Oh mah gosh…I'm ACTUALLY updating!! And yeah, this story isn't not updated everyday cuz…I have my own hectic life to deal with. xD

Oh yeah, don't own anything and check out my other Chrno Crusade oneshot that I just added, "Just a Little Comfort"

Well no more blah-blah from me today. :)

Rosette ran along the track in the hot weather. The question that plagued many was why it was so hot in the middle of January. In truth, Rosette could have cared less, and worry about her upcoming concert plagued her mind. She worried at home, with Chrno, and now at school, during gym class. Much to the other students' disappointment, the gym teacher had decided to take advantage of the sunny weather and threaten the students point deduction if they didn't sprint as fast as they could around the schools track.

Rosette wasn't complaining though, she had time to think and simply worry some more. How would she face Keith? She hadn't even officially ended it with him yet. She knew she had to. He hurt her! But…she was afraid that somehow someone would blame her for it happening, but she was also afraid of how he would react. Most likely in a non-peaceful manner. Should she do it before the concert or after? Would it affect future performance? Would he even show up for their concert?

These questions invaded her mind and she could feel herself slowing down. She felt someone begin running along beside her.

A charming young man was running next her, not quite looking at her but had a strange grin on his face. His brown hair bounced along with his strides. Rosette cleared her throat, waiting. He turned his head, and his eyes widened, as if seeing her for the first time. The stranger gave her a dazzling smile and Rosette felt the corners of her mouth lifting up as well.

Chrno watched this happening, a few yards behind the two. He felt resentment for the boy bounding along beside her. They were friends too. He just never informed the other guy of his interest of Rosette. Not that he was sure of that fact himself.

He watched as "Chris" continued to flirt with his neighbor but also noticed that behind her polite responses, she was still worrying.

Chrno sighed to himself, knowing what was worrying her. She had confided in him very late the night before. She had originally called to check on how his head felt but soon her anxieties flowed into the conversation, and Chrno was left feeling extreme anguish about her as well when they finally ended their conversation.

"So, you going out with anyone?" the stranger, named Chris, asked daringly.

Rosette lit up at the question and pedaled backwards towards Chrno. She suddenly slung her arms around his shoulder, stopping both of their running and surprising Chrno.

"Yup. This guy right here." Rosette smiled real big but Chris remained unfazed.

"Oh really? I remember Chrno once telling me he though relationships and love were pointless, not for real life." He gave Chrno a challenging look. Chris had also stopped his run and planted his feet in front of the two.

"Oh, please Chris, grow up. That was a long time ago."

"Do your beliefs change that quickly? Got commitment issues?" he answered Chrno jokingly, but he could see the challenge and daring in his eyes.

Rosette sighed.

"Ah, geez, I actually thought you were a nice guy for a second there. Lay off," and with that, Rosette continued her run, leaving the two of them behind. Chrno gave Chris a glare and started running as well just as the gym teacher was coming to threaten them.

Chrno caught up with Rosette and for a few minutes she did not notice and he watched as Chris jogged by them, along with numerous other students.

Rosette sighed and turned her azure eyed gaze to Chrno.

"Chrno, what's going to happen if I break up with him? I know I have to do it to his face. Since I told Dave the truth, he wants to do it for me and even throw Keith out of the band but…" Chrno stopped her babbling by grabbing her wrist, both of them stopping their run for a second time. He looked her straight in the eye, his look never faltering.

"Rosette…relax. Forget about the band for a minute. If you're that afraid of how Keith will react and what the outcome will be, I'll be there." He gave her a reassuring grin. Rosette nodded, not sure how to respond.

Wait, of course she was.

"Oh Chrno, thank you!" and she then proceeded to giving him a suffocating hug. A few other people stopped to snicker or 'aw.' Others simply kept running past.

"Ok, I realize you're grateful, Ro-"

"Rosette! Chrno! Stop smothering each other this instant and run ten extra laps! You lose 10 points on today's performance. The rest of the class inside!" The gym teacher bellowed. She had surveyed the whole scene starting with the two's confrontation with Chris. That would teach them to keep their social life out of gym class.

Rosette merely let go of her hold on Chrno and began running again, this time bounding much more happily. Chrno chuckled to himself, and went to catch up.

After school, Chrno and Rosette were on their way to the apartment building.

"Hey, guys, uh, Chrno! Rosette!" Both teens turned around to see a sober Michael Finnigan running towards them. Chrno sighed, rolling his eyes.

When he caught up to them, he bent down for a second to catch his breath but soon stood up looking at both of their waiting expressions. He pointed dramatically at the both of them.

"You guys weren't at mah party!" he yelled accusingly.

Chrno rolled his eyes for a second time. He couldn't stand this guy.

"Yeah, we got a little sidetracked…that night." Chrno answered, feeling the leftover bump on his head. Michael pouted.

"I told everyone I invited someone from 'Nuns with Machine Guns'…but when you didn't show up, I looked like an idiot."

A look of pity crossed Rosette's eyes. Chrno saw it and sighed.

"But…" Michael continued, "that's not what I came here to talk to you about. Ya see, I'm throwing a second party. With more people, more fun, and more alcohol! Will you guys come? You can be the guests of honor, the girl from a band and her boyfriend!" He looked at them expectantly hoping they would accept his rather childish idea.

Rosette didn't bother to correct him and immediately nodded.

"When is it?" she asked brightly.

"Tonight!"

"Alright, we'll be there!" Excitement danced in Rosette's eyes. Michael then bid them farewell and ran back to wherever he came from.

The two stood there watching his retreat.

Chrno took a look at Rosette's face and saw that she had brightened up. He knew there was no way to get out of the party tonight.

"Rosette, remember when you promised to stay by me at the last party?"

She gave a big smile.

"Don't worry, that didn't change…but…it sounds like it's going to be pretty crowded and…"

"Fine, you can do whatever you want, but if I can't find you or something really bad happens…Marie will kill me." Chrno's face darkened at the thought.

Rosette just laughed at the expression on his face and they both continued their walk back home.

Chrno and Rosette stood at the front steps of the Finnigan property. Yells, booming music, crashes, and very loud chatter could be heard through the door. Rosette wore a bright and exuberant outfit like she had originally planned and Chrno blushed at the skin that it exposed. He thought for the dozen-th time of how bad of an idea this was. Mainly, he was just worried for Rosette's safety and he never enjoyed himself at parties anyway.

Rosette gave him an excited grin and opened the door, not bothering with the doorbell. The flood of sounds engulfed them as soon as they entered and they were immediately met with not-too sober sounding greetings. Michael Finnigan walked up to them, obviously not yet drunk.

"Hey guys, you came this time!" Michael's place was huge, his parents both successful lawyers. Although it was a rather large place, it was still cramped with all of the people who had come. And the party was just starting. He handed them both a cup with what Chrno assumed was an alcoholic beverage…of some sort. He was pretty lame when it came to this stuff. Chrno of course immediately declined but Rosette gladly excepted the drink.

Chrno refused to watch her down it.

Michael introduced them to a few of his friends who it seemed, he had made bets with.

"See, I told you I'd invited her! Even her boyfriend!" Michael's friends seemed impressed, all handing him the money they owed him, except for one.

"That's her boyfriend?" he said.

Rosette and Chrno didn't answer, for it had become a daily misconception. They both in reality appeared very bored and Rosette was itching to socialize. She spoke up.

"Yeah, sure, whatever, hey Michael you don't mind if I go and get another drink do you?" she asked.

"Not at all." he said, still waiting for money from the one guy that had still not given it up. She smiled at Chrno and shook her head, telling him she didn't need an escort.

He watched her weave through the crowd and quickly disappear. He turned around to see the friend that had ignored Michael's nags was staring him down.

"You guys really together?" he asked again.

Chrno shrugged.

"Not really, she's just moved into next door to me. We hang out a lot, that's all."

The other guy got up and took a step towards him.

"Name's Steve, and I think you don't deserve a chick like that." Steve challenged.

"Are you deaf? I just told you that we're not together." Chrno rolled his eyes.

"Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I hooked up with her tonight?" He gave a hard look at Steve when he said this. Would he?

"I guess not."

Hearing this, Steve took a step around him, disappearing in the direction Rosette had. He sighed.

Nearby, a group of girls had been watching. They giggled profusely at the troubled Chrno, obviously hoping he would talk to one of them. He instead rolled his eyes at them and walked past them. He was rather bored, and wondered when Rosette would want to leave. A few recognizable acquaintances from school stopped by Chrno to chat for a bit but never stayed for long. He didn't mind much.

He made his way to a large window that overlooked the street Michael lived on. It was a nice street, expensive houses lining the road. A few other lonely souls hung around him as well, but he never bothered to engage in conversation.

After quite awhile, Chrno decided it was time to check up on Rosette for he felt the energy of the party quickly rising. He couldn't help worrying for her, especially with her reckless nature.

Leaving the safe place by the window, he weaved himself through the dancing and shouting crowd, dodging jerking limbs, swinging hips and numerous spills. A few quite attractive girls tried to lure him into conversation or into dancing with them but he politely declined each time.

He found Rosette at the center of attention (of course) smack dab in between two very happy looking guys. He inwardly groaned, wondering what would be the outcome of her situation. One of the guys was Steve and as he wanted, he was getting very close to Rosette. She seemed considerably drunk and was having herself quite a bit of fun just dancing with the people around her.

Steve then decided it was time for his own fun and led her away from the center of the crowd, and moved her to a more secluded corner. He got closer to her and she resisted, however failing miserably through her drunkenness. His eyes slanted and he pushed her harder into the wall, squeezing her wrist. Rosette's eyes widened, from fear or remembrance, Chrno was not sure. It was then he decided it was time to step in. He made his way, finally finding his way right next to Steve. Steve, by now, had himself dangerously close to Rosette's panicking face.

Putting a firm hand on his shoulder, Chrno gave a warning.

"She doesn't want it, you better leave her be." Rosette gave a sigh of relief when she caught sight of Chrno's stern expression but Steve remained unfazed. Tightening his grip on her forearm and causing her to wince, he laughed at Chrno's threat.

"Whatcha gonna do if I don't, shortie?" In reply, Chrno grit his teeth and pulled his arm back, punching Steve straight in the stomach. For a second, the impact caused the breath to get knocked out of him and he released Rosette. Unsuccessfully maintaining her balance, she toppled over knocking over a table in the process. The drinks on the fallen table spilled over, soaking a few people that had been standing by. A few angry shouts erupted over the music and party sounds. Helping Rosette from her position on the ground, he guided her towards the exit, the angry sounds following.

Just as they had both unsteadily ran through the door, and they had reached the front steps, he felt himself fly forward, the back of his head suddenly pounding. His face painfully collided with the pavement and cursing to himself, he looked at the top of the front stairs to see a smirking Steve and a Rosette that was now just as pissed as himself.

"Hey! Back off!" she angrily shouted at the smirking teen a few steps above her. He looked over, just noticing her.

"Heh, looks like I can get my share of fun now." He started making his way down the stairs towards her but was interrupted by a frustrated yell from the entrance to the house.

It was Michael Finnigan.

"Hey! Steve! You never paid me! And goddamnit, lay off of that girl! You're always an asshole when you start drinking…" he grumbled the last part and looked to see an injured Chrno at the foot of the front steps.

"You got Chrno too! Geez, Steve, you've gone too fa-" In the middle of Michael's yelling, Chrno had taken the time to grab a few stones from the front yard and had started pelting them, aiming for Steve's head. By then, Rosette had fled to her savior's side, attempting to stand up straight.

"Agh! Shut up, Mich-Yah!-ael! Hey! Pipsqueak, you better-Ack!" Chrno's assaults continued to interrupt Steve's threats.

"Rosette, run!" He grabbed her hand and they ran across the front yard, Steve continuing to bellow endless threats and insults. Michael called after him, telling him he would never be invited to another party of his.

"So, would you rather, get into another fight with Steve, or be stuck in a room with our gym teacher for a whole night?" Rosette asked Chrno with a giggle.

Chrno contemplated the question, twisting the chains of the swing he was sitting on.

After their escape from Michael Finnigan's party, the two had dashed into the center of town, not wanting to waste the rest of their night and also wanting find a place for the alcohol in Rosette's system to wear off. Rosette had excitedly pointed out a playground and Chrno couldn't resist the look on her face. It was only a bit after midnight and they decided to kill time asking each other personal questions and playing games they hadn't played for years. At the moment, they were playing a round of "Would you rather…?" They were currently stationed at the swing set, idly twisting the seats and moving themselves back and forth.

"So, Chrno, what's your answer?" Rosette asked again, less patiently this time.

"I'd have to say I'd rather get into a fight with that jerk again. He was pretty big but who knows what could happen spending a night with that gym teacher…who knows what she would deduct points for." She laughed at his response and kicked her shoes off, revealing surprisingly small, delicate feet.

Chrno smiled, enjoying her company. A comfortable silence followed and they both continued to slightly swing, dragging their feet on the woodchips beneath them.

"Chrnoooo, it's your turn." Rosette interrupted the silence.

He looked up at the dark sky, 'hmm'ing.

"Okay, how 'bout this?...Would you rather…get caught singing?...or…I dunno…naked?"

He grinned devilishly. She playfully threw a shoe at him, missing.

"Well the answer is quite obvious, singing, of course…but who would catch me?" She squinted suspiciously.

"Umm…me!" Chrno answered, throwing the shoe she had thrown back by her foot.

"Well then, I change my answer…naked of course!" she gave a vaguely naughty grin, and Chrno gave a nervous chuckle. She gasped.

"Did I possibly make the Chrno lose his composure?" Rosette asked, appearing intrigued but he could see a sparkle in her eye.

"You imagined it." He answered, crossing his arms stubbornly and standing up. He opened an eye to see her reaction. She was not sitting at the swing. He whirled around just in time to see her pounce on him, poking his sides.

"Admit it!" she laughed, appalled to hear laughter escaping Chrno's mouth.

"Chrno…could you be…ticklish?" A devilish grin spread across her face just like one had on Chrno's face a few moments ago.

"Never!" he excalimed, getting out from under her. He ran towards a clearing, hoping she wouldn't continue her attack. His inner pleading was in vain for she appeared once again in front of him. But as she took an unsteady step, inwardly cursing the effects of alcohol, she fell into Chrno's unprepared arms. Her weight toppled both of them over and Rosette lay atop his chest. But as he made a move to get up, she shook her head and gave him a sneaky grin.

"Now, Chrno," she whispered, "I've got a new game…"

Chrno's heart raced and Rosette could feel the blush forming on her cheeks but she continued.

"What would you do, if I…kissed you?" she let her lips hover above his, but waited for an answer.

He grinned and looked into the deep blue eyes staring back at him.

"I guess you'd just have to see…"

Oh.My.Gosh. That was so sappy/corny, I love it!! xD I'm surprised that I even GOT reviews for the last chapter…Don't worry people…I'll continue to update from now on.

Don't forget to check out my other fic! 'Just a Little Comfort'

Now…comments? Praise? Criticism? I would love a review! ;)