NOTES: Aneika-Rose: "curiouser"… I don't even think I can pronounce that correctly. By the way, Death Denied… awesome! Kivari: Lil Obi's are my fave too! I'll try and remember to send you a link to some awesome lil Obi fics. I think it's Tales from the Bonding Universe or something. Ciria: lol! Sorry about the lack of cereal! I could mail ya some if you'd like :) I don't know how long it takes to mail something to Finland. We should find out! And sorry about the loooong wait for this crappy chapter, next will be better, I promise! b: Nice name, HA! Sorry, my humor is kinda dry. Thanks 4 review! Padawan Kitara: glad you found this story, hope you like it and I also hope I didn't lose ya on my long sabatical. This one's kinda short, but fear not, moree is to come :) Jedi-Nifet: For fifty bucks I'll tell ya everything… okay perhaps not. Sit back as I attempt to intrigue you even more so. Shanobi: I'm really happy you enjoyed my weak attempt at humor. I kinda have a dry and random humor a lot of people don't always understand. So I'm glad someone thought that funny, other than me of course. And about your guess………… Cascadia: ha ha, I had myself scared there for a while. Don't get too comfortable though; as you predicted, it's only just begun, sort of… okay well there's still a lot left anyways.
Chapter 5"Why are we sitting around debating this?" Master Del Toh stated loudly, rising from her Council seat. "We should be amongst the other Knights, helping to find this traitor and the mystery behind these droids."
"I agree." Master Koth pronounced. "With the current demands of Jedi intervention we are short Knights and Masters within our own walls."
Master Gallia interjected. "I agree that something must be done, however we are stronger and more in tuned with the force when we are together, as one. If we were to separate, we risk losing our focus and perhaps missing a vital warning within the force; another attack so to speak."
"We did not foresee the first two attacks until it was too late. If we were to help find these attackers before they strike-"
"Then we would still be as clueless as to the reasoning behind these attacks as we are now." All heads turned to see Master Qui Gon Jinn enter through the Council Chamber doors, a small child sitting in his arms, followed by Creche Master Yai'De.
"Master Jinn, Master Yai'De" Adi Gallia spoke, "we were worried when we heard of your plight." She tilted her head taking in the child leaning sideways against the Master's chest, staring at her. The little one looked like he'd been through a war; dirt-covered from head to toe, mussed hair, blood-splattered tunic, bruised face, and puffy, bloodshot eyes, obviously from crying. She tilted her head, giving a warm, rare, smile. "I see you found our little runaway."
"Indeed, and not a moment to soon." Qui Gon put a hand on the child's back, who continued to silently watch the Council Members with an expression of quiet exhaustion. "We found initiate Kenobi in the garden's. On our way to the Council Chamber's we were attacked by a group of droids."
"Knight Bahktii informed us of the situation. Although I am curious as to why you did not inform us yourself." Mace genuinely asked, curious as to the child's current state.
"Master Yai'De and I were occupied with locating Initiate Kenobi."
"And may I ask where Initiate Kenobi was?"
Qui Gon hesitated a moment. "In the ventilation shaft." Mace cocked an eyebrow at his friend. Qui Gon took a deep breath. "During the attack there were too many droids for Master Yai'De and I to fend off alone and protect Kenobi at the same time. We hid him in the ventilation shaft for his own protection."
"Hm, saved his life it did." Yoda's large ears perked back slightly; a gesture of his sincerity.
Qui Gon gave a small nod of thanks to his old Master's assurance in him. "After the droids were defeated, Master Yai'De and I went in search of Initiate Kenobi. We tracked him to the Yeada levels." The tall Master paused, sensing the piqued curiosity of the Council Members. "When we found him, he was being chased by another droid."
"Which most likely means there are more hidden through out the Temple." Master Plo Koon interrupted.
"We should prepare for another attack." Master Del Toh's crisp voice stated firmly.
"I do not believe this is simply an attack on the Jedi." All heads turned to study the tall Master still holding his precious charge. Qui Gon glanced at Yai'De who gave him a small nod of encouragement. He could feel the sudden waves of strength the Creche Master was surrounding he and Obi Wan in. He looked to the Council Members again. "I believe initiate Kenobi encountered something while in the ventilation shafts."
"Did he speak of this to you?"
"Obi Wan was traumatized when we found him. I did not think it wise to force him to talk of it at the time. He is still very young." He reminded them.
"Hm, take comfort in you he does." Yoda slid down from his chair, using his gimmer stick to hobble toward the threesome in the middle of the Chambers. He gestured with a claw for the tall Master to kneel. Qui Gon did, shifting Obi Wan slightly so the old Master could better see him. Obi Wan however didn't move his head from Qui Gon's chest; his ocean eyes dully stared at the little green troll. Yoda's eyes looked fondly upon the child; simply looking into the bloodshot, turquoise eyes revealed just how much the child had been through in a single day. He rested his hands on his gimmer stick, sending calming waves to the boy. "A brave Jedi you are Obi Wan. A trying day you have had, yes?" Obi Wan's shy eyes averted to the floor. Yoda sighed. "Braver still, I must ask you to be. Tell us of your experience in the ventilation shaft you must. Depend on it the Jedi do."
Obi Wan's eyes found the old Master's again, his head still resting against Qui Gon's chest. Silent moments passed before the little one's voice quietly spoke. "I ran into a machine."
Qui Gon felt a tiny smirk pull at the corner of his mouth. Despite all things, the little initiate still exuberated such a child-like innocence. He watched Yoda nod encouragingly.
"Hm, a droid you ran into. Escape it you did." He stated more than questioned. Obi Wan gave a few small nods. "And then?"
Another moment of silence passed as Obi Wan's eyes drifted to somewhere amongst the tiny Master's robes, deep in thought. "I fell down a shaft." He paused again, sucking on his lower lip. "There were voices in a room."
"Followed the voices to the room you did."
Again Obi Wan nodded, looking into Master Yoda's half-lidded eyes. "There were men in there."
"Know them did you?"
"It was the Temple guards."
Qui Gon and Yai'De glanced at each other. Both fearing their earlier predictions were about to be proven true.
"They were looking for something." The four-year old swallowed, a small shiver running up his back. "The lights went out and they got locked in." The turquoise eyes rimmed with tears. "They were all killed." The child took in a shaky breath, his little hands, tightening their grip on Qui Gon's robes.
"That would explain the missing security teams." Master Plo Koon's voice softly filled the room. The rest of the council members nodded their agreement solemnly. Giving a moment of silence in respect to the senseless passing of life.
Qui Gon ran his hand in gentle circles along Obi Wan's back. What a gruesome sight for a four-year old to have had to witness. He could feel the tremors starting again in the small body. He sent his own waves of the calming force along with those of the council's to the child, but they seemed to have little effect.
"There was a man." All heads turned to the small, frail voice breaking the gloomy silence.
Qui Gon frowned. "What do you mean Obi Wan?" he gently asked.
The child's head lifted from his chest to stare at him with teary, frightened eyes. "He was evil. He didn't like them. He killed them." Obi Wan's words came out in small gasps as he lost the battle to control the tears, his voice cracking.
"Know him, did you?" Yoda asked.
Obi Wan's lip trembled as he shook his head. Qui Gon ran a hand over the ginger hair, soothing him. "Did he say anything? Anything at all." He calmly stressed. A small nod answered him. "What did he say?"
The boy's breath hiccuped and he swallowed. "Know this… your deaths… mark a greater… achieve-ment." His words were disjointed as he took in shaky breaths, trying to be brave before the council.
Yai'De tilted her head, listening. From the sounds of it, her little initiate was repeating word for word what the man had said. Never underestimate this child's listening skills, she thought to herself. She could see from the determination in his eye's however that he wasn't through yet.
"And in the circular room… the one will…" his face scrunched up as he seemed to have difficulty with the next word, "…wit-ness… the death of many… and he will be found." He finished with a sniff.
Yoda's ears drew back and his eyes found Master Windu's. Mace took a deep breath and shifted in his chair.
"Obi Wan," the child looked at him. "You're certain you heard the man say this?" At the child's small nod, he sighed, glancing to Yoda again.
Qui Gon warily eyed the two. He was convinced the Master's knew something. Something they weren't willing to share at this time. He drew upon the force to strengthen his patience. Whatever it was, he realized it probably was best not spoken before the little one. Too much had already been placed upon his shoulders.
Yoda sighed and looked to the young initiate again, whose head had found it's resting place upon Qui Gon's chest once more; an occasional tear still sliding down his bruised and dirty cheeks. "Brave you have been Obi Wan. Behaved as a true Jedi you did." A few more tears spilled down the young face. "Now rest you should." He looked to Yai'De who nodded thankfully. "Go with Master Yai'De you will."
Qui Gon carefully handed the exhausted child over. Obi Wan seemed to hesitate releasing his grip on Qui Gon's robes, but did so knowing he'd be safe with Master Yai'De.
"Thank you Masters." Yai'De gave a small bow of her head before exiting the chambers. She felt Qui Gon's gaze follow her and her precious charge through the doors. As soon as the doors closed, Yai'De used a wall com to call for a healer to meet her in the Creche. When she turned around a Knight was standing there, waiting for her.
"Master Yai'De, Master Yoda asked you be escorted back to the Creche."
She cocked an eyebrow. "Is he afraid I'm going to get lost?"
The Knight smiled. "No Master. I believe it's for you and the little one's protection."
Yai'De gave a slow nod. "Lead the way." She turned and followed behind him. "That is if you still remember how to get there Knight Gristow." She said with a tiny smirk.
The Knight stopped and turned to look at her with a sarcastic smile. "My time in the Creche was hardly forgettable Master."
"As it should be." She smiled and followed after the grinning Knight again. She looked down at the child in her arms. She had expected him to pass out from exhaustion; instead his head was resting on her shoulder, weary eyes watching the halls they passed through; an occasional sniff accompanying the soft tapping of their boots on the tiled floor. What a horrific day for this child to have been through. She rested a hand to the side of the boy's head and kissed the top of his mused, ginger hair.
"Sleep Obi Wan." She whispered, pressing against his sensitive force signature with a sleep suggestion. His eyelids slid closed and his breathing deepened. She kissed his head again and then directed her attention to halls before her. "I fear you'll need it." She sighed quietly to herself.
Tbc…
NOTE: Okay guys… I know… weak, very weak. It's okay to say so… I already know so. This is definitely not one of my better chapters. By all means, please let me know where you think I could've improved this one. And try to stick with me here… the next chapters I promise will entail some more action. Sorry for taking so long on this one… I've been a little distracted with the release of Attack of the Clones and LOTR Directors cut. So let's hope I can spit the rest of chapter 6 out here soon. And if you feel me worthy enough still… then feel free to give a quick review! I adore hearing what you all are thinking… even if you feel like you're repeating yourself or sound stupid… I relate very well to stupid :)