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"My concerns, Master Jedi, are indeed for my people, although I would not want my robes to get ruined in the process! They are, after all, the finest on Doashali, and how would I look to the people if I was distraught? No, no, I must always look in tip-top form!"
Anakin glanced at Sarah and rolled his eyes. She tried to hide her smile but was not too successful. As hard as both Padawans were trying to concentrate, they had been stuck listening to the Prime Minister of the planet Doashali for hours. He was the most pompous and turgid man that Anakin had ever met, and he knew that Sarah felt the same way.
Obi-Wan sent his Padawans a warning glance, although, he had to agree, the Prime Minister was an insipid man.
The three Jedi had been sent to the planet to mediate some minor violence from a group that was against the Prime Minister. Not that I can blame them, Obi-Wan thought. He tried to shake the thoughts from his head, as they were not appropriate thoughts for a Jedi.
The mission had been an easy one, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Sarah had easily negotiated a peaceful agreement with the faction, but it had taken a few days. The Prime Minister had offered the Jedi rooms at his mansion, and they had accepted, but for three nights in a row they had been forced to listen for hours while the man talked incessantly about himself.
"-And then, he came up to me and he said, 'I must say, Prime Minister, that though your robes are made of the finest Doashalian material, the color rather clashes horribly with your hair!' I say, no respect! The standard of youth on this planet is going to the banthas."
When she heard him say this, Sarah could not help faking hacking cough to try and cover up any traces of laughing. Obi-Wan and Anakin were trying not to laugh.
The Prime Minister though, exclaimed, "Oh dear! Are you alright? That reminds me of the time that I was in a diplomatic tea with the senator of Taar'iyang-" and of course, the man launched into another story about himself.
When the man finally finished his story, Obi-Wan quickly interjected, "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt Prime Minister, but I rather think that we should be getting to bed, we are leaving quite early tomorrow, after all."
The Prime Minister looked a tad disappointed that he could not continue with his anecdotes, but finally he said, "Of course, of course. A Jedi's life is most important! Though I do wish that you could stay and enjoy the sun. I must say that it does marvelous wonders for my own skin, and it naturally highlights my hair, as you see, I don't even have to pay to get this stunning sheen!"
Sarah and Anakin were very determinedly not looking at each other, knowing that if they did, they would not be able to contain their laughter. Obi-Wan himself was clenching his jaw as hard as possible, trying to keep a placid Jedi calm on his face.
"Goodnight Prime Minister." Obi-Wan respectfully bowed, as did his Padawans.
"Goodnight Master Kenobi, I must say that you and your delightful Padawans should return soon, you are most always welcome here, I always enjoy the company of Jedi, it reminds me of years ago when I met a young Jedi pilot, he practically fell over his feet when he saw me. Now, I know much about your Order, but I really cannot blame the man for being jealous...really, how could one not be?"
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The next morning, the three Jedi had snuck out of the Prime Minister's mansion before dawn. Once they were on the vast lawn, they had run the full length across the immense grounds to the hangers, the whole time looking back and laughing the whole way, making sure that the Prime Minister was not chasing after them, ready with yet more stories about himself.
They finally collapsed into their small ship, and they took off as quickly as they could. When they were safely in hyperspace, one glance sent them once again into gales of laughter until their stomachs ached.
Obi-Wan knew that it was not really appropriate that he let his Padawans make fun of the Prime Minister, but after awhile, he could not help joining in himself.
The faces of the family had changed over the years. Now thirty-three, Obi-Wan's once clean-shaven face now sported a short beard, and his hair was even longer and a bit untidy. He had listened to countless protests from his Padawans about growing a beard (something about how he would look like he would look like a hairy taun-taun if he were to grow a beard), yet he had done it anyway.
Anakin was now seventeen, and he was still growing faster than Obi-Wan could keep track of. It seemed that they were constantly getting him new tunics and boots, and he rapidly catching up on Obi-Wan in height. Gone was the tiny and timid boy that Obi-Wan had first met eight years ago, replaced by a tall, bold, and handsome teenager.
Sarah, at sixteen, was tall as well, and had certainly come into great beauty. Her blue eyes stood out remarkably in her oval face. Though she would deny it to any person who brought it up, Obi-Wan had to admit that like Anakin, gone were the days when she was a pretty little girl. She was now a gorgeous and intelligent young woman.
They continued to impress Obi-Wan immeasurably every day, although, he had to admit that their recent behavior at the Prime Minister's dinner was less than inspiring, yet Obi-Wan could not deny their talent. Both were gaining rapidly on Mace Windu with their lightsaber skills, and their control of the Force was remarkable.
In short, the three of them were the envy of the other Jedi. Every Master wanted a Padawan like Sarah or Anakin, and every young initiate hoped for a Master like Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan hoped that he deserved this esteem. He knew that he had always been a bit less strict than other Masters were with their Padawans. He tended to joke around and tease his Padawans.
Obi-Wan partly attributed this to his age. He was still quite young to be a Master. Most Jedi that he had know or heard of tended to wait until their late thirties or early forties to take a Padawan. I suppose I've grown up with them. It was true. Most of the time, Obi-Wan felt like more of a friend or sibling to his Padawans than their Master.
But despite this flaw, Obi-Wan knew that they were an almost flawless team. Anakin's bold and intense nature helped to balance out Sarah's at times too-cautious way on missions. Anakin would often emerge quickly with wit, but when Sarah loosened up, she could easily verbally beat him in a spar of humor. Obi-Wan was always the centered one, never loosing his balance, and never failing to best his Padawans in a spar, no matter how extraordinary with a lightsaber they became. But one day that will change.
He thought to himself, I hope that I have taught them well. But he knew, when he looked at them, that he had. And whenever they were not on missions, which was relatively often, other Jedi had helped keep a check on his Padawans. It was the nature of the Jedi to look out for others, especially their Padawans, and Obi-Wan knew that Anakin and Sarah were certainly kept under close watch while at the Temple.
After a few hours, Obi-Wan saw that they were quickly approaching Coruscant. In a way, he was glad. It was always welcome to have a period of rest after a mission, no matter how routine, and in a way, it took a bit of pressure off of his own shoulders, knowing that there were other Jedi watching out for Anakin and Sarah.
The Jedi Temple loomed in the distance as they broke the atmosphere and headed towards it. As they departed the craft, Obi-Wan snapped out of his musings when he heard Anakin's voice. His Padawans were walking slightly ahead of him, and he distinctly heard, "Now Sarah, I must request that you stay! This lovely Coruscant sun does wonders for the dazzling blond highlights in my hair! But please don't touch my robe, for it is made of only the finest weave in the Core!"
Sarah pushed Anakin and he stumbled. She replied, "Now really, if I didn't know any better I would say that the young male Jedi on this planet are quickly going to gundarks! No respect!"
Obi-Wan sighed with a smile on his face. Well, no matter what I do, some things will never change. And the three Jedi strolled up the steps to the Jedi Temple, glad to be home.
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A/N: Yay! Ok (deep breath and drumroll), the story will now be heading into AOTC! How exciting! Thanks for reading!