[b]Title:[/b]He Was A Good Friend

[b]Summary:[/b] Obi-Wan and Anakin do some bonding.

[b]Disclaimer:[/b] Star Wars belongs to George Lucas, not me.

[i]Story begins just hours before the beginning of RotS[/i]

Word spread throughout the base like wildfire. It usually did when the news involved
the two most famous Jedi alive. From clone troopers to Jedi Masters, Knights and
Padawans; everyone had heard, and they all had ventured towards the training room
to catch a glimpse. One glimpse of the two heroes was all they wanted.

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were about to engage in a practice duel.

*******************************************************************

“They’re here again, Obi-Wan,” Anakin griped, his voice having deepened much in
the last three years since he left behind the awkwardness of being a teenager.

The elder man just smiled as he removed his robe and tunics, revealing a well-
sculpted upper body. “Ignore them. You used to be good at that,” he teased his
former apprentice.

Anakin chuckled as he caught sight of a few teenage females. They three girls had
their eyes glued to Obi-Wan’s bare chest. “I believe you have a few admirers,
Master.”

Obi-Wan turned his blue-gray gaze towards their audience and smiled. He could
sense the embarrassment of the younglings at having been caught watching him.

“Stop flirting, Obi-Wan, you’re going to give them ideas,” Anakin playfully chastised
his older companion as he began removing his own tunics.

“I’m not flirting, Anakin. I’m just being friendly,” he explained.

Anakin’s laughter carried across the empty room. “Sure you are. You know, for
someone that sticks whole-heartedly to the Jedi Code, you sure seem to have a way
with the ladies, Master.”

“The Code doesn’t forbid being charming, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said. “I can’t help it if
I’m irresistibly handsome.”

Anakin doubled over in laughter at that comment. His sides ached and his eyes
watered as he tried to calm himself.
“Personally, I think they feel sorry for you. They can see that I’m the more good-
looking of the two of us,” Anakin finally managed. “I mean, I’m more than fifteen
years your junior, I’m taller and faster and I’m much more powerful a….”

He never got to finish his statement. As usually happened during their friendly
banter, Anakin would gush about his own skills and would be totally unprepared for
the sneak attack that landed him on his back, facing the business end of Obi-Wan’s
glowing blue lightsaber.

“You’re my brother, Anakin, and my best friend,” Obi-Wan told the younger man as
he lay on the floor, his face inches from the white-hot saber. “You’re definitely taller
and younger, and sometimes faster than I, but you will absolutely never be better
looking than I am, my very young former apprentice.”

It took less than a few seconds before both me were laughing. Obi-Wan reached a
hand down and helped Anakin up from the floor. Once on his feet, Anakin sent a
mock glare at Obi-Wan.

“I’ll never understand how you catch me off guard all the time,” Anakin grumbled
good-naturedly. “Some day, when you least expect it, I’m gonna beat you. You’re
gonna be the one with [I]my[/I] saber at [I]your[/I] neck.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Not for a long time, Anakin. Not for a very long time indeed.”

Anakin mirrored the smile with his own. “What do you say we skip the practice today
and go have a drink?”

Obi-Wan tossed Anakin his clothing as he began dressing himself. “Good idea. We
can practice tomorrow.”

The two men walked happily out into the bright sunlight, the heat of the day bathing
them in red and gold. After a few moments of staring up into the brilliant blue sky
and watching the shifting clouds, Obi-Wan turned his gaze upon his former student.

“I’m very proud of you, Anakin,” he said quietly. “You’re a good man and a good
friend.”

Anakin met his stare. “Thank you, Master. So are you, far beyond anyone else I have
ever known. This war has torn so many things apart. I’m glad it hasn’t done that to
you and I.”

They shared a gentle smile before heading off together to find their drinks.