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Full summary: Sequel to The Seeds of Darkness. In Chosen's finale: the Clone War is no longer about Republic and Separatists. For the Jedi it has become a battle of Light and Dark. Yet it is also the impromptu front for Anakin's soul, Qui-Gon's heart, and Obi-Wan's sanity. The end is nigh.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, noncon, and violence

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin, GarenxObi-Wan, Obi-WanxQui-Gon

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: I forgot it was today. And I have to go to Hendersonville for my People To People meeting. -whines.-

Chosen
Volume Six
Into Ashes
Chapter II: Crossed Lines

Anakin was calm and composed as he boarded the tiny ship with Obi-Wan. In these cramped quarters it would be impossible to avoid each other. Skywalker decided he would simply keep quite. Easier said then done…

"What is that tattoo?" he asked curiously.

Kenobi looked over at him, fingering the end of his ponytail to reveal the markings that ran down his neck. "It's to remind me of something," the elder Jedi replied softly.

"Your training?" Anakin asked, recognizing the trademark Padawan braid etched into Obi-Wan's skin.

"Force, no!" Obi-Wan laughed.

"No?" the youngster didn't understand. What else could such an image mean?

"I'm no longer a Padawan, Ani," Kenobi's face went dark. "I am my own master now. He holds no sway over me."

Anakin was shocked at the other's bitter tone. "Why do you hate him so much?" he blurted out. It had to be said. The kid loved Qui-Gon so.

"You think I hate him?"

"You must," Anakin said evenly. "You are so horrible to him. All he wants to do is reconcile with you, Obi-Wan."

Kenobi snorted. "All Qui-Gon Jinn wants is to get me off his conscience."

"How would you know? You won't even really talk to him!" Anakin snarled.

"I know how he is, little man," Obi-Wan replied sharply. "I spent twelve years with him, Anakin."

"So," the youth snapped. "I've been with him longer."

"I know," Obi-Wan spat back.

"Do you know what your forgiveness would mean to him?" Anakin asked hotly.

Obi-Wan was silent, glowering.

"Yet you refuse to even listen," the young man was furious now. "You wound him deeply, Obi-Wan. You must hate him."

"I won't discuss this with you, boy," Kenobi said firmly, ending their conversation.

Anakin swiveled in his seat to stare angrily at the control panel, muttering darkly. "And he wonders why I don't like you."

Over the next few days Anakin noted a disturbing lack of sincerity in everything Obi-Wan did. The elder Jedi Knight's smile was forced. His very words smacked of deception. Every action taken seemed counter to the real intent of their mission. Obi-Wan wasn't actually doing anything wrong…it just felt wrong. Anakin was alarmed and unsure what to do. Were he to bring up charges against this Council member, without concrete evidence, he would be getting into a world of trouble. Worst of all, Kenobi seemed so smug. The youthful Jedi wanted to smack that smirking smile off Obi-Wan's face!

Eventually his fears were confirmed…

It was late one night…

They'd been planetside for some time now, trying to get talks started up between the warring factions. The Separatists were intractable despite Obi-Wan's lengthy meetings with their leaders.

Anakin found the elder Knight in the comm room. Talking quietly to someone via the long range hook-up they'd established. As he approached, Obi-Wan cut the connection quickly, sensing the boy.

"Who were you talking to?" Anakin asked innocently enough. He considered using the Force to peek at Obi-Wan's thoughts, but wisely thought better of it.

"Someone waiting back on Coruscant," Kenobi offered openly.

"Who?" Anakin repeated.

Kenobi smiled. "Why don't you guess," he taunted. "Was it friend or lover?" His smile became an evil grin. "Perhaps a drug lord or whore?"

Anakin eyed him warily. "It might be any of those," he growled.

"Or all," Obi-Wan added with a little chuckle.

"That is a dangerous admission for a Council member," Anakin said dangerously.

Obi-Wan rose suddenly to confront the younger Jedi. "I'm not afraid of you, Anakin Skywalker," he said very softly. "I know your secrets."

"What are you talking about?" Anakin hissed. "I have no secrets." Not exactly true. The youthful Jedi had a bloody secret left behind on Tatooine, the slaughter of those hapless Tuskens. He was in an illicit affair with Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He desperately wondered what Obi-Wan meant.

"I know the great Master Qui-Gon Jinn has had his cock up your ass, boy," Kenobi spat as he tried to move past Anakin out into the hall.

With that one sentence Obi-Wan lost any respect as a Jedi. In Skywalker's eyes the man was a scumbag to be treated as such. Anakin tried to tackle the smaller Obi-Wan, slamming him into the wall.

With a tremendous surge of the Force Obi-Wan flung the kid off him. Anakin stumbled backward. Kenobi was on him in an instant. Hands around Ani's neck.

"I will say this once," he snarled right in Anakin's face. "Do not try me. I will destroy you and your precious Master."

"If you harm him," Anakin gasped, struggling to get free.

Kenobi released him with another shove, knocking the youngster's head against the cold stone floor. "Stay out of my affairs, Ani," Obi-Wan growled as he backed off. "And I will stay out of yours." With that the vile Knight turned to go.

"Don't call me that!" the youth cried furiously. "Only my friends can call me that! You don't deserve to!" As soon as he said it, Anakin knew it was weak, stupid. A childish proclamation.

Obi-Wan gave no indication he'd even heard or cared, he just walked off. Leaving the young Jedi sitting there, trembling with impotent rage.

There was no longer even the illusion of friendliness between them. They were curt when forced to interact and worked tirelessly to bring the planet under Republic control. They simply wanted to be done with it and return to Coruscant, eager to be rid of each other.

x

No one knew they'd be back until they landed so it came as no surprise that no one met them in the hangar. They parted without a word.

Anakin practically ran to Master Qui-Gon's rooms. Flinging himself into the old man's arms when the door opened.

"Why hello, Anakin," Qui-Gon managed between smothering kisses. The youngster was trembling. "What--?"

"Take me inside," Ani breathed, shoving Qui-Gon into the apartment. He wrestled the big fellow toward the couch.

"Anakin," Qui-Gon pushed the boy back gently. "What are you doing?"

"I want you right now, Qui," Ani panted, tears in his eyes. "Please," he sobbed. "I want to feel better." He hugged the Master tight, burying his face in Qui-Gon's chest.

"Calm yourself, son." There was no way Qui-Gon would take advantage of such a distraught soul. "What happened?"

"Obi-Wan," Anakin whispered in dread.

"What about him?" the old man stiffened in anger. If that man had done something to Anakin…

"He--" the boy looked into his lover's eyes, "He knows about us." The young man was terrified. "He threatened me."

Qui-Gon's face was a blank mask. "Why?" The old Master was certain Obi-Wan would not say anything unless provoked.

"I caught him on the comlink, talking to someone," Anakin explained what had transpired.

Qui-Gon was silent, considering what the boy had said. Anakin flopped onto the couch miserably, waiting. The Master paced the room lost in thought. Something was very wrong. Obi-Wan would not…he had as much to lose! Qui-Gon turned at last to face Anakin.

"Do not worry, Ani," the Master said. "I will see to this."

"But," the youngster started to protest.

"Anakin," Qui-Gon was firm. "Do not concern yourself. I will handle Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Master," the young Jedi acquiesced. Though he still felt a burning hatred for that fiend Kenobi. He rose to embrace the big fellow. "Will you make love to me now?"

"You are terrible," Qui-Gon had to smile at the youthful drive.

"Terrible?"

"You only want me for my body," the old man teased.

"That's not true, Master," Ani replied opening Qui-Gon's robe.

Obi-Wan was forgotten for the moment.

To Be Continued...