Strolls through the Temple have always been relaxing for Qui-Gon. The Living Force buzzes with excitement and energy. He can feel it alive within the Knights and the Masters. The new padawans shimmer in the Force with enthusiasm about what their future holds. But the ones that always bring a smile to his face are the younglings. Rarely do they carry anything but light and jubilation.

The Force begins to brighten and he looks for who the owner of this could possibly be. At this moment, something rams into the back of his legs. He turns and looks down, seeing a youngling trying to remove himself from Qui-Gon many robes. "Sorry, Master." He quickly says. He gives a quick bow out of respect.

"It's quite alright," Qui-Gon replies, seeing the soft blush of embarrassment reach the boy's cheeks. "Maybe we should watch where we're going in the future."

"Yes, Master." He says. He puffs his chest out just a bit then glances around. "Master, have you seen where my group has gone?"

Qui-Gon gives his own look around the Temple. Nowhere in sight is a group of younglings. In fact, Qui-Gon can't even recall seeing the herd of them at all today. This boy must really be lost. And though there are plenty of other things Qui-Gon would rather do than hunt down younglings, he knows it's not safe for a child this age to be on their own, even in the Temple.

"I have not. But why don't we look for them together, young one." He answers. The child nods his head, sticking close to him.

"I'm sure they're not too far away. I was only distracted for a little bit." The youngling says. "Watching the older padawans train is just so cool."

This makes Qui-Gon softly chuckle. Lightsaber duels capture the attention of everyone, including even the older Masters. It's no surprise that this youngling was so easily distracted. "Of course. Lightsaber duels are quite entertaining, youngling." He really should stop referring to him as just a youngling. He obviously has a name and Qui-Gon should make the effort of wanting to learn it. "I'm Qui-Gon Jinn. What's your name?"

"I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi." He grins, sporting a few missing teeth. "I knew who you were." He adds, giving a playful squint and pointing up at him. 

"Did you now?"

"Everyone does." He says. His eyes are wide and his tone makes it seems like this should be common knowledge. This dramatic action from him forces Qui-Gon to hold back a laugh. When you're older, you are expected to show little emotion and stay calm and collected. Young ones are still learning how to maintain their emotions, so it's amusing to see them flaunt them without care. "You had Master Dooku."

"Yes, I did. Is that a bad thing?" Qui-Gon asks as they enter another room of the Temple. A few Jedi give Qui-Gon a nod of acknowledgment. They even give soft smiles and waves to the youngling at his side. 

"Of course not. Master Dooku is really good. Especially at dueling." Obi-Wan cheers. He swings his arm, acting like he's using a lightsaber.

"Then why is it such a shock that I had him?" Qui-Gon asks, watching Obi-Wan leap forward and pretend to block stray bullets. Noticing the eyes of other Jedi, he calms himself and goes back to Qui-Gon's side. He's been told far too much to remain calm and he wants to impress Master Jinn with his skill. So Obi-Wan studies him then tuck his arms into his robes like him. It brings a soft smile to Qui-Gon's face.

Obi-Wan raises his head high, mimicking the stoic Jedi beside him. "He's really tall. You are too, but he's got a deep voice. And my creche mates say that he never smiles. They think that he's scary."

"Do you find him scary?"

"Nope," Obi-Wan replies, shaking his head. "I'm not scared of anything. I'm going to be a Jedi after all."

Qui-Gon gives him a side-eye at this statement. The young boy slightly tenses, his cheeks blushing red again. He realizes that he's been caught in a small lie. "Well, almost anything. I hate going to the healers. Especially when we have to get shots. The needles are really big and they hurt."

"You'll get used to it, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon says. "Soon, you won't even think about the needles."

"Did they used to scare you?"

"At one point, I'm sure."

Obi-Wan hums, his eyebrows furrowing. Qui-Gon looks down at him, almost able to see the gears working inside the youngling's head. "I didn't know masters were afraid of things." He finally says.

"We are people too. But once you get older, you'll figure out how to handle your fears. You'll learn how to not let them control you."

"Fear is a path to the dark side," Obi-Wan says, holding up a finger. He looks up at Qui-Gon, shrugging his shoulders. "At least, that's what I've been told."

"You're correct." He nods. A smile grows on the youngling's face then he looks ahead again. They walk in silence for a moment. Qui-Gon can sense that worry no longer surrounds Obi-Wan. He is comfortable around him. "Since you're not afraid of anything, what are you most looking forward to when you finally become a padawan?"

The Force bursts in energy. "Getting my own lightsaber!" He immediately cheers. He pauses, then smiles brighter. "No, flying! Someday, I'll fly around the galaxy and be a hero."

"Sounds adventurous. I hope you're ready for that challenge." Qui-Gon chuckles.

"It'll take a lot of training," Obi-Wan says, seeming to recite what he's been told no doubt hundreds of times. "I'll have to learn how to fly and how to use my lightsaber. I'll have to learn patience."

"You've got a long time to learn," Qui-Gon says.

"Obi-Wan." A voice calls out, grabbing their attention. Both of them turn and see the crowd of younglings. Master Yoda is leading them, giving a stern look at the young boy at Qui-Gon's side. "Run off, did you?"

The younglings begin to giggle behind Master Yoda. Most children enjoy watching their peers get scolded, especially when they receive it often. And by how many of them are snickering, Qui-Gon can assume that Obi-Wan must be something of a troublemaker. "I got distracted. Sorry, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan blushes, heading back towards the crowd.

"Apologize to Master Jinn, you should. Pulled him from his duties, you did."

"It's quite alright." Qui-Gon butts in. Obi-Wan turns, tilting his head in confusion. "I insisted on helping Obi-Wan. He's done nothing wrong besides stray from his group."

Yoda looks over, giving Obi-Wan a playful smirk. "Thank Master Jinn, you should. Help you find your way, he did."

"Thank you, Master Jinn." Obi-Wan bows with a grin.

Qui-Gon smiles down at him. "Thank you for the lovely afternoon. Hopefully, our paths will cross again, Obi-Wan."

xxx

"Anakin, I want you to meditate while I'm gone," Obi-Wan says. He adjusts his tunic, walking to the door with his datapad tucked under his arm.

"Meditate?" Anakin groans as he opens the door for them. Once they're out in the hallway, he continues with his complaining. "But you know I'm terrible at it."

"All the more reason to practice." Obi-Wan smirks. This causes Anakin to huff and mutter under his breath. Obi-Wan pats his shoulder. "I won't be very long. I just need to talk with the Council about our latest mission. I just ask that you try until I return."

Anakin can't argue with him there. Their last mission was short, hardly even a week long. And he supposes that he could try to meditate without Obi-Wan's help for once. It could do him some good. "Alright. I'll meditate until you return."

Obi-Wan gives him a smile then they part ways. Obi-Wan heads to the Council while Anakin goes to one of the many meditation rooms. He finds one completely empty and is somewhat thankful. He doesn't have very many friends here in the Temple. Trying to meditate in the same room with people you hardly know makes the task even more difficult.

He sits on one of the cushions, crossing his legs like he was taught. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. He tries to slow his breathing and become one with the Force. He can sense his fellow peers wandering the halls. He can feel the bustle of citizens outside of the Temple. 

Just as he finally starts to lose himself in the Force, a loud bang makes him jump. He opens his eyes, turning to see a youngling in the room. They can't be very old, judging by their height and how awkward they stumble in. "Hello." They smile.

"Hey?" Anakin replies, arching his eyebrow at the small Togruta. 

She walks over, studying him. "What are you doing?" She asks, tilting her head.

"I was meditating." Anakin answers as she walks around him. He narrows his eyes at her as she hums in thought.

"That's not how I was taught." She finally answers with a shrug.

"Well, it's how I was taught." Anakin snaps, feeling somewhat offended. He knows that he shouldn't let this youngling's view on him hurt him, but it does. He already feels like an outcast to his peers because he came to the Temple late. Now even younglings say that he's doing things wrong. The last thing he wants is to get lessons from a youngling!

"Who is your master?" She asks, pointing to his braid. She sits down in front of him, leaning forward and showing she's interested.

Anakin takes a deep breath, looking her over again. She doesn't look like she meant him any harm. She seems genuinely curious. Like usual, he jumped the blaster and assumed that she was making fun of him. He calms himself, resting his hands on his knees. "Master Kenobi." He says.

A smile breaks onto her face. "I know him!" She cheers. She points to her montrals, softly touching above her shoulders. "He has hair like a girl." She giggles, covering her mouth.

"Kinda." Anakin chuckles, shrugging his shoulders. "But he's a lot more than just his hair."

"Oh, I know." She cuts off. "He defeated a Sith Lord." She awes, her blue eyes wide. The mention of the Sith Lord makes Anakin uneasy. He didn't know it at the time, but Obi-Wan later explained that the darkness he was feeling was the presence of the Sith Lord. Sometimes, that feeling comes back and haunts Anakin in his dreams. He doesn't like to think too much about that day on Naboo. That was his first real encounter with a dark side user and the day they lost Qui-Gon.

"You're lucky to have him as a master." She quietly adds, peering up at him. 

Anakin bites on his lower lip. He is lucky to have Obi-Wan as his master. But most of the time, Anakin feels like he is just a burden to him. Obi-Wan took him on because of Qui-Gon's request. He didn't get to go on any of the exciting adventures the Knights brag about. He immediately had to start training a slave from Tatooine. Anakin took all of that away from him.

Sensing his sudden mood change, the youngling smiles up at him. "I'm Ahsoka Tano." She says, moving the conversation into another direction. 

Anakin is thankful. He gives her a soft smile back. "I'm Anakin Skywalker." He says. He holds out his hand like he was taught, offering it to her. Eagerly, she shakes it. "It's good to meet you." He adds with a soft chuckle.

She nods looking around the meditation room. "This room is boring. Wanna go somewhere else?" She asks.

"Can't." Anakin shrugs. "My master wants me to meditate until he returns. I don't wanna disappoint him again by running off to do something else."

Ahsoka hums. She could work with that. "Well, could we at least play something in here? And when you sense your master, we can pretend to be meditating?" She asks.

Anakin ponders this. It could work. Besides, it's not like he wants to be meditating anyway. And Obi-Wan is always encouraging him to make friends. He can't be too mad if he finds out that Anakin was following some of his advice. "Sure. But we have to be quiet. This is a meditation room, after all."

"Deal," Ahsoka whispers. She stands up, pretending to ignite a lightsaber. "Pretend that this is a green lightsaber." She says.

Anakin laughs, nodding his head. He feels sort of childish pretending to use a lightsaber when he just made his own a few months ago, but it beats sitting around trying to meditate. Plus, so what if it's childish? No one is going to find them in here besides his master. His peers won't know that he's messing around with Ahsoka. It's just for fun.

"I used to have a green lightsaber," Anakin says, watching her pretend to swing around a lightsaber. "My master let me use Master Jinn's until I finally made my own. Now I have a blue one." 

"Blue is cool," Ahsoka says. "But green is cooler."

"Master Kenobi would say that is your point of view." Anakin counters. "But my point of view is that blue is cooler."

Unsure what to say to Ahsoka, just pretends to swing her lightsaber at Anakin. He laughs, dodging it. The two of them go around the room, making whooshes and buzzes as they imagine that they're on different planets. They become lost in worlds, saving innocent civilians and protecting wildlife.

They're so immersed in their imaginary lives, that they don't hear the door open. "I thought I asked for meditation practice, not lightsaber training."

Immediately, the two of them freeze up. "Sorry, master." They reply, bowing their heads. Both of them can feel their cheeks heating up in shame. They probably deserve the punishment coming their way. After all, Anakin didn't follow his master's instruction and they were playing in a meditation room!

Obi-Wan chuckles, entering the room. He closes the door behind him, his hand resting on his chin. The hopes were to scare them, which he succeeded in. He had been watching them for a little bit. He was going to interrupt earlier, but this is the happiest he's seen Anakin in a while. "So what planets were we saving today?"

Ahsoka and Anakin stumble over their words. "All of them?" She says.

Obi-Wan smiles, nodding his head. "Yes, of course." He says. He looks down at her. "I haven't had the privilege of meeting you yet, young one. What's your name?"

"Ahsoka Tano." She replies. She points to Anakin, trying to find what she wants to say. She's somewhat in awe that she gets to meet Master Kenobi after all of the amazing things she's heard. "I found Anakin in here meditating. It's my fault that he isn't doing what you asked. Please don't punish him."

Obi-Wan laughs. "Anakin won't be punished. I think I can let it slide for today." Visibly, the two of them relax. They share a sigh of relief, smiling at each other. "I'm sure you two had plenty of fun today, but my padawan and I have some important things to attend to now."

"Yes, Master." Ahsoka replies, bowing her head.

"Why don't Anakin and I take you back to your creche? I would hate to see you get lost in yet another meditation room." He says as he walks towards the door. Anakin and Ahsoka follow behind him. Obi-Wan listens to them snicker and giggle to each other. It's nice to see that Anakin is finally making friends in the Temple, even if she is a little younger than his peers.

When they finally reach Ahsoka's creche, they are greeted by Plo Koon. "Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker." He greets. The two of them give him a nod of greeting back. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Anakin happened to make friends with Ahsoka today. We thought we best return her before we grow too attached." Obi-Wan teases. At her name, Ahsoka shyly walks past Obi-Wan to Plo Koon. 

"Ah, yes. Little 'Soka does tend to steal people's hearts. Thank you for returning her." He plays along as she runs up and hugs his legs. "We were wondering where she had run off to. I'm glad to know that she was safe in your care."

The masters then fall into a discussion that neither Anakin nor Ahsoka want to listen to. They make faces at each other until the two masters finally stop. "Ahsoka, I believe there's something you should say." Plo Koon says, getting her attention.

"Thank you, Master Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker, for bringing me back safely." She says, smiling at the two of them.

"You're more than welcome, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan says with a slight bow. He turns to leave and Anakin gives a small wave goodbye before quickly falling into step beside his master. 

"You've made a good friend today, Ahsoka." Plo Koon says, leading her back towards her peers.

"Anakin is really funny. I hope I can see him again soon." She grins, making Plo Koon laugh. She glances over her shoulder one last time, watching her new friend disappear into the mess of other Jedi. She hopes that the Force will grant her another chance to see him soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~

So I'll be going back to college in a little over a week from now, so my updates will probably slow down. There are plenty of drafts that I have started and would like to publish someday, so there might be an update here or there between now and the end of my fall semester. There are also a few requests that I have started that I would like to publish soon, so don't think I've forgotten about them! I will just be short on time now that summer is ending and I have to take school seriously again.