Lord Cynic: "Cheers!" (looks around to find no one around) "Okay, I'm sorry! I know it's been so long, but I lost my train of thought long ago. After getting up to volume 5 of the manga, my writing juices are pulsing again. And what better way to obey to the urges than to finally finish this. Yes, this is the last chapter. I had a lot of fun writing this little three-chapter story, even if it was meant to be a one-shot. But, no one's here to listen to me, are they? Haha… oh well."

Lord Cynic: "I don't own Chrno Crusade. Well, the rights to it. Oh, and I haven't seen the end of the manga. Shhhh!"

Chapter Three: Mutual Understandings

Rosette's tirade now expired, she and Chrono set off on the footpath, leaving yet another car casualty behind. However, in its place was a fresh, throbbing bump on the demon's noggin. It was undoubtedly the result of Rosette's frustration, and had the effect of transferring her irritable mood to Chrono. The latter trailed behind his contractor, a scowl plastered on his face and a hand nursing the swelling on his head.

The rotten mood didn't last long, though. Akin to the blonde-haired nun, the violet-haired demon couldn't keep a grudge for long. The swelling had ceased to throb painfully, in any case. His head free of dulling pain, Chrono quickened his pace until he fell in stride with Rosette, and they walked side-by-side along the footpath. Thankfully, mercifully, Rosette's dress was dry enough to revoke its former see-through status, so Chrono could gaze at it (and her) without embarrassment – as long as he wasn't caught staring. However, upon glimpsing at Rosette's face, getting caught for ogling wasn't such an issue anymore.

To Chrono's dismay, Rosette's expression had become sombre and miserable. To witness her normally vivacious and boisterous persona overwhelmed by brief was a rare phenomenon, and one that Chrono had the exclusive knowledge of knowing its existence. However, for its scarcity, it was not something he cherished, not at all. Because the only time Rosette was ever despondent was when one person was on her mind – her long-lost brother.

If there was one other person Rosette would give her life for (Chrono's stomach clenched horribly), it was Joshua. That science-fiction-loving brother of hers was the reason why she had toiled so hard the past four years. The sickly apostle was her motive for risking life and limb fighting Chrono's wretched kinsmen. The aspiring explorer was the cause for Rosette constantly having her soul sucked away by her contract with Chrono the Sinner…

The contract. That life force-depleting, existence-exhausting contract. The demon averted his eyes to the ground, the crimson orbs drilling into the sidewalk with self-contempt. His hands clenched tightly into fists, and he almost dared himself to dig his claws into the vulnerable flesh, just to feel pain as no doubt Rosette felt each and every time the seal was broken. He knew, however, that nothing could compare to the physical strain of having one's soul gradually sapped, and he hated himself for causing that pain. Himself, and the infernal clock that not only symbolised his and Rosette's contract, but of which its slow ticking served as painful reminder of their limited time together. Time he wished he could return, but knew he couldn't. Just like –

Magdalene…

Where are you, Joshua…

Rosette's footsteps were brisk and deliberate, but her thoughts drifted off the path completely. She couldn't help it – without a vehicle to occupy and terrorise the roads with (it wasn't her fault!), or bloodthirsty demons to pulverise (where was the mission supposed to be taking place anyway?), she was unable to cram her mind with distracting thoughts of anything but him. It just seemed so long since they were forced from the Seventh Bell orphanage: she willingly accepted Father Remington's offer to take a place at the Magdalene Order, because Joshua had been taken away by…

Aion. Rosette gritted her teeth furiously. That despicable demon had the audacity to take away one of the two people most important in her life. For that, she hated every fibre of his inhuman being, from his white hair to the arrogant, superior tone of his voice. Revenge was a dish best served cold, and when Rosette joined the Order, she was determined to give Aion an icy reception when their paths crossed again. Not only her, but for Chrono.

Rosette opened ocean blue eyes she didn't know she'd closed to glance at her violet-haired partner. What she planned to be fleeting, though, unconsciously became prolonged with concern at his own wretched countenance. She expected him to be smiling casually, walking blissfully without a care in the world, having forgiven her for venting her fury out on him. What she got was a despondent, depressed aura emanating from the childlike demon, his footsteps, although the same as hers, evidently languid and heavy. She couldn't see his face, and wouldn't be able to without bending over and facing him directly, no doubt startling him and starting up a bunch of flustered excuses and alibis. No, it wouldn't do it all. Besides, she respected his privacy, and had told him she would always wait for him to confide in her. Even so, she wondered what made him tick (she forcefully ignored the soft sounds of impending doom originating from the pocket watch around her neck), his secrets, the traumas of his past that drove him to spend five decades (even longer than Sister Kate has been along, Rosette added) in an underground tomb just waiting to die. To "atone for his sins," Chrono had explained his half-century of isolation and desolation.

But just how much did Rosette really know about Chrono?

Rosette opened her mouth to speak, to shatter the uncommon, eerie silence. But when she tried to talk, her voice was suddenly lodged in her throat. What could she possibly say to someone she'd known for four years? And what if she asked something intrusive, or offensive, or otherwise inappropriate? She knew he'd always forgive her if she hit him out of anger, but this was different. Physical wounds heal much faster than emotional and psychological ones. She wouldn't be able to bear it if Chrno started ignoring her because she stuck her boot in her mouth. Because she… she…

"We're here," a soft voice interrupted her reflections.

In order to avoid looking at the voice's owner again, the blonde Sister laid her eyes on their destination. Said azure orbs initially widened with bewilderment, but immediately narrowed with rage. All her previous worries vanished in an instant and an enraged eruption.

"Where the hell is our assignment!"

Sister Kate's briefing was blunt but no less devastating to Rosette and Chrono (the latter of which had only been permitted entry to hear the report). They were appropriately horrified by what they heard from the stern head nun.

"There have been reports of demons attacking children in a playground on the outskirts of New York. Logical reasons for the attacks are suitably few, as is the savage nature of the creatures." She avoided eye contact with Chrono after that statement, and him likewise. "However, we believe the vulnerability of the children makes them easier targets. Nonetheless, it is an appalling and cowardly tactic by the demons, so we need you to take care of the situation immediately. Dismissed."

Rosette and Chrono glanced at each other meaningfully, their eye contact saying everything as they stood up and departed.

Chrono watched as Rosette stomped into the playground with her arms flailing around wildly. He couldn't resist smiling at her energy, and was relieved that no matter how much damage he did to her, she wouldn't change her unorthodox ways. She would always be a gun-crazy, undiscriminating, rowdy food vacuum.

Unfortunately, that would equate to a blonde psycho who was about to blow the playground to smithereens. With a started gasp, Chrono rushed over to intervene as Rosette was jamming a Gospel into her Colt.

"Rosette, calm down!" he pleaded desperately, trying to tug the weapon of destruction away. While he was at it, he confiscated the gun from her as well. "Look, maybe it was a mistake."

"Mistake, my eye!" Rosette seethed, resigned to balling her hands into fists by her sides. That is, until she used those fists to noogie Chrono's head in infuriation. "She did this on purpose, that fossilised old hag!"

"Ah-choo!"

Sister Kate sneezed into her cup of tea, sending it splashing onto her habit. She wiped off as much as she could, an anger vein pulsing on her forehead. Father Remington watched with a familiar expression of amusement that the senior Sister did not take kindly to.

"Looks like someone's talking about you," the blonde priest commented as Sister Kate agitatedly set her teacup onto its saucer.

"Three guesses as to who, and in what way," Sister Kate responded, glaring at the smiling Father Remington.

"Well, you did kind of send the pair off on a wild goose chase," the Father reasoned. Sister Kate's expression softened unexpectedly.

"I had to," she explained. "That girl works herself too hard. Even if her intentions do end up doing more harm than good." Her left eye twitched behind her glasses, but she paid it no heed. "I know I'm harsh on her, but that's because she's impulsive and impatient to move. She needs to settle down once in a while."

"And that's why you sent her away to give her and Chrono quiet time together?" Somehow, that was more rhetoric than questioning.

"Well, that was the theory." The head nun poured herself a fresh cup of tea. Suddenly, another sneeze blasted the contents of the cup all over her habit again. "ROSETTE!"

Chrono had finally placated Rosette, and they each took a seat on the swings. Chrono's head had sprouted new bumps, courtesy of Rosette's noogie assault. However, they were the furthest things from his mind as he drifted idly on the swinging apparatus.

Finally, he initialised the conversation with the blonde nun swaying beside him.

"Are you okay?" the demon asked tentatively, wondering if he should make eye contact. Decided not to, not just yet.

"Huh?" Rosette looked at him strangely. "Everything's jake. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Oh, nothing." The reply came in too hasty to be casual, however, and Rosette pounced on it.

"Oh nothing, my foot." She ceased her idle swinging and forced him to make direct eye contact with her. "C'mon, spill it. What's bothering you?"

Chrono blushed lightly under her interrogating stare, before swallowing his mild embarrassment. He rose from his swing and gazed up at the darkening sky. A remorseful smile spread across his face as he considered his choice of words.

"Rosette," he began tentatively, "how do you feel about our contract?"

"Huh? What the heck are you talking about?" Rosette asked incredulously. Her hands, however, unconsciously wrapped around the time-dictating device around her neck.

Chrono swallowed hard but decided to take the plunge.

"Do you regret making the contract?"

He could practically feel Rosette's gaze burning into him like holy water as he turned back around to face her. Impulsively, he covered his head with his hands to protect himself from Rosette's inevitable wrath – but it never eventuated. Instead, he turned around to see her give him a forlorn look so uncharacteristic of her. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but was interrupted by piercing words from his human contractor.

"Let me ask you something." Rosette abandoned her swing and approached him slowly. "Do you regret leaving the tomb?"

"Wha-?"

"Well, do you?"
Chrono held eye contact with Rosette, matching her inquisitive gaze with one of ancient wisdom. One he hadn't used since four years ago. Eventually, he pulled away to stare at the sky again. His body posture was slightly weak, suggesting a weight on his shoulders, but straightened after a light sigh.

"At first I did. I kept thinking, 'who are these children? Why do they disturb me? Why do they prevent me from my just punishment?' I was angry at how much energy you and Joshua had. To me, it was as if you were mocking my weakened state."

Chrono could sense Rosette attempting to interrupt, but was grateful for her cooperative silence. Now that he was forced to explain his feelings, he knew he had to get everything out in the open at once.

"I came to realise it wasn't anger I felt, but envy. I was envious of your youthful happiness and childish ignorance to the world I had seen and come to expect after being reawakened. But you, you and Joshua, both, made me realise everything I had once forgotten." Pause. Consideration. " No, not forgotten. I'd never forgotten anything, I just pretended everything I had learned didn't matter anymore." Chrono turned around to give Rosette a warm, half-lidded smile. "That is, until you opened my eyes to the joys of this world yet. I don't regret leaving the tomb. If I hadn't, I would have continued to neglect the things right in front of me, or I would never have met the people I would end up cherishing most."

His smile discreetly grew in width at the pink tinge on Rosette's cheeks. However, she soon returned his gesture with a cunning grin, and before he knew what was coming, pinched his cheeks flippantly.

"Well, I knew exactly what I was doing when I made the contract with you," she retorted. "And I still mean what I said back then – when we rescue Joshua, let's go exploring. The three of us, together." Chrono's expression dropped, and he felt Rosette release him. The relief didn't last long though, because she lightly rapped him on the head. "Hey, don't look like that."

However, the devil was silent. Rosette sighed and placed her hands on her hips.

"Look," she began, "I know you hate releasing the seal and sucking my soul. But this was my decision. I wanted to do this. If we hadn't, there was no way we'd have come as far as we have. Besides, this contract has brought us closer." Her pride caused her to blush hotly at her next words. "It's… made us one… kind of…"

Chrono laughed, providing relief for both demon and human. A grin crossed his features as he scanned the playground, taking in its innocence and freedom. Rosette followed his crimson eyes and smirked, something he noticed immediately.

"We're not going back yet, are we?" he asked rhetorically.

"Nope." Rosette laughed nervously. "I'm not willing to let the old hooded bat know I've trashed another car just yet."

Chrono laughed again, deciding not to remind Rosette a hood was part of her habit uniform as well.

Sneeze. Clatter. Splash.

"ROSETTE!"

The End