A/N: I actually had this incorporated in the last chapter, but decided that it was better by itself. With Obi-Wan in this state of mind, and the evil kid following him everywhere, one cannot help but wonder what would happen when Mace and Qui-Gon show up. Just something to think about…
Ch. 19 For the lost, there is purity to look for-Another two weeks: 1 month total-
Nyree paid the man and bent down to pick up the basket full of potatoes. Obi-Wan grabbed the bag and stood waiting. The girl pouted as she stared into her companion's emotionless face. It had been a hard month. Xanatos and her had cleaned Obi-Wan's room and remodeled everything, that it didn't seem like his old room at all. The two would take turns feeding Obi-Wan, washing him and taking walks with him. About after two weeks, Obi-Wan finally could eat on his own and walk down the stairs without Xanatos or Nyree leading him.
Nyree smiled, her eyes distant with memory. She never felt such happiness when Obi-Wan reached out and grabbed the spoon, feeding himself for the entire meal. Xanatos relaxed and the next day seemed to have lightened up towards Nyree. It was such a smallimprovement but still was a giant step in the right direction. All that needed to happen was for Obi-Wan to talk and break free of his internal struggles.
Kaede walked up to the pair. The trio was in the town market, gathering food for a little party. Tomorrow was that huge New Year's party, which Xanatos had to attend. But what was on everyone's mind was that today was Obi-Wan's birthday. The boy turned the big 18 and the contract between him and Xanatos would be over.
"Why don't Nyree and I finish gathering the supplies and you can go to the bank, Obi-Wan and cash the check," spoke the butler, handing Obi-Wan the check. It was the servants' gift to the young man.
Obi-Wan stared his blank look at the check before grabbing the paper. Nyree leaned forward and grabbed the bag of potatoes from his hand. Obi-Wan glanced down at his hand and then at Nyree's hands. Shrugging his shoulders, he made his way to the bank. Nyree sagged her shoulders.
Kaede patted Nyree, "He'll come back."
Nyree nodded, "Yeah." She turned and followed behind Kaede further into the market.
Obi-Wan walked into the bank and stood behind the last person in line. Around him, the middle and upper class mingled with each other. Some stayed with others of their kind and chattered like mice. But some people began talking with complete strangers to pass the time. A mother was signing her latest paycheck, while her daughter clung to her leg. The blond hair child saw Obi-Wan and clung closer to her mother. Obi-Wan tilted his head slightly as something wet began moving up and down his fingers. Looking down, the young man stood still as a black furred mutt licked his hand. Obi-Wan knelt down and began running his hand over the fur. The mutt began moving towards the warm hand, pleasure in its' eyes.
Something about the response stirred a forgotten feeling in the boy. A smile inched forward across Obi-Wan's face and content entered his eyes.
He heard giggling and looked up. The blond girl now stood between her mother and the mutt. She was giggling and pure happiness lit her face. Obi-Wan's smile grew wider as he closed his eyes and laughed softly. The way the girl laughed kindled the dull flame in his chest. Sure Xanatos and Nyree had kept the flame alive, but their sadness did nothing to help the fire strengthen. But this unknown child touched something in Obi-Wan, a yearning to protect this beacon of joy. The Sith boy began screaming and making funny faces at the girl. But Obi-Wan didn't notice a thing. The pureness of the child, the dog and the people around him at life massaged his torn soul making the cuts begin to heal themselves. Today, everyone seemed alive, happy with life.
A bang echoed throughout the bank. Three bank robbers poured into the lobby. The leader threw the receptionist onto the ground.
"Everyone on the ground!" screamed the leader.
The civilians made their way slowly on the ground. Mothers tried to remain calm for their children. Husbands reached out protectivly for their crying wives. And the young people reached out and helped the elderly to the ground.
Darkness radiated off of the leader. The Sith child stood by his side, taking turnsgrinning at Obi-Wan and glaring at the girl. The leader raised his blaster at the crowd, "I said on the ground!"
Two security guards rushed through another entrance and pounced at the leader. Energy bolts flew through the air. A woman's voice cried out as the two accomplices shot the guards. The two dead guards fell to the ground behind the leader. But the leader's focus was not on the guards. His orange eyes were wide with awe. The blaster in his hand began to shake slightly. Obi-Wan stood in front of the girl, his shoulder bleeding from the blaster bolt. For the first time the Sith child seemed unsure. Obi-Wan could sense the child's jealously towards the girl, but he would protect her: the embodiment of his flame. The fear that had paralzed him since the incident in his room was replaced by confidence. Obi-Wan looked at the Sith child. He knew now what the child represented. The boy was himself, the person he could become if the Dark Side would win. The young man knew that if he didn't face this evil within himself and conquer it, in the long run he would fall and all that he strived for would be for vain. He couldn't fail. He wouldn't fail.
"What the-" the leader began to speak but never finished. Obi-Wan ran forward and punched the man right in the face.
The leader flew backwards, clutching his broken nose. Obi-Wan didn't even wipe his fist clean as he dodged the blaster fire coming from the two robbers. One of the robberies opened his mouth and spit green saliva at the teenager. However, Obi-Wan had already sensed the move and leapt to the side, the saliva scorching his tunic. Readjusting his posture, Obi-Wan kicked the blaster out of the other robber's hand and delivered a knockout punch aimed at his throat. The robber fell to the ground, unconscious.
His partner was about spit once more, but Obi-Wan broke his arms and jaw. The robber collapsed onto his knees,gurgling in pain. Obi-Wan bent down and picked up the blaster. He turned around and aimed the barrel at the leader's forehead, who was in crouched aposition, hisblaster halfway raised to aim at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan cocked the handle and fear entered the leader's eyes.
"…No…"
A whisper of a voice escaped from Obi-Wan's mouth. Life returned to empty eyes in the form of pity at the man before them. Obi-Wan raised his arm and knocked the leader unconscious with the butt end of the blaster. Walking towards the door, Obi-Wan dropped the blaster as civilians parted to the side. Opening the door, the teenager stepped into the sunlight. Not a minute later, a worried Nyree appeared and hugged Obi-Wan. She took in his wound and began bandaging him up.
"You idiot. I leave you alone for a second and look what happens," muttered Nyree as she tied the knot.
Obi-Wan smiled down at Nyree. He tucked in a strand of her hair, admiring how the sunlight lit her hair. Nyree stopped and looked up at him. Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes and fell down as she hugged Obi-Wan around the neck. He was back.
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A/N: Yay! Hope! Well I hoped you enjoyed