Author's notes: Thanks to Kaitlin B. and Djsngi for reviewing; your reviews are the fuel for my works. Thank You!! ^_-

Note: The Mage is my own character!

~thoughts~ - character thoughts
" "- quotes
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Chapter 12 - Aftermath Bargain

It began to rain outside, with thunder booming and sheets of rain splashing down like the beads of a broken necklace. Every creature outside scrambled to hide away from the bitter iciness, but inside one apartment contentment was already shattered.

Ming sat cradling Taeia in his arms, waiting for the nightmarish reality to end, but it never came. Just the cold and numbing feeling of fact hit full force.

~She looks like she's fast asleep~ The boy scan the girl's features ~with her eyes closed and lips still rosy, but she will never wake up again~

The room was silent, with Re, in shock of the death of her mistress and the condition of her fellow guardian, and Ming, confused when his whole world came crashing down in one day.

The amber haired youth gently places Taeia on the couch and trudged upstairs. He's hands trembled when the water washed off the blood on his hands, Taeia's blood. The burgundy liquid slowly dripped into the sink mingled with the water, turning it a pinkish color.

He came up to Taeia's room hand gripping the doorknob, afraid that he won't be able to keep his emotions in check. The door slowly creaked open. Revealing a tidy, simple room with a small bed, a closet and a nightstand.

Ming walked to the bed and sat down. On the nightstand was a picture of a girl and a boy laughing with smudges all over their faces and clothing, holding a trophy.

~That was during our soccer championship~ Ming look over the photo ~ I didn't even knew she kept the picture¡­~

Then he noticed a note near the picture. It was written in a neat script.

~This is Taeia-chan's handwriting~ he began reading the note out loud
" Dear Ming-kun:

If your reading this letter, I probably¡­passed away. How exactly did I know? I had a prophetic dream last night, and I foreseen my own death. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I don't want to burden the ones I care with my dilemmas. Please don't be angry with me. You know I always believed in everything happens for a reason, maybe this is just what is meant to be. Don't hung back on the past, just¡­accept this. Take care of Re, Gunag and the cards, you'll make a great master. All I ask is that you keep me alive in your heart and mind and I'll always be with you.
Love always
Taeia D. Hiiragizawa"

"She knew all along and she didn't tell me" Ming whispered, anger, sadness all rolled into one. He laughed, a bitter hysterical laugh.

The Card Master slide down from the bed to the floor. He hugged his legs to his chest and laid his head on his knees.

~Everything falls into place now, why the sudden 'live the day to the fullest' and the dinner~ Ming realized, dazed ~ I can't believe I didn't see through it¡­I could at least have said goodbye~

The boy buried his face within his arms. The salty smell of the dried up blood still lingers on his shirt. Then, the tears came, one by one.
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"Pathetic. Isn't he?" The figure sat on his chair, watching a mirror like water surface "crying like a baby"

"You killed the Card Mistress, didn't you?" Kico wheeled on her brother

"Watch who you're accusing of, girl!" The figure snarled "I did kill her, but for a very special purpose, a strategy"

"What are you going to do?" The girl whispered

"Watch and see"

~I can't allow Oniisan to do this~ Kico bit her lower lip ~what ever he has planed, it's not going to be good~
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Re flew up stairs to find Ming sitting in Taeia's room. The little animal patted the boy on the shoulder in a gesture of understanding.

"I'll give you some time alone" The sun guardian said quietly as she flew out of the room

By now, the tears have stopped and the brooding begins

"Feeling lost aren't you?" Suddenly a voice came from the shadows "Like your heart suddenly emptied and things just seems more confusing than ever?"

"Who are you?" Ming's head snapped up at the voice

"You may call me¡­" The figure stepped out of the shadows "The Mage" The voice came from a young man around 19 with black hair and silver colored eyes. He wore a dark colored robe and held a wooden staff with an oval shaped garnet encrusted on top.

"What do you want?" Ming whispered

"No, no, what do *you* want?" The Mage smiled "I'm here to make¡­a barging"

"I want my friend back, but you can't bring back the dead" The boy replied

"*I* could" He told Ming

"How?" The Card Master got up from the floor and rounded on the youth in front of him

"Like I said, I'm here to make a bargain" The stranger spoke in a unhurried manner

"What kind of bargain?" Ming narrowed his eyes

"I could bring your friend back, *if* you sell me your soul for hers" The Mage folded his hands "I consider that a fair trade"

"How do I know you are trustworthy" the jade-eyed boy advanced upon the young magician

"You don't. You just have to have faith in me" The black-haired teen responds

"What will happen if¡­I sell my soul to you?" Ming's brows knotted as he consider this for a moment

"Your magical abilities will belong to me" The Mage smiled as he explained "you'll also become a servant of mine"

"For how long?"

"Until I'm through with your service, but your powers will be mine forever"

~ If he could do what he claim and bring Taeia back, should I do it?~ the boy thought about this for a moment ~should I sell my soul to him?~

"I'll give you some time to think about it" The Mage seems to have read his mind

"Wait!" Ming shouted "How can I reach you?"

"I will come to you, when you are ready" the stranger respond as he disappeared
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The Mage reappeared in his palace.

"Oniisan, you' re back" Kico spoke "How did it go?"

"Everything fell into place perfectly" the gray-eyed youth triumphed

"Why didn't you take the Card Master's powers when you meet him?" Kico inquired "Like you did with the Moon Guardian?"

"He is very powerful, like that Taeia girl. They have to give their power to me willingly, I cannot just take them" The Mage smirked "unlike that weak guardian of theirs, whom I can easily manipulate"

~Oh no, the Card Master fell for it!~ Kico brows knotted ~Now what can I do?~
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Ming walked down stairs. Re is watching over Taeia and lost in thought. Guang, who had now waken up kept silent.

The two guardians watched Ming sat down besides Taeia. They head for the kitchen, giving him some time alone.

"How I wish to see you well again, Taeia-chan" The amber-haired boy took the girl's hand in his own "To tell you¡­I love you"

He kissed her softly, her lips was still warm.

Ming's mind determined an answer ~I'll do it. I'll sell my soul to him, whatever to get Taeia back, I'll do it!~

"I see you've reached your resolution" The Mage appeared next to the boy

"I have"

"Good, then we have a deal" the young man offered his hand to the Card Master. Ming shook his hand to finalize the deal. A reddish glow suddenly surrounded him, the amber-haired boy gasped softly as his powers are taken form him.

The Mage then proceed to tap his staff on the floor three times and murmur a foreign incantation. A similar scarlet light wrapped around Taeia, her shoulder wound healed as colors came back to her features once more.

"You have three days to pack up your belongings and say good bye" the stranger spoke "On the fourth day, I will come to take you to my palace. You will live there, until your purpose is through"

The black haired youth disappeared again.

"Ming-kun!" Taeia's eyes fluttered open. She smiled "How did I get back here?"

~It's worth it, just to see that smile again~ the jade-eyed boy hugged the girl close ~Even if it means I have to give up my magic~
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To Be Continued
Oooohh! So the plot thickens. What do you think? R&R Plez!