Chrno Crusade: The End Is Just The Beginning

By:

Guardian Angel of Innocence

Chapter Fourteen: Preparations

Emerald frowned as her tail twitched in agitation from the news she, Aion, and the others had received concerning Jenai and Bit's whereabouts. "Awwwwwwwww. How unfun." She pouted.

Aion merely brought his spectacles a bit higher up the bridge of his nose then looked at the young cat demon from the corner of his eye. "Emerald?"

"Ah. Yes, Lord Aion?" Emerald asked, turning her full attention upon her leader.

"How are the preparations coming along?" Aion asked, not turning around to face Emerald.

"Umm..." Emerald fidgeted, two of her small clawed fingers pushing at the other giving her the appearance of a young child that had been caught in the act of doing something they shouldn't have. Her gaze was lowered so that she wouldn't have to look at her lord's face when he found out the news. "It seems I made a tiny little miscalculation, Lord Aion."

Arachnia looked over at the cat demon, her face holding something between anger and irritation. She had finally patched up her grievous wounds she had received from Azmaria and Stella, vowing to get revenge for her two lost comrades due to the fact that it would slow down her lord's dream. "What do you mean you made a 'tiny little miscalculation'?!"

Emerald squirmed somewhat before saying in a very small voice, "It seems instead of missing just the Apostle of Charity and Fortitude, we're also missing the Apostle of Prudence."

Arachnia instantly stood up going after the young cat demon then shot out web from her hands, sticking the young demon to the wall. Afterwards, she placed one clawed hand over her throat, lifting her slightly higher than what the web was holding her. "What do you mean we're missing the Apostle of Prudence?!"

Emerald squirmed under the crushing hold Arachnia had upon her throat, gasping for air to reach her lungs. "It... Was... A... Mistake... It seemed... The 'Apostle'... We... Kidnapped... Was merely a... Fake... Their power... Was just... Slightly higher... Than normal... Thus... Allowing the mistake... To be... Made..."

"And how do we know the rest of the Apostles aren't just fakes?!" Arachnia demanded, tightening her hold upon Emerald's throat.

"Arachnia! That's enough!" Aion ordered, finally turning to face the two.

Arachnia reluctantly obeyed Aion, releasing Emerald and settling for giving her a glare.

Aion took a few steps forward then placed his hands on Emerald's shoulders. "Is it just that Apostle?"

Emerald slowly nodded.

Aion turned to face Joshua, a grin spreading across his face. "Joshua, could you please get rid of the fake?"

Joshua stood up from the seat he was sitting on, Fiore standing beside him. He smiled, nodding. "Yes. I'll do that." He walked out the room, Fiore following after.

Aion turned back around to face Emerald. "Find out who the other Apostle is."

"Yes!" Emerald said, bowing her head slightly then running off into her laboratory.

Aion walked over to the window, placing his hand against the cold window. Soon... Soon our dream will finally be realized... He smiled. Chrno.

Stella nodded after hearing Rose's story of what had happened while she and Chrno had been fighting. Her, Azmaria, Chrno, and Rose were in the back room trying to figure out just what had happened and how Azmaria and Rose had gained such power so suddenly. After the battle had finally ended, Stella had began driving once more, coming to a halt in front of the pier after turning the vehicle back to its normal size.

"It was exhausting," Azmaria said, softly.

Chrno gave her a concerned look then gave Rose the same exact look. "Rose...?"

Rose looked at Chrno then instantly stood up, smiling weakly as she let out a nervous laugh. "Don't worry about me. I'm just fine."

Chrno stood up, his expression still filled with concern. "Are you sure?"

Rose frowned and began walking away towards her bedroom. "Yes. I'm positive. Sheesh. You're such a worrywart, Chrno."

"You're the one who chose not to close the watch," Chrno muttered. "For all we know, your life could probably already be half way used up."

Rose turned to face him, her eyebrow twitching. "And you should be thankful that I left it open, otherwise, you would already be dead!"

Chrno remained silent before saying quietly, "If I was dead, we wouldn't have to worry about your life being depleted."

Rose was about to hit Chrno over the head for making such a comment, but Stella beat her to it.

"How dare you say that!" Stella cried, angrily. "I know there's a reason the contract was made in the first place and that was to keep you alive!"

"It was formed so I can help to save Joshua," Chrno said.

"Chrno!" Rose yelled and grabbed him by the ends of his pointed ears causing him to wince. "Remember this, I'm Magdalene and Rosette! I didn't just form a contract with you for the sake of Joshua! I did it because I wanted you to live! The same applies for the third time I was reincarnated and now!"

Chrno was taken slightly aback by this, his expression slightly filling with sorrow as he remembered all the ways she had died. "It's my fault you had-"

"It was the fate I chose!" Rose cried. "I chose it, therefore, it wasn't your fault, Chrno!"

Chrno was about to protest once more when he suddenly fell to his knees, the world spinning around him. His head was pounding and felt as though it was going to split open at any given moment. His stomach gave a violent lurch and he let out a hoarse cough, covering his mouth with his clawed hand.

Rose's eyes widened in horror as she quickly ran to Chrno's side, kneeling down beside him. "Chrno!" She felt helpless as she watched him begin to shake violently. She looked down at his clawed hand after he was done coughing to see blood and some yellow liquid on it. Her eyes widened even more if at all possible. "Stella, go get some water! Azmaria, try to find some sort of medicine that can at least stop this... Virus from affecting him any further for at least a while!"

Stella nodded and quickly ran into the kitchen area while Azmaria ran into the room where the medical supplies were kept.

Chrno could barely register the occurrences going on around him, his heart beating too hard and rapidly that it was beginning to deafen him. He felt Rose place a gentle hand upon his shoulder, trying to suppress yet another cough to keep her from worrying but failed.

Tears filled Rose's eyes as she hugged Chrno from the side. "I'm so sorry, Chrno!" Her tears began to go down her face as though it were a river that had finally broken free of its dam. "I'm not strong enough to help heal your body!" My life energy isn't helping one bit!

Chrno weakly hugged her back, using his blood-free hand to stroke her hair, trying to comfort his young contractor. "Rosette... It's not your..." He coughed once more, his eyelids threatening to shut. "It's not your fault."

His reassurance didn't seem to help and seemed to only worsen the situation instead as Rose began to sob horribly.

"Quit your crying," Stella said as she returned to the room with a bowel of water and a small towel. "Crying won't solve anything."

Rose looked up at Stella after wiping her tears away then growled. "Shut up! No one was asking you!" She stood up then grabbed the bowel, her anger quickly vanishing to be replaced by sorrow. "Thank you, Stella." She smiled weakly then returned to Chrno's side, dipping the towel into the water then wiping away the blood that had formed around his mouth and anywhere else. "I told you to stay in bed, you idiot. I wish you would listen to me next time."

Chrno smiled slightly at her concern, their feelings not needing to be said for the other. They both understood each other very well and he knew she knew he wouldn't listen to her at all when it came to her life. "You would do the same if you were me, Rosette, and you know it damn well."

Rose smirked slightly, but shook her head as it disappeared. "That's beyond the point. It's my job to protect you, not the other way around. Until you're well and I mean well, not slightly, then you can return to protecting me if you want. But, until then, you had better stay in bed or I'll be giving to a clobbering once you really are better."

Azmaria returned to the room, seeming to be out of breath. "This is the only thing I could find, Rosette." She held up a bottle filled with a lavender creamed liquid reminding Rose of Pepto-Bismol other than the color being very off.

Rose took the bottle, reading the directions over. "It'll have to do." She turned the bottle over to read its title to see that it was plainly called "Demon Syrup". She frowned at the blunt title, muttering, "The people who made this need to get a better imagination."

Azmaria handed her a spoon, watching Chrno with concern and uncertainty.

Rose gladly took the spoon then twisted medicine bottle's cap off. Afterwards, she poured the creamy liquid onto the spoon then held it in front of Chrno's mouth. "Open up."

Chrno stared at the liquid, his expression changing to one of disgust as he caught the scent the medicine held. He shook his head, recoiling slightly.

Rose frowned deeply. "I said open up, Chrno!" She leaned forward quickly before Chrno could make his get away then gently opened his mouth then pushed the spoon into his mouth. She took it out afterwards, sitting back down and letting out a breath.

Chrno reluctantly swallowed the bitter liquid, his face becoming twisted even more from disgust.

Rose smiled slightly. "Az, can you bring me a glass of water for Chrno? I think he's in badly need of it."

Chrno gave Rose a plain look while she only stuck out her tongue in turn.

Azmaria nodded and ran off once more.

Rose turned to face Stella. "We shouldn't dally here any longer. Let's get going already!"

"How do you expect us to do that?" Stella asked, raising an eyebrow. "I just checked all the docks and none of them have us signed up as passengers on any of them. Your stupid perverted Elder forgot to get us a ship."

A smirk spread across Rose's lips. "Well... Stella, you are rich. Why don't you just buy us a luxurious liner? I'm sure that'll do just fine. Unless you'd rather go on a normal ship."

Stella's eyebrow twitched slightly. She turned around with a huff then went out the back doors to do just that. She stopped before fully leaving, saying, "You'll need a more appropriate choice of wardrobe if you want me to get you or any of your friends onto that ship." With that, she was gone.

Rose stuck out her tongue then helped Chrno up, leading him to a chair.

"You're so predictable, Rosette," Chrno said, shaking his head.

Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah. And?"

Chrno smiled slightly, feeling better from the medicine given to him. Though, he knew it was only temporarily. "It's just like you to go and start a fight with Stella, that's all."

"Well, she's only going thinking she's better than us just because she's The-Million-Dollar-Princess," Rose said, smirking once more before her face changed back to one of concern. "But, enough of that, you need your rest."

Chrno nodded. "Then I will rest." He crossed his arms, his head drooping slightly as he closed his golden eyes.

Rose smiled then stood up as Azmaria came into the room once more.

"He's already asleep?" Azmaria asked, clearly surprised by how quick the demon had fallen asleep.

Rose nodded, taking the cup from Azmaria and setting it down beside Chrno on the table. She then smiled. "I'm no girly-girl, but we have to go shopping."

"I heard the conversation back in the kitchen when I was coming back, but where exactly are we going to get the money?" Azmaria asked.

"Who else? Stella," Rose said, shrugging.

Stella walked along the docks once more, hugging herself to keep warm, her breath coming out in small white puffs. The bitter chilly wind blew by nipping into her exposed flesh causing her to shiver. She glared in the direction the vehicle was, muttering something incoherent underneath her breath. She then turned her attention back upon her destination then came to a stop when she spotted the lifeline to getting them out of there, a wide smile gracing her red lips.

"Are you sure that it's all right if we leave Chrno all alone?" Azmaria asked, anxiously for the umpteenth time since she and Rose had arrived at the mall.

Rose smiled. "Don't worry, Az. He'll be fine. Besides, Aion and the others won't be bugging us for a while." She smirked. "Plus, I heard from Remington a few hours ago that they're not missing one Apostle and Saint, they're missing two Apostles and a Saint. That, of course, means it's our duty to find the last Apostle before Aion gets a hold of them." She looked up ahead; spotting the store that would be perfect to buy "appropriate" clothing for the cruise they would be going upon. Rose grabbed Azmaria's hand and began making a run for it towards the small shop.

Chrno looked out a window, the sun gazing into it and lighting up the room around him. Beside him stood a blonde haired girl, her blue eyes fixed upon the two small blue jays chirping upon a tree branch nearby.

"You mustn't make the same mistake again, Chrno," the girl said, turning to face him, a sad smile upon her lips. "If you do, it could mean the end of the world."

Chrno looked at the girl, his eyes widening. "Mary?!"

The girl, Mary Magdalene, went up to him and gently placed her warm palm against the side of his face, a tear trailing down her face. "I will always be with you, but you cannot mess my soul-Rose's soul-our soul up any further or I may-we may never return again."

Chrno placed his hand over hers, closing his eyes. "I understand." He opened his eyes to see Rosette, the original one, taking Mary's place. "Rosette..."

Rosette removed her hand, crossing her arms. "Chrno, you're being trouble as usual. I leave for a while and what happens? The world's being controlled by Aion." She smirked slightly, poking his nose with her finger. "As for you, what's with the moping around?" She backed up a bit. "You should know by now I'll never leave your side." Her smirk disappeared, being replaced by a genuine smile before she disappeared as well to be replaced by the next reincarnation.

Rosette tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder, shaking her head. "Honestly, Chrno, I would have expected this whole stupid war to be over by now. Oh, well." She shrugged, smiling slightly. "Pickers can't be choosers, ne?" She went over to him, looking up into his eyes. "Promise me you'll at least get Joshua back into safety if our souls must perish once and for all."

Chrno nodded. "I promise, but..." Determination took the place of the warmth and sorrow he had had within his eyes. "I won't allow your soul to die again."

Rosette shook her head. "That is up to Fate, not you." She disappeared before Chrno could protest, being replaced by the present form all three incarnations were currently in.

Rose looked out the window then at Chrno, placing her hands on her hips. "You are getting your rest, right?" She went over to him, placing a hand on his forehead before he could answer her. She smiled when she found his forehead wasn't all that warm, being at the normal temperature it was supposed to be at.

"I'm fine, Rose," Chrno said, smiling at her concern for him before he placed his hands upon her shoulders. "But Fate does not lead us. We make our own paths."

"I know that, Chrno," Rose said, looking into his eyes and he swore for a sec that he saw all three incarnations' souls within her blue eyes as well as her own soul. "I carry the strength of four and with this strength, I will prevent Aion from winning this war." She looked away. "I swear you worry way too much for your own good."

Chrno was about to speak when she prevented him from doing so, turning to face him with a smile upon her lips.

"I'm thankful that you care and that you're alive, but..." Rose's expression changed to one of determination. "I won't have you die protecting me."

"Rose!" Chrno protested. "It's-"

"I'm not going to lose you! And I'm not going to leave you either, so quit being so damn overprotective of me!" Rose cried before disappearing, leaving Chrno alone within the bright room.

"Chrno doesn't look too well," Azmaria said as she entered the vehicle from the back carrying many bags that obviously held a lot of clothing within them, Rose joining her.

Rose looked over in Chrno's direction, concern etching her features. She quickly handed the bags to Azmaria before running over to the purple haired demon's side. "Chrno...?" She placed her hands upon his shoulder, watching a few sweat drops going down his face while his skin became slightly paler than what it usually was. She grabbed the glass of water that had been set there earlier, obviously never having been used, then tipped it over his head in hopes of either waking him up or cool him down from what ever it was that had caused him to suddenly sweat.

"Are you sure that was a good idea, Rosette?" Azmaria asked, anxiously. "Maybe it was the cold sweat kind."

Rose's stomach seemed to do a flip, her starting to feel suddenly sick. She shook her head, placing a hand to Chrno's even wetter forehead, feeling it slightly cool beneath her skin. She let out a sigh of relief, the stomach flips coming to an end. "No. They weren't the cold sweats. He got a fever."

She stood up and was about to go to the bathroom when Chrno's hand suddenly shot forth and gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her back, and placing her on his lap, wrapping both arms around her protectively. Rose blushed from the close contact and looked up at Chrno's face, her expression filled with uncertainty. "Chrno...?"

"I'll always protect you, Rose. It's not because I'm over protective, but because I love-"

Stella stormed into the vehicle so suddenly that it cut off Chrno's words causing him to wake up abruptly while scaring the living daylights out of Azmaria, her having dived into the front seats and peeking over them towards the cause of the sudden intrusion, and Rose just merely turned her attention towards the interruption, slightly thankful that she had come so suddenly.

"I've got the ship ready," Stella said before she noticed the position Chrno and Rose were in causing her to raise an eyebrow.

Rose turned several shades of red and quickly pushed Chrno away from her only causing them both to fall off the chair, Chrno's back to the floor with Rose laying strewn across his body.

Stella grinned widely, trying to prevent herself from laughing at the predicament the young nun her gotten herself into.

Chrno blushed as he sat up, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, Rosette." He laughed nervously.

Rose gave him a glare before finally standing up, straightening her clothes. "Well, that's that. Anyways..." She turned her attention to Stella, crossing her arms. "You were saying?"

Azmaria climbed over the seats once more, watching Stella, Rose, and Chrno, after calming her heart down and slowing her breathing.

"I've got everything prepared for our leave. Our ship takes off in twenty minutes so I suggest we get moving that way we can get to our rooms. I hope you bought the stuff needed while I was gone," Stella explained.

"We do. Don't worry," Rose said, grinning.

Emerald's eyes lit up as a small yellow dot flashed upon her computer screen indicating the Apostle of Prudence's location. She quickly stood up from her computer chair then ran into her lord's office, Fiore, a very bloody Joshua, and Aion turning their attention to the young cat demon.

Joshua licked the blood from his hands, his horns-Chrno's horns-upon his head before asking, "What is it, Emerald?"

"I take it you've killed the fake," Emerald said before responding, "How would you guys like to go upon a cruise?"

Is it just me or do I seem to write really long chapters then write at least two more short ones before writing another long one again? x.x Lol. Anyways, hope you all enjoyed it. n.n The questions are: Just who is the Apostle of Prudence? What do Aion and the others have in store for our heroes while upon their cruise? Just how did Azmaria and Rose use their powers like that? All these and more revealed in the next chapters to come! And please don't forget to review on your way out. Thank you in advance.