Return of Time
Ch5 of ?
AN: umm… der… I can't think of anything. I just read the latest chapter of "Demons and Love" by TheChickenLittle-chan and my brain is so filled with giddy happy thoughts that I can't think proper like. I just adore that story. It's just so…
Chrno hits author over head with frying pan. "Ignore her. She's gone a little crazy from images of the male demon me, naked. Thank you and on with the story. In this chapter I get to meet a future partner and give solace to a stranger. Amen."
For disclaimer see CH 1.
Morning smiles
Like the face of a newborn child
Innocent unknowing
Winter's end
Promises of a long lost friend
Speaks to me of comfort
Sarah McLachlan - Fear
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The sound of running feet echoed through the hall outside Sister Margaret's office. A young exorcist was running away from the tired red haired head of the New York branch. He had had another 'incident' while on a mission.
"I swear, that boy is going to make me go grey."
Ewan smiled at Sister Kate's most recent replacement. The young green eyed nun had been his recommendation to the post. "He's not doing it on purpose." He was draped over an arm chair, watching the twenty-nine year old Director pace. "Besides, it's not like he's the first to wreck a car in the Order's existence."
"He's a menace."
Ewan smiled brightly. "Rosette Christopher was worse."
Maggie growled. "Maybe so, but he's getting there."
"Give him time. I think that with the right partner, he'll settle down." Ewan stood quickly and moved to the window. Looking down on the courtyard he watched the blond boy come to a stop several feet from the fountain where the black haired half demon girl sat. "When the time comes and she's ready for a new partner."
Maggie cocked an eyebrow. "Sister Mary you mean?"
"Who else?"
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Fourteen year old Christopher Rosetti stopped running when he reached the courtyard below Sister Margaret's office. It wasn't his fault that the car was wrecked by that demon. His trainer had left him to watch the car, what else was he supposed to do with only one gun and a big demon trying to take his head off. Just because it was the second car in six months. He sighed heavily and shrugged.
"Are you alright?"
The soft voice startled him. Chris had thought that the girl sitting on the fountain's rim hadn't been paying attention to anything around her. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you."
The black haired girl turned crimson eyes on the young man. "You didn't." She smiled sadly. "I needed to be disturbed." Standing she looked him in the eyes. "I get lost so easily."
Chris grinned. "Well it's good that I showed up then." He held out a hand. "I'm Christopher Rosetti . I'm a apprentice exorcist. You?"
Her smile brightened as she laughed lightly. "You remind me of someone." She took his hand and shook it. "Sister Mary Raphael, but you can call me Chrno."
Chris shook his head. "I like Mary better." Hearing his instructor calling for him he smiled brightly. "Well that's my cue to run. I'll catch you again sometime. And maybe braid that flyaway hair of yours for you." He waved as he ran off towards the training grounds. "Later."
Chrno watched bemused as the young man left, trying to figure out who he reminded her of.
"Chrno?"
Turning to look at the still young Azmaria, she shook her head. "Is it time to go?"
The elder nun smiled. "The car is waiting at the gate to take us to the airport."
Chrno nodded, her expression still thoughtful. "Let's go. The sooner we get there…"
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"She was my best friend." The seventeen year old boy smiled softly. "Mary, I…"
Chrno's crimson eyes were sad as she watched the young brunette sitting next to her. He had been so happy and full of life when he had first called out to her. When he had realized that she was not his friend all of that joy seemed to fade away. "I'm sorry. I'm not her."
"I know." He looked away for a moment, his eyes hazy with the fog of memory. When he had first seen Chrno, he had been so happy to see his friend up and healthy, that he just hugged her without thinking. Her startled yelp and wicked backhand showed him quickly enough that she was not his best friend. "I guess I should introduce myself." He held out a hand and took one of hers. "Name's Jeremy Moore. Age 17. Sagittarius. Militia Demon Sealer."
Chrno smiled softly. "Chrno. Age unknown. My titles, that I can remember anyways, are Militia Apprentice, 'The Crusader', and 'Servant of God'."
Jeremy shook his head. "Why does that not surprise me."
Chrno's head tilted to one side, a quizzical expression on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Two months ago, when I was preparing to leave for a mission in LA, she told me goodbye. She never told me goodbye before that, ever. I mean I knew that she had been researching the Trinity Seal and well," he looked at the crimson eyed girl, "You. But I never thought that she'd do anything about it."
"She died happy."
Jeremy turned to glare down at the tiny half-demon, her head barely at his chin. "How could you possibly know that. You've never even met her."
The small girl hung her head, her eyes squeezing shut to stop her tears. "But I did meet her." Her voice was thick. "She told me that everything would be alright and that I'd wake up soon. She was so happy when she left. It was like light left with her."
Jeremy's expression softened. "She's really gone isn't she?"
Chrno nodded. "I'm sorry."
Jeremy pulled her into a hug. "It's not your fault. You were asleep. We all knew that. It was her choice." He sighed and pulled away. "At least I got to say goodbye. I'm going to miss her." He smiled softly. "Maybe we could be friends?"
Chrno looked up startled for a moment before a hesitant smile came to her lips. "I think, I'd like that."
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A week later Azmaria and Sister Elizabeth gave Chrno her new Militia uniform.
"I can't wear this!"
Elizabeth sighed as she sent up a prayer for patience for herself and comfort for the now distraught director.
Azmaria herself was trying not to cry. "But, I picked this style because I thought you'd like it."
"Of course I like it." Chrno clutched the softly ticking pocket watch that hung around her neck. Azmaria had returned it to her the day before. "On Rosette. Not me." She waved at the black slacks and white blouse that she was wearing. "Why can't I just wear something like this? Or even something like what Ewan wears?"
"Because you're a girl."
"But I'm not Sister Elizabeth." She shook her head. "Not really. I remember enough to know that I was definitely not a girl in 1924." she stopped speaking as she realized what she had said. Comparing dates, she shook her head in amazement. "He's right that was a long time." She turned her attention back to the two nuns. "I'm not even sure I know how to be a girl." She sighed gently. "Please just let me dress how I'm comfortable."
Azmaria moved closer and hugged the smaller girl. "All right. I'll try to find a boys uniform that will fit you."
Chrno's eyes were grateful. "Thank you Az."
Sister Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Well that's enough of that. You have training starting in ten minutes. Let's get going."
Chrno grinned. "Yes, ma'am."
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