A/N: Yes, I have time to post one more before I leave. This will is a bit longer than the last and hopefully will keep you entertained until I come back. Enjoy!

Ch. 27: Deaf ears

Master Yoda greeted the trio on the landing pad. Mace and Qui-Gon bowed to the small master. The baby gurgled in glee at being lowered and then raised up. Behind the men, Obi-Wan stood tall, staring the elder straight into the dark forest green eyes.

Yoda stared back, not in the least bit intimidated, "Grown you have."

"The same to you."

The air grew dark and seemed to crackle with power as the two measured each other in silence. Anakin began to cry with the sudden change. Yoda eyed the child, mild surprise on his face that such a young one could sense a disturbance in the Force.

"Powerful the child is," whispered the ancient master.

Qui-Gon patted Anakin on the back, "Yes, Master he is."

Mace shot a glare at Jinn, "Our mission was successful."

"Depends on how you define success Mace."

Yoda once again focused on the young man behind him. Obi-Wan was tall and slim, much of his boyish charms had hardened but had transformed into a deadly beauty. What made Yoda on edge though was the joking, confident manner in the boy's stance. The teenager seemed relaxed yet at any second, he could lash out if the need arose. His calm aura made it harder for Yoda to sense any type of thoughts from his mind. This all went to a higher danger level when Obi-Wan tilted his head away from Mace. Mace growled and stared down at Anakin, whom Qui-Gon tried to pry off from his hair. Sensing the others' focus on Anakin, Obi-Wan peered back at Yoda and offered the ancient master a tiny peek of his dark haunted eyes that flickered in the shadows of his cockiness. This was the real Obi-Wan and Yoda knew he would have to thread softly if he wanted to ensure the protection of the Jedi Temple.

"If anything, ruder you have become Kenobi."

Obi-Wan smirked, his dark appearance disappearing when Mace and Jinn engaged themselves back to the topic. "Ruder? I thought it was ok to address someone by their first name when you are at the same levels."

Mace forced down his rising anger. He was a calm man but Obi-Wan knew how to rub him. He would not be compared to an arrogant 18 year old boy. "You forget who beat you in the fight."

That joking tone answered back, "You forget that Qui-Gon interfered. It was not a fair fight." Obi-Wan shifted his gaze around the group, stopping once more at Yoda. Dropping all sarcasm in less than a nanosecond, he continued, "I have brought you the Chosen One. In exchange, I want your cooperation to defeat the Sith."

A dead silence encompassed the platform. Even the speeders near by seemed frozen in time. Not waiting for the words to shape meaning, but long enough to sink in, Obi-Wan finished, "I figure this is not the time or place to discuss such sensitive information, so shall we continue this inside."

Yoda nodded, "Right you are. Escort Master Windu shall to your holding cell."

Mace shook his head clear. Obi-Wan had allowed himself to get captured to deliver this message and deal. Glancing at the teenager, the dark skinned master couldn't help but think that maybe Jinn was right. Maybe Obi-Wan had not fallen too far in the Dark Side. He was willing to work with the Jedi to face this new problem…if such a problem existed.

Reaching out to grab Obi-Wan, he stopped himself when the teenager looked at him with a steel gaze, "I know where it is."

Leading the way with a steady stride, the pair left the platform.

Yoda's ears dropped. He looked up once more at the baby in Jinn's arms, "Sense I do, trouble is coming. In Kenobi's footsteps, Death is walking."

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"We can't believe him. Where is his proof?"

"But one must consider why else would he come back so…peacefully."

"Maybe he is telling the truth, we never truly knew what had happened to the Sith. Theywere shrouded in darkness."

"Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fallen Jedi. He has been trained in the Dark Arts by Xanatos no less. Deception is his way now."

Ki-Adi-Mundi's declaration silenced the debating council. It had been two days since Obi-Wan arrived at the Temple and no one knew still how to deal with him. Since then, the man was being kept in a cell in one of the more abandoned wings of the Temple. Only the council members and Qui-Gon knew of his presence within the Temple.

Windu shifted in his chair, "Master Mundi is right. I've fought Kenobi twice. He's very deceptive and knows how to strike fast and lethal and I mean not just in a physical manner."

Nods circulated around the room. Yoda had not said a word concerning Obi-Wan. Only Mace knew what pain is caused the elder to see one of his most promising students return with such a dark declaration. "Focus on Anakin Skywalker we should now."

The horned master Eath Koth spoke, "Master Jinn is right. The baby does have a high midichlorinan count, one that rivals Master Yoda. If trained, he will be a very powerful Jedi."

Yoda frowned, resting his chin on his hands. "Take in Anakin we will, but if the Chosen One he is, proven in the future it will be."

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Obi-Wan sat in a cross-legged position on his cot. The cuffs still hummed on his wrists, as well as the electric shield over the cell. The boy had been in the same position for two days now. Thankfully, no one bothered him with idiotic questions and he was able to meditate in peace.

Qui-Gon stood before the cell. Part of him hated how Obi-Wan was being restrained but then another part told him that it was necessary. That Obi-Wan was a Dark Jedi, who out of all people was trained by Xanatos, his former padawan. His mind wandered back to the time on Badamoor. Before him, Obi-Wan and Xanatos stood side by side, dark power showing how deep their relationship was. The two deep scars deepened in his soul with the knife of jealously. The pain began to seep throughhis soul.

"I thought I told you to overcome your pain. You need to be positive when you train Anakin."

The pain receded and Jinn found himself face to face with Obi-Wan. "I am positive."

"Liar." That one single word snapped something in Jinn's mind and for the first time he saw Obi-Wan with a clear gaze.

"I will not be talked to in such a manner, Kenobi. I am a Jedi Master and your elder. I have more-"

Obi-Wan chuckled, "More older? More experience? Qui-Gon Jinn, I may look young but trust me, I am up there with Yoda when it comes maturity."

Jinn frowned, "That may be but you act like a spoiled child, wanting everyone to just bow to your proposal. What did you think? We would take your word at face value."

A dark look tugged at Obi-Wan's face. Folding his arms, the teenager nodded, "Well aren't you going to open the door or not."

Jinn sighed and used the Force to open the door, "I thought you could use a walk to the Room of a Thousand Fountains."

A sparkle pulled Qui-Gon into the ever changing sea of Obi-Wan's eyes. "Lead the way."

Qui-Gon nodded, handing Obi-Wan a cloak. With a twitch of his wrists, the Force cuffs separated from each other but still hummed with life. Slipping into the cloak and pulling the hood on, Obi-Wan peered up at Jinn.

Qui-Gon tilted his head and they started to walk down the hallways.

"I hope you cell is…comfortable."

Chirpiness trickled through Obi-Wan's response, "It is better then some cells that I've been in."

A questioning glance evoked a grin from Obi-Wan.

"It is not funny, Obi-Wan. Is holding you in a cell and torturing you a beneficial way of teaching for Xanatos?"

Anger cracked through the younger man's grin, "Master did nothing of the sort."

"Oh what about Badamoor?"

"Badamoor was where I saw the light. Besides, Xanatos never directly…hurt me. Mostly it was my own poor decisions that lead me into near death situations."

Qui-Gon sped up a bit. The way Obi-Wan talked of his harsh life was making him sick. No one should just shrug off such ill treatments as if they were merely raindrops from a recent thunderstorm. Hardening his voice, Jinn pressed on, "Sounds more like you've been brainwashed. I've seen the scars that line your back, chest and arms. Some made from whips, vibroblades and blaster bolts. Don't even try to deny it; I saw the video feed when Windu stripped searched you."

A cold look crept upon Obi-Wan's face, "Those injuries have nothing to do with Xanatos. He wasn't the one-"

"Stop defending him, Obi-Wan! The man tortured you if not physical than by the Force, mentally!"

The young man stopped dead in his tracks, soaking in Qui-Gon's painful yell of accusation. The air seemed to get colder as a dark presence made itself known.

"No one needs defending except you Jedi."

Qui-Gon blinked and found himself back in the warmth of the Temple. Obi-Wan was a couple steps ahead of him, his ginger head tilted to the side, waiting for the man. "Well aren't you going to introduce me to the Council or what?"

Crystal blue eyes narrowed in confusion, "How?"

Obi-Wan shrugged, as if the answer to the question was elementary. "The Jedi don't want to contaminate their precious mediation chamber."

"You consider yourself contaminated?"

A sad look shadowed Obi-Wan's eyes, "Is it not what the Jedi think of me. But I will tell you something, Qui-Gon. I am not contaminated by the Dark Side or my Saturine background…by something far worse."

The elevator door swished opened. Jinn watched his younger companion walk in, "By what then?"

That playful expression bounced back on Obi-Wan's face. A mocking tone split out into laughter, "Pitiful, just pitiful."

Qui-Gon frowned, a tiny flame of anger rising in him. Before the doors closed before them, Obi-Wan mused and leaned forward as if sharing a secret. "You should know the answer, Jinn, you fight it everyday."

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Inside the Council Room, Qui-Gon watched from the sidelines a meeting that he would never forget. Twelve grown, powerful Jedi Masters attacked an 18 year old. Even after all his experiences, Qui-Gon would find himself a little terrified of being in a room alone and facing these powerful men. But once again, Obi-Wan showed how much he had changed, and what skills Xanatos had taught him. The boy—man—knew how to defend himself with the deadly eloquence of a skilled politician. Those careful chosen words and the darn cocky attitude were beginning to irritate and unnerve the Council. They had never faced anyone who conversed with them like it was a tea party.

Obi-Wan sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Look, the Sith Apprentice is the same species as Eeth Koth. He's got the horns and black and red tattoos etched all over his face and probably body." Jabbing two fingers out as if counting his points, he continued, "So not only are the Sith surfacing, but you've got the birth of the Chosen One. Something is going to happen, something big. If you ignore the signs, the results are going to be disastrous."

The pointy-eared, one-eyed Master Piell leaned forward, "You say the Sith are surfacing but all we have is your word."

Obi-Wan eyed the elder, "You think I would lie about this."

Yaddle blinked sadly, "Deception, manipulation and lying is your style."

"You think I planned this," hissed Obi-Wan.

"We wouldn't be surprised," muttered a council member.

Windu added, "Xanatos also could have planned this, if you do not wish to take credit for it. He is plotting the downfall of the Jedi. And since he is your master after all, you tell us."

Mundi caressed his gray beard, his tall cone-head pointing to the side, "Therefore, we cannot heed this so called warning. By placing you in imprisonment, we will exterminate this problem of Xanatos sending in a spy into the Temple. The Sith are dead, there is no way they can come back alive."

"You thought us Saturine were extinct, yet here I stand today," snarled Obi-Wan before recomposing himself. Qui-Gon saw a calculating look narrow the teenager's eyes.

Yoda sensed the change, "Something on your mind there is."

Sea-blue eyes peered under the lashes, "Why should I tell you anything, anymore. It is evident you don't trust my words, so why bother wastingmy time and energy."

In the last part, Yoda's ears perked up a bit. Qui-Gon glanced over at his master. Obi-Wan, for the smallest second, sounded like a lost child. Qui-Gon focused on the still form. Maybe this whole cockiness and anger were charades, maybe Obi-Wan was putting on an act. But why?

"Talk to Master Jinn, we will now. Stand outside, you shall, until your escort comes to bring you back to your cell."

Obi-Wan slightly bowed and let the chambers, as Qui-Gon braced himself for the oncoming questions concerning how he discovered Anakin.

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Outside, Obi-Wan leaned against the cold duracreet wall. The meeting had not gone the way he had hoped. Sure he had planned during the first moments that Jinn interfered in the fight that maybe he could persuade the Council to ready themselves against the Sith. He also wanted to ensure that Anakin would be accepted. But now, with the council not believing him, Obi-Wan could no longer feel secure in Anakin's training. The Jedi would not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the Sith Master's influence. If the Sith Master found out about Anakin, he would try to turn the boy to the Dark Side no matter the risks.

A groan escaped his mouth. Xanatos had told him that to outwit your enemy, you have to think like them. Well, confronting one enemy was easy enough but Obi-Wan now had to deal with how the Jedi and the Sith would handle the situation concerning the Chosen One's training. His mind running through countless stimulation, he decided that there was only one more little 'tweak' he could do to prevent the future that haunted his dreams. This time though, it wouldn't be the simple 'Oh you might want to hint, hint' kind of tweak. This tweak would affect the timeline, but only for a little while. He could return Anakin to Qui-Gon when the Jedi Master finally faced the Sith apprentice and the Council finally believed him.

Then of course, there was another tweak he could do, but that was THE final resort. The dark child snickered in his mind. For some odd reason, the child seemed to have grown more powerful ever since he arrived on Corescant. Wanting to ignore the child, Obi-Wan reached out and gentle touched through his Saturine powers Xanatos and Nyree. They were the only two beacons that kept him stable in this reality. Without them, he would have never been able to break free from the ice cell that he had locked himself in after the Experience. Feeling their warmth tickle his fingers brought a sense of happiness to Obi-Wan. They had arrived on Corescant and were looking for a hotel to stay in. Of course, the two were bickering, their tastes as different as the Outer Rim was to the Republic.

The dark child scuffed and trudged back into the darkness of Obi-Wan's soul. With the coast clear, Obi-Wan surfaced back to his situation. Glancing around, he frowned. The escort was late, such a troublesome problem. He could think of a couple instances where his ex-business partners would mutter about exterminating such pointless—

"To exterminate the problem…"muttered Obi-Wan, his mind jerking into the perspective of the Sith master. Xanatos had trained him in secrecy. The plan was to reveal Obi-Wan slowly to the public, lastly to the Jedi—Qui-Gon in general—to catch them off-guard. The parallel was uncanny. The Sith master was working in the shadows as well, doing the exact same thing in training an apprentice secretly and wishing to reveal him only at the crucial point. Thus, if the master wanted to keep things according to the plan; certain things would need to be taken care of. He certainly couldn't kill his apprentice because that would destroy a much needed investment and would not stop the leak. Therefore, he would attack the only two people who witnessed his apprentice…Xanatos and himself.

Dread began to fill him. Obi-Wan stretched out with his mind but a void blocked him from reaching Xanatos. He wanted to push harder but the soft scrap of boots marked the arrival of his escort. He couldn't reveal the certain fact that he could still use the Force. The Jedi thought they had him subdued and thus indirectly allowing him more freedom. Pulling away, fear sunk its icy-claws over his heart.

Death walked the planet tonight.

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A/N: Weeeeeeeee, well I hope you guys enjoy this long chapter. See you a week or two from now!