A/N - This chapter is a little longer than usual as quite frankly there was a lot I wanted to fit in before the ending! I hope you enjoy the direction it takes things in I absolutely adored writing it, pushing characters to their emotional and physical limits always ensures good material to write with :)

Anyway enough from me enjoy the chapter and thank you for continued support!


Ventress witnessed her Master at work from the observational room for the cell, Count Dooku had been in the room with Kenobi for some time now intent on swaying the young Knight's mind to their cause. She shook her head in disgust, why could her Master not see what she could? Kenobi was weak, worse he was so ingrained in the light it was blinding. Just being this close to the man made her sick. Of course Dooku had completely waved aside her opinion and continued with his plans, that line of thinking alone made Ventress' anger flare. Her master thought this Jedi was superior to her? Maybe Kenobi was right about something Dooku seemed delusional. Ventress abolished the straying thought before it could develop into something else, if her Master picked up on those thoughts it would not end well for her. I must find another way to show him how weak Kenobi is…

Ventress wanted to prove to her Master that she could be trusted, he didn't need Kenobi she would be far superior, she was far superior. Her gaze fell on the Jedi's form as Dooku seemed to be wrapping up his lecture, probing with her mind Ventress surprisingly did find conflicted emotions there and an abundance of hate and rage, of course the Jedi was feebly attempting to hide the feelings but failing miserably. She too had picked up the Jedi's rage increase around her, she had of course maimed his precious apprentice, was this her Master's plan? Use Kenobi's natural anger towards Ventress as a pushing point? Perhaps her Master was seeing something else here she could not, Ventress shook her head at the statement it did not concern her. She had one purpose and one purpose alone, break Kenobi and show Dooku that she was the rightful apprentice.

She started towards the door as her Master's thoughts drifted to her, it seemed it was time for a different take to push the Knight over the edge. They met in the corridor briefly as he strolled out of the cell, confident that he had at least succeeded in having Kenobi on edge and more susceptible to her methods.

"Focus on Jinn, we can use the memories to our advantage."

Ventress had too identified Kenobi's weak point she would do what she did best, strike mercilessly at the shattering point until he cracked. From what she could feel Kenobi was already so conflicted it shouldn't take long, Ventress would finally show her Master what she was capable of, he was trusting her with this and she would not fail, even if the results were not as Dooku wanted now he would come to see she had done him a favour. Weeding out the weakness from his views, there was no way Kenobi deserved to be his apprentice, her Master deserved better. He deserved her.

"Yes, Master."

Ventress' eyes glistened over the upcoming prospect, gaze finding Kenobi as she strode forward. She only stopped once more for a second as Dooku relayed one last message, one last command before striding off into the distance.

"Ventress, do not fail me."


Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel a shiver traverse his spine as the predatory dark force user sauntered into his cell before sealing them both in the prison with a flick of her wrist, together, alone. A smirk tugged at the corners of her faintly quivering lips, eyes gleaming with amusement and something else he was struggling to identify, hatred? Desire?

He battled his ever increasing heart rate, determined to not let this witch know of his anxiety, or the fact that his nerves had already been shot to pieces by his encounter with Dooku. From the knowing glance directed his way accompanied by a gleaming glint of his captor's eyes, Obi-Wan knew she had already sensed his troubled state.

The truth was he hadn't had a chance to sort through his turbulent emotions invoked by Dooku, dangerously his mental and emotional state was far from serene and fitting of a Jedi Knight. Force help him if Ventress played on any of his insecurities now, he honestly didn't know how much longer he could last without the aid of the force. It had been so long now since he had been able to bathe in its currents, far too long since he had felt at peace and most importantly been centered. Obi-Wan knew how perilous his current state of mind was, Dooku seemed intent on not giving him the time or access to the force to right himself once more.

He followed her movements around the interrogation room, gulping slightly as she fingered one or two instruments with a wide grin on her face. They looked very painful and extremely deadly. She obviously heard his stray thoughts as she whipped her head around to smirk at him, eyes glinting with pleasure, scalpel still tightly held in her grip. With a burst of manic laughter she dropped the instrument and was by his side quicker than he could blink, eyes widening as she stopped just a hairs width from his face.

He had to admit, Ventress unnerved him. She was so unpredictable, so volatile and Obi-Wan was no fool, he knew she was as deadly and cunning as Dooku. Maybe more so. The dark witch seemed to contemplate something for a moment before deliberately trailing a clawed finger down his captured limbs, sending shivers to race through his whole body.

Her grin only widened as she sensed his discomfort, she moved from his trapped limbs overhead to his chest, fingers dancing over areas he'd rather not share with the enemy. He couldn't help it the touch made him squirm slightly, annoyed at himself for being disturbed by Ventress' prying he changed tact and fell back on the one thing that he could always rely on. Sarcasm.

"Are you here to seduce me then?" His voice was surprisingly steadier than he could have anticipated, his brows arched as she continued her travels down his chest to more private areas.

She stopped her wandering hands just above his waistline, brow raised triumphantly as she observed Obi-Wan's breath still in anticipation. In the next instant his chin was roughly in her grip, she held him in place as she leaned forward seductively and whispered in his ear.

"No no, my dear, something much better than that."

Ventress pulled away holding Obi-Wan's startled gaze for a full 10 count before beaming once more and continuing her circling pacing around his captive form.

Torture. Before the thought had fully registered in his own mind Ventress had already picked up on his ailing thoughts, his mind a complete open book to her, just as it had been for Dooku.

"You're a perceptive one, even when cut off from the force…" She drawled whilst continuing to pace, moving out of Obi-Wan's sight forcing him to crane his neck to the side to catch a glimpse of her.

"Does Dooku expect you to torture me to darkness?" He scoffed back amused by the idea.

Abruptly a great pressure was weighing down on his shoulders, straining them painfully as his arms were stretched downwards, wrists chafing terribly in the manacles. Obi-Wan grunted as Ventress grabbed a hand hold of his hair and yanked his head back agonisingly far, unnaturally so. He forced his eyes open after the pain had subsided to a more moderate level and glared at the witch, who in turn only smiled back sweetly and began to run a clawed talon down his cheek digging in slightly and drawing blood. He gasped as the trickle made its way down his inverted face, strain on his shoulders becoming excruciating as more pressure was added. If she didn't stop soon he could feel his shoulders would pop right out of their sockets. The angle his arms were bent at did no favours for his recent saber wound either, the seared skin cracked painfully as pressure was added.

"Oh no, Obi-Wan, pain is such a wonderful thing you should embrace it." She grinned wickedly whilst drawing her finger to her lips to lick away the blood on them, his blood.

"So first a raving lunatic, now a sadist. Wonderful," He revoltingly retorted painfully through gritted teeth, resolving not to attempt to squirm away from the witch's hold.

Just as abruptly as it had started it stopped, Ventress released her grip and pressure on his abused body allowing Obi-Wan to sag forwards relishing in the release of pressure on his limbs. He grimaced as he found his feet once more whilst stretching his muscles back into working order, relieved that the burning in his shoulders was now only reduced to a dull ache. He cautiously catalogued Ventress' movements as the dark user circled predatorily, a hungry gleam glittering her gaze.

"You like to hide behind humour and sarcasm, I see through your pathetic armour, Kenobi. I see you." She turned to face him and met his gaze, almost whispering the last remark.

That was when he knew, he knew from her gaze she really could, it unnerved him more than any physical pain would have. Like he had thought just moments earlier, an open book. He shuddered slightly as he once again felt her darkness brush against his psyche.

"You think with torture there is just one route, physical pain? It is the mind which is the place to strike, where the deepest fears and beliefs reside." Ventress continued her prowling, preparing to strike at any moment. Obi-Wan knew this was what made this mad women so dangerous, the one hazardous quality which set her apart from Dooku. She was unpredictable.

"I will not turn."

She grabbed his chin, prying into his mind without any further warning. Her assault was ruthless and merciless, not stopping until she found everything she had come searching for. Plundering precious memories, painfully ripping down feeble defences that Obi-Wan had hurriedly tried to erect to keep her out. He scrunched up his eyes in absolute misery and gasped as the horrific attack on his mind continued, felt her claws dig into his chin enough to draw blood. Mercifully he felt the dark tendrils retreating, taking no care when doing so either leaving Obi-Wan rasping and reeling.

"He was right you know. You are already half way there."

He kept his eyes shut tight as the thumping agony in his head continued, thankfully subsiding in its thrashing the longer time passed, vaguely taking in what she had just said but not having the energy to rebuke the claim. Ventress released his chin and stalked off to somewhere behind him, Obi-Wan didn't have the focus to spare to track her movements any longer. All of his efforts and focus were spent on rebuilding his mental defences, desperately willing the pounding to cease after the witch's ruthless mind probe.

"I feel your anger towards him, I see it in your memories."

He scoffed at that, of course he felt anger at Dooku. He could forgive and forget the damage dealt to him given access to the force and time, but what had been done to Anakin? Obi-Wan struggled to see a point where he could forgive that.

"Well what do you expect, he's had me kidnapped, almost killed and maimed my padawan all to get to me," He hotly retorted, the agony in his head finally at a manageable enough level to open his eyes and search for his captor.

"Not Dooku, Kenobi. No there is another within your thoughts you loathe even more."

He gulped as he too identified who she spoke of, Qui-Gon. There was no hiding it, even to himself. His emotions over his master at this present point were dangerously close to hatred, deep down he knew that couldn't be right yet all of the memories he had tried to bury resurfaced once again causing a sharp intake of breath.

Ventress continued without even breaking her stride, smug grin adorning her face. "Your master, what was his name… Oh yes Qui-Gon!"

"Stay out of my head, witch!" He yelled out as the dark tendrils brushed against his mental defences once more, seeking entry to Obi-Wan's inner most thoughts.

She surged forward from somewhere to his right, grabbing his jaw to twist his view to hers. She was breathing heavily, pupils dilated, presence reeking of joy. Ventress leaned in to whisper predatorily in his ear, hot breath tickled his hair as she spoke.

"You are mine, Kenobi… Every part of you is mine…"

The tone of her promise actually made him physically tremble, breathing coming in short sharp breaths. This women was mad yes, and very very dangerous…

"And I will break you…" She whispered the promise, relishing in the sound of Obi-Wan's heart actually skip a beat as she emphasised the spine-tingling word 'break'.

Obi-Wan gulped as she pulled away tilting her head slightly, smug smirk spreading over her face in the victory of rattling the Jedi Knight. His jaw was released eventually and Obi-Wan turned his gaze back frontwards, looking anywhere she wasn't until he could get his frazzled nerves under control once again.

He was so worked up over their last exchange that he momentarily lost focus on his enemies movements, everything was suddenly so silent that he was sure if a pin dropped he would hear it. Before Obi-Wan could crane his neck to ascertain Ventress' location a thick dark cloth stole his vision. He tried to shrug the offending item from his eyes valiantly, however the struggle was in the end in vain as the blindfold was securely tied behind his head but not before a swift kick to the back of his legs had his knees buckle. Once again putting unwanted strain on his already abused shoulder muscles.

"What are you doing?" He hissed through gritted teeth, readjusting his position to ease the strain.

"You are without the force and therefore cannot sense my intentions, and now I have stolen your sight." He strained his hearing as the presence behind him left, moving away from his body.

Then there was no more sound, only his own anxious breathing, she was right about thing. Without access to the force and with this blindfold effectively cutting out any slither of light, he was essentially blind to the world. It was terrifying.

"Some say the loss of a sense enhances all the others, I believe we should put that to the test."

Before Obi-Wan could calculate his enemy's position based on her voice, a searing pain ripped through his thigh causing him to cry out in anguish. As quickly as the blade had been there, it disappeared, leaving only misery in its wake and actually causing Obi-Wan to lean painfully to one side. Not trusting his injured limb to brunt his weight without more agony. He breathed angrily, caught completely unprepared by the coward's attack.

"It must be so frustrating."

Another slash this time his chest, the knife dug deeper this time immediately followed by his life essence flowing from the wound. The unexpected position had him cry out once more, louder than before which only seemed to make Ventress' cackle louder.

"Not knowing where…"

Again, a vicious slice to his captured arm, not as deep as the chest wound but deep enough to cause a grunt. The wound flared once more as he tried to shift position slightly to alleviate the agonising throbbing radiating from his leg. It was true it seemed, taking away one sense certainly enhanced the others.

"Or when…"

This time a downward dissection from collar to navel, delivered as fast as lightening, causing Obi-Wan to gasp out and instinctually try to curl inwards. The chains of course held him achingly upright.

"I will strike."

The hilt of the knife came crashing into his face with such force his head cracked to the side, blood spurting everywhere as the bones in his nose were once again crushed. He groaned and lost his footing and resided to dangling until a very painful reminder from his limbs informed him this was not an acceptable position to remain in.

He listened out for his captor, trying desperately to prepare himself for any further strikes. The whoosh of air was the only thing he heard before a fist came careering into his ribs, stealing the air from his lungs and leaving him gasping, desperate to double over. Of course the action of trying to curl in on himself was halted by his current position, hissing he righted himself as the slit and cracking saber wound adorning his arm made themselves known once more.

Out of know where the witch was back, gripping his hair and yanking her captors head to the side until his neck was exposed. A needle was unceremoniously thrust into the skin and the plunger pressed, Obi-Wan gasped as he felt the offending serum start to circulate his system. It didn't feel like a force suppressant, no, this was starting to make him feel sluggish.

"What… What did you just give me?" He slurred, staggering slightly in place.

"A little concoction of my own making, it enhances pain and has some very potent hallucinogenic effects," Ventress answered, discarding the empty needle.

As she started to feel him slip under the drug's effects Ventress aimed another blow at his head, head on. The force of the shot snapped Obi-Wan's head back to dangle between his upright arms, crying out as the pain radiated through his skull. Moaning as once again the other injuries caused him to try and stumble back to his wobbly feet.

"Do you want me to show you some of my master's memories of Qui-Gon?"

Without waiting for a reply Ventress grabbed a handful of hair and wrenched his head to meet hers, plunging in to his ailing mind breaking down any feeble defences he had managed to rebuild. She proceeded to project her own memories into his mind, vividly recreated moments played out before Obi-Wan's eyes, very unwelcome ones at that.

The memories flashed in front of Obi-Wan's eyes at quite a speed, he caught glimpses of Qui-Gon and Dooku watching him compete in a tournament, Qui-Gon not as impressed as Dooku saying Obi-Wan would never make it to knighthood at this rate, worthless. Private conversations over dinner where Qui-Gon stated that Obi-Wan was unbalanced and he was worried he might fall like Xanatos had done.

Obi-Wan gasped as the witch let go, mind reeling, all of his rage towards Qui-Gon tripling. How dare he act so innocent?!

"Your anger is not unfounded, Kenobi, he obviously saw you as a worthless boy…"

"Shut up!" He venomously spat at the witch, mind whirring gravely.

Another strike, this time an open palmed back hand to his face causing him to draw blood as his teeth smashed against his gums. Obi-Wan spat out the revolting mess to one side, moaning as the agony seemed to only worsen. The drugs.

"I've seen your memories, he cast you aside time and time again… He failed you, Obi-Wan." She continued, running the knife edge down his captured arms creating a slight red line and causing Obi-Wan to wince.

"No, no he didn't. He just…" He muttered, dejected and close to defeat.

Obi-Wan found he could no longer defend Qui-Gon's actions, the drug coursing through his system throwing up all the memories of Qui-Gon's betrayals to the fore front of his mind.

"That's it, Kenobi, embrace it!" The mad witch shrieked with glee.

Obi-Wan shook his head, willing the unwanted unbecoming emotions away. As much as he tried he could not shake the emotions or feelings, Qui-Gon is responsible for this. Worryingly Obi-Wan could feel his rage rising by the second, anger running rampant through his mind.

"Who are you?" He spat at the women that was the cause of all his misery.

"This is not about me, my dear, this is about you." She sweetly purred, knife edge tracing his jawline agonisingly slowly.

"You weren't trained by the Jedi yet…"

He was cut off brutally as the knife plunged into his shoulder eliciting a scream from his bloody lips, the vicious attack was completely unwarranted and not foreseen. Gritting his teeth against the agony and breathing deeply he just about managed to get the pain to a moderate level before the knife still in his flesh was twisted maliciously, causing a gut-wrenching cry to rip itself from his parched throat.

"I told you, this is about you, my dear…" Ventress muttered into his ear, sadistically enjoying seeing the Jedi Knight at her mercy in such anguish.

The knife was ripped from his flesh with such force Obi-Wan found he could no longer deal with the agony, gasping he felt himself slip over the edge of consciousness. Ventress had given him the deciding shove into oblivion, hatred being the single emotion Obi-Wan could feel coursing through his veins as he fell into the deepest recess' of his mind.


Obi-Wan staggered forward, feet lazily trying to find purchase on the gravelly winding pathway, clutching his chest whilst doubling over. He could feel drugs racing through his blood, clouding his mind and throwing up vivid visions of the past. He could no longer lie to himself he was positively livid, and there was one man who had gained all of his wrath, his old master.

Rational thoughts ceased to exist as the man in question appeared in his sight line, standing tall and righteous as he always did. Qui-Gon Jinn was positioned in the center of the vast room, the central area was circular in shape and was the point where all paths met. The image made the hatred inside Obi-Wan swell, seething he straightened his posture and strode towards the man that had caused him so much pain.

'He lied to you…'

The voice inside his head only served to increase his pace, temper fuming as he stormed through the once serene room of a thousand fountains. Obi-Wan stopped a few meters from Qui-Gon's calm stance, hand twitching to reach for his saber hilt, hatred taking over his very being. Qui-Gon's face was devoid of all emotions, Obi-Wan thought he caught a flash of pain before it was expertly destroyed.

"Obi-Wan." The voice was steady, formal and holding no warmth that Obi-Wan had grown used to over the years. They were not friends in this meeting.

The wildlife in the area all seemed to take flight at once, sensing the turbulent emotions radiating from the two Jedi. The crashing of water faded to a distant echo, all of a sudden their surroundings were eerie. Obi-Wan could have sliced through the tension with a knife if he so pleased, or perhaps saber…

'He never believed in you…'

The voice reminded him of Dooku's memories he had been subject to, his master had thought he was worthless even then. Laughing behind his back, leading him on even then only to deliver the fateful blow in the council room…

"So it's all true then? You never expected me to make it to Knighthood!" Obi-Wan spat as he started to pace and circle his master's form.

"This is Dooku talking." Qui-Gon also started to circle his student cautiously, tone admonishing Obi-Wan's naivety just as he always used to.

"Did you ever believe in my abilities? Or was I just another of your pathetic life forms that you got bored with!"

Qui-Gon looked affronted at the accusation, shock flashing across his features before he wrestled them back into the perfect Jedi stoic mask. The action only caused Obi-Wan to be further enraged.

"Don't be stupid, you can't possibly be actually believing this nonsense". He continued to circle his padawan who was worryingly quickly losing control.

'He abandoned you…'

Obi-Wan's brows shot up so far they were nearly lost under his hairline, incredulous bewilderment splayed across his face before he chuckled dangerously, void of mirth.

"You have the audacity to lecture me when I've seen the memories? Felt what you felt? How dare you?!"

Obi-Wan spat the remark with such rage and volume that it echoed in the eerily silent room, body swiveling to meet his master. His pace increasing as he shortened the gap between himself and Qui-Gon, hand gripping his clipped saber hilt so tightly his knuckles turned white. The motion was not lost on Qui-Gon who also stopped dead in his tracks and spun to face the threat head on.

"Padawan! You have to stop this, they're messing with your mind."

Obi-Wan halted eyes scrunching shut whilst vigorously shaking his head, this man had lost the right to call him his padawan.

"Don't! You have no right to call me that. None." His head shot up to throw out the hurtful retort, gaze blazing with fire.

"Obi-Wan…"

"You can't tell me what to do anymore. I've seen what you did, what you said, don't deny it!" He all but yelled accusingly, stepping forwards slowly muscles shaking with rage.

"I… you know that's not the way it was Obi-Wan. They're twisting everything, Dooku is lying to you!" Qui-Gon desperately tried to break through Obi-Wan's hateful haze, unsuccessfully.

"Liar!"

The guttural scream tore itself from Obi-Wan's throat, empowered by every loathsome and bitter emotion coursing through his system. Silence reigned over the room, only broken by Obi-Wan's enraged breathing. Qui-Gon stilled, a resigned look covered his features as he absorbed the invisible blow.

'He always knew you would be dark…'

"You were right about one thing, my dear master, I have fallen like Xanatos." He growled the endearing title right back at the man he had lost all respect for.

"Your entire teaching line is in ruins!" Obi-Wan roared, crystal blue eyes lost, clouded by darkness.

Qui-Gon shook his head from side to side, unwilling to believe the horror he was witnessing. Obi-Wan was falling.

'He failed you…'

Obi-Wan held out an open palm and called his saber hilt to him, reveling in the intimate curves of the weapon as his fingers closed round the familiar shapes. His thumb hovered over the activation button, temper fuming, breath coming in short wrathful bursts.

"I will not fight you, Obi-Wan."

"Then I will strike you down where you stand," He replied, voice flat and cold. All warm emotions he once held towards this man he once considered a father ripped from his being.

Qui-Gon actually stumbled backwards at the last remark, tears glistening his eyes as the deadly conviction radiating from Obi-Wan slammed into him with full force.

"You told Dooku I was worthless. Let's see how worthless I am, old man." Obi-Wan spat viciously before leaping forward to close the distance between the two Jedi, azure blade snapping out of his hilt mid-air.

"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon cried out astonished, heart-broken.

An emerald blade crashed against blue in a confetti of sparks, locking the unbalanced fighters as both exerted all the strength they could muster to hold the other at bay. Obi-Wan snarled and angled his blade to try and break through his master's defence, azure and emerald sparks scintillated off of the melded saber's as both men adjusted their angle and position.

Obi-Wan was the first to break off the hold, aggressively slashing at Qui-Gon's unprotected side with such speed the motion of his saber was a blur. Qui-Gon met each strike with precision, unwilling to strike out himself, this action alone only served to make Obi-Wan's rage and viciousness triple in number.

He cried out with all pent up emotion as his blue blade crashed into his master's, the force driving the assault enough to have both men's limbs shaking violently. Obi-Wan's blurred blade continued to swing from side to side forcing Qui-Gon to pivot and back away quickly to avoid the harrowing saber.

Their frenzied duel had the two Jedi dancing along one of the many paths leading away from the center, Obi-Wan distantly catalogued this was the path he and Qui-Gon had favoured all those years ago. How fitting.

'He's running away again…'

Obi-Wan growled as his master once again pulled back from engagement and retreated some more steps to avoid an arcing swing aimed at his neck region. Sweat dripped from both men soaking their singed tunics, the surroundings suddenly seeming very stuffy and humid.

Right slash, pivot to cut downwards on the left, flip over opponents head whilst striking out at the neck, rolling into a ball before arcing saber causing opponent to leap over the deadly sweep.

Master and apprentice continued their dance with alarming momentum, slicing plants and overhanging branches as their saber's locked, spat and broke apart again and again. Sparks flew off of the crashing weapons which landed on each of their clothes and hair, singeing and causing the smell of burning to overwhelm the area.

Eventually their futile deadly maneuverings lead them to the majestic waterfall, river cascading down the rock face to crash to the ground. Obi-Wan pushed Qui-Gon backwards with anew strength, snarling when saber's locked and throwing his full weight behind the shove which sent the Jedi Master stumbling backwards into the river.

Without missing a beat Obi-Wan sailed through the air towards his mentor swinging down only to be blocked at the last minute once again, he withdrew and landed with a roll swinging out at the back of his opponent's kneecaps which Qui-Gon side stepped. Icy river water flowed around them as both opponents found their footing and began circling one another, prowling like beasts.

Obi-Wan saw his opening and swung at his mentor's legs, water sizzling and steaming as the saber made contact with the surface. Qui-Gon was just as agile as ever, leaping over the swinging blue arc with ease, face drawn into hardened lines of concentration. He landed with an almighty splash which drenched Obi-Wan's entire body, wiping the moisture from his eyes he advanced towards the retreating form of Qui-Gon, saber thrumming ominously in his clenched hand.

He struck to the right, was halted by the green blade so swung back whilst spinning to crash his saber over head on Qui-Gon's left side. He grunted as at the last minute Qui-Gon's blade met his, his mentor's eyes wide as he registered the near hit. Obi-Wan was sick of his retreating tactics, he wouldn't make any aggressive moves the coward.

Their saber's stayed locked as Obi-Wan strove to push Qui-Gon backwards, hoping the elder man would lose his footing on the rocky stream surface.

"You failed me, master."

Qui-Gon's facial expression didn't even flicker, he acted as though Obi-Wan hadn't even spoken. More personal then…

"Just like you failed Xanatos."

That got his attention, a stunning blow at his master's insecurities had his eyes snap to meet his. Hurtful emotions glittering just under the surface, one strike away from being unleashed and Obi-Wan knew just where to strike.

"Obi-Wan don't…" His master pleaded, too late.

"And Tahl…"

Qui-Gon's gaze narrowed dangerously, hurtful emotions transforming into his own rage. He strained against Obi-Wan's saber with anew conviction, pressing down with his height advantage on his former padawan. Obi-Wan only smirked, he knew exactly where his own master's demons lay buried. This was where to strike Qui-Gon, the heart.

"You failed her… You couldn't even save the woman you loved…"

"Enough!" Qui-Gon bellowed and shoved Obi-Wan away from the saber lock with unchecked power and brutality.

Obi-Wan had been unprepared for the sheer force put behind the defence so staggered slightly when he landed, the freezing dregs of the river soaking his lower half. Before he could steady his posture Qui-Gon was sailing through the air towards him, saber raised. Obi-Wan brought his own blade up to block teeth gritted at the power behind the overhead strike, grinning at his ability to ruffle his mentor's feathers. Finally a real fight.

Qui-Gon's eyes blazed with anger, previous Jedi serenity banished from his face. Both men snarled at one another as the saber's moved closer to one then the other, each Jedi panting from the exertion required to keep the other's deadly blade at bay. Obi-Wan took one hand off his hilt and shoved Qui-Gon with a substantial force push, his master went flying backwards and landed with a splash a few meters away temper still fuming.

Qui-Gon found his footing and leaped at the same time Obi-Wan did both men crashed into each other high above the raging river, blue and green lights melding as one, the other arm grappling with each other's holds. Obi-Wan grunted as they impacted and started to sail downwards towards the river bed, neither man relinquishing their grip on the other. The sheer force of the impact with the ground however had both of them release each other, the duo rolled and spun back to their feet and in less than a second were striking again.

'He betrayed you…'

Obi-Wan was soaked to the bone, heart hammering with rage, saber spitting in defiance. Time to end this. This time when he bore down on Qui-Gon the elder Jedi not only met his attacks but strove to strike him too, it was exhilarating to say the least. Blood pumped loudly through his veins as Obi-Wan was forced to leap over an arcing swing aimed at his kneecaps. When he landed however he was not prepared for the force push which crashed into his body, he flew backwards with such force his body smashed into the rocky face of the waterfall rattling all of his bones and eliciting a cry to tear itself from his throat.

'He hurt you…'

'He called you worthless'.

Obi-Wan groaned and tasted blood in his mouth as he pushed himself back to his feet shakily, adrenaline pumped through his veins along with anew conviction to end this man.

When he glared through the waterfall's spray at his master he noted the man had gone rigid, face ashen and white in comprehension of something. Obi-Wan didn't give it another thought and raced back through the waterfall saber sizzling when it came into contact with the spray and leapt at the still stationary Qui-Gon.

A green saber moved to block the strike, albeit lazily. All rage and anger from the elder man drained away as his gaze softened in pity. It made Obi-Wan's temper flare once more as Qui-Gon's sorrowful gaze met his. He struck again and again, weakening the man's blocks each time, Qui-Gon refused to strike back.

"Fight me, you coward!" Obi-Wan screamed at the retreating form, slashing using every fibre of his loathing.

'He doesn't believe you are good enough…'

Qui-Gon stepped back once more and let the saber drop from his fingertips, shaking his head at his former student. The hilt splashed into the river's flow with a plop, Qui-Gon continued to stand there righteous as ever. The image set Obi-Wan's anger blazing.

He viciously snarled and reached out a hand clenching his fingers slightly, Qui-Gon's own hands flew to his throat as he gasped for breath, his feet leaving the river bed as Obi-Wan raised his arm slowly. Obi-Wan squeezed harder, striding towards the flailing man that he used to love… He was your father… Shaking his head confused his conviction lowered a tad, feelings unclear. Just as the light was starting to leave Qui-Gon Jinn's eyes Obi-Wan released his hold, the Jedi Master crashed back to the ground with an almighty splash whilst hungrily heaving in huge gulps of air.

Obi-Wan clutched his own head as an internal battle raged, his compassion over the good times he and his master had had being overrun by all of the painful things Qui-Gon had done. Distantly he heard Qui-Gon pick himself up from the water, rasping and wheezing now that his windpipe wasn't being crushed. Dooku's memories whizzed through his mind, Qui-Gon's betrayal, his final words…

'He deserves everything you've given and more.'

'He failed you, held you back. You must reach your potential!'

'Embrace it, Obi-Wan!'

Obi-Wan screamed out as all of the voices in his head tempted what he so badly wanted to do, it would be so easy just to topple over the edge…

His clouded eyes sprung open as he sensed movement, Qui-Gon was staring at him skin bathed in an eerie blue as Obi-Wan's saber hovered close.

"You must choose this path alone, Padawan," Qui-Gon managed to rasp out as he breathed heavily.

"I said don't call me that," Obi-Wan ground out through gritted teeth, saber hovering near Qui-Gon's throat.

"Obi-Wan… Do not lose yourself," Qui-Gon implored to his previous apprentice, tears running freely down the elder man's face as he clutched his crushed throat.

Obi-Wan halted, almost being caught out by his master's tone and believing that this man actually cared for his future, for him.

'He lies…'

'He's always lied to you…'

"This is the end for you, my master." Abolishing his master's words as a dirty trick he raised his light saber high above his head in preparation for the final blow, his overwhelming rage making his muscles tremble.

Qui-Gon made no movement to defend himself, no move to overpower Obi-Wan. He was weak. This traitor, this liar only muttered one more treacherous remark dejectedly.

"Do what you must, Obi-Wan, I will fight you no more…"

Qui-Gon Jinn closed his eyes, adjusted to kneel in the meditative posture and breathed in deeply one last time. Obi-Wan's arms trembled slightly as he held the blade high above his head, preparing himself to end this once and for all.

'Don't hesitate'.

Why was he hesitating? Here was the man that had caused him so much agony, so much heart ache at his mercy. The voice in his head urged him onwards, just one more step and it would be done, he would have peace…

'Embrace it'.

Jedi do not embrace anger… Yet this was the only course of action Obi-Wan saw before him, it felt good and it felt right.

'Do it.'

Obi-Wan registered a heart-wrenching outcry tear itself from his throat as he swung his saber downwards, towards his master's head…


A/N - Sorry I'm leaving it on that *runs away from computer* Do not worry the next segment is being written as you read this and is also looking to be a long chapter too.

Until next time...