Jedi Apprentice – Skywalker's Rescue
Chapter 2
"With all due respect, Masters, please allow me to handle it myself. As Anakin's Master, it is my responsibility to guide and discipline him."
For a moment it seemed that the Council might take issue with his slightly defiant tone, but they took it in stride. The same could not be said for the teacher standing beside Obi-Wan. The man couldn't quite hide his irritation.
"We must not forget that young Kenobi is a Knight now. He must be allowed to teach the boy as he sees fit," Master Plo Koon advised.
Yoda spoke up, "Agree, I do. A valuable lesson, this experience may become, for both Skywalker and Kenobi."
Mace Windu gave a stern warning, "Make sure that both Skywalker and the other boy learn from their mistakes. We will not abide violence between Jedi, no matter the age."
"I understand. Thank you, Masters," Obi-Wan bowed deeply before leaving the chamber, walking several paces ahead of the teacher.
Obi-Wan skipped the turbolift and took the stairs down to the level below the Council Chambers, which was a large waiting room with chairs lining the edges. Obi-Wan felt a slight twinge when he saw all the Master and Padawan pairs waiting to give their mission reports, but he told himself that before he knew it, he and Anakin would be like that too and soon the feeling passed.
Anakin sat by himself in a corner of the room. Especially considering how he had been acting lately, it was different to see him look so timid. The threat of an audience with the Jedi Council could do that to a person.
Anakin only looked up when Obi-Wan stopped in front of him.
"Am I in trouble?" he asked fearfully and for a moment he was back to being the obedient slave boy on Tatooine.
Obi-Wan knelt down so that he wasn't towering over him.
"Anakin, listen to me," he said. All his prepared lectures and threats of increased chores were forgotten. He could tell from Anakin's eyes that the boy had already suffered enough.
"You're not in trouble. You're not going to be punished. It's enough to understand your mistake and to learn from it."
"Yes, Master," Anakin said.
"But I do want you to apologize to your classmate," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin sighed. Obi-Wan stood up, "Now is as good a time as any."
The boy in question was seated across the room, talking to the teacher. According to Anakin, the other boy had taunted him, which escalated into a shoving match. Their teacher had put a stop to it pretty quickly, but not before both boys got in a few punches.
Anakin approached his classmate, a boy with curly dark hair who stood several inches taller than Anakin and who was sporting the beginnings of a purple bruise around one eye.
"I'm sorry for what happened. I shouldn't have hit you," Anakin said.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have hit you either," the boy said, avoiding Anakin's eyes, adding almost as an afterthought, "And I'm sorry for calling you names."
"It's okay," Anakin said, a trace of his usual bright nature creeping back.
He reached out a hand to the boy and smiled when he shook it.
Obi-Wan glanced at the teacher. If he wasn't mistaken, the man's icy demeanor seemed to thaw a little. Only a little.
As far as Obi-Wan was concerned, taking the incident all the way to the Council instead of directly to himself was rather heavy handed. The teacher involved was a senior Knight, almost a Master himself, and the Council had promised to keep a close watch on Anakin's training so there wasn't much he could say about it now.
Obi-Wan and Anakin made their way to the cafeteria for a late dinner. Anakin was uncharacteristically quiet as he ate. When they'd almost finished, Obi-Wan had enough of waiting and tried to draw him out.
"You did the right thing, Anakin, by shaking that boy's hand. It was a good gesture," Obi-Wan said.
"Mhmm," Anakin murmured.
"He was embarrassed but his apology was genuine," Obi-Wan tried again.
"I know," Anakin said.
"So what is it that's bothering you? Tell me, Padawan," Obi-Wan said, looking him in the eye.
Anakin finally stopped pushing his food around his plate and gave Obi-Wan his attention, "It's not just him."
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin thought for a moment, searching for the right words, "It's all of them. My whole class. All of my classes. They all look at me like I don't know what I'm doing, even when I do. Like I don't belong here."
"Anakin, remember that those kids grew up together. They've known each other their whole lives. I'm sure you'll find you place. Give it time," Obi-Wan advised.
"If you say so, Master," Anakin said, not entirely convinced.
"And eat the rest of your vegetables," Obi-Wan added.
….
TBC!
Preview: Obi-Wan and Anakin go on a field trip!