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Two weeks passed. Obi-Wan heard nothing from the Council in the time. Eventually, Sarah was deemed healthy and healed. She looked immensely better that when she had arrived at the Temple. When the healers finally decided that she was free to go, Obi-Wan felt relieved, but he did not know where everything would go from here.
As Sarah got ready to leave, a healer brought by a message. Sarah, Obi-Wan, and Anakin were summoned to the Council Chambers. Obi-Wan could sense that Sarah was nervous. He smiled slightly and told her, "Do no be nervous Sarah. These Council members are certainly intimidating, but deep down they have good hearts, and they are the best of the Jedi."
She nodded in response, but he saw her visibly swallow. When Anakin arrived, Sarah gave him a small smile that he uncomfortably returned. Together, the three walked into the Chambers. Obi-Wan hoped that the Council would not bring his tension with Anakin into the discussion, even though he knew that all twelve knew perfectly well what was going on with them.
"Sarah," Mace Windu began, forgoing any formalities, "the Council has agreed to your training." Obi-Wan felt waves of relief coming from her. Obi-Wan himself was thrilled for her. He knew that this was the right thing for her.
"Obi-Wan, if young Anakin agrees, the Council has agreed that you will train her."
Obi-Wan felt his eyes open wide, and his jaw dropped. "What?" He did not know what to say, or even what to think. "But...I thought that I can't...train two...the Code..."
"An exception to the norms you already are, young Kenobi," Master Yoda said. "Feel it in the Force the Council does. Two Padawans, you will have."
Obi-Wan could not think straight. Two Padawans? Force help me. He could not understand how the Council could so easily break the Code. In his years as a Jedi, the Council had never been known to simply just make exceptions.
It was then that he finally glimpsed Anakin's face. The waves of joy from Sarah had masked Anakin's fuming anger. Do not make this an issue in front of the Council Anakin, please. Obi-Wan silently urged his Padawan. He was grateful that Anakin's mouth remained firmly shut.
"Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said, "the Council has not taken this decision lightly. It has never been done before, and a great deal of responsibility is being placed on your shoulders."
Thanks Mace. Way to make it sound like fun. "I understand Master Windu." Obi-Wan laid one hand on Sarah's shoulder, and his other on Anakin's. There would be problems, Obi-Wan knew, but they were linked. Skywalker, Kenobi, and Walterr.
As Obi-Wan prepared to leave the chambers, Yoda caught his eye. The Jedi Master gave Obi-Wan an extraordinarily significant look. He must have convinced the Council. He must sense something that the others do not.
But Obi-Wan did not have long to ponder on the fact. They were dismissed, and bowing to the Council, the three left the room. As they walked back to their quarters all three were silent, but as soon as they got back to their quarters, Anakin shot Obi-Wan a glare and slammed the door to his room.
Great. Just great. Sarah looked worriedly at Obi-Wan. "I'll talk to him, Sarah, don't worry." Obi-Wan showed Sarah around the apartment, and got her settled into the guest room, which was now her own. Obi-Wan left her to get cleaned up for dinner, but before he exited the room he said, "I am glad that you are here...Padawan." The words felt right.
She smiled at him. "Thank you...Master."
He smiled back and left her alone. Dreading what was coming, he sighed and faced Anakin's door. And now for Round Two.
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When he walked in, his Padawan turned his back on Obi-Wan and stared out the window. Obi-Wan rubbed his head and tried to gather his thoughts. This is getting old, and fast. Time to lay down the law Kenobi. Joy.
"Anakin, it is time for you to listen, and I want you to listen well. If you continue with this extraordinary display of insolence and anger, there is one thing that I can absolutely guarantee to you. You will never be a Jedi."
Anakin let out a contemptuous sigh and continued to ignore Obi-Wan, but Obi-Wan would not have it. "We will start by giving you laundry and refresher duty for a month."
Anakin's mouth dropped open in indignation and protest, but before he could reply, Obi-Wan continued. "Anakin, I do not want this relationship with you, but if you continue to act as you have been acting, then I don't have a choice. I will be the disciplinarian for as long as it is necessary. I will not fail you Anakin."
Anakin could not seem to bring himself to speak. "Anakin, Sarah is a part of this family now. If it is the will of the Force, then you are to accept it as such. Anakin, I do not want to be this kind of person, but I will not let you slide away. I will not let you throw away what you have going here because you cannot control your anger. You are my student, and I will do whatever I have to do to teach you the lessons that you need to learn. I am not Qui-Gon, no, but I am your Master. Are we clear on that?"
Anakin looked at Obi-Wan with reproachful eyes.
"Do you understand me, Anakin?" Obi-Wan despised this entire act, but it was necessary. The boy must learn. Obi-Wan had promised. He had promised his Master. He would not fail Anakin. He had promised, and Obi-Wan Kenobi did not break promises.
Obi-Wan left the room before his Padawan could reply. He had no idea if he had handled the situation well. He certainly hoped so. Sighing, he collapsed into the couch. His head just felt so...full. Not only was he confused about how to handle the situation with Anakin, but he did not understand at all the Council.
It had been his hope that Sarah would be trained as a Jedi, and he had hoped in his heart that perhaps she would be his Padawan, but now that it was a reality, the weight of what had happened hit him like a ton of bricks. Why had the Council so readily agreed to her training? Was it even the Council? Or was it simply Master Yoda? Obi-Wan could not forget the significant look in the Jedi Master's eyes at the meeting.
Finally, deciding that he did not want to think anymore, Obi-Wan got up and left the apartment. He picked up some tunics, boots, and a robe for Sarah, and then he headed to the dining area to pick up some food for dinner. He did not feel at all like cooking. He remembered fondly the time that he had tried to make a nice birthday dinner for Qui-Gon. He had ended up with burns, red sauce down his front, and a dinner that had tasted like Bantha...well, let's just say it was not very good.
After that particular experience, Obi-Wan had vowed never to try and cook again, and Qui-Gon had whole-heartedly agreed. And so, the two Jedi had begun to frequent Dex's Diner.
Obi-Wan hoped that he would be able to share those same good times with his own Padawan...Padawans. My, that sounds strange. When he arrived back at his quarters, all was quiet. Anakin was still sulking in his room, and Sarah was reading one of the books that had been laying around the common area. Well, at least someone will read them.
Obi-Wan gave Sarah her new Jedi attire, and when she came out after changing, Obi-Wan felt proud.
Dinner that night was awkward. Obi-Wan tried desperately to make conversation, but Anakin was silent, and Sarah did not seem to have much to say. After awhile of forced conversation, the three simply ate in silence.
After they had finished, Anakin (resentfully), began his chores for Obi-Wan while Obi-Wan and Sarah discussed how life at the Temple would be. He went over a schedule of classes and private lessons to help her get up to speed with the rest of the Padawans. He could tell she felt overwhelmed, but he had faith that they could get it in time.
Because Sarah had no experience with the Force or a lightsaber, she would have to work personally with Obi-Wan and other Masters to quickly come up to speed.
Obi-Wan had no doubts of her intelligence and aptitude. She could be in regular classes in no time. After all, it had only taken Anakin a few months to practically surpass all of the other students his age.
After they talked, they said goodnight...well, Anakin gave a nod of recognition to Sarah and then without even a glance at Obi-Wan, returned to his room.
Obi-Wan watched him go, not sure how he felt about getting the cold shoulder from his eleven-year-old Padawan. Long after Anakin and Sarah had gone to sleep, Obi-Wan remained wide awake. He felt exhausted, but amid all of his thoughts, crashing into each other in his mind, sleep was simply lost.
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A/N Well, another chapter done, and more to come (Hey, that rhymed:))! Hopefully its ok, and as always, feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!