Disclaimer: Star Wars brings in tons of money and as I have not seen a single cent of that money, I am not George Lucas and therefore don't own Star Wars. And sadly, that means I don't own Obi-Wan either.

Summary: The second story in the Jedi Trials series. Obi-Wan's been captured, Qui-Gon's left the Jedi Order, and Anakin must learn to trust his new Master. The Republic is on the brink of war and only Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin can save the galaxy.

Author's Notes: Well, it took a little longer for me to update than I had hoped, but at least I updated, right? I decided to try a different POV in this chapter; I hope you all enjoy it.

On another note, because of the new rule of no review responses allowed in chapters, I will be answering all reviews, signed and anonymous, in my profile. I would use the reply button for signed reviews, but as I do sometimes give away little hints in my replies, I would like to make them available for all my readers to see.

Torture and Death

By Kekelina

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Chapter Nine: Thoughts of a Friend and Master

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It was early morning on Coruscant. The hazy light from the sun was just beginning to peek over the tops of the durasteel skyscrapers that marked Coruscant's skyline. The pale yellow sky reflected off everything, giving off the aspect of a glimmering jewel. Traffic streaked through the sky despite the early hour with the intent to get from point A to destination B. There was little bustle on the ground, most patrons still resting peacefully in their warm beds. At the Jedi Temple, however, one Padawan was not resting so peacefully.

Bant had been watching Anakin since he had sneaked out of their quarters earlier that night. Her new Padawan hadn't a clue, however, as she had not made her presence known to him. For many nights since they had been reassigned to these new quarters, Anakin had been having trouble sleeping. Bant had hoped that it was simply because he missed Qui-Gon and he would get over it soon, but after Anakin had gone through almost a week of not sleeping at all, Bant was beginning to worry.

As a Healer, Bant knew the dangers of these acts and desperately wanted to confront her Padawan, but she was also concerned about what a confrontation with her Padawan would do to their slowly forming Master-Padawan bond. It could hinder its growth and perhaps completely destroy it. Bant had seen it happen before, albeit not very often. She had seen the effects of a destroyed bond on the Master-Padawan team. One specific scenario came to her mind: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. It pained her heart to even think about their once-flourishing relationship now demolished into rubble.

Obi-Wan had complained that Qui-Gon had abandoned him. He had said that Qui-Gon had dismissed him as a Padawan from the first moment he had laid eyes on Anakin and discovered his midichlorian count. Compared to Anakin, Obi-Wan had said, he was just a lowly non-Force sensitive. He was trash, and Qui-Gon had treated him as such.

Bant shook her head. She didn't agree with her friend's statements, though she had heard about how Qui-Gon had pushed him into the trials soon after they had returned from Naboo. However, most of Obi-Wan's other "evidence" seemed to be more from his own grudge against Qui-Gon than from actual fact. It just didn't seem possible that after having such a deep relationship with Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon could so easily dismiss him for a nine-year-old boy. It wasn't in Qui-Gon's nature.

Of course it was in Qui-Gon's nature, Obi-Wan would scoff at her whenever she tried to share her own arguments with him in a desperate attempt of reconciliation. He had never wanted him as a Padawan, Obi-Wan would claim. "Look at Bandomeer," he would say. "I had to be willing to give up my own life before he would trust me!" Bant would then sigh and shake her head, unwilling to disagree with her friend anymore that day. The conversation would turn to something more pleasant, and the two would spend the rest of their time together in peace.

Now she was sitting here watching another life that had been shattered by Qui-Gon's choices: was it in his nature to abandon his Padawans?

Anakin seemed heartbroken to be without Qui-Gon, just as Obi-Wan had acted during the early days of his Knighthood. It broke Bant's heart because she was unable to help him. What could she say that would make Anakin feel better about having been left on the Force-forsaken planet of Tatooine all alone because his Master had suddenly decided to join the Separatists? How could she comfort the boy and keep him from harboring the same thoughts that her friend did towards the old ex-Jedi Master?

Oh, how she wished the Force would provide her the answers to her questions!

The sun had risen higher in the morning sky, but Anakin hadn't moved from his position in front of a pond in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. How ironic that it was the very same pond where Bant had almost died. Despite the pond almost killing her, Bant loved to return to it and swim in its cooling waters. As a Mon Calamari, Bant loved moisture and had her quarters specifically enhanced to give the feeling of her homeworld. Because Anakin was human, however, she had had his room made as dry as any other in the Temple and had also made their joint quarters a bit more dry than she would've enjoyed them.

She sighed. She and Obi-Wan had spent many days at the pond Anakin now sat in front of. They had had swam in its waters, enjoyed the cooling waters against their legs, reveled in the serenity it excreted…well, she had. Obi-Wan hadn't enjoyed coming to the pond after she had almost died in it. He had said that it reminded him too much of Bruck Chun's death and the hopelessness he had felt as he watched her come within seconds of her own death. He hadn't wanted to remember that day, but he had come to the pond with her anyways, because Bant wanted to remember. She had always loved the pond. Just because she had almost died in its waters didn't mean she would stop enjoying her time there. Obi-Wan hadn't understood, but he had come…for her.

Blinking her large, silver eyes, she stepped out of her hiding spot and sat down next to Anakin. For a long, silent moment, he didn't acknowledge her, but Bant was willing to wait as long as it took him to speak. She wasn't going to let him feel alone in the universe. She may not have been able to control her friend's emotions, but she wasn't about to let Anakin think the same things about Qui-Gon as Obi-Wan did. He deserved better than to be haunted by his former Master's decisions. They both did.

"I'm sorry, Master," he said, his gaze still diving into the depths of the pond. Bant didn't miss the slight hesitation he had before calling her "Master."

Don't worry, Anakin, she wanted to tell him. It sounds strange to me too.

"For what," she asked instead.

"For sneaking out every night," he said matter-of-factly.

Bant eyed her new Apprentice carefully. "You knew I was following you." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

Anakin nodded and turned to face his Master. "I felt you in the Force," he explained.

Bant shook her head. "How is that possible? I cloaked my Force signature." Her mind was reeling with possibilities. Was it possible that Anakin was strong enough to feel her although she had cloaked herself? Bant knew Anakin was strong in the Force, but was he strong enough to see through the abilities of a Jedi Master?

Anakin simply shrugged in response and turned his gaze back to the pond. Bant stuck her feet in the water, and they sat in silence for a long time. She watched the water lap gently against the side of the pond, enjoying the feeling of it against her salmon skin. She looked down into the pond and saw the rock she had been chained to at the bottom of the pond. A thought popped into her head.

"I almost died here," she said quietly, hoping that statement would attract Anakin's attention.

It did. Anakin's head swiveled towards her. "You did?"

Bant nodded. "It was a long time ago, before I was chosen as a Padawan. Xanatos, an ex-Jedi, had come to seek revenge on the Jedi and his former Master, Qui-Gon."

Anakin furrowed his brow together. He had heard about Xanatos before, but he had never heard about Xanatos coming to the Temple. "What happened?"

"I was used as bait."

"Why?"

She sighed, trying to sort through all the details in her mind. "Xanatos had commissioned a young Initiate to help him. Bruck Chun was a few years older than me, and not the nicest person in the galaxy. He and Obi-Wan were fierce rivals. Bruck was using me to get revenge on Obi-Wan for being chosen as Qui-Gon's Padawan because Bruck had also wanted to be chosen by Qui-Gon."

"What happened next?"

"Bruck died; I was saved."

Anakin's gaze returned to the pond, and Bant could tell he didn't understand why she was telling him this story. But Anakin didn't know that she wasn't done talking yet.

"Obi-Wan doesn't like to come to the pond. He doesn't want to remember anything from that night." Anakin looked at her curiously. She continued. "But I love this pond. It's my favorite spot in the entire Temple."

"Why," Anakin asked in disbelief. "You almost died here."

Bant smiled at how similar Obi-Wan and Anakin seemed to be, then nodded. "Yes, I did. But I want to remember that. I want to remember that life is fragile, and that it can be taken away in an instant. I want to remember that I could not be sitting next to you right now. I've let go of the anger I held for Bruck and Xanatos that night, but I still remember it."

She sighed and looked at her Padawan. Anakin returned her gaze. "Anakin, I want you to remember Qui-Gon. We may be Master and Padawan now, but I want you to remember his teachings. He was a wonderful Master to you. I don't want your opinion of him to change simply because I am your Master now. I know I could never replace Qui-Gon, and I don't want to. Remember him, my Padawan, but don't be angry at him."

Anakin nodded, and Bant noticed tears in the corners of his eyes. "Yes, Master."

There was no hesitation.

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The Other Author's Notes: Maybe they'll form a bond faster than Bant thinks, eh? Maybe if you're lucky, I might be able to get another chapter or two out this weekend. No promises, though, because I have no idea what I'm doing this weekend. Don't forget to review!