Therockyroad1

Title: The Rocky Road
Author: Angel5000
Summary: Qui-Gon has lived through the attack of the Sith in TPM and now, one year later, he has to help Obi-Wan as his former-apprentice deals with a disrespectful and mischievous Padawan of his own (Anakin). When Anakin finally outdoes himself with his rudeness Obi-Wan snaps and leaves Anakin with Qui-Gon while he goes on a mission on his own. The question that must be answered however, is will Obi-Wan come back and if he does come back will he be able to continue to keep the promise he made to his Master a year ago while he lay on his death bed�.

Disclaimer: The Jedi characters belong to George Lucas, not me. I do not mean to break any copyright rules. I'm just having some fun with my favorite characters.

Warning: This story is what my friends and I call my 'Anger Release' story. In other words the main parts of this story were written when I was angry at someone and so instead of taking out my anger on living, breathing human beings I have taken it out on a character I don't like much at all, Anakin Skywalker. So if things such as Corporal Punishment (spankings etc) of a minor (10 year old Anakin) bother you then please stop reading. Also this is a NON-slash story!! Thank you.

***Part One***

    Obi-Wan stepped off the ramp of the small mining transport onto the firm ground of the Temple Landing Bay. The Jedi Knight smiled wearily as he saw his former Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, waiting for him a few meters away. Just seeing the older man was enough to put a bit more spring into the step of the tired Jedi. But before Obi-Wan could continue towards Qui-Gon, a movement to his left diverted his attention. Anakin!

    With a movement that was to quick for Anakin to dodge Obi-Wan reached out and grabbed the young boys arm, "And where do you think you were going?" He asked sternly.

    "Uh, out?" He responded hesitantly.

    "I don't think so. You are going straight to our quarters to unpack and then spend the next hour in meditation."

    "A whole hour? But Obi-Wan..."

    Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows at the boys lack of respect, "Make that three hours, two if you can tell me why I extended it."

    Anakin sighed; this was a tactic his Master used often, forcing him to think about his actions in exchange for less meditation time. He was sure that Obi-Wan had really only planned on adding one our to the time but in order to use this tactic he added an extra hour so no matter what he did the boy would have to meditate the precise number of hours his Master wanted him to. "I received extra meditation time for arguing and disrespect." The boy responded dejectedly. He hated it when Obi-Wan did that to him.

    Nodding, Obi-Wan handed the ten-year-old Padawan his bag and motioned toward the door. It wasn't until after he was sure Anakin would obey that he headed back toward the man who was waiting for him.

    "Master, it is good to see you again. You seem to be recovering well." Obi-Wan said, bowing deeply as a sign of great respect. Almost a year ago Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had battled with a Sith, one who was trained well in the Jedi arts. During the battle Obi-Wan had been separated from Qui-Gon and the older man had ended up battling against the evil Jedi alone. Toward the end of the battle the Sith had surprised Qui-Gon and brought his lightsaber towards the man. At the last moment Qui-Gon had twisted out of the way and instead of the red saber piercing his stomach it had landed to the left of it's intended mark. Although the difference was only a couple of inches those two inches had saved Qui-Gon's life. Even though no important organs were damaged it had gotten his side, injuring some tendons and ligaments in his arm pretty badly, forcing him to spend many months in recovery. The Jedi Master had not been expected to live and they were all very happy and fortunate that he had.

    "As do you." Qui-Gon's voice brought the younger man back into the present, "How was your mission?"

    "Tiring." Was Obi-Wan's matter-of-fact answer.

    Qui-Gon looked at his former Padawan with raised eyebrows, "What happened?" he asked gently.

    Obi-Wan sighed as they walked down the corridor. The mission had been a simple one, ensure the safety of the crew and passengers on board an Arconon mining transport headed for Bandomeer and he had completed it with minor difficulties. The real problems had been his Padawan, Anakin. "The mission went fine but I had to fight with Anakin all the time. He wouldn't stay still and deliberately disobeyed me multiple times. I told him to stay away from the miner's part of the transport and twenty minutes later I found him playing Sabaac and betting too. When I explained to him why it wasn't okay for him to do that he rolled his eyes and said I was too old to understand. The boy always questions me and doesn't listen. I am at my wits end trying to find a way to make him listen. I just don't know what to do Master. Was I ever as defiant as him?" Obi-Wan asked, exasperated.

    Qui-Gon looked at his former Padawan for a few moments before answering, "No, I don't believe you ever behaved as Anakin has but I do remember a time when you disobeyed me several times and then betrayed me. I think, though I could be wrong, that it hurt me more when you pulled your lightsaber on me then when Anakin disobeyed you." Qui-Gon said quietly. His eyes were sad as he spoke of a time long ago.

    Obi-Wan stared at his Master for a few moments before turning away. "I thought we had forgiven and forgotten long ago." He mumbled, the sad child in his memories taking hold of him.

    "Forgiven dear Obi-Wan, forgiven but not forgotten. I hope I never forget. It served a great learning experience and it made our bond even stronger afterwards." Qui-Gon paused before continuing, �Back to the problem at hand though. Did you tell Anakin what he did wrong?"

    "I've tried Master but he just passes it off as nothing. He seems to want me to be angry, wants me to punish him or send him away. But that makes no sense because he has wanted nothing more in his life then to be a Jedi. Who would train him if I rejected him?" Obi-Wan burst out angrily.

    "Me." Qui-Gon's voice was suddenly calm, quiet and, was that coldness? "I would." Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan, "Don't you understand Obi-Wan? Anakin wants you to become so angry that you send him away. The boy knows I want him to be trained and he knows I won't allow him not to be. He wants me to train him and this is the only way he thinks he can do it. He's manipulating you and doing it well." Qui-Gon's voice was hard and Obi-Wan recognized the tone as one meaning his former Master was quite upset.

    "You've got to be kidding me! Why, that little brat!" Obi-Wan was angry, probably angrier then he had ever been in his life. He was angry enough to tell the Council that he wouldn't train Anakin, if that hadn't been what the kid wanted. "Now what am I going to do? If I get angry it's what he wants but I can't allow him to actually get away with this behavior!"

    "Obi-Wan you must not let your anger lead you. Let Anakin know you are disappointed and upset by his actions and you must punish him, just don't let the punishment spring from anger. You must earn his respect, you can't just demand it."

    Obi-Wan realized his Masters advice was very wise and he told him so, "I will do that. Will I ever be as wise as you my Master?"

    "Wisdom comes from experience and experience from age. Someday I hope you will be wiser than I"

    "I doubt it." Was Obi-Wan's answer. Still smiling a little he bowed and headed back towards his quarters.

*            *            *            *            *            *

    Anakin sat in his quarters dejectedly. Meditate, meditate, and meditate! It seems that was all his Master could think of. Obi-Wan had originally sent him here for one hour, which must be for his actions on the transport, but one hour wasn't near an adequate punishment for his actions. This could only mean one thing, when Obi-Wan got back they would have a "talk".

    Obi-Wan's 'talks' were more of a lecture, though Obi-Wan would dispute it if anyone said so.

    The boy looked up in surprise as the door opened and his Master walked in. He watched as Obi-Wan disappeared into his room to deposit his bag and then came back out to look at Anakin, "We need to have a talk Anakin." Obi-Wan said, positioning himself a few feet from where the boy knelt in the meditation pose.

    "I still have over an hour of meditating left. When I'm done I'll let you know." Anakin said, closing his eyes in mock meditation.

    "You weren't meditating when I came in here, and I doubt you meditated at all even though I specifically told you to. You were deliberately disobedient during the entire mission and you even went as far as to break the code by gambling. Anakin, I have to give a report to the Council in a few hours. How will it look when I tell them my own Padawan refused to obey me and the code?"

    Anakin stood up, "Perhaps you shouldn't be a Jedi if you can't even control a ten year old slave boy." Anakin said rudely.

    "Watch what you say Padawan or you may find yourself in a lot more trouble then you're already in." Obi-Wan warned.

    Anakin was pushing his Master and he knew it but he just couldn't pass up the opportunity to put in the last word, "And what are you going to do? Make me meditate? Here's a news flash for you - it doesn't hurt me to meditate! You really need to find a new method!" Anakin said spitefully. He realized it probably was the wrong thing to say when Obi-Wan brought his hand down on the boyss cheek.

    "I thought I said watch your mouth." Obi-Wan said, his voice hard.

    "You're not my mom! You can't tell me what to do and you can't hit me!" Anakin yelled back angrily.

    "I may not be your parent Anakin but I am your Master and you will obey me!"

    "Who says I wanted you as my Master? Because guess what! I don't! I never did!" Anakin screamed, letting out his frustration with every word.

    Obi-Wan stared at Anakin for a few minutes before walking towards the door, "Come with me." He said as calmly as possible, considering the circumstances.

    "No."

    "What did you say?" Obi-Wan asked, turning from the door.

    Anakin took a step back; Obi-Wan seems awfully angry. Perhaps I pushed him a little too far this time, "Um..no?"

    "Wrong answer." Obi-Wan said, grabbing the boy's braid. He headed down the corridor; Anakin nearly running to keep from having his braid pulled out of his head. After only a few minutes they reached their destination. Obi-Wan pressed the button and the door swished open, revealing Qui-Gon's quarters. Not even bothering to knock or wait to be invited in Obi-Wan entered. This was, after all, his former home.

    Qui-Gon looked up as Obi-Wan entered. He certainly hadn't expected this. "Obi-Wan? Anakin? What's going on?" Qui-Gon asked. Is everything okay? He asked silently.

    "No! Everything is not okay! This little brat needs an attitude adjustment! If it were up to me he wouldn't even be here! Why do you insist on him being trained? He has no respect for anyone and is completely wild!" Obi-Wan shouted angrily. Even he was surprised at how angry he sounded.

    "That's not true!" Anakin yelled back. He couldn't believe Obi-Wan was actually saying that! He was not completely wild! And he did too respect people, just not the man that called himself his Master.

    "Are you calling me a liar?" Obi-Wan asked, his eyes were angry and everyone in the room could feel the anger radiating through the force.

    "Yes! And do you want to know something else? I hate you! You don't care about me and I hate you!" Anakin screamed. He waited for the blow that he knew was coming. His Master wouldn't take this much disrespect, nobody that Anakin knew would allow him to speak like that.

    But Obi-Wan surprised the boy. He turned quietly and walked from the room without saying a word.

    Qui-Gon watched the exchanged between his former apprentice and Anakin with amazement. If Obi-Wan had spoken like that when he was a boy, Qui-Gon would have smacked him for it, hard too. When Obi-Wan walked from the room however, he realized this might have been too much for the newly knighted man. Obi-Wan, wait He called out silently through their still present bond.

   Forgive me Qui-Gon but I can't. You train the boy.

    No! Don't leave Obi-Wan.

    Don't order me to stay. Please don't give me an order that I cannot obey.

    "Stay here Anakin." Qui-Gon said, hurrying from the room after Obi-Wan.

    Anakin stood there for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to follow. Common sense told him to stay but curiosity and habit drove him to follow the man.

    "Obi-Wan, what's going on? Where are you going?" Qui-Gon asked, grabbing the Knights arm.

    "You don't understand," he responded sadly, "As you lay there dying your last words were of him, 'train the boy' you said. I promised you I would train him and so I tried! I took him as my Padawan even after you lived! I kept my promise to you and I have tried training him but he doesn't want to be with me! He wants to be with you Qui-Gon. You, not me."

    "Obi-Wan..."

    "No Master. Don't try to stop me. I need to work this out, spend some time alone. That's why I am leaving for a few months. While I'm gone I'm appointing you as Anakin's guardian and temporary trainer. Don't worry, I will return." Obi-Wan said. His eyes met Qui-Gon's and he realized that his Master wouldn't stop him. He didn't understand but he would allow it.

    "Where will you go?" Qui-Gon asked quietly.

    "I don't know. Perhaps I will take a mission. I haven't had the chance to go on a mission myself yet. I went straight from a Padawan to being the Master of the boy, I would like to have my own mission, I would like to be on my own for awhile." Obi-Wan turned and walked down the corridor. Although his footsteps made no sound Qui-Gon was sure he could hear defeat in the steps.

***End Part One***