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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: Hmm. Yar.

Chosen
Volume Six
Into Ashes
Chapter V: Cloudy Skies

While the Jedi searched for Obi-Wan, Anakin was granted leave. The young Knight had much work to do rehabilitating from the frightful injuries. Master Qui-Gon helped him as much as he could, but the old man was very busy as the War intensified.

Finally the Council had a need and Anakin insisted he was healed and ready to serve. In deference to the youngster's fragile state the Masters kindly assigned old Qui-Gon to accompany the fledgling Knight on this his first mission back to duty.

The task was simple enough, check up on the former Sith lackey, Shaden Cormin. The boy had been released some time ago, having Mistress Aspic's seal of approval. The Soul Healer assured the Council young Shaden posed no further threat. With the ever- increasing dark influences permeating the galaxy, however, the Masters felt it would be wise to see what the one time Sith was up to. It would not do to lose him to the Dark Side again.

Anakin wasn't too pleased with this assignment, but went along obediently with Master Jinn to the apartment Shaden had been given deep in a crowded section of the planet-wide city that was Coruscant. Skywalker was a bit nervous about meeting the assassin again, despite Shaden having been re-educated as it were. The Sith agent had caused so much death and suffering in an attempt to kill him, after all.

They found the kid's quarters fairly neat and orderly. In fact, it didn't look like anyone had been there for some time.

"Good to see all the work put into rehabilitating him paid off," Anakin noted dryly. Obviously the punk had skipped out on them. Off to make more mischief no doubt.

"It may be as the Council feared," Master Qui-Gon commented, poking around. Not much to see. An old Holofilm from the bounty hunter Jango Fett, used syringes…Qui-Gon's heart clenched tight at the sight. He was very concerned about Obi-Wan, it nagged at him constantly.

Anakin studied the crackling film sheet. "Jango Fett," he murmured. "Wasn't he the bounty hunter hired to hit Padme?"

"Indeed," Qui-Gon replied. "Fett was killed at Geonosis," the Master concluded.

"Well, Shaden had contact with the scumbag at some point, I guess," Ani slipped the evidence into his belt.

"We must inform the Council of the boy's disappearance," Qui-Gon concluded.

"Right," Anakin said heading for the door. The servos of his replacement knees whirred softly. So much for Jedi stealth, he mused bitterly.

The Council did not seem all that surprised to hear that Cormin was gone.

x

When the team of Jedi sent out in search of Obi-Wan returned it was without Kenobi and having no word of Garen either.

"Maybe he really was taken captive," Anakin wondered, though he was loath to admit that.

Qui-Gon was silent and withdrawn. As much trouble as Kenobi had caused, he still cared for his one time apprentice. Qui-Gon didn't know what to think. If Obi-Wan were lost…old Qui-Gon Jinn had outlived two Padawans and his dear wife. The big fellow didn't know if he could take anything more…

Catching his somber mood Anakin tried to offer the aged Jedi Master some comfort. "I'm sure Obi-Wan can handle himself, Master."

Qui-Gon did not even look up. "Hmm," the old man murmured, lost in thought.

Anakin didn't like his lover being so wrapped up in another, especially that it was his nemesis, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He tried to further distract Qui-Gon with sexual advances, but the Master put him off.

"I must go meditate, Anakin, excuse me," Qui-Gon rose and left for the gardens.

Skywalker just watched him go. There was nothing he could do for Qui-Gon and he would just have to accept that. It stung, though.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Garen had returned to the Temple. He simply slipped in quietly and alone. When the word got out, rumors started to fly. Each one more horrible than the next. As the speculation grew Qui-Gon sank deeper and deeper into despair. Finally Anakin had enough.

"Just go and speak with Garen, if you care so much!" he huffed, seeing his lover so distracted.

Qui-Gon stared at him in shock for a moment. "I will," the old man said evenly.

"Fine," Ani sulked as Qui-Gon left him…again.

x

Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood nervously outside Garen Muln's quarters, not sure what to say. Finally the old man knocked. When Garen opened the door Qui-Gon's breath caught. The Pilot looked so much like Obi-Wan, the old Obi-Wan, that it shook the Jedi Master to the core.

"Master Jinn?" Garen said cautiously.

"Garen," Qui-Gon managed after a moment. "May I come in?"

The Knight hesitated and for an instant Qui-Gon feared he would be refused. "Certainly, Master."

"Thank you," Qui-Gon mumbled following the man inside.

"How can I help you, Master?" Garen asked, though he felt he knew.

"I was wondering," Qui-Gon paused, "Did you find Obi-Wan?"

Garen studied the big man for a long moment. "What do you care?"

"I care deeply, Garen," Qui-Gon confessed honestly.

"You have a strange way of showing it," Garen shot back.

Master Jinn sighed heavily and began to pace. Finally he turned to face the Knight. "I have always cared about Obi-Wan," he began haltingly. This was very hard for him. "Perhaps… I have… not always shown it…but, it is true."

Garen stared at him in amazement. "Why didn't you tell him that?"

"I," Qui-Gon faltered, blushing, "I don't know, Garen. Really I don't know."

It was so weak. Garen's face clouded over. "I found him, Master Jinn," the younger fellow strode for the door, opening it and waiting silently for Jinn to leave. He had nothing more to say.

Qui-Gon hesitated a moment. That was it? What of Obi-Wan? Was he dead…fallen to the Dark Side, what! Garen was silent, scowling. Qui-Gon at last hung his head and left.

The sound of the door closing behind him echoing in his ears.

Feeling disheartened and ashamed Qui-Gon eventually ventured to Obi-Wan's rooms in search of some clue as to what had befallen his former Padawan. He was surprised to hear someone inside. Glancing down the hall to make sure he was unobserved Qui-Gon stretched out with the Force to listen. This was a terrible breach of edict, but he felt he must discover the truth about Kenobi. To his amazement he discovered it was Garen, talking long range on the Holocam with…Obi-Wan!

"Obi-Wan, listen," Muln was saying. "Come back, please! They think you've been taken captive alright, we'll say you got free."

There was a long silence and Qui-Gon strained to hear what Obi-Wan was saying.

"No, damn it! You go to far," Garen was very upset now. "Obi-Wan, please. This is dangerous!" There was another pause then Muln started up again. "Obi-Wan, please. We're all so worried. Even old Qui-Gon," Garen laughed, but it was a tense, fearful sound. "You should see him," Garen said, "trying to get me to tell him where you are. No, wait! Obi-Wan please!" Garen cursed as the connection fizzled out with static.

For a moment Qui-Gon considered barging in and confronting Muln, but thought better of it. Instead he slipped away quietly. Now he knew what to do, though. Garen knew where Obi-Wan was. Qui-Gon was certain the Knight would try to go and reason with his lover. All he had to do was tail Muln…

x

The young Pilot eventually went to see Mistress Bant, another of Obi-Wan's friends and confidant.

"Do you think he will listen if I go in person?" Garen asked the towering Mon Calamari.

"Obi-Wan has made his choice, Garen," she said sadly. "You will be in danger if you return to him."

"I have to try, Bant," Garen insisted firmly. "I'm the only one he has."

"I do not think that is a good idea, Garen," the lady sounded very worried.

To Be Continued...