A.N.: Phew, finally. The story came to an end! Not that I am frustrated by the long journey tho, in fact, I enjoyed writing this story! I hope you have enjoyed this story as well! ^ ^
"Nice to see you again, it is. Jedi Master Arcturus Togashi." Master Yoda greeted the prince first as they stood in the council chamber, "Long, it had been."
"Yes, it had been long, Master Yoda." The prince bowed respectfully, "I see you are still in good health."
"Hold up a minute!" Obi-Wan exclaimed in surprise as he got over his initial shock, "Sir Arcturus, you are a Jedi?"
The Prince smiled at the boy's surprise, "Of course I am."
"No one told me about it." He grumbled.
"I have my suspect." Qui-Gon nodded his head trying to be wise but failing miserably.
"Famous, Jedi Master Arcturus was," Master Yoda explained to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, "Decided to travel around the world, he did."
"But why is he still a Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked then hurriedly added, "I mean, aren't you married, Sir Arcturus?"
"No," To his surprise, Sir Arcturus smiled, "I am not. Aaron is my brother's son. He lived in my house temporarily because my brother was traveling off planets for the past six years. I guess I have grown to be a fatherly figure to him."
"Oh." Obi-Wan was speechless at the complication of it all, "I see…"
"Can I be put back on the list of all active Jedi, Master Yoda?" Sir Arcturus turned back toward the ancient Jedi Master.
"Do that, I will." Master Yoda nodded, a small smile on his face and he turned to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, "Between you two, time you will need, to heal. Time we have. Spend it wisely."
"Yes, Master Yoda." Master Jinn said and Obi-Wan swore he heard the master's voice cracked a little in emotion.
"Master Togashi," Master Windu spoke up warmly, "Welcome back."
"It is nice to be back again." Sir Arcturus turned toward the master.
"We don't have an available quarter right now for you. I am afraid you will have to share it with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. If it is not much trouble for you all?"
"No." They all chorused.
"Alright, you are dismissed." Master Windu told them and they exited the chamber.
As soon as they did, the three guards Mike, Guren and Bastien greeted them excitingly, "How did it go?"
"I have never been in the Jedi Temple before! It is so grand and majestic!"
"Being a Jedi sounded really cool."
"Be quiet for a moment." Sir Arcturus held up a hand, much to Obi-Wan's amusement, "I have a question to ask you three."
"Yes?"
"I have returned to duty as a Jedi. What will you do? You can't follow me into the Jedi Temple."
"Oh," Mike shrugged easily, "We have already come to a decision."
Obi-Wan leaned in in anticipation. He had grown used to the company of the three guards, one overly cheerful, the other extremely intelligent and the last fills in the missing traits the other two lacked.
"We will be following you around." Mike smiled, "After all, we are the royal guards for Prince Arcturus and for him only."
"But the Jedi temple doesn't allow non-Jedi, do they?" Arcturus turned to Obi-Wan, "Or did that changed while I was gone?"
"No, it didn't."
"We are your guards, Sir Arcturus." Mike insisted, "We will be by your side forever."
"But-"
"I am sure we can make an exception." Master Windu's voice made them jump in surprise, "I have asked Master Yoda and the council. They agreed that the prince of Cyril should be guarded at all time. Therefore, you three are permitted to stay in the Jedi Temple as long as you followed the set of rules laid out by the council."
"Deal." The three of them said in unison, making the Jedi Master smiled.
"Alright, why don't you all run along now and get some food to eat?" At that, Master Windu glanced meaningfully at Obi-Wan's stomach, "I am sure you will all love the food here."
"Thank you, Mace." Qui-Gon bowed and led them away.
"Obi-Wan!" A girl screamed suddenly as they walked into the cafeteria and Obi-Wan was sent crashing onto the floor with her on top.
"Nice to see you too, Bant." Obi-Wan said as he sat up, rubbing his sore head, "I am back."
"Of course you are back, you idiot!" Bant smacked him on the head, "I was worried sick for the last two months!"
"I am sorry." He mumbled though he couldn't keep the grin from his face.
"You better be." Bant mirrored his expression as she locked his arms together behind his back, "Reeft and Garen will be glad to see you as well."
"Yo, Obi-Wan. Is that your girlfriend?" Mike grinned as he leaned toward them, "She is cute. Are you a Mon Calamari?"
"She is not my girlfriend!" Obi-Wan said as he pulled away from Bant with a grin, "Yes, she is a Mon Calamari. She can swim very fast."
"That I can." Bant told them proudly, "Obi-Wan said I am the fastest one he knows."
"Oh, that is about to change." Bastien wiggled his eyebrows, "Mike can swim pretty fast as well."
"Yes, I am the fastest swimmer in the palace!" Mike crossed his arms proudly, "I can beat you all easily. Hey, you said your name was Bant?"
"Yes?"
"So Bant," The guard grinned, "Want to have a small contest with me later?"
"Why not?" Bant smiled, a little devilish Obi-Wan realized.
Late in the afternoon found them sitting by the large lake and watching Bant and Mike diving into the water as they prepared for their race. Guren and Bastien stood by the side, splashing water onto the third guard quite playfully. Obi-Wan smiled. It was as if they were children once again, the way they laughed and joke around. The auburn haired gave Bant a smile as she turned to look at him with a devilish grin on her face. The race wouldn't go well for Mike, Obi-Wan knew as he watched Bant eying the guard.
"Say, Obi-Wan." Sir Arcturus turned to him slightly though his gaze never leaving his guards.
"Hmm?"
"Did you enjoy your stay with us?" The prince asked and for a moment, Obi-Wan wondered if the man was embarrassed by what he was going to ask to make eye contact with him.
"Yeah, of course, I did." Obi-Wan replied sincerely, "It was very…enjoyable. It was my first time to be out there, so far from Corruscant. But it is a little sad as well, to be far from my friends."
He didn't notice Qui-Gon turning his attention toward the two of them, "But I am glad of the time I spent with you all. It was memorable."
"I see." The prince turned his attention back to the guards and Bant. Obi-Wan could almost see the gears spinning and clicking, trying to phrase a question that the man wanted to say.
"What is it?" Obi-Wan nudged him curiously.
"Ahem," The prince cleared his throat as he waved his hand distractingly though Obi-Wan did not miss the glance he threw at Master Jinn, "If you wish, only if you wish of course, will you be my padawan?"
"Your padawan?" Obi-Wan stared a little shock.
"Yes, my padawan." Sir Arcturus said evenly, looking anywhere but at Master Jinn.
"Just hold on a minute, Jedi Master Arcturus." Master Jinn butted in, a hint of anger in his voice, "Obi-Wan is my padawan."
"He was your padawan." Sir Arcturus corrected him, "It is up to him if he wants to be your padawan again or not."
"Master-" Obi-Wan began hastily but he was cut off as Master Yoda strode in along with Master Windu.
"Arguing, you are." Master Yoda hummed as he tapped closer, "About Obi-Wan's master, a problem it is."
"I do think we have a solution." Master Windu said with a small smile on his face, "There is another initiate that needed a master and I am sure he will fit into your daily life perfectly well."
"I am not taking any other padawan." Master Jinn insisted firmly and so did Master Arcturus.
"Come in, Owen." Master Windu said, still smiling, "Meet your new master."
A boy merely a few years younger than Obi-Wan strode in. Obi-Wan glanced toward the newcomer and frowned. He looked familiar.
"Which one is going to be my master, Master Windu?" The boy asked respectfully.
"Oh, that depends on you, initiate." The bald master said as he stepped aside, "Why don't you go and take a look at the two masters and see which one calls to you?"
"Okay, Master Windu." The boy stepped forward and headed toward Master Arcturus first. The boy cocked his head to one side for a moment before stepping away and toward Master Jinn. This time, he merely stood there for a few seconds before heading back to Master Windu.
Obi-Wan who sat between the two masters did not miss the glance the boy threw him as their path crossed. He had a faint idea who the boy might be.
Owen pointed toward Master Arcturus, "Him. I felt something from him."
Master Windu looked toward Master Arcturus for confirmation, "He request to be your padawan, Master Arcturus, do you accept him?"
Apparently, Master Arcturus had reached the same conclusion as Obi-Wan did about the boy's identity for he nodded, "I will."
Obi-Wan watched as Owen's smile grew larger by the minutes and he saw the same exact image of him when he was that age, just ready to become a padawan.
"Why don't you say thank you to Master Arcturus and Padawan Obi-Wan?"
"Thank you, Master Arcturus!" The boy grinned and turned to Obi-Wan, "Thank you, brother!"
I know, the story took on a very dramatical turn at the epilogue. Anyways... The epilogue is more for me to decide whether or not I want to write a sequel. If I do, the additional character Owen will give me something to write about. If not, then it is up to the reader's imagination of what more is to come. ^ ^
Peace out,
Kawazoe Kumiko