| Title: One Apprentice, One Pathway #4: Changeover (Part Two) Author: Ginger Ninja ***** After a two hour hike through the forests of Obru, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrived at the spaceport where their transport to Courscant lay in wait. The walk had been fairly quiet. Qui-Gon occasionally pointed out an ancient structure and informed Obi-Wan of what it had once been but the boy remained mainly silent. Qui-Gon assumed it was because Obi-Wan was not a morning person and the hour was far to early for him to do anything then walk forward and mutter the occasional "Yes Master". Lisgua, Obru's one and only port, was thriving with scientists, archaeologists and historians. Despite the early hour, people were already milling around getting ready for expeditions. The buildings around them were only hardware stores, food stores and accommodation. All the old tourist shops had been replaced with information points and places where equipment for spending days and days in the jungle could be rented. There were universities for young students wishing to study the planet and schools for the local children and the teachers and pupils were on their way to school on foot. But despite the fairly busy street, Obru was far calmer a place then any other planet Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had visited in recent times as there were no tourists wondering around aimlessly. Obru was full of hard working people. Qui-Gon led Obi-Wan to the dock where their ship waited. It was a transport that carried historians and other types of workers to and from the planet from Courscant. At the ship, a group of people were packing large crates of artefacts on board. A lot of relics had to be taken to Courscant from Obru because the Core World had better equipment for studying the objects. Most were returned afterwards though. Some artefacts stayed on Courscant to become museum pieces. Obi-Wan's hand tightened round the warm stone in his pocket. He hoped no one would mind if one object never returned to the planet. "Obi-Wan? Are you coming?" Obi-Wan turned and saw that Qui-Gon was already boarding. He hurried over to join his Master. ***** The large transport bound for Courscant slowly lifted off the platform it rested on and began to head upwards into the early morning sky. Qui-Gon looked over at Obi-Wan. The boy was still being uncharacteristically quiet. Qui-Gon knew his apprentice was brewing on the dream he had had and the fact that it had concerned Kyrana. "Glad to be going home Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked, determined to stop the boy from brooding for a while. Obi-Wan pulled his eyes away from the view out of the view-port and met his Master's eyes. "Yes," he said with a small smile. "It's been a while." "Looking forward to seeing your friends?" Obi-Wan's smile grew a little. "Definitely." "Looking forward to spending some time with Kyrana?" A shadow passed through Obi-Wan's eyes but he smiled anyway, trying to look as if nothing was wrong. "I can't wait to see her again." Qui-Gon frowned but remained silent. He knew there was no point trying to force anything out of Obi-Wan. The boy would tell his Master when he felt ready, should the need ever arise. The pair fell silent again as a hostess brought refreshments around. Obi-Wan sipped his drink thoughtfully. /It was only a dream. Why am I getting so worked up about it?/ Obi-Wan could sense his Master's concern. Not wanting to worry his Master, Obi-Wan spoke up. "How long do you think it will be till we get sent on another mission?" he asked. Qui-Gon swallowed the warm liquid in his mouth. "Probably within a week or so," the Master informed the apprentice. "I know it's not much time but..." "It's OK Master," Obi-Wan said. "It's been a while since we want on a mission as well so I'm very ready." Qui-Gon nodded. "Well, when we get back I'll have to speak with the Council anyway so we shall see what they have planned for us." Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow. "'We shall see what they have planned for us'? Master that doesn't sound good." Qui-Gon smiled and raised his drink to his lips. "It doesn't does it?" he replied slyly. ***** Several hours later, the transport landed on Coruscant. Obi-Wan was all but first off. He wanted to find Kyrana. /I want to make sure she's alright/ he admitted to himself. Qui-Gon strode after Obi-Wan as they headed to the Temple. Once they reached the large entrance, Qui-Gon called to his Padawan. "Take our bags to our apartment," he ordered Obi-Wan. "I'll inform the Council of our return and you can go and visit your friends if you wish." Obi-Wan nodded and took his Master's large bag. Throwing it over his shoulder, he lifted his own bag up and walked towards the turbolift that would take him to his home. Once in the lift, he played with the bag strap while on the way up, lost in thought. He was looking forward to spending some time with Kyrana. /Maybe that way I can keep her safe for a little while/ Obi-Wan shook his head. Kyrana was a sixteen-year-old just like he was. She could take care of herself and didn't need him holding her hand. Nevertheless, he felt better knowing he would be with Kyrana for at least a week. The doors opened with a ping and Obi-Wan heaved the bags back up and went to his apartment. In his mind, he reached out to the bond he shared with Kyrana. It was silent when he was off planet as it wasn't nearly as strong as the bond he shared with Qui-Gon. But the closer together he was to her, the stronger it became and now that he was back home in the Temple, it was strong enough to communicate over. Obi-Wan could sense Kyrana's peace as he entered his home and dumped the bags in the main chamber. With a smile, Obi-Wan called to his girlfriend. //Kyrana? I'm home.// ***** Sixteen-year-old Kyrana Iendo stood in her favourite place in the sprawling Temple gardens, a wooden baton twirling in her fingers. Her eyes were closed and a content smile spread on her face as she felt the sun's rays warm her body. In front of her stood her Master, Lena Kura. The exercise Lena had Kyrana doing was to improve dexterity and co-ordination. Eventually the moves would be used with a lightsaber but Kyrana had only just started learning and Lena didn't want the girl burning or maiming herself. Over their bond, Lena told Kyrana when to throw the baton upwards, when to switch hands and when to do a somersault or a twist after tossing the baton into the sky. Lena looked at Kyrana while the girl worked in the sunlight. Her red hair was beginning to grow long again. Just over a year ago Kyrana had hacked her waist length hair off for personal reasons following an experience the girl had unfortunately suffered. After several long hard months of counselling Kyrana had finally decided to grow it back again. It now reached about halfway down her back and, save her Padawan braid, she kept it in two bunches at the back of her head. //Toss it up again Padawan// Lena ordered. Kyrana did as she was told but her concentration was broken when she heard a familiar voice in her head. The baton smacked he on top of the head. "Everything alright Padawan?" Lena asked. Kyrana's face was flushed as much with excitement as it did with embarrassment as she bent down to lift her baton. "He's home!" Lena smiled knowingly. "Your knight has returned I take it young one?" Kyrana nodded. "He says he's coming here to see me now. Master can we finish this exercise later?" Lena put on a face of mock hurt. "But I had a whole day of training planned! Oh I suppose I'll just go somewhere all by myself and spend the rest of the day alone. Whoever said being a Master was fun?" Kyrana stuck her tongue out. "Oh please Master! Do you really want to spend time with two lovesick teenagers? Maybe you could go and visit Master Jinn? After all, he'll be all alone too and I'm sure the two of you could..." Lena snatched Kyrana's baton and smacked her Padawan's head with it. She smirked at the shock on the girl's face, handed the baton back and then left, not even bothering to talk to Kyrana. Kyrana stood where she was for a moment, her jaw open with surprise. //MASTER!!!// //Perhaps that will teach you to hold your tongue.// //Yes Master// Kyrana replied meekly and closed her gaping mouth. The girl sat back down and waited for Obi-Wan. She threw her baton from hand to hand and walked back and forth while she waited impatiently. The garden was quiet and Kyrana could hear the distant trickle of water. She slowly made her way over to the large lake and found that it was quite isolated. Deciding this would be a better place to meet Obi-Wan, she sat down, pulled off her boots and placed her feet in the crystal clear water. //Kyrana where are you?// Obi-Wan called. He was in the gardens. //By the lake// Kyrana was surprised to feel anxiousness from Obi-Wan momentarily before it was quickly shielded. She wondered if everything was all right. /Well if there is anything wrong, I'll get it out of him/ Kyrana thought as she twirled her baton and with a flick of her thumb, sent it spinning into the air. The baton never came back down. "Huh?" Kyrana looked up and met a pair of smiling blue/green eyes. "You'll poke someone's eye out with that," said a familiar voice. "Obi-Wan!" she stood up and fell easily into his awaiting arms. "I missed you." He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "It's good to be home," he said with a happy sigh. Kyrana looked up into Obi-Wan's eyes. "You're getting taller," she commented, and stood on tiptoes to give him a gentle kiss. Obi-Wan bent down a little and rested his forehead against Kyrana's. "I'm getting taller? Well, I reach Qui-Gon's chest now. I guess that's an accomplishment." Obi-Wan attempted to spin the baton but his fingers weren't in the right position and it fell to the ground. Kyrana laughed as she picked it up. "Harder than it looks," she commented. "You'll have to teach me," Obi-Wan suggested. "Indeed I will," Kyrana said and tugged on Obi-Wan's hand, making him sit down with her. "So what have you been up to then?" Obi-Wan grinned and explained to the tiniest detail about his trip to Obru. He left out his dream of course. No need to tell her that. Here she was, by the lake and she was perfectly safe. "Wow, I wish Master Lena would take me there," Kyrana said dreamily, twirling her baton in one hand while her chin rested in the other and her eyes gazed skyward. "I'd love to see some of the artefacts and ancient buildings." Obi-Wan took the baton away, getting Kyrana's attention immediately. "Well," he said, "You might not be able to go there yet but how about a sneak preview of Obru's range of artefacts?" Obi-Wan pulled the vibrating stone out of his pocket and Kyrana gasped with delight as her eyes followed all the lights that glowed within. "What is it?" she asked. Obi-Wan grinned. "I have no idea but I thought you'd like it." He held it out for her to take. Kyrana giggled. "You were right. I love it! How beautiful!" She reached out and cupped her hands over it while Obi-Wan still held it out. [i] Never should more than one person touch it if they do not wish to suffer the gods' wrath[/i] Kyrana looked at Obi-Wan. "What..." she began. Their hands became fused with the stone. Their eyes met in shcok and a bright golden light leapt out from the stone and shone directly into their eyes. It was blinding yet neither Obi-Wan or Kyrana could close their eyes. A dark purple light linked the streams of golden light between the two. And in that instant, the two teenagers perception of the world around them became little more than a blur of lights and sound. Obi-Wan tried to snatch his hand away from the stone but it was stuck firmly. But slightly more worryingly, he could feel something sucking at the edges of his mind. He built up the strongest shields he could around his mind yet nothing seemed to be working. Bit by bit, his mind began to get pulled out of his body. ***** Qui-Gon made his way back to his quarters wanting nothing more than to put his feet up for couple of hours with a book and a cup of some warm beverage. He walked towards the gardens at a calm and steady space. Up ahead he saw a familiar tail peeking out from the doorway up ahead. "Ah, hello there Lena," Qui-Gon greeted politely. "How are you?" Lena started in surprise and turned around to face Qui-Gon. "*Don't* do that!" she gasped. Qui-Gon laughed and looked round the corner and into the gardens. "Is something going on in there that requires your attention?" he teased. Lena blushed, her olive coloured cheeks going dark red. "Well, it's just...Kyrana and Obi-Wan are in there and..." "You don't want them getting up to anything?" Qui-Gon hazarded a guess. "Exactly!" Lena said. Qui-Gon struggled to contain his laughter. "Lena what exactly do you think our Padawan's will be getting up to in the middle of the Temple gardens exactly?" Lena crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Well Qui-Gon let's face it. When those two are near each other, odd things tend to happen." Before Qui-Gon could even begin a retort, a blinding flash of purple light erupted from the gardens, lasting only a split second. He looked at Lena. "That would be our apprentices wouldn't it?" Lena said nothing. She just ran into the gardens. ***** Obi-Wan groaned and opened his eyes. The weirdest sensation ran through his body as he sat up. His body felt different somehow, almost alien. He lifted his hand to his head and rubbed his hair. /What the Sith?/ Obi-Wan's hair that was normally short and spiky didn't a couple of inches above his head. It was so long, it had been gather into two long ponytails at the back of his head. He ran and his hand over his face, not daring to look down at himself. His nose felt far smaller, as did his lips. He ran his hand down his neck and down onto his chest. His hand trailed down a little further... His hand stopped dead all of a sudden. His heart was pounding, his eyes wide. Since when had his chest gone...OUTWARDS? He snatched his trembling hand away and he squeezed his eyes closed. /No, it's a dream. Not real. When I open my eyes and look down I'm going to be me. OK. One...Two...Three!/ Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked down. A high-pitched scream rang out and he instantly clamped his hands over his mouth and fell silent. "What the hells is going on?" he said aloud and gasped when his voice came out sounding *very* feminine. /I sound like Kyrana.../ "Oh no... what happened?" Obi-Wan turned around when he heard the voice and saw... /Is that me?/ ...with his hand hanging above his groin. "DON'T TOUCH ME THERE!" he cried out in a high-pitched squeak. The hand whipped away and was held straight out in front. Obi-Wan looked up into his own eyes /only I'm not looking into a mirror/. "Kyrana?" he asked uncertainly. The figure nodded. "Oh my Force Obi-Wan!" she wailed in his voice. "I've turned into you!" the both cried at the same time. ***End Part Two*** |
| hello |