Part 10

Qui-Gon Jinn hurried quickly through the small city of Mos Espa. He used the force to guide him towards the two padawans that were locked in a duel with their evil attacker. Qui-Gon loved both of them and knew they were strong, but it could not ease the worry Qui Gon felt. As he rushed, he saw a woman coming his way at full speed. She was not aware of him. She collided with him. She looked up and Qui-Gon smiled.

Shmi Sywalker stared into the loving face of Qui-Gon Jinn. The man who had given her son a better life.

"Shmi!" said Qui-Gon as he put his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead. "Are you all right?"

Shmi shook her head. "A man I have never seen before is fighting with two young Jedi!"

Obi-Wan and Kirana thought Qui-Gon. "Where are they? Obi-Wan is my padawan learner and Kirana is also a padawan. We came to rescue you and I sent them. Tell me, where are they?" asked Qui-Gon, with concern in his voice.

"They are in my house!" said Shmi.

"Let's go. Stay close to me and you'll be safe." With that, Qui-Gon held Shmi's hand as they both made their way towards her hut.

Lightsabers clashed. The man wheeled and spun with astonishing ease. Obi- Wan constantly attacked, without slowing. Kirana tried to find an opening but the man was too smart to give them one. With quick, hard strokes of her lightsaber, she engaged herself in close combat, refusing to let the man bring down his lightsaber. The man, leaping and somersaulting showed no signs of giving up. Obi-Wan hit powerful blows, each one with speed and strength. Then, all of a sudden, their attacker slowed down. Obi-Wan looked to see his Master appear on the scene, already attacking the man with power. The man frowned at this turn of events. He then jumped into the air and flipped, landing several feet away from the Jedi. He gave one last evil smile and then vanished as if he had never existed.

Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber. "I'd wish he would stop doing that."

Kirana stood quietly, trying to breathe normally. She shuddered as she remembered the way that man had looked at her.

"I guess he thought he was outnumbered three to one, so he left," said Obi- Wan as he stood right beside Kirana.

But Qui-Gon shook his head. "Do not be so sure, Obi-Wan. he might have planned it this way. But I am certain he will return."

"Qui-Gon, is everything fine?" asked Shmi who was standing beside him.

As Qui-Gon's eyes fell on Shmi, he instantly knew why the man had come. He came here to attack Shmi, to kill her so Anakin would bring out his hate and anger. That was the only explanation that seemed logical for Qui-Gon. He put his hand on Shmi's shoulder. "We are fine for now but we must leave this place and go back to Coruscant."

Qui-Gon, Shmi and Kirana started to leave but Obi-Wan held Kirana's hand. "I must speak to you," he said.

Qui-Gon turned around.

"It'll only be a minute, Master," said Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon nodded and he and Shmi made their way towards the ship.

Kirana and Obi-Wan stared at each other. Then they threw their arms around one another, grateful they were both alive. Obi-Wan looked adoringly at her. Thank you Kirana, for saving me.

No Obi, I'm just glad you're okay, thought Kirana. Even though neither had spoken aloud, they knew each other's thoughts. Kirana rested her head on Obi-Wan's shoulder, closing her eyes. Mixed emotions flooded her mind. For some reason, she wanted to be close to Obi-Wan. She tried to deny her feelings but she couldn't. Shaking the feelings away didn't help. She felt someone shaking her gently. It was then she realized Obi-Wan was trying to get her attention.

"Ah, Kirana, would you be so kind as to let me go? We should get going."

Kirana saw amusement in his eyes. Kirana blushed scarlet. She hadn't realized she had been holding onto Obi-Wan while he was trying to get free! She immediately removed her hands from his neck and looked down.

Obi-Wan smiled at this, obviously enjoying watching Kirana shy away from him. "Come on, we must be going, Ki," said Obi-Wan as he took her hand.

The sun had started to go down, and the people of Mos Espa had already begun to close their stores.

"So, are you okay? You still seem shaken. What's wrong?" asked Obi-Wan with concern.

"Nothing......is wrong." said Kirana.

"Dont tell me that. I know what happened..." Obi-Wan's voice trailed off as if it were diffucult for him to say it. He looked into her eyes and saw pain. "He...kissed you, didn't he?" asked Obi-Wan quietly.

Kirana gulped. "Yes...he did, but how did you know that?"

"When you started calling my name, telling me to wake up, I saw images, images of you. I saw how you were in so much pain. It was like I was lost in an unknown world, one that I couldn't escape. Then I saw what he did and how he hurt you," said Obi-Wan as his voice became soft.

"Obi, it was horrible! I was so angry that he hurt you, but I pushed all of my dark thoughts towards him, away from me, so the light side, the force could help me. It worked and I was saved. But it was nothing like I have ever experienced. His touch burned, like blazing hot fire. I could feel evil coming from him. His darkside..."

"I'm sorry I couldn't help. I would never have let him hurt you like that. I blame myself," said Obi-Wan.

"No Obi, it wasn't your fault. Please listen to me," protested Kirana as she looked into his eyes. But when she looked into his eyes, she saw revenge.

"Obi-Wan, it's un-Jedi like to want revenge. That leads to the darkside. Please, just forget about him, forget your anger. This is not the way."

Finally, his anger left his eyes and his eyes became sincere. "I'm sorry Kirana. You are right. Revenge is not the way. I just don't want him to ever hurt you again. The force will protect you from all evil. It always has and will forever."

"Yes Obi, I know..."