.                      Bonds of Choice #5
                  Star Wars: TPM FanFic Series
                         by HiperBunny
                        (message 1 of 7)
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The morning came with sunlight now.  It was hard to get used to that.  Each
morning Obi-Wan woke with pink light teasing him back to reality.  His life
was not less complicated for the change in sleeping quarters, nor was he
much happier with the arrangement than he had been three weeks ago when
Qui-Gon had moved him into the spare room.

The Padawan's room.

It was still odd.  Luckily, he hadn't needed to spend much time there.  Two
days after he moved in the Council had finally ordered them on a short
mission to diffuse an uprising on Daego.  Nothing too complicated and laser
fire had been traded only twice.  A good mission, really.  Still, since
returning four days ago, this whole morning thing had put him off kilter
until he was well and truly awake.

He got up and dressed, set breakfast out and was waiting by the table when
Qui-Gon came out of his bedroom.  Qui-Gon's hair was sleep-mussed and
unruly, odd bits standing out away from the rest.  "Good morning, Obi-Wan,"
he greeted, heading for his desk.  There were messages on the lightslate. 
"Looks like we have an late morning meeting with the Council."

Obi-Wan suppressed a groan.  "Do I have to go?  All I ever do is stand
behind you and look subservient."

"Sorry, Koateleu.  You're specifically requested this time."  Qui-Gon
smiled and sat down to eat.

Obi-Wan was privately irritated at his master's continued use of that
particularly inappropriate nickname, but had been unable to think of a way
to ask him to stop using it.  It seemed Qui-Gon was going to insist that,
having introduced a physical element to their relationship, they must now
be lovers.  Obi-Wan hadn't quite decided what he thought about it, so he
released his misgivings to the Force and moved on.

Obi-Wan had discussed the problem with Corubia.  She had summed the problem
up nicely.  "The difference is that although you love Qui-Gon, he's IN love
with you."  She had a lot to say on the subject of *why* Obi-Wan was not in
love with Qui-Gon, but it wasn't something he wanted to think about over
breakfast.

If Qui-Gon insisted on being in love with Obi-Wan it was none of Obi-Wan's
affair.  The Padawan well knew his limitations as a partner for his master,
and was determined to live within those limits.  He just hoped his master
got over his infatuation quickly, so Obi-Wan could stop half-believing it
every time Qui-Gon called him 'Koateleu'.

As things stood, it couldn't go on much longer before something gave. 
Obi-Wan was worried that the something in question might be his own heart.

When finished with breakfast, Obi-Wan went to dress for the day.  His
fingers caught on the brown ribbon twined about his ankle.  For the
hundredth time he reached to untie it.  For the hundredth time he found he
could not.  It was a silly, sentimental affectation, of this Obi-Wan was
aware.  The symbol was an empty one, stolen, but he found himself strangely
unable to give up this small sign that, for now, there was something more
than just the Padawan-Master relationship between himself and his master. 
He felt the relationship was a fleeting one, but it was something he prized
nonetheless.  Whoever finally held and kept Qui-Gon's heart would be one
who matched his strengths, balanced his weaknesses and stood as equal to
him on all levels.  It would not be one who stood below him, ever subjected
to his commands and will, of that Obi-Wan was sure.  Until he had more
control over himself, his place, his life decisions, Obi-Wan would not hope
to create a more lasting connection to his master's heart.

As a Padawan, Obi-Wan had not the luxury to make those decisions.  His life
was in the direct control of his Master, the Council and the Will of the
Force, not necessarily in that order.  Perhaps when he was a Knight, or in
some other way made able to choose for himself the path he would follow ...
but not now.  For now, even the details and nature of his private, personal
life were not under his control.  He would need to gain some level of
autonomy in his personal choices before he could even begin to consider
such a decision as whom he might properly be in love with.  As the
situation stood, he was years from the Trials, thus years from offering
what he felt might possibly one day exist between Qui-Gon and himself.  He
counseled his heart to patience, much to his own disappointment and
chagrin.

The doorchime sounded and he went to answer.  Corubia stood waiting, arms
laden with bags and boxes.  "Hi, Kenobi.  Still got time to come to the
Aviary with me?"

"Of course.  I do have to be at a Council session later.  Let me get my
poncho."  Obi-Wan replied.

********************  

The Aviary was yet another facet of Temple life that had sprung from the
personal interests of the Jedi.  It had probably been designed as some sort
of greenhouse, but now the light and airy enclosure housed several
different sorts of lower life forms, most in varying stages of
recuperation.  The dominant type was birds, and it was for a bird that he
and Corubia had come today.

Obi-Wan had long been amused at Qui-Gon's natural affinity for non-sentient
beings.  And not just any sort of being would do … they had to be injured. 
Qui-Gon had tried to explain it, calling it 'animal ken', a sort of signal
he put off through the Force, letting the helpless know he would protect
and heal them.

Obi-Wan had shrugged the idea off, the first time he heard it.  But the
same sort of things happened too often for it to be coincidence.  Slogging
through rainforest, hiking over mountains, sitting in a peaceful garden, if
there was anything in need of help, it found it's way to Qui-Gon's side.

"Where in the galaxy did he find this one?"  Corubia groused, approaching
the netted-off section that was held in reserve for Qui-Gon's refugees. 
She frowned at the current ward and began checking it's healing. 

Obi-Wan dug into the supplies and began mixing up the needed grains and
seeds for this particular creature.  "A prime example of my luck, this
one," he said.  "We were sitting on the balcony of our suite on Daego when
this bird comes plummeting down on us.  It flopped and flapped around,
destroyed some potted flowers before Master got a hold on it.  There's
nothing really damaged, the thing had only lost a few primaries and taken a
cut to the leg in some fight or another."

"Hmm," Corubia replied, focusing her attention on her patient.  She had a
good feel for healing and liked to hone her skills on Qui-Gon's strays. 
She'd never lost one yet.  Finally she straightened.  "This one's ready to
go home.  All it really needed was some rest and a safe place to do it in. 
Good thing you keep this one ready."

Obi-Wan grinned at her and put the prepared food in the enclosure.  He and
Qui-Gon had worked out a deal long ago: nothing would be kept in quarters
that might endanger Obi-Wan's turtles.  This had come in the aftermath of
mistaken identity that had ended in the untimely demise of a Habrith
snapper named Trut and the banishment of a Poletarian otter.  Qui-Gon had
housed said otter in Obi-Wan's bathtub while he waited for transport back
to his native habitat, feeling it a safe place for the little mammal.

After that mistake, Obi-Wan had filed the paperwork for Qui-Gon to have a
permanent housing space here at the Aviary.  It had broken his heart to
watch his master's eyes when he realized the turtle was forever lost to
this world.  Obi-Wan hadn't even liked Trut.  He just sat there and bit
whoever tried to feed him.  It was Obi-Wan's private theory that the otter
had been provoked, as Obi-Wan himself had so often been.  The little mammal
had probably been curious, went to inspect his new co-habitant and been
attacked.  It would have been the natural reaction to defend himself, as
Obi-Wan well knew.  He could see how an otter might have been moved to
assault Trut.  He himself had often been so inspired, but had his Jedi
training to keep him from doing so.  Whoever heard of a Jedi otter?  The
little guy had certainly SEEMED remorseful at his mistake, which was more
than could be said for the unrepentant Trut during his prime.

In any event, Qui-Gon had spent many happy hours here in the Aviary,
probably as many as Obi-Wan had spent in the Temple Gardens.  There was
only the side-effect of Qui-Gon's busy schedule that kept the arrangement
from being perfect, but that was a constraint all Jedi struggled under. 
Obi-Wan closed the mesh door and gathered up Corubia's supplies.

"Do you know, I had a dream I lived down here?" he looked up at Corubia,
hoping she would understand.

"What?  That's nuts, Kenobi."

"No, really.  I dreamed that instead of putting me in Padawan's quarters,
Qui-Gon had Rilka move me into the Aviary." 

"Why?"

Obi-Wan laughed, gestured towards the white being in the cage.  "You know,
to keep me with his other pathetic lifeforms."

Instead of laughing, as Obi-Wan had expected her to, she cocked her head to
one side.  Then in a move even more unexpected, she pulled him into a hug. 
"You're better than that.  Why do you always have to talk about yourself
like that?"

Obi-Wan wanted to pull away, to run away, but instead found himself
wrapping his arms around her lean form.  "I don't know.  I don't know why I
feel like this."

"Tell me what you feel, Obi-Wan.  You've never told me what it feels like
to be you."  Corubia was serious, fumbling for words to express her concern
for her friend.

"I don't know.  What do you mean?"

She shook her head, just as confused as he was.  "I'm not sure, either. 
But you'll tell me if you work it out, won't you?"

"I tell you everything anyway, don't I?"  Obi-Wan laughed, stepping back. 
"I even told you about me and Qui-Gon."

"Ha, like I didn't see that from a mile away when you got back from that
slave-ring mission.  You're good for him, if you'd only let it happen."

"Not now, Cor.  At least, not yet.  Come on, I have to get up to the
Council chamber."  They left the aviary arm-in-arm, glad to have done some
good for one that needed it.

********************

The full Council was in attendance when they presented themselves.  Master
Crowe was also present, if off to one side, on this day.  Master Yoda
looked particularly grim.  It took Obi-Wan a moment to realize there was a
new face in the group, standing near one of the large windows.  A pale blue
figure in flowing clothes.  He held a long, flat box cradled in one arm.

Obi-Wan bowed to the Masters and settled into his accustomed stance,
waiting to file away every bit of information that might come his way.  He
was startled when Master Windu addressed him.  "Padawan Kenobi, knew you a
person by the name of La'Karata Nurian?"

"Yes, Master," he replied, recalling the woman who had started him on the
road to learning his own heart.

"I have some unhappy news for you, Obi-Wan.  She has passed from this
life."

"I am sorry to hear that," Obi-Wan replied, confused.

"This is Senator Re'Nath Nurian.  He has asked our permission to speak with
you."  Master Windu indicated the gentle by the window.

Re'Nath Nurian stepped forward and looked Obi-Wan over.  "You are Obi-Wan
Kenobi, apprentice to Qui-Gon Jinn?"

"Yes, Re'Nath Nurian."

"Know you that your name is in our Book of Heroes?"

"Yes, Re'Nath Nurian."

"I come to you on a ... strange mission.  When, some days ago, La'Karata
Nurian was wounded in the protection of our people she issued an order to
be carried out should she die.  This thing has come to pass and it is my
part to see her will be done."  Re'Nath opened the long box.  "This is a
Kho'la'bo, the traditional weapon of the Nurians.  It was made and born by
La'Karata Nurian these last eighty years.  It is my part to see it safely
in your hands."  He took forth a long, slate gray staff, about half as
thick as his wrist.  "Kneel."

Obi-Wan looked to his master, then to the Council, seeking their guidance. 
When no one objected, he dropped to his knees.

"Bear and bind you this, until it's purpose is done.  Then it is your part
to see it safely back into the hands of the Nurians."  Re'Nath laid the
staff on Obi-Wan's upturned palms.

Obi-Wan watched with wonder as the slate gray staff took on a silver cast. 
For the span of a few heartbeats it seemed to be made of shining
quicksilver.  Then it returned to the former slate gray.

"It accepts you," Re'Nath Nurian pronounced.  Then he turned to Qui-Gon. 
"Are you Qui-Gon Jinn, Master of Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

"I am," Qui-Gon replied.

"You are known also to our people.  Will you take it for your part to teach
your apprentice the use of a staff in combat?"

Qui-Gon considered for a moment.  "Are you aware that a Jedi's weapon is
his lightsaber?"

"We are aware that the Jedi are many things, know much and are capable of
more than they tell," Nurian replied.  "It is not meet that the weapon of
the Jedi be put from his hand.  Only ask I you this: Teach him, so that
what has been foreseen does not pass into the pages of history."

Adi Gallia spoke up.  "Tell us what has been foreseen."

"The face of a man, red and black, with eyes of yellow fire.  A crown of
horns stands upon his brow and darkness keeps him hidden.  This is one that
would bring destruction to us all.  Obi-Wan Kenobi has it within him to
unmake this creature and slow the Darkness he tries to bring."  Re'Nath
Nurian touched his fingers to his lips.  "La'Karata Nurian foresaw a time
when this Kho'la'bo could bring the beast's destruction, but only if it was
wielded by the hand of a Hero taught its mysteries through love.  Obi-Wan
Kenobi is the only living Hero of our people.  To him we bring it, that the
Darkness be averted."

Yoda spoke next.  "Teach him, will you?" he asked Qui-Gon.

"If it is the will of the Council, I will instruct him as asked,"  Qui-Gon
replied.

Obi-Wan was shocked.  That was as close as he'd ever heard Qui-Gon come to
asking the advice of the Council.

A long round of looks passed between the Council members.  "It is our
will," Master Windu informed them.

"Then I will take it as my part to teach my Padawan the use of this staff
in combat," Qui-Gon agreed.

"I thank you for your help."  Re'Nath Nurian said, bowing his way out of
the room.

Master Crowe spoke as soon as he was gone.  "He speaks of the Sith that was
seen on Naboo."

"I believe he does," Qui-Gon agreed.

"Then be on your way.  Begin the new lessons this very day."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed and removed themselves from the council chamber.

"Master, do you think I am really to destroy the Sith that killed Master
Erac?"  Obi-Wan asked as they walked back to their quarters.

"We shall wait and see," Qui-Gon replied.

The next few hours were spent in reviewing drills Obi-Wan had learned years
before.  Although the lightsaber was the weapon of the Jedi, those who were
trained to join their ranks were taught the mastery of many weapons.  It
felt awkward at first, after so many years training to the saber almost
exclusively, but his body soon remembered the technique.  Qui-Gon recalled
the odd weapon Knight Cord Random had described to them, so drilled his
Padawan to face an opponent armed also with a staff.  They drilled
relentlessly, until they were both exhausted, making elementary mistakes
that even their Jedi reflexes could not make up for.  Finally Qui-Gon
called a halt and they began pacing up and down the practice area.

"Master, I've been thinking about this ... Kho'la'bo.  I saw La'Karata
Nurian use it when we took that ship.  It did not look like this, then.  It
looked silver, as it did in the Council chamber.  I saw her deflect blaster
fire, and cut through steel with it, yet it did not harm her flesh.  What
do you think causes that silvering?"  Obi-Wan was studying the featureless
staff as they walked.

"You do not know?  What caused the change in the Council chamber?"  Qui-Gon
asked.

"I had a sense of ... joining.  As if I recognized and was recognized by
it.  I can not sense that any longer."  Obi-Wan was troubled by this.

"Perhaps you should speak to Re'Nath Nurian about this," Qui-Gon suggested.

Obi-Wan considered this.  "If Re'Nath Nurian was meant to teach me, why
would he have asked you to do it?"

Qui-Gon tugged on his beard for a moment.  "A good question.  Perhaps I
should be the one to speak with him."

Qui-Gon was glad to discover Re'Nath Nurian was still in the Temple.  He
requested a meeting and was granted it.  They met in the Abrath Gardens,
where each plant and stone was of a singing or noise making variety.  It
was Obi-Wan's delight in this garden that had caused Qui-Gon to give him a
singing crystal for his birthday.  They stood listening to the chime and
ring of the garden for a long moment before Qui-Gon introduced his
question.

"My Padawan says he observed La'Karata Nurian using her Kho'la'bo in
battle.  He described to me the properties of the weapon, that it shone
silver, deflected laser blasts and cut through steel, yet did not harm it's
wielder.  I do not know what causes those attributes, so I can not teach
their use to my Padawan."

"You are wise to ask me.  The secret of the Kho'la'bo lies within its
bearer.  He must have a clarity of purpose, an understanding of himself and
his goal.  Then the Kho'la'bo will live for him."  Re'Nath Nurian paused,
seeking the words to make Qui-Gon understand.  "He must not think of the
future, neither must he think of the past.  He must not consider himself or
any other, but become one with the place he inhabits within the flow of
time and space and matter."

"Do you mean that he must enter into the Moment?"  Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes.  That is probably how the Jedi would say this.  Become one with the
Moment.  Then the Kho will flow from him and into the Kho'la'bo."

"Is the Kho like the Force?"  Qui-Gon asked.

Re'Nath Nurian stood in thought for a long moment.  "Do you hear the chimes
of the Sennblossoms?  Do they not remind you of the hum of this
bretelstone?"

Qui-Gon nodded.

"In this way, they may be alike.  I use the Kho for healing, for battle,
for many of the same things for which I am told the Jedi use the Force.  I
chime, like the Sennblossom, from within.  I am not as strong, or as
long-lasting, as versatile or unique as the bretelstone, but we are similar
in what we do.  I can only use the Kho to serve my people, nothing more. 
The Kho comes from my people.  The Force is more ... universal, I
believe."  Re'Nath Nurian looked at Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon reached out through the Force, seeking Re'Nath within it,
re-checking what he already knew must be true.  "You can not sense the
Force."

"No, I can not sense this energy you so readily access, but I can sense and
use the power of those who share my blood, and thus share my life." 
Re'Nath Nurian said this as though it was the most basic thing in the
world.
 
Qui-Gon thought about his relationship to the Force and decided it was. 
"If the Kho comes from your people and can only be touched by your people,
how will Obi-Wan be able to use it?"

"Because he can sense it through the Force, for one.  For the other, he is
one of us through destiny, rather than blood.  He prevented us from dying,
and so lent us life.  Our lives are joined to his."  Re'Nath Nurian
replied.  "But please recall, the Kho will only answer him in those times
when he is utterly sure of what he is about, and why.  It will never be a
part of him as the Force is.  Only for the time that he stands as our Hero,
our Champion against the Darkness can he use our light to defeat it."

"And does that time extend to the present moment, when he must endeavor to
learn the use of it?"  Qui-Gon asked.

"It must, or the Kho'la'bo would not have accepted him."

Qui-Gon considered this for a long moment, hearing the chirp of stone blend
with the trilling of a nearby flower.  He breathed deeply, listened with
his heart, made sure he was very clear on the information he'd just
received.  Finally he nodded to his companion.

"I'm afraid I must be going now.  We are well met, Qui-Gon Jinn.  I hope to
see you and speak with you again, someday."  Re'Nath extended his hand.

"And I hope the same of you,"  Qui-Gon returned.  They pressed their palms
together, bowed and made their separate ways from the garden.