Chrno Crusade: The End Is Just The Beginning
By:
Guardian Angel of Innocence
Chapter Six: The Kidnapping
Rosette, Chrno, and Mia looked around in awe once they had arrived at Mary's home, which turned out to be the hideout for the gang Mary had and led.
"I'll see you three in a while. The meeting will be held in an hour. That will be in the basement. That's where you'll get to meet the rest of the crew," Mary said then walked off.
"Well, let's go claim our rooms first," Mia said and grinned then clung to Chrno's arm. "I get the room that Chrno's getting!"
Rosette's eyebrow began twitching while Chrno sweatdropped.
"Umm... Mia, I'd prefer a room all to myself," Chrno said.
"Yeah. I know," Mia said and released him while smirking. "A room all to yourself with Rosette, that is."
Rosette and Chrno turned crimson.
Rosette growled and picked up a pillow then threw it at Mia's face, striking her. "You hentai!"
"Heh. Heh. Couldn't help it. Not when you two blush so much around each other," Mia said and smirked again.
"I do not blush around him a lot!" Rosette cried out defensively.
"Give me a break. You two are so head over heels for each other," Mia said, rolling her eyes. "It's very obvious."
Mia's comment only caused the two to turn even redder and Rosette grabbed yet another pillow then threw it at Mia. Mia ducked this time causing the pillow to hit a vase making the vase tip over and break. The three shared wide-eyed expressions then quickly ran up the stairs before the broken vase could pin them at fault for breaking it.
Eventually, they all picked their rooms, finding out that there were only two. Mia had picked one all to herself and had said that Chrno and Rosette should share a room that way Rosette wouldn't always have to sneak out of the room to join Chrno in his room and doing things at night. This had earned her a very furious Rosette that instantly went into her killing mode, throwing whatever came in hand at Mia. The three had gotten in trouble by one of the demons that were in Mary's group. Chrno and Rosette reluctantly agreed to share a room since it "meant" the life or death of Mia. Once an hour had passed, the three went to the basement just as Mary had told them to do.
"Glad you could make it," Mary said. She and about four other demons were standing around a rectangular table.
Rosette, Chrno, and Mia picked their seats and stood in front of them, waiting for the others to sit.
"Before we begin today's meeting, introductions must be made starting with Henry," Mary said as she and everyone else sat down.
A tall and rather muscular demon stood up and nodded. He had messy brown hair, brown eyes, wore a white muscle shirt, forest green pants, black boots, horns that were at least a foot long, three green jewels on his forehead, and the skeletal tail, claws, and devil wings that every demon had when in their true form. "I am Henry Minamoto, Lady Mary's assistant and best friend." Despite how rough the demon looked, his voice didn't match his appearance. His voice was soft and gentle. Henry sat down as another demon stood up.
This demon was a female and had long messy hot pink hair that reached her waist and violet eyes. Her horns were about ten inches long and she had two pink jewels on her forehead. She wore purple lipstick as well as purple eye shadow. She also wore a opened black vest, a white t-shirt underneath it, black pants, black shoes, one spiked wrist band on each wrist, chains were connected to her pants, she had two piercings on each of her pointed ears, one on the earlobes and the other at the end of her ears, and had a nose ring. "I'm Cindy Brular. Don't mess with me unless you want to be messed up." She sat back down.
The next demon that stood up was male and had tanned skin as well as messy black hair that reached his shoulders and dark brown eyes. His horns were about eleven inches long and he had two white jewels on his forehead. He wore a backwards Dodgers baseball cap, white t-shirt that was way too big for him, baggy blue shorts that went pass his knees, white socks, white tennis shoes, and an Adidas white sweatband on his wrist. He also had a chain on his shorts and a golden chain necklace that had the dollar symbol hanging from it. "Yo, my new homies. George Garcia is here ta bring the house down!" He sat down.
Rosette and Chrno sweatdropped while Mia smiled slightly.
Another male demon stood up and gave George an irritated look. He had long red hair that reached his elbows and golden eyes. His horns were about a foot long and he had three golden jewels on his forehead. He wore a white kimono shirt, baggy black pants, and Japanese style sandals. He smiled and bowed slightly, standing straight up afterwards. "I am Yusuke Fujamoto. It is a pleasure to meet you." He sat back down.
Chrno, Rosette, and Mia then each made their introductions then the meeting began.
"My Lord, we have received reports that Chrno, the Apostle, and human were seen last with Mary Christopher," a small demon said, bowing in front of the throne.
"I see. Stay with the orders I issued last and have our spy keep a close eye on those three," the lord said, his face hidden in the shadows.
"Yes, My Lord," the demon said then left the room.
The lord chuckled and drank his wine. His face became visible by the light causing his violet eyes to light up as well as make his long white hair shinier.
"That was sooooooooooooooo boring!" Rosette said in an annoyed tone of voice and lying flat on the bed. She and Chrno were in their room, Mia having gone to her room to take a nap.
Chrno chuckled slightly, sitting down next to her and trying to find something to watch on TV. "Maybe you should pay more attention in class, Rosette."
"If I hear the word Aion one more time, I swear I'll pummel the next one to say it," Rosette said.
Chrno smirked and leaned forward, whispering in her ear, "Aion."
Rosette growled and tackled Chrno causing them both to fall off the bed and onto the floor. She pinned Chrno's wrists down and sat on his stomach, leaning forward and glaring into his eyes. Chrno continued smirking, though, he actually hadn't thought that Rosette would go through her plan of hurting the next person to say the white haired demon's name.
"Isn't this a very awkward position we've gotten ourselves into," Chrno said.
Rosette's face turned a deep shade of red and she growled. "Now Mia's turned you into a hentai!"
"I'm not a hentai," Chrno said and gently placed a hand on Rosette's cheek, smiling warmly while looking into her eyes.
Rosette felt her breathing begin to slow while her heart began to pound rapidly. Chrno got up slightly, closing his eyes as his head drew closer to hers. Rosette closed her eyes as well, waiting for their lips to touch. Right when their lips were just about to touch, the door was slammed open. The two quickly parted, Rosette blushing furiously while fidgeting with the end of her shirt and Chrno's smile disappearing as he looked towards the one that had entered their room.
Henry was standing there, blinking a few times. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"You weren't," Rosette said while still blushing, though, it wasn't as red as before.
"What is it?" Chrno asked as he stood up.
"Mary's been kidnapped," Henry said and looked away, his hands turning to fists.
Rosette stood up and nodded, her expression changing to one of determination. "Then let's go and save her butt."
"We can't," Henry said as he gritted his teeth.
"Why not?!" Rosette demanded. She didn't want to lose another family member and she wasn't about to let it happen again.
"If we come anywhere near where she's being held captive, they'll kill her," Henry said coldly.
Rosette took a few steps back, feeling useless and helpless just like she had when she had learned of her brother's death four years ago.
Chrno growled. "Isn't there anything we can do?!"
"Only one thing," Henry said, looking over at Rosette as his eyes turned cold. "In order to get Mary back, we have to hand over the Apostle."
Chrno and Rosette exchanged glances.
Rosette sighed and began walking forward. "I understand. I won't allow harm to come my cousin's way."
Chrno grabbed Rosette's hand and shook his head. Don't do this.
I have to. I won't lose the last of my family, Rosette told him.
"Rose!" Chrno cried. "Don't you dare go!" You're all I have left!
Rosette's eyes widened slightly and she smiled warmly as well as sadly. She went over to Chrno and wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him lightly on the lips. Chrno's eyes widened then closed as he kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist drawing her closer to him while also deepening the kiss.
"I do not mean to separate you two, but we do not have all day," Henry said as his face filled with sympathy and sorrow.
Rosette parted the kiss and held onto Chrno's hand, smiling apologetically. I'm sorry... She then ran off.
Chrno watched her leave then growled and slammed his fist into the wall.
"I am sorry. I would have not done this if it hadn't meant Mary's life," Henry said then left the room.
I'll save you, Rosette. Don't worry, Chrno thought and looked out the window.
"My Lord," the small demon's voice said, interrupting the lord out of his thoughts.
"What is it now?" the lord asked, his face filled with a bit of irritation.
"We have the Apostle," the small demon squeaked out of fear that the lord would hurt him.
"Ahh. Send her and Mary in," the lord said and smiled slightly. This shall prove to be interesting.
The demon nodded and left. A couple of minutes later, it returned with two guards, one of them holding Mary while the other held Rosette.
Rosette and Mary both looked at each other, their eyes widening.
"Mary!" Rosette cried. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine," Mary grumbled. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"Saving you. What else?" Rosette said and rolled her eyes. She looked up ahead and frowned. She wasn't surprise in the least bit when she saw that the person sitting in the throne was Aion.
Aion grinned and stood up, walking over to the two girls.
Rosette growled and instinctively placed a hand over the watch as she watched Aion approach her and Mary. "You've gotten what you want. Now let Mary go!"
Aion went up to Rosette and cupped her chin in his hand as he gently titled it upwards so that her blue eyes were looking into his purple ones. "You are quite beautiful, you know that?"
Rosette growled and kicked Aion in the shin. "Shut up!"
Aion was taken aback slightly by this and grinned. He looked towards the guard that was holding Mary and nodded. The guard left with the girl.
Rosette watched the guard take Mary away then glared at Aion again. "Where are you taking her?!"
"Do not worry. She will be fine. You honestly do not believe I would harm my own daughter, would you?" Aion said, continuing to grin.
"No. But how would I know that when you attempt to kidnap your own great niece and rape my great aunt?!" Rosette cried out and stepped on the guard's foot then elbowed him afterwards, unsheathing his blade and swinging it down vertically at Aion.
Aion quickly unsheathed his energy blade and blocked the blade. He smirked slightly. "You are quite the feisty one."
"And you are the most irritating one!" Rosette cried out and grabbed out her gun, smirking slightly. Stupid idiots didn't bother to take my guns away. She held the blade up still while using one hand to point the gun at Aion.
"You can try and shoot, but I do not believe you will find the results pleasing," Aion said.
"Just try me, pal," Rosette said and continued to aim her gun at him as she stepped back then threw the blade to the side now holding the gun with both hands.
"If you wish," Aion said and grabbed out a remote, pressing a red button. A small TV appeared in front of them showing Mary being taken outside. "Now, I can order them to bring her back and place her back within the dungeons if I wish to do so. I just merely have to press a certain button and it'll be done."
Rosette watched the TV as Mary was led out and sighed in defeat, lowering her gun.
"That's a good girl. Get rid of the guns then we'll precede. Don't worry. You'll still be able to help people out," Aion said and grinned.
"Neh! Chrno! Why didn't you stop her?!" Mia cried out in a whiny voice.
"I tried. I already said that, Mia," Chrno said, clearly frustrated.
"Why didn't you try harder?!" Mia continued to whine and clung to his leg. "You could have at least gotten me at the time!"
"You were asleep," Chrno said and rolled his eyes at Mia's childish behavior.
Mia just whined even more as Henry walked into the room, also sweatdropping from Mia's antics.
"Umm... I don't want to know," Henry said and shook his head then turned his attention back to Chrno. "Mary's returned."
Mia stopped her whining as she looked towards Henry with slightly wide eyes while Chrno's eyes were mixed with anger, sorrow, and regret.
"What about Rosette? Is she okay?" Chrno asked in a very quiet even voice.
Mia looked up at the purple head demon to see his hands had turned to fists and his bangs were hiding his expression.
"We do not know at the moment," Henry said and shook his head, his expression full of sympathy. "I would have preferred not to hand Rosette over, especially since she's an Apostle, but, given the circumstances, we had no choice."
"You idiot! There could have been something better you guys could have done than to give in so willingly!" a girl's voice shouted and Mary soon arrived within the area, lifting Henry up by the collar of his shirt and glaring into his eyes. She was obviously upset with the events that had taken place. "Not only did you hand over my cousin, you also handed over an Apostle! I am sure you realize that Aion has been kidnapping them and that was the reason he wished to have her in his captivity!"
Chrno growled deeply at the mention of Aion's name then went over to the two, looking towards Mary. "Do you at least remember the location of the palace?"
Mary shook her head and lowered her arm, releasing Henry as she looked away. "I could not catch a glimpse of the surroundings nor the palace itself as they had blinded me before they took me there and after they released me back in the city that I have naught a clue of the location. Father is not fool enough to release someone knowing full well that they'd go off and tell everyone his secret location."
Mia, whom had released Chrno when Mary had arrived, watched them all and sighed. She stood up and went over to them. "No matter the costs, we have to and will save Rosette." Her expression filled with determination. She had no clue what was giving her courage and so much determination, but she wasn't about to back down now. "We've made it this far. To suddenly give up would put all our hard work in vain."
Chrno nodded in agreement. "I'm going to search for Rose. If you guys are too cowardly enough to come, then stay here." With that said, he began leaving.
"Hey! Chrno! Wait up for me!" Mia cried and ran after him.
"They are an odd group. A human, demon, and an Apostle," Henry said and slightly smiled.
"Yeah. Those three are. Add a half demon in and it just becomes even more weird," Mary said and laughed slightly then smiled. "I'm going to go with them."
Henry nodded. "Be careful."
"I will," Mary said softly and kissed him on the cheek then ran off before either of them could say another word.
Henry placed a hand over his cheek and smiled as he watched Mary leave then turned around to create a new plan of attack.
Mia, Chrno, and Mary searched around the crowded city for any clues that would lead them to Aion, but, so far, no luck.
Mary, who was now in her child form, growled in frustration and crossed her arms, glaring down at the ground. "We've been searching all day and there's still no clue as to where Father is!"
Mia made a disgusted face. "How can you so willingly call him that? The guy was the one that raped your mother for crying out loud!"
Mary sweatdropped slightly. "That maybe true, but I do have his blood flowing through my veins."
That didn't help to rid of the disgusted expression upon Mia's face and, in fact, made it much more worse. "Gack! I'd hate to be you! I mean... Gaaahhhh!" She shuddered. "I feel so sorry for Rosette. Even she did not deserve to be related to that guy."
Mary continued sweatdropping then sighed and shook her head. "At least I'm not Chrno's daughter." She smirked slightly.
Chrno raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with being his daughter?" Mia asked.
Mary's eyes held a glint of amusement within them. "If I was blood related to him, him and the present-day Rosette wouldn't be able to be together because that would be incest."
Chrno turned deathly pale at the thought.
Mia also turned slightly pale as she imagined it then shuddered. "That would be wrong on so many levels that even I wouldn't dare to go."
Mary snickered at their responses and it led both, Chrno and Mia, wonder how she could be related to either Rosette or Joshua when her thoughts were of that type.
"At least when I'm in hentai mode, I don't make those type of remarks," Mia muttered.
Chrno was still pale from the comment, but shook his head. "We have no time for that... Nonsense. We have to get back on track."
Mia and Mary both nodded and followed the purple haired demon as he made his way through the crowd.
"Everyone behold the Saint! She will heal away all our illnesses! She will rid the world of Satan's Plague!" a female demon cried out.
Mia, Chrno, and Mary all exchanged glances and ran to the center of attention.
Chrno could feel his heart clench while his stomach began doing flips. He hoped this "Saint" wasn't who he thought it was. Surely she wouldn't willfully agree to do as Aion had said. However, when he and the two girls had arrived at the scene, his heart filled with even more pain.
Rosette stood with Aion upon a platform, using her powers to get rid of the illnesses that had sickened the demons that she was tending to. She was dressed in a black gown, wore a black headband that had a black bow on the top of it, white socks, and black dress shoes. Her eyes were blank and emotionless.
"Rosette!" Mia cried and was about to run over to her best friend when Mary grabbed her wrist and shook her head.
"You cannot reach her," Mary said softly, her expression filled with sorrow.
"Then I will," Chrno said and growled, his hands turning to fists as he watched Aion wrap an arm around Rosette's waist. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. It was just like last time all those years ago. He could still remember it as though it had happened yesterday. The Rosette he had known had been dressed exactly like that with the same sullen expression and had been under Aion's control as well. Chrno's growl deepened as his red eyes slightly began glowing. He wasn't going to allow history to repeat itself again. He wouldn't allow Aion to hold Rosette any longer. "Aion, get your damn hands off Rose!!!!"
Rosette and Aion both turned their attention to Chrno. Aion smirked slightly while Rosette's expression remained neutral, but Chrno swore he had seen recognition in her eyes for a brief second.
"She is only doing as she always wanted. She's helping people," Aion said.
"How are you controlling her this time?!" Chrno demanded.
Mary turned into her true form then unsheathed her blade while Mia grabbed out her whip.
The crowd of demons all exchanged glances then surrounded the three, fangs bared and claws ready to strike.
Aion gave Chrno a plain look. "If I were to tell you that, it would ruin all the fun." He smirked again as he began leading Rosette off the platform.
"Rosette! Rose!" Chrno cried out as the group of demons lunged forward at him and the two girls.
Rosette looked over her shoulder at Chrno, their eyes meeting. She seemed to mouth something, but what it was, Chrno didn't quite catch.
Chrno growled and tried to get pass all the demons, but he wasn't doing very well since he was in his smaller form.
Mia whipped at all the demons that came near her while also holding them off with her blade at the same time, something that wasn't that easy.
Mary slashed through each demon that came her way, trying desperately to get to her father and cousin before it was too late.
Chrno punched one demon in the face then stabbed another with his blade while he continued to try to make his way again. He cursed under his breath. It was happening again. He was going to lose her. He shook his head and sliced off a demon's head, jumping up onto their face then leaping onto another demon's head once that demon's body had fallen to the ground. He began leaping from head to head, wishing he had his horns.
Aion smiled once he had spotted Arachnia and handed Rosette to her.
"Take her to her room," Aion said.
Arachnia nodded and obeyed him, gently taking Rosette's arm and escorting her into their ship, Eden II.
"All ready to leave, Mon Capitan?" a cheerful voice asked.
Aion turned around to see a small cat demon and nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes, Emerald, I am ready."
The cat demon had green eyes and tanned skin. Her tanned arms and legs were covered with black stripes, a pair of black stripes being underneath her eyes. She had short pink hair that reached her shoulders, a pair of brown cat ears on top of her head that had a few black stripes on them, and a long brown tail that also had quite a few stripes on it. She wore an orange dress that reached her knees and tanned furry wristbands around her ankles and wrists. She had claws and was barefoot. Emerald appeared no older than the age of eight and her height showed it as well.
"Alrighty then! Let's get this show on the road!" Emerald cried out cheerfully. She was about to return to the ship with Aion when a voice interrupted them both.
"Aion! Release Rosette!" the voice said calmly yet deadly.
The two turned their attention towards the one who had spoken to see Chrno.
"Mrow. Why do you hafta go and ruin me fun?" Emerald said and crossed her arms.
Chrno sweatdropped, becoming oddly reminded of a cat demon he had once known. He shook his head then turned his attention back to Aion, watching him through narrowed eyes.
"Chrno, we will meet again. Until then, I suggest you keep a low profile," Aion said then smirked. "We wouldn't want the Pursuers to get rid of you before we've settled our score, now would we?" His violet eyes lit up slightly as he turned to enter the ship, Emerald slowly following him.
"Aion!" Chrno shouted.
Aion and Emerald paid no heed to him as they finally entered the ship, the door closing.
Chrno was about to run forward and demand they release Rosette, but Mia and Mary had come just in time to see the ship had begun to take off and had to hold Chrno back. Chrno continued to shout out Rosette's name and for Aion to release her. Mary and Mia both traded glances and nodded, both knocking the purple haired demon out then returning to their hideout since there was nothing more they could do at the moment.
Aion now has Rosette. What will he do with her? Will Chrno and the others be able to rescue her? How exactly is Rosette being controlled now? These and so many more questions will be answered in the next chapter(s) of Chrno Crusade: The End Is Just The Beginning! And please don't forget to review on your way out. Thank you in advance.