Disclaimer: I own Chrno, yes I do! I'm a liar, how 'bout you!

Author's Note: Please see chapter one for note.

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Ticks of the Clock

Hair

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Chrono first mentions it while bandaging my arm, lips pursed, eyes downcast. I arch an eyebrow at his unreadable expression, only allowing my curiosity to register after Father Remington has gone- the one remain of his short visit the encouraging words left floating in the air.

"What's wrong?" I ask my devil companion, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. He rolls my white blouse sleeve up a bit higher, gently wrapping the gauze around my shallow wound. "I know I hurt my arm, but it's not that serious, is it?"

". . . Your hair," he murmurs after a moment, glancing up enough to notice a stray strand by my ear- taking a second to push it back into place. I blush slightly. "It's so short."

"I realize that," I snort, tossing my head haughtily and grinning widely at Chrono. "I did it myself, after all. Right after we got here. Didn't you notice?" If he hadn't, I wouldn't be surprised. I'd overheard from some girls in the halls that men are generally unobservant, after all- and that certainly seemed to apply to many of the boys at Seventh Bell.

But Chrono's not like that, so, on the flip side, I guess it doesn't totally shock me when he says:

"I did."

The frown remains on his face as he carefully ties the ends of the bandage together. After done, he boldly locks our gazes. "But why? They looked so cute in the pigtails."

Again, I flush slightly- but brush it off, winking. "That's why! Because it was cute. Only little girls wear their hair long and in pigtails. Grownups have short hair."

". . . ?" He blinks, straightening slightly. "B- but Rosette," he stammers, a stunned note in his voice, "you are a little girl."

". . ."

My eyes narrow.

". . ."

A vein throbs on my forehead.

". . ."

I grit my teeth.

And then. . .

"CHRONO!" I scream, grabbing his braid and giving it a sharp tug. He yelps and whimpers, leaning foreword instinctively. I stare down my nose at him. "I am NOT a LITTLE GIRL! How DARE yo-!"

But I hear myself trail off mutely as a pair of strong arms suddenly wrap around my middle; his already lowered face buried in my stomach. A desperate squeeze follows the initial embrace, and I find myself at a loss for what to do. "Ch. . . Chro. . . ?"

"Don't, Rosette. . ." he whispers, an aching sadness creeping into his tone. "Don't grow up so fast. . . You're still a little girl, Rosette- despite what. . . Despite. . . Don't make more time pass than it should."

The arms tighten once more. And, with a roll of my eyes, I feel my heated face cool slightly. My arms drop to his shoulders, my head resting upon the back of his neck.

"Oh. . . All right," I sigh, trying to sound strained and annoyed. "I'll grow my hair out again."

". . ." His lips curve upward a bit; I can feel them through my habit. ". . . Thank you."

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Ending Note: Yes, Rosette DID have short hair when she was training in the convent. This idea was inspired by that fact (Obviously). The scene talked about in this ficlet can be read in volume 2- and Rosette really does have short hair in the flashback, I swear!