What if?: One Death

Misguided

"Obi-wan," Qui-gon dared to whisper once everyone was done eating. "May I speak to you outside? Away from... Maul."

Obi-wan shifted a glance at Maul then directed his gaze down at the table. Sending a thrum through his and Maul's bond, Obi-wan then followed Qui-gon right outside of where they were eating. Obi-wan crossed his arms as he faced his freshly departed master. Qui-gon felt uneasy as Obi-wan just stood there waiting for him explain the reason why he wanted to talk. He felt as if this version of Obi-wan was unknown to him. Qui-gon wanted to talk but now he felt as if he was at a loss for words.

"Well? Is there something that you want?" Obi-wan lifted an eyebrow at the continuing silence.

"Why?" Qui-gon asked with Obi-wan echoing him in confusion. "Why did you leave? Why didn't you come back to the temple?"

"You know why I left." Obi-wan leaned up against the wall.

"It is forbidden, you had fought against temptation before, why couldn't you do it this time?" Qui-gon's voice remained steady as he continued. "Why did you have to go after him?"

"I helped him because no one else would." Obi-wan kept his voice just as steady as Qui-gon's, he couldn't let his emotion's stir. If he did, Maul would think that something was wrong.

"You know that's not what I meant." Qui-gon took a step closer to his old padawan.

"Careful Master Jinn, get too close and Maul won't like it. He is very protective of me." Obi-wan had spat the threat turning to his old master causing Qui-gon to stop and take a step back. 

"Obi-wan..." Qui-gon's hand shook scared to touch Obi-wan not because of the threat he had made, but for how much his padawan had changed. After a short moment, his hand tightened into a fist. "You are in no position to be making threats, Youngling. We are here for your protection and for the Sith apprentice's too. One bad move on your part and we can easily leave and the Nightsister's won't stop us."

This time it was Obi-wan's turn to step back. "You wouldn't dare! You wouldn't dare leave us! Not after chasing us this far!"

Everyone could sense it. Obi-wan had panicked. Qui-gon quickly took steps back putting distance between him and Obi-wan.

"I was chasing after my padawan. Not some rogue Jedi. The Obi-wan I know doesn't toss threats around at someone who's trained and raised him since he was a boy." Qui-gon paused for a moment. There still was no sight of Maul. "Maybe Master Dooku was right. Maybe I'm just not meant to train younglings. I've lost all of them one way or another to the Dark side."

Qui-gon didn't understand why no one was coming to see what was happening.

"Is that it then?" Obi-wan spoke through the long silence. "You're just going to give up?"

"Why not? You've proved it to the Temple. You've fallen. You may not see it yet and I hope you don't see it after you've had something important taken from you. You're only seeing things the way you want to see them right now and that's the way Maul sees the galaxy. Everything is hunting you, but why? You've been so determined to save Maul, Obi-wan, but you're doing nothing to save yourself! You were so consumed with protecting him that you left yourself open to the Sith to be corrupted. So think about it Obi-wan, is he really good for you? Is this where you want to stay? Here on Dathomir where neither of you barely know anything, or back at the Temple where you grew up and where he can stay under the protection of thousands of Jedi? Do you not trust your friends anymore?" Qui-gon stood there watching Obi-wan until Mother Talzin walked outside.

"Alright. That is enough Jedi. I am sure you've given Kenobi plenty to think about. There will be no one leaving this planet unless I give the order for your Jedi council to come and pick you up." Talzin commented and Maul had walked out next to her, his entire body still and relaxed.

Maul had said nothing as his eyes locked with Qui-gon. Obi-wan simply walked over to Maul and his mother. He held his head high as he also looked at Qui-gon. His face may have looked as stoic as bolder, but inside he dreaded what he said and what he was going to say.

"I know where I belong Qui-gon. I thought I knew who I could trust back in the temple, but it seems like I was naive to even trust you. I thought you would understand even after what has happened. If you don't want to be here if you don't see any more chances... if I'm not who you thought I was then it is best for both of us that you leave."

Maul's glare at Qui-gon broke as he felt Obi-wan's sadness through their bond and not through sensing it. Maul's mind was trying to calculate how Obi-wan spoke and felt right now and compared it to how Obi-wan previously acted around his old master. Before Obi-wan seemed indifferent in talking to Qui-gon and leaving him behind, but now he seemed like he had something to regret. Obi-wan was so absorbed in thinking about what Qui-gon was going to say next he didn't pay attention to the shift in Maul.

"That is enough, Obi-wan." Maul shattered the silence, "Qui-gon is not leaving Dathomir. It's best if you stopped talking before you regret what you are saying further. Qui-gon, I think it will be best if you retire to your designated hut."

"Yes, I think that will best as well." Qui-gon finally spoke when Windu and Shaak Ti walked out to them. Obi-wan felt like he couldn't do anything but just stand there and think about what had just happened. Maul had just dissolved the situation instead of escalating it further.

"Come on Obi-wan, let's go back to our hut." Maul finished with a softer voice and placed a hand on Obi-wan's arm and leading him back to their hut.