Author's note: Sorry guys for taking so long in writing this chapter. I was pretty busy around the house with Christmas and all. Ok, let me just give you a bit of explanation about the cottage/house they found (I think it's necessary in this chapter). It's just like the one in the anime from the final episode, made out of wood, two rooms a few chairs … a stove … just like some abandoned place that still has some stuff in it. On with the fic …

Disclaimer: You really think I own Chrno Crusade … nah …

-Guest-

Previously:

Morning …

Chrno woke up early to start on breakfast, they had an old stove they could cook on so he decided to try and make something for when Rosette wakes up. He slowly got up when he heard some loud knocks on the door. He was stunned.

'Anybody there?' a muffled voice asked 'how can this be, we're in the middle of nowhere … there isn't a house anywhere for miles … impossible' this was too weird even for a demon …

'Hello!' said the voice louder

Rosette started to slowly wake up … she opened her eyes and saw Chrno staring at the door in shock. She shook her head 'what's wrong with him … there's nobody at the door … at least I can't hear anybody … I wonder …'

'Chrno?' he didn't answer 'Chrno!' she said a bit louder.

'…' still no answer, not even a stir

'CHRNO!'

'Ahh … why on Earth are you shouting like that?'

'I've been calling you for like an hour!' she glared at him 'actually only a minute, but no need to tell him that'

'There was someone at the door …'

'No there wasn't'

'Actually I'm sure I heard something'

'And I'm sure you didn't … there's nothing and nobody out there for miles … how can someone show up just like that?'

'…'

'Exactly …'

An awkward silence was set in the room. Chrno was still a bit shocked 'what was that … I'm a demon and still can't explain it … how can she be so calm … was I imagining things … am I finally going mad …' he was deep in thought, much to Rosette's annoyance.

'Hellooooo … Earth to Chrno!' she waved her had in front of his face

'Huh? Oh, sorry, yes?'

'That's it, we're going on a picnic before you really lose it'

'A picnic!'

'Ya, since we're practically on vacation … and don't you dare say the word' 'suspended!' he thought 'I thought of having a bit of fun'

'But where?' the young demon asked

'I think I saw a lake somewhere around here' she smiled. He'd always do anything she asked for … anything, just to keep her smiling. Rosette started to pack some things for their picnic. It wasn't much; they didn't bring much with them so she only packed some sandwiches, a blanket and some fruit they picked up the other day. 'At least there's fruit in this weird forest' she thought

Several minutes later

'Are. We. There. Yet?' Chrno asked for the hundredth time that day

'Yes' she laughed, normally Chrno wasn't that impatient, but at least they arrived and somehow she was still in a very good mood.

'Finally …' he sighed. Somehow the little picnic basket they had weighed a ton and of course he wouldn't let Rosette carry it, not that she wanted to, but still.

The scenery was beautiful. A huge lake as far as the eye could see was before their eyes. Crystal water, not too deep by the looks of it, 'perfect for swimming' as Rosette thought. It was very close to the forest; strangely it couldn't really be seen during the night, but somehow Rosette spotted it. She took out the blanket and laid it near the lake, not too close though, if they went swimming it shouldn't get wet. Chrno watched as she prepared everything, it was no use trying to help, she wouldn't let him, it was her fun. When she was done they sat down and had a nice quiet breakfast, watching the beautiful view in front of them. After they finished Chrno stepped a bit closer to the water, he wanted to wash his hands, but his partner had other plans. She grinned, stepped closer to him and …

'Ahh' he yelped and fell face first in the cold water. Rosette was rolling on the ground laughing. She always managed to do that and he never learned … 'oh well' A couple of minutes passed and he still wasn't surfacing, Rosette started to panic … 'he can swim, I know it … maybe the water's too cold … oh no!' Her laughter quickly died out and was replaced by worry and fear.

'Chrno … come on … this isn't funny! Chrno! … CHRNO!' she shouted but no use. From behind a tree the young demon was holding back a laugh, then with an grin he launched himself towards his partner. Before she could register what was happening, a pair of arms lifted her and threw her in along with their owner. In just a couple of seconds they both surfaced. Now it was Chrno's turn to laugh, while Rosette glared at him.

'How could you! Take this …' she yelled and started splashing him.

'Oh yeah … try this' he said diving and pulling her down once more

Half and hour later

The two exorcists were on the ground panting. Both soaked to the bone …

'You might wanna take those off' said Rosette as she took her habit off. Chrno blushed … 'what IS she doing!'

'Could you stop drooling and at least take your coat off so you can dry off' he blushed even harder at that, but complied. So they stood there, both half undressed waiting for the sun to dry both them and their clothes, once more admiring the scenery. But the silence was unbearable, at least for the young nun. She grabbed some little pebbles and started throwing them at the demon.

'Ow … ow … ow … ok, stop … Rosette … stop' he warned, not angry but a bit annoyed …

'Nope … I wanna have fun … at least say something!'

'Ow … ow … ok, you asked for it' with that he launched himself at her and managed to pin her down. He held her back with one hand and with the other started to attack her sides.

'No, Chrno stop … please … I can't …' she managed to say between laughs. 'Why does he always have to tickle so hard?'

'I warned you didn't I … you wouldn't stop …' he continued to tickle her as she laughed madly. Even in his small form he could still overpower her if he wanted. But in a quick move she managed to capture him in a headlock.

'Payback time …' she whispered

'Rosette, don't you dare'

'Was that a challenge?'

'No!' he squeaked. Too late she was giving him her special noogie attack.

'Ow ow ok, stop I give up, you win … you win!' he managed to let out. Satisfied she let the young demon go, there always was 'next time' Just then she saw something move in the bushes.

'Chrno …?'

'Hmm?'

'Look over there' she pointed towards the moving bushes.

'Stay back' he said stepping in front of her protectively. Whatever it was it better be ready for a fight 'cause no one was to harm Rosette while he was still breathing. Seeing this she couldn't help but blush, he was always very protective, proof he cared for her, as she cared for him. She never would tell him however …

'Show yourself!' he shouted, eyes flashing red. Slowly a figure appeared … it was … an old lady?

'What the!' Rosette managed to say

'Hi there, sorry dears if I frightened you, I just got lost that's all' the old lady stated simply. Chrno was getting that weird feeling again, somehow her aura was a bit too intense.

'Hi! I'm Rosette, maybe we can help you' she said stepping in front. Chrno wasn't moving, but watching the lady's every gesture.

'Why thank you dear … I've been on the road for such a long time and now I got lost'

'Well we don't know the place either, but we do have a little house on the other side of this forest, you can stay with us if you want' she offered. A soft smile appeared on the old lady's face.

'Thanks you dear, you're very kind, I'm Margaret by the way'

'Nice to meet you Marge, oops, can I call you Marge?' she nodded 'Ok then let's go' the young nun picked up the basket and leaded the old lady to the cottage. Chrno was still wary, something was out of place … but why was he acting like this, it was just and old lady, seemed harmless. 'What's wrong with me …?'

Half an hour later …

They arrived at the house, Chrno took the basket and hurried up inside, while Rosette took her time leading Marge. Once inside they both sat down while Chrno was asked to prepare some tea (A/N: Yes they had some tea too). While making the tea he took a couple of seconds every now and then to take a quick glance at the two. Finishing, he took the tea to the now chatting ladies. He gave Rosette her cup smiling but handed Marge hers with a bit of a glare.

'Rosette, I'm gonna go take a walk, I'll be back later' he stated. Rosette was a bit worried about her demon companion; he was acting very strange ever since Marge showed up. After he left, the young nun turned to her guest.

'Nice demon you got there dear, very protective'

'Umm … how did you?' Rosette stared at her. Not many people could tell Chrno was a demon. Her friends at the convent didn't even know until they saw Chrno getting mad and trying to break the seal. How could Marge tell?

'Oh that was easy, I've seen a couple of them in my life … he seems very nice, for a demon, but no offence dear I wouldn't want to be near him on a bad day' she said chuckling. Rosette smiled, still a bit unconvinced about the answer, but decided not to pry.

'So Marge, where were you heading through that forest, I mean it doesn't seem to actually lead anywhere'

'I've heard some legends and got curious, that's not something unusual at my age'

'Could you tell me the legend, please?' Rosette was getting curious. She loved legends, stories … just like the ones Chrno used to tell her and her brother. Just then Chrno came in and looked over at her. Seeing her partner was trying to tell her something she looked over at the old lady …

'Maybe you can tell me tomorrow, it's getting a bit late and we've had a long day, we'll be in the other room if you need something.' She said in a hurry

'Thank you, you're very kind, I'll be fine'

'Then … good night Marge' said Rosette

'Good night dear' she said looking over at Chrno. Rosette shot him a short glare.

'Good night!' he growled. Marge only nodded. With that the two exorcists went in the other room leaving their guest for the night.

In the other room

'Chrno, what's wrong with you? You've been acting weird around Marge ever since she came, I mean she's just an old lady'

'Look there's something strange about her, I can feel it …' he sighed 'why can't I sense exactly what?'

'Chrno you're scaring me … I've never seen you like this before' she really was worried

'I'm sorry, never mind … maybe I'm just tired, we should go to sleep it really is getting late'

'Ok then' she looked around looking for the blankets. 'Oh yeah … I gave them to Marge just before we left'

'If you're looking for the blankets, you gave them to her remember? Take this, it shouldn't bee too cold tonight …' he said holding out the picnic blanket they used earlier. Rosette happily took it and wrapped it around her. She then slid down on some leftover piles of hay. They had used hay to make some sort of beds in the other room, since the existing bed was broken. One problem though … they couldn't use them since Marge was already asleep. Chrno took a chair next to her and got ready to sleep.

'Wait a sec, what about you? Don't tell me you wanna sleep on that!' he just blinked at her

'Plenty of room here for two' she offered

'Are you sure?' she glared at that one 'no Chrno I'm just saying that so you can ask … geez …' then nodded. In a few seconds they were both wrapped up in the blanket, slowly drifting to sleep. A couple of minutes later Rosette was already sleeping heavily. Chrno took a quick glance around the room, not moving from his spot, just to make sure everything was alright. 'We'll figure everything out tomorrow' satisfied he nuzzled closer to his contractor and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

'Good night Rosette …' he whispered, a soft smile appeared on her face.

Author's note: Hope you liked it … review please