Um. Hey guys. This is my first writing in the Chrno Crusade fandom and I'm a new fan of the manga. I hope Rosette doesn't seem OOC. This is probably the shortest thing I have ever written. I guess that's what happens when I try and get all philosophical. Oh well. Tell me what you think. Constructive critisim greatly appreaciated.

I don't own Chrno Crusade

Her watch had often been seen as the sign of her curse. Something that should be detested and avoided at all costs.

A small smile pulled at her lips as her calloused fingers cradled the huge pendant around her neck. Yes. The nature of the watch had definitely brought about several different reactions.

The nuns at the Magdalene Order had looked at her with suspicious eyes when she had entered the monastery, many still did after these four years. Citizens had looked at her with fear and disgust when they learned she had' sold her soul' to a demon. Children had watched her with wide eyes full of wonder as they hid behind their mother's skirts from the strange girl. People like Elder had jumped at the opportunity to study a rare occurrence. Others had looked on in pity for her fate.

They didn't understood and never would. None of them.

There was no need to fear, suspect, revile, and definitely not pity her. She had chosen her path, fully understanding that she had destroyed her future. It didn't matter. It never had.

The watch represented the will to save her brother. As soon as she begun to detest and fear that will, she would begin to stop searching for her beloved sibling, and she wouldn't do that; couldn't do that.

The ticking of the clock matched the beating of her heart to a tee as she took in a deep breath of fresh air. She could feel her soul beginning to shrink and break as more of it was used to fuel Chrno's power. Her time left on earth was dwindling rapidly and she couldn't find the will to care. All she wanted was to save her brother and make sure things returned to the way they were supposed to be. Her life didn't matter as long as the people close to her were happy.

"Rosette?" Her blue eyes snapped open at the soft voice. A head of violet-tinted raven hair tilted slightly to the side in a gesture she had come to understand as the demon's way of showing concern. His crimson eyes watched her carefully, watching for signs that she was breaking. "You alright?" She flashed him a brilliant smile and jumped to her feet.

"Of course!" Chrno. Even he looked at the watch with contempt and sorrow. To him, the watch was a sign of his inability to protect those dear to him. She had seen his past when she dove into his soul and knew the wound was to deep to heal with nice words. The contract between them only brought back painful memories. To him, the watch was a reminder that he was slowly killing her.

The young-looking demon smiled hesitantly back at her and motioned over her shoulder with his chin. "We're ready to go." He looked at her longer than necessary before smiling sweetly again. She nodded and straightened out her skirt. They were so close to fulfilling their goal. Joshua was so close.

The watch banged against her chest as they ran toward the plane. It wasn't a curse. Far from it actually.

Her contract with Chrno gave her strength, the strength she needed to save Joshua. Her contract kept Chrno by her side and connected them more than any friendship could. Her contract gave her hope. They would save Joshua and Chrno would get his horns back. Then, they could all live happily like they did before this whole mess happened.

Her watch may have been seen as a symbol of her curse, but it was always with her and never hidden from sight. She wore it like a badge. It was symbol of her allegiance with the demon Chrno and her resolve to find her brother, and she would continue to wear it proudly until the end.