After the Rain

Obi-Wan ran across the grounds of the Jedi Temple, hopping intermittently on one foot as he tried to push his other foot into his boot and finish his breakfast at the same time, because he was late for the second morning in a row. The morning mist combined with the softly falling rain to make navigating the pathways difficult, so Obi-Wan didn't see Master Yoda until he tripped over the tiny green Jedi.

"Forgive me Master, I didn't see you," Obi-Wan apologised profusely. Helping Yoda to his feet, Obi-Wan brushed the wet dew from his robe and handed back the gimmerstick.

"Looking for you anyway, I was, Obi-Wan," Yoda grunted. "Want to speak to you, the Council does."

"Yes, Master. Anakin and I will be finished -"

"No," Yoda interrupted, "Speak with you now, we will."

Obi-Wan nodded and followed behind slowly. A nagging pain in the back of his head told him this meeting would be about Annika. It wasn't a secret that she was staying with him in his room, nor was it any great matter; it caused no problems with other Jedi and didn't interfere with Anakin's training. Granted, he found himself reluctant to leave Annika in the mornings, hence his tardiness, yet other than that, he couldn't foresee any real issues the Council might address.

The early morning sun burned off the mist, but the rain still fell. It was baby rain; a slight drizzle which merely tickled the living creatures and coated the plants; a sign of Annika's improving mood. The weather had improved greatly since the week before, when thunderstorms plagued the Coruscant skies.

Clearing his head, Obi-Wan Kenobi tried not to worry too much about what the Council would say. On one hand, the possibility existed that they might want Annika to return to the Room Behind the Waterfall; on the other, they may just want an update on her situation. He furrowed his brow as he and Master Yoda cleared the door to the Temple and began the long walk down the hallway. He was prepared to argue that Annika was in an even more delicate situation because of the Force awakening within her. Several days earlier he had returned home for lunch and noticed Annika had activated one of the holocrons - only a Jedi, or someone with Force talents could access the information stored on the ancient cubes. Yet, sitting in the palm of her hand was an activated holocron; the flickering image of a long dead Jedi waving above it, telling her about the time he fought on planet Serenity.

Of course, her dreams had been less nightmarish, especially now that Kendra seemed to have decided torturing Annika had lost its fun, but Annika was still startled from sleep every other night talking about terrible things she saw. She had seen Yuki fighting to save planet Hoth, she had seen her brother, Kishi, laughing and playing with a little red- and white-haired girl, and she had seen a tombstone on a hill overlooking a lake.

Desperately hurting for his beloved, Obi-Wan hoped the Council would help shed some light on ways to help Annika. He had no more time to dwell on the situation, because Master Yoda opened a set of massive doors and led Obi-Wan before the assembled troupe of esteemed Jedi Masters. Mace Windu, always impressive and thoughtful, was the first to welcome him. "How does the morning find you?" he asked warmly.

"Late, but grateful," came Obi-Wan's answer.

"Much to talk about, we have," Master Yoda said in his usual syntax. The little green elfin sat proudly in his chair.

For someone with such a small stature, Obi-Wan thought, he always seems to tower above me.

Ki-Adi-Mundi was sitting cross-legged and relaxed in his chair, twirling his thumbs in thought. He studied Obi-Wan and then nodded his head to his fellow Jedi. Obi-Wan was now considerably nervous; his heart beat faster, and his palms started to sweat.

"There is no need to be nervous, Master Kenobi," Mace Windu smiled, sensing the tension in the room. Obi-Wan swallowed hard and calmed down.

"Beat around the bush, we cannot," Yoda said. "Be apart you two must. The time has come."

He knew it. Obi-Wan frowned and shook his head. "I'd like to know the reasons for this suggestion."

"Suggestion it is not!" Yoda slammed his gimmerstick to the marble floor with authority.

Ki-Adi-Mundi cleared his throat, and tried to explain. "You see, Master Kenobi, we feel that Annika is forgetting her purpose; the longer she lives with you, the less she wants to be a Sailor Jedi. Her path, like yours, is significant to the final outcome - the eventual balance of the Force."

"I understand that!" Obi-Wan pleaded, "Yet I still cannot fathom a proper reason to force her to back to the Room Behind the Waterfall. Especially when she needs me!" He immediately felt the sting of selfishness run down his spine, and he winced. The Jedi Council sensed it as well, for they all frowned and exchanged looks. It was true, Obi-Wan didn't want Annika to leave, but, he rationalised, if it were for her own well being, he would suffer alone. "I apologise; forgive me," he whispered. Master Yoda hopped down from his chair and limped over to Obi-Wan. The small Jedi walked around him slowly, then quickly bopped Obi-Wan on the knee with his gimmerstick.

"You she has! Her friends she needs."

Master Windu chuckled as Obi-Wan rubbed his throbbing leg and said, "The strength of the Sailor Jedi lies in their friendship. Even through incredible diversity and cultural and social differences, they have all remained the best of friends. If Annika refuses to be a part of that any longer, the integrity of the entire group is compromised."

At that moment, Obi-Wan realised why these people had been appointed to the Council. The insight Master Windu applied was deep and rich... and rang with the clarity of truth. "Allow me to talk to her - I can make her see..." Obi-Wan stopped talking when he saw the look in Yoda's eyes, and the tight grip he held on his gimmerstick.

Adi Gallia smiled and said, "You think just because we are the Council, we don't understand what it is to be in love? We realise you want to help her, but this is just one more bridge she must cross alone."

"But, why does she have to go back to the Room Behind the Waterfall if she doesn't want to?" Thwack! Yoda hit Obi-Wan on the other leg.

"So stubborn, you are! And listen you do not! Return she does not, unless reunites with her friends she can not."

"What Yoda means, Obi-Wan," Master Gallia continued, "is that Annika can live with you, but only if she realises that her role as Senshi is important and valid. Right now she feels lost and unsure about her friends. She believes they are embarrassed and ashamed of her actions concerning the vampire, Lamia. She is wrong, and she has to come to that conclusion voluntarily - in other words, you can't sweet talk her into it."

Obi-Wan blushed. "Where do I fit in?"

"Nowhere, right now," Master Mundi replied. "You are to report to docking bay twelve in two hours. You and Anakin will be negotiating a peace accord with rival gangs on Nar Shaddaa."

"With all due respect, do you think that's wise? I've informed you of Annika's blossoming Force sensations and about her unbelievable fears concerning them. She's terrified. I don't believe this is an appropriate time for me to leave her side."

"You won't be gone long, and when you get back, if she has fulfilled a part of her destiny, then she will be waiting for you in your room. If not..." Mace Windu trailed off.

Annika was in a panic. "You can't leave! Please don't go! I have a bad feeling about this whole thing, Obi-Wan. I'm worried that if you leave, I won't see you again."

Annika sighed and flopped on the bed. She didn't understand why the Council would order Obi-Wan to leave when there were tons of other Jedi just doing nothing.

"Are you going to pout until I get back?" Obi-Wan teased while he closed his pack and sat it next to the door. Annika ignored him; she simply folded her arms and stared ahead at the many ship models that dotted the ceiling. Obi-Wan slowly crawled across the bed and laid next to her with his head propped up on his hand. "Well," he asked, "are you going to pout for me? Pout and pine and tragically sigh until I come galloping, triumphantly, back into your arms?" He smiled and poked her side.

"No!" Annika smiled but pretended to be mad; she turned and faced the opposite direction.

"OK, then... I'll just be going..." He slid off the bed and crept over to the door in slow motion. "I'm opening the door," he sang, "my hand is on the door... I'm going to open it... I'm sure I will be opening it soon..." He tried to lure Annika, but she had none of it. "It's sliding open... I can see the outside hallway..." Obi-Wan teased again, this time making Annika giggle.

"Wait!" she yelled, scrambling out of bed and into his arms. Their lips met sweetly and passionately for what seemed like infinity. The feelings between them were stronger and closer. Annika hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. The sensations coursing through her body weren't new, but they were definitely heightened. She felt like she had bitten into the sweetest, most succulent fruit, and its juices filled her with a bright, fuzzy glow for the whole world to see. "Promise me something, Obi-Wan. Promise that you'll be safe."

"Are you kidding?" he jokingly asked. "If I get hurt, you'll kill me!"

The next morning, Chakra sat humming a pretty song to herself in the middle of the Senshi Gardens. Her small, yet long and fragile fingers were busy weaving daisy chains into a precious scented necklace. UsaNeko tried to quietly approach the pretty girl but sneezed violently out of her allergies to flowers, announcing her presence.

"Usa-chan!" Chakra smiled, "What are you doing in the gardens? What about your allergies?"

"UsaNeko came to ask Chakra-sama a question," the little white and pink kitten sniffled through her runny nose and noticeable lisp. Chakra grinned and refrained from giggling, because for some unknown reason, Annika's kitten had decided to talk in third person perspective, which made her even cuter than before.

"What is your question?"

"Is Annika-sama happy?"

Chakra hoisted the tiny fur ball onto her lap, "Oh Usa-chan, if you could only see the way her light glows! It is magnificent! Sometimes I think the entire universe can see it."

"Then UsaNeko is happy too! UsaNeko just wishes she would come back to see everyone."

"Me too," Chakra said, going back to daisy chain necklaces. UsaNeko watched and sneezed.

Annika saw the scene from one of Obi-Wan's windows. She missed Chakra... and Lys and Lysthea... and Ame, even though the little pink-haired girl rarely said more than two words to her. And Annika missed her friends; she couldn't lie to herself any longer. She missed the special vegetarian food Nom made for her, she missed sneaking into Yuki's room to 'borrow' manga, she missed watching Priire blast junk mail into oblivion, and she missed saying goodnight to everyone. Annika wanted to share her life with those she loved - Obi-Wan, her future children, and her friends - she just didn't know how.

She slouched her way over to Obi-Wan's desk and sat in his chair. What's wrong with me? she thought. I should just go over there and... and what? Say I'm sorry? Ask if they hate me? It doesn't matter - they probably don't want to see my stupid face anyway.

"But I want to see them," she said to no one. After another hour of pacing, sighing, and flipping though Obi-Wan's boring books, Annika decided to sneak over to the Room Behind the Waterfall. If anyone asked, she would say she was there to get some more of her personal things.

Slipping behind the inconspicuous waterfall that concealed the entrance to the Sailor Jedi headquarters, Annika paused. She could hear laughing Chibis and Yoshiko's off-key singing. Annika smiled and rolled her eyes. "What've I got to lose?" the white-haired girl whispered, shrugging her shoulders.

Annika opened the door and walked inside. A quick hush blanketed the room as all eyes fell on her. Lys, who was sitting in the corner braiding her sister's hair, stood and stared, wide-eyed.

"Is everything okay?" Lys asked.

Annika smiled. "Why wouldn't it be? So... what's for dinner?" Everyone was still, not knowing what to do or say. Annika sensed this and cleared her throat. Summoning up more courage than she thought possible, she bowed her head. She had to clear the air, or she would never find happiness. Her life would forever be stuck if she didn't do this one thing.

"I miss you guys. And I'm so sorry for putting you through everything, and I'm sorry that I'm just a big screw up and I'm sorry that you all are stuck with me. I know I'm a terrible senshi, and that I'm weak and kinda dumb, but I was so afraid that everyone hated me. So, I thought it would be easier to just hide away... except... except that I'm selfish! I want to be friends again!!"

Suddenly, Annika was tackled by a mass of hugging senshi. In one moment, everything was forgotten, and things had returned to as normal as they can be around the senshi. Chakra delicately placed the daisy chain necklace she had made earlier around Annika's neck.

"Thank you, Chakra! I love it!" Annika exclaimed, kissing the little girl on the cheek. After a few minutes, Yoshiko started singing again, and Peetie moaned.

"Shut up!!" he yelled, causing Yoshiko to sing even louder. Annika giggled. It was indeed good to be back among her friends. She didn't really understand why she had been so afraid to see them... it all seemed so ridiculous now, and Annika couldn't remember why she waited this long to come to her senses. Turning to Lys, who had gone back to braiding Lysthea's hair, Annika looked at the ground and sighed. She wanted to ask a question, but was unsure how to approach the subject. Honesty is always best, right?

"Lys? Would you be upset if I decided to live with Obi-Wan? Like... all the time?"

The brunette girl chuckled, making fine strands of purple hair fall into her face. "Why would I be upset that my mother and father live together?"

Annika blushed, "Oh that's right," she smiled.

"Actually," Lysthea commented, "I think it's romantic. I can't wait to fall in love."

"What?!?" Annika said, looking right horrified. Lys elbowed her twin sister.

"Don't listen to Lysthea, Annika - she's just really tired... and you know how you say funny things when you are tired?"

Lysthea furrowed her brow and said, "I'm not tired!"

"Yes you are!!" Lys said, this time bopping her on the head. "When is Obi-Wan coming back?" Lys asked, changing the subject.

Priire walked in the common room with her hair in disarray; braids were sticking up everywhere, and her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Kicking and screaming in her arms, was Kleppa. The little baby twisted and squirmed, trying to wrench her way to freedom. Priire seemed on the verge of a breakdown. Looking up in complete desperation, everyone could see defeat in Priire's face; a baby had beaten the former Hawkbat, the proud and strong Sailor Asteroid.

"Annika! I didn't know you were here, I'm sorry," she said, backing out of the room.

"No! Wait!" Annika cried, getting to her feet. Cautiously walking over to fussy Kleppa, and the frustrated Priire, Annika asked, "May I... may I hold her?"

Without hesitation, Priire handed the baby over to Annika. Kleppa instantly calmed down and fell promptly to sleep.

Somewhere in the heart of the Jedi Temple, Master Yoda smiled as the rain stopped.

Yuki watched warmly as Annika cradled the sleeping Kleppa lovingly in her arms. "You know, Annika," the blue-haired girl said, "I don't know anyone who thinks of you as a terrible senshi. As a matter of fact, I don't think of us in those terms. We each have something unique, something that makes us special in our own way... no one is terrible. I don't speak for the rest of us, but I don't know of any other senshi that could convince, then help Priire, redeem a Sailor Sith. Then, there is that whole fighting-your-way-out-of-that-Dark-Side thing, and winning the heart of a Jedi..."

"Getting Kleppa asleep," Priire stepped in and finished the sentence.

"Plus," Lys said, smiling, "you're a really good mom to us and Queen to Bakura."

Chakra sat down next to Annika and said, "And you're a good friend."

"You always have a knack for cheering everyone up," Chikako said.

Silver-tinted tears rolled down Annika's face. "Do you all really feel that way... about me?"

"Yes. I think we all feel the same way about you," Ame said, appearing in the door frame.

Annika smiled and sniffled back more tears.

Obi-Wan Kenobi opened the door to his quarters to a face full of thick, grey smoke.

"What the?" he said, fighting his way through the smog. He hadn't been back for more than ten standard minutes, and his room was on fire. The source of the offensive smoke was smouldering on the table, sitting in a silver platter. Obi-Wan smiled; Annika must've passed the test.

"Honey, you cooked!" he said.

"Well," she said, appearing in the centre of the toxic mist like a dirty angel, "I tried to." Annika opened a window, allowing the smoke to escape. Obi-Wan kissed Annika and held her tight.

"Have you decided where you're going to..." He stopped talking. He didn't need to finish his sentence, for, as the smoke cleared, he saw that his room was crowded with manga, plush rabbits, and various articles of pink clothing. A large poster of N*aboo was plastered above the dresser. "Annika," Obi-Wan began, "I want you to know, this is our room. Yours and mine... but that N*aboo poster has to go."