Dammit you guys. You reviews really touched me. Like REALLY.
I enjoy writing this, and the answer always comes positive, so I'm late on my other fics.
Never mind, here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Chrono Crusade ©Daisuke Moriyama

Open Your Heart: Chapter 7

They say that demons are fallen angels.
Banished from Heaven.
Unable to feel.
But how come my heart shattered then?
If I didn't feel, if I didn't love?
Could it be that love was real for me…?
A devil. A Sinner. A demon.

''Rosette.'' Azmaria stated after her breakdown. The older woman took blonde's hand and gazed into her face.

''Rosette, look at me.'' Sky blue eyes, full of tears, caught her gaze.

''This picture is very old. But very dear to my heart. Because there's my family in there.'' She sighed, but the blonde kept listening.

''I was an orphan, too. But one day I met two people that took me under their wing. One was a nun. Her name was Rosette Christopher.'' She pointed at the picture. Rose shivered.

''But she looks just like me.''

''Yes, child. And you are very alike in more than looks. You have very similar personality. She was my best friend. That is until…'' Azmaria didn't want to remember. But for Rosette's sake she did. 'Cause she had a hunch, and if it's true.

''Rosette died when she was twenty four. She was so very young, but nonetheless wise and kind. She always gave me courage to accept thing as they are and fight for myself.'' Rose felt her arms hug the albino.

''I'm sorry Azmaria. I'm sorry that I intruded your private space and that you are sad now.'' But the Apostle shook her head.

''Don't be sorry. I really needed to tell somebody. And after all these years… I feel easy. When she died… like the world lost its shine. She was the heart, always looking forward, never regretting her actions. I sang because she convinced me to. And I stopped when she was gone.''

''But I wasn't the most broken person then.'' She pointed at the other person on the photo.

The boy.

Rosette closed her eyes and tried to picture the boy from the dream. Then she opened it and looked at the picture. Yes, it was the same person, she could feel it.

''Chrono was her soul partner. He was gone for several years, but returned the day she died. She closed her eyes for the last time in his arms. And then… he broke.'' Azmaria closed her eyes and held the tears back.

The memory was still fresh, edged in her memory.

-x-flashback-x-

A young girl, her hair white shimmering with silver in the sun rushed into blonde's arms as she heard a scream of agony from the chapel. The blonde squeezed her hard, burying her head deep into his chest and stroking her hair with his long, gentle fingers.

She barely managed to speak through the salty tears.

''Joshua, she's gone.'' The man called Joshua held his own tears back, but somehow one found a way out and rolled down his cheek. He had to be strong. For Azmaria's sake. That was his final promise to his sister.

''I know Azzy.'' Nothing could prepare them for that moment. It was like all the grief and sorrow of the world crushed their hearts. But nothing could prepare them for the sight of the demon, either.

Chrono was standing outside, with her in his arms, stroking her hair like he waited for her to open her eyes once again. But he knew that he would never meet that cerulean gaze he held so dear.

''Rosette.'' He screamed as he morphed into his demon form. He took her closer, removed strands of her hair from that angelic face.

''Wake up love. Please wake up.'' But she didn't.

Azmaria and Joshua stood there for hours, watching, crying, afraid to come to the demon. Because he had changed in these past years.

They didn't know how would he react.

And they waited. And he still held her in his arms, never letting go.

Remington and Kate came that evening with the squad and separated him from her body. Screams of agony echoed in Azmaria's mind for years. But he came back, to her. That evening, he came back and faced her for the final time.

She could see the echo of that boy she knew so well.

''Azzy.'' He said, tears choked in his throat. Chrono morphed back and was now facing the Apostle in his normal adult form.

''Azzy, I don't think I can live without her.'' He whispered quietly.

''Chrono, we will all miss her, but-''

''There's no but Az. I came here tonight because I want you to make a promise.'' Those crimson eyes were painted in blood and sadness. Azmaria shivered, but gathered all her courage and nodded.

''I'll take her with me. To the place nobody will find me again. I hope I'll die there someday. I'll take her to the place where we first met.'' He stopped.

''To Magdalene's tomb?'' Azmaria asked.

''Yes. I don't want anyone to find out. I know you'd never betray me Azmaria. But I want you to make her a grave here. So you could cherish the memory of her forever. This is the last time you'll see me.'' She said and darkness invaded his eyes, turning them to midnight.

''Chrono-''

''Farewell Azmaria. I will not ask for your forgiveness, but, please, help them forgive me.'' He said and walked away.

She wanted to stop him, to change his mind. Because she couldn't bear losing another best friend that day.

But she did. And her heart became incomplete.

The next day the search for Chrono and Rosette's body was started. And it failed several weeks later.

But Azmaria cherished her promise. She stayed quiet. And she built a grave for her beloved best friend.

Joshua and she visited it every week.

-x-

One day, many years later, Azmaria as looking at the stars.

''Joshua,'' She said to the shadow behind her, ''do you think we'll ever see him again?'' Joshua sighed and put his arms around her.

''I don't know love. I really don't know.''

Azmaria closed her eyes and let his touch vanish the darkness of sorrow.

-x-end of flashback-x-

''I never saw him again. I've regretted my actions many times later. I couldn't save her life, but maybe I could his. I don't know if Chrono is still alive, but I hope he isn't in pain anymore.''

Few tears rolled down her white skin. Rosette hugged her even tighter.

''I don't know anything about fate Azmaria. But I can feel him calling to me. It is like this bond that connects us through dreams.'' She gazed to the red eyes stained with tears.

''You have to tell me where I can find him.''

Azmaria shook her head.

''No, Rosette. I can't. Not now.'' The blonde jerked away.

''Please Azmaria.''

The Apostle rose in silence, her face glittering with tears.

''I can't break a promise Rose. And I don't want you to get hurt,'' She touched the girl's cheek, ''because if he's still alive… I don't know what did he become.''

-x-

Deep down, in the darkness, he rose again. It was getting closer, that never ending calling. He could feel it deeper now, growing stronger.

It was the matter of time he broke, killing that thing which was so much like her. Like his Rosette. Because he couldn't bear more grief.

Chrono closed his eyes again.

Soon, he thought, soon it will come to me and I'll get rid of it.

Because, he was too hunted. By the memory that was so real that the boy in him was convinced she was real.

In that moment, he could feel her touch, reaching for him. But that was only a dream.

And Chrono learned ages ago that dreams aren't real.

A/N: So, everything is set. I PROMISE Chrono will meet her in the next chapter. I intended to put him in this, but the flashback came in… I hope you liked it though. And I've always thought Joshua and Azmaria are such a sweet couple.

To my reviewers (no, I did not forget you ^^):

Infatuation-x- Oh, yes I am. I love cliffhangers, they make the story interesting ;)

White Rose Fox- No, thank you for the review. I always like the praises ^^

animefan0000012345- Keep wondering, it's getting better.

mikaru zero- Glad you liked it! I think that the manga was a cliffhanger itself (I always wondered if she really died or did the author fooled us -.- xD)

Mikro- Anime was like ugh? They died? Okay, they are together, but THEY died? NOT a good ending! And I like the manga because Chrono is more in his adult form *drools*
ah, well, everyone deserves a second chance, but we don't get many of them.

xXJeanetteXx- Of course they will. xD (that's why she got a second chance)
~actually it's because I got the idea and I have a chronic irritation for sad endings. xD

So that's about it. Wanna get to the list? Review. :)

Promise to update soon.
And stay alert. ~MB