Obi-Wan awoke, nerves and muscles at the ready. A small candle lit in the corner of the room cast a soft glow to the luxurious surroundings of his private room at the Onlon Planetary capital building. He scanned the room, reaching out with the Force to learn what had awakened him. He sensed nothing.

A moment later, Qui-Gon came through the door, light saber flashing, his chiseled features drawn into a fierce scowl. Obi-Wan's eyes widened and confusion took it's toll momentarily. Then, in an instant, his light saber was in his hands and powered up.

His only hesitation was what and where was the enemy.

Qui-Gon seemed to be chasing something madly around the room, his saber swinging in the dance of battle. "Put out the light," snapped Qui-Gon as he drew in a ragged breath. Obi-Wan cautiously made his way to the candle and blew it out.

The creature next to the candle snarled and Obi-Wan jumped from its clawed grasp, light saber swinging in an instinctive thrust guided by the Force flowing through his body. The two Jedi battled against the shadow creatures. Qui-Gon struck his down with a final blow seconds before Obi-Wan followed suit. The creatures crumpled to the plush woven carpets and faded away as quickly as they had appeared.

"What were they?" asked Obi-Wan, drawing in needed air.

"Shadowwolves," Qui-Gon responded grimly, picking up a silvery claw he had lopped off earlier that hadn't faded away with it's owner. "I didn't know they were native to this planet. They normally can be found on some of the Outer Rim planets."

"Oh." Obi-Wan couldn't think of anything to add so he stayed silent. He sensed Qui-Gon had more to say.

"Why didn't you sense them?" Qui-Gon asked, rounding on his apprentice. "And why did you have a candle lit?"

"It seemed too dark, Master Qui-Gon, when we returned. I'm used to a little bit of light," Obi-Wan explained. "As for not sensing them, I have no idea. Even when you came in, I had no idea what you were fighting."

Qui-Gon grunted but said nothing. He merely frowned and collapsed on well-padded chair. Obi-Wan sensed that something about the situation bothered Qui-Gon, but whether he was upset with Obi-Wan, the boy couldn't tell. "I am sorry, master.." he began but was cut off quickly by the adult.

"Never mind. I suggest we find someplace to spend the rest of the evening. Obviously we are not safe here." Qui-Gon's tone brooked no argument or indecision. Obi-Wan obediently put on the remainder of his clothing, pulled on his boots and began to pile things into his backpack. "Leave them," ordered Qui-Gon, not stopping on his path out of the boy's guest quarters. "I have told you repeatedly that you do not need those things. I have indulged this long enough. Let's go."

Obi-Wan frowned. Something was horribly wrong, but he obeyed. Sort of. He still crammed the models into the backpack, but left the other belongings and personal items where they lay. The only thing in the pack was the model ships, food supplies and his bar of soap. As he hurried out the door and into the hall where Qui-Gon waited impatiently, he was clipping the light saber into place.

Qui-Gon frowned at the backpack but Obi-Wan bravely stated, "It has food in it. We might need it. I'd consider that essential." Qui-Gon nodded brusquely and the two Jedi made their way down the hall.

They hit the streets just as dawn was beginning to break over the sleeping city. Qui-Gon ducked into an alley and stepped over several piles of garbage that Obi-Wan had to leap over. Suddenly, Qui-Gon turned on the boy and grabbed the pack, jerking it off of Obi-Wan's shoulders. He shook it open, allowing the models, bar of soap and food packets to fall to the ground. "You lied to me, Padawan," Qui-Gon rebuked in a deceptively mild tone.

Obi-Wan didn't back down from the stern, disapproving gaze. "I can't give them up, Master, I don't know why. It just doesn't feel right."

"Pack them, but if they get in the way, they are gone, do you understand me, Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Obi-Wan nodded, his mind racing at the sternness of his master. He had been rebuked many times by Qui-Gon Jinn but never so harshly. To be fair, Obi-Wan had to admit he had never continually ignored orders of the master as he did when it came to his personal belongings either. He packed the models, food packets and soap hurriedly, keeping an eye on his master as the man quickly strode away.

Obi-Wan raced to close the distance between them and then strode side by side with his master, struggling to keep the strides even. He refused to show that he'd been cowed even momentarily by the older Jedi. "A little humility hurts no one, Padawan," Qui-Gon said so softly that Obi-Wan almost didn't catch the words. "Possessions are well and good, but more often than not, necessity will force you to leave them behind. The only thing important is your life and the lives of those you have sworn to protect."

"Mine is not to question, master, it is to serve you and learn," responded Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon nodded and smiled gently at the boy. Obi-Wan felt the warmth of the smile though he did not see it. It made him feel better about disobeying but he saw the truth in Qui-Gon's advice and contented himself with the thought that Qui-Gon understood his need for something that was uniquely his.

The Jedi walked in silence until they reached the outskirts of the city, where they found themselves in residential centers and small commerce complexes. Qui-Gon frowned and stopped, trying to get his bearings. They had received no instructions on where to find the other parties involved in the situation, but Qui-Gon had resolved to find them on his own. He sensed that the Planetary Chairman and those surrounding him were giving half-truths and hiding much. They could not be trusted. He remembered Yoda's words: Trust only those the Force guides you to. The Force clearly showed him that trust could not be had from that quarter. So he must try the other quarter.

Reaching out with all he could, Qui-Gon focused on something that would lead them to the other side of the situation. He felt nothing. Frustration bit into him momentarily. This was already a losing game and Qui-Gon had not even been allowed time to know he'd been elected member of the team.

Without words, the master tapped into his apprentice's Force ebb, and the apprentice, sensing the great need his master had, obliged. The two concentrated on the ebb and flow of the Force between them, Obi-Wan allowing Qui-Gon to completely focus it where the master needed it. After what seemed an eternity, Qui-Gon released the hold he had on Obi-Wan, who sagged in relief.

"Come, I think I know how to get where we need to be."