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Obi-Wan stood in the shadows of the arena, watching how the boy, stumbled out of the damaged podracer, towards his mother, who grabbed her son in a fierce hug.
Qui- Gon had insisted, Obi-Wan should join them for the race. Though he had been confused by his Master's request, as Obi-Wan’s initial task had been to protect the Queen, he had left the ship to join his Master at the race side.
The Padawan couldn't yet believe, that Anakin really had won the race. It was short of a miracle, that a nine year old had won a podrace, one of the most dangerous races in the whole galaxy.
It was the will of the force, as his Master had said.
Even though Anakin had won and they could now buy the spare parts for their ship to leave this desert once and for all, Obi-Wan knew that there something else his Master had planned.
He had seen the way his Master looked at the boy, like he was special, like he was precious, like he mattered to him.
In all the years of Obi-Wan being his Padawan, he had never seen Qui-Gon look like that at anyone. Not after what had happened with Xanathos.
Obi-Wan himself had always had a rocky relationship with his Master, but after the death of Master Tahl Qui-Gon had grown more closed off, more distant. Their already strained relationship had gotten worse, they had grown more and more estrange.
The man that once might have been a father figure to Obi-Wan, was long gone. Their dynamic had changed through the time completely, there was no more bond, no closeness left between them.
But it seemed like his Master shared a special bond with Anakin. And Obi-Wan knew, that his Master would do anything to free the boy and take Anakin with him.
He had seen Qui-Gon bargaining with Watto before the race had started, the two had been arguing determined. They must have spoken about Anakin.
This was not over yet, Obi-Wan was sure of it.
"You! You swindled me!", Watto approached his Master angrily, "You knew the boy was going to win, somehow you knew it!"
Qui-Gon seemed utterly unbothered by the toydarian: "Well when you're in a gamble my friend eventually you'll loose. I will send my droid, he has the list of the parts we need."
Watto gave his Master a poisonous glare, then he said in a provocative way: "At least I can keep the boy."
"We had a deal!", Qui-Gon retorted, "I would give you the podracer and you would give me the boy in return. A very fair trade, considering the racer is worth much than just a boy. You agreed to this terms."
"Yes, I did. But you're the one, who can't keep his part of the deal.", the toydarian chuckled darkly, "After all the racer is completely damaged."
"I admit, it may need some repairs...", Qui-Gon admitted and Obi-Wan had to suppress a snort.
He may not know too much about mechanics, but even he could see that the racer was beyond repair. Maybe a few parts could be salvaged, but the rest was worthless.
"It is no more than a pile of junk. This is worth nothing!", Watto seemed very pleased with the situation, "Unless you have something else valuable, the boy will be mine."
Even though it was incredibly hot, Obi-Wan shivered, a shudder running down his spine. It was like the force knew something bad was about to happen, like a warning.
Qui-Gon's forehead was slightly scrunched, his lips pressed together just the tiniest bit.
An outsider might have thought the Jedi to be calm, but Obi-Wan could feel the turmoil radiating from his Master.
"Master.", Obi-Wan reached out. He didn't knew why he was saying it, if he wanted to calm his Master or make him finally to see reason, that there was nothing they could do about the boy's freedom.
After all they had nothing valuable, which had been their problem in the first place.
"Well if you are so desperate to get the boy, I have another deal for you.", Watto's gaze was fixated on Obi-Wan and it made the Padawan shudder.
"A boy for a boy.", the toydarian continued and Obi-Wan felt his heart drop at the implication, "Your servant for the kid."
Obi-Wan was frozen in place unable to move just a finger, dreadful fear curling inside his stomach.
Old Memories of Bandomeer, of shock collars and shackles were resurfacing, panic spreading through his body, his mind running thousands of clicks in an hour.
His Master would never sell off Obi-Wan into slavery, he wouldn't! Their relationship may not be perfect, but he wouldn't do that! Right?
But a small voice whispered, that his Master always would go to lengths ends to achieve his goals.
Like he had left Obi-Wan in a warzone on Melida/Daan to save Tahl.
"Think about it.", Watto's voice interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts, "Come to my shop, when you've made up your mind."
His Master didn't say anything, just standing next to Obi-Wan, not even looking into the eye's of his Padawan.
"Master, I know our relationship was not easy and that I've been not an exemplary padawan.", Obi-Wan whispered, his words were as shaky as he felt, "But please don't do this. Please don't leave me here."
"I believe Anakin is the chosen one.", Qui-Gon stated, ignoring the words of his student, "He will bring balance to the force. He needs to be trained. That is what matters most right now, Obi-Wan."
"So you really are going to sell me off?", the Padawan sounded utterly small, helplessness and despair paralyzing his body.
"You have to understand, that this is the only option we have.", his Master answered, sounding not at all apologetic, "Don't worry, Obi-Wan. As soon as we are back at Coruscant, I will inform the Council and they will send some to come and get you."
Obi-wan felt a tear streaming down his face, so this was it. His Master had made his decision and it was against Obi-Wan.
A treacherous feeling of betrayal burned through his veins and the Padawan tried to suppress it. It was not the Jedi way, there is no emotion, only peace.
Yet he felt nothing like peace right now. Instead he wanted to shout at his Master, for leaving him here, for selling him off into slavery.
But he didn't say a word, just crying silently.
"I need to cut your Padawan braid, unwanted attention is the last thing we need right now.", his Master announced.
If Obi-Wan had been desperate before now he was devastated.
Traditionally a padawan braid was cut after a Padawan had completed his trials, the last symbolic part of becoming Jedi Knight.
But his Master wanted to cut of the braid, Obi-Wan had grown ever since he was 13 years old. It felt like his Master was cutting more than just hair, it felt like Qui-Gon was taking away his place as his Padawan, cutting off their relationship as Master and Padawan.
Obi-Wan nodded numbly, when Qui-Gon took out a small knife and cut of the braid with one single cut.
"It will be alright, Obi-Wan.", Qui-Gon said, but it felt more like a reassurance for himself rather than for his no longer Padawan.
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The Jedi council is furious when they find out. Quinlan Vos is shouting at Qui-Gon for almost an hour, insulting him in six different languages.
Plo Koon then offers to oversee the rescue mission for Obi-Wan and half of the order offers to join them.
Yoda selects Luminara and Kit Fisto to join Plo Koon. He also sends Quinlan with them, to stop him from bodily harming Obi-Wan's former master.
The rescue goes perfectly, and they soon return with Obi-Wan to Coruscant.
The whole Council agrees, that Qui-Gon is unfit to be Obi-Wan's Master any longer and Quinlan volunteers to take Obi-Wan as his own Padawan.
Anakin will be trained, but not by Qui-Gon but by Plo Koon instead, as the Council does not want to repeat the mistake of placing another child into Qui-Gon's care.