Disclaimer: I don't own Chrono Crusade

No longer

Chapter 1: Separation

Rosette and Chrono were having a conversation while having lunch in the cafeteria of the Magdalene Order. That is to say, Rosette was yelling at Chrono and Chrono was trying to get as small as possible on the bench.

"Chrono!" someone yelled his name across the cafeteria. "Chrono! Chrono! Chrono!" Both Chrono and Rosette turned around to see who was yelling and they saw a young nun run up to them.

"What is it!" snapped Rosette. Chrono felt a bit sorry for the nun. Rosette was having a very bad day and didn't like to be disturbed while yelling at him. "It's sister Kate, she wants to see you right now."

"WHAT!" Rosette screamed, causing Chrono to fall backwards off the bench. "I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING YET! WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO GO AND PICK ON ME! CHRONO PROBABLY DID IT!" Pointing down at Chrono.

"Hey!" Chrono said standing up and rubbing his backside. "I never do anything. Anyway, whatever it is it's probably you fault." Chrono retorted.

The minute the words were out Chrono regretted them immediately. In a flash Rosette was on him and beating him into a pulp. The nun waited patiently until they finished. After a few minutes Rosette stood up, breathing hard, and staring daggers into Chrono's curled up form on the ground. Seeing them finish, the nun started talking again.

"Actually sister Kate wants to see you for a mission."

"Oh," Rosette said, a red ting covering her face, then turning back to Chrono. "I told you it wasn't me."

Chrono just whimpered in reply, standing up slowly so not to enrage the blonde girl anymore.

"Well we better go see her." Rosette said in a fake, cheery voice.

" Actually," the nun started a little nervous. "Only Chrono has to go. Sister Kate said it has nothing to do with you Rosette."

"WHAT!" screamed Rosette, her voice thrice as loud as the last time she screamed. "WHY!"

"Sister Kate's orders." The girl said firmly, but Chrono could see she was about to faint from fear.

"Don't worry," Chrono said quickly to save the girl. "I'm sure sister Kate has her reasons."

"But…but" Chrono put a finger over her lips. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I'll tell you all about it when I come back." And with that, Chrono turned heel and left, leaving Rosette standing there speechless.

Chrono was as confused as Rosette on why sister Kate wanted him on a mission and not her. He was thinking so hard that he almost pasted sister Kate's office. He knocked on the door and waited for sister Kate to invite him in.

"Come in." He heard her say. He quickly did and took a seat on the chair in front of her desk.

"You're probably wondering why I'm sending you on this mission and not Rosette," she said getting to the point. "I'll tell you. It seems that there is a very high concentration of astral energy somewhere in Europe. Normally this wouldn't be so bad, but the concentration is so high that if a human enters the zone then they will slowly die. It has already killed one of our members." She said quietly. "We have a theory that a demon might survive in there if they are strong enough."

"How do you know that I'm strong enough?" Chrono asked slightly frowning.

Sister Kate looked at her desktop instead of him. "We don't, but since you're the only demon working with the order..."

Chrono nodded. "I understand. When do I leave?"

"There is a car waiting outside for you right now."

Chrono stood up and was about to walk away when he thought of something. He pulled a crumpled piece of paper and asked sister for a pen. When he finished writing he carefully folded the paper and turned to look at sister Kate. "Please, promise me that if I don't return in five days, then you will terminate my contract with Rosette. I don't want her to suffer any longer because of me. And give her this note."

Sister Kate hesitated before responding. "I promise."

And with one final nod, Chrono placed the note on her desk, whirled around and walked away to the waiting car outside.

Five Days Later

Rosette was getting scared. It was five days since Chrono left and he hadn't come back yet. Every day Rosette would wait for Chrono on the front steps of the Order, thinking she'll soon see his smiling face and long purple hair and he'd tell her that the mission was nothing he couldn't handle. But he didn't come.

Azmaria had been trying to comfort Rosette, but was having no such luck. She brought Rosette her meals every day, but each day she was eating less and less. This was what worried Azmaria the most. On the fifth day Rosette hadn't even touched her food.

"Come on Rosette, eat something. I'm sure Chrono is just running late." Even though she said it, Azmaria didn't believe it and it was clear that Rosette didn't ether.

"Go back inside Azmaria," Rosette whispered. "It's getting cold. She stood up and with one last sorry glance at Rosette's curled up form she left.

The sun was starting to set and still no sign of Chrono. Rosette was starting to dose off when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see the grim face of the normally happy Father Remington.

"Come with me." He said to her own curious face and they started walking in the direction of sister Kate's office. When they got there Rosette could see that she had the same grim look on her face as father Remington. Instantly Rosette knew what this is all about. Chrono. Without looking at her, sister Kate told her about the promise she had made Chrono. Rosette clutched the watch around her neck and started backing towards the door.

"No. Chrono is still alive, I can feel it." She quickly turned around and tried to jump out the door, but father Remington was much faster. He quickly grabbed Rosette around the waist, took the watch from around her neck, and threw it to sister Kate.

"Please don't do it. He's still alive. I can feel it. Please." Rosette pleaded, tears in her eyes now. She kept trying to get out of Remington's grasp but the priest was much stronger then her.

"I am truly sorry." Sister Kate whispered, still averting her eyes, and turned around. Rosette could not see what she was doing but then she started to glow. Then there was a flash of blue light and everything went back to normal. All of her connections with Chrono suddenly disappeared and Rosette felt lighter, like something heavy was taken off her, but the heavy thing was something she had loved. Chrono. She stopped struggling and Remington released her. Sister Kate then handed her the note from Chrono. Heavyhearted she unfolded it and started to reading:

Dear Rosette,

If you are reading this then we will probably never see each other again. I want to tell something that I have kept secret in my heart for all those long years we have been with each other. I love you Rosette. I love you with all my heart. Every time I saw your beautiful face I longed to tell you. To scream it out so the whole world can hear. I love Rosette Christopher!

But I was scared. Scared that you wouldn't fell the way I do. Alas because of some terrible twist of fate I can never say it to you in person. I always wanted to taste your sweet lips but I know this to is just a dream.

Another dream of mine is for you to be happy. I want you to move on with your life, to forget about the demon that was in a contract with you. I'm sorry that I couldn't keep the promise that I'd help you find Joshua, but I know that a strong girl like you can do this without me. I'm also sorry for anything else I've done wrong. Please forgive me.

I also don't want you to cry for me. Save those tears for when you find your brother so they can become tears of joy. I want you to be happy Rosette. Be happy…

Love,

Chrono

A single tear fell on the letter.