Obi-Wan strode through the Council Chamber doors before his Master had turned away from the Council members. Qui-Gon frowned slightly. That was highly improper. When he reached the hallway with Anakin in tow, Obi-Wan was nowhere in sight. The frown deepened. There was much preparation to be done before they returned to Naboo. He didn't have time to run around the Temple looking for a Padawan with an attitude problem.
A slight shuffling sound alerted him to the presence of Senior Council member Yoda. He turned and inclined his head slightly.
"Master Yoda."
Qui-Gon drew Anakin to his side with a glance.
"Do you require something more from Anakin or myself?"
Yoda did not answer right away. Instead, he looked from Qui-Gon to Anakin and then back to Qui-Gon. Only the slight drooping of his ears revealed his displeasure with the scene before him.
"Seeking Obi-Wan, I am."
"He failed to wait for me after the meeting." The irritation in Qui-Gon's voice was unmistakable. "I was about to go looking for him."
"Hmmmmm." Yoda's eyes were closed and he nodded his head. "Sense his presence, I do. Better it will be, if I speak with him. Send him to you afterwards, I will."
"Fine, Master. I am going to take Anakin to the cafeteria for a quick lunch and then we will rendezvous with the Queen at her ship."
Yoda looked at the boy who had remained silent throughout the exchange. He had a tight hold on Qui-Gon's robe and his lips were tightly pressed together. Yoda sighed. He did not wish to further frighten the boy. Anakin had already accumulated enough fear and anger for one lifetime. Why Qui-Gon could not sense this was a mystery. He made an effort to put the boy at ease.
"Enjoy the food, you will," he said, looking directly an Anakin. " Many young people here, many kinds of food we serve."
At first, Anakin seemed uncertain how to respond. Then Qui-Gon lay a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently. Anakin looked first into the face of his benefactor and then smiled at the diminutive Council member.
"Yes, Master Yoda. Thank you, Master Yoda."
Yoda waved his stick in the direction of the cafeteria to send them on their way. Then he turned and started off in search of Obi-Wan. He hadn't gone far and Yoda knew he could have found him without the use of the Force. There was a spot in the Meditation Gardens that Obi-Wan had claimed as his personal space years ago. In the months preceding his pairing with Qui-Gon, the young initiate seemed to spend all his free time there. Afterwards, Yoda knew that Obi-Wan would seek the solace of the gardens whenever he spent time at the Temple. He had once confided to Yoda that the Force seemed to speak strongest to him in that spot. It almost felt to Obi- Wan like the Force was waiting for him there.
As Yoda turned onto the walkway that led into the gardens, he sensed a steady flow of anger slowly being dissipated into the Force. As he had anticipated, Obi-Wan was on his knees, head bowed, under the sprawling shade of the Bohrahnna tree. Yoda quietly made his way to a nearby bench and, eyes closed in peaceful contemplation of his own, waited while the apprentice finished his quest for peace.
Slowly, he became aware that Obi-Wan had finished his meditations and was sitting now with legs crossed, watching the older Jedi.
"Feel better, do you?" Yoda questioned.
"Somewhat, but there is still much I do not understand," Obi-Wan admitted.
"Help you I will," Yoda replied. "But, talk to me, you must. And be honest."
That almost brought a smile to Obi-Wan's lips. As if anyone would ever try to deceive Master Yoda!
There was a period of uneasy silence. Obi-Wan's internal struggle was reflected on his face.
"Think so hard, you should not," prompted Yoda. "What first comes to mind, you should tell me."
"Why does my Master not recognize the danger the boy presents? Qui-Gon is strong in the Force, I know this. How can he be unaware of the darkness that hovers over Anakin?"
"Answer to that question, I do not have. What appears obvious to us, elusive it seems to be to Qui-Gon. Wait until the Naboo issue is settled, I think we must, until we seek that answer."
"And what will happen after Naboo? Qui-Gon seems determined to take Anakin as his Padawan. What happens to an unwanted Padawan?" Obi-Wan blurted out.
"Hmmmmmm. Ready for your trials, I thought you were," Yoda remarked.
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes. "I did not want to seem unaware of my Master's intentions. Forgive me, Master, I spoke in haste."
"As did Qui-Gon, I think," Yoda replied gently. "Always trying to find a way to change the Council's mind, he is."
Yoda could feel the hurt that the exchange in the Council room had caused the young apprentice. Over 800 years and there was much he still did not understand about the complexities of human relationships.
"Obi-Wan, how many years do you have now?" he suddenly asked.
Obi-Wan was puzzled by the question but answered quickly.
"Twenty-five, Master. May I ask why you want to know?"
Yoda sighed. "Same age was Xanatos when he left the Jedi for the dark side."
"Are you saying that Qui-Gon thinks that I.....?"
"No, Padawan, think that you will turn, he does not," answered Yoda with sudden insight. "Think that he may fail, he does. Worried that he is not able to teach you all you need to know, he is." Yoda shook his head. "For failure of Xanatos, he still feels responsible."
"Your pardon, Master Yoda, but that's ridiculous. Qui-Gon is an exemplary teacher. No matter what happens when we return, I am indebted to him for the lifetime of knowledge he has shared with me."
Yoda's eyes were closed and he swayed slightly in his place. Obi-Wan was about to reach out and steady him when Yoda opened his eyes and studied the Padawan intently.
"Time grows short," he pronounced. "Qui-Gon is waiting for you at the Queen's ship."
Obi-Wan recognized a dismissal when he heard one. He rose gracefully to his feet and bowed slightly to the Jedi Master.
"Thank you, Master Yoda, for your concern. May we continue this conversation when I return?"
"Do that we will. Time, I wish there was, to talk with Qui-Gon now." Yoda's ears were laying flat against his head and his eyes were closed again. He seemed very distant suddenly. Obi-Wan turned to leave.
"Obi-Wan." Yoda's voice was no louder than a whisper. Obi-Wan turned and looked expectantly at the diminutive Jedi. "Peace you must make with your Master over this. A priority, that should be."
Obi-Wan felt a sudden chill pass through his body. Yoda's words seemed to stir something deep within his mind that was struggling to surface.
"I will, Master. The Force be with you," he answered quietly.
At first, he didn't think his final words would be acknowledged. Then Yoda's eyes opened slightly and he spoke. "The Force will be with you, Obi-Wan. Believe that."
"Always, Master Yoda." And with that, he took his leave.
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