Hehehehe! So, this would be chapter 9 eh? Yeah, that's right. Um, please please let me know what you think, it keeps me writing! I've got a bit of writers block, but I don't think it's too serious. Heh. Anyway, when we left off, Quatre's parents had denied to know him when they found out he was a mage, and the group is heading for king trowa's castle.

Disclaimer-I don't own gundam wing. Duh. I also don't own the idea for the dragon Nataku, that belongs to KC from "willing slave"

Warnings: um, this is getting to be a really long fic, just so you know. Also, 1+2 mentions, in the next chapter. There aren't going to be any lemons in this fic. Sorry to those of you who might have wanted one, but I don't think I could write that, so, we'll just stick with the safe stuff.

Ok, on with the good stuff.........

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Chapter 9 An Offering They Couldn't Resist

When they arrived at the castle, they weren't surprised that Wufei was there already.

A servant led the collection of mages to the king's dining room, where Trowa awaited them along with lunch.

"Please be seated." The king said, as he pulled out a chair for the green shirted mage. "It's good to see you again Aria."

She smiled. "The pleasure is all mine, your highness."

Trowa then sat down himself, and he turned his attention to Aria's student. He was chatting happily with the girl, and although she was much smaller than the boy, he could tell that she was also much more experienced. Trowa cleared his throat and everyone turned to look at him.

"As you already know, King's County has no magical protection. Therefore, I am looking for mages that are willing to work for me. You will be given accommodations in the castle, as well as three meals a day. You will also have seats on my highest council, and it is more than likely that I will turn to you for advice before I look to my advisors." The king said.

"What's the catch?" Heero asked, turning to the king.

"You'll have to put up with each other, first of all." He replied, looking meaningfully at Wufei, who was still glaring at Aria. "As well, you will be in danger of being killed every minute that you are in my service, and possibly after you resign as well."

Duo grinned. "sounds like my king of job." He said. "I'll do it."

Heero thought for a moment, then agreed as well.

Wufei was hesitant, but Nataku convinced him he should, with a pleading "Croik!"

The king turned to Aria, who was deep in thought. "I realize the council part does not appeal to you, Aria Cagim." He said.

Heero's breath caught in his throat when he heard the name "Cagim", but he hid his surprise. He glanced around the table. Quatre and Wufei obviously had no idea what the name meant, but Duo gave him a meaningful look.

"Cagim?" Duo asked, after a few moments.

Aria looked at him, and her eyes started to darken as she met his gaze, but she looked away before they could turn to the empty black that was filled with hate. "Yes, my full name is Aria Cagim."

"But that means........" Heero's sentence trailed off as Aria held up her hand to stop him.

"I am the head of the mage council, yes, and I am the most powerful mage. I can perform any spell, though I am a mixture of spirit and weather." Aria paused, then turned to her student. "Do you know how you became a mage?" she asked.

Quatre shook his head.

Aria smiled. "When a child is born, it has a light in it's heart. This light is it's soul, the one thing that allows it to enjoy life. The soul creates your personality, and your personality creates who you are." She paused. "the child's light is always white, but in some children, as they get older and their personalities develop, the white will slowly start to change colour. The few children who develop this colour become mages."

"But you're a mixture of two colours." Quatre said. "Does that happen often?"

Aria shook her head. "If two colours develop, they different shades of that colour will most likely mix to form a shade of black, or brown. These children become the dark mages, and they are taken by the Master. There are usually only one or two per generation. The Master trains them, and tries to bring them back into the world of colour."

"Were you one of the dark mages?" Quatre asked

Aria hesitated thinking. "No." she finally replied. "My colours are mixed together evenly, allowing them to blend. But, I was born with the colour green. The mage council didn't know what to do with me, because I was born with a colour. They ended up giving me to the Master, and he trained me."

Quatre nodded. "So, when the Master brings the dark mages back to colour will they blend as well?"

"No, they will have one dominant colour, as you do, but they are not as strong as you will become." Aria took a deep breath. "Do you understand?"

Quatre nodded slowly. "I think so."

"Good." Aria replied. "So, what do you think? Should we join up with king Trowa?" she grinned at the king, and he smiled back.

"Yeah, I guess we should." Quatre confirmed. "But, I should warn you, I have no idea how to use my powers."

Trowa nodded. "I understand. But, with Aria as a teacher you will learn how. She is the best teacher you could have."

The blended mage blushed slightly at this comment, then she turned to Quatre. "Your training starts this evening. I'll give you a little bit of time to get to know the castle, and I have a book I want you to read. I'll come and find you after dinner."

Quatre nodded. The king then excused himself to attend a meeting, leaving the five newly hired mages to get accustomed and to take in their surroundings. Aria had stayed in the castle before, so she led the group of boys through the dark and damp passageways of the dungeons, and through the bright and cheerful hallways of the main parts of the castle. She then showed them to their rooms. They each had a separate one. Heero and Duo were across the hall from each other, then you turned a corner and there were three more rooms. Two were on one side of Duo and Heero's hallway, these belonged to Wufei and Aria. Quatre was on the other side of the hallway.

Duo and Heero had decided to take a walk in the courtyard, to discuss their current position. Quatre was in his room reading the book Aria had given him about fire mages and their spells. She had also given him a warning not to try any of them without her there. Aria was knocking nervously on Wufei's heavy wooden door.

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YAY! Chapter 9 done too! And I have chapter 10 done as well, I just haven't typed it yet, so let me know if I should post it or not......your input is appreciated!

Aria

Ps-thank you so much to those of you that have reviewed, I really really appreciate it! Thank you!