Tears of innocence
Chapter 6: This present darkness
Rosette turned to look at Remington from where she stood next to Chrno. "He's not evil, Minister!" She exclaimed upon seeing the fierce expression on his face. "He helped us… he's my friend!" She was about to walk towards him, when she felt a big, clawed hand on her shoulder. She turned upwards to look at Chrno, who had his golden eyes fixed on Remington.
"That man is right. Stay back." He growled, placing himself between her and the priest. He had no reserves about ripping the minister apart, but he didn't want to do it in front of Rosette... unless he really had to. "I admire your will to fight, however, you have no chance against me, especially not in your current state. But if you still want to confront me, go on... I will just say one thing: the girl stays with me." He told the young man standing before him. His eyes left no doubt that he was being serious.
Remington stared at the demon's golden eyes for a while, his gaze cold and calculating while he gripped his sword. It was not a common sword... it was one of the Magdalan Order's finest weapons, designed specifically for him to use in close hand-to-hand combat. "I know who you are... Chrno the Sinner, the Holy Maiden's killer." He said, not relaxing his stance. "Let Rosette go... she's only a child, she has nothing to do with this!"
Cold anger seemed to sweep inside Chrno, but he remained calm. Though he wasn't nearly as strong as he was before he had been sealed, he knew that no human could ever hope to defeat him in hand-to-hand combat... not even a Militia from the Magdalan Order, his worst enemies after Pandemonium itself. "The Holy Maiden's killer? Don't joke with me... I will suggest you tell the girl the truth, unless you want me to tell her what really happened, and turn her away from you forever. I will only tell you this: you cannot separate her from me, nor me from her, no matter what you do."
"What have you done to her?" Remington asked through gritted teeth.
"I have done nothing... but you would not believe me if I told you, would you? Why don't you ask her yourself?" Chrno turned to look at Rosette briefly, before turning to look at the minister again, not relaxing his stance. "It's okay, Rosette." He said, in a much softer tone, though his eyes were still fixed on the man. "You can tell him the truth, I promise I won't get angry."
Rosette walked from behind Chrno, standing next to him. "Minister..." She began to speak, in a much softer tone than the one she used with Remington previously. Most of the anger she felt towards the priest had gone after seeing him fight so hard to defend the children against the demons that attacked the orphanage, but she was still wary of him, afraid of what his reaction would be after he heard what she had to say. "Chrno and I... made a contract." She murmured, as she could see the sudden change in his expression upon hearing this. "But it's not his fault!" She added quickly, not liking the look in his eyes. "He was sick, and I agreed to help him!"
There was a moment of silence. "You're even worse than I imagined." Remington said to Chrno after a long pause, his voice nearly shaking with anger. "You manipulated an innocent girl to do as you wanted, didn't you, Sinner? Tell me, what lies did you tell her!" He shouted.
Chrno's voice was calm, though he longed to silence the man. Damn it. If Rosette wasn't present, that fool would have stopped talking a long time ago. "Selfishly ignorant people are all the same." He said, not moving at all from where he stood next to Rosette. "You think that everybody lies just because that is what you do. I did not tell her any lies. She knew what a contract was before she agreed to my offer."
"Rosette." Remington continued, not paying any attention to the demon's words. "Do you know exactly what is going to happen to you? This monster is taking a part of your life to sustain himself. If this goes on, you will not live more than a few years!"
"I know that, Minister..." Said Rosette, patiently. "He told me everything about it... and I accepted. And he's not a monster, he's my friend!" She exclaimed stubbornly, somewhat annoyed, yet worried at what could happen if the minister refused to listen to her. She didn't want Chrno and him to fight...
"Your friend? Demons don't make 'friends' with humans." Remington's voice was sarcastic, though calm. Losing his head in anger would not help Rosette out of her current situation. He needed to think clearly when dealing with a demon, specially one as strong as Chrno. "Tell me, demon." He said calmly. "What did you want from her? Nobody makes a contract for free. What did you offer her in return for using her life?"
Chrno was getting really pissed off... "Nothing. I just promised to help her whenever she needed me." He growled, before he gave a step forward, once more placing himself between her and the man. He really didn't want Rosette to see him killing a human, but he would do it anyway if the minister refused to listen to him.
Remington, however, lowered his sword, though he didn't relax his stance and his eyes remained fixed on Chrno, in case he decided to attack. "Rosette." He said, in a soft tone. "Is what he said true? Did you make a contract with a demon knowing what would happen to you?"
"Yes, Minister. Chrno didn't offer me anything... I made the contract just because I wanted to help him." She said, with surprising confidence.
Chrno felt a light twinge of something similar to remorse upon hearing this, but he quickly pushed it aside. He couldn't let his feelings get in the way... he needed to deal with the priest right here and now. "Listen priest. You know as well as I do that you can't win against me, even if you were not injured. So put your sword away, or I'll take the girl away with me."
Remington frowned, but then sighed. The demon was right... he couldn't win against him. Chrno was a particularly powerful enemy, and he needed to deal with him very carefully... but not with weapons. "Very well." He said at last. He hated to make any kind of deals with a demon, but if what Rosette said was true, and she had a contract with Chrno, then there wasn't much that he could do. If she thought Chrno was her 'friend', fighting against the demon would only make her distrust the Order, perhaps the only means she had to save herself from suffering a fate similar to the Holy Maiden. Remington sheathed his sword and raised his hands in a surrendering gesture.
"Whatever your reasons are for making a contract with Rosette, I'll respect them." He began. "But I have a question to make. What are you two going to do by yourselves? Where are you going to live? Rosette." He said to the young girl, who looked at him defiantly. "What are you going to eat? Where will you sleep? You need food and clothes, as well as a place to live. And that is not all of it... one of the reasons I wanted you to come to live at the Order was so that you could be protected, as well as being informed of any news regarding Joshua. There are several demons that will go after you just for being the sister of an Apostle. I don't doubt Chrno's ability for defending you against them, but please remember that there are several people that are worried about you as well."
Rosette lowered her head, listening to this with a frown. She knew that what the minister said was true... but something inside her refused to accept it. The truth is, she didn't want to go to the Magdalan Order, and she knew she couldn't stay in the orphanage. It had been destroyed, partially because of her, and it would take some time to rebuild. Even if she stayed, the kids around her would be in constant danger of being attacked... she couldn't allow that... and she didn't want to be separated from Chrno either.
Chrno listened to the minister's words with barely repressed hostility, even though his senses told him that the man did not pose a threat for him. Rule number one when dealing with an adversary: never underestimate your enemy, even if it was a human. He would never make that mistake again...
The rest of the kids of the orphanage, that had been hidden in the basement during the entire ordeal, chose that moment to come outside the building, and froze in fear at the sight of Chrno. Some of them, the younger ones, started crying then, while Mrs. Jean looked positively terrified.
Rosette took a step backwards, and then looked up at Chrno, pleading with her eyes to take her away from there...
He nodded and looked evenly at the man, before turning around and taking Rosette in his arms, in a sudden swift movement. And before Remington could say anything more, they were both in the air, flying swiftly towards the forest where his hiding place was...
Chrno put Rosette on the ground very carefully, looking around him. His senses told him that Aion was nearby, but he didn't want her to meet his brother yet. They still had a lot to talk about... "Stay here, Rosette." He said to the young girl. "I will be back soon. Don't worry, you'll be safe in here." He said in an almost warm tone, to the worried looking girl.
Rosette nodded, looking at him with open trust. The truth was, she didn't like to stay alone in that place at night, specially after being attacked by demons, but she had to give in... She was sure that whatever happened, he would be there for her. "Ah... yes... It's okay, I'll be fine." She said reassuringly.
He gave her a very slight smile and then shot through the air, flying towards the place where his brother was...
Aion was standing over a tall cliff that overlooked a big part of the forest. He didn't turn to look at his brother as he flew over the place, until he landed softly behind him. "Congratulations brother." Aion said then, smiling and patting his brother's back. "Nice work you did with those Pursuers there... none of them had a chance against you. I'm impressed."
"Yeah, I knew you would." Chrno said in the same half-joking tone, though he soon became serious. "Listen, I still have some questions to ask you. Regarding this 'refuge' of yours, Eden... is it possible for me to take my contractor there?"
Aion sighed. "Unfortunately, no. Eden is no place for humans... the Astral energy contained in there is too much for a normal person to handle. Only Apostles can survive in there, just like in Pandemonium."
Chrno nodded, understanding. He had been expecting that answer, but had hoped for things to be different... "I see. Then I guess I won't be able to go live there either. It's not convenient for me to leave my contractor behind."
"No, I guess not... but I think it's better that you actually stay in here. We don't know when we will be discovered, and it's better for us to have an ally that we can rely on if everything else fails. Like I told you, there are several individuals in Pandemonium that are trying to destroy me. But we are really close to fulfill our goal... if you help me to destroy them and get a hold of the remaining Apostles, then we'll be soon free." He made a pause. "And while you're at it, you can also keep a watch on our human enemies as well… I'm referring, of course, to our friends from the Magdalan Order."
A faint smile crossed Chrno's smile at the mention of the Order, though he remained calm. "Ah yes, I was expecting you to mention them sometime. So tell me, what do you want me to do with them? As long as I don't have to befriend them, anything goes." He half-joked.
"Ah no, you don't have to go THAT far... though that would be perfect." Aion smiled upon seeing his brother's face. "Let me explain... basically, I need a spy. Someone that keeps a close watch on the humans so that we know what they're planning. While I don't really consider them a real menace, they still have a considerable force and it's very important to our cause not to underestimate them... Pandemonium made that mistake 200 years ago, and look at the consequences."
Chrno nodded, deep in thought. His brother was right... they should not underestimate the humans again. It was a lesson he had to learn the hard way. "So, is that all you need me to do? Killing Pursuers, keeping a watch on the Order's movements, finding the Apostles and protect a human child? I should be offended." He smiled. "It's too easy a job for me to refuse."
"Fine. Just don't get too sure of yourself." This time it was Aion the one to said it. It had been a common phrase among the twins since a long time ago. "Very well... it's a deal then." He looked at the sky once more. "I should be on my way back to Pandemonium, before the Elders notice my absence. Rizel managed to cover my absence by telling one of her most convincing lies, but I better not put her abilities to the test." He opened his wings and turned to leave. "I will be contacting you soon... until then, try to stay out of trouble."
"I will if I can." Said Chrno, crossing his arms and looking confident.
"Good. Oh and by the way... Shader sends you her greetings. She always had a big crush on you, you know." Aion smiled mischievously.
"Not my type." Said Chrno, smiling. "But say hello from me anyway. She was a good friend."
"Shall do that." Aion said, and with that, he left, disappearing in the night's sky in a matter of minutes.
Chrno lost no time after that to go back to Rosette's side, and landed on the ground next to the entrance to the underground chamber, his refuge, only a short while later. He walked towards the room inside, softly illuminated by several candles that Rosette had brought with during one of her first visits, along with some pillows and blankets for him. She had said that it wasn't fair that he was forced to sleep in such a cold and hard place when she had a warm bed all for herself, though he had told her several times that he didn't mind... she worried too much about him in his opinion.
Rosette raised her head upon seeing him, and quickly stood up from the stone bed where she was sitting on, smiling brightly. "Chrno!" She exclaimed. "Thank goodness you're back... are you alright? Are there other demons outside still?" She asked worriedly.
"No, none at all, we're safe now." He said reassuringly, sitting down on the other side of the stone bed, to put some distance between her and him. He usually avoided all sorts of physical contact with his contractor, except when he took her home in his arms. It was better that way... getting too close to her was pointless, since she would be dying in a few years anyway... and all thanks to him. "So..." He asked, wanting to break the ice, noting that she was still a bit nervous after what happened at the orphanage. "Are alright? You weren't harmed, were you?"
Rosette nodded, feeling grateful for his concern. She then started making small talk for a few minutes, telling him how the minister had fought to save her, and how he had arrived just as they were about to lose the battle, until they both fell silent. The unspoken question, that none of them wanted to ask, yet it was there in their minds all the same was... what to do now? Even if they didn't want to admit it, they couldn't stay in that place by themselves... Rosette was a human, and she needed to eat, sleep and be taken care of... and Chrno could not provide any of those things to her. He barely knew anything of what human children needed, or what they ate, other than cookies...
"I think it's better for you to go back home now." Chrno said at last, after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.
Rosette lifted up her head to stare at him. "Go back? But... but... where? The orphanage is destroyed, and everybody is probably mad at me for going away with you... and also... those demons were looking for me, right?" She said, lowering her head. Chrno was about to say something, but Rosette continued speaking, staring at the ceiling. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. They will be fine if I'm gone. And I don't want to go to the Order, I'd MUCH rather stay with you. I'm sure we will do fine in our own." Her voice tried to be cheerful, but it had a hint of sadness in it that was not missed on Chrno.
"Listen, kid." He said, frowning while he stared at her. "I don't know what that man told you before I arrived, but I know demons better than he does, as I am one of them. Those Pursuers that attacked your home would have done it even if you weren't there... the presence of someone from the Magdalan Order is more than enough reason for any of them to attack. So don't feel guilty."
Rosette tuned to look at him, with a mixture of surprise and gratefulness. Chrno was normally a silent person... usually it was her the one who talked, and he just asked her questions and listened to her, unless he had something important to say... she resisted the urge to hug him, however, as she knew that he didn't like it, but couldn't help but to smile at him. "Thank you." She said sincerely. "I guess you're right... but... umm..."
"What is it? Speak up." Chrno said, frowning. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. Did that priest tell you something bad about me?"
"No, it isn't that!" Rosette exclaimed, but lowered her head again, a bit embarrassed. "Well, he did say something about you, but I didn't believe him anyway. What I want to say is that.. umm..." Gah, why was this so difficult to say? She thought. "Well... I was... you know..."
"Oh, just say it. You were scared of me, weren't you?" Chrno said, irritated.
"No, I didn't!" Rosette's voice was a bit indignant. "Ah... sorry." She apologized. "But I was actually... very happy to see you." She said at last. She turned from him immediately, blushing. "Well... I was very scared back then.. but when I heard you saying my name, I wasn't scared anymore." She smiled at him once more. "You know, that was the first time that you said my name!"
Chrno looked puzzled, and a little uncomfortable, not knowing what to say. "Ah well... really?" He asked at last.
"Yeah!" Rosette replied. "You always call me 'kid' or 'you'... well, it's not important... but I was happy anyway."
Chrno looked away. She was right... somehow, he had never noticed that before... but now that she mentioned it, it was true. "Alright. I will call you Rosette from now on if you want." He sighed. He really didn't mind calling her by her first name, but he had wanted to put some distance between the two of them. Ah well, it doesn't matter anyway. He thought "Well, in any case, you should be going back. You can't sleep in here."
"But why not?" Rosette said, hugging her knees. "If I go back... the minister will try to take me to the Magdalan Order, and then we will get separated, and... well, I don't want to go."
Chrno looked at her for a moment, before he looked up at the ceiling. "Even if the minister takes you away, I will find you. We have a contract after all. I can find you no matter where you are, and they can't do anything about it. They can't break the contract, and they can't harm me either, especially not if they know that you are my contractor."
She turned to look at him, blushing once more upon hearing his words. "Really?" She asked hopefully, feeling her heart suddenly very light.
"I don't lie." Chrno said simply. "You should know that already."
"Then... do you think it would be possible for us to go there together? " She asked at last, after a long pause. "The minister is not that bad as I thought... and he is very important... if I can convince him to let me join the Order and take you with me, then maybe... maybe we could go there and look for Joshua." She said in a low voice, a bit afraid of what his reaction would be. Would he laugh at her for suggesting something so ridiculous?
Chrno however, did not laugh, and simply stared back at her, thoughtfully. What she said made sense... it was something very difficult, but if the Order really wanted Rosette to come with them, and he agreed to have his powers sealed, at least until the right moment came... then perhaps he could sneak inside the organization and look for clues regarding the Apostles, as well as keeping a close watch on his enemies, the way Aion asked him to.
No... the idea definitely wasn't bad.
He smiled for himself. Now all he had to do, was to convince the minister... and he knew exactly how to do just that...
To Be Continued...
Whew! I can't BELIEVE how lazy I've been the entire month! Once again, sorry for taking so long to finish this chapter… it was actually almost finished since last week, but I've been so darn busy ALL this week, that I really couldn't post it earlier.
ANYway...
I really want to give a big THANK YOU to all my kind reviewers. Guys, you are the reason why I keep writing despite my laziness, as well as the reason I pressure myself into finish it as soon as I can despite all my time-consuming activities... so, thank you very much! Please keep those reviews coming, and don't be shy to say "Please write more!". That really puts the right amount of pressure on my back, I can tell you that! (Just don't be rude. You will only make me annoyed, and it will take me TWICE as long to finish.)
I also want to thank my 'regular' reviewers, especially Nightelfcrawler, Zilleniose, Pepperoonie (I love your reviews, they really help), YumeTakato, etc. (too lazy to write all the names) Love you all!
Next chapter is halfway done... but it's the second part what takes me longer to write, oddly. So please keep your reviews coming!
Sincerely,
Vero-chan
