A Simple Tradition

Obi-Wan tensed as the rough fingers combed through the long brown strands, so unlike the rest of his shortly cropped hair. Hands callused from years of lightsaber combat squeezed his shoulders tightly, warm breath blew against his ear.

"Relax, little one. This is a happy moment."

Obi-Wan managed a small smile, unconsciously responding to the encouragement Qui-Gon funneled across their weak training bond. With practiced ease, the elder slid a scarlet bead up one strand of hair.

"For your loyalty, my padawan."

Obi-Wan's grin widened, cheeks flushing as bright as the bead now tightly nestled into place as Qui-Gon continued weaving the strands together- crossing, crossing, crossing.

"No longer a mere Initiate, now you shall be known as: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padawan of the Jedi Order." With a final flourish, Qui-Gon twisted a clear band around the braid to tie it off, before turning to embrace his young student.

Obi-Wan sank into the hug gratefully, the Force practically singing with delight. With but a few simple words- two destinies had been intertwined, much like strands of hair and a tradition handed down to a new generation.

A New Definition

"Do I have to wear a braid?"

Obi-Wan smiled gently as he tried to settle the squirmy ten year old. He had to remember that everything was new to Anakin; he was always asking questions, eager to learn and understand.

"It's a tradition of the Jedi, going back several generations. Wearing a braid tells our Order and the outside world that you are a Padawan, my Padawan. And I am your Master."

Anakin's eyes darkened, ducking his head and dropping his eyes. Obi-Wan noticed the change immediately, the ripple of doubt and confusion in the Force.

"Anakin, what's wrong?"

He looked back up at Obi-Wan, youthful blue eyes full of fire and voice laced with venom.

"I thought I was free! But the Jedi just gave me another Master, it's not fair!"

Realization dawning, Obi-Wan immediately swept him into his arms.

"No, Ani, it's okay. You are free. A Jedi Master guides their Padawan, supports them and teaches them the ways of the Force. We do not own our Padawans, we care for them. Think of Qui-Gon."

Even speaking the name aloud re-opened the fresh wound of loss, but the new Knight continued on.

"When I was your age, he tied my braid, and I wore it until I was Knighted. I was his Padawan and he was my Master, but did I look like a slave?"

The young boy shook his head, clinging tightly to the young Master's tunic. Their relationship was new, delicate trust beginning to solidify on both sides, but Anakin could feel when people were lying. And Obi-Wan never felt like that to him, he felt safe, like right now.

"No. You were free."

Obi-Wan smiled, hugging him tight "And so are you. Now, let's get you fixed up, Padawan Skywalker."

No Time Like the Present

Ahsoka coughed and choked on the dust as she huddled near her Master. Most of the clones had fallen asleep already, leaving the two Jedi to keep watch. Not that there was much to watch in the darkened cave system and she could feel the exhaustion from the day starting to catch up with her, soreness settling in her muscles and joints as she sat with her knees tucked into her chest.

Desperate for anything to keep her mind busy, she pulled off her padawan braid and rolled the beads between her fingers. She counted each one, then again in Bocce, then again in Shyriiwook, the repetition calming her nerves still wound tight from the initial invasion.

"That's funny."

Ahsoka looked up, meeting Anakin's amused gaze. "What is?"

He held out a hand and she gave him the strand. He held it up, fingering each of the handmade beads carefully.

"It's just... I really want you to experience all the traditions and things I had as a Padawan. But you don't even have any hair to braid."

She giggled, leaning her head into his side, grounding herself in his steady heartbeat.

"I feel bad. There's probably a ceremony for it, but we never seem to have any time. And it's too late anyway, you've been my Padawan for over a month." Ahsoka frowned, their bond feeling too prickly.

"We could do it now." She whispered, almost to herself. He glanced down, eyebrow cocked.

"It's not very formal." He quipped, gesturing to the cold cave system and the piles of sleeping soldiers.

She shrugged. "Neither are we."

He smiled. "Then of course we can."

Ahsoka beamed, turning and holding her breath as she felt Anakin attach the chain to her headdress. She turned back around and smiled at him, trying to convey so many emotions in a single glance. Their bond radiated with gratitude, on both sides.

"Thanks, Master Skywalker."

He chuckled and pulled her close. "You're quite welcome, Padawan Tano."