"Carry each other's burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6: 2

Chapter 6

It was late into the next morning when Rosette would wake again. She had a bit more strength in her when she stirred, yet for all the improvement she would make that day, no one would be prepared for the changes she would now face.

A deep yawn filled the hall as Rosette began to come around. Sister Claire was quick to rise from her spot along the wall and come to her side.

"Good morning Sister Rosette," Claire gently called as she placed a hand on her arm. She wanted her to rise so badly. Seeing her old friend lying there with an IV in, left her unsettled and in constant prayer.

Rosette let out another yawn and turned her head in the direction of the voice. "Morning," she mumbled.

"This is Claire," she felt she needed to clarify. "How are you feeling today?"

Rosette frowned as the bits and pieces of yesterday's conversation began to replay in her mind now that she was sharper than before. "Better," she decided as her hand mindlessly reached up to her chest only to grasp at thin air. "I can breathe better," she offered to say as she now weakly smiled for her nurse and friend.

Claire smiled as well. Seeing Rosette smile was a balm on her heart. "I'm so glad to hear it. Do you think you can open your eyes for me?" she asked expectantly.

Rosette let her arm fall and soon so did her smile.

"Rosette?" Claire asked in concern. "Is there something wrong?"

The saint turned her head more towards Claire intently but still did not open her eyes.

"I can't open my eyes," she said at last. She was still sore and tired and although she wanted to open them she wasn't alarmed that she couldn't. Instead she was oddly intrigued.

Claire on the other hand was not. "Wait one moment," she said hurriedly. "I'll be right back."

Before she could utter a word, Rosette heard footsteps rapidly walk away followed by the familiar sound of the door swinging open and shut. The resounding echo seemed so final.

"Depressing," Rosette sighed.

What was going on? Hadn't she fought hard enough? Hadn't she sacrificed enough? Wasn't she supposed to be in eternity right now? Oh how she had looked forward to seeing what Heaven might be like since she had known she wasn't long for the world. What did God have planned for her now? How did Azumaria and the others even find them? How was Chrono doing?

All these questions now plagued Rosette's thoughts. However, once her mind fell onto Chrono she couldn't think of anything else. She turned towards him next to her and squeezed his hand. He hadn't let go of her as she hadn't let go of him. She smiled at that. She wanted to twist a bit and reach over to touch him with her other hand, but the IV stopped her and she silently scowled. "I'm getting that removed," she declared to the empty room. He stirred slightly at hearing her strong voice, but didn't move again.

The heavy wooden doors burst open once more and the tranquil silent tomb Rosette once was in was gone.

"Oi, can't you all be any louder?" she hollered to the joy of all who entered. That was the voice of the Rosette they had known.

"Well now," Sister Kate smiled. "Has Miss Rosette finally found her voice? Lord help us," she joked good-naturedly. She then turned to one of the others. "Go fetch her meal," she ordered ever commanding.

Rosette smiled and rolled her closed eyes. Something's never change, she figured. She wasn't going to admit she was hungry now.

"So," Sister Kate began to address her once more. "Can you open your eyes for me?"

Rosette honestly tried but her lashes didn't even flutter. She shook her head.

"That's okay," her warm comforting voice flowed over her. "Now don't be alarmed… I'm just going to check your eyes."

Rosette laid still, but still flinched at the sudden touch to her cheek. Slowly the hand moved to lift her eyelid up. Rosette couldn't see any natural light at all and Kate could tell there was no recognition in her eyes. In fact, the color of her once beautiful crystal blue eyes was now murky and faintly visible. What had happened to cause her blindness?

"Sorry Sister Kate," Rosette sheepishly apologized the moment Kate had pulled away from her. "I didn't want to cause you any more trouble.

The brave face that shown up into Kate's face was too much for the older woman. Although she had toughened over her many years, moments like this simply pierced her heart. "Its fine," she said at last.

"But I can see," Rosette suddenly surprised the small crowd.

"Come again?"

"I can see you," she weakly smiled. "I don't know why or how, but I can."

Silence met her. No one was sure what to think now. One minute she was dead, the next raised to life in slumber, the next awoken blind, and now able to see mysteriously. The reminder of 'reverent fear' fell on them.

"Explain," a male voice suddenly called. The various brothers and sisters present parted ways so Remington could enter.

Rosette's smile grew. "I can really see you," she replied. "I wonder why?" For some reason the situation was amusing to her at the moment, but it was her attempt at humor which truly denoted how serious the situation was. The silence told her to get on with it. "If I concentrate," she supplied. "I can see the shapes of the people here in the room. I can see them out in the hallway and you are a bit brighter and more… um, yellowish or is that goldish than the rest. But, I can't open my eyes." She tried scooting up a bit, but her IV tugged at her arm once more. "Can someone PLEASE remove this wretched thing? And wasn't someone bringing me breakfast? I haven't eaten a full meal in day's right?"

Most were still astonished, but Sister Mary happily brought over her food as others moved to remove the IV once Sister Kate gave the nod of approval.

Rosette then spent the next hour eating like never before. She was starved and her body craved nutrients. After she had eaten enough to feed a small army she quickly passed out. The morning's events had already worn her out.

Back in Sister Kate's office she stood pacing as Remington sat on an opposing chair.

"I can understand the blindness," she went on to say. "But the sight? How can she see us?" she desperately asked. "And how am I to explain this to the Council of the Catholic Church?"

Remington's eyes followed her pacing with ease. "What she can see is your spirit," he informed.

Kate stopped her movement.

"Every human has an eternal soul, but are given temporary human bodies which don't last. Likewise, both Angels and Demon's alike are given earthly bodies to use in this world, but we have eternal spirits that can never die. When you defeat a demon you merely kill its earthly shell so it can never again return to this plane. Somehow Rosette can now see these spirits."

It was a mystery to him as well, but he had no other divine piece of information to offer. He still hadn't left earth in years.

"Do wonders never cease?" she mumbled as she sank into her chair.

Remington smiled a sad smile then stood. "I need to return now, but I thought you should know this-"

Kate sat a bit taller ready for the next blow.

"Rosette's brother, Joshua… he's fallen asleep like Azumaria as well."

With that he turned and walked away leaving a stunned and silent woman in his wake.

This has been an interesting story for me to write.

All I can think to say is a disclaimer... this is fiction and not how reality works. Sometimes the Bible verse I use are out of context for the use of the story. However, I hope you like that added touch. This is a spiritual based anime, yet still kick ass.

There is a mystery here and new troubles ahead for our favorite duo. I hope you will continue follow along with it and enjoy!