Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay – Hopefully Palpy won't cause our guys too much trouble.
Incognito12 – He wasn't as much complaining as trying to make life difficult for Xan. I could see him questioning the wisdom of Xanatos as Anakin's master.
Lillafiore – I always imagine that it had to be hard for Obi-Wan to come back to the Temple and go through Qui-Gon's stuff. At least in AU he isn't alone.
LianneZ4 – Thank you. I didn't want an overload of emotion, but it was difficult for both of them.
sterling5842 – I am trying to work through flashbacks so that I don't have to tell the whole story. You get it in glimpses.
Utuu – I didn't care for him when I read JA, but he just needs a little more conflict and dimension. This is by far the closest to the light side I've written him.
Furionknight – Thanks for reading.
Chapter 6
The boy's slender frame moved nimbly, parrying swift strong blows. But it was obvious he was on the defensive, scrambling to stay even a fraction of a second ahead of his calm, focused opponent. It was expected. He was a fourteen year old padawan and his adversary was a Jedi Master.
Qui-Gon pushed his offensive again and the youth was soon cornered and weaponless with a gleaming emerald blade at his throat. The boy lowered his head, visibly dismayed with his apparent failure. A loud chuckle came from the door to the training room.
"Don't take it so hard, Obi-Wan. He is one of the best swordsmen in the Order after all. He has height and reach, but you will learn to use your size to your advantage as well."
"I'd like to see you try Xanatos." Obi-Wan scowled.
"Sorry, I already paid my dues … padawan."
A puzzled expression crossed the youth's face. "Why have I never seen you and Master Qui-Gon spar? It would be a good learning experience for me. You know, to see how someone else he trained spars with him."
Xanatos and Qui-Gon looked at each other, their gazes reflecting their mutual apprehension and doubt at the prospect.
"It would be good for him," Qui-Gon mused. His voice lacked conviction, almost as though he were waiting, hoping for Xanatos to negate the idea. Neither had raised a saber against each other, even for practice, since Telos. His eyes widened slightly as Xanatos spoke.
"It would."
Xanatos shrugged off his robe, doubling it over on a nearby bench and pulled off layers of tunics before finally slipping off his boots. He powered the settings on his weapon down as he padded out to face Qui-Gon on the mat.
Qui-Gon circled his former apprentice, unable to shake the sense that this was a mistake. He didn't have much time to contemplate the thought as Xanatos sprung at him, his blue bladed saber cutting an arc through the air.
Qui-Gon parried the powerful blow, feeling a surprising jolt course through his arms. The tall, lean frame he remembered had filled out with well toned muscle making Xanatos strong. He was aggressive in his style, but a measure of control had replaced the frenzied recklessness that had betrayed him in his youth. The Jedi master quickly realized his former student had become a formidable opponent.
But both combatants found it hard to stay in the moment. Each strike of the clashing sabers unlocked memories both had tried to bury far away. Xanatos brought his saber down hard - Crion's bloodied, lifeless body slid off the end of Qui-Gon's saber. Qui-Gon met the blow with an upward parry - Rage, accusations, a half-circle pattern burned into pale skin, and a braid of ebony fell to the floor. Xanatos's blade slashed sideways - Qui-Gon watched in shocked horror as Xanatos ignited his blade and assumed an opening stance. Qui-Gon countered the strike and the sabers interlocked, spitting and hissing - Venomous words were spat out in hate. Xanatos pushed the Jedi master away to make distance.
The fight continued as Qui-Gon launched his own offensive, backing Xanatos away with a strong onslaught of blows. As sabers locked once again, Xanatos' eyes betrayed him, revealing the pain hidden within. This definitely had been a mistake. The momentary distraction cost Qui-Gon and his weapon was knocked from his grip as he fell backwards with a blue blade at his throat.
Xanatos's eyes widened in horror and he hurried to thumb off the saber, finally dropping it to extinguish it when he couldn't seem to find the switch. He sank immediately to the floor.
"Obi-Wan, would you please return to our quarters."
The boy nodded, his gaze lingering on Xanatos' slumped form as he left. Qui-Gon joined Xanatos on the floor.
"Xanatos?"
There was no answer. The young man seemed locked in his thoughts, his gaze focused at a distant spot on the floor. Qui-Gon touched his shoulder.
"Xan, Padawan talk to me."
A slight smile crossed pale features. "You haven't called me that in a long time." He looked up. "I forfeited that title, you know."
"What's troubling you?"
"The sudden realization that if our places had been reversed … I was so angry … so not in my right mind … I would have killed you without hesitation." He dropped his gaze back to the mat.
"I know … that is the Dark side."
"How do you even look at me?" He sadly shook his head from side to side looking more like a forlorn child than the bold, confident young man Qui-Gon knew him to be.
"I choose not to live there."
"Must be nice." Xanatos chuckled.
"I choose to accept that we have made peace and that I have forgiven you, even though you still infuriate me to no end at times." He smiled. "But that isn't enough – apparently you still need to forgive yourself."
Two bright azure sabers clashed in brilliance as the combatants danced and darted around each other, probing for weaknesses and looking for openings. Xanatos had wondered if it was too early for Obi-Wan to fight again, but he seemed in need of the outlet. The newly knighted Jedi's gaze did disturb him. It was the look of experience. He knew all too well that Obi-Wan had faced death before. He had visited the young man in the healers' ward in the aftermath of far too many missions. But Obi-Wan had never faced death at the end of a saber before Naboo. He had never had hours spent in sparring practice put into practice against another combatant intent on taking his life. And it showed.
There were no mistakes. There were no assumptions that his opponent would look the other way when an opening was given and no letting down of his guard – only focus. It pained Xanatos to know that feelings of failing Qui-Gon would ultimately drive Obi-Wan to seek perfection in his saber technique.
Xanatos' thoughts shifted to Anakin and his desire to not fail his master's last request, but more than that, to not fail Anakin. Xanatos became keenly aware that his own lack of focus had cost him as he felt the sting of a burn across his chest right before his feet were kicked out from under him. He landed hard on his back, and the air rushed from his lungs.
"That hurt," he gasped. He squeezed his eyes shut and bent his knees, resting on the floor.
"I'm sorry." Obi-Wan dropped down to a cross-legged position next to him. "I shouldn't have been able to get that past you. You're mind is obviously somewhere else."
Obi-Wan waited, clearly expecting Xanatos to tell him. Xanatos rolled up to a sitting position. "I need to ask a favor."
"What do you need?"
"I have to go away on a short trip – a little unfinished business. I need Anakin to stay with you."
He could sense Obi-Wan was worried and answered the unspoken question.
"It's nothing dangerous. I just can't take Anakin."
"I can't believe the Council would send you away so soon."
"It's a personal trip." Xanatos looked away, shifting uncomfortably. "I can explain more when I get back."
"Okay." Obi-Wan nodded his head.
Anakin sat by the door watching his mentor pack the few things he would need for his abbreviated trip. Xanatos had been completely tight-lipped all day.
"So you won't tell me where are you going?" he said, sulking.
"I can't tell you Anakin."
"But you said it's not dangerous at all, right? I want you to come back."
"There is absolutely nothing for you to worry about."
"Then why can't I come?" Anakin protested.
"You have matters to attend to here." Xanatos closed his travel bag and leveled a glance at his pouting apprentice. "And I don't want to leave Obi-Wan alone. He's doing better, but I need you to stay with him and take care of him for me."
A bright smile lightened the boy's face. "I can do that, Master." Xanatos reached out and ruffled hair before they started for the hangar. Obi-Wan met them there and both he and Anakin watched as Xanatos climbed into the starfighter. He gave a final wave before lifting off and disappearing into the congested Coruscant traffic ways.
"Are you hungry?"
Anakin nodded emphatically.
"Good, I was thinking we could go somewhere outside the Temple so you can see a little more of Coruscant."
Xanatos scowled at the dingy coating of dust that had settled over usually meticulously polished black boots, feeling the searing heat of twin suns bake him through his cloak. He would gladly throw off the cloak to get some relief from the heat, but it was the only thing protecting him from being chafed by the abrasive particles of sand carried by the wind. He had been on the Force-forsaken dust ball of a planet for less than an afternoon and hated it already. A menagerie of beings gave him wide berth, clearing a path for him as he stormed hastily along the dirty stalls and shops that lined the street. He finally caught sight of the shop he had been directed to and entered.
He knew at once he was in the right place. Anakin's residual Force signature was painted on every wall and permeated the air – the boy had spent a lot of time in the shop. He looked around the grime covered junk that cluttered each corner as he shook the dust from his cloak. He heard a rustling, the rapid beating of small wings and turned.
"Hey, hey how can I help you?" The pudgy blue creature floated at eye level for Xanatos.
"Are you Watto?" Xanatos inquired.
"Dependsa on who's asking."
If even half of what Anakin had told him was true, Xanatos truly desired to rip the wings from the creature's back and shove them down throat. Instead he smiled casually. "I mean you no harm, if that's what you are worried about." Xanatos pulled back his hood.
"Can't be too careful."
"I am actually looking for Shmi Skywalker."
The creature's long snout wrinkled into something of a scowl revealing a mouth full of uneven teeth as he launched into a tirade in Huttese. Xanatos listened with amusement at some very colorful, unflattering comments about some long-haired swindler.
"I see you've met my master," he mumbled, smiling.
"Heh?"
"Nothing," Xanatos said. "I am of course willing to pay for time to speak with her." He pulled a small pouch from his belt and tossed it to the Toydarian. Beady black eyes widened in delight at the weight of the bag.
"Yes, yes I take you there right away."
As the Toydarian bobbed along down the street, Xanatos followed in silence, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells, making mental notes. This was his way. He never undertook a mission without in depth research, which had served him well and kept him alive through his undercover work. Yes, his role was changing, but he had no intention of entering this new mission any less prepared. These were the boy's roots – the key to understanding Anakin Skywalker.
Watto knocked impatiently on the front door of a small house crowded in with similar dwellings. As they waited, a group of grubby children clustered around them whispering among themselves. Watto yelled harshly in Huttese and the small crowd scattered as a woman opened the door slightly. At seeing Watto, she opened the door the rest of the way. Watto reprimanded her for not answering more quickly and showed Xanatos in before closing the door behind him as he left.
She stood in uneasy silence and it occurred to Xanatos that Watto had given very little explanation. The poor woman probably assumed the worst. "You are Shmi Skywalker?" He didn't really have to ask. The same presence that had permeated the atmosphere at Watto's shop lingered even more strongly in the simple home.
"Yes," she answered softly, still wary.
"I am Jedi Master Xanatos Marojni."
He sensed a sharp spike of worry. "Is Anakin?"
"He's fine – doing very well. In fact, he's already saved a planet."
A bright, shy smile spread across Shmi's face lifting the worry away.
"I wanted to meet you. I am Anakin's mentor and guardian.
"What about Master Jinn?" she asked hesitantly, the worry returning. "I thought he was going to train Anakin."
"It seems we have much to talk about."