Author's note: I do not claim to own any of the characters ^_^ they are a creation that is best kept by it's author. I hope he might read this one day and get inspired to write a sequel to Chrno Crusade.

If you have not read the manga, do so!!! It's good. ^_^ this fic is based roughly off the manga, interspercing some stuff inside of it, so if you're confused that's why.

Denizens of Darkness, Harbringers of Light

A Chrno Crusade fanfic by Nightelfcrawler@yahoo.com

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Epilogue

Rosette walked into Chrno's room the seventh morning after the night of the battle, and found him still sleeping, as he had been doing straight for a week now. It was a good thing that demons didn't NEED food to survive, though Chrno certainly enjoyed it as much as she did, or he would have wasted away by now.

The Order had been in a constant state of giddiness since that night, and classes had been canceled, and a state of celebration declared, until further notice. Many of the other branch members had remained for a time, but most had left to return to their own homes, celebrating in their own ways. A great ball was planned for the day when Chrno woke, for Sister Kate and Remington felt he was owed some thanks for his selfless actions, they had to thank him SOMEhow. All the preparations, including the menu, had been prepared, now all they had to do was await for him to wake.

She sat down in the chair beside his bed and watched his chest rise and fall slowly. Remington had made him as comfortable as he could, his coat hung on the hanger in the closet, and his boots rested at the foot of the bed, the rest of him still resided beneath the sheets as he slept. Rosette had to admit, watching his older face slumber, strange feelings for him welled up in her chest she had not felt before. He looked so calm, and peaceful now, the strain and pain of hundreds of years left him. Of course, she had always been partial to his true form's handsome features, she realized with a blush creeping up her cheeks.

That night, had been virtual chaos as they had to organize everyone. She herself had been in a daze of confusion and giddiness. Not only did she have her brother back, but Chrno was safe, and they had achieved the Order's goal in stopping Ion. However…she had to wonder if he was really gone… Ion was devious and more conniving than many in the order gave him credit for, and Rosette had the sneaking suspicion, and Joshua agreed, that Ion wasn't dead yet.

Nonetheless, that didn't stop everyone from grinning widely. Remington had gathered Chrno up and carried him back, while Rosette and Joshua made their way to the cars, and Stella and Az joined them. They had slept for a long time after that.

Rosette still felt weak, compared to how she would normally feel, and she glanced down at the dormant clock around her neck. She didn't really need to wear it anymore, since Chrno no longer required it, and in fact it would be best the contract were terminated to spare what little life she had left….but of course they needed him awake to do that.

Her eyes scanned his features. He looked peaceful, and calm like this…sleeping soundly, no sign of strain on his face anymore. Rosette flushed more when she realized she was staring at his face too intently, thinking some thoughts that weren't altogether appropriate. Yet… it was different somehow, watching him after having been through so much, and seeing him as an older person, even though she had always known he was far older than most humans, in fact he could be hundreds of years old for all she knew. But it somehow had a different effect on her, now that he looked no longer like a child.

She rose with a snort, determined to throw those embarrassing thoughts from her mind, and yanked the curtains open, sending sunlight pouring down into the room. Behind her, she heard a light groan, which sent her whirling about.

Chrno's eyes were open, and one hand up blocking the sunlight from his face as he squinted in her direction. "Figures…" He mumbled rather groggily.

Rosette grinned widely, and walked over to the bedside and plopped down on the side, as his hand rubbed his eyes sleepily, as he sat up. "Good morning! Feeling better?"

"Ah. Tired, but pretty good." He lifted his eyes, and smiled over at her, still seeming to be half-dazed with sleep and not quite awake yet. "How long have I been asleep?"

"A whole week, lazy bum." Rosette stood up and began pulling his clothing out. To her chagrin, anything he hadn't been wearing, was now far too small, since he had only recently taken an older form. "I guess you'll just have to borrow some of Remington's clothing for now until we can go shopping for a new wardrobe."

"Eh?" He blinked cluelessly, then glanced down and realized that he was quite a bit larger than he had previously been. "Ah! That's right!" His cheeks redden a bit, and Rosette saw his ears droop a bit as he rubbed the back of his head.

She threw a pillow at him, annoyed. "What, you forgot everything!? After all that trouble we went through!"

He ducked, and missed the fist pillow, but failed to spot the second, as it plowed headlong into his face. "Mawhf!"

Rosette laughed out loud, and drew the attention of others outside, and Remington's head poked in, followed by Azmaria, as they witnessed Rosette began to assault Chrno with a pillow relentlessly. "You slept for a whole WEEK! I was bored stiff, you selfish little lethargic bum!" Chrno was managing to avoid getting smacked in the face again, by covering his head with his arms, while attempting to crawl out of bed, which simply resulted in him falling out of bed, bum first, landing at the two onlooker's feet.

"Er…hi." He greeted, as Azmaria blushed and quickly pressed her hands over her skirt, self conscious despite the fact he was too far away to see anything other than ruffles.

Remington smiled. "I see you are in as high spirits as ever. Welcome back to the land of the waking, Chrno."

Chrno rolled over, and began to stand up, but was fully tackled by Rosette, and pulled to the floor in a flurry of feathers as one of the pillow ripped open. "OH NO YOU DON'T. I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!"

~~End Act 1~~

Look for Act 2 to come in the near future!