Author's Note: A Chrno Crusade fanfic i started and never got round to finishing. hopefully more updates soon. please R&R helpful critism appreciated :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Chrno Crusade :(

Prologue

Rosette stared out of the window, following the droplets of rain that raced each other down the clouded glass. It was silent in the van except for the steady patter of raindrops on the metal and the ocassional sniff from one of the girls sat in the back. Rosette turned round in the front and looked at the seven girls piled in to the back, clad in ful armour and carrying their weapons. The only one without a gun was a small child with long silver hair, silent tears streaming down her translucent cheeks. She caught Rosette's eye and smiled bravely. Rosette couldn't bring herself to return the favour and instead nodded before turning back to the front.

"We're here," Sister Kate announced grimly. She stopped the engine. They all sat motionless for a moment, seemingly waiting for some signal. Rosette moved first, pulling her gun out of her belt and stepping out of the van. The others followed. She gazed absently up at the rundown warehouse in front of her, the rain splattering down in to her eyes making up for the tears that she wanted to cry but couldn't. Or wouldn't.

"Sister Rosette?" Sister Kate placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do this, you know. You can wait in the van. The other girls are perfectly capable of handling this themselves,"

Rosette brought her own hand up to the dripping watch hanging around her neck. "No. It has to be me,"

"Very well. Remember girls, stick to the plan. Form a circle around the demon, make sure he can't run away. Sister Rosette will attempt to kill him but if she fails to do so or is injured... aim to kill." Sister Kate waited a moment, studying Rosette's blank expression. Then she silently nodded. They moved towards the building, charging in through the door and quickly surrounding the tall, hornless demon that stood calmly in the middle of the dark room. "Sinner Chrno, we are giving you one last chance to surrender yourself. If you fail to stand down we will shoot you!"

Chrno ignored Sister Kate. His eyes were focused on one person and one person only. He smirked at Rosette who's face remained emotionless. "Go on. Do it. It's why you're here isn't it? So go ahead...kill me," he taunted her, eyes glittering malicously. Rosette lifted up her gun until it pointed right at his heart. There was a second of absolute silence. The Sister's held their breath, waiting for the shot, Chrno smiled, egging her on, and Rosette...lowered the gun and threw it to one side.

"Sister Rosette! What do you think you're doing?!" Sister Kate watched in horror as Rosette walked in to the circle, stopping a few feet short of Chrno who seemed to find the whole thing hillarious.

"Don't shoot," Rosette's voice was determined but her eyes stayed fixed on Chrno's; red against blue, fire against water. "If you shoot at Chrno I will get in the way and you will hit me,"

"Sister Rosette I beg of you!" Sister Kate pleaded. "Come back to us! The Chrno you know is gone now! He is just an evil devil,"

"You would think that," Rosette replied, still looking at Chrno. "You always thought that. But you don't see what I see. I know you're still the Chrno I love, the one I made this contract with," She cupped the watch in both her hands which were shaking despite her best efforts. "You once told me you couldn't live without me. Do you remember? You said you'd do anything to stop my time from running out. Well here's your chance to prove it,"

"Rosette!" Sister Kate cried, sensing what was about to happen.

Rosette turned to face her an appologetic look on her face. "I'm sorry I couldn't save Joshua. Please...keep searching," She took another step towards Chrno so that they were only a couple of inches apart, closed her eyes and ripped open the seal.

...R&R