Renewal
A Chrno Crusade fanfiction.
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Chrno came to a halt beside the worn granite marker, kneeling on the dirt as he lifted a hand to trace the deeply engraved letters marring the smooth surface.
Rosette Christopher
1908-1932
The blame was entirely his to shoulder. If he hadn't agreed to the contract, Rosette would still be alive, and smiling blissfully at him every day, faithfully by his side.
"It's not your fault – the choice was mine to make, and I made my decision."
Chrno wished so very much that he could believe in those words whole-heartedly. Rosette had said all she could, and it still wasn't enough to convince him.
He placed a large bouquet of colorful flowers beside the gravestone, running his fingers over the silky soft petals. A few more bundles of dried flowers lay there, left by Satella, Joshua, Azmaria and Elizabeth when they visited two weeks ago.
This guilt that weighed his shoulders down was one which was impossible to alleviate, at least, not without Rosette's sunny presence and gamine smile.
'Rosette… I miss you so.'
He had never realized how empty his life would feel once the blonde nun was gone from his side, had never realized how much she meant to him until it was too late.
He could still remember all the time they had spent together – joyful moments, peaceful silence, and disappointed moments. They were so clear to him, and so dear to his heart.
The photograph of Azmaria, Satella, Rosette and himself was in his shirt pocket as usual, all of them beaming happily. That moment in time would never be able to repeat itself, at least, not in this lifetime.
"I promise you, we'll be together forever."
"Will you keep that promise to me, Rosette?" he whispered softly. The wind blowing his hair back picked up speed, ruffling through his clothes playfully.
"I'll wait, Rosette. I'll wait until you come back to me, until you are reborn."
With one last loving caress of her name, he rose to leave, casting longing glances over his shoulder.
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'Chrno… wait for me. I'm coming.'
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A/N: The end. I haven't decided whether to make it a oneshot or a chaptered fic, so if you would like me to continue it, please drop me a review and encourage me.