Chapter Sixteen

It was difficult at first for Obi-Wan to act and react as he had originally. He cringed as he recalled some of the things that he had said to his Master. Qui-Gon had been correct in his sternness on most occasions. As a senior padawan, Obi-Wan had been far too outspoken and opinionated. No matter if he considered his view of the Force to be the most appropriate. There was no right or wrong. There was more to the Force than just light and dark.

He stared at Qui-Gon as he presented Anakin to the Jedi Council once more and suggested that Obi-Wan was ready for his trials.

Qui-Gon held a different view than most of the council members when it came to the Force. His view was even different than Obi-Wan's, but it didn't mean that his Master was wrong. It just meant that he relied more on the Living Force, while most of the council members and Obi-Wan relied on the Unifying Force for guidance.

The Living Force provided his Master a more intense focus on the present and what he could do to have the most impact on the moment. And at this moment, his Master was certain of Anakin's place within the Force.

It was his dedication to the Force that drove Qui-Gon to stand by his convictions no matter what the council said, the Jedi Code dictated, or even what his own padawan thought.

Obi-Wan grinned slightly as the meeting ended just as it had before. Anakin's future with the Jedi was put on hold and the Jedi were once more given the responsibility of protecting and escorting the queen back to Naboo, and finding and destroying the sith warrior they had encountered on Tatooine.

As Obi-Wan walked with Qui-Gon out of the council chambers, he looked on his Master with a newfound respect and love, if that were possible.

The actions and words of Master that had once caused him pain were now understood. But all too soon, just when Qui-Gon's aloof nature was becoming clear to him, his time was cut inevitably short by the quick thrust of a red light saber.

Once more, Obi-Wan held his Master's dying body, gave him his vow to train Anakin, and wept as he cradled the beloved head in his arms.

The smoke from the flames burning his Master's body crept up through the opening of the Nubian pyre. After answering Anakin's question and promising he would some day be a Jedi, the realization of what the boy had been through suddenly occurred to Obi-Wan. The young boy was only nine years old. Taken from his mother, thrust into a battle he probably didn't even understand and now forced to watch as the body of the one man who befriended him burned before his very eyes.

Obi-Wan's heart filled with sympathy, but not for himself. Before, he had been too wrapped up in his own grief to even notice that the boy was worried and afraid, as he had every right to be. He quietly slipped an arm about Anakin's shoulders and offered the comfort and support the boy obviously needed as Anakin immediately leaned into the crook of Obi-Wan's shoulder and began to cry.

The next day was the Freedom Parade, and Obi-Wan had begun to explain to Anakin the traditions of a Jedi Padawan. But this time, he shared with the boy the story of his very first padawan cut.

The electroshaver in his hand hummed as he carefully trimmed over Anakin's right ear.

"I came to live at the Temple when I was three years old. The crèche master at the time was Jedi Renault. A very quiet and humble older gentleman. I hate to admit that I tried his patience."

Obi-Wan swept the shears up the side of Anakin's skull as the young lad watched his golden locks fall to the floor.

"How?"Anakin asked in a shaky voice.

"Well, every time he would set aside his comb or shears, I would levitate them across the room out of his reach."

A slight giggle escaped from the youngster. "He must have gotten really mad."

"He wasn't very happy with me." Obi-Wan replied as he set aside the shaver and commenced to plait the boy's short padawan braid. "It was the first and shortest padawan cut of my life. I was nearly bald by the time he finished. I think he did it to teach me a lesson."

Obi-Wan reached to a table and picked up a small mirror, handing it to Anakin, who beamed as he observed his new haircut and braid, marking him as a Jedi Padawan.

The young boy put the mirror down slowly and turned to face his Master, a small frown now in place. Obi-Wan knew what he was going to say before he said it. They had had this conversation before. But this time, he couldn't brush Anakin's emotions away with a careless reply.

"Master Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, padawan?" Obi-Wan smiled as he met the boy's blue, saddened gaze.

"When you came to live with the Jedi, did you miss your mother?"

Obi-Wan knelt down to the child's height as he sat upon the stool. "I would like to say yes, Anakin, but the truth is, I don't remember her. I respect her though, for allowing me the opportunity to become a Jedi."

The boy's expression did not change and Obi-Wan realized that his comment had been very similar to what he had said before. How could he have been so callous tohis feelings?

"Listen, Anakin." Obi-Wan continued haltingly. "Perhaps we can send your mother a holomessage and let her know how you are doing. And maybe when we take some leave from the Temple, we can go visit her. Would you like that?"

A bright smile appeared on the young boy's face right before he threw his small arms around Obi-Wan's neck. "Yes, Master Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan's heart filled with joy from being able to ease some of his padawan's worries.

The council might not approve of his decision, but then what the council didn't know, wouldn't hurt them, he supposed.

He smiled as the thought occurred to him that his new outlook on life may not make the Jedi Council necessarily pleased, but Qui-Gon would definitely be proud.