-1One
The Temple was quiet, far to quiet for the likes of most. The sun had fallen to welcome a terrible tragedy, Master Qui-gon Jinn, was killed by a Sith by the name by Darth Maul. Queen Amidala and her staff greeted the weary Jedi that had just recently landed on the planet of Naboo. Obi-wan Kenobi, Qui-gon's padawan, stood in the doorway of the temple. I stood amongst shadows leaning against a pillar, keeping myself unknown. His eyes were moist, shields up at maximum, Obi-wan was deeply saddened by his Master's death. I kept my presence to the ghosts, I didn't want to disturb him. He made his way over to Qui-gon's still body, he was placed on a ceremonial burner, it was the fate of all Jedi. Your remains were to be forgotten, spread over the planet from which you were born. I was disgusted. Great Jedi masters were forgotten, their legacy never to live. Obi-wan's fingers touched the cold stone, his eyes stared into the closed ones of his once master.
"Master, where do I go from here?" He asked, bringing his body closer. "Train the boy? What if I can't?"
I had learned of this "Chosen One" named Anakin Skywalker. Master Yoda senses fear in him, too much. I had never seen the boy but my skin itched from the power within him.
"I'm lost without you Master." There was a pause as he caressed Qui-gon's cheek. "I love you, I will love you until the end of my days." My breath caught in my throat Qui-gon told me many of times of his love for his padawan. I knew Obi-wan, he was a friend and master to me. Qui-gon and Obi-wan taught me how to use the Force, to fight with a lightsaber, and how to control my thoughts.
/"Kaiya, I'd like to meet Obi-wan Kenobi. He's about your age. He's my first padawan."/
Tears over flowed from his eyes he grasp for breath, choking back sobs, I had never seen Obi-wan lose control. His pain broke down his shields and his anger, pain, and love washed over me. He leant over Qui-gon and gently kissed his eyes, leaving tears in their wake, and kissed his lips on last time. I gasped forgetting to breath, overwhelmed with emotion from not only myself but Obi-wan. His head jerked my way, lightsaber at the ready.
"Who's there?" He asked, igniting his saber. The blue glow lit the room revealing my hidden form. "Kaiya?" I nodded. "When did you get here?"
"Not long before Master Yoda and Mace Windu's ship arrived here. I felt the news before anyone else in the Council. I ran onto the first ship leaving for Naboo, after I had peeled myself from the floor. I was hoping to see my father one last time before the Council banishes me to the far reaches of the galaxy." I stepped down from the ledge.
"The Council wouldn't go to that extreme." Obi-wan said wiping a few stray tears with his sleeve distinguishing his lightsaber.
"Master Windu would. My father was the only tie I had to Coruscant." I proceed closer to my father's body. Obi-wan glanced back over to Qui-gon. "My father loved you for the longest time." I paused and looked up into his tearing eyes. "He was surprise to learn that it was alright for him to love again. He was afraid that I would hate him because of my loyalty to my mother."
"I was terrified that you would hate me as well." Obi-wan gave a chuckle.
"I was happy. No longer was he depressed anymore." I took Qui-gon hand in mine and caressed it with my thumb. "I think Jedi should be allowed to love. Without love what's the reason to live."
"Emotional attachment cause a Jedi to act without rationalization." Obi-wan mocked Mace Windu.
"Arrogance is the fall of every Jedi. More and more younglings believe to highly of themselves. The other day a young padawan told me no one could kill a Jedi." Tears ran down my face. "I wish that were true." Obi-wan came up behind me, enveloping me in a comforting embrace, resting his head on my shoulder.
"He will continue to live in our hearts, he'll always be here to guide us." Obi-wan was desperately trying to believe his own words.
"I miss you so much father. I love you. I promise I will become a Jedi Knight in your honor."
"I will see to that, my Master…my love." Obi-wan promised over my shoulder. "Kaiya," He backed himself away from me and I turned around. "Qui-gon wanted you to have this." He reached into his robe and pulled out my father's lightsaber. "He didn't want you to fight alone." I held it into my hands, feeling my father's energy course through my very being.
I will always be here for. You'll never fight alone, I will protect. you.
"Father…"
"Would you like to be alone?" He asked.
"Yes, there's things left unsaid that I must say." Obi-wan nodded and kissed the top of my head.
"I'll be here if you need me." I sent him a "thank you" through our bond. When he was out of site I turned back to my father, holding his saber close to me.
"I'm scared…" I whispered. "What if the boy isn't the chosen one that was prophesized and you were right all along?" I wiped away newly fallen tears. "Father death doesn't scare me, it's the fate in which it will happen I sensed that my demise will be from a Jedi that turned against us."
The future is never set in stone, ever changing event write new paths.
"Father…I'm not ready to defy the Council."
Your time will come, you'll be a great Jedi Knight. I will forever be watching over you.
"I'd never forget about you. I'll make sure Obi-wan takes the trails."
Tell him that I love him and that he will become a wise Jedi Master.
"You have my word."
I love you, my daughter.
"I love you father. I love you and mother. I will see you again."
Qui-gon's presence left me, a tinge of sadness tugged at my heart. I would never feel his presence again until I past from this world, to surrender my soul to Force. I brought his fingers to my lips and kissed them, tears rolling onto them. Within his hand I placed a necklace, a simple sliver chain, it was a gift from my father, from my dying mother. "Tell mother to give this back when I see her for the first time." More tears. I placed his hand back down and took the necklace he wore from around his neck, a gold chain.
Please give that to Obi-wan for me.
"I will." I kissed the top of his head and left. In a few of hours they will burn his body, the whole Council will be there to witness it, along with Queen Amidala and her staff. I would watch from the shadows or I would be banned from attending. I managed to find Obi-wan outside, he was bowing to the Council. They must have giving him a master. Yoda glanced at me then continued to walk towards the Queen. I was out in the open, every Jedi cold see my face. There was no more denying my existence. I locked eyes with the green Jedi Master.
"Kaiya ." Obi-wan ran over to me. "Don't upset the Council." He said stepping in front of my view.
"I wasn't trying to." I took his hand and placed the necklace in it's palm. "Qui-gon wanted you to have this, he loves you very much. You will be a wise Jedi Master." Obi-wan couldn't look up at me, his eyes stung once again with tears. "Have they assigned you a new Master?" I asked changing the subject.
"No, I don't want another Master. I learned everything I need to know from Qui-gon. Master Yoda has approved of my request to take the trails. I will become a Knight. And I've been granted my first Padawan, young Skywalker." Worry clouded his eyes. I held his shoulders rubbing them in comfort. "I'm not ready." He said looking down.
"Qui-gon believed in you, just believe in your abilities and you'll always have me to fall back on." He looked up.
"If I may be so boldest to say…" He paused. "Will you help me in training the boy?"
"Help I shall." I did my best Yoda impression that cracked a smile out of the worried Jedi.
"Master Yoda senses fear in the boy, great fear. He thinks I can change his mind set, from darkness to light. I know you were trained in the arts of advance thought control, with your help we can prevent the down fall of the prophecy."
"Obi-wan I will help, you don't have to make a speech, your like a brother to me.
"I'm glad to hear you still think of me as that."
"Why wouldn't I?" He smiled. "So…do I get to meet this young Skywalker?"
"Of course. I'm sorry." Obi-wan led me to a garden outside the temple where Qui-gon was laid. A boy with dirty blonde hair sat on a stone bench with a protocol droid on one side and an astrodroid in front, beeping now and again. The boy smiled and patted the blue and white droid's dome shaped head. Obi-wan cleared his throat to get the boy's attention. "Anakin Skywalker, this is my dear friend Kaiya Jinn. Kaiya this is Anakin."
"Whoa are you related to Mister Qui-gon?" He asked standing up. He must have been at least 10 years of age.
"Yes, Qui-gon Jinn is my father. It's very nice to meet you." I crouched down to his level and shook his hand. He glanced at my weapon.
"Are you a Jedi Knight too?" He asked politely.
"Yes and no."
"I don't understand."
"I haven't taken the trails yet." I winked at Obi-wan over my shoulder.
"Oh."
"Anakin are you cold?" The boy had goosebumps on his exposed neck.
"Call me Ani and yes I am. I'm not use to this planet just yet."
"His home planet was Tatooine." Obi-wan interjected.
"I see, I hear it's the hottest planet beyond the Outer Rim."
"It's comfortable to me ma'ma."
"Oh you can call me Kaiya, that makes me sound old." He smiled. I sensed that he had not smiled in a long time. "Ani would you like to go inside where it's warmer?"
"Yes please." He turned to the droids. "Come on threepio, artoo." He walked past us into the palace. Obi-wan looked at me.
"He seems nice, very scared. He hides it very well." I sat down.
"He's worried about his mother."
"If he has something to fill that empty space that the absence of his mother has created then our problems should be solved."
"Easier said then done." Obi-wan crossed his arms hiding his hands in his robes. "Still doesn't clear my thoughts on the whole matter at hand."
"You worry to much."
"I have to, no one else does."
The fire cracked and hurled miniature comets into the air, reaching for the black oblivion above. The atmosphere around the temple was heavy with the unshed tears of those standing around the fallen Jedi. Master Yoda did not request my absence nor did he say anything of the matter to me but his eyes fixed on my tear stricken ones. Beside me, Obi-wan kept his hood up, head lowered he was desperately trying to hold onto what sanity he had left. As was I. The young Anakin sat at Obi-wan's feet, face in hands. In the little time he knew my father he had looked up to him as if he was his. I didn't want to share my father with anyone, but there were exceptions. I looked around the room to see the faces of the other Council Members, all of them emotionless. Jedi were a perfect race. Emotions let the path to the dark side become known, but maybe the dark side was really the Jedi. Master Windu glanced at me, reading my thoughts no less, let him. Obi-wan looked at me feeling my anger rise. I shook my head and looked away. The low moans of the astrodroid caught my attention, if droids could feel sadness then why not a Jedi?
"What will happen to me now?" Anakin asked sadly.
"I have been given permission to train you, you will be a Jedi." Obi-wan calmly said.
A crack brought my attention back to my father's burning body. The flames had engulfed him entirely by now, only the outline of his body could be made out through the blaze. His essences was mixing with the Force, a surge of energy ran through my veins. Strangely comforting in these problematic times. Obi-wan sighed, feeling Qui-gon's union with the Force as well. Of all the Jedi Master's in the galaxy why did the Sith choose my father. Form across the temple I heard Master Yoda and Master Windu discussing Sith matters.
"We know now the Sith have returned." Mace said.
"Yes, only two. A Master and Apprentice." Yoda nodded his head at his words.
"But which was destroyed the Master or the Apprentice?" Windu asked.
The fire now had completely consumed him, a few staff members had left, not bearing to watch anymore. I stepped out onto the floor and knelt down in front of my father's burning ashes. Lowering my gaze a dam of tears poured from my eyes. Let them see I am weak, not fit to be a Jedi. I show emotions, fear me. I do not follow the Code, I'm a rogue. A Rogue Jedi. Only a few recorded Jedi have been thrown from the Order but no one has ever strayed from their way. I have gone through Trails of ever kind and triumphed. I have seen death look me in the eyes and take another in my place, no more. I welcome it. Let it come. I began to murmur a prayer in a ancient language. The same prayer my father said at my mother's funeral. Obi-wan joined me by my side, kneeling down, rubbing slowly back and forth on my back. My shoulders quivered and my arms trembled, I hugged myself.
"Let it all out, let the Council see your suffering." Obi-wan whispered gently.
"They're not a worthy audience." I said through sobs. Obi-wan gave a "hmm" behind a smile.
"I will go against the Council and train you, along with Anakin, and help you fulfill the promise you made to Qui-gon. Before my time has come you will be a Master."
"Master?" My confusion was easily read in my tone, my eyes were even louder.
"Your views are worth hearing, you could change the way the Council thinks, your voice is always your strongest weapon."
"I'm honored that you think I'm worthy of being a Master, I'm happy with becoming a Knight."
"I wish for you to be a Master."
"Then that's the path I shall aim for."
The flames had died signaling the end of Qui-gon's journey. Master Windu gathered the ashes into a porcelain urn, I would not have the honor of spreading his ashes. Mace Windu, when finished, sealed the opening with a stopper. The temple then was emptied. There were no remorseful comments towards my loss, only heads bowing in respect to the fallen Jedi ashes and to the Master holding them. Obi-wan helped me up off the floor, my tears had ceased their flow, placing a comforting arm on my shoulders.
"Would you like to go back to Coruscant?"
"Yes, I need to get to my father's belongings before the Council does."
"I was under the impression Qui-gon didn't own anything of value."
"Pictures of my mother, and her jewelry. And there's his robes that I would like to keep for my self, and other things."
"I understand. Master Yoda and the rest of the Council are going to witness the Peace Settlement between the Gunguns and the Queen, You'll have enough time to clean out you father's apartments by the time they get back."
"Obi-wan I have a request and you don't have to agree to it."
"What is it?"
"Could I stay with you? I don't think I can bear to live within the walls that my father and I lived in together for so long. The memories will be the end of me."
"Of course, as long as your okay with Anakin living with us as well."
"I don't mind, I can teach him while you are away with the Council or when you're on missions he can't follow you to."
"Sounds like a deal to me."
And that would be how I came to live with Obi-wan Kenobi, my dearest friend and Master.