Another Chance
Disclaimer: I don't own Chrno Crusade or any of the characters!!
Author's Note: I've missed you guys so much! I'm sorry it took me so long to post this up. I've been going at a snail pace on this even though more people have added this story as their favourite stories and even more have urged me to continue with it. I think one paragraph per month? Something like that. I'm so sorry! In the meantime, I've read some of the reviews you guys left me and decided to write an extra chapter that isn't really a chapter connected to the story but just a chapter on a day in Rosette's life, based on the suggestions that you guys gave. I'm halfway done on it but am suffering from a writer's block after spending half of yesterday' time on it. So today I came to finish this chapter and if there are any errors, please tell me! If you like it, please review too!
Azmaria looked about herself. The canteen was crowded but she had no difficulty spotting her target who was a head taller than most people. She walked purposefully towards her target and stopped, nearly falling over when her target didn't see her stop in front of him and walked straight into her. She felt a strong arm grip her waist and helped her to her feet. She starred into the red pair of eyes. 'That's him alright.' Thought Azmaria and she confronted him.
Chrno automatically righted the figure he almost knocked over and found himself face to face with a determined pair of eyes starring straight back at him. "I'm sorry for knocking you over. How can I be of service today?" he asked as Azmaria started to pull him in the direction of the back of the canteen.
"Look, Chrno, I've just one question to ask you" she took a deep breath and asked, "Have or have you not regained your memories?"
Chrno took a step back. Could Azmaria have regained her memories? Yes, from her expression, he could tell that she did. How? When? Should he own up to her? Just as he was about to give a negative answer, Azmaria cut in. "I've regained my memories and just your own reaction from what I said was evidence enough that you remembered so don't bother with denial." Chrno was, again, shocked by the girl standing in front of him. Not only was he surprised by the discovery that she recovered her memories, he was also shocked to discover how little she had changed, that her courage and determination was just as strong as he last remembered seeing her from their past life.
There was a moment of silence as both remembered their last encounter in their past life. It seems so long ago and yet, it seems like it happened just the day before. So many things have changed and today, they discover that things might not be as changed as they thought it to be. Two old friends smiled for the first time in a century and took a step forward. Both shook hands in a simple gesture of the renewal of their friendship and a gentle smile touched their lips.
"RRINNNGGG!" the recess bell rang signaling the end of break and the return to class and both friends suddenly awakened to other more important matters.
"What about Rosette? Do you think that she will regain her memories?" asked Azmaria. Chrno frowned in thought and pondered the question. Will Rosette regain her memories? "I don't know, Azmaria. I don't know. Even I myself didn't regain my memories until recently. Only time will tell. I've been trying to do all sorts of things to help her regain her memories but so far, it seemed that all my attempts are futile."
"Oh, so that was what you were trying to do? To think that we all thought you went mad…" laughed Azmaria. Suddenly she turned serious as a thought occurred to her. "Do you think that we should tell Rosette though? I mean she might not regain her memories for the rest of her life you know. Do you think you can live with that?"
"Definitely no." Chrno answered without a pause. "How do you think she will react? Don't you think that she would think that you have gone mad? I mean I've actually thought about doing the same thing but then I sat down and thought. Imagine if you hadn't regained your memories and I told you that you had a past life and you were reincarnated. Would you have believed me?"
"I suppose not." Azmaria slumped her shoulders in defeat. "Maybe we should continue our discussion after school. I'll see you around then. Meanwhile, maybe you should try another method to help her regain her memories." With that, she turned and ran to her class.
Chrno starred at her retreating back and a faint smile touched his lips.
Rosette stirred in her sleep and tried to roll to her side. Suddenly, she found herself on the ground. "Ouch!" Where am I?" She looked around her surroundings confused. "Oh! You're awake! I was just coming to wake you up to get you home! You're in the school's sickbay because I fainted remember? To think you were the one who brought me in and instead you stayed the longest!" came Azmaria's voice from behind her as she picked herself up off the ground and glared at Azmaria.
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" she demanded as she glared at Azmaria.
"Well, you did not have any class for the rest of the day anyway so I figured that I would let you sleep a while longer while I went for my classes."
"I could have used the time meaningfully on other things!" Rosette retorted though her tone softened.
"I only have your best interest at heart you know." Azmaria smiled slyly and reached forward to pull her friend's hand. "Anyway, Chrno offered us a ride home when I bumped into him just now."
"Why would he do that and since when were you on first name basis with him?" Rosette's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"He said that it was on his way to somewhere. Besides, He doesn't seem like much a jerk once you get to know him. He's been making an effort to be nicer recently you know."
"This is getting all ridiculous and suspicious. We were just discussing what a horrible, conceited jerk he was yesterday! Now you're standing on his side! What is wrong with you, Azmaria?" almost on the brim of screeching due to her friend's sudden change of attitude, Rosette took a deep breath. And another deep breath. And another deep breath-- "Rosette. Calm down. There's nothing wrong. Let's just say that something happened today to change my opinion of him." Azmaria looked at the ground, avoiding eye contact with Rosette.
"What happened? What is it that you are not telling me, Azzy? We have been BFF for ages! We've never kept a secret from each other in our whole lives! How can I calm down when my own best friend is siding with the famous jerk in school and for the first time in our lives she's keeping something from me?" worry fueled Rosette's anger at her best friend.
"I-I…. I can't tell you. Look, just trust me ok? You will find out in due time. Just have some faith in me." Azmaria begged and unconsciously pulled at Rosette's hand.
Rosette looked down at the hand her friend held. No. Not only her friend. Her best friend. The friend she had knew her whole life. The friend who shouldn't have kept things from her. The friend who had been there for her for her whole life and was worth trusting.
"Alright. I won't force you to tell me. Just promise that you would let me know about it when you're ready. Even if it means that we're in our old ages and walking around with walking sticks and hunchback."
Azmaria breathed a sigh of relief. She would kill Chrno with all his theories and reasoning about not telling Rosette about her past life. Even if what he said made sense.
Chrno leaned against the pillar and waited. School had ended for half an hour. Still he did not see the ladies he was supposed to give a lift home. Could they have gone home without telling him? Chrno shook his head. Azmaria would never betray him like that, especially since she regained her memories. He thought he saw something rushing at him from the corner of his eye. Before he could turn his head fully into the direction, he felt a strong impact hit against him. "Oof!" He found himself in the same situation again for the second time of the day. Except that this time, it was a blonde haired angel who looked up from on top of him.
Their eyes locked together for a second before they heard a concerned voice calling out, "Are you alright?" Rosette abruptly pushed herself against him ad tried to pull herself upright before she felt a strong pair of arms envelop her and picked her up. Their eyes locked together again and for a moment, Rosette felt… right. She felt right being in his arms. There was a warm feeling in her chest and she suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach. What was wrong with her? She could feel blood rushing into her cheeks as she felt a ruby pair of eyes looking at her in a soft and concerned manner. He leaned in,so close that his breadth tickled her ears, and breathed into her ears, "Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?"
She was so shocked that she stiffened and couldn't react. Was he mad? When she finally awoke from her shock, she started to protest but was interrupted by the crystal clear voice of her best friend. "Of course she would."
