What if?: One Death

The cunning

Obi-wan lead Maul out of the Temple with the ysalamiri back on his shoulder. He could tell Maul was taking deep breaths to keep himself calm.
"It's ok Maul, lead the way. We'll be right next to you, if you see Plagueis do not hide from him, if you do he'll know something is up. If he approaches you than act like how you use to. Only attack him when you know his guard is down. Do not get onto any ship or transport. Do you understand Maul?" Obi-wan thought if he said everything like orders all of Maul's personas would remember it. Maul nodded than started walking away from Obi-wan and the Temple to go out looking for Darth Plagueis. To Obi-wan it seemed like Maul was in his stubborn persona, but it seemed like since Maul was still unable to sense him that it still affected him. Obi-wan wondered if here was anymore versions of Maul and if they were affected the same way. Now that Obi-wan was thinking, why was Sidious there if he knew Maul would follow out his orders? Was Sidious there to make sure his apprentice didn't fail or that the job was done to 500%? He remembered telling the Senate guard to alert him if Senator Palpatine shows up. He was sure if Maul even knew the truth of his own master. If Palpatine shows up he could question him, or check through where has has been and cross reference with the people he may have encountered.
Obi-wan watched Maul closely and through the corner of his eyes he could barely see Master Windu's robes next to him along with Master Mundi's head on the other side of Maul. His own master blended into the crowd perfectly.
As Obi-wan scanned the area for any hint of darkness, he saw Master Dooku not far behind him with the spare ysalamiri on his shoulder. What was he doing here? Obi-wan doesn't remember anyone telling him that Master Dooku was joining the mission. Maybe that was why he was at the room, Obi-San thought than turned his attention back to Maul. He had nearly lost sight of the Zabrak. One would think his black robes would make him stand out, but they helped his black tattoos blend into the shadows better. Obi-wan couldn't help but wonder, what species was Maul? Was he a Zabrak or some kind of subspecies of Zabrak or somehow the moldings of the Dark Side?

The Jedi had been following Maul for hours now. No one had felt anything that even made them think of the Dark Side. All of them were frustrated, but no one was as frustrated as Master Windu. He only wanted to get this Sith business done with before the galaxy had the chance to find out that the Sith were back.
They all headed back to the Temple to regroup. Obi-wan made his way quickly over to Maul.
"Alright Maul. That's enough for today." Obi-wan spoke causing Maul to jump again.
"Oh, Kenobi sir it's only you. I'm sorry sir. I couldn't draw him out." Maul looked down ashamed.
"No Maul you did your best. Come lets head back to the Temple. We shall try again tomorrow." Obi-wan said placing a hand on Maul's shoulder and they started walking together back to the Temple.

Once everyone was at the Temple, Obi-wan looked around their small group and noticed that Master Dooku wasn't with them. When they were in the Temple, Obi-wan looked at Qui-gon.
"Master? Do you mind walking with Maul and I back to the lower level?" Obi-wan asked
"I don't mind at all, let's just put these ysalamiri away first, our nutrient packs are nearly empty." Qui-gon suggested
"Of course master." Obi-wan nodded agreeing with his master. As they walked to the ysalamiri habitat room, Qui-gon noticed that Maul was walking really close to Obi-wan. Their arms were touching each other and Obi-wan seemed to have no objections to it. The Jedi Master knew it was going to take a long time for Maul to get use to the Jedi and the Temple and the new society he will be living in. But the Jedi master also knew Maul couldn't have a better light side teacher. Once they set their ysalamiri back into their habitat, the three left their room.
"So is there something you wanted to talk to me about Obi-wan?" Qui-gon asked as they walked to the elevator, he could hear Maul let out a deep breath and even feel more relaxed after they left the room.
"Oh yes, I wanted to say that no one mentioned to me that Master Dooku was on the mission as well." Obi-San said and Qui-gon quietly huffed
"Well I certainly had no idea of that either Obi-wan. Did you see him out there?" Qui-gon asked as he did remember seeing that they were short one ysalamiri.
"Yes and he even had a ysalamiri with him. He was trailing behind me quite a ways." Obi-wan explained
"Hmmm I see. I will mention something to him about this." Qui-gon commented as the were about to enter the elevator, until they were stopped by Grand Master Yoda with Masters Koon and Ti.
"Padawan Kenobi, a moment do you have?" Yoda asked and Obi-wan looked at Maul than back at Yoda.
"I can spare a moment of course Master Yoda." Obi-wan said feeling Maul barely shaking and shift more behind him. Obi-wan was tempted to grab Maul's wrist or hand in some sign of comfort, but he resisted.
"About your knighting, speak to you I wanted." Master Yoda said and Obi-wan couldn't help but feel a spark of happiness.
"Yes Master Yoda?" Obi-wan spoke calmly.
"Arrange it tomorrow, the Council and I have agreed on." Yoda said with a smile
"Really? That's wonderful news Master Yoda! Thank you." Obi-wan said full of happiness and bowed to Yoda.
"Master Qui-gon." Yoda addressed next. "Thought about young Skywalker's fate we have, and decided once young Kenobi is knighted, your padawan young Skywalker may be." Yoda finished
"Thank you Master Yoda." Qui-gon said nodding his head.
"Hmmm, who is the man behind you young Kenobi?" Master Shaak Ti asked
"This is Maul, Master Ti. He is the Sith Apprentice we acquired last night. I got permission from Master Koth and Mundi to help in Maul's transfer to the light." Obi-wan explained stepping aside to show off Maul, but the Zabrak stepped aside as well putting himself completely behind Obi-wan.
"You must excuse him Master Ti. He is shy and doesn't know exactly how to react in a situation or surrounding like this." Obi-wan explained to her.
"It is fine Padawan Kenobi, will it be alright if I joined you in taking him below?" Master Shaak Ti asked and Obi-wan looked at Maul
"Is it alright for her to join us Maul?" Obi-wan asked
"If you so wish it Kenobi sir." Maul said quietly and Obi-wan sighed and looked at Master Shaak Ti.
"You can join us Master Ti, Master Koon would you like to join us as well?" Obi-wan offered
"No thank you Padawan Kenobi, Master Yoda and I have others to speak to. If you will excuse us." Master Koon said and left with Yoda. Shaak Ti joined Maul, Obi-wan and Qui-gon on the elevator.
Once they were back into the examination room the doctors walked up to them.
"After analyzing the blood we got from the Sith before, we came to the conclusion that he is a Zabrak, but unlike Jedi Master Eeth Koth who is from Iridonia, we believe the Sith's biological parent where from the planet Dathomir." The doctors reported to them.
"The, planet of, witches?" Obi-wan barely heard Maul mumble to himself.
"Thank you doctors you may go home now." Qui-him dismissed them.
"How interesting." Master Shaak Ti commented as the doctors left. "A Dathomiri Zabrak. If I understand correctly you must have been taken at a very young age to not remember your home planet, Maul."
Maul looked at Obi-wan wondering if it was alright to speak.
"Go ahead Maul, you can answer her. Master Shaak Ti is one of the kindest Jedi here in the Temple." Obi-wan gave him permission and reassured him
"Yes, I was taken as an infant by my old master." Maul had replied to Master Shaak Ti.
"How old are you Maul?" She asked
"22." Maul answered not looking at her.
"He's younger than you isn't he Padawan Kenobi?" She asked with a sad look on her face.
"Yes Master by 3 years." Obi-wan stated and everyone felt the Maul's shift.
"Do you remember at all what your mother even looks like Maul?" She asked sorrowfully and got a hiss from Maul.
"If I can't remember what my homeworld looks like what makes you think I would remember my mother? She obviously didn't want me!" Maul snapped at her
"Maul!" Obi-wan snapped at him and they all felt Maul shift again and saw him jump when Obi-San raised his voice.
"I'm sorry Kenobi sir." Maul said shakened which got Obi-wan's immediate attention.
"You must excuse Maul's change Master Shaak Ti. We believe he has some kind of personality disorder, he can't help it when he shifts." Qui-gon apologized for Maul as Obi-wan calmed him.
"No worries Master Jinn, it is only to be expected from someone who has been trained as a Sith since birth. I suggest that you or Padawan Kenobi take him to Dathomir, see if he can find his family and see if he can connect with his homeworld. It may help in his transformation to the light side." Master Ti smiled and Qui-gon nodded.
"I will be taking my leave now. Thank you for letting me see Maul." She smiled
"Of course goodbye Master Shaak Ti." Qui-gon said and she left. Qui-gon placed a hand on Obi-wan shoulder.
"Obi-wan, personally I think you should sleep down here with Maul for tonight." Qui-gon said surprising Obi-wan.
"Sleep down here? But why?" Obi-wan asked
"To make sure Maul is alright. We don't want him feeling like a prisoner." Qui-gon explained
"But can't he sleep in my room?" Obi-wan asked
"I fear it would put the other Jedi off and they would want to put guards at your door. Having guards there would make some question of your ready to be knighted." Qui-gon explained
"What about my knighting? Will Maul be able to be there?" Obi-wan asked
"I fear not. Although we will be able to give him a live hologram of your knighting if he wants to see it." Qui-gon said and Obi-wan looked at a sad Maul.
"Would you like that Maul?" Obi-wan asked him
"I would like you to stay here with me Kenobi sir, but if you insist, I will be fine with a hologram sir." Maul said quietly.
"Alright I'll bring down your stuff Obi-wan." Qui-gon said and left Obi-wan to cheer up Maul.