Disclaimer: the usual; I think y'all are smart enought to figure it out. If you recognize, the credit most likely goes to George Lucas. Aran and Sun and the plot belong to myself and Sun.
"Congratulations, Aranrhod, or Padawan Myrishi, to be politically correct!" Sun cried as Aran entered their quarters. She ran into Aran with such a forceful hug that the two almost fell over. "The Force did not let you down. If I may be so bold as to say, you chose well, Master Jinn."
"I think so too," Qui-Gon replied, grinning a bit.
Obi-Wan entered. His wounds were doing much better, thanks to Sun's constant reminders of the salve. His arm was practically healed.
"Replaced me so quickly, did you?" Obi-Wan asked, trying to suppress a smile, and failing.
"I'll try her out. If she gets into half as much trouble as you did, I will be satisfied," Qui-Gon answered.
While the two Knights talked, Sun and Aran raced ahead to get Aran's things to move to Qui-Gon's quarters.
"I was going to wait until your birthday to give you this, but I think you should have it now," Sun said, pulling out a small chain from her pocket and putting it on her wrist. "I have one too. As we go on adventures, we can get charms to add to them. One day, we may have a charm on each link. Here is your first." Sun pulled out a miniature lightsaber hilt and clipped it on a link.
"Wow, this will be an adventure in itself, filling the links," said Aran, examining the many links.
"Thank you, Sun," she said, and hugged her. The two girls grabbed Aran's things, and Obi-Wan, who was well enough the get the pallet, did so, with a grunt.
Once settled in Qui-Gon's quarters, Obi-Wan suggested that the four freshen up and then meet in the dining hall. As Sun and Obi-Wan left, Sun turned and gave Aran a high five.
Back in their quarters, Obi-Wan came to Sun and sat next to her.
"Sun, as your Master, it is my duty to cut your hair and give you your braid," Obi-Wan explained.
"Cut my hair? I don't know…" Sun hesitated.
"It has been done for thousands of years, and—"
"I know, and it must be important for you to do so, but it's been so long, well, for so long. It has been a custom of my people to only cut their hair when in mourning, and this is hardly a time to mourn. If I promise to wear it back, and let you braid it, may I keep it long, please?" Sun looked into Obi-Wan's eyes, pleadingly. Obi-Wan couldn't resist.
"Okay, let me braid it then," he gave in.
Obi-Wan took a strand of Sun's hair with a strand of his braid that he brought out. The whole time, he spoke to her through the Force.
/As a Padawan Learner, your duty is to obey your Master, the Jedi Council, and the Jedi Code. The Jedi are selfless, doing their best to learn the will and the ways of the Force./ Obi-Wan recited what Qui-Gon had told him as an apprentice.
/You have taken your first steps to becoming a Jedi. The road will not be easy./ His hands moved slowly down the braid. /One day, after you pass the trials, I will cut your braid, and call you a Jedi Knight. I look forward to that day./ Obi-Wan finished the braid and turned Sun around to face him.
"But for now, you are my apprentice, Padawan Sasaki," he said aloud.
Sun felt her face blush, and the two smiled.
Sun searched his eyes, and found his eagerness to teach her welcoming.
Obi-Wan searched her eyes.
'She is strong in both the Living and Unifying Force. She is headstrong, but so was I at her age. A fierce protector, fun-loving, but, ah, what's this? A deeper maturity? She has changed since we first met. She will be a pleasure to teach,' Obi-Wan thought.
Sun and Obi-Wan entered the dining hall. Sun had a different "air" about her. She walked taller, with more dignity. Her hair was pulled back into a low braid. She wore a set of clothes that were practically identical to her Master's: off-white tunics, tabards, and breeches, brown boots, no dress.
'I will be the best Padawan in the Temple,' she thought. Her other friends came to congratulate her.
After sitting down at a table waiting for Qui-Gon and Aran, Obi-Wan looked at Sun, up and down.
"Sun, do you know the Jedi Code has rules against wearing jewelry?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes, but technically, Master, the Jedi Code states that attachment and possession are forbidden, and I am neither attached or in possession of these articles," she replied, jingling her many bracelets.
"Oh, really, enlighten me, then."
"Well, if these are lost, I will not be upset, but I do like them. They are actually quite helpful at times. Secondly, I own nothing. What belongs to me, belongs to the Force. It is like my lightsaber," Sun said, looking very proud of herself for coming up with a legitimate response.
Obi-Wan just sighed.
"Master, when do we go on our first mission?" Sun asked anxiously.
"The Council will decide when we are needed. Until then, we just enjoy being here. As you get older, you will be here less, and will come to look forward to Temple returns," Obi-Wan answered, trying to sound like Qui-Gon.
"Oh," Sun said, sounding unimpressed. She still couldn't wait to leave.
A/N: You know the drill!! Please review, it really will make me post faster. Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to review already.