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

Author's Note: See chapter one or chapter seven.

WARNING: Spoilers for the last anime episode of Chrono Crusade.

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Ticks of the Clock

Together

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"Azmaria. . . ?"

The sky is beautiful today, she noted, swinging her feet lightly against the railings; delicately seated upon the porch's banister. Her fingers tightened around the thick, wooden beam holding it all up—eyes on the glowing horizon: stained red and orange and violet and green. Really, it was a perfect evening. . . so bright and so clear, one could almost see the Astral Lines. Her entire body shimmered as hues of magenta rained down from the heavens. Rained and rained and rained. . .

"Azmaria—?"

Her lap was slowly becoming wet with her own raining tears; silently slipping down her flushed cheeks with no sign of stopping. But a smile. . . a smile was still upon her lips, joy bubbling just beneath the surface. They had been happy. . . And for now, that was all she needed to know.

"Azmaria?"

Az gave a mild start when a tender hand fell against her shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts. "Anna. . . ?"

The redhead grinned cheerfully— though it seemed rather forced— wetness collecting beneath her thick lashes. "Azmaria, they're almost here." Anna gestured vaguely towards the trundling parade of cars that was throwing up dust in the distance. They were from the Order. . . "They're coming to— to take Rosette. . ." She swallowed harshly, but was obviously unable to gulp down the lump in her throat. "We need to put her in her cof. . . you know."

". . ." Azmaria gazed blankly at her fellow sister for a long moment, only just remembering the ornate wooden casket Claire and Mary had retrieved from the nearest town a few hours ago. Why is everyone in such a rush to bury the past? the small girl wondered, hopping off of the fence and turning to face her friends.

They looked like they were sleeping. . . holding hands, smiling, silent. She hoped they were having good dreams.

. . . wait a moment. The apostle whipped her head towards Anna, a frown on her face as she finally processed a previous statement. "You said Rosette was to be buried— near the convent, right?"

The older female blinked in surprise at the sudden harshness of the child's voice. "Y—yes. Yes, of course. Wh—?"

"What about Chrono?"

". . ." Anna spluttered wordlessly for a minute, eyes widening, before falling silent. "I. . . don't know," she then admitted in a whisper. "Sister Kate didn't say anything about him. . . and she didn't give us enough money for two coffins. I don't think the Order would let us bury him with Rosette, either. . . you know. . . because he was. . ."

"A wonderful person," Azmaria interrupted softly; tone clipped and frosted. "I understand." Fingers clenching, she stared at her saviors with a strange hotness burning her throat and determination welling inside. "But just because I understand. . ." she continued quietly, "doesn't mean I'm going to let them throw Chrono in the nearest dump."

"!" The redhead nearly began crying again, utterly horrified. "Az! Don't say things like that! I'm sure that Sister Kate would never allow—!"

"Bury them together."

"—? Wh—what. . . ?"

"Bury them together," the girl repeated, more gently this time; kneeling in front of Rosette and Chrono. Her hands briefly brushed their legs, then landed against her own thighs. "The casket is big enough; this way he'll get a proper burial without the Order having kittens, and. . . and I think they'd like that." She glanced at the sister from over her shoulder, a watery beam playing on her features. "Don't you think so. . . ?"

". . ." Anna smiled—for real this time—, a hand falling to rest against her friend's pale head. "Yes. I think they would."

(NOTE: This one was inspired by the last episode of the anime (gee, I bet you couldn't guess from the warning up top). . . when Az is visiting Rosette'sgrave butis talking to both Rosette and Chrono. Well, that and I was wondering: "That's great, Rosette's tombstone is beautiful . . . but where the hell is Chrono's? (sobs)")

(SELFISH PLUG ALERT: If you like ficlets, the anime, the six-months-Chrono-and-Rosette-spent-alone-concept (or are wondering what they might have done during that half year)—please check out my new ficlet collection Sunsets. Pretty please? Thanks! XD XD XD)