Obi-Wan Kenobi Book II

Chapter 19 Trailing the Dark

Obi-Wan sat on the balcony completing his three weeks of History homework that his teacher had given him to complete while he recovered. The sun was rising and he took a sip of water that Qui-Gon had sat on the small table next to him while he studied. He relished as the cool water traveled down his throat, but before he could continue he felt Qui-Gon behind him with terror flowing freely. Obi-Wan dropped his cup and put a hand on his lightsaber.

"Master, what is it?"

Qui-Gon's face was drained of color and his posture was sagging. It took him a while to come around to his sences.

"Obi-Wan. I was just coming to check on you. How are you feeling?"

The apprentice wasn't going to let his master slide. "I'm fine master, what's wrong?"

Qui-Gon looked out over the top of the buildings as the sun came up. "Nothing, don't worry about it. The council has asked me to go to the outer rim and check on a few things. I shall only be gone for a week or two."

Obi-Wan streatched his legs, "Am I not going?"

"No. I think you still need some time to recover." Qui-Gon said as he crossed his arms infront of him as a gust of wind came.

Obi-Wan couldn't catch his masters eye and he knew Qui-Gon was just being over protective. The topic, for Obi-Wan, left room for argument.

"But master, I'm fine. The healers released me. Besides, I should be with you."

Qui-Gon smiled slightly at Obi-Wan's loyalty but became somber again as he looked at his apprentice.

"No."

"Master, this is ridiculous I want to go!"

When it came to battle of wills Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could beat almost everyone, except each other.

"No Obi-Wan, do you even know why I'm going to the outer rim?"

"No, you never tell me anything. I have to find everything out on my own, I wish you had some kind of faith in me even if it is a small amount."

"What are you talking about, of cource I have faith in you. I just don't want to take you along this time. I'm going to look for Xanatos, we have some unfinished buiseness and I don't want you around."

Obi-Wan sighed and looked around. "Fine, whatever, I can't handle myself or anything."

Qui-Gon was losing his patientce. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are not going."

Obi-Wan's head hurt, his thinking process was off and something just wasn't settling right. "Fine don't take me. I didn't want to be on the same ship as you anyway."

The words were flying out of Obi-Wan's mouth without a second thought. Qui-Gon fought the urge to smack his apprentice. "Just go and leave your apprentice, I don't need you, I never have."

"That is enough Obi-Wan, I know you're upset about not being able to go but I'm doing what is best."

"No you're not. You're doing what you think is best. You're wrong."

"Go to your room Obi-Wan, I don't want to hear another word come out of your mouth. NOW!"

Obi-Wan did as he was told and went to his room, something strange was happening in his head and he screamed against the walls that was holding his subconscious in. It was almost as if someone else was controling him.

Qui-Gon was up early like everyother day but stayed in his room until Obi-Wan left for his classes. He didn't know what was wrong with the boy, their argument the day before was unsettling but Qui-Gon wouldn't allow Obi-Wan to be in danger of Xanatos again.

Qui-Gon heard footsteps tread lightly down the hall and stop at his door. Obi-Wan's presence was rigid, almost anxious. He didn't knock, didn't say goodbye or anything and Qui-Gon let him go.

Sighing, the master got out of bed and went into the kitchen to fix himself a light breakfast. There were no dishes from his padawan and that in itself was unsettling. Whenever Obi-Wan wasn't hungry that ment one of two things either he was sick or he was in mortal danger. Qui-Gon thought that it was highly unlikely to be the later.

Making a mental note to ask Obi-Wan about it later he went into his room to pack for the journey.

Obi-Wan sat through his classes and thought anout his argument with Qui-Gon. It was true that he was recovered, but Obi-Wan needed to be by his master's side, just the thought that Xanatos may defeat Qui-Gon turned his insides to ice.

Excusing himself from class, Obi-Wan headed for the rooms he shared with his master.

Qui-Gon finished packing and stoped outside Obi-Wan's bedroom. The room had barely changed since the first time his apprentice had slept there. Memories flooded his mind and the different emotions he felt made him sigh.

"What are you doing?"

Qui-Gon didn't even feel Obi-Wan's presence when he came in.

"What are you doing out of your classes?" he countered, looking down at his apprentice.

"I needed to come talk to you." Obi-Wan said then spotted Qui-Gon's travel bag. "You're leaving?"

Qui-Gon looked away for a moment feeling guilty. "Yes, I wanted to leave before you got back from your classes, which you should not be missing."

Obi-Wan's mind started to become fuzzy, "You know what, fine, go ahead. I'll go back to my classes."

"Wait Obi-Wan, what did you want to talk to me about?"

The younger jedi turned around and looked up at his mentor. "It doesn't matter, the whole thing was about something that you don't care for."

The comlink hanging on Qui-Gon's belt beeped. 'Master Jinn, your ship is ready.' He ignored it.

"What would that be?"

"Me."

Obi-Wan's eyes were cold and dark as he stormed out, Qui-Gon knew he was missing something, he only hoped that whatever it was, Obi-Wan could figure it out. Taking a last look around the room, he left.

TBC