Author's Note: This is a slightly unedited version, expect a better version later- please enjoy and remember, love your fanfic writer and review!

"Sometimes people leave you

Halfway through the Wood.

Do not let it grieve you,

For no one leaves for good..."

-Steven Sondheim, "Into the Woods"

Chapter One: Adeste Fideles

Obi Wan Kenobi folded his arms and jerked the curtain of light brown hair from his face and was tempted for a moment to don the tied-back look his Master had been known for. He smiled gingerly, like he always did when thinking of Qui Gon Jinn. Nine years had done nothing to dull the memory or lessen the love Obi Wan felt for him, if anything it had strengthened his resolve to emulate his late Master. Although, by no means as stately or commanding as Qui Gon had been, he carried himself with the same off-hand aloofness and chose his words carefully, even prudently but always adding just the driest hint of wit. Obi Wan still secretly relished when older Jedi Masters and Knights compared the two. He liked the reminders; they made him feel a little more secure whenever he heard it. But unlike his master, Obi Wan was keenly aware of the rules and protocols that governed him and the land. Which is why he, unlike Qui Gon, could understand fully the ramifications of the time.

The Separatist Movement, under the command of the charismatic and powerful Count Dooku, was spreading live a cancer through the Republic. Dooku used his reputation as a Jedi to be promoted as a man of peace throughout the galaxy and once he had an audience with the system's head- he would convince them to join him. The words that he spoke were easily but powerful. He spoke of disease and corruption. He spoke of a government that was ruled by greed and personal intent. The Republic, Dooku said, was no longer a democracy that could stand in the daylight and proclaim it's good intentions. The Senate had become a place for taxmen and thieves, a den of double-dealers and profiteers. Honor and loyalty were traded in dark corners, with justice and mercy forsaken like some unsuccessful venture. What was worth, he said, was the shaming of the Jedi. He said that they had become selective in what they saw as truth, and that they refused to see problems until the losses were laid before them on a funeral pyre.

Yes, Obi Wan had remembered hearing that speech and feeling a stab of indignation and betrayal. He knew whose pyre Dooku was referring too and had tried to understand the sorrow that must have followed the Master but it didn't dismiss the pain over the allusion.

And with each new report the Jedi Council was receiving about Dooku and his Separatists rumors had begun to whisper war. By definition, this was foolishness. Dooku was once a Jedi and therefore a pacifist, but there will still voices among the Senate that claimed behind his posing and kind words- a tyrant and a warmonger lurked.

But try as he might, Obi Wan could not ally the image of tyrant and Dooku. True, he had never met the Jedi Master but this man had trained Qui Gon- a Jedi renowned for his empathy for the living Force. How one could one have merged with the other made no sense to Obi Wan. Not to mention, he had to trust Dooku was gentle and trustworthy.

After all, when he had left the Order those years ago Dooku had taken one of Obi Wan's most prized possessions with him.

"Master, how can you just sit there content!"

The youthful voice broke through Obi Wan's musings like a whip, causing him to turn. Beside him, Anakin Skywalker sat fidgeting with his seat as if trapped in a small cage. Obi Wan allowed the corners of his mouth to perk up as he watched. Anakin was no longer the unsure boy he had taken as a Padawan, but still that childish naïveté that Qui Gon had been attached too still glowed as bright as a sun within him. Age and trials had made the skin harder around Ani's eyes, freezing them into the sad look of a Jedi but never destroying those large, wondering eyes that could view the universe a hundred times over and still be amazed.

Eyes that were right now tired and frustrated because of long missions, little rest- and now little information. Obi Wan felt for his Padawan. They had barely completed they're mission in the Outer Rim before the Jedi Council had contacted them- in mid-flight back home- that they were to land on Bandomeer where they would be picked up by a Senator's personal craft where they would be taken to their next mission. No other details were given. The Senator's ship had been simple and their only interaction had been with a small human child whose face was covered by a veil. It was almost like they were being purposely kept in the dark.

"Would you prefer I paced to and fro like a caged animal, my young apprentice?" Kenobi asked idly. He was troubled by the lack of information, but had thus far sensed no immediate danger. That's one of the last lessons he had been taught, to be mindful of future but live in the moment.

"No, Master but I would know where we were going."

"What do you feel?"

"Anger, confusion."

"I didn't ask what you were feeling…" Came the soft chide. "Close your eyes, Anakin. Breathe and release your own emotions. Now, stretch out with your senses and feel what surrounds you."

Anakin obeyed. He shut his eyes tight and took several long breaths to sooth his troubled mind. As he always did, he focused on the beating of his own heart, listening to the rhythm of muscle that had always reminded him of an engine's hum. As he felt the Force surge around him then ebb to a comfortable wave, he allowed his senses to reach out, searching for the other beings on the ship. The servant boy was in a study, with the Senator.

The Senator was a strong presence. He was duty-bound by words like honor and love but seemed burdened by fear and torn loyalties. Even as Anakin felt this Senator's nobility, he could also feel the basic human- yes, this Senator was human- anguish but he could not pinpoint the reason. His thoughts were directed to the boy, Anakin sensed and it was with a surge of pure love and humbleness- something that this Senator wasn't accustomed too.

"The boy, the servant…" Anakin began, as if he began to study the boy. "It's the Senator's son!"

"Very good, my Padawan." Obi Wan said, "Now, come with me."

Anakin fell into step behind Obi Wan and walked towards the study. He could still feel the family and wondered why the deception. Why would the Senator use his own boy to wait on Jedi. A nervous thought crept into Anakin's mind and took root. What if this boy was a spy and the Senator was treacherous. He glanced at his Master, curious to see if Obi Wan shared this theory but as always, his Master's face was a mask of coolness and serenity.

How he hated that sometimes.

Obi Wan seemed to sense something and smirked at Anakin before pressing the button. The door to the study opened and Obi Wan stepped in first- causing the boy to jump from his seat.

"I'm sorry, sirs!" The boy announced, bowing his head to stare at the floor. Here he was without his shroud and clearly was fearful of being so exposed. "I didn't here the chime. Will you need anything?"

"Only a word with your father, Amri." Obi Wan said, politely. "Thank you."

Anakin snapped his attention from the boy to Obi Wan. "You knew, Master?"

But his master merely motioned to him, offhandedly. He was instead staring intently at the back of the Senator, who had yet to turn around and face his guests. A smile was quickly overcoming Obi Wan's face. "Well, come on then and turn around, Gai Vinn. I know it's you. I can smell the prissiness."

In his years at Obi Wan's side, Anakin was quite sure he had never heard his Master address anyone in such a manner. He stared at the man, waiting for a reaction. Now, in the same room with the man- Anakin could see why this man would exude strength even through the Force. He watched as the man slowly turned and faced the twin Jedi.

Even if he hadn't bore the title of Senator, Anakin would have been in awe of Gai Vinn. Even as the Force told Anakin that he was human, there was something intensely unreal and alien about him. Slender and handsome, he was taller then them both with short white-blond hair cropped around a narrow face, pale thin lips, a small nose and eyes that cut through Anakin's very strength. Unprepared for those eyes, Anakin realize that it was those orbs staring out at him from that human face that made Gai Vinn look alien. Opaque whiteness with only whispers of the palest blue seemed to differentiate the pupil from the rest of the eye, and those eyes, which seemed sightless in one moment, seemed to see more then just images with the next.

Gai Vinn must have sensed his awe. "Now you see why my son donned the shroud." He said in a pleasant voice that was devoid of any sign of malice or haughtiness. "Outlanders are rarely accustomed to seeing Parcaen eyes."

Anakin took a step back as Gai Vinn strolled towards them. "You're Parcaen?"

"Yes," He confirmed, with a hint of amusement. He turned to Obi Wan. "Doesn't miss a beat, your Padawan."
"He learned from the best."

"Who in turned learned from the greatest." Gai Vinn said, respectfully. "Come, embrace me, brother. It has been too long since I held my kinsmen in my arms."

Obi Wan chuckled and hugged the Senator, relishing the touch from his old friend as much as Gai Vinn was. For a moment, he lingered in the arms as countless happy memories entangled with Gai Vinn's spirit passed in his mind. Obi Wan pulled away finally and laughed again. "Too long indeed."

Gai Vinn reached over and brushed tears from the Jedi Knight's eyes before turning to Anakin. "I can only imagine what you must be thinking."

"I'm wondering how you can treat us so rudely as to not give us any information and then greet my Master as a brother." Anakin said. "Are all Parcaens this…hospital?"

"Padawan, your manners. We are Isidor's guests…"

The Senator was unruffled and waved at Obi Wan. "No, it's quite alright. I can see why my father noticed him. Such fire, a true kinsman of the Jinn."

Anakin's feeling of helplessness and ignorance was growing and with it was his frustration. He glanced at his Master for support and saw only the playful mirth Gai Vinn invoked. Pushing down a stab of jealousy, Anakin turned on the white-eyed Senator and demanded. "Why do you keep referring to family? Who are you?"

"I apologize. I should have explained everything before." He said, with a light bow. "I am Senator Gai Vinn Isidor, of the Parcae Kingdom. As you will find when we land, Parcaen culture is based on our caste system and kinship ties. I call your Master my brother because his Master was my Godfather. It's how we identify with each other. On Parcae, you will be viewed as Obi Wan's son, rather then student."

"Wonderful." Anakin remarked dryly. "But that doesn't explain why we're here, or the lack of information."

"As I said earlier, the lack of information was to ensure your safety. If anyone knew I was brining more Jedi to Isia, an attempt might be made on your lives."

"More Jedi?" Obi Wan took over, "Why is there already a Jedi presence there, and why are we being brought?"

Gai Vinn sat down across from them and motioned for them to do the same. "This is a delicate time for the Parcaen Kingdom, Obi Wan. The Mal-Batz grows stronger with each passing month, and with it the Separatist movement."

"I don't understand." Obi Wan replied, as a slight disbelieving frown began to claim his features. "Parcaens have always been strong supporters of the Republic and the Jedi. How could Sovern Ramir turn away?"

"Our King is dead and our Prince is weak. He does not have the support that Ramir had. The people are beginning to listen to Zane Tashari."

"Who is Zane?" Anakin asked.

Obi Wan shook his head grimly, as if attempting to drive away memories. "Tashari is the leader of the Mal-Batz, a political group that seeks to end the Sovern's reign and the caste system from where the King claims to receive his right to rule."

"They are nothing more then terrorist who would throw away millennia of tradition!"

"…as you can tell, the ruling caste is unwilling to negotiate with them. This had lead to about twenty years of strife among the Kingdom."

"Strife that until recently has been able to be controlled by our own means. However, Zane has been hinting at a shift in power. He's a fierce Separatist as well, and is riding on the new pro-Separatist movement that has taken hold in Isia. He claims that before Elias is crowned King, the Mal-Batz will bring about a toppling of the monarchy and make way for elections…and an eventual departure from the Republic. You know the risks we face if Parcae is compromised."

"What could bring about such a shift in power? Do you know what these claims are founded in, Gai Vinn?"

"No, only that they exist." Gai Vinn exhaled, softly. "Which is why I come to you during this desperate time. The Jedi already on Isia are there to ensure the safety of our Prince and to make sure the coronation goes through without a hitch. I am asking you to get to the bottom of these rumors…see if Zane's claims are true. We cannot afford civil war."

"We'll do what we can, Senator. I doubt Zane has been able to garner enough support off world that would allow him any sort of coup. But, we will investigate nonetheless."

"Thank you, brother."

Anakin felt the Force stir within him, warning him. Silently, so not to disturb Obi Wan who had since entered into a conversation with Gai Vinn about various names he didn't recognize, Anakin reached out with his feelings to probe. His unusually high connection to the Unifying Force gave him insight into things Obi Wan could never glimpse, Anakin thought, and now it was giving warnings. He sensed Obi Wan's heart was glad to be returning to this galaxy, and he felt a bond that indeed mirrored brotherhood between Gai Vinn and Obi Wan. Anakin realized that his Master was far too attached to this system to be able to perform this mission successfully. He would have to be on his best guard if he hoped for victory. Outside the ship, the swirling green and blue globe of Parcae's capital planet Isia, grew larger as they descended. On the planet he could sense a low throb of anxiety thinly veiled by a desire for normalcy.

And then, he sensed it. It passed so quickly into Anakin's mind that in the moments that followed, he wondered if he had imagined it.

He had sensed Qui Gon Jinn's presence below on the surface, waiting for them.

It had been a whisper more so then anything else, a passing memory that Anakin could have sworn was real. He glanced to his Master to see if Obi Wan had sensed it. But Obi Wan gave no sign of acknowledgement. He decided that it had been real, and stretched out again to search for this memory. He found a sensation only, an opaque glimpse of this faded memory, steady and fixed like a star waiting for him to discover it. He could have sworn he felt mocked by this mark.

Come for me, it whispered, I am waiting.