Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas.

Author's Note: Three words for tonight... STAR WARS MARATHON! Unfortunately, Clone Wars Vol. 2 is not out on dvd yet. Oh, well. Well enjoy... ;-)

Chapter Ten- Ill Omens

News flooded the Coruscant holonet within three weeks after the news of Utapau. This time it came from the fiery planet Mustafar. The planet had served as a secret base for the Separatist leaders since General Grievous had sent them there shortly before his death. On this planet, they were far beyond the sight of the Republic, but they did not escape the eyes of the Sith.

The grisly slaughter was the talk of not only the Senate but also the whole galaxy. Added security was placed throughout the Core and Mid-Core worlds. A line had been drawn on who could be protected. Refugees poured into those safe areas, causing over crowding in the cities.

The Jedi council poured over the fresh data. It was disheartening. The Sith Lords' attention had turned to Kamino, and despite the Republic's best efforts the cloning facilities had been destroyed. That fight had cost the council two of their own. Masters Colman Kcaj and Agen Kolar would never return from their mission to safeguard Kamino. Two chairs besides theirs were emptied. Master Jinn, who would be on his way to aid the Supreme Chancellor, and Master Kenobi was still recuperating from his ordeal.

"Who should receive their seats," Shaak-Ti calmly brushed the topic. Over the course of the Clone Wars, this had become a common topic.

Yoda looked distantly out the Council Chamber's glass window. He sighed. "Feel strange the Force does. Something not right there is." The wizened master paused. "Wait till Masters Jinn and Kenobi can join us we will. Decided then the chairs will be."

"But can, Master Kenobi, still be a council member. He cannot feel the Force, except through her. Is it safe with his connection to Miss Shan to keep him on the Council?" Master Mundi finished.

"No harm will their bond bring." Yoda said quietly. "Bring hope it might."

After a few days of practice, the intricate flowing moves of the katas were returning to Obi-wan. He had no doubt that he owed it to Ravelin, who had been helping him. He now understood what the Exile had meant when she had said that Ravelin would be his focusing crystal. Together as the pair went through the motions, there bodies moving in perfect sequence. For the majority of the morning, the two had quietly been running through the various katas. There had been no need to voice any emotion, because they passed easily through the bond.

Obi-wan jumped when he felt her hand touch his side. He had been so intent on the movements that he had not noticed her stop.

"Your jumpy," Ravelin said is surprise. "I was just noticing a flaw in your stance."

"I didn't realize you had stopped."

"I have been watching you for minutes!" Ravelin smiled. "I know what you were thinking."

"How do you know it was me thinking?" A smirk appeared upon Obi-wan's face.

"Men's thoughts are all the same."

"Are they?"

Her hand clamped on to his side. "Yes, I've learned from experience," she smoothly said. "You're breaking the flow as you move left. Here, we will go through it one more time."

As Obi-wan, initiated the kata, he was exceedingly aware of her presence. He found it hard to concentrate. Her hand rested lightly on his side, her other on his shoulder. Her full chest pressed against his back, made him more self-conscious.

/Your thinking again./ He heard her gentle voice in his head.

/Am not./

/You're a horrible liar./

Obi-wan smiled in spite of himself. "Maybe you can teach me better."

"Perhaps," Ravelin laughed. "But what does it have to do with katas?"

"Nothing."

/Then, perhaps, we can return to the katas./

The two return to the flowing kata. So intent were the two, they did not hear the door to Obi-wan's room open. Qui-Gon watched his former padawan, and felt pride rise inside him. However, the closeness of the pair caused him to frown. Obi-wan did not need another experience like the one he had faced with Siri Tachi. He could only hope that Obi-wan had learned not to become attached. 'But with that bond he will have a hard time.'

With a cough, Qui-Gon brought the two to a stop. He noticed Obi-wan's reddening face. "Sorry, to have disturbed your practice."

"It is fine, we were almost done."

Ravelin stepped toward the door. "I have things to discuss with Sabia, and the others. I will leave you, two, to talk."

Qui-Gon waited until she left. "I'm on my way to the Chancellor's office. I wanted to see how you were doing before I left."

"You worry about me too much," Obi-wan stated as he moved to the couch. "I am perfectly fine."

"You are progressing a lot."

A bitter laugh escaped from Obi-wan. "The progress you speak of is mostly due to me drawing the Force from Ravelin. I miss my own Force presence. It is not the same."

Qui-Gon gently touched the younger man's shoulder. "Perhaps in time, the Force will return to you."

/In time, it will return…/

"Yes," Obi-wan paused. "I am just focusing on the negative, like always."

Qui-Gon smiled at his friend. "Well, I mustn't keep the Chancellor waiting." The older man abruptly paused as he reached the door. An odd expression came to his face, though it was just as quickly gone. "Obi-wan, if something would ever happen to me, I want you to watch over Anakin for me."

Obi-wan's eyebrows lowered in concern. "Is something troubling you, Master?"

"No," Qui-Gon said, with what Obi-wan assumed was false cheer. "Just a thought." With that, Qui-Gon left the Jedi temple.

Qui-Gon looked around the Chancellor's darkening office at its occupants. Two of the chancellor's red guards stood beside the door. The political figures sat in chairs before the chancellor. They included three senators, Orin Free Taa, Ask Aak and Naboo's representative Jar Jar Binks, who was filling in for Padmè Amidala. Padmè had been forced to take leave of the senate for medical reasons, which were closely concealed, though they were not considered life threatening. Beside the ragged Chancellor, on either side, stood Mas Amedda, and Sly Moore.

Qui-Gon stood behind the Chancellor. The Senators' and the chancellor's conversation began to slacken, and Qui-Gon entertained thoughts of returning to the temple early. His eyes moved from the senators and his breath caught in his lungs.

In the door way stood a Sith Lord. His bone-white mask glowing in the artificial light of the office. The red emblems on his mask seemed to blaze. His lightsaber ignited and in a swift move, he dispatched the two guards before they could even react. Then his glowing red eyes turned to the others. With a flick of his wrist, the door closed and locked behind him.

Author's Note: Enjoy the Cliffhanger! Whahahahahaha cough, cough> Whahahahahahaha