Disclaimer: Nani ((what))? Nah…I don't own it…Mr. Moriyama does.

Author's note: Nothing really to say…I got baptized on Sunday! Yay! Anyway, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review. The summary at the bottom might not be accurate.

Currently listening to: Dido-Life for rent, Now17

Warnings: Just your usual angst…with lots of fluff.

Chapter 2: The pain of ignorance

It had been 3 days since he had awoken, and not once had his foot stepped over the threshold of the hospital wing. The light had remained off, and the windows drawn closed, no outside source making it's way into the mournful room.

Rosette's boots clinked quietly against the stone as she made her way up the stairs, fidgeting with the watch around her neck with delicate fingers. He had hardly spoken since he had awoken, making it uncomfortable for her to be around him. The other nurses had long since fled, not willing to deal with a demon as strong as he was.

She reached the door and stopped, hand hovering over the doorknob as thoughts raced through her head. What would she find? Would he be better? What if he was worse? I'll never know until I look… She chided herself, hand clasping the knob and opening it. The site was a little more usual now, though she still felt her heart plummet from worry and sadness.

"Chrono? Where are you?" She asked, closing the door behind her and flipping on the light. He hissed and drew his legs close, burying his face in his knees. He was sitting in the corner, away from the light and the beds. No one else had dared reside in here with him. The window was closed, of course, and upon looking, the medicine cabinet had several locks and chains around it, with a few claw marks.

"Chrono…" She said, walking over to him and kneeling down. He didn't answer, but fidgeted away slowly. She reached her hand out, placing it upon his knee. She felt the sadness welling up within her, worry over-placing the doubt and fear. She leaned forward, resting her head upon his as she drew him into a hug. "You have to come back sometime, Chrono…why won't you answer me? Did I really hurt you that bad?" He didn't move as she listened to his steady breathing, feeling the weak pulses in his blood against her cheek.

His breath was warm as he looked up at her, their faces so close together that they could feel each other's breath on their cheek. Her heart squirmed in a sudden rush, a feeling of love and excitement gripping her suddenly. He leaned towards her, resting his forehead on hers as he turned his head slightly, almost lovingly, brushing his cheek against hers. Her breath hitched in her throat, feeling his hand glazing over her back, pulling her against him as he hugged her, his sorrow and pain leaking out into tears that ran down his cheeks as he cried softly into her shoulder.

She hugged him to her tightly, whispering comforts into his ear softly as she felt his small breaths begin to grow shorter and shorter. What's wrong with him? Why is he weakening? She could feel his weak pulse growing weaker, slowing down as his breath began to loose its heat.

He jerked back suddenly, brushing at his eyes and pushing her away as the door opened suddenly.

"Rosette? What are you doing here?" Sister Kate asked, apparently shocked as she carried a tray in her hands.

"I-I-I-"

"Oh never mind, goodness girl. Can't even answer a simple question." She said briskly, walking towards them and setting the tray down on a food table that rested beside the beds. "Chrono, I brought you some food. You MUST eat or you will surely die." That's what was wrong! His body was practically starved and beaten up, and was beginning to falter under such extreme conditions.

Chrono stared back at her, his eyes dull yet determined. His voice was soft and tired as he answered her. "No thank you. I don't want anything to eat."

"And why not?" She answered, sounding undisturbed.

"Because I want to die." He replied as his breath froze for a little bit, then returned weakly as he laid his head back down on his knees, covering his eyes and folding his arms around his legs.

"I figured as much. Okay, doctor, he refused. Come and help me." Sister Kate shouted towards the door as a head poked around it, then followed a body that Rosette recognized as the doctor Sister Kate had been talking to. The doctor carried a strange machine with a tube and an opening. "Rosette," Rosette looked back at Sister Kate, surprised, "you might want to leave for this." She said as a nurse suddenly came through a side door, picking Rosette up by the arms and gently guiding her through the door as she squirmed and yelled her complaints.

"Okay doctor, get him." Sister Kate said, as Chrono felt the dread rising up in him. He felt a pair of hands wrap around his thin wrists, and he looked up. The man pulled Chrono to his feet, but ended up carrying him as his knees buckled and he just twirled around on his ankles like a rag doll.

He was thrown forcefully down on the bed, nurses holding down his arms and legs as he lay on his back. He watched in horror as Sister Kate upturned the food into the opening, hearing a grinding noise.

"Okay son, open your mouth. This won't hurt too bad." The doctor said as he held the tube in his hand and waited impatiently. He signaled a nurse, and suddenly he felt someone wrenching his mouth open and the doctor placing his hand on his jaw. "Just relax and it'll be easier…" He said as he pushed the tube into Chrono's mouth, not stopping there but continuing to push it down his throat.

He felt sick as he felt it sliding down his throat, wanting to puke as he squirmed in the nurses' grip. He glimpsed Sister Kate flipping on a switch, and the ground up food traveling down the tube and continuing through his mouth despite his mental pleadings.

Rosette knocked on the Elder's door loudly, then kicked it open. He was apparently in the back, judging by the sudden explosion that rocked the building.

"Elder?"

"Rosette…how nice of you to stop by!" The Elder said, walking out with a scorched lab coat and wiping his goggles off with it. "How can I help you today?"

"Do you have a pair of…handcuffs?"

She opened the door, expecting the dark. She didn't bother flipping on the light, because the window was open. Apparently someone had opened it, because it looked heavy and she doubted Chrono had the strength left to do so.

He was sitting in front of the window, eyes watching carefully the play that was unfolding down on the lawn with the little kids. He looked sad and sick at the same time, as he didn't move from his spot.

"Chrono?" Rosette asked, knowing no one else was in the room. He grimaced and looked away, eyes shut in pain. She walked over to him, kneeling down by him. Gingerly, she reached out and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him close to her and off the chair. He was warm, and his pulse and breath wasn't as weak. He almost felt hot. She hugged him tightly as she felt her own tears slide down her cheek, just glad to be there with him alone. He returned her hug and put his head down near her neck, his hot breath warming and tickling her skin.

She let go of him slowly, and moved around to his back. Her trained fingers found the bow, pulling out the tie and watching it flutter to the floor. She smoothed out the braid, and reached for the comb she had brought with her.

"What did they do to you?" She asked as she ran the brush through his hair, knowing this calmed him down considerably when they were alone and had a chance to talk. He flinched slightly at her question, hunching over slightly to curl up again. She set the brush down and leaned forward, hugging him again as she felt around in his lap for his hand. She found it and rubbed it, patiently waiting until he sat back up again before she resumed her grooming.

"T-they…f-force-fed me." He answered her, his voice still weak and soft.

"That must have hurt. At least you're getting better, Chrono…I would die if you weren't here…" She answered, folding his hair into the usual neat braid along his back.

"I'd rather they didn't…I don't want to live anymore, Rosette…it hurts so much…"

"But Chrono, if I didn't have you around, I wouldn't know what to do! You're my best friend…I can't just let you go like that!"

"I don't want to live anymore! I'll find some way to kill myself without you guys stopping me, Rosette. Someday…" Her hand clenched around his, though he didn't move even though she knew she was hurting him. She released it slightly, to a more comfortable grip, and pulled his arm back towards her.

"I'm sorry Chrono…but I can't let you do that." She said as the handcuffs clicked around his wrist.

End of Chapter 3, The pain of ignorance

Well, I guess that wasn't so bad. I hardly ever just sit down and write up a chapter. Normally only part. So consider yourself lucky! Thanks for all the reviews. It's what helped me update faster! Cause, if you follow any of my other stories, you know that I hardly ever update quickly. : P. Don't be mean. Anyway, please review!

Next Chapter, Handcuffs: Being handcuffed together is proving to be quite challenging to Rosette as she drags him out into the sunlight, and forces him to mingle with the crowds. But maybe she's in a little over her head as Chrono pushes against her will, and a surprise guest shows up.