Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing, although I wish I did. Everything belongs

to Moriyama Daisuke, ADV and Gonzo.



Author's note: Yay! I feel so privileged! The first reviewer of this story is

"Reisho and Touya"! Thank you very much for your kind words. I feel so warm and

fuzzy now. Anyways, this chapter was hard to write coz I couldn't decide how I

wanted Chrno to turn out. Oh well...


Chapter 2: The Minister

Rosette:

The silence was deafening. It was so cold. Joshua was gone.

I blinked back tears, feeling lost. Even though I had been watching, I still wasn't sure what had happened. When the contract had been forged, I had suddenly felt weak. Yet, though I knew that Chrno was slowly draining my soul, I had felt safe in his arms. As we were approaching Joshua, he had looked up, and screamed. That was before the world exploded and I had woken up to find myself on the ground with Chrno beside me in his younger form.

Chrno stirred. Surprised, I crawled over to him with a relieved smile. "Chrno."

He looked at me in concern. "Rosette...are you alright?" The smile faded, I felt tears prickling my eyes again. I cast my eyes to the ground. "I'm fine...but Joshua..." I was shivering.

I started when I felt myself being pulled forward. Chrno's arms encircled me.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered. I leaned into his embrace, sobbing, as he stroked my back soothingly.

Suddenly, he stiffened. In one fluid movement he had gotten to his feet, still hugging me to his chest. Surprised, I turned around to see what had startled my companion.

A man was standing there watching us. Minister Remington. I felt hope...here was someone who could help us...before that feeling was replaced by anger.

"You!" I shrieked. "Where were you when all this happened?!"

He gave me a look which was both sad and regretful. His expression changed though, as his gaze shifted toward Chrno. It was totally devoid of emotion. "You are a demon." He stated flatly.

Chrno growled. "And you are the one who has been threatening to take Joshua away from Rosette. You said that he would be protected. A fine job you've done so far."

Remington stared at him for a long moment before focusing back onto me. "Come, Rosette." He said. Chrno's grip on me tightened. "There is nothing left for you here. I will take you back with me to the Magdala Order." He started forward, reaching his hand out to me.

"No!" I screamed, even as Chrno growled and backed away.

"You won't take her from me!" he snarled. Remington looked most displeased. Then his expression cleared, and he calmly said, "I can train you to be strong. I can help you find your brother."

I froze. This could be the only chance we would have of finding Joshua. This man would have taken Joshua away from me. I did not trust him. But if he would help me to find Joshua...

Chrno was shaking in anger. "Rosette..." I wriggled out of his arms and turned to face him. "He can help us find Joshua, Chrno."

Chrno looked like he was battling with himself for a moment, before relenting.

"Fine. But..." he directed at fierce glare at Remington. "I am going with her." Remington merely stared at us for a moment, before nodding and motioning for us to get into the car. As Chrno was getting in, I could hear Remington warn him softly. "You will not be welcomed kindly at the place where we are headed."

Chrno's response was to shut the door and pull me close to him, before glaring mutinously up at the Minister.

The trip was long and silent. It was cold, but the arms around me were warm, as I was lulled to sleep by a steady, rhythmic heartbeat.

TBC



Yay! Another chapter done. Kind of corny though. Oh well. I love writing this,

but I'm so untalented. I'm SORRYYYYY!!! I wanted to make Chrno much more

aggressive than in the manga, then I kind of realized that this would change his

relationship and attitude to other people at the Abbey (is that what you call

it?). I didn't want him and Remington to hate each other just yet, I wanted to

delve deeper and develop it slowly. But tell me what you think of how it's

progressing so far.

Please review, and again, congratulations and many thanks for reaching the end

of this chapter.