Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Chrono Crusade, or any other anime for that matter…

Author's note: This chapter was amazingly shorter than the previous, yet it took so much longer to write n.n;;. It seems like every time I tried to write on it, I drew a blank. Stupid writer's block… Oh well, thank God for music cause without it I wouldn't have made it though this chapter!

It was actually a lot of fun to write, once I knew what exactly I was writing. The next chapter shouldn't be as delayed, but I'm not sure. I have a lot I'm working on at the moment for college, but I shall try to find time to write.

Chapter 5: Bonds

Darkness…

I think that's what I registered…second.

What was first to reach my senses was the smell. It wasn't putrid, yet it was striking and almost alluring; a copper sweetness, with a strange indescribable ting. Yet it was the third object that paled my skin.

Upon the walls and floor, smeared into almost patterns, was a crimson ink. I comprehended shortly after, that this was the source of the smell. I followed the lines until they disappeared into a puddle upon the floor, where a boy lay…

Rosette was covering her mouth, and looked as if she would vomit. She was muttering something as tears built behind her eyes. They quickly began to pool, then cascade over her cheeks. I wanted to comfort her, but could not. I didn't know what exactly was wrong, so I couldn't fix it.

That changed a moment after I reached out to rest my palm at her shoulder.

"J…Joshua?" she spoke, smaller than a whisper. Then the situation crashed down upon me. This was her brother, the one she was speaking of, the one she had searched for those four years...the same boy lying in a pool of blood before us.

She stepped forward once, and I grabbed her shoulder. Something wasn't right. This was too obvious, even if he was dead, it was too blunt a trap. I knew she wasn't thinking clearly, maybe not at all, so it was my turn to take control. My own emotions were not rippling.

"Don't." I felt her tremor beneath my palm. Her body stiffened and her eyes moved across the room. There were other discarded bodies, but somehow it didn't seem to shaken her as I thought it might. I guessed she was used to the site…

"What are we going to do?" she lowered her voice again, until I could barely decode the syllables. I pondered the question. Vision was cut to such a minimal that it aided my concentration. It was strange that such a thing would help me, but maybe it is true that the blind are most fortunate. Physical objects are not there to draw attention away.

I stood beside her, closed my lids and focused upon sounds and smells. An enemy would be more likely to reveal themselves by a step too loud or the sudden change of scents. They were elements that most would not consider when striving to be concealed.

My senses were more sharpened, and awakened. I had not been so aware in my previous existence, and didn't need to be, yet the tension felt so familiar. I was surprised with myself for concentrating so well, regardless of the bombardment of feelings and images. It was a factor that almost left me as defenseless as Rosette in her turbulent state of mind.

"We can approach him now, but slowly. Something's close." I warned in a whisper. It was true that I still believed this to be a trick of some sort, but sensing no immediate danger decided to take the chance to examine the youth for any sign of life.

My vision began to adjust, and I could make out the form with more ease. Flaxen tresses were glowing faintly in the darkness, but his eyes were blanketed, closed heavily, with dark rings lining the edges. His skin was an unearthly white, and a distinct dread filled my heart as we approached. This was all too familiar, in more than one sense…

I had seen death before, and hoped I wasn't seeing it now. I don't think I could imagine being in Rosette's place if it were true. I sympathized for her cause, but how could I not? I had waited to join the faint youth of my past, because she was all that I knew and all that I cared for. I was too stupid to search for her as this bold woman before me had. And as if a miracle, she found me, the same precious child I had clung so desperately to.

It was truly ironic that I failed to search for her, yet she found me. And she had hunted for her brother for four agonizing years and failed to uncover him. If it was the end of her search now, and he was dead, what would those four years mean? If I was in her place, I would feel like my cause was crumbling though my fingers, and resolve would just … dissolve. I'd loose my will, to try, to live. I would waste away, just as I had tried to. But that's not Rosette. She's not me. I know she would find a reason to carry on…

There was yet another reason this was familiar however. It was in a memory; one I could barely recover…

Sun…

Laughter…

Warmth…

What was this sensation? It felt wonderful, like sunlight beneath my skin. It was brief. I tried to capture it, keep it in my mind, but I only developed a headache. Then the dread returned, and we were standing at the side of the blond child.

He was a little younger than Rosette, but not by much. He was in a strange black suit, like the ones the less friendly customers at the coffee shop would wear. It was dirty though, ragged, and unattended to, just as his body was.

His hair was tangled and a bit matted, and an unnatural odor was surrounding him. His frame was small, he looked underfed, possibly starved. But not dead…

"I…is he… I mean… do you think… he's okay?" the teen beside me stuttered. What she was really asking is if I thought he was still alive, but she was too afraid to put it like that.

"He's alive." I stated. My eyes were traveling over the boy's form, in a cold, unsympathetic manner. I was almost angry, at him. This boy had caused Rosette so much misery. Why didn't he take better care of himself? If he had been so incapable he should have found a way to become more capable.

Maybe that was harsh. I realize it would be the same as saying maybe my child should have been stronger, though she was as strong as she could be. Like saying that she should have avoided death for my sake; I'm sure she would have, if she could. I was being bitter, vengeful.

It was just as much my fault that Rosette had to be alone, afraid, all of that time. I could have searched for her. Surely, her being so near, I could have found her. Actually, it was probably more my fault. With the bond that she seemed to share with her brother, he had probably tried just as hard to get back to her.

She was now knelling at his side, and whispering something I couldn't make out. I watched her for a moment, as she looked over her brother's boy and frowning deeply at the bruises and injuries visible. Her visage was crumbling. He wasn't waking up.

She finally took his shoulders and shook him.

"Wake up! Joshua, you have to wake up!" she cried as she tried desperately to bring him back into consciousness. He lay limply, and I began to wonder if he was in a coma or something.

Rosette began to sob, with frustration and sorrow, and her entire frame shuttered with each weep. I finally went to her side, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Rosette, I don't think he's going to be woke up like that." My voice was tender and concerned, as I tried to calm her a little. I truly hated seeing her in this state. She looked up to me, tears flowing down her face, and spoke in a small, broken whisper.

"C-Chrono, is he…is he gonna be okay? P…please tell me he's okay." I knew now she must have felt terribly alone. She was searching for comfort, for someone to reach out and embrace her. To tell her that everyone was okay now, even if it wasn't. I knew how that felt. And I realized she was denying her needs.

I wondered how long she had told herself that it would work out in the end, that in the morning it would be okay and she'd feel better. She had been abandoned again and again, and each time by accident. I couldn't begin to comprehend the feelings that left her with. If maybe, she blamed herself somehow…

I stooped at her side, and watched her face for a moment more. Making up my own mind, I pulled her into my arms, then replied in a small whisper.

"He'll be okay. I promise…" I felt a little guilty. I was telling her exactly what she wanted to hear, even though I wasn't sure it was the truth. But I could do nothing else. I wanted to give her what she craved, comfort her. I desperately wanted to see that optimistic smile over her lips.

She was crying and trembling within my arms. It was like holding a small bird, scared and fragile. She made no effort to move, her arms still hanging at her sides. I wasn't sure if I was helping, but hoped that at least she did not feel as alone. Sometimes all you need is to know you're not alone…

The images were still pounding though my head, more vivid now, as well as the feelings. They were so dark, and I hated feeling it while trying to be compassionate and tender. I knew that the source of the images was approaching somewhere, but made no move to avoid it. I wanted to know what it was.

Rosette sobbed a final time, before leaning away from me to speak again.

"Um…thanks. For, you know, just being here." She told me quietly. I understood, and was grateful that I might have given her a little comfort. I looked to her, trying to find the right words to say, and noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed. She was embarrassed. I smiled to myself, she looked cute when she blushed. It was strange how she provided those little spots of light in such a dark moment.

"Your welcome Rosette." My words were quiet too, like we were speaking of a secret that no one else was meant to know. My hands were still upon her back, and when I moved them down and over her sides to remove them, she squirmed and her cheeks darkened. "What's wrong?" I asked almost instantly. Damn my impulses…

"D-don't do that! It…tickles." She sputtered before rising to her feet and moving away from me. I doubt it really tickled, but I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. It was honestly an accident, and I would have been just as happy if it had went completely unnoticed.

Regardless I pushed the thoughts from my mind, as Rosette continued to doctor her brother the best that she could with such limited supplies, and I scoured the surroundings for our predator. I was trying desperately not to allow my thoughts to sway, so that I could be completely alert, yet I found it difficult. But considering I had never done this in my life, I found that surprisingly I felt like I knew exactly what to do. Not only that, I felt like an expert; a warrior protecting his group.

Now that I recall it, I guess it was instincts, but it was probably funny to see someone who looked like a 12 year old child, trying to protect a 16 year old girl, and 15 year old unconscious boy. We seemed like a perfect target. Luckily for us, looks deceive.

There was a staircase on the left side of the building; a steep climb up almost to the ceiling, where there was platform, and a door to the left, on the wall. I hadn't noticed them before, and what drew my attention to them was a few soft clicks. The structure was entirely metal; someone was standing on the platform.

I couldn't make out the form. It was a blur of torn black cloaks. I knew this could not be good. I turned to alert Rosette, but she was already standing in front of her brother's form, gun withdrawn. She was more aware than even I had realized, and was prepared to fight.

I watched the strange figure religiously, not blinking for a few moments. I suspected that this mysterious character was the cause of the wreckage here. I also suspected it to be a man, considering that it was a tall shadow. Nothing else was evident. In that lapse of time, this person did not move at all. He was standing at an angle to us, staring past the stairs before him.

Suddenly he turned sharply, towards us, and jumped from the stand. It was at least 50 feet up, and I thought he was insane. But he fell fluently, cloak flowing quickly behind him, and when he landed he moved forward like mist, swift and barely visible. He approached Rosette at an alarming rate, and she shot rapidly towards him. He seemed to warp around the bullets however. He reminded me of a vampire.

He was almost before us, and I growled possessively at the creature. He was too swift for the bullets to do as little as graze him, we couldn't kill it with something that simple. I blinked as he was before us, and caught sight of a crimson tipped blade, as he continued a determined path towards the oblivious nun.

I moved, and didn't know I had. I was in front of Rosette, and caught the edge of the blade in my stomach. I looked back, to assure that at least she was unharmed. The blonde's eyes were wide, and mouth parted in a silent scream. It was only for a moment however, before she aimed the weapon for the creature.

I gripped the blade, and dared the man to take it back. His features were cloaked, yet I could swear I caught a golden glint beneath the hood. He ripped the wide sword from me, slashing open deep lacerations in my hands. I flinched and whimpered involuntarily, while a rumbling growl continued to erupt from my chest. This bastard wouldn't get to Rosette, his blade would not taste her blood.

She had run, and was fumbling new ammunition into the barrels. It took the blink of an eye, and the shadow was upon her again. He swung towards her, and Rosette skillfully back flipped, managing to narrowly miss the attack, then immediately opened a rapid succession of bullets. These were different, for within seconds they exploded into a bright swirl. The edge of an explosion seemed to touch the edge of the creature, and he flinched slightly.

I ran at an open dash to Rosette's side. I wasn't really sure what I could do, but I would not leave her alone to fight such a foe. She looked to me, threw four strange cross shaped objects to me.

"Take those and place them around Joshua, now Chrono!" She was still unloading shells unchecked, and very narrowly missing the assaults. I didn't want to move, but there was nothing I could do for her either. The immense gash in my abdomen was a faucet, draining me quickly and I was feeling dizzy. So I obeyed her commands, impaling the ground around the boy with the objects, in a circle.

When I had completely the task, I ran back. Glancing over my shoulder, I could see an almost transparent faint blue barrier close over him. When I reached the battle once more, the first thing to catch my attention was a chuckle. And it was not from Rosette. I realized then, that this character was toying with us.

I could see he was crossing the room at alarming rates, brushing off bullets, and almost appearing to enjoy it. At his level of skill, the three of us could have been killed easily, yet he was not trying for death. If he had, he would have already struck Rosette. He was stirring us, scaring us, as if to throw us of balance.

I was again at my temporary partner's side, watching the energetic blur cross the room. He suddenly shifted his patterns of crisscrosses, and darted towards the blond once more. She had a clear shot, and took it. The bullet exploded at the center of his chest, and fell like a blank. She gasped, and he moved forward. I planted myself before her as quickly as I could, as Rosette attempted to run to the left.

He threw me to the side effortlessly, and grasped the girl's small throat, holding her against a wall.

"I bet you don't remember me, do you little Rosette?" he spoke in a strangely familiar tone. It was melancholy, but not depressed; almost mocking. He moved closer and pressed his body flush to hers, as I was collecting my battered form. "Of course not. You wouldn't recall would you?" he continued.

Wrath was filling me; I outburst without meaning to.

"Let her go!" I command, a strange energy licking at my skin, and crawling over me. The shadow's reply: another damn chuckle. "I said release her!" I screamed once more, a dangerous edge sharpening my words.

"Oh I know Chrono, I heard you. But sense you are so pathetically helpless, then no." His statement was almost impatient, as he examined Rosette's face. Raising another hand, to trace delicately over her quivering lip, he again chuckled. She was visibly struggling against him, yet could not break free. "Don't you think…she would taste wonderful Chrono? I know you smell that scent, so fresh, untouched, alluring. I think I'll answer my own curiosities."

Something snapped within me. I could feel my skin stretching, my wound quickly healing, hear the rip of clothes. I was changing rapidly. My hair shortened strangely, talons burst from fingertips, a tail like structure emerging from the back of my skull, and finally horns ripped though my scalp, then wings erupted from my shoulder blades. I was at the shadow, and towering over him. Grasping his own throat, I swung him into the floor, and pinned him there.

"I'll kill you!" I threatened in a deadly, deep tone. "Kiss her, and I'll shove your tongue down your throat!" my body was screaming with anger and jealousy. How dare he touch her! How dare he speak to her like that! I'd kill him, I'd slit his neck and wrists and pin him still while he bled dry! I'd…I'd puncture his lungs and watch him gargle and drown in his own blood…

"It's good… to see you're back brother." He spoke in a raspy voice. I was crushing his Adam's apple, he was suffocating…and I was enjoying it. My eyes widened and I wondered what the hell he meant. Then my grip shifted accidentally. I heard consecutive snaps, and looked down to what was now my prey. A dark substance was flowing from his mouth, and I immediately released him in shock. There was no way, no possible way I had ended his life so easily!

I didn't mean to. It was an accident.

He was going to… to force himself on Rosette, I was so furious. I couldn't have bared to do nothing.

The crazy bastard, guess he got what he deserved…

No! He didn't, I didn't mean to. I didn't want this!

What am I saying? Yes I did. I wanted to see him die. Because he was going to take… what was mine.

I had punctured his neck in several places, blood was spilling from there too. A small crater was surrounding his body. Had I really threw him that hard? Seems so; and his body was mangled too.

I was back in my child form. There were still trails of sticky crimson liquid dripping from my digits. My shirt and pants were shredded, only covering the essentials. I was trembling slightly, with both fear and…excitement. It had been an adrenaline rush, and my heart still hammered within my chest. It still seemed incredible that the creature was now dead. It was unbelievable, too unbelievable. I approached the lifeless form, and touched the pale, exposed hand.

With the contact, the corpse dissolved into gray ashes, and blew across the floor. I could feel my brows furrow as I tried to decode what that could mean. What sort of enemy seems so skilled, dies so easily, and then turns into ash?

"Ah, Chrono… I see you defeated my puppet. You didn't think it was your real opponent, did you?" The voice of the deceased one came from again the platform. He was dressed in a similar black cloak, and leaning over the guardrail in anticipation.

"Who are you?" I called harshly. The man chuckled, and his voice rebounded across the room.

"You'll learn soon." He replied, then disappeared somewhere, then reappeared at the door…carrying Joshua. "Oh, and I'll be taking my pet back. It seems he managed evading me for a bit." And with that, he exited. I didn't have time to reply, or even think. When I recovered, my thoughts went straight to Rosette however.

I turned to find her crumbled in the floor, against the wall. Tears were falling freely, but she was silent. I sighed. I wanted to help her brother, but the distraction had worked very well. I was still shaken. I had killed… by accident.

He wasn't supposed to die. He was supposed to fight back, swing his sword and struggle free. We would fight, and I would defeat him gracefully. Then, he would accept defeat, and leave. That was the way it was meant to be, or at least I thought so.

I had never realized just how fragile life was. It was both amazing and horrifying to know that someone could be right beside you one moment, and the next, be gone. All of these trivial matters were plaguing my mind. It had never seemed this way in the movies…

They always portrayed death in such a simple, easy way. In a way that would make people think there's nothing to it. That couldn't be more wrong. The first time you take live, is traumatic.

At first, I had wanted to deny it. I had expected anything but to kill him instantly. I realized that I was angry, but I had never thought I could kill anything so easily. It made me tremble. It made me… afraid of myself.

I looked to Rosette again. Her knees were pulled to her chest, and her arms lay lazily against her legs. She was still crying, and staring intently at the pavement. It wasn't like her. I had almost expected to find her trying to reach the steps and climb after him. And wondered why she hadn't.

I approached her and she immediately glanced at me, and seemed a little scared. It instantly hurt. I hadn't wanted her to see me that way, and I never wanted her to feel frightened of me. And now, I was searching for comfort as well. I hoped so much that she could look at me, and not reject me for my actions.

I didn't pause or turn away though. Instead I plopped down beside her.

"M-maybe we should go after him Rosette. There's still time." I told her in a small voice. I was ashamed of myself, and didn't know how she was going to respond to me.

"No Chrono, I don't think there is. Besides…I couldn't even fight the other guy, and if you… if you're in that form, there's not much you can do either." Her voice was so faint, and so hopeless. It made me afraid. This was definitely not Rosette.

"What are you saying? Are you just going to give up now?" she looked to me, and frowned.

"Of course not. I'll never just… give up on Joshua, but let's face it. That guy's long gone now. You saw how fast he was. I didn't even have time to shoot at him, much less try and chase after him. We'll hunt him down though, we'll get permission to go searching for him." She explained. She still didn't seem the same as the hyperactive girl I was used to though. "I just…hope he'll be okay until then. He…needed to see a doctor." She finished.

I nodded. I had no idea how to respond to her though. It was a good sign that she was still being stubborn, but she was also exhausted; both mentally and physically. She was staring at the pavement again in thought. I again reached to touch her shoulder, in a reassuring way, but she jumped and now glanced at my hand, hovering just at her arm.

Blood was still dripping from a couple fingers, and I realized she didn't want a crimson handprint on her sleeve. My arm dropped back to my side and I got up. I felt a little disappointed. That contact, a small gesture of sympathy, was something that I needed as well. It was painful to be rejected…

She pushed off the ground and to her feet, muttering an apology.

"Let's go back. We need to report what has happened." She told me, walking towards the door. Her back was turned to me. She hadn't even looked at me as she talked. Was she angry with me? Or just…afraid.

I followed, and we soon reached the car. Driving at an amazingly moderate speed, it seemed like eternities before we were back at the church. There was an eerie silence between us the entire ride, and a ghostly dream like touch to the atmosphere. It was hard to imagine all of that had happened.

We had found her brother, fought our first battle together, and lost her brother again; all in one night. I wonder if that's some sort of record. When I thought a mission would be a good thing, I was obviously wrong.

We reached the order, and both walked back to Rosette's room silently. We were exhausted, and didn't even really speak to anyone, short of a few "hello's" and shallow nods. I wasn't sure why I continued to follow my young partner, but I think it was because I was afraid to be alone.

I wasn't prepared to face myself. I needed a distraction, and though Rosette was fatigued, she would be enough to preoccupy my mind. And it would be solving two problems, because I wasn't the only one that didn't need to be alone after our encounter.

She could deny if it she wanted, but the experience effected her, painfully reopening a wound. It was obvious, to anyone. Remington had asked her what happened and she replied with,

"I'll go write a report." And continued to walk; I was shocked. We were both dragging pitifully. My thoughts kept slipping back to my sin. I wondered if a devil could go to a confessionary, or if it would really help. What would I have said? I committed murder, it's not like there was any forgiving for such an act. I didn't want to listen to preaching about being saved though redemption. It seemed like a feeble idea.

I didn't remember walking though any doors, or down any hallways, but somehow, when I looked up from Rosette's back, I found we were standing in her room.

"I've got to get this typed Chrono, you can stay if you want but there's nothing to do here." She told me weakly. I realize that it was a gentle attempt of asking me to go somewhere else, but I had nothing else to do. But dwell on regrets that is, and watching the nun's delicate fingers clicking across random patterns of buttons sounded so much more appealing.

"Do you care…. If I stay?" I inquired, sitting at the edge of her bed and staring at my knees. She sat down across the room, in a small fold up chair, in front of a machine with a television screen and a few other gadgets scattered in front of the screen; including a little panel with a collection of little buttons that looked like a screwed up alphabet.

"Nah, if you really want to…" she replied. Her voice had changed again. It now seemed longing, like hinting that she 'really wanted' me to stay. I had no problem with this, my heart fluttering a little at the idea, as I lay down upon her bed. I only hoped I wasn't invading her privacy by stretching out. It was so comfortable though… it'd be worth it even if she did get mad at me.

I was staring at the ceiling and trying to make out little designs in the random patters dotted across the surface, and listening to the faint clicks. It sounded like the patter of rain on a tin roof, so pleasant and relaxing. I could feel myself drifting, but instead of struggling against it, I let myself fall into a deep slumber. It felt so great to rest…

I woke up, and the glow of the screen was still in the room. Rosette was still sitting in that chair, her arms folded at the desk, and face buried in them. I smiled, glad that she was resting too, but didn't approve of her choice of napping places. I got up and walked to her seat.

The blue tinted light was illuminating her face. She looked peaceful, and I wondered what she was dreaming about. I brushed a few golden strands away from her mouth affectionately, chuckling softly at the little line of drool leaking from the edge of her mouth. It was…cute.

As I looked over her visage again, I noticed faint tear stains, a few droplets clinging on her lashes. I sighed and frowned. If I hadn't fallen asleep, maybe I could have helped somehow. Anything would have been better than allowing her to sit alone and cry. It was exactly what she did not need.

I clumsily worked her form out of the chair and into my arms. I was thankful that I still had a decent amount of strength left, or I wouldn't have even been able to put her to bed. That would have been a real guilt trip.

Laying her upon the bed, and working the blankets over her and tucking at her neck, I leaned down and placed a feather light kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well Rosette…" I whispered. Turning to leave, I suddenly felt a hand grasp my wrist.

"Chrono?" It had to be my young partner, I recognized the begging voice immediately. It sounded like the girl. Guilt was already burning in my chest, I just wanted to leave.

"Hmm?" I replied in a murmur. I didn't want her to hold my wrist like that. I didn't want to feel her warm fingers wrap over my skin. I was so taunted and she… was so pure.

"D-don't go. I can't sleep, let's… play cards or something." I sighed, still not turning to meet her face. If I saw that plea of hers, I didn't know if I could refuse it.

"You were sleeping just fine a minute ago, I had to put you in bed…" my voice was still low, and getting lower. That sounded nice. I picked up a 16 year old, and tucked her in. It sounded more like I was being a pervert. I sighed aloud, and expected her to be mad about it.

"Oh. Thanks Chrono." She whispered a bit timidly. Well that was proof that there was still something wrong with her. In any other situation, she probably would have attempted to kill me. "So, what do you know how to play?"

I turned and gave her a weary smile. She was determined to keep me with her. Maybe she had a nightmare, and didn't want to admit it, or something like that. I didn't really mind though.

"Well…" I began, my smile loosing the tired drag. I turned to face her completely, climbed upon the bed next to her. "I know how to play…this!" I called, tackling her midsection, trying to find a particularly ticklish spot, I hoped she still had…

She burst into cackling laughter, fighting my small hands away and I began to laugh too.

"H-hey! Tha-that's not fair!" She whined between giggles.

"Sure it is!" I replied, continuing my assault. "Fight back." I added daringly. It was so unusual, how we were so comfortable with one another. Not as unusual for me, but for Rosette it was really weird.

How many people could know a person for a couple of days and feel this comfortable around them? There weren't many people that were so open with others. Maybe she was like this towards everyone, but I sort of doubted it. She hadn't tried to fight back yet either, maybe she did feel unsettled by our little game.

I paused and looked down to her. She was still laughing softly and grinning. That happiness, I felt like I didn't deserve to cherish it. I scooted away a little, and sighed, feeling a little embarrassed with my outburst.

"What's wrong?" Rosette questioned, sounding a little more cheerful. My feet were dangling from the edge of the bed. What had I been thinking anyway? Sure it was just …tickling, but still, I didn't really have a right to act so affectionate with her.

"Sorry." I whispered feeling guilty. I wondered if there was still blood on my hands. I had almost forgotten about the crimson liquid, because once we got in the car, I wiped them off with a little towel. But now that I was staring at them, I could still see the stains…

"Don't apologize Chrono, it didn't bother me. If it did, you would known it." She chuckled, then continued. "And…don't stare at your hands like that. It's gone now." Her voice became more careful with the last words.

Somehow, I knew she understood what I was apologizing for. I truly believe that she knew what I was really saying sorry for was the events of the evening, of loosing her brother again, and scaring her. Her reply was her own way of saying, 'I don't blame you.' It was a relief, and I was amazed in a small way. She had accepted me, with my faults.

Still staring at my knees a fact dawned upon me. I need some new clothes, and soon. These were barely clinging to me, but lucky were a little more than just shreds of cloth. When I snapped back from my thoughts, I looked over my shoulder and nodded to her.

"I think… I'm gonna need some new clothes again Rosette." I told her in a small, bashful voice. I don't think she had realized that I was half exposed, and prayed she didn't suddenly notice.

"I have some pjs you can borrow for now. Will that be okay?" I wondered briefly why she would have pajamas that would fit me. Then it hit me. "They were…Joshua's. I kept 'em because I thought that I'd find him before he had grown out of them." I smiled to her. But it wasn't just any smile, it was honest. I wasn't forcing myself to try and appear happy. I was, in a sad, melancholy way.

"Okay, thanks." I answered. Rosette then went to her closet, dug out a big brown leather suitcase, drug it to the middle of the room, and popped it open. The suitcase was full of older clothes. It looked like the majority of them were hers, but there was the occasional article of boy's clothes. Finally uncovering the set of small, simple cotton sleep clothes, she tossed them to me.

"There. Now you can go get dressed in something decent." She told me like it was some kind of command. "And when you get back, we can play cards, okay?" she finished. I nodded. I knew it wasn't really a question, even though she said it like it was. What she was really saying was,

"When you're done, we're playing cards whether you like it or not." She didn't have to force it on me though, by the time I was changed and back, I was suddenly in the mood for a good game of cards.

And when I returned, the deck was already set and Rosette had dealt me seven cards. I sat in the fold up chair, beside the bed, and she sat on the mattress, and we stayed up until the darkness began to fade into sunrise, playing various card games…and talking about our lives; our hopes, fears, dreams and passions. And I suddenly began to feel something returning. A faded, yet powerful bond.

Author's note: Yay, the story is finally going somewhere! The next chapter will take place a month or two down the road in the plot (to clarify that I meant in the story ', it shouldn't take me that long to update), not sure exactly how long the time span will be. Anyway, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

If you have a moment, constructive critism is greatly appreciated! (And compliments are nice too n.n).