Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas & Lucasfilm. I own nothing, please don't sue me I'm poor! Sob!
Chapter 1
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, it has come to the council's attention that you do not have a Padawan learner of your own. Why is this?" Mace Windu enquired as Obi-Wan stood before the council.
"I have not the desire for a learner at the present time. My missions have kept me occupied and the thought of a learner had not crossed my mind. Is there a reason the council asks?"
"During the rebel attack on Leguin, Master Suli was lost to us. Unfortunately she left behind her Padawan of two years Tira Meegra. An exceptional student, whom we wish to continue to train."
"Only one available for this task you are. No other jedi is without."
"You wish me to take this Padawan as my own Master Yoda?"
"There is no one else available to take her at the present time. You are the only choice Obi-Wan. It will be several months before any of the Padawan's are ready for their trials."
"If it is the councils wish then I will take her as my own, but I have only been a knight myself for four years. Do you consider me qualified to instruct another?"
"You will instruct her well I believe. So accept do you?"
"Yes council. I accept her as my Padawan Learner."
"Good. Go down to Master Suli's rooms. You will find Tira there packing her belongings. You will need to move her into your own rooms and then she will be yours to train."
Obi-Wan bowed to the council and left the room. He took a deep breath and started towards the Master rooms to fetch his new Padawan. On the way down he ran into his old master Qui-Gon Jinn and his new Padawan, young Anakin Skywalker.
"Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said nodding to him, "Anakin."
"Obi-Wan, are you alright you seem distracted?" Qui-Gon asked as he returned the nod in greeting.
"I am to take on a Padawan by order of the council and I am not sure that I am ready to train another in the ways of the force."
"Do you have anyone in mind, there are several promising candidates coming up. I could help you choose one if you wish."
"That won't be necessary Qui-Gon, I am to take on Master Suli's old apprentice and complete her training. Although I think that I may prefer a new one, at least then they won't have anyone to compare me with."
"Ah yes. Tira isn't it?" Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes she is an excellent student, although she can be a handful I've heard. Just be patient with her Obi-Wan. Let her adjust to the changes in her routine. If you need any help I'm here for you, as is the council."
"Thank you. I suppose I'd better go and actually meet her. If you'll excuse me?"
"Of course, Oh and Obi-Wan. May the force be with you."
Obi-Wan nodded and continued on his way. He reached the door to Master Suli's rooms and pushed the buzzer. The door opened to reveal a young 15 year old girl with vivid red hair and bright green eyes.
"Tira?" Obi-Wan asked. The girl nodded. "Hello. I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am to continue your Jedi training with you. May I come in?"
Tira nodded and opened the door further to let him into the rooms. Many of the artefacts that had decorated the room had been taken down and boxed away.
"Have you packed your things? I've been told to take you back to my rooms and settle you there."
"Yes. I'll just fetch them."
Tira entered her old room and picked up the bag of her sleep couch. She took a deep breath, pushed her hair out of her face and went back to the main living area.
"I'm ready now," she said as Obi-Wan turned towards her.
He motioned for her to leave before him. Once outside he took the lead and Tira fell into place just behind and to the side of him, taking note of where they were going. After a few minutes walk they arrived at Obi-Wan's rooms and he let her in.
"Your room is just in here. Sorry about the mess. I haven't had a need for this room before. Tidying it up is our first job but if you want to just put your things in there for now. The layout of the rooms is basically the same. If you need to know where anything is just ask."
"Thank you," Tira said pushing another stray hair out of here eyes.
"Shouldn't you have cut your hair, when you became a Padawan?"
"Um, well, um yes, but Master Suli, you know being a woman, knew how important my hair was to me, so as long as I put it up out of the way during my training she said I could keep it. Did… did you want me to cut it all off?"
"No. I think if you've managed so far with it, it wouldn't be fair to make you lose it now, but I think a trim is necessary. Just an inch or two."
"Yes Master if you wish it. Shall I go now?"
"We might as well. I haven't anything else planned for you today. Taking on your training was a bit of a shock."
Tira nodded and put her bag down. Turning round she followed her new master out of the door and down to the barbers where they met Herbert
"Miss Tira. I didn't think I'd see you in here I know how much you resent having your hair cut," he said with a chuckle.
"Just make sure it's straight. I'm armed you know," Tira said sitting down in the chair.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said openly laughing, "Right so Master what will it be?"
"Just a trim, taking off a couple of inches from the bottom should be sufficient."
Herbert nodded and begun combing it out. Tira sat in the chair and begun some breathing techniques to keep her mind off the snip, snip of the scissors and the hair falling to the floor. By the time Herbert had finished she was in a deep meditation. Sensing they were finished she opened her eyes to see Obi-Wan looking at her.
"Is something wrong master?" she asked automatically putting her hand to her head as if to check her hair was still there, not entirely trusting the barber.
"No not at all. I've never seen anyone meditate whilst having their hair cut before."
"What can I tell you she's vain!" came a voice from the doorway.
"Hi Sar-Eve. This is my new Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi and I am not vain. I just like to be acknowledged as a woman and not as a boy. It wouldn't be the first time someone got it wrong."
"Hi pleased to meet you Master Kenobi, I'm Sar-Eve, Tira's best friend."
"Nice to meet you Sar-Eve. Come Tira we need to sort your room."
"Yes master. I'll see you later."
"Okay bye Tira."
