Bloodmarrow 9

"Hello, Anakin." Obi-Wan said as he turned to face the Sith Lord, two reddish streaks going through his white hair. A weak smile appeared on his lips as he studied his former apprentice. Obi-Wan's face looked smoother and younger, his skin free of blemishes caused by Tatooine's dry air and age. "So, how are you feeling? You don't look too good, you know. It must be a real pain dragging that respirator around with you. Wouldn't you like to be free of it? I think I could help you there…"

Vader stared at his former master, hot alarm spiking through him. It was clear that something was wrong with him, seriously wrong with him. "Obi-Wan, you are not well…"

"Of course I'm well, Anakin!" Obi-Wan replied calmly, placing the comb onto his bed. His fingernails had turned blackish, as if he had painted them with fingernail polish. Yet he didn't seem to notice or care about this new startling change. "I assure you I didn't feel this good in years. You really should try it…"

"Master, your fingernails!" Vader blurted out as he gawked in horror at the Jedi's black nails. They were as dark as his armor and just looking at them sent chills down his spine.

"What? These?" Obi-Wan held up both hands with the palms facing himself so the Sith could see his nails better. The tips were pointed and appeared very sharp. The Jedi glanced at them a moment and shrugged. "It's nothing, Anakin. They're just fingernails. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"They're black and pointed!" Vader exclaimed as if that proved his point. This was far worst than a few streaks of white hair – or red in Obi-Wan's case. It suggested a much bigger change was going on within a Jedi. The fingernails had almost turned into claws. And what type of species had claws? Predators! Obi-Wan was rapidly turning into a fierce predator and the worst part was he seemed to be enjoying it!

/I have to do something! I have to make him see what's happening to him!./

If he didn't…

/I'll loose him forever!./

The thought of actually loosing Obi-Wan, it was more than he could take. At one time he wouldn't have cared. On Mustafar he would have killed him gladly and never even looked back. But he had been in a grip of rage then. He had been young, his body burning with all kinds of hormones. It was near impossible for him to think straight back in those days. But he had matured now, mellowed out. Sure, he was still a Sith but he was far smarter now. He could be patient if he wanted to be and he didn't fly off the handle as quickly anymore. And now that he knew the Jedi had stayed loyal to him all these years, watching over his innocent son and protecting him, why, he owed it to Obi-Wan to help him! And if he couldn't, if the Jedi changed into one of those bloodthirsty beasts…

/I'd be forced to kill him…/

The pathogen couldn't spread. That was clear. It was too deadly, too resistant to medication. The thought of slicing his friend with his red bladed lightsaber, it sent waves of nausea through his stomach and an icy chill down his back. He couldn't do it. He couldn't kill Obi-Wan! Perhaps they hadn't been the best pair of master and apprentice, mismatched the way they were. But they had years of being together and had their own sort of bond. They had been through thick and thin together, saving each other's lives countless times. How could he throw that all away? He couldn't, that's what.

/I can't kill him, I can't kill Obi-Wan!./

"So? What does the color of one's nails matter?" Obi-Wan frowned and closed the distance between them. A sparkle glowed in his blue eyes just as they always have done. "Anakin, no matter what you think, I'm still me. My core of who I am hasn't changed. Well, maybe I feel more confident in myself but how can that hurt anyone? I really think I can control this thing on my own…"

Sith were supposed to be fearless and as one Vader hadn't experienced true fear in a long, long time. He didn't bat an eyelash at dogfights were ships blew up all around him and his heart rate never soared in the face of danger. Yet this, this was more disturbing than anything he had ever witnessed. The closest thing he could think of was that day in Palpatine's office when he had realized the awful truth, that he had picked the wrong side. He remembered the shock flowing through him, collapsing to his knees. This feeling was similar yet different. This was scarier. It triggered responses on his most primitive level. He watched the Jedi inch closer and he wanted to move backward, away from him. Yet at the same time he thought it ridiculous.

/I can't really be scared of Obi-Wan!./

No, Obi-wan was his brother, father and best friend all in one. He trusted Obi-Wan with his life.

/But I don't trust that thing within him…/

Vader once again wanted to step backward and found himself frozen in place. He had heard others describe this exact thing happening to them and he had snorted at it, sure it would never happen to him. He was the most gifted Jedi ever! He could do things with ease the first time and he could do things others could only dream about. That and he was phenomenal at the physical stuff. And yet his feet refused to obey his commands! He could only stand there, watching helplessly, as the Jedi moved closer and closer. His heart pounded inside his chest and he demanded more air from his respirator. One droid hand was frozen around the long hose that connected to the air tank that floated along behind him. Obi-Wan reached out and placed one of his long nailed hands on his shoulder, the heat of the Jedi-s skin soaking into his body through the thin material of the cotton hospital gown.

"Anakin, it pains me to see you like this." Obi-Wan said, his blue eyes filled with sorrow and regret. After gazing into Vader's pained filled eyes for several moments, his eyes dropped lower to the mechanical limbs. He also remembered that day on Mustafar all too well and had lost sleep over it countless nights, waking up screaming from nightmares. Not that there was anyone to hear him out there on the salt flats of Tatooine. If one wanted isolation, then Tatooine was the perfect place. Lifting his eyes back upward, he sighed. "Anakin, I don't know if you'll believe me, but I never wanted us to fight that day. Things just spiraled out of control. It broke my heart to see you a Sith. I felt betrayed but I also felt that I failed you. I've spent years out there in the desert thinking of my failure, of what I could have done different…"

Surprise shot through the Sith Lord at the Jedi's words.

"I … I should have done something different that day." Obi-Wan continued, his hand still resting on his former apprentice's shoulder. "I never should have snuck on Padme's ship, I never should have ignited my lightsaber against you; I know that now. But I wasn't thinking straight, either. But that's no excuse for my actions. And I never should have let this happen to you."

Obi-Wan moved his hand off Anakin's shoulder and gripped one of his droid hands. The metal was cool in his grip, the gold shiny and reflective. Long bits of white hair were visible against the golden metal from where it grew from his palms. He curled his fingers around Anakin's mechanical hand, the black fingernails clearly visible. When compared to the innumerable humanoid species in the galaxy, the nails really weren't all that strange a sight. But for someone who was supposed to be human… The Jedi stared into Vader's blue eyes, a sheen of liquid tears coating his own. "Anakin, I thought about this every day since we parted. I can't believe what a vile, disgusting monster I had been that day; to just leave you there like that. It was inhuman! I can't imagine the horrendous pain you must have gone through to survive that. Not many could. I thought I could never make it up to you. I took care of your son the best I could while not directly interfering in his life. But I did watch out for him and made sure nothing bad happened. But now, now we can have a fresh start!"

"A fresh start?" Vader asked, slightly perplexed by the Jedi's words. The very fact that Obi-Wan was apologizing for his action on Mustafar was surprising indeed and something he thought he'd never hear. "Obi-Wan, don't you realize I'm still a Sith? I'm not going to change sides just because you've apologized. I believe in the Empire and what it stands for: law and order for everyone."

"What does it matter? Anakin, I sat on that dustball for twenty years by myself!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, his hands tightening their hold on Vader's droid hand. "I was miserable and moping about, meditating on the edge of a cliff. I sat there so long that the place literally reeks with my grief! But that's all over now. We're together again and we can start anew!"

Anakin blinked, totally caught off guard.

"Anakin, I missed you! Don't you understand that?" Obi-Wan stated.

"You … you missed me?" Vader asked, surprise clear on his pale face. He had been sure Obi-Wan had hated him. And now to learn just the opposite…

"Of course I missed you." The Jedi stated. His blue eyes took in Vader's pasty white skin; the dark circles under his eyes, the ugly burn marks on his face that never had healed right. If he could have seen the back, he would have been aghast at the deep red cracks that marred the back of Vader's skull. More burns were on his chest, back and the rest of his trunk. It had just been a miracle – or a curse – he had survived. "But this, this is my fault. It breaks my heart to see you like this, trapped within that iron suit. Let me fix it for you…"

"What do you mean?" Suspicion rose within him and Vader suddenly remembered his fear of the Jedi. Although he felt Obi-Wan's words were true and he had missed him, the man was not himself. "You're not a doctor."

"Anakin, look at me!" Obi-Wan ran a hand across his smooth cheek, free of wrinkles and over dry skin. Lifting his hand to his hair, he ran it through his thicker locks. "I'm young again! If it can help me I'm sure it can help you as well! Just think, you wouldn't need that respirator anymore!"

/No more respirator…./

The words and what they meant resounded in the Sith Lord's mind. He imagined being free of the awful mask and helmet for the first time in twenty years. He could feel the sun on his face again; feel the warm caress of a breeze or the soft tinkle of the rain. Perhaps he'd even grow new hair on his head. He remembered how he had loved feeling the wind blow through his long locks, the pleasant sensation that had accompanied such a simple act. It had been pure heaven.

/And I would be free of pain…/

Yes, the aches and injuries of his body would finally knit itself together and he'd be whole as he was meant to be. He would be once more at full power and able to do what he wished to do. It was tempting, oh so tempting! And Anakin had never been good at resisting temptation. He had given in to both the loud calls of Padme's body and the dark embrace of the Sith. But this … this would be insane!

/He is turning into a beast! Why am I even considering this?./

But he had dreamed of being free of pain for years and years. He hated the mask and suit he was forced to wear over his mangled body. He had power, both through the Force and through the Empire. He was next in line for the throne and he would be a fool to give that up. He would be Emperor someday and he couldn't risk turning into some mindless beast like the one that had attacked his son.

/And I have a son and daughter to care for now…/

"Obi-Wan, can't you see you are changing into the very thing that attacked Luke? That beast?" Vader hoped this would snap some sense into the Jedi. Time was up for beating around the bush, he had to get rough and hoped it worked. Reaching out, he carefully gripped one of the Jedi's hands. He was mindful of the sharp claws. Up close they looked very wicked and even though his arms were mechanical he wasn't about to take any chances. "Look at your nails! They're almost claws!"

"Anakin, that thing was not Force-sensitive. We are!" Obi-Wan cried as he pulled his hand away from his former Padawan. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared at Vader. "Anakin, do you have such little faith in me? Can't you trust me when I say I can handle this thing?"

"I trust you, Master, it's that pathogen I don't trust." Vader replied coolly. "What am I supposed to do when you grow a snout and start running around on all fours like an animal?"

"Anakin, how many times do I have to tell you I'm not your Master anymore? You have a new master or did you forget?" The Jedi frowned, his senses reaching outward towards the Sith. Some of Vader's emotions floated on the surface, but others were deeper where he couldn't get at them. "Or could it be you're not entirely satisfied with Palpatine, either? Are you thinking of higher goals? A move upward?"

A slight hope sprung up from within Obi-Wan's chest. If Anakin was annoyed at Palpatine for some reason, then perhaps he could persuade him from the Dark Side! And if not from the Dark Side, well, at least convince him to get rid of the Emperor. It would be a step in the right direction at least. With Luke out of commission for months if not years, he had to work with what he had. Better yet, Anakin was fully trained. Perhaps he'd fill the prophecy yet…

"I am not exactly pleased with his current goals." Vader cautiously stated, unsure if he should voice such feelings at all. But this was his ship and he was in charge.

Obi-One raised an eyebrow. "Really? And what don't you like?"

"This nonsense of building the Death Star. The super weapon is insignificant when compared to the power of the Force."

"And this enhances our abilities!" The Jedi exclaimed, emotion clear in his blue eyes. "Just listen to me! We are not normal people! We have medi-clorians and we are intimate with our bodies. We can control our breathing, heart rate and see inside ourselves. We're both fully trained Jedi, Anakin. This would overrun a normal person. They would be changed into a mindless thing; I agree with that. But that doesn't have to happen to us. We can use this to our benefit. Imagine wounds healing overnight, your senses increasing. Anakin, I can hear your heart beating in your chest!"

Vader blinked in surprise. "You … you can hear my heart?"

The Jedi nodded. "And I can smell you."

"Smell me…" Vader's eyes flickered down to the sharp black nails on Obi-Wan's fingers. He could feel his nerves jumping and his heart soared in response. The things his old mentor was describing went very well with the senses of a dangerous predator. Did they not have excellent scent and hearing? Without them, how else would they catch prey? But what exactly did Obi-Wan smell on him? The last thing he wanted was to give off the fear-scent of prey.

"Yes, smell you." Obi-Wan repeated. "My eyesight has also improved. This doesn't have to be a bad thing."

Reaching out with the Force, Vader stretched his senses towards Obi-Wan. He wanted to know for himself what the man was experiencing. If he could withstand Luke's nausea surely he could withstand this? Feeling his approach, the Jedi dropped his shields and allowed him within his mind. They were quite familiar with each other's minds, Anakin often picking up how things were done by watching Obi-Wan doing them from within his mind. The Jedi hadn't minded Anakin learning techniques that way, but his emotions and thoughts had always been locked behind another barrier. This time, however, they were free for him to experience.

The new self-confidence was there but Vader pushed it aside. He could feel new strength flowing through his body and all his limbs. The feeling was amazing and he felt almost drunk on it. To be young and whole again! He felt as if he could do almost anything. He himself didn't ever remember feeling this strong physically. There was an enticing smell in his nose, familiar and it produced a somewhat calming effect. And yes, he could hear the rhythmic beating of a heart…

Vader pulled back, amazed. He didn't understand how Obi-Wan could feel so physically strong when he appeared the same, no added bulk of muscle. It was confusing. Yet he couldn't get that wonderful memory of being so perfectly whole out of his mind.

/If only I could be that way…/

Obi-Wan seemed to know exactly what he was thinking, for he smiled and stepped closer. "Don't deny yourself the chance of being healed, Anakin. I did this to you now let me fix it. You know I can."

"I…" Vader hesitated, knowing he should flee from the room while he had the chance. He had given in to temptation two times before and each had been a disaster of sorts. Yet he didn't want to live with this pain, either. It was a constant annoyance that never quit. It pounded on him every hour of every day.

"We can be brothers, real brothers. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Obi-Wan held one of his hands palm up and deftly sliced it with one of his sharp nails. Instantly a red line of blood appeared across his hairy palm and the Jedi held it out towards the Sith Lord. "It'll be easy, Anakin. We just exchange a bit of blood, that's all. What do you say, hmmmm?"

Anakin's blue eyes drifted from the red blood leaking out of the shallow cut. He was astonished how easily the black, pointed nail had cut through the skin as if it were tissue paper. This was real. Obi-Wan, his friend and mentor, was really changing into a beast. It just was so hard to believe…

/Things like this don't happen!./

Just like slave boys don't win their freedom in a pod race and run off to be Jedi? Or how a former slave becomes the second richest man in the entire galaxy? Or marrying a Queen who was so beautiful she could be an angel?

/Or finding my long-lost son…/

The red blood held Vader enraptured. He watched it slowly pool in a small puddle amid the white hairs growing from the Jedi's palm. All that was required now is that he cut himself somewhere on his real body, exchange blood. He had heard the term blood brothers before and knew that exchanging blood was a silly thing lots of young children did. They thought magic existed in the exchanging and that the very act was a binding of sorts that nothing could break. It was all in their heads, of course. In most cases it did nothing at all. In a few cases one of them might catch a disease from the other. This, however, was far different. Obi-Wan wanted to give him the pathogen on purpose, as it had the ability to heal his injuries.

/I could do it…/

But doubt gnawed on his mind. He didn't really know for a fact that Obi-Wan could control the disease as he claimed. Tearing his eyes away from the red blood, he lifted them to the Jedi's young face.

"Don't be scared, Anakin. If I can control this, I know you can!" Obi-Wan smiled a toothy smile, his lips pulling back from his teeth. As he did so, his longer and wider than normal eyeteeth were revealed. The canines flashed in the light of the room like sharp daggers.

Vader gulped at the unexpected sight, wide-eyed. "I…"

To be continued…