Thanks for all the reviews (especially constructive criticism), favorites, and follows. You can blame soul-sucking scientific writing for the delay, and I decided to delve more than I had anticipated into the complicated Obi-Wan/Anakin relationship and how it might be different. Part of the chapter was inspired by the newish Master & Apprentice book by Claudia Gray and stormqueen873's masterpiece "Shadows of the Future," that still holds up beautifully 14 years later and reads eerily like Gray's book.
Interlude III – Obi-Wan
Well, that could have gone better. Obi-Wan sighed as he watched the door close behind his Padawan, immediately releasing his frustration, pain, and guilt into the Force. Obi-Wan had sensed growing discontent between his Padawan and himself. Perhaps it was there even when they first returned to the Temple, but he had no idea it was this bad. Probably, because the training bond had yet to completely form which was becoming a source of concern. Even though he and Qui-Gon had not exactly gotten along in the beginning of his apprenticeship, they still had a training bond within a couple of weeks. At least it should be awhile before the Council assigned him another mission which would give him some much needed time to resolve these issues with Anakin, assuming Obi-Wan could figure out what exactly was wrong with his Padawan to begin with.
On the surface, Anakin seemed to be doing well. He was progressing through his classes at an impressive pace. In mechanics and piloting, the Masters had even decided to place him with younglings his own age. In his other classes, the teaching Masters thought it best if the boy did not needlessly rush his saber training, Force lessons, or academic studies. After all, there was a difference between knowledge and understand. While Anakin clearly possessed the knowledge, true understanding took time and patience. Apparently, that was something his young Padawan struggled with.
Only hours after his return to the Temple earlier in the day, Obi-Wan had met with the Council to debrief his latest mission. Afterwards, the Masters had informed him of an incident regarding his Padawan that had occurred in Obi-Wan's absence. Anakin had a rather passionate disagreement with the etiquette Master over the dinning customs of Kuat nobility, and it ended with Anakin calling the Master an old slimo. Understandably, Master Sayul had banned Anakin from his class until the boy learned to control his emotions and completed an essay explaining the importance of dinning etiquette for the Kuat aristocracy.
As Anakin's Master it was Obi-Wan's responsibility to ensure that his Padawan understood the seriousness of his transgressions so that he hopefully would not repeat them. At dinner Obi-Wan had attempted to address Anakin's behavior since he always invited Anakin to his living quarters to share the evening meal when he was at the temple. It was something Qui-Gon had always done.
Similar to their previous dinners, this one had started quiet and awkward with Anakin inquiring about his mission and Obi-Wan answering the questions though this mission had been just overseeing a treaty, so nothing too exciting for a nine-year-old boy. Then, Obi-Wan asked Anakin about his studies. Obi-Wan had hoped that this time the boy would open-up and discuss whatever had troubled him in the etiquette class, but Anakin had just replied with his normal, "They're good," response without meeting his eyes.
Obi-Wan had pushed, and the whole situation blew up in his face with Anakin venting his frustrations which included being in lessons with "little kids," why the Kuat nobility had "eleven kriffin courses at every meal" when there were others starving in the galaxy, and why Obi-Wan was agreeing with them and not taking his side. Then, he lashed out with words that hurt more than Obi-Wan would ever admit. Once Anakin had stopped shouting, Obi-Wan had reprimanded the boy for his loss of temper and ordered him to go meditate until he was calm enough to hold a civil conversation. Anakin had stormed out leaving Obi-Wan alone in Qui-Gon's quarters. No, not Qui-Gon's, they were his quarters now.
As Obi-Wan looked at the blank walls and empty shelves, he could not help, but picture all the knick-knacks and mementos that Qui-Gon had collected from all the planets he had been to. Perhaps, Obi-Wan should have requested different lodgings. Even though he had packed away all of Qui-Gon's stones, blankets, tea-sets, and wind chimes, the memories still lingered, haunting him. He tried to focus on what to do with Anakin. The two of them clearly were not connecting, but why?
His eyes fell on the metal wristband. Percy might be able to help. He had thought about contacting his friend several times over the past few months, but something had stopped him. He told himself it was because the Council would not approve of Percy influencing Anakin's training, even tangentially, but if he was being honest, it was not only that. Maybe, it had something to do with the feeling that he was letting Percy down. That his failure to connect with Anakin and be a good Master also meant he was failing his friend who had given up so much because he had trusted that Obi-Wan would take good care of Anakin. It was not just Percy. He was also letting down Qui-Gon and Anakin.
Regardless of his reservations, he did have to contact Percy, now. All the Jedi had felt the very noticeable wave he had made in the Force, and Master Yoda had tasked him with convincing Percy not to do something like that again, for his own safety not to mention for the peace and sanity of all Force-users in the galaxy. Before he could activate the wristband, Percy's voice came from the comm in a rather uncharacteristically serious tone, "Obi-Wan, we need to talk."
Obi-Wan quickly recovered from his surprise, "Yes, we do Percy. I was about to contact you, actually. I know you and Annabeth have been reaching out into the Force. The Council would rather you cease such ventures since no one knows how the Force might react to you, and it can be dangerous for untrained Force sensitives. However, I am aware that the Jedi have no right to request you to stop, and Qui-Gon seemed to believe that a deeper understanding of the Force would help you and Annabeth. That being said, you really must try not to draw attention to yourself. What you did approximately 16 hours ago was foolish and could be potentially dangerous since you did the equivalent of shouting 'Here I am' to every Force-user in the galaxy including the Sith."
"Yeah, I know," Percy replied. "Sorry for the disturbance and all. It was a complete accident, and I'll try not to do it again but can't make any promises since I really don't know what I'm doing. But, we've got a lot bigger problems than the Sith noticing me shouting in the Force. You might want to contact Kit and let him know that the bounty hunter he's looking for is dead. The Sith Master killed her last night in some warehouse."
"You had another vision?" Obi-Wan asked though he knew there was no other explanation. "From his last report, Kit lost the bounty hunter somewhere on Nar Shaddaa."
"Yeah, I had another vision, and it was probably my worst one ever, which is saying something."
As Percy described his dream, Obi-Wan's bewilderment increased. "So, you are telling me that this Sith Lord somehow knows this secret name of yours that no one else in this universe knows besides Annabeth and Anakin."
"Yep, pretty much. Just checked with Shmi, and she said Anakin never mentioned it. But, it's more than that. He somehow knew what it means too. I don't know how he could've since it's a Greek name, and I left that part out of the story when I told Anakin. Can he like read my mind or something?"
"In some cases, it is possible for a skilled Force-users to read minds so to speak," Obi-Wan explained, "but rarely to the extent to be able to distinguish a single name much less its meaning, and that is with the unprotected mind of a non-Force sensitive or perhaps a Force-sensitive with a strong connection to the would be mind reader. However, even an untrained Force-sensitive would notice something so intrusive. When you settled your Force-presence, the most Master Yoda could gleam from you were impressions and echos. The rest of the time, trying to sense just your intentions and emotions is like trying to predict the path of a single dust particle in the middle of a storm. I don't believe even a powerful Sith Lord would have been able to do much more than judge your mood even if he was standing right next to you, much less draw out something as specific as a name without you knowing." Percy's sigh of relief carried across the comms.
"As good as it is to know that the Sith Lord can't read Percy's mind, it does leave us with another problem," Annabeth stated. Obi-Wan had suspected that she had been there the whole time. "How could he have known Percy's full name?"
"That is troubling indeed," Obi-Wan mused. "I am not certain, but perhaps a spying device picked it up when one of you mentioned it? We know he has used them before both in the Naboo ship and then later those new models were found all over Senator Palpatine's office, like you predicted Annabeth. I do know that Anakin has not mentioned it in the senator's office where the Sith may still have spies because I have accompanied him every time the senator has invited Anakin for a visit."
There was a pause no doubt as the two half-bloods considered his words, and then Annabeth said, "I don't think that's the case. I've been checking for spying devices very regularly and have only found a few in the queen's offices. And even though I didn't think to check for them until right before we left Coruscant, I don't think he had spying devices on the ship before then. Otherwise, he would have known a lot more about everything including what Percy and I are which he clearly doesn't since every time he talks with Percy in his dreams he seems to be fishing for those answers. Plus, none of it explains how he knew the meaning. Besides when Percy told Anakin the story, I'm pretty sure neither of us have mentioned that name again. Percy . . . well he prefers being called Percy."
Obi-Wan frowned as he thought it over though his curiosity was definitely piqued about this mysterious other name of Percy's that apparently had some kind of deeper meaning worth the notice of a Sith. "There is a possibility that he could have gleamed it from the Force directly which is different from using the Force to read emotions or thoughts. And that is what he said, so perhaps he was being truthful."
"You mean like how you can feel the truth in the Force or see things from the past and future?" Annabeth asked.
"Yes, though it would be unusual for the Force to provide something so specific. I should ask Master Yoda since he is far wiser to the ways of the Force. However, it might help to know this mysterious name and its meaning. Also, I am curious why you chose to not use it, Percy."
There was only silence over the comm that lasted long enough for Obi-Wan to check the operation light to make sure Percy had not ended the call. No doubt Percy and Annabeth were having one of their silent arguments. He hoped Annabeth was on his side because she seemed to win most of those. Finally, Percy's voice came through, "My full name is Perseus Jackson. My mom named me after this famous demigod hero from the ancient days because the original Perseus was one of the few half-bloods to have a happy ending and not die some terrible death or get turned into a tree or something worse. She hoped it would be like a good luck charm for me. It's not that I don't like my name, and I'm grateful in my mom's faith that I'll beat the odds like the original Perseus. But, at the same time the name doesn't exactly feel like mine. Plus, it's a mouthful, and the only people who use it are my mom when I've done something really bad or monsters and evil immortals trying to kill me."
Obi-Wan nodded. He supposed it could be difficult sharing a name with a famous person, "I notice that you still have not told me the mysterious meaning of your full name."
Percy sighed, "Yeah, that's because I have a feeling you're going to freak out, and if you can avoid it, it would probably be best if the Council didn't know this part because they will definitely freak out and try to arrest me for some evil Sith prophecy or whatever. Just try not to read too much into it or anything. It's just a name." It might have been Obi-Wan's imagination, but it seemed like Percy was trying to convince himself too. "And I never really thought too much about what my name meant since all that really mattered to me was that I was named after the hero, until that Sith Lord threw it in my face last night. See, Perseus means the Destroyer."
And Obi-Wan did see. He started to realize why Percy was so shaken up, and what Percy probably left out when he had told him what had happened in the dream. Obi-Wan knew enough from his history studies that Siths had taken on new names to supposedly better reflect their character. No doubt this Sith had tried to convince Percy that he was destined to become his name. The Council may even think similarly since it was not too far of a stretch given the nature of Percy's Force usage and the sheer intensity of his presence. However, Obi-Wan knew Percy. He remembered the young man in the engine room that had asked for help because he was scared of what his powers could do, that they might one day harm innocents. That, more than anything else, had told Obi-Wan exactly what kind of person Percy was, and it wasn't a destroyer.
Obi-Wan realized that his friend must be waiting for him to say something. "It's just a name, Percy," he said softly. "You are many things. Some of your traits may not be encouraged in Jedi, but you are not a destroyer, no matter what the Sith said. You are not bad, Percy, despite what I might have thought when I first met you. You may not be exactly like the Jedi, but you are not like them either."
"But, I've got this I don't know darkness inside of me, Obi-Wan," Percy admitted. "The Sith knew it, and even Master Yoda sensed it."
"Everyone has darkness in them, Percy," he replied. "The difference is that you choose to fight it. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, even Jedi, but as long as you recognize it and try to fight it, try to make your next decision a little better and not one born from fear or anger or hatred, then you will never be like them."
"Thanks, Obi-Wan, I'll try to keep that in mind. You're a good friend, and based on the little time that I knew him, I think Qui-Gon would've been proud of that answer." After everything that had been happening with Anakin, he needed that reassurance almost as much as Percy had.
The conversation quickly turned to less serious matters as Percy and Annabeth filled him in on everything that had happened after the battle. "I still have trouble accepting the fact that you are a legitimate ambassador," Obi-Wan laughed, "especially after punching a lord's son."
"He started it," Percy huffed back. Obi-Wan was glad that everyone seemed to be doing well on Naboo and the planet was recovering nicely.
Afterwards, Obi-Wan told them about the several missions the Council had sent him on. Percy managed to tease him about something on everyone one. Obi-Wan had not realized how much he had missed this, the bantering and companionship. It had been too long since the last time he had laughed, and the sound seemed foreign to him. He realized then as he joked with Percy and Annabeth which was such a stark contrast from his interactions with others for the past few months that he had distanced himself from everyone including Anakin and his friends at the Temple while he grieved.
Finally, there was nothing left to talk about except for the one subject that all parties had been carefully avoiding. After a moment though, Percy, of course, broke the awkward silence, "Are we even allowed to ask?"
Obi-Wan knew what he meant, but he did not know how to answer. Technically, they were not communicating with Anakin which was the letter of the promise so to speak, but it may be bending the spirit of the promise. Plus, Obi-Wan was not sure if he wanted to tell them about his failure as a Master. But, on the other hand Percy knew both Obi-Wan and Anakin better than either knew each other. He might be able to help them. "He's adjusting as well as can be expected," Obi-Wan started hesitantly. "He is the oldest Jedi to ever be trained in almost a thousand years as far as I know. For the most part, he is doing well in his classes and is advancing rather quickly though he still has problems controlling his emotions and practicing patience."
Percy snorted, "Well that sounds like a report card. Is he making friends and fitting in?"
Obi-Wan was startled to realize that he did not know. He thought back to all his conversations with his Padawan but not once had he mentioned another Jedi initiate. He remembered stopping by the initiates cafeteria at midday a month ago to let Anakin know that he was leaving for a mission and recalled that the boy had been sitting by himself. At the time, Obi-Wan had not thought anything of it. "I do not think he has made friends, yet. Although, I cannot be certain, and he is still new and is taking classes with several different age groups."
"Well, if I had a random young friend who may be having trouble making friends in a new place," Percy started. "I might tell him to just stop bothering to try and impress the Nancy Bobfits and Sloans, and just ignore what they say or do. Instead, find the other outcasts because if the Sloans are shunning or picking on him then they are probably doing it to someone else too. Besides it's the Tysons and Grovers, that are truly worthy of a friend like my hypothetical young friend. But that's just my friendly advice, do with it what you want."
"That seems like you might be getting close there, Percy," Obi-Wan warned as he tried to make sense of Percy's advice. He could only assume that it would make sense to Anakin.
"We are communicating with you Obi-Wan," Annabeth reasoned. "We have no idea or control over who you may or may not decide to share our advice with."
"Somehow, I do not think that the Council would like the idea of Percy talking about a hypothetical, random, young friend," Obi-Wan grumbled.
Obi-Wan heard something on their end. "Well, I guess we got to go," Percy said. "Take care, Obi-Wan and try to have a little fun every now and then and make sure a hypothetical little friend has some too. He may be a bit more used to it than you are. And you don't have to wait to contact us until I've done something I'm not supposed to do. Otherwise, I may be inclined to make some big waves in the Force again."
"Bye, Obi-Wan, and Percy may be half joking with the fun bit, but he's not wrong," Annabeth added. "Anakin grew up differently than you. He is used to different things and is probably feeling as alone as you are, but unlike the Jedi he is used to showing emotions. For the rest of us, that's how we know someone cares. Such a drastic change may hurt and confuse Anakin. Make sure he knows how Jedi show that they care."
"I am not sure if I understand your meaning, Annabeth. Jedi care about everyone."
"How did Qui-Gon let you know that he cared about you and was glad that you were his apprentice?" Annabeth asked. "May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you both." Obi-Wan ended the transmission. Percy and Annabeth had given him much to think about, least of all, another report to write up for the Council regarding the bounty hunter and the Sith Lord.
However, the question about Qui-Gon lingered in the back of his mind. At the beginning of his apprenticeship, he was not sure Qui-Gon had cared about him or wanted him as a Padawan for that matter. Back in those days, his cryptic Master never seemed to make sense, and Obi-Wan had made more than one blunder because he did not understand Qui-Gon or his reasoning. Of course, Obi-Wan had later realized that Qui-Gon had cared for him more than he had known, and the two had become both partners and friends, forming a far deeper bond than most Padawans and Masters. Perhaps, Anakin was feeling the same way. He quickly sent the bare basics regarding the bounty hunter's death to the Council's information department, so they could immediately inform Kit just in case the Sith might set a trap. The full report would have to wait. He had a Padawan to find.
Instinctively, he reached for the training bond since that was the quickest way to find your Master or in this case his Padawan, but instead of the beautiful, vibrant bond that he had shared with Qui-Gon he found a flimsy thing that only informed him that his Padawan was alive. Sighing Obi-Wan opened himself more deeply to the Force and searched for Anakin that way. Luckily for him, Anakin's Force presence was as blinding as a sun's even in a place filled with Force-users.
Obi-Wan finally found Anakin at the top of the aquatic levels where the Jedi of waterworlds lived. This area was often used as a meditative retreat. There were some grass and trees beside several rocks and benches and even a small beach. Obi-Wan remembered coming here as a boy to swim with friends before he had become Qui-Gon's Padawan. Right now, the place was empty, except for Anakin's small form sitting in a grassy patch as close to the water as he could get without touching the sand. "Of all the places in the Temple, I did not expect you would come here, Padawan."
The boy shrugged though his eyes never left the water. "Something about all the water here is relaxing, like everything will be okay, and you did tell me to meditate."
Obi-Wan wondered if it had something to do with Anakin being from a desert planet or if the water reminded him of a certain demigod whose eyes just happened to be the exact same color as the water. Force, it even smelled like Percy in here since the scent of the sea always seemed to cling to his friend. "I really am sorry, Master," Anakin said quietly, but Obi-Wan could sense true remorse in his words. "It was mean of me to bring up Master Qui-Gon like that. And, you're my Master, I shouldn't question you."
There was a slight twinge in the Force when Anakin said Master, and he seemed almost subservient not just humble. Obi-Wan quieted his mind to listen better and was struck with a sudden and horrible realization. "I forgive you, Anakin. But, more importantly I need you to know that you are no longer a slave. I will never be your master in that sense. Yes, as a Padawan, it is important to obey your Master, but it should not be because you are forced to. A Padawan follows his Master as a sign of respect and trust that his Master is only doing what he believes is best for his Padawan to help him become the best Jedi that he can be, even if the Padawan is unable to see it for himself at the time. That is why you are allowed to ask me as many questions as you want, just please try to do it in private when possible, without shouting.
"In fact, Qui-Gon used to tell me that it is difficult to learn without questions." He smiled as the memory came to him. "However, it is impossible to learn if you don't truly listen to the answers. And, you should always ask questions respectfully otherwise your teachers may think you are being impertinent. That is how you got in trouble to begin with, I believe."
Anakin nodded sheepishly, but he also looked relieved. Obi-Wan wanted to kick himself. How had he completely failed to notice that Anakin, at least subconsciously, was still carrying around the bonds of slavery. "But what if the Master's answer doesn't make sense?" Anakin asked.
"Then let me know, and I will do my best to explain it until you do understand." Obi-Wan wondered what can of worms he was opening. He remembered Anakin's non-stop questions in the cockpit of the Naboo ship, but as the Master, it was his duty to make sure his Padawan truly understood everything necessary to be a Jedi.
Anakin nodded, but his eyes were back on the water. They sat in another uncomfortable silence before Anakin asked, "Is it truly wrong to miss them, Master? I mean isn't missing a sign of attachment and that's bad, but I can't help it. Sometimes, I just miss my mom, or Padmé's smile, or working on projects with Annabeth, or laughing with Percy, or Master Qui-Gon answering my questions in a way that makes sense. I don't know if I can pack everything away and forget them, like . . ." he glanced up then, but something in Obi-Wan's expression must have stopped Anakin from finishing his thought. "Sorry," Anakin muttered, "I didn't mean. . . I mean I just don't understand."
Before his talk with Annabeth and Percy, Obi-Wan might have left as the pain of Qui-Gon's death rolled over him again, and the revolting thought that Anakin thought he was forgetting his Master. However, now he realized how much he had inadvertently neglected Anakin. Annabeth was right. Anakin did feel alone and was hurting. Maybe, not to the same extent as Obi-Wan, but he still was, and it was his duty as a Jedi and a Master to help those who hurt. "No, Anakin it is not wrong to miss them, but you cannot dwell on the past and what you may have lost," he paused before offering up something personal, hoping it might help Anakin understand. "That is why I removed Qui-Gon's mementos. I was afraid the constant reminders of him would be too painful, and it would prevent me from focusing on the present, something a Jedi must always do. It was not to forget him because that is something I will never be able to do no matter how long I live."
"Did it help?" Anakin asked quietly. "Putting away Master Qui-Gon's things?"
Obi-Wan sighed, "Not as much as I had hoped."
Anakin nodded, "Annabeth said when we left that you might be having trouble without Qui-Gon, but you always seemed, so calm and collected, that I just thought. . ." he shrugged.
"Just because Jedi do not show emotions necessarily does not mean we do not have them, Anakin," Obi-Wan instructed. "I miss Qui-Gon with every fiber of my being, but I cannot let that emotion govern me. Therefore, I do my best to release it into the Force so that I may continue doing my duty as a Jedi."
Anakin winced, "I'm really sorry–"
"It is okay Anakin. You did not know."
"So, does releasing it into the Force help? Is that why you are always so calm?"
Obi-Wan tried a small smile, "I suppose so. However, it is hard work. I do my best to not let the pain of Qui-Gon's death build up, but I am afraid that as I struggled with it you might have felt ignored. For that, I am sorry. Even though Jedi try, we are by no means perfect."
Anakin nodded, "I think I get it, but maybe can you show me how you do it? I don't want missing them to hurt, but are you sure it won't make me forget them?"
"Yes, Padawan, it will not make you forget," Obi-Wan reassured the boy. "Very well then, first you need to enter a basic meditative trance. I know you have learned that in your lessons."
It took a while, but once Anakin's breathing had slowed and Obi-Wan sensed his Padawan reaching out to the Force, he said softly, "Can you feel my presence in the Force, Anakin?" The boy nodded. "Good, now focus on it."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he gathered the almost constant pain he felt from Qui-Gon's absence and released it into the Force. He did it slowly, so that Anakin could feel what was happening. It was like holding a handful of sand in a river and watching the current take it away. As it left him, he felt calmer, and in the quiet, he could hear the beautiful symphony that was the Force.
Next to him, he felt Anakin clumsily gather his pain of missing his mother and his friends and the boy's sadness and fear over Qui-Gon's death. He felt Anakin's trepidation as the boy hesitantly released those feelings from his soul, and they too were carried away by the Force.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and smiled at his Padawan, "Very good, Anakin. How do you feel?"
Anakin scrunched up his face for a moment as he thought before saying, "Lighter, I feel lighter."
"So do I." They sat in silence, but for a change it was not awkward. Eventually though, Obi-Wan had to ask, partially out of his own curiosity and partially because of Percy. "Anakin, have you made friends with other Jedi initiates?"
The boy looked down at a piece of grass in his hands, but Obi-Wan could still see the flushed cheeks as the boy shook his head, embarrassed. "It will be okay, Anakin. I know it cannot be easy, given the nature of your training, just be patient," Obi-Wan advised. "I am sure you will find friends with time."
Anakin just nodded his head but did not look up as he tore the blade of grass into smaller and smaller pieces. Obi-Wan frowned at the sadness and uncertainty rolling off Anakin. In this case, Obi-Wan agreed with Percy. Jedi initiates needed friends and comrades, so he decided to take the plunge figuring at least in this circumstance, Percy's advice, whatever it meant could hardly make it worse. "I did speak to a mutual friend of ours earlier, and his advice for anyone trying to make friends in a new place was to ignore the Nancy Bobofits and Sloans and try to find the outcasts. Then he mentioned something about the Grovers and Tysons being far more worthy of friendship." Anakin's head shot up, and he looked at Obi-Wan in shock. "Does that mean something to you? Because it makes no sense to me."
Anakin nodded, but this time he saw hope in Anakin's eyes. "Yes, it does. He means that the popular, cool kids that bully people really don't make the best of friends. Did this friend say anything else?"
Once again, Obi-Wan hesitated. In the end though, he decided to take Annabeth's interpretation. His friends had talked to him, and Obi-Wan was the one communicating it to Anakin. Besides, he figured hearing that his mom and friends were happy and doing well might help the boy. So, Obi-Wan told him.
Seeing the wistful look on Anakin's face afterwards though made Obi-Wan question his decision. Perhaps, the boy would rather be on Naboo. "Do you regret coming to the Temple, Anakin?"
Anakin scrunched up his face, "I don't know yet. I like the training, flying sims, and other things."
"I am surprised you did not mention your etiquette class," Obi-Wan teased. Anakin glanced up in confusion but caught sight of his master's smirk.
"Very funny, Master," he retorted with a huff, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards.
"However, I hope you do not feel as if this path was forced on you, Anakin," Obi-Wan stated his tone once again serious. "You do have a choice."
The boy nodded, though he seemed weary and hurt for some reason. Obi-Wan could not figure out what had caused the change. "I know," he replied. "Percy gave me a few other options, but I wanted to be a real Jedi."
"Of course, Percy would have encouraged you to not join the brainwashed police cult as he calls us," Obi-Wan said unable to stop an eye roll even if it was undignified for a Jedi Knight. That got another almost smile from the boy. "I am surprised you still came to the Temple with him nagging you about it."
"I actually don't think he was trying to discourage me from joining the Jedi, exactly," Anakin admitted. "It was more making sure I knew I had a choice." He frowned, "I don't think he really got one."
Obi-Wan thought about everything he knew from Percy's rather difficult life and figured the boy was right. He remembered how calmly the younger man accepted the fact that he would probably die an early death. In a way, that sure acceptance of death was what all Jedi hoped to achieve though many struggled with it. However, Percy's acceptance of other's deaths, particularly those he had formed close attachments to, was a different story.
"Do you not want me as a Padawan? Is that why you asked?" Anakin asked tentatively, interrupting Obi-Wan's thoughts. "I mean you didn't really have a choice and are stuck with me because of some promise you made to Master Qui-Gon."
Obi-Wan remained silent for a moment. It was a rather perceptive question and required him to search his own feelings to give the boy a true answer. He felt it would betray the delicate trust budding between them if he responded with a half-truth. At last Obi-Wan replied, "It is true that I promised Qui-Gon that I would train you, but I do not regret it. However, I do regret that I may not be truly ready to have a Padawan. Perhaps, you would be better off with a more experienced Master."
Anakin frowned as he considered his words. "But, Master Qui-Gon wouldn't have asked you to train me if he didn't think you were ready. Would he?"
Obi-Wan wondered if that was true. He had originally been hurt more than he would like to admit by Qui-Gon's last words which had made it seem like his Master only cared about Anakin. Maybe from a certain point of view, Qui-Gon was trying to tell Obi-Wan that he was proud of him in the little amount of time he had left. For someone who believed so strongly in the prophecy, that his Master thought he was worthy to train the Chosen One would surely be the highest praise Qui-Gon could ever give him.
Or he could have just wanted to guarantee that the boy got trained at all even if it meant I had to leave the Order, his more cynical side thought. He supposed he would never know for sure. Maybe, the real reason Qui-Gon had made that request did not matter. It mattered more what Obi-Wan chose to believe. After all it would not have been the first time Obi-Wan had misunderstood his Master, and he had a feeling it would not be the last despite that Qui-Gon was no longer with him. Suddenly, he felt lighter than he had in months as if a huge weight had been lifted off his chest. His Master had been proud of him and believed he could train Anakin. That was what Obi-Wan would believe.
"I suppose you are right, my Padawan. Thank you for helping me see that." Anakin smiled at him, the first real smile Obi-Wan had seen from the boy in months. It probably was because he had just talked to Percy, but Obi-Wan found himself saying, "Perhaps, we have gotten off to a bad start and for that I apologize, so let us try again. Hello, I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I would like to be your Master if you would have me?"
He extended his hand to Anakin who grinned as he shook it and said, "Pleased to meet you. I'm Anakin Skywalker, and I think it would be great to be your Padawan."
Obi-Wan felt it then, the training bond snapping into place, and Anakin gasped as he felt their new connection in the Force. It was not as bright or as strong as the one Obi-Wan had with his Master, but it was there and had the potential to grow and strengthen a little every day.
Now for a little fun. He did know how to have fun. Though, he did find himself mentally asking what would Percy do. He glanced at the water, and the idea came to him. "Padawan, I think it is time you learn how to swim."
I'm not sure when the next chapter will be posted, but it will probably be at least a month. I know what I want to happen, but not how so that will take some time to figure out. I will tell you that the next portion will be an Annabeth POV followed by a Percy POV.