Teach Me

By: Sarina Argus aka Aya

Rated: NC-17

Standard stuff: Everyone but Shara and Rees belong to Mr Lucas. Shara and Rees

are mine, no money for this, please don't sue.

Summary: Obi-Wan sees Ishara in a new light…

Chapter 1

Qui-Gon Jinn stood at the entrance of the studio out of his padawan's line of

sight. He watched the duel with interest, knowing now it was more than a

training exercise. Both combatants were completely committed to the duel, but

only one was aware of Qui-Gon's presence, and it was not his apprentice. Another

man approached the studio, stopping even with Qui-Gon. He was as tall as

Qui-Gon, with short-cropped hair and a well-trimmed beard. Stocky and solid, his

stern look had been known to make the most battle hardened warrior quake in his

boots. Rees Toth, also a Jedi master and close friend to Qui-Gon Jinn looked

into the studio. "How long have they been at it?" Rees asked. "Over two hours,"

Qui-Gon answered. "She won the first match, he the second." Rees chuckled. "And

neither one would settle for a draw." Qui-Gon smiled his response and moved over

slightly to give his friend a better view of the room.

Obi-Wan Kenobi held his saber low and in front of him as he and his opponent

moved across from each other in a wide circle. Across from him, Tal-Ishara

Kender moved with cat-like grace. They both had shed their drab brown robes long

ago, then discarded the beige overtunics. Clad in sweat-soaked sleeveless under

tunics, hair plastered to their heads, they moved slowly, trying hard to hide

their fatigue. Ishara (as she was known to the Masters) was padawan to Rees Toth

and good friend to Obi-Wan. Her long black hair was held back in tight fat

braid, mirroring the black padawan braid that hung limply from behind her ear.

She was smaller than Obi-wan, slender but muscularly built, with almond-shaped

eyes that could switch from black to purple with her mood. At the moment, they

were piercing black with concentration. She acknowledged her master briefly with

a thought <<Did we wake you?>> Rees smiled and shook his head. Satisfied she

turned her attention back to the duel. Obi-Wan attempted a downward slash,

hoping his weight and size would be to his advantage. "You know Shara," he said

mid-slash, "if you're too tired to finish this now, it's alright." She deflected

the strike at an angle, forcing him to one side, slightly off balance. Following

up with a wide swing of her own, she brought her own blade down hard, hoping to

keep him off balance. "Thank you Ben," she answered through gritted teeth, "but

I feel invigorated right now. However," she said as he deflected the move, using

her momentum to throw her back a step, "if you wish to rest, I won't think any

less of you." "Not at all," he said between heavy breaths. He struck again, his

arc swinging wide. "After this I was considering running to the falls and back."

Qui-Gon stifled a laugh; his apprentice could barely hold his sword, let alone

complete the 5-kilometer distance. "Sounds like fun," she answered, dancing away

from the blade. She spun quickly, moving into a defensive position. "I think

I'll join you, if you don't mind the company." Rees grinned, his chest shaking

with silent laughter. She was as close to collapse as Obi-Wan was. Ben backed up

a few steps, plotting his next move. "The more the merrier," he said, with no

sincerity in his voice. He then attacked in a flurry of strikes, leaving her

nothing to do but deflect and defend. She watched his movements, changing the

grip on her handle to a one-handed defensive position. Then she waited for a

sign. Rees smiled. "Watch this," he said to Qui-Gon stifling his laughter.

Qui-Gon noticed the grip change and looked on with interest. Seeing a quiver in

Obi-Wan's arm, she brought the saber in front of her and blocked his strike

high, bringing his arms up over his head and leaving him open for a quick body

shot. In a split second she sent him sprawling across the floor with a force

wave. She then charged at him, her battle cry echoing through the room. Obi-Wan,

startled by the sound, scrambled to his feet just as she somersaulted over him.

He turned quickly only to be sent back onto the ground as she tackled him,

effectively disarming him by sending his saber from his weary grip across the

floor, sliding to a stop at his masters toe. Qui-Gon started to chuckle then,

picking up the weapon and fixing it to his belt. Ishara lay on top of Obi-Wan,

straddling his midsection and pinning his arms to the floor. She breathed hard,

"I won." "You cheated," Ben said, breathing just as hard, unsuccessfully

attempting to hide his laughter. She gave him a dazzling smile. "I did not

cheat. You lost." Obi-Wan became suddenly aware of their audience and quickly

rolled her off him. She fell to the floor, now over come with laughter. Obi-Wan

started to chuckle. "How long have they been there," he asked. "Master Qui-Gon

has been there from the beginning. My master just recently began to watch." She

relaxed on the floor next to him, catching her breath. Qui-Gon and Rees chose

then to enter the studio. They walked over to the combatants who slowly achieved

a seated position. Qui-Gon stood over his apprentice smiling. He handed Obi-Wan

his lightsaber, saying, "She won, my padawan." Obi-Wan took his saber, shaking

his head. "She cheated." Rees stared at him with mock offense. "She did not," he

said grimly, the sparkle in his eyes showing his amusement. "You used your

strength, she used her agility." He snorted, "but then I've trained my

apprentice to use all her skills." He nudged Qui-Gon jokingly. Qui-Gon answered

the dig melodramatically. "You wound me, Rees." He brought his hand to his

chest. "All my training, my knowledge I poured into you Obi-Wan, just so a slip

of a girl could so soundly beat you." He raised his hand to his forehead. "I'm

overwhelmed." He leaned heavily on Rees' shoulder. "I beg you my friend, spare

me this embarrassment." Ishara and Obi-Wan began to laugh again. Rees raised an

eyebrow, and chuckled. Qui-Gon stood a moment then smiled widely. Obi-Wan nudged

Ishara. "Teach me that move." She nodded and rose to her feet. Rees and Qui-Gon

decided to let them train in peace and said they were going into town. They

would return for the evening meal and left the studio. Ishara went to one of the

hidden cabinets and pulled out two towels, tossing one to Obi-Wan. They dried

off as much as possible and resumed their positions in the center of the room.

She explained that the timing of the move was the most vital thing and walked

through the movements with him. Satisfied, he said he wanted to try it on her.

She smiled a secret grin and agreed. He charged her then, flipping over her as

she instructed, then lunging as he landed. Knowing his movements, she leapt and

turned as he lunged, catching his hip with her foot to flip him over so he

landed on his back again. She fell on top of him again, straddling his hips and

pinning his arms. She smiled down on him, her eyes now a deep purple. "I won

again." He caught his breath, very close to laughter again. "Swordsmanship is my

strength, not strategy." "I could have told you that, Ben." She was nose to nose

with him, eyes dancing and cheeks flushed from their exertions. He looked at her

mystified. When did she become so lovely?

~TBC~