Black Cat Contract

Amu shivered from the pain she felt on her body. Her breathing was heavy but she was fully concentrated on the strange being before her. A sleek black cat with deep oceanic blue eyes that seemed to penetrate into her wounded soul. "C-cat?"

The cat's mouth didn't move but his voice reached Amu more clearly than anything else in this realm, "hey, do you want to be saved?"

Amu turned her head with effort, "c-can I?"

The black cat seemed to leap through the black air, approaching the floating Amu. It nudged it's nose on one of amu's wound, causing a flicker of pain to run through her neck. "This Cauldron of Hell really is a dangerous place. Though you just arrived, you're already hurt this badly."

Amu gasped for air, finding it difficult to speak. As a child raised in the world of witches, she has heard of the many rumours and stories about this place. The divine punishment for witches who lives are spared but their deeds are worthy of death. Many said, it was mainly the dwelling of noble witches whose served one generation of the Queen and when a new Queen took over, rebelled. They were charged of treason to the new elected Queen, but because of their loyalty towards the deceased Queen, their lives were spared. Inevitably, they were sent here. What Amu didn't understand was why she was here? The Prince was most certainly alive, did she deserve this?

"So, do you want to leave this place?" the Black Cat asked again.

"Why are you asking me?"

The black cat jumped on top of Amu, looking at her with those irresistable cat eyes, "your case was unjust. You were just mischievous, weren't you, mischievous witch?"

Amu closed her eyes, "it really was unfair. I suppose this is my fate."

The black cat jumped off Amu, "are you going to accept fate."

Another burning pain crossed through Amu, as she opened her eyes. "NO! I WON'T" she screamed in agony, from the new fire blazing around her.

The black cat seemed to fade and disappear along with the newly burning flames. It's last words were, "I'll grant your wish to leave this Cauldron of Hell, Amu Hinamori..."

A soothing cool breeze blew around Amu, coating her from the piercing flames, lifting her up and up towards light. She felt herself refresh and more stable as her wounds healed, the blood evapourating away like normal rain. In her hands was a black scroll. She opened it and read the golden writing:

DEAL WITH REBEL OF FATE

CONTRACTOR: AMU HINAMORI

CONTRACTOR's REQUEST: Change of Fate

DEALER's REQUEST: Contractor will not lose their powers or memories as a Witch. However, they must live within the Human World for as long as they live.

If contractor wishes to return to the World of Witches and reclaim their previous title, then they must do 100 good deeds (helping humans gain happiness).

The above will only come true if the following proceeds:

IMPORTANT: Contractor can only stay alive if the first person they meet in the Human World accepts the contractor as a Witch and is willing to serve the contractor. If the person doesn't accept the contractor, then the contractor will die. To prove the acceptance of the Contractor, a kiss is required which'll seal the fate.

WARNING: The Human's life is then dependant on the Witch. The Witch is required to feed the Human her own life force in order to retain...

Amu tightened her grip on the black scroll, not bothering to read any further. It was so light here, but the same silence surrounded her. The Human World. To Witches, it was a dangeours place to be, as Humans often hunted Witches. No right Witch in their mind would ever want to step foot in that kind of place. Then again, the Human World seems so differernt, it interested her greatly. As long as she was careful, no Human's should know that she is a Witch, then no harm would be done. She will prove she can change fate. In the end the forbidden Human World was Amu's final resort, a place where she'd belong for the remainder of her life. Amu bit her finger, using the drop of her blood on her fingertip, she signed her name onto the scroll. "I accept."

The black scroll flew from Amu's hand as the light began to blind her eyes. She only felt her body falling, falling and falling.

--- --- ---

Utau and Yaya reamined quiet beside Queen Helen, who sat on the chair beside the bed where Tadase now lie. The Queen shook her head, "have you two no idea how to turn my son back to normal?"

Both Yaya and Utau bowed, "I'm sorry my Queen."

The Queen shuffled, trying to surpress her tears, "it's not that he looks ugly now. My poor son, he can't even speak. How would I know what he needs. Oh, Tadase, this is all her fault. This is Amu Hinamori's fault. I'd do anything to make her life suffer. I would..."

Yaya said, "My Queen, the Cauldron of Hell is the already the best solution. I am certain, she wishes she was dead instead. It is endless suffering for as long as she lives. No sane person could endure that place."

The Queen relaxed a little, "Yes. That girl would remain there for eternity. It is most fitting for her afterall."

Utau clenched her cltohes in the background. Her heart was in pain, although her expression remained very cold and readless.

--- --- ---

THE HUMAN WORLD

"Thankyou for your hard work again Ikuto."

A young, energetic looking guy waved as he started to peddle his bike. "I'll be off then," he called back to the store manager. As he rode down the streets, the soft air blew against his face, filling him with the sweet scent of flowers.

"Hey, Ikuto."

"On your bike again-"

"-continue to work hard ok."

The young guy on the bike, named Ikuto Tsukiyomi smiled in return as he passed neighbours. Going down the hill, he felt his heart beat faster, somehow feeling more optimistic than he usually was. "Ah, another carefree, easy day gone. Hope for another good day ahead."

Ikuto looked up at the sky, that was painted in light orange and yellow shades. He stopped his bike momentarily, leaving it to the side and walking a little down the hill, taking in the beautiful scenery. He prepared to sit down for a bit till he noticed black clouds forming around. "Is it going to rain?" he asked, looking at the sudden change in weather, "maybe I should go..."

Just as Ikuto was about to pick up his bike, black feathers fell from above him. He stared up and a body fell on top of him.