Sorry for the long wait. Thank you so much for your comments.:)
It was of course, a few more days before they let you move back into our room, and then a few more days after that before you got to continue your regular schedule. My instructor, and soon to be Master devised a feeding schedule for us, so to ensure that I wouldn't weaken and take more then my fair share of your blood, while also allowing you a day to recover without missing much work. As you know, my kind feeds every three weeks, and can survive up to seven months without food, though the vampire usually loses sanity before the seventh month. My Master devised it to where I would feed every two and a half weeks, mostly given to my extreme need for more blood then a regular, normal member of my kind. The schedule worked out well; until we were old enough that I could store blood while you were gone on missions with your Master, and such with I and mine, then it was no longer necessary.
But as to it, the Council and the leaders of the crèche decided that it was too dangerous for me to remain with the other children, for even though I showed no sign of my brethren's intense aggression, I was beginning to show signs in possessiveness. I wonder how I could not have, for even now, I claim you as mine, no matter how much 'owning' you has hurt me, or that it will lead to my death. It's something that has flowed through the blood of my family for years, who was I to deny it.
But as to it, the Council made the decision of assigning me to a Master as soon as you were well, and of course, left me in the dark about it until that Master was chosen. I have no complaints on who they chose, I adored my Master, loved him as a son should love a father, but I was rushed, and felt often that I was a monster that they just put up with to keep war from Coruscant. Perhaps if they had not rushed me, or if I were not a prince of Atan, I would not have felt like such, and would have been able to help you better instead of battling my own demons.
Oh, shhh, don't say a word, save your strength for the dawn. It was a torment that I had to keep from you, and I have never regretted keeping it secret. You did not need more darkness in your life, dear Xan, and I would have suffered more to burden your soul then to carry my doubts alone.
On to it, I remember they day he came. We were in our rooms for the day, for it was a holiday on many worlds. Don't ask me what holiday it was, for Atan does not celebrate it, and from what I can remember, Telos did not either. So we just enjoyed the time off, opting to stay in our room and explore the newly constructed bond between us, for neither of us enjoyed the strange looks we received from many of our crèche mates, and you were still slightly weak, though you would not admit it.
"Come on, I know she likes you. I'm her best friend!" you declared, smirking at me as you stretched slightly on your bed.
"Oh, come off it, she does not. She obviously likes you by the way she looks at you," I commented, absently watching the ball I was tossing up and down with the Force.
"Force no," I glared at you, and you just grinned again, "Sorry. Anyways, of course not. We grew up together; we're like siblings, not like 'that'. She thinks of me as a brother, something to cuddle and beat up, not 'love'," your voice lilted at love, and I blushed at the thought of our aqua-eyed lady even liking me.
"And just what would she find attractive about a vampire that nearly killed her crèche brother?" I asked, tossing the ball at you, and you easily caught it with the Force, before tossing it back at me.
"She thinks you're cute, and don't ask me what she said on that. I spent nearly an hour listening to her go on and on about you, I nearly died in relief when Master Se' showed up," you muttered, rolling your eyes at the memory.
"She thinks I'm cute? Come on, Xan, tell me what she said?" I pleaded, turning your favorite pouting look upon you. You didn't even flinch, but grinned wickedly at me.
"Taught you well, I have," you said in your best Yoda voice, nodding sagely before erupting into laughter, "That's my look, do you think it would work on the Master?"
"Master, eh? I'll show you who's the Master here," I threatened playfully, pouncing on you, careful to not hurt you as we wrestled to the floor, neither of us gaining much advantage over the other, do to your larger build, and my reluctance to use my strength.
"Am I disturbing something?" an amused voice sounded from the doorway.
We looked up guiltily, to find Darrien Kero, the man who had taught me much about my people a few weeks before, grinning at us.
"I am glad to see you are both doing better. I hear you are healing quickly, Xanatos," Kero said, stepping into the room with flawless grace.
"Ah, yes, you've found a positive side to your bond. Good. I've come to discuss a matter which concerns the both of you, but mainly you, Enovan," Kero began, getting strait to the point as he usually did.
We rose together, and bowed to him, before you spoke up, "I am, sir, Enovan's help."
"They are not going to kick me out, are they, sir?" I asked, glancing at you to find the same question in your eyes, and the same fear.
Darrian shook his head, a warm smile on his lips as he sat down on my bed, "No, Enovan, they are not. You're not the first vampire Jedi they've had some trouble with, and it was only a minor set back. For your sake and Xanatos, neither of you are going to be sent away, no matter what. Instead, the Council sent me here to make an offer to you, if you are willing. They wish for me to ask if you would like to become my Padawan learner, so you can begin learning to control your already advancing vampiric powers, as well as your Force given gifts."
"You, as my Master?" I asked in shock, a grin starting to work its way onto my lips, for I had already grown a liking to him.
"Yes, I would be. It would be an honor to teach you, but it is both yours and Xanatos's decision. As a bonded pair, what affects one of you will affect the other, you must remember that," Kero reminded us, and I glanced at you.
/So, how are we to do this?/ I asked through our new bond.
/Well, I won't be able to be chosen for another two years at most. But we can't let that stop you from going on. You need more training then I do anyways,/ you answered, though I could feel your reluctance to separate just as easily as I could feel mine.
/I know, but... I don't want to leave you.../ I trailed off, unsure of how to continue this.
/I don't want you to leave either. But we'll see each other almost every single day, and if we don't, we always have this,/ you lightly tugged on our bond, causing me to smile.
/Are you sure? He could wait a while longer, I'm sure of it,/ I said, for a could not release the doubt in my heart.
You looked into my eyes, and smiled slightly, a spark igniting in your eyes, /I'm sure, Eno. You need this, and if you need it, it will help us both. We knew we'd be separated, taken in by different Masters sooner or later, it just happened sooner then we thought. And don't worry, I'll be a Padawan in no time, then we'll get to go on adventures together like we've always dreamed!/
A grin started to spread over my own face at the thought of it, /Very well, I guess this is just the beginning of such adventures./
You only gave me a secret type of smile, as if you knew something I didn't, and I couldn't help but chuckle mentally at it.
"He will be honored, as I am for him," you replied out loud, while mentally adding, /To the start of adventures./
/And the strong bond between souls,/ I finished, before turning my gaze to my Master, "I am more then honored, Master," I said and bowed, a warm thrill running through me as he returned my smile and took my small hand in his larger ones.
"Then so be it," he said, sealing us to the path we followed, and the lives we lived.
I do miss him greatly, but as I said, sorrow has no place here, only memories now.
A few more years passed, we grew older, and more attached to each other, despite the fact that I was then a Padawan, while you were not one yet. Few could separate us, and we couldn't really argue with each other, probably because I always gave in to everything you wanted. You were strong willed, even at the age of nine, and you knew exactly what you wanted.
And what you wanted, was the best swordsman in the Order as your Master. Now, that was something I could not deliver, but you kept your eye on him anyways, intent above all to gain him.
"Did you know he once deflected thirty blasters all by himself, while he was cornered and was barely nineteen?" you asked as we walked towards the arena. Though I had been a Padawan for two years by then, I still came with you to every showing, to watch you fight against the other's for the right to be chosen, and to hope that you would be.
"Yes, Xan, you've told me that a thousand times," I chuckled, shaking my head at your hero worship.
"But isn't he amazing? I would be the perfect Padawan for him, I just know it!" you practically gushed, and I could only sigh at it.
"You better watch that pride of yours, or Master Yoda will come up and smack you with that evil stick of his," I warned, glancing at you.
"Probably, but he would do that if he even saw me, let alone if he heard me. But it's not all pride, Eno, I just know. Its like a lock clicked when I saw him last choosing, the minute I looked at him I just knew, that was the Master for me. No other will do," you ended in a whisper, and a sad look came to your eyes.
"What is it?" I asked, stopping to look at you better.
"What if I'm not good enough?" you asked, glancing at me before lowering your head again.
"You are, Xan, you're one of the best. You know that, I know that. If it is meant to be, it will be, and nothing can change that. Just like we were meant to be. The Force works within us all, and if it sees fit for something to be, then it will be. Don't doubt that. Oh, if you continue to doubt yourself, I'll throttle you."
A small smile came to your lips, "You can't get rid of me, you need me." "I've got replacements, you're just the prettiest," I said, smirking as you glanced at me in mock horror.
"I knew you wanted me only for my looks!" you declared, eyes wide as you expressed a mock of indignation fitting the royal courts of any world in the system.
"Of course. We vampires are attracted to pretty things; it's an immortal thing. And just what are you going to do about it now, anyways, oh little mortal?" I asked, grinning wickedly at you as I let my fangs show.
You were not the least bit troubled by my overlarge canines, but just playfully glared at me, "Oh, I must be so lucky to be pretty enough to attract the attention of a vampire. And since I can't do anything about it, just what more do you have planned for me, oh Master Immortal?"
Sometime during the two years, you had come to referring to me playfully as Master, as a play off of the customs of Atan, and because many asked for us to explain how we 'owned' each other. We treated it like a joke for so many years, a joke shared only between us, while others thought you were serious. That was always too good for a laugh...
"Ah, feed on you for a few years, then either kill you or make you immortal. Gotta follow tradition, you know," I shrugged as if it were no big deal, struggling not to laugh at the thought.
Ah, to be innocent again, to not have to carry out what I so playfully said so many years ago...
"Would you at least let me become a Knight first?" you asked, raising a black brow.
I raised a finger to my lips as if in thought, and then nodded, "I think that can be arranged."
"Oh, thank you, Master," you mocked bowed, then grinned, "Speaking of which, I better get in there. Wish me luck, and watch you know who."
"I will, and may the Force be with you," I said, returning your grin before you dashed off towards the locker rooms.
You were brilliant on the make shift battle field as you took on your opponent, willing yourself to be perfect in the eyes of the Masters and Knights around us, and particularly in the eyes of a certain one, and you were, for a child of your age. You had learned every kata of our level perfectly in preparation of this, and I could feel that many of the gathered could sense your commitment as well, and your skill. His eyes were always upon you, even when you were not competing, and I could see he was interested, though there seemed to be sorrow in his eyes, as if the choice he made was against his will.
At the end of it, the master you hoped to gain the attention of only turned away, a strange sorrow in his eyes as he headed to the door, not even daring to go down and speak with you, or the others. I glanced at you, seeing your pained look, and my heart hardened in me. He had every right to reject you if he felt you were not right together, but any could see that it was you he turned from, and the reason was not because you did not fit together in the Force. I walked swiftly down to the ring, where you still stood, looking after him, despair in your eyes.
"Xan..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say to you.
You turned to me, a sad smile on your face, "Its alright, Enovan. I still have time to be chosen."
"But not by just any Master," I said softly, glancing at the closed doors.
"No, but we don't always get who we want," you said, looking longingly to the closed doors, then back at me, "Come on, M'jah is waiting."
"Go on ahead, Xan, I need to see about something first," I said, starting to climb the stairs. That look in your eyes had done it, I couldn't let him go without an explanation on why he hurt you. No one had the right to just turn away like that, without a word. Our bond sent me the slight anger you kept hidden, and the sadness that you were not good enough for him. I couldn't let that stand without some reason.
"Enovan, what are you planning to do?" you asked nervously, having an idea of what I was going to do,
"Just go on, Xan, I'll catch up to you later," I said, nearing the door.
"Enovan, wait, don't, please," you said, though I heard your voice waver as the door closed behind me.
Stalking after the tall, intimidating Master, I concentrated on one thing. He had hurt you, rejected you without reason, and I wasn't going to allow it without a good reason. Finally I caught up with his long strides, and stepped in front of him, crossing my small arms as I glared up at him. He stopped, looking down at me with a strange expression in his eyes.
"Yes, Padawan Bloodfire?" he asked.
"You hurt him. I want a reason," I snapped, not really thinking of how much older and bigger the Master was.
"That is my own problem," he said.
"He thinks it's his fault. He thinks he isn't good enough because he's worshiped you for so long, and you rejected him without a word," I snapped.
"It isn't that, he is an excellent fighter for his age, and his focus is very strong, as are his skills," he said.
"Then it is me," I said gravely, glaring up at him.
He started walking again, "It is more complicated then that."
"No, it isn't. You are afraid; afraid of the bond we have, afraid of having an irregular Padawan. But Xanatos is more then the sum of our bond, he is an individual, who hurts and loves as easily as the next. Yet he's special, not perfect, but smart, and kind, and honorable. How can you turn him away just because he's bonded to a blood-sucking monster? It wasn't his fault, it just happened. If you want to blame it on someone, blame it upon me, but don't let Xan suffer because of your fear," I pleaded.
He stopped, and turned back towards me, an age old sadness in his eyes as he looked at me. For a moment, I felt as if he wasn't looking at me, but another, a specter of the past, then he blinked, and sighed softly, "Perhaps I am afraid. But perhaps I need to overcome that fear to move on from the past, but only if you promise me something, Padawan Bloodfire."
"Anything," I said sincerely, I knew he was a good man, and I knew he was the perfect master for you. I couldn't sacrifice the chance to get him to accept you just because I had a difference with him.
"I can see you are devoted to him, as a blood bonded should be. You are right, I am interested in taking him as my apprentice, but yes, your bond was an obstacle I didn't know if I could face. But if he is willing, and I let go of the past, perhaps we can make this work. But you must promise me, you'll never leave him," he said softly.
I blinked up at him, unsure of how to respond to that. It was a requirement that I had to stand by your side, it was my duty to guard and protect you. He was only asking me to swear by my bond again, just as my Master made me do. Just as I had done when I took your blood the first time. Yet the way he said it made me wonder at the true meaning behind his words, and ever did I ponder them. Now, now I realize what he meant...
"I promise," I finally said, and his eyes seemed to lighten, as if a weight had been taken from him.
"Very well, then I shall have to discuss this with him now," he said, and turned away, heading back the way he came.
I followed after, silently, unsure of whether I should watch or not as I watched him enter the room once more. I opened the door, daring not to go in as I saw you still waiting for me, your eyes wide as he came kneel in front of you. I never did hear what you two spoke, as I didn't dare eaves drop on your conversation, but I knew that I had succeeded when your face lit up in a huge grin. Then I slipped away, going out to find M'jah and tell her the news.
"I had always wondered at his change of heart. Imagine, all this time it was because of that promise," you gasp weakly.
Well, it wasn't all me. He wanted you as his apprentice from the start. It was our bond that was holding him back. I don't know why, he never seemed to find fault in my race, or any others, it was the bond that made him uneasy. The feeding didn't, nothing we did made him uneasy, only mentioning the bond did...