Part 3

Obi-Wan quickly made his way towards the council room, deep in thought. What had that been all about? He was still puzzled from the way Kirana had acted during dinner. She had been sweet...too sweet, in my opinion. One minute she was furious with him and the next, she kept on smiling at him. I guess she likes me. He grinned, but there was still a part of him that was at unease. Something still bothered him. He remembered Kirana's teasing eyes... they had almost seemed to be laughing at him... Another thing puzzled him. Why did everyone he pass give him strange looks? They looked at him as if he was an alien with three heads.

Obi-Wan finally reached the Jedi Council room. He opened the door and stepped inside. Apparently, everyone had been in a heated discussion, but now, all conversation had stopped. Everybody stared at him. Obi-Wan started to feel nervous. He bowed and was about to speak, when Yoda spoke.

"Why are you here Obi-Wan, I ask?", said Yoda.

"I was summoned by a servant who said I was to come before you," replied Obi-Wan.

"We did not summon you," said Mace Windu, his voice sharp.

Obi-Wan felt foolish. What is going on? He turned to look at Qui-Gon, and to his surprise, his mentor began to laugh.

"What has happened to your face, Obi-Wan?" asked Qui-Gon.

"So blue, it is. Normal, I think not," said an amused Yoda.

Obi-Wan frowned. What are they all talking about? He touched his face. It feels normal.

"I do not know who has summoned you, but I suggest you should go and find out. I'm sorry, but we are in the middle of a meeting," said Mace Windu, as he tried not to smile.

"Yes Master Windu. I apologize for disturbing you all. I will go now," said Obi-Wan as he started to leave the room.

"Obi-Wan?" called out Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan turned around. "Yes Master?"

He smiled. "I suggest you look in a mirror."

Once again, Obi-Wan frowned and quickly left the room, but he could still hear the members of the council laughing at him. He quickly made his way into the nearest room, to find a mirror. He looked and gasped. My face has turned blue! How could this have happened?

Obi-Wan tried to search for answers, but couldn't find any. Suddenly, it came to him. He remembered Kirana's smile and teasing eyes. She did it! She's the one! I cant believe she'd do that! Not only had she made him look like a fool in front of her friends, and the other people in the temple, she had embarrassed him in front of the council! At that moment, Obi-Wan felt so foolish, he had fallen for her trick just like that! Obi-Wan shook his head. No wonder the council had been laughing at me! What's worse, is that I actually thought she liked me. It was all an act. He didn't want to have to face her, he wanted to go to his chamber, but he knew he was going to pay a little visit to Kirana.

* * *

Kirana looked up to see a very angry Obi-Wan coming her way. Her friends had left, but she wanted to stay. She had to see his expression, she wouldn't have missed it for the world! He stood right in front of her and his eyes flashed like thunder.

Kirana smiled. "What's the matter, hotshot, feeling a little blue today?" She laughed.

"I can't believe you!" Obi-Wan sputtered in fury.

"Believe it or not, Obi-Wan, but I just fooled you," she smiled in amazement. "You really thought I liked you? After what you did? That I would just forget about the whole thing?" she shook her head.

Obi-Wan refused to be put on the spot. "Humiliating me in front of your friends is one thing, but in front of the council is an entirely different matter! They all thought I had gone mad!"

"It appears you have. Well, goodnight blue-boy." With that, Kirana left the room.

Obi-Wan stared at her in disbelief before he started heading towards his own room. He felt upset. What would the council think of him now? He remembered even his own master had begun to laugh. He walked in and hung his lightsaber on the wall and sat down on the edge of his bed. Hopefully, the color wouldn't last long. he looked in the mirror. I look absolutely ridiculous. His face reminded him of the griel fruits he had eaten a couple of days ago, bright blue in color.

"There you are, Obi-Wan," said Qui-Gon as he walked in.

Obi-Wan looked up and still saw laughter in his eyes. "Yes Master?"

"The council have decided that you will fight with Kirana tomorrow in the arena. We would like to observe both of your skills," said Qui-Gon.

"Yes Master," replied Obi-Wan. So, he was going to fight with Kirana. He suddenly smiled, an idea forming in his mind. He knew the perfect way to get back at her.

"Don't worry, Obi-Wan, your... uh... blueness should only be temporary. Until then, you will stand out. But that's good, I won't have any trouble telling my padawan apart from the others!" Qui-Gon grinned.

"Very amusing," said Obi-Wan, giving him a look that said, "That's enough teasing for today."

"Sleep well," said Qui-Gon as he shut the door behind him.

Now he was finally alone. He grinned. He could hardly wait till tomorrow.

* * *

Kirana looked to see her opponent approaching her. He was young, strong and handsome. But arrogant and foolish. She gave him a fake smile, disappointed that the color had not lasted long. He seemed to read her thoughts.

"It's a shame the color didn't last longer, don't you agree Kirana? Now, I'm back to normal," said Obi-Wan, giving her a charming smile.

Kirana looked him up and down. "I'm not so sure about that," she replied coolly.

"It looks like you will be fighting me. You had better watch out." Obi-Wan grinned.

"We shall see," Kirana glared at him.

My, my, if looks could kill. Obi-Wan laughed silently.

"Begin, you will," said Yoda who was sitting with the rest of the council members.

Kirana and Obi-Wan shook hands and bowed. Then they activated their lightsabers.

The gentle hum of lightsabers filled the arena. The audience cheered loudly. Kirana no longer focused on Obi-Wan. Instead, she opened her mind to the force. She struck again and again, without slowing down. But Obi-Wan met her hits with powerful blows of his own. As she moved to strike again, Obi-Wan flipped into the air and landed right behind her. Kirana had sensed this. She rolled onto the floor and swiftly stood up. Once again, their lightsabers met.

She's quite good. Thought Obi-Wan. He twisted and turned and pushed her closer towards the wall. Kirana began to feel her muscles ache, but she ignored the pain. The force would heal her.

Suddenly, something fell on the ground next to them. Obi-Wan momentarily glanced at it. It was all the time she needed. She powerfully hit his lightsaber out of his hand and it slid across the floor. Kirana deactivated her lightsaber and smiled. The duel was over.

Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. She had beaten him! He could hear the audience cheer loudly. He looked over towards the council, and they all seemed proud too.

"Well, hotshot. What do you think now?" said Kirana. She couldn't resist a smile.

"I'd say you were just lucky," Obi-Wan responded, infuriating her.

"Luck? I think not. You're just too proud to admit that a girl beat you, am I right?" she crossed her arms, looking directly into Obi-Wan's eyes.

Once again, she had put him on the spot. Well, not this time.

He gave her another charming smile. "No, Kirana, please understand."

"What?" asked Kirana.

Obi-Wan spoke loudly, so the whole audience could hear. "Please Kirana, try to understand. I - I don't love you, I don't feel the love you feel for me," he said, putting one hand on her shoulder.

Kirana stared at him. "What are you talking about?" she asked with her voice rising.

"What I'm saying is that you'll find someone else, someone who will make you happier," smiled Obi-Wan.

"No! No! Stop saying that!" Kirana said loudly.

"Oh please Kirana, stop begging! I know you care deeply for me, you carry so much passion for me, but you must fight those feelings! Just forget about me," said Obi-Wan, giving her a sad smile as he stepped away from her.

Everyone roared with laughter. Kirana couldn't believe it. She finally understood what Obi-Wan had been trying to do, he wanted to humiliate her in front of everyone!

"Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, low-down, scruffy-looking nerf-herder!" sputtered Kirana in fury.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Who's scruffy looking? I tell you, I must have hit rather close to the mark to get you jumping like this!"

"Well, I guess you don't know everything about women yet!" With that, Kirana dropped her lightsaber and ran from the room.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan realized how cruel he had been. How could he have hurt her like that?

He looked at Qui-Gon, who gave him a disapproving look. But I was only trying to get even with her, he protested. He knew these childish pranks had gone too far. He bent down to pick up Kirana's lightsaber, and hurriedly left the arena to find her.

* * *

Obi-Wan didn't have to look for long. His first guess had been that she was at the balcony. He had just sensed it. Sure enough, there she was, looking up at the stars.

Kirana frowned. Somehow, she had felt his presence behind her. He had really humiliated her. Now the whole world thought she was in love with Obi- Wan, which she wasn't. "What do you want?" she asked in a sharp tone.

"Kirana, I - ," Obi-Wan began as Kirana interrupted him.

"Are you happy now, Obi-Wan? I knew you were upset that I beat you, so you humiliated me in front of everyone. You must be real proud of yourself."

"No, Kirana. I came to apologize for everything I have done and said. I shouldn't have underestimated you. I guess I let my foolish pride get the best of me. I was cruel and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me," finished Obi-Wan, giving her a weak smile.

Kirana looked into his blue eyes, to see if he was lying. She knew he was telling the truth. He no longer seemed like the arrogant man she had first met. Instead, here was a sweet and caring person. Finally, her face broke into a smile.

"I'm sorry too, Obi-Wan. I was also foolish. I was so mean to you. Truce?" she smiled and held out her hand.

"Truce," grinned Obi-Wan.

As their hands met, they both felt they had become close friends.

"Let's promise never to argue again," said Obi-Wan.

Kirana raised her eyebrows. "Somehow I don't think that's possible," she laughed.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Probably not, but hopefully...," he said as his voice trailed off.

"Well, goodnight Obi," said Kirana, and she gave him a warm hug.

A pleased Obi-Wan returned her hug with his own and then gave her a devilish grin.

"Sweet dreams, Kirana. I'll know they'll be sweet because I'll be in them," he teased.

Kirana rolled her eyes and swatted him playfully on his arm. "Thanks to you, everyone in the temple thinks I'm in love with you!"

"Hey, it's not that bad. I don't mind...," he laughed once again.

Suddenly Kirana felt uncomfortable. As she looked into Obi-Wan's eyes, she could tell he was being serious. She felt her face blush. "Well, bye Obi. See you tomorrow." Kirana looked one last time at him before walking to her room.

"Bye Kirana," said Obi-Wan as he stared after her.