Valairy Scot – Ben is very much like Obi-Wan was as a youngling, but as he gets older, their differences will surface.
Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay – I have included the Agricorps angle, but never liked it. It doesn't seem to fit the Jedi idea of compassion, and I do think it would foster more dark emotions in youth.
Lillafiore – I think honesty is good. Obi-Wan may later regret prolonging the beginnings of this relationship, but they are building a good foundation.
Zanondalf1992 – Thanks. I am finally updating.
beauty0102 – Thanks for reading.
*** So sorry it has taken so long for an update. I am a teacher and we just started back to school, so it has been busy getting my own kids settled and getting my own classes set up. My plan is to update at least once a week now that school is back into session and I will be busier.
Chapter 13
"You're early," Xanatos said, wiping his hands with a dish towel as Obi-Wan shrugged off his robe and carefully laid it over the back of one of the armchairs. "Dinner is not quite ready yet."
"My meeting ran shorter than I expected." He paused, cupping his hand over his chin. "I was hoping I might be able to talk to Anakin."
"The meeting went well then?" Xanatos raised an eyebrow. "No problems?"
"Everything is in order."
"Anakin's in his room." Xanatos motioned towards the door as he started towards the kitchen. He stopped and turned back, frowning. "Be careful. I haven't been in to inspect the state of things in there. I wouldn't want you to get lost or trip and break your neck."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Obi-Wan knocked gently on the door and heard Anakin mumble for him to enter. Xanatos had not been kidding. The small room had all the disarray of a dingy, cramped junk store, and about the same content. Scattered spare parts worn with age and various tools carpeted the floor, sectioned off into small distinct piles. Anakin was hunched over the workbench wearing goggles obviously designed to magnify and seemed to be probing at some intricate wiring. Obi-Wan stepped carefully through the obstacles, reaching out to clear off a nearby chair.
"Don't touch that!" Anakin snapped out in near panic and Obi-Wan held his hands up in a manner suggesting surrender.
"Is your sleepcouch safe at least?" Obi-Wan questioned sarcastically.
"Yeah," Anakin mumbled, still not looking up from his work.
Obi-Wan looked around, marveling at how different his old room looked in such a state of disorder before smoothing out the blankets on Anakin's sleepcouch and inspecting it to make sure it was safe to sit. He turned his attention back to Anakin, studying the intent lines of concentration etched on his young face. He didn't want to disturb his concentration; in fact, he had never seen Anakin give that level of attention to anything before and it was a novelty to watch. The imprint in the Force amazed him. The normally chaotic, powerful currents surrounding Anakin were focused and centered, humming in pleasant harmony.
"You're going to take him as your padawan, aren't you?" Anakin still didn't look up from the workbench, but had laid the piece he was working with down in front of him and was staring at it aimlessly. "I mean, that's why you've been working with him in the mornings for the last two weeks and why you had to meet with Master Yoda this evening."
"I would like to do that, and it is what I feel the Force pushing me towards, but I need to speak with one last person before I will feel at peace about it."
"Who?"
Obi-Wan smiled as though the answer should be obvious since he was sitting in Anakin's room. "You."
Anakin looked up at him, his eyes narrowing in puzzlement. "You don't have to have my permission," he huffed out.
"No, I don't."
"So, why me then?" Anakin shrugged, trying to project disinterest.
"I've been concerned about how quiet you have been in the mornings."
Anakin sighed as he directed a pained scowl in Obi-Wan's direction. "I hate it when you and Master gang up on me …" Obi-Wan began to speak and Anakin quickly chimed in, " … and don't tell me hate leads to the Dark side. That one's getting a little old."
"Well, it does." Anakin rolled his eyes, exaggerating the motion and Obi-Wan laughed out loud. "You know, there are advantages to me having a padawan."
"Like what?" The young boy's curiosity was obviously piqued and Obi-Wan realized he now had his complete attention.
"I'll have someone to help me with missions – to watch out for me some. I will probably be at the Temple more often, and it also opens the possibility for joint missions."
"Really?"
"Overall, I might see you more often than now." He had probed and sensed some of Anakin's preoccupation leaving, but it was just the edge. Something was still bothering him. "Do I get my answer now?"
Anakin hesitated. "Does he really want to be your padawan or does he just not want to go to Agricorps?"
"I see." Obi-Wan pulled his legs up to a cross-legged position, settling in for the discussion. "That's a good question and one I have meditated on much. I think we both want what is supposed to be."
Anakin nodded, seemingly satisfied and then scrunched his face up again. "There is a lot of talk about being chosen and padawans and masters with the others in my classes right now."
"That makes sense," Obi-Wan said. "You are all at that age. Does it bother you?"
"Master only took me because Qui-Gon asked him." Anakin bowed his head.
"Do you doubt he cares for you or wants you?"
"No, not at all." Anakin's eyes widened and he shook his head vehemently. "I just wonder … would I have been chosen if I were normal like everyone else … that's all."
"I already know the answer to that Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "It is the will of the Force that you be trained. And remember, Qui-Gon did choose you. I've also never known anyone who could make Xanatos do something he didn't want to do. Sometimes, even the Force itself has to go to great lengths to get his attention. He is training you because he wants to train you."
"Dinner is ready." Obi-Wan and Anakin looked up startled, both wondering how long Xanatos had been standing there. Obi-Wan could see the heavy emotion that clouded the older Jedi's eyes and made a quick exit. Xanatos paused to kneel down in front of his apprentice and drew him into an embrace, reinforcing his acceptance through the Force. Anakin's great need for reassurance never ceased to amaze him.
Ben bounded excitedly into the training room early the next morning expecting to find Obi-Wan performing katas as usual. He paused abruptly, noticing that Obi-Wan instead sat in peaceful meditation wearing his normal tunics and robe instead of training clothes. He approached hesitantly, not wanting to disturb him and as he stood a little ways away, Obi-Wan motioned for him to join. Ben kneeled on the floor facing Obi-Wan as reddish gold lashes fluttered open and the knight smiled at him.
"Good morning, Ben."
"Good morning." The falter in the boy's voice betrayed his anxiety, and his mind began to race with possibilities. Foremost in his mind was that this change in routine might signify a parting of their paths and an end to their experiment.
"Are you so certain you are that worthy of being discarded?" Obi-Wan asked sadly, realizing it was his own indecision that had brought about some of the anxiety Ben was feeling. In retrospect, it had been unfair to ask the boy to come and wonder about his fate each day.
"I'm sorry Knight Kenobi. I just have enjoyed your training and …"
"Ben'dek Itires – I would be honored if you would be my padawan learner."
"Sir?" The statement finally caught up with his mind and Obi-Wan could see the shock seep into dark brown depths. "I … I would be more than honored Knight Kenobi to accept."
"I'm glad," Obi-Wan replied simply.
"Will the Council allow it?" Ben stuttered out. "Do we have to get permission?"
"I spoke with Master Yoda last night and told him of my intentions. We will need to go before the Council today and make it official, and then of course, arrange a braiding ceremony." Obi-Wan paused. "I thought, if you are comfortable with it, we might meditate together now."
Ben merely nodded as he followed Obi-Wan in closing his eyes. He noticed that Obi-Wan had quickly and easily found his center. His presence in the Force was bright and vibrant, radiating light, and he felt he must pale in comparison. With a mixture of excitement and nervousness bouncing around within, causing his stomach to flip flop, he was having difficulty finding his center. Who could really be expected to focus after all? Two weeks earlier he was planning to go to Agricorps and now he was padawan to Obi-Wan Kenobi – a name spoken with respect in the Temple corridors, the first Jedi to kill a Sith in nearly a millennium. He felt the gentle pull of Obi-Wan's mind and followed it to find his center. As an initiate, he had meditated with his crèche masters in groups with his age mates, but it was nothing compared to experiencing the direct connection to another's mind. His eyes snapped open as realization came and he met Obi-Wan's already opened, amused gaze.
"Yes, there is a bond," Obi-Wan said. "It is weak, but it will strengthen in time."
"How? When?" Ben stumbled to ask. "Did you?"
"I did nothing. The Force has built is as we worked together. I have slowly become aware of it."
Ben closed his eyes. Driven by deep curiosity, he once again reached tentatively for the knight's Force presence. He was drawn to its warmth and overwhelmed by the sense of togetherness, the feeling that this was somewhere he could always be safe. He explored thoughts and feelings that Obi-Wan opened up to him while hesitantly releasing his joys and insecurities. He was surprised by a brief flash of sadness and drew back.
"You did nothing wrong," Obi-Wan whispered, sending assurance through the newly discovered bond. "This experience has reminded me my master."
"You still miss him, don't you?" Obi-Wan simply nodded his head and Ben knew not to pursue it any further.
"Why don't you go get changed," Obi-Wan said. "We should eat something and then we have an appointment with Council."
"My classes?" Ben asked worriedly.
"I have already spoken with your saber master. I think we will be more than able to make up whatever you miss, Padawan."
Ben blushed slightly. There was something overwhelming about being addressed by that title. A slight smile curved onto his face as he replied.
"Yes, Master."