A/N: HI! It's really late but I decided to get this out! It's really short but I couldn't find a better place to stop so...yeah. Oh, and THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!

p.s. almost forgot. To answer Starlight's question; well, who do you think is more likely to escape and make it? Azzy or Rosette? That's all, Enjoy!

Chapter 10

(Chrono's POV)

I had just sent Azmaria off and it was time I headed back to the school. My mind was still trying to wrap around the fact that the person who had saved us from a gun happy man was none other than Christopher Rozet. Or rather: Rosette. Maybe it's just me being gay and my wishful thinking but I like the sound of that better, it fit, somehow, better than Rozet had.

I rolled the name around my head as I got into the cab and asked him to take me back to the Magdalene High School. He did so murmuring something about youths these days being too impolite and not knowing how to talk to their elders. 'Strange. People usually say I'm polite, not the other way.' I smile a little at the thought

My mind was still reeling from the rather dangerous—and frightening—events that had occurred earlier this morning.

The driver pulled up to the school gate and told me the cost I handed him the money and got out. Now it was already around time fifth period ended. I didn't want to go back to classes…but neither did I want to go back to my cold empty dorm room. Okay, classes it is then. But I have to go back to my room to get my things. I heave a sigh. I would have to go to both places.

I trudge into my room, quietly noting the dissipated warmth of the other person who lived here. 'I can't do anything about him running away, now'…guilt wracked my conscience…'but did I have anything to do with the reason he left?' I remember he was angry that day, he'd run out of the room after I wouldn't tell him what I did to my wrist. It's not like I wouldn't tell him, it's more like I couldn't tell him. If Aion found out that he knew…I shivered at the thought.

No, Rosette could not know.

I packed up my backpack. Notebooks, binders, folders, textbooks, I noted absently, 'Christopher Rosette. Rosette. Rosette? Damn. Why did he have to change his name so suddenly like that? Why did he make it so girly? And WHY do I keep wishing for him to be a girl when I know that could never happen!? And…' a tiny voice at the back of my mind adds, 'even if he was a girl, which he's not, I would never have a chance with him. I would probably have even less of a chance with her—him!' I'm most confused and angry at myself.

I sling my backpack over my shoulder and start sprinting towards my sixth period class, fifth period is just ending. Might as well be early to sixth period, no point in being late.

I walked into the classroom and ambled towards my unofficially assigned desk in the back. I put my head down and wait for class to begin. I hate to be noticed. I guess I'm kind of anti-social, but that word might be a tad bit too strong; I got out and met people…like Rosette—I mean Christopher. Even I don't get why I call him Rosette sometimes. Sometimes. I knew why most of the time.

Because…that's just how I see him; as a girl. As Rosette not Christopher. Anyhow, Rosette matched her—him—better anyway.

"Chrono?" an energetic voice called, "Chrooooonoooooo? Heeellllllllllooooooooo?" Ugh. Shader.

I lift my head and mumble, "Yes, Shader?" Shader is my fifth period teacher, she teaches science and she's always happy and energetic for some odd reason. I don't know how she can be so happy all the time. Oh, and she's the only female teacher at Magdalene that isn't a nun.

"Chrono, are you excited? We're studying atoms today! Great, huh! Like nuclear fission and…" I forgot the rest of the things she said she was talking so fast. And it probably would've helped if I knew what she was talking about. I nodded my head anyway.

By the time she finished explaining what we'd be doing in class almost all the students had piled into the classroom, and she bounded up to the front explaining again what we'd be doing.

I listen intently now as she explains again.

……..

DING

DING

DING

DING

Seventh period; I walk in and sit down in the farthest seat from the front, laying my head on the desk, and wait for Rosette to arrive. I immediately shoot my head back up, she—he!—isn't here. When did I turn so love-y dove-y, waiting for him like this? I can't remember. I feel like such a drama king….

Seventh period passes in the wink of an eye. And before I know it, seventh period is over.

DING

DING

DING

DING

What am I going to do now? The collar of my uniform is yanked and I'm pulled out the door.

"Aion says you're comin'…or you're gonnna regret it." there's laughter from behind me and I turn around to see the coat tail disappear around a corner. I don't need to see his face to know who he is. Genai. I shudder; he's the one that always suggest hurting Rosette, I don't know if it's cause he actually wants to do it or if he just loves seeing me beg him not to. That's what scares me.

Well, at least that solves my problem of what to do?

They always expect to go to their room on my own. And I always go.

I start after Genai, following him towards their room. At least they're not doing…THAT to me. I stop mid-step and try to stop a shiver from running through my body. But to no avail, a cold shiver runs through my body at the thought of what they could've done to me…to Rosette.

I hurry along after Genai. They couldn't do that to Rosette, I couldn't let it happen…not even after what I saw Rosette do today; Rosette, to me, was still…a girl, after all. Arg! Why do I keep coming to that point? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid me! He was most definitely not a girl…never could be, no matter how much I wished it!

Before I knew it I was once again in their room. Genai stood blocking the door, a sadistic grin plastered on his face. I looked in the other direction; Aion was standing in the doorway to another room. An asset to being one of the school's benefactors' sons I guess.

I blinked at him, "What do you want?" I stated simply, totally forgetting I'm supposed to be 'lower' than them. They were the low ones though; threatening Rosette so I would do what they said.

Aion feigned hurt. He wasn't good at it at all, anybody with a half—no, a quarter of a mind would see through that expression. "Why, love," I winced at the term, "I simply want to show you just how much you…mean to me." he ended in a grotesque smile.

He started towards me, slowly, gracefully, too elegant for someone so vile.

I backed away, back towards the door. I knew my face was showing the terror that I felt; hard as I may try I couldn't hide it. My eyes were locked on his as I continued to back away.

SLAP!

There was a loud noise as I fell forward onto my face. The back of my skull felt like a jack hammer had drilled right into it. I steadied my hands on the floor and tilted my head back a little ways. Leering at me was Genai. Oh, yeah. I'd forgotten Genai was here. How could I? Maybe their hitting me on the head was finally taking its toll on me and making me brain damaged?

Yeah, maybe that was it. I got on my knees and started to slip and slid backwards; anywhere away from them.

They were cornering me. I noted as I felt two walls behind me, but it was too late to go anywhere else. Aion stepped around me, so he was in the corner. With surprise I started to turn around to look at him…but was stopped with a solid slap to the face by Genai. I turned to look up at him with pleading eyes. I wanted this to all stop.

Two warm arms wrapped around my waist. I started to lean back into them instinctively when a chilling voice cooed in my ear, "Now, now, Genai. Let's…have a little fun with our…baby…while we can. He should be ready for this now." His hands started sliding down my sides. I freeze. This couldn't be happening.

I wrenched away from his embrace and turned to look back at him, "Wh-what are you doing?" I ask. A strong arm pushes me down again and I start to fall to the one place I'd never want to be. In the arms of Aion Rennis.

He pushes me away with disgust written on his face, "Did you think I was serious?" he laughs, "Better luck in your dreams." And with that he's back on his feet. I'm still on my knees. I open my mouth to say something but am cut off as a boot kicks the middle of my back. My air comes rushing out and I fall gasping.

The onslaught begins. Kicks are given zealously to my body. Suddenly I'm lifted up by my collar and staring into Aion's cold lilac eyes. He knees my stomach and my body instinctively tries doubling over. I'm stopped by another knee to the same place.

Then one of his hands are clasped around my neck, holding my against the wall, and he's punching me in the gut with the other. He squeezes the hand around my neck, successfully cutting off my air. I start gasping, more than before. My hands are up and weakly grabbing at his hand, trying to pry it from around my neck. I don't want to die. I don't want to die yet. Rosette still needs someone to protect her—him!

Suddenly the ground disappears from under my feet. My hands are still clawing at Aion's hand, weaker now, slower now. It's too soon! I can't die yet! Someone still needs to protect Rosette! She—he isn't as strong as everyone thinks! He needs someone to lean on. He needs me! I need you, Rosette! The edge of my vision is turning dark. I need you…save me…Rosette…everything's turning darker…darker…darker…save…me…Rosette…save…me…

--END CHAPTER TEN--

A/N: Yep. So you'll just have to wait for the next, next chapter (that's not a typing error by the way). I hope you liked it! If you did--or didn't--leave a review!