief moment. He opened his eyes and looked at the radiant Jedi. "It's wrong for me to judge him the way I do, Master. But there's just so much about the boy I worry about. You've told me over and over again that the boy will bring balance to the Force, but how can you be so sure? He can't possibly be considered the Chosen One when the very nature of a Jedi is to see things before they happen, if not a bigger light."
Qui-Gon opened his eyes. "I'm sure he is the one who is spoken about in the prophecy. And I have no doubt that it is he who can bring balance to the Force."
"But could it be true?"
"Anakin will become a Jedi. A fine Jedi like yourself and he is sure to bring balance to the Force."
"But the statement in having two teaching him? It just doesn't feel right," Obi-Wan opposed.
"The Council has spoken, Ben. I have no doubt in him and neither should you," Qui-Gon reassured his old apprentice.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan surrendered dealing with his old Master. He knew he'd only get pulled into more dead-ends on his side of the deal. There was no true way to beat Qui-Gon at his own game of debates. There were only a few times Obi-Wan had won, but it always ended with double-time training in the end. "Why did you request for him to have two Masters, Kai?"
Qui-Gon sighed, sending a cold chill down Obi-Wan's spine. "Don't think of this as some punishment or a feeling like you're not ready to take on an apprentice alone, but I feel in order for Anakin to learn quickly he needed two masters. It was more like a practice for you, but even better for Anakin to grasp the fact he can relate to someone with the same status as himself. He's much like you, Ben. And I think it's best that he can have someone who understands him in the ways only you may be able to. I see that you two will create a very unique bond."
Obi-Wan held his breath, but coughed at the last statement. "Wow," He shook his head, shockingly. "Master, you can't honestly think that he will want to talk to me? Have you seen how we've acted around each other?"
Qui-Gon looked out into the sunset sky. He nodded his head after a long wait. "I have, but I'm sure it's just a phase you're both going through. It will pass in time and training. Remember, Obi-Wan, a relationship with a new apprentice will be very rough in the beginning, but will begin to grow as time progresses."
"Yes, Master," he nodded.
A small smile passed the elder Jedi's face. "You will become a great Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan. And I'm sure you'll become an even greater Jedi Master as time will proceed. I have no doubt about that. You have made this Order quite proud."
"Thank you, Master."
Qui-Gon got to his feet and planted himself at the railing of the balcony. Obi-Wan followed, and stood beside the other Jedi. Both looked radiant and strong against the orange sky of Coruscant. They were truly going to be Jedi of great honor. They watched as the sunset disappeared into the nightlife of Coruscant.
to be continued....
Obi-Wan was nearly gone for three hours when he returned to the comfort of the apartment.
The place was already fully designed to fit the comfort of the three Jedi staying in there. Each apartment at the Temple had three bedrooms, a kitchen and'fresher unit along with a living room space. Some of the rooms had a balcony, but not many. Theirs was one to see though, with it's amazing view of Coruscant. But each was personally designed to fit the need of both the master and the apprentice. Most of the time the third room was used as an extra sparring room or guest room, depending on what was needed most.
Obi-Wan's room was located on the farthest side of the quarters, away from Anakin and Qui-Gon. But he didn't seem to mind, but Qui-Gon took some concern when they first came back to Coruscant with the young boy only weeks ago. He felt that the two of them should have easy access to each others room, due to the fact that they were closer to age, hoping the two could make a bond quickly. Obi-Wan felt that the gesture was more of a way to annoy him. As much as he liked his master's company, he was a very private person when it came to his personal life. And wasn't afraid to raise a few eyebrows when he got an attitude with someone.
By the time Obi-Wan was completely in the room, Anakin popped out in attempts to scare his Master. It didn't work. Obi-Wan had sensed the boy behind the chair. He kept squirming around, making it far too obvious he was trying to scare the Jedi.
"Hello, Anakin." Obi-Wan said sternly, removing his cloak.
"Ahhhh, you didn't even flinch." Anakin said sadly.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm not one to play games with, Anakin. And neither should you. It's time to take things a little more seriously, my young Padawan." A rush of anxiety shook Obi-Wan with those words: 'my young Padawan.' He hid a smile, knowing that he was the same way when he was Anakin's age. "A Jedi's life cannot be bestowed upon laughs. It is a very serious life, and will take time to learn the tricks of the trade around the galaxy."
Anakin looked down. "Yes, sir."
Obi-Wan still despised the fact that Anakin hadn't directed him as 'Master' yet. He looked about the room. "Where's Qui-Gon?"
Anakin just shrugged.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms. "Anakin?" His tone grew serious again.
"He's out on the balcony meditating..." Anakin sighed in defeat.
Obi-Wan looked at the quiet young boy. He longed to just hear that word once from Anakin, but it just couldn't come out. "Thank you. Now, go and get ready for the ceremony, Anakin." He didn't want to direct it as a command, but it seemed to come out that way.
Obi-Wan walked over to the young boy, but caught his words. Anakin's gaze met the ground again.
"Yes, Master." Anakin finally said as Obi-Wan reached the threshold out to the balcony.
Obi-Wan stopped and looked back only to realize the young man had disappeared into his bedroom. Obi-Wan was appalled, but somehow relieved that Anakin was now seeing him as his master as well. But two Jedi training one? It just doesn't seem to make any sense. Am I truly not ready or is Anakin too much of a challenge for just one master to handle? But the whole idea of him being accepted into the Order is another thing. He was just too old, but somehow the Council didn't seem to notice or care. Or was this just a test for both me and my master?
Obi-Wan walked onto the balcony and saw the older Jedi sitting in a meditative stance on a mat. The wind blew freely through his hair, making him look more radiant. Qui-Gon was truly a man the Council could never deny would make an impact on the Temple. Not for just his independence and following his own lead, but for the incredible ability to live in the moment of the Force. It made Obi-Wan smile to know he was trained by the best the galaxy has come to see. The young Jedi sat next to the meditating Jedi, taking up the same position and closed his eyes.
After awhile Qui-Gon broke the silence. "You're still having your doubts about the boy, Obi-Wan," the older Jedi could sense the uneasiness in his old apprentice.
Obi-Wan only reached a calm meditative state for a brief moment. He opened his eyes and looked at the radiant Jedi. "It's wrong for me to judge him the way I do, Master. But there's just so much about the boy I worry about. You've told me over and over again that the boy will bring balance to the Force, but how can you be so sure? He can't possibly be considered the Chosen One when the very nature of a Jedi is to see things before they happen, if not a bigger light."
Qui-Gon opened his eyes. "I'm sure he is the one who is spoken about in the prophecy. And I have no doubt that it is he who can bring balance to the Force."
"But could it be true?"
"Anakin will become a Jedi. A fine Jedi like yourself and he is sure to bring balance to the Force."
"But the statement in having two teaching him? It just doesn't feel right," Obi-Wan opposed.
"The Council has spoken, Ben. I have no doubt in him and neither should you," Qui-Gon reassured his old apprentice.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan surrendered dealing with his old Master. He knew he'd only get pulled into more dead-ends on his side of the deal. There was no true way to beat Qui-Gon at his own game of debates. There were only a few times Obi-Wan had won, but it always ended with double-time training in the end. "Why did you request for him to have two Masters, Kai?"
Qui-Gon sighed, sending a cold chill down Obi-Wan's spine. "Don't think of this as some punishment or a feeling like you're not ready to take on an apprentice alone, but I feel in order for Anakin to learn quickly he needed two masters. It was more like a practice for you, but even better for Anakin to grasp the fact he can relate to someone with the same status as himself. He's much like you, Ben. And I think it's best that he can have someone who understands him in the ways only you may be able to. I see that you two will create a very unique bond."
Obi-Wan held his breath, but coughed at the last statement. "Wow," He shook his head, shockingly. "Master, you can't honestly think that he will want to talk to me? Have you seen how we've acted around each other?"
Qui-Gon looked out into the sunset sky. He nodded his head after a long wait. "I have, but I'm sure it's just a phase you're both going through. It will pass in time and training. Remember, Obi-Wan, a relationship with a new apprentice will be very rough in the beginning, but will begin to grow as time progresses."
"Yes, Master," he nodded.
A small smile passed the elder Jedi's face. "You will become a great Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan. And I'm sure you'll become an even greater Jedi Master as time will proceed. I have no doubt about that. You have made this Order quite proud."
"Thank you, Master."
Qui-Gon got to his feet and planted himself at the railing of the balcony. Obi-Wan followed, and stood beside the other Jedi. Both looked radiant and strong against the orange sky of Coruscant. They were truly going to be Jedi of great honor. They watched as the sunset disappeared into the nightlife of Coruscant.
to be continued....