Hello, dear readers.. finally we got a new chapter, hope you enjoy it as much as I did.. Please let me know what you think, remember that comments makes us writers incredibly happy :)

To think that everything would be okay out of the sudden would have been illogical. Thankfully, Obi-Wan hadn't been expecting it to become so.

But things had gotten better, undescribingly so. Why, his Master had just shed some light into his Astrophysics' homework and had showed him how to discern plant's growing patterns. Then again, as stated before, not everything was perfect.

-You really should tell somebody.- Bant broke his line of thought. Her platinum eyes looked at him worriedly as she patched yet another busted lip and black eye.

-I'm responsible for his friend's death, the Order took me back… I can't really blame him for being upset.- Obi-Wan hissed in pain. Bant's favorite cleaning agent stung awfully.

-He is a Jedi and should act like so. If you keep letting him beat you, you are not helping. He needs guidance. Nothing justifies his treatment or you staying quiet.

Obi-Wan didn't answer. Aalto had correctly pointed out that he hadn't received appropriate punishment for his misdeeds. He had gotten his life back, after all. People dead, Qui-Gon betrayed, Council tensed and he still had the chance of becoming a Jedi. No matter how badly he felt or how hard it was to live under suspicion, he had no right to protest.

Without noticing, he bowed his head. It would never be enough. It didn't matter if he spent his whole life trying to make it up, he'd always be carrying the stain of it all. There was no such thing as undoing his mistakes.

-Not only Aalto needs guidance, Obi. You do too.- Bant said quietly.

Obi-Wan raised his eyes to look at her, suddenly noticing that she'd stopped the healing. Her sweet big eyes held worry in them.

-The Force used to be always so happy around you. Now, it's always tense and stressed; but not because it wants to be, but because you won't let it ease you.- Bant took his hand and softly squished it.- Please talk to someone.

-I don't think so, Bant.- Obi-Wan whispered.- I just… can't.-

-Maybe someone who's been there, Obi.- Bant answered delicately.- Talk to Master Qui-Gon.-

Obi-Wan shook his head fiercely and separated their hands.

-Anyone but him.-

-Haven't you noticed how calmer he is? Rumor has it you're the reason. And you know just how his past was eating him away.-

Seeing a stubborn light in his friend's eyes made Bant sighed. She stacked the bandit she'd had in her finger on Obi-Wan's skin.

-If not about your feelings, then about Aalto's actions.-

-I won't be his accuser.- Obi-Wan said hissing again as Bant returned to clean his lip.

-You won't be, that's not the idea. You need to be his fellow Jedi that helps him act like one. Think, this could even earn you a new beat in the braid.- Obi-Wan's crooked eye and smile told Bant that her bribe had been discovered.

-Okay, that would be doing it for the wrong reasons. -She chuckled.- But it still leaves us the fact that Jedi are not meant to ever be aggressive. He is a Jedi and should act like one, help him find his way.-

Obi-Wan laughed bitterly.

-Who am I to try to guide anyone? I have no right.-

-You know what is right, and he's not doing it. Neither are you, in case you were wondering.-

'There is no point in keeping this up', Bant thought. She'd at least been honest with him and the idea was in his friend's mind. She could let it go… For now.

-Are you ready for today's saber class?-

Obi-Wan sighed.

-Not in a million years. I'm set up for ridicule.-

-Don't say that!- Bant replied, another bandit waving in her hand.- you're a great swordsman, that's why you're being promoted.-

-I just can't get it right.- Obi-Wan said frustrated.- I've meditated upon it, I've done research, I've asked advice from hundreds of Masters and it still won't work.-

-Well, then. If that's happening, I'm sure dealing with frustration is part of the exercise.-

Obi-Wan sighed tiredly.

-Could things be achieved the easy way just once?-

Bant laughed freely by his side.

-Now, you know better than that.-

That made Obi-Wan smile.

Swiftly finishing her task, Bant said good bye with a quick hug. She was still on duty on the Hospital Wing for another 20 minutes. That too left Obi-Wan with 20 minutes to agonize on his own before his next saber class. Every time he thought about it his stomach would turn and he'd feel his heart on his throat. He'd been having nightmares about it, even. He'd be in the middle of the Training Salle, hundreds of Jedi surrounding him, and he wouldn't be able to reach even the second phase of the Tiger's kata. Master Drallig would be disappointed, his classmates would laugh, and all the Masters would decide that he was not worthy of becoming a Jedi.

It was a relief that Master Qui-Gon wouldn't be coming, for he was helping Master Windu with a demonstration of the Ataru 'saber form. At least he would only hear of how badly he'd failed, rather than see it for himself. It was a relief because he couldn't stand the idea of seeing Master Qui-Gon's disappointment, not when they were beginning to get along again.

Obi-Wan sighed and left the Room of Thousand Fountains at a slow pace. He walked with his head hung down, resigned to his fate. At least it'd be over soon, he thought.

Eventually, even with his slow pace, he reached the Training Room and was greeted by Master Dralling. Upon shedding off his robe and approaching the dojo, his nervousness began to kick. It wouldn't let him be still, he started to relentlessly pace the edge of the ring, trying to distract himself by warming up, hopping from one foot to the other and twirling his lightsaber obsessively. He could hear the low murmur of the Jedi gathering at the seats, and even though everyone was walking and moving or so, he felt observed. He felt like all the eyes were on him and followed his every move.

Finally, after ages of waiting, Master Drallig stood in the middle of the Room and greeted the Jedi who had arrived to see Obi-Wan's demonstration. He spoke of how whenever a learner made a level change - was assigned to an advanced class - it was customary to say good bye to his group with a skill display that couldn't provoke anything less than joy of seeing what discipline and the Force could do when the Jedi allowed them to act within them.

Obi-Wan wondered how badly people would react when they found there was no skill to see.

There was something, though, that Obi-Wan did see. He didn't want to believe his eyes, though, because it meant torture. However, it was impossible not to notice the distinguishable long haired tall figure of his Master.

Dear Force, please don't.

It was a true struck of luck, Qui-Gon thought as he made quick way to the Training Salles. He had been able to satisfy the curiosity of Mace's seven year olds' class and he had been let out early. Or rather, Qui-Gon chuckled, he had forced Mace's hand. He'd worked hard and fast through Ataru's katas and through the opponents Mace had selected. They had been Knights that had just been released from a recovering stay at the Healers. It had been unfair, really, to set them up against a Master in prime health.

But anyway, he was free to run and support Obi-Wan. The boy's strong shields prevented him from feeling any inner turmoil, but the nervousness could be seen from parsecs away. What Qui-Gon had began to know as teenager's perpetual hunger had turned into voracious appetite in the last few days. Obi-Wan's anxiety levels were so high that the Force trembled in whatever room the boy was in, leaving all surroundings altered upon his leave.

The tall Master had tried to help, really, but Obi-Wan had gone into a hermetic lock up and wouldn't let anyone near him. Oh, he was not disrespectful about it, quite the contrary. The boy would excuse himself very politely and meditate his brains out on his own, and as he combined meditation with saber training, no one had been near to see the preparations for his demonstration.

Qui-Gon only wished for Obi-Wan to understand that this was not a trial, but an honor. The Force had been shedding some light upon things, (it was amazing what happened when deep meditation was allowed), and Qui-Gon had learnt that Obi-Wan continued to feel under surveillance, afraid of committing any mistakes. Once this was all over, he'd talk to his padawan about it, of how the Council's release from the Trial period had really meant that he had been "released from all charges." He needed to help Obi-Wan so guilt and fear wouldn't continue to eat him alive.

Feeling exceptionally cheerful, he sat in one of the few seats that remained empty and carefully observed how Cin Drallig ended his speech and a very pale Obi-Wan took his place in the center of the dojo.

Obi-Wan started slowly, with perfect balance and posture, meticulously advancing through the beginning phases. Qui-Gon couldn't believe what he was seeing. Gradually speeding up and increasing strength, Obi-Wan challenged what was expected from a Jedi so young.

It was quite a display of skill, discipline and deep Force knowledge. Qui-Gon knew for a fact that Obi-Wan was very talented, but he hadn't interiorized just how much. For a second, he felt like a father who hadn't really acknowledged his boy was growing, but then an awful realization came to him. He hadn't seen Obi-Wan with a lightsaber in quite a while. Had he really let his fear conquer him so much as to teach everything except 'saber arts?

Suddenly, he saw it. It broke him out of his shocking findings to immerse him in a revelation even more astonishing than the previous combined. Obi-Wan was using his movement. When had the boy seen him do it was as mysterious as the Force itself.

Qui-Gon's eyebrows frowned and the following section. It hadn't been modified, that was not right.

CRASH!

A violent sound of someone falling hard to the floor exploded in the Jedi's ears. Qui-Gon rushed to the curling figure of his padawan, fear clutching his chest. Obi-Wan hadn't seen him finish the kata and so he couldn't know of the final adjustments that had to be made to avoid a colossal and painful fall.

Obi-Wan's face was red and crossed by tears when Qui-Gon uncovered the boy's face.

-Are you alright? Something broken?- the Master asked worriedly. Obi-Wan denied with his head, and Qui-Gon felt himself breathe easily.

-Can you stand?- He asked. Obi-Wan began to move carefully until he was standing again. With pain written in his face, he bent over to respectfully pick up his 'saber from the floor.

-I'm sorry for embarrassing you.- the boy whispered. Qui-Gon shook his head strongly.

-You haven't failed me in the slightest, padawan.- the Master said out loud.- quite the contrary.-

Obi-Wan looked at him with disbelieve. Qui-Gon folded his arms over his chest solemnly, finding the boy's blue eyes with his own.

-Every Jedi that undertakes the study of the Tiger's kata finds a section that just doesn't get along with the other sections, no matter how hard they try.- Qui-Gon paused to gather his thoughts.- Several Masters have created solutions throughout time, however most of them have been forgotten and young Jedi nowadays pick between two solutions that have been active for the last eight hundred years. One is the movement created by Master Yoda, the other created by Master Windu. You preferred my movement… I'm deeply honored.-

Obi-Wan's eyes widened, but Qui-Gon continued calmly.

-I have been the only user of my solution since the day I created it. I designed unique adjustments for the final phase. You had no way of knowing that, nor that other Masters would be unable to help.-

Qui-Gon unplugged his recently completed lightsaber and began to instruct and demonstrate as if he hadn't stopped teaching five years ago. Oh, he had taught Force techniques and theory, but 'saber? Not since Xanatos.

It was liberating. He felt himself smile, even.

-You need to adjust your hold of the saber, otherwise you do awkward moves to avoid dropping it or cutting your head off, and you end up compromising your body's moves. Eventually, the inconsistency leads to falling. I suggest that, as you left foot touches the floor, take advantage of the stability and regain a better grasp of the hilt, and by so, regain balance.-

The presence of the audience had been long forgotten. In restrained awe, these Jedi were respectful witnesses to a Jedi Master instructing his young pupil. They took delight in the lesson well taught, wisdom and patience well built. They contemplated the first attempts of Obi-Wan to follow his Master's instructions, eventually achieving what rarely was accomplished by a padawan so young: complete master of a Knight level kata at plain sight for everyone to see. At the end of the lecture, both padawan and Master blinked at the audience that had tripled its size and that had been enjoying the display. At one side, Master Yoda and Windu serenely smiled at the Force's good work.

But it didn't matter if half the Temple was present, no one enjoyed this more than Obi-Wan himself.