| Title: One Apprentice, One Pathway #4: Changeover (Part Three) Author: Ginger Ninja ***** "Oh this is terrible! I'm you!" Kyrana said with an unsettled, freaked-out sort of voice as she watched in fascination as she moved the arms, hands and fingers of her boyfriend's body. "What do we do?" "First of all," Obi-Wan said, "We have to remain calm." Kyrana nodded and took several deep breaths and continued to clench and unclench her larger than normal fists. "OK, deal with this calmly. I can do that." "Right. Now come on we have to find our Master's and tell them what's happened," Obi-Wan said and began to walk forward, looking a little unsteady as tried to get used the swinging of his curvaceous hips. "No wait!" Kyrana ran over to Obi-Wan and grabbed his slim arm. "Ow!" Obi-Wan grumbled. "Be careful. You're a lot stronger now you're in my body!" "Oh, sorry," she said, letting go of his petite arm. "But we *cannot* tell them about this!" "Kyra are you nuts? We have to tell them!" Obi-Wan held up a small hand to stop her protests. "Look, I don't have a clue how to be a girl and I'm sure you don't know what it's like to be a boy. It doesn't take much thought to realise all the trouble we're going to have getting used to being in each other's bodies. I think they'll see through any kind of act pretty fast. And besides, we're going to need help getting back into our own bodies." Kyrana frowned. "I suppose you're right. After all, how are you going to deal with my..." The sound of running footsteps stopped Kyrana's sentence and the pair turned to see their Master's standing in front of them. Obi-Wan looked up, then up further to meet Qui-Gon's eyes. /He seems a lot taller now I'm all the way down here/ "Are you both alright?" Lena demanded. The pair exchanged glances. "Sort of," Obi-Wan said, sounding very uncertain. Lena looked at him, not realising she wasn't looking at her Padawan. "What happened Kyra?" she asked him. "Um...Well, first of all..." Obi-Wan searched for a good way to say it. "He's not Kyrana," Kyrana said, stepping forward. "I am. That's Obi-Wan." The two Master's blinked. "Really Obi-Wan this isn't the time to be joking," Qui-Gon reprimanded, looking at Kyrana. "What just happened?" "Master!" Obi-Wan said, his female voice cracking slightly in annoyance. How could Qui-Gon not believe them? "She's telling the truth! I'm Obi-Wan!" "And I'm Kyrana!" Lena told her Master, her male voice equally annoyed. "You have to believe us! Obi-Wan gave me a stone and the next thing we know, we're in each other's bodies." "Master," Obi-Wan piped up. "You know I wouldn't joke at a time like this!" "OK, just for the sake of argument," he said, looking between the two of them as if unsure who he should be addressing. "If you really are Obi-Wan," he said, finally settling his gaze on the female who claimed to be Obi-Wan, "tell me a story that only you and I would know." Obi-Wan grinned mischievously. "Easy. There was this one time, when I was fourteen and we were on the planet Cherm protecting a young prince before he was crowned and we were invited to a party. You drank some punch, unaware that it had been spiked with some kind of herb that makes people very happy and makes them lose all their inhibitions. You were the life and soul of the party, much to my embarrassment and took a whole week to return to your usual, sober self." Kyrana and Lena both snorted with laughter and the truly humiliated look on Qui-Gon's bright red face. "How did you know about that Kyrana?" he asked, after clearing his throat. Obi-Wan sighed and threw up his arms. "Because I'm Obi-Wan! Kyrana and I have switched bodies!" "Yes but you could have told her that story!" Qui-Gon argued. "Fine!" Obi-Wan said. "Use the Force and sense me. I bet you sense me standing here instead of inside my body." Qui-Gon rubbed his eyes and reached out with the Force. He was slightly confused to sense Obi-Wan's presence where Kyrana's body stood. "Obi-Wan?" he asked, looking into what should have been Kyrana's eyes. Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, this is me...for now." Qui-Gon barely restrained slapping his hand to his forehead. "Let's go somewhere slightly more private shall we? We can talk about what we're going to do there." The two apprentices nodded and walked forward ahead of their Master's, both looking a little odd as they experimented with their new bodies. Kyrana was having difficultly getting used to walking with her legs slightly apart instead of one foot in front of the other. Obi-Wan on the other hand was having a little too much fun wiggling his hips as he glided forward. Qui-Gon gave Lena a look that said: "What are we going to do with them?" ***** Once the four were in Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's apartment, the time for seriousness began. "We'll have to go to the Council in a while and tell them about this...incident," Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan and Kyrana shared a panicked look. "You do realise they'll collapse of laughter?" Kyrana said. Lena nodded. "Most likely," she said briskly, suppressing a grin and a laugh. "However Qui-Gon and I can't really be seen with each other's Padawan's can we? I mean we'll know who you both really are but no one else will." Obi-Wan nodded and sighed. "Only I could pull something like this off." Qui-Gon placed his hand on the slight, rather bony shoulder of his Padawan's newly acquired female body. "Only you Obi-Wan. Only you." Kyrana punched her boyfriend in the arm. "Yes but when you do these things why do I always have to be in the way?" Obi-Wan threw an arm around Kyrana's firm shoulders. "Will of the Force," he told her. She just gave him a look of disbelief and could only just manage to suppress a frown. "I think I'd better take Obi-Wan with me for the next couple of days," Lena spoke up, realising her Padawan was getting a little tense. "And Qui-Gon you'll have to take Kyrana." "Why?" the apprentices' and Qui-Gon asked. Lena turned to face Qui-Gon. "We need to teach them what it's like to be the opposite sex. I can think of a very long list already of things Obi-Wan needs to prepare for as a girl and I'm sure you can do the same for Kyrana now that she's a boy." Qui-Gon thought for a moment. /It's not that difficult being a boy is it? What exactly can I tell her? I mean there's not that much difference between being a boy and a girl. Well, she'll have to learn about how to use the 'fresher and how to wash her.../ "Well Qui-Gon?" Lena butted into his thoughts. "Do you want to go to the Council now or shall we give them a crash course in 'how to get used to being the opposite sex' first?" Qui-Gon looked up. "I think we'd better get the Council out of the way don't you?" Neither Obi-Wan nor Kyrana could hide their groans. This session with the Jedi Council was likely to be the most embarrassing the two would ever experience. ***** Obi-Wan forced himself to meet the eyes of the Council. He alone had explained what had happened with the stone he had brought back ("Stole it you did!" Yoda had provided helpfully) from Obru. Qui-Gon looked at his now female apprentice. "Obi-Wan why didn't you heed the warnings that were written there?" Obi-Wan felt a blush warm his cheeks. "Well I thought it was just a load of old suspicious nonsense..." "Say that people do of the Jedi," Yoda said gruffly. "Think do you that this does not only apply to the Jedi?" "I'll never doubt the writings of ancient people again," Obi-Wan replied earnestly to all those present. He bowed his head slightly. "It was thoughtless and immature of me." "Well it's a little late for that now wouldn't you say young Kenobi?" Ki-Adi-Mundi stated calmly. Obi-Wan held his tongue. He didn't quite trust himself to speak wisely at the moment. He was quite certain that any attempt he made at 'clearing his name' so to speak, would be rather futile at this particular moment. No one in the immense Council Chamber was happy with him at the moment, including Obi-Wan himself. "We shall decide on a course of action. We must hope that this...incident...can be reversed and the two of you can return to normal," Mace Windu declared. "Meanwhile I suggest that Padawans Kenobi and Iendo get used to this...change...that has been inflicted upon them." Mace's gaze landed on Kyrana and then quickly flickered away as he remembered that Obi-Wan was no longer behind those two green/blue eyes. The Master's eyes became riveted on Obi-Wan's and the teenager only just managed not to squirm self-consciously. "Yes Master Jinn and I have already decided to take each other's Padawans and help them get accustomed to the finer points of being the opposite sex," Lena said calmly. The amusement she had been feeling was now gone, as she now feared that they would never find a cure. The Master wasn't sure if she was more afraid for Kyrana and Obi-Wan or the fact that she may have to get used to having a male Padawan. "Agree with you we do," Yoda said. "A week should be enough," Mace put in. "We shall have a decision for you then." Recognising the dismissal, the four Jedi bowed slightly and left the room, each one careful mulling over the worried thoughts that went through their minds. Once the doors of the Council Chambers closed, the twelve Council members sighed one long, collective sigh. Trouble never seemed to far behind that particular foursome. /Foursome it is now,/ Yoda mused, /Now involved Lena and Kyrana are with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan./ ***** Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel slightly unsure of himself as he sat in Lena's apartment watching the female Master collecting various books and-for lack of a better word-girly things for him to ponder over and learn about. After about fifteen minutes of collecting various types of material Lena felt Obi-Wan needed to learn about, she sat down in front of the boy...who was now a girl... who was looking like he was *way* out of his depth. Lena couldn't help but agree. Of all the messes Obi-Wan Kenobi had got himself into, this one had to rank number one. "OK Ky...Obi-Wan," Lena began, feeling that it was going to take a fair while before she got used to calling what was the body of her Padawan by her boyfriend's name. "I've got some datapads here, mainly your usual 'Coping with Being a Teenage Girl,' sort of thing and some...uh..." Lena was at a loss for words as she held up a small pack of what Obi-Wan knew was meant only for female use as men didn't have the right 'equipment' to require such hygiene. Lena handed Obi-Wan a datapad. The title at the top said: 'You and Your Monthly.' "Monthly what?" Obi-Wan asked. "Obi-Wan you've had human biology classes right?" Lena asked. "Well sure but they tend to split the girls up from the boys and teach boys about boys and girls about girls because they think we can't take the opposite sex seriously and I guess they're right because there was this one time when I..." Obi-Wan trailed off, blushing profusely as the memory of a terrible human biology lesson when his tutor had been trying to the male class about the female body and Obi-Wan had suffered the most embarrassing thing a teenage boy can experience when he is among his fellow male peers. Lena covered a smile with her hand. "Well Obi-Wan I'm afraid you no longer have a choice. You need to read this thoroughly and make sure you understand it because I'm afraid you chose the wrong time of the month to switch bodies with my Padawan." Chewing his lip nervously, feeling an impending sense of doom come over him, Obi-Wan began to read. Lena watched sympathetically as they eyes reading 'You and Your Monthly' became wider and wider. ***** Meanwhile Kyrana sat patiently in front of Qui-Gon as the tall Master paced thoughtfully in front of her, one hand resting on his bristly chin. Unlike Obi-Wan, Kyrana and most of her fellow female students who were her age were quite familiar with the workings of the male body so she did not require much instruction on that. But that didn't mean she wasn't slightly apprehensive and uncomfortable in her latest situation. She was aware of what part of a boy was still growing at the age of sixteen and the embarrassing things it was capable of with all those raging teenage hormones. Qui-Gon had explained some things in finer details and what to do should one of the more embarrassing things happen. Kyrana decided to do her best to avoid looking at any attractive guys other than Obi-Wan until this whole mess was sorted out. She also figured keeping warm would be a good idea too if she didn't want to die of embarrassment in front of anyone. Kyrana came to the realisation that being a boy wasn't as easy as she had originally thought. And when Kyrana realised she needed to go to the 'fresher before bedtime, she was once again reminded how different boys were from girls. "Master Qui-Gon?" she called. "I have a question." "This is a first. I was beginning to think you knew everything. What is it Kyrana?" Qui-Gon came in from the small kitchen with a steaming mug of coffee for himself. "Um...how do I...uh...well I was just wondering how exactly does a boy...er...relieve himself?" Qui-Gon blinked and his coffee mug hit the table with a loud thud. "Master Qui-Gon please! I *really* need to go!" "Well...er...you'd better...come..." Qui-Gon felt as awkward about this as Kyrana did as he lead the young man who was actually a young woman to the 'fresher. Qui-Gon stepped in and made room for Kyrana who was dancing on her toes in an effort to hold it in. The Jedi Master quickly gave her some instructions, glad to know that his beard would hide most of his blushing. Then he just stood and watched Kyrana. She turned to face him. "A little privacy please?" she demanded. "Oh of course! I'm sorry," Qui-Gon apologised and left the small room. "Just call if you need any...assistance." The door closed and Kyrana let out a pent up breath. Squeezing her eyes closed, she began to pull down her pants and reached down with her hands. /OK, I need to look to make sure I'm aiming in the right direction.../ She took several deep breaths, trying to force herself to calm down. /OK now open one eye.../ Kyrana peeked one eye open, keeping the other scrunched up. Trying not to focus to hard on 'it' she aimed for the 'fresher. Ensuring she wasn't about to go all over the wall, she turned both her eyes towards the ceiling. /Here goes.../ ***** Outside the 'fresher door, Qui-Gon tried not to laugh when he heard a satisfied and relieved "aaaaahhhhh" coming from behind the door. ***** Nighttime found Obi-Wan dressed in a pink t-shirt and a pair of pink shorts. He made a mental note to get himself some slightly less pink pyjamas for the following night. Obi-Wan was currently sat in front of Lena who was brushing the long, dark red hair that was a constant bother to Obi-Wan. "Will you have to do this everyday?" he asked, wincing as the brush got caught in a knot. "No, from tomorrow *you* will be brushing *your* hair," Lena told him firmly. Obi-Wan grumbled. "Do you think Kyrana would mind if I just made it a lot shorter while I'm her?" "Yes she would definitely mind, as would I. I don't think your normal short and spiky look will suit a female do you?" "Now I remember why I was so happy when Qui-Gon gave me that haircut," Obi-Wan muttered as Lena began braiding his hair. "How does he put up with all that hair flapping in his face all day? It would drive me mad! It *is* driving me mad!" "I don't know. Must be his feminine side coming through or something." "Are you saying my Master's a girl?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously. "No, I'm simply suggesting a reason as to why he has long hair. I suppose the beard is meant to make him look more 'manly'," Lena said, deepening her voice for the final word of that sentence. "Even if he does have really girly hair." Obi-Wan sniggered. "I dare you to say that to my Master," he said mischievously. "What?" Lena asked with mock fear. "Tell the great Qui-Gon Jinn he's girly? I'd rather tell Mace Windu I can see my reflection on the back of his head on a sunny day!" Obi-Wan began giggling hysterically, both at Lena and the sound of his laughter. /Now I know why people say girls are loud when they get giggly/ he thought as he desperately tried to breathe while laughing harder than he ever had in his life. By the time his laughter had been reduced to a few stray tears rolling down his cheeks, Lena had finished braiding the long red hair and was ordering Obi-Wan to bed. "Tomorrow your Master and I decided it would be best if you and Kyrana went to the gym and did some sparring so you could get used to handling your bodies while using your lightsabers. I think you'll find that you are much more flexible than you usually are." Obi-Wan nodded and yawned and headed towards Kyrana's room. It had been a long, trying day: a day he had started as a boy and finished as a girl. /I bet there aren't many people in the galaxy that can say that!/ "Night Master Lena," he called as he got into Kyrana's nice, warm bed. "Sleep well Obi-Wan," Lena replied. He was asleep the instant his head touched the pillow. ***** ~*~ ...A twinkle of light...~*~ He was floating on water. He could feel it lapping against his body and gentle waves lifted him up and down with great gentleness. ~*~ ...The sparkle of sunshine...~*~ Sunlight sparkled all around him, and he closed his eyes against the glare. ~*~ ...I could stay here forever...~*~ Suddenly feeling the need for movement, he eased himself below the smoothly rippling surface of the water. ~*~ ...The ominous silence...~*~ He hit the bottom and long hair floated in around his head. Feeling more peaceful than he could ever recall, he closed his eyes and relaxed. ~*~... The gloom of the darkness...~*~ The peace he felt rapidly diminished and he felt a thrill of panic shoot through him. Yet he did not try to escape the water. ~*~ ... The sudden fear that surfaces...~*~ He was terrified. He knew he was drowning and he knew he had to escape but there was something holding him down, making sure he did not escape the water. His mouth opened as if to scream for help but only soundless bubbles frothed out. ~*~ ...Just one more breath...~*~ The still water became torn with thousands of ripples. ~*~ ...Just one more...~*~ He closed his mouth, knowing he would get no air to cry out for help. The bubbles slowed. ~*~ ...Just one...~*~ The fight had left him and he again relaxed into the deadly clenches of the water around him. ~*~...Just...~*~ The air bubbles stopped. His lips became blue and his entire body became limp. ~*~please~*~ ***End Part Three*** |
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