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Part One

Against a pale blue sky, polluted by smog and the sound of harsh yells and horns, the Jedi Temple remained a gaping spire of peace and learning. The Temple had been built hundreds of years ago by the first Jedi, who had mastered their craft and pledged their lives to defend the Republic. The Jedi had lived to serve this pledge, and they still lived in a way that could be commended and an example to all around.

Obi-Wan Kenobi had lived his entire life in the safe halls of the Temple, learning the art of the Force and thriving in it. He could no sooner picture a life without the constant reassurance of the Force humming in his head than choose which hand to cut off. He was quite attached to both of them, almost as attached as he was to the Force. The thought amused him as he walked swiftly down the gleaming hall of the Temple towards the exit, kitbag hung over his shoulder.

Although Obi-Wan considered and would always consider the Jedi Temple his home, the place where he had grown and the place he had bled for, apparently there was another "home" someplace in the universe. One short week ago, his twentieth birthday had come and fallen. It was on that day that Qui-Gon had raised with him the topic of traveling to his homeworld.

Obi-Wan had been stumped into silence at that time. He knew that many Jedi chose to visit their homeworld if they so pleased, but the thought had never jumped into his mind for him to visit his. The measure was only taken if something could be learned from the homeworld, so art or technique that would prove use to the Jedi in future activities. Although he had not known of his homeworld's assets at the time, he had supposed it couldn't be all that bad, though, for many Jedi did it, including Qui-Gon and Master Windu.

Further research in the Temple archives and communication with the monarchy of the planet – Keliso – had heeded more information than needed. It was decided, therefore, he would find a transport to take him the planet, which was a two days travel from Coruscant.

Obi-Wan wasn't nervous as he strolled down the Temple hall, but a bundle of excitement was swooping along in his stomach. After the first emotions of shock and almost fear, this emotion was a welcome relief. He wasn't frightened of these people, but he was frightened of getting too close. The fear constantly rained down upon him, but now he pushed it away.

After he exited the Temple, he was surprised to see Qui-Gon waiting for him. Qui-Gon had left for a solo mission three days ago, and harsh as it may be, Obi-Wan had not expected him to return in time for a farewell. At the sight of Qui-Gon, his heart leapt, and happiness filled him. Part of him would always remain that thirteen-year old boy who loved his Master dearly and feared the day without seeing him.

"Master, what a welcome surprise!" Obi-Wan said, coming quickly forward to grasp his Master's forearm.

"I am glad to be back in time to see you off, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, gesturing to his own kitbag at his feet. "Luckily, the negotiations were short… as you said they would be," Qui-Gon added with a wink.

"That's excellent, Master," Obi-Wan said, smiling. "I am glad you are here in time. My transport arrives in ten minutes."

"Perfect," Qui-Gon said. "You can now tell me all about your meditation exercises."

Obi-Wan groaned good-naturedly, just content to have his Master back. Quickly, he went through the count of exercises Qui-Gon had left for him with sparse detail. "But, now, Master," he said with a coy smile, "I'm much more interested in hearing about your mission. Was it productive?"

"Very," Qui-Gon said dryly, choosing to not give any details. Instead, he looked up at the Temple, a smile on his features. "So, tell me, Padawan, what is this world that you travel to? What talents do your people possess?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Master, my contact has been… elusive. She tells me the gift of Keliso varies from island to island. Harken, she tells me, has its own special branch of "magic" that I need to see to believe. I'm not taken to believe her, but she did sound thoroughly happy in receiving me."

Qui-Gon frowned. "Perhaps this "magic" is a secret. In that case, I warn you to tread with caution. I do not wish to steer your thoughts in one path, Obi-Wan, but I must warn you there are those who wish to harness the Force. You know this, of course, but be extra weary. You owe these people nothing. Remember that."

Obi-Wan nodded seriously. He had not thought of these cautions before, but realized he probably should have. He would go, learn what he could, and return. He owed the planet of Keliso nothing. It would stay that way.

He cleared his throat. "I will remember, Master. What happened when you visited your homeworld, Master?"

And now Qui-Gon laughed loudly. "It was a lovely place, Padawan. It was beautiful, with many oceans and rivers. I learned much from there. I now know fifteen different ways how to skin and cook a nerf."

Now Obi-Wan laughed. It was a typical Qui-Gon answer, although Obi-Wan suspected this one may be true. If so, it accounted for Qui-Gon's dismal progress in the kitchen. He supposed after you ate nerf, everything tasted as if cooked by the finest chef in Coruscant.

Suddenly Obi-Wan spotted his transport touch down in the bay and began docking procedures. He watched it, feeling detached suddenly. The pilot jumped out and began walking over to the Temple check-in booth, probably to inquire for him. He supposed it was time to go.

Qui-Gon was also watching the transport, and spoke quietly to Obi-Wan. "You are a passionate person, Obi-Wan, and a better person because of it. I have cautioned you of this matter before, and I know you're getting tired of it, but it's my duty. Do not let your feelings for these people tie you there."

Obi-Wan was annoyed slightly at first by Qui-Gon's over caution, thinking he has told me this a hundred times at least. Then, though, he remembered that Qui-Gon only spoke to him like this before he ended up going with his heart. He smiled ruefully; his Master knew him far too well.

"Thank you the caution, Master, and I will heed it," he said, grasping Qui-Gon's forearms again. Qui-Gon, in turn, grasped his. His ice eyes twinkled. "I do not know how long I will be staying. My best estimation is two weeks, but other than that I honestly do not know."

"Take all the time you need, Padawan," Qui-Gon said. "This is an important event in your life. Do not forsake it for me. Come back when you will. However, you know you can't stay there forever, so I ask you not to get attached."

Obi-Wan grinned, letting go of Qui-Gon's arms and slinging the kitbag across his back now. "May the Force be with you, Master."

Qui-Gon was not looking at him; rather, his eyes were fastened at a point above Obi-Wan's head. He spoke softly. "Did I ever tell you I was your Carrier?"

Obi-Wan just stared at him, shock reverberating throughout his mind. Qui-Gon spoke some more. "Your mother… she requested I protect you always. I hope I have cemented that promise I made her. Will you meet her?"

The shock ebbed slightly. "I did not know you were my Carrier, Master," he said slightly. "I am honored, and I'm… I'm surprised." The Force did indeed work in mysterious ways. "I could not find her. My contact is with the royal family of Harken. It is them I will meet."

Qui-Gon nodded, smiling now. "Then do what you will, Padawan. Dare I say, have fun?" They chuckled together. "And I think you are mistaken. I am honored, Obi-Wan, to have been your Carrier. I am still honored. May the Force be with you, Padawan."

Emotions clouded in Obi-Wan's throat, and he cleared it hastily. He realized how dear Qui-Gon was to him in that moment, and so badly wanted to one day be the one Qui-Gon thought greatly of. He nodded once at Qui-Gon, feeling odd, then turned and walked towards the transport.

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Two days later, Obi-Wan stood staring down at the gleaming blue and white planet that was Keliso. He felt through the Force, struggling to feel a connection with that bright sphere. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to be feeling, exactly. He felt excited, but didn't know if that was proper word to describe his mood. He felt no connection between his being and the planet that had borne him. He knew many Jedi had gone to their homeworlds and come off better for it, but that did not dictate how this experience would go.

The two day journey had worn on him, and he was eager to touch down. His contact was a member of the monarchy that formed the planet's government system. Ten minutes of searching in the Archive had heeded more information than he could have wished for, and as he stared into the blue, he thought of it.

The planet was mostly a water world, with more islands than Obi-Wan cared to count. Each was ruled by a monarchy, and those monarchs from each island sat on a Council that met twelve or so times a year, with one monarch ruling it who they called the Supreme Ruler. The Senator that represented Keliso in the Republic was the son of this monarch. Each island produced its own food, own parts, own transports to travel. Obi-Wan was amazed that such a system worked without greed spreading throughout the world. Keliso remained innocent.

Obi-Wan had been born on an island called Harken. The island was ruled by King Tyles and Queen Makail, whose son Eyotal would take the throne once his father passed on. It was rumored the King's health was failing, and that Eyotal was already handling many of the stately affairs and would soon ascend to the throne.

Obi-Wan was set to meet with an assistant to Eyotal on his initial landing at the docking port. From there, the assistant would take him to the palace where he would stay for as long as he wished. There were secrets, the assistant had said over the com, in the Harken culture that the monarchy wishes to share with you.

Soon they would dock and Obi-Wan would learn just what those secrets were. He was not afraid of meeting these people, but it was strange to him to touch down on his own homeworld. The Jedi had tried to find his blood family, but had not succeeded. He was secretly relived at that. He did not want to meet his mother, nor his father. As Qui-Gon as said, he was passionate. If there was one thing Obi-Wan knew about his persona, it was the fact his emotions sometimes took hold of himself to the point of no return. Everyday he worked to shove that part of him aside, and although he did feel he was getting better at it, he did not want to take the chance of finding a connection with his birth parents.

The monarchy would take him in. They had been very gracious to him, telling him that all Harkens were related in the soul.

They called him a Harken. It unnerved him but fascinated him at the same time, and now pure excitement filled him, pushing aside his anxiety. He was about to find out his culture, and that amazed him. He clenched his fist, looking now at the planet with a stark of confidence in his eyes.

This was, apparently, his home.

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A/N:

This story may now seem clunky in the way the parts are posted. This is because when I wrote this, I did not write it with parts and chapters, just one long, big, huge file document. Tehe.

Here's what I know: Jedi Knight Padme, Eruannelaviriel, master kaym, and lindele left reviews. And I thank them for that. It's appreciated beyond what you know. Or maybe you do. –wink-