Again I'm so sorry about my many spelling mistakes. By the way thank you for telling me my spelling errors, I'm a bit embarrassed I'm really thankful for telling me it's the only way I'll get better.
And I'm so sorry for taking so long in updating. I'll try to improve on both things I swear.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and review my story.
Disclaimer: Chrno Crusade is not my creation I just love the creation of Daisuke Moriyama.
Rosette was acting strange… very strange. For days she had been sitting quietly in the library… just working. Working, reading boring after boring article about the monastery, not complaining, not whining not even annoying it was downright unnatural!
-Are you alright?
-Joshua you've been asking me that every five minutes of the last three days. YES, I'M FINE! Now if you don't knock it off I'm going to take this very heavy book and bet you unconscious with it.
A sigh of relief escaped from his mouth and muscles relaxed at her response. Maybe there was nothing wrong with her after all…
He felt a light touch in his shoulder and looked back, Azmaria face was a few inches from his own so close that there could be no mistake about the blush on his checks or the sudden heat irradiating from his face. Azmaria ignored all of these but politely put a few more inches of distance between them.
-Rosette's been acting a bit weird. Hasn't she?
They both glanced back at the quiet woman reading a book. And shivered, it was so unlike Rosette it gave them the creeps. Like the calm before the storm…
-Yeah. She keeps saying she's fine but still… I don't know.
-Maybe she's tired. We all are, it was been very stressful lately.
That was true; the frustration of not finding any answers with increase of their worries about money and other places they could run to was affecting them all, leaving their tempers extremely volatile. If it was stressful for him he couldn't even imagine what Rosette must be going through. Maybe Azmaria was right, maybe they just needed a day to relax.
-Hey sis!
Rosette looked up from the book she was reading, and immediately frowned when she noticed the two worried faces observing her.
"If he asks me if I'm ok one more time I swear I'll…"
-Tomorrow let's take a day off alright?
-Huh?
-I'm sick of this library, we're not any closer of freeing you and we are all stressed out. I think we should take a day off and relax then come back and finish working.
-Joshua's right we are all very tired, a day's rest could only do us good.
Normally Rosette would be jumping in joy at the prospect of being her lazy self, but now he had disappeared the dreams had stopped, no voices in her head and even that stupid bite mark had healed up nicely. It was perfect, way too perfect, she kept expecting him to pop out from a dark corner and scare her to death.
-Fine. Tomorrow we aren't going to step a foot in this place.
Chrno was pacing again; he was doing a lot of that for the past ten years it was a pleasant change from the depressed creature he was before but still did he had to do that when Florette and Satella were out shopping! If they had been here at least he could take it out on a good fight. With her he could only rant and worry for Shader was a thinker not a fighter.
-I should just go and get her.
-You said it yourself that she would never come willingly. And I thought that after you're last meeting you would try to take things slow.
-So I should let her run around while they get closer and closer to finding her! What if they attack and I'm not there to help her?
She really had no answer to that, mostly because it would be pointless to argue. Demons were not very complicated creatures, especially males, they had they're society and rules, and in a way they were very much like humans, well at least the higher rank demons were a lot like humans. Each had their own personality but all demons had a few characteristics in common, they were possessive and protective of everything they deem their own. Human contractors were the epitome of that philosophy, the only thing that could harm a Contractor was that contractor's owner anything else that tried would be writing its own death sentence.
Chrno was a calm, logical, peaceful male but she felt almost sorry for anyone that dared harm Rosette Christopher.
The cell phone rang but it did not break Chrno's ranting, Shader sighed and picked it up.
-Hello? Hi Florette! Did you get my cookies? The chocolate chip and peanut ones?
A loud yell from the other side cut off the rest of Shader's cheerful questions, since Florette never raised her voice more than a few decibels it was safe to suppose that Satella had taken control of the call. Shader's cat ears became low and her face a little depressed.
-Satella wants to talk to you.
Chrno picked up the cell phone and only registered the panicked words: Demons…in town…Rosette…danger.
He flew out of the mansion as quick as he could the only thought on his mind was to warn Rosette of the danger.
-That's the last time we go to an "all you can eat" buffet!
-It wasn't that bad!
-The owner paid us to leave you glutton!
Azmaria laughed until her stomach started hurting it had the most hilarious thing she had ever seen.
-Joshua is right Rosette. I believe he was crying and everything.
Rosette snorted and gave her mischievous look.
-Should I be surprised that you take my brother's side?
It was with a cruel sense of victory that Rosette saw her brother and his "friend" blush a look at any direction except in hers or each other. She really shouldn't tease them; puppy love is hard enough as it is without somebody poking fun at it. Yet it was so funny she couldn't help herself!
So far the day off had been a complete success. Joshua had been right all along, they were too stressed and Rosette admitted to herself that after that day she had been too paranoid to actually enjoy herself, always afraid and waiting for him to pop out of nowhere. It was humiliating, Rosette Christopher cowering in fear, and at what? The Dark One? Hah when she kicked him the groin he wasn't so tough. Probably all talk and no game like all men.
They were now walking in the main street, that although a bit deserted still had a few interesting shops open. This day had lifted their spirits greatly and Rosette believed that she hadn't been this happy since before this whole mess started.
-Come on let's go to the arcade.
It was almost empty and the games were ancient but it still filled her with wonder and cheerful, she hadn't stepped one of these since she was a child and from the look on Azmaria's face the poor girl never went to an arcade in her life. Joshua immediately showed her their favorite childhood game; it was one of those boxing matches.
-Brings back memories doesn't it sis? Remember when I beat you three times in a row? You were so furious!
"Smug prick."
-Yeah I was pretty angry, but then again it was the only you could beat me in a fight wasn't it Joshua?
He seemed to open his mouth to make a smart remark as well but fortunately Azmaria sensed the beginning of a fight and quickly made a question about the game to turn Joshua's attention away from the temptation of a good brawl. Rosette however became frustrated after her best way to release pent-up anger and favorite family tradition since Joshua learned to talk, not in the mood to watch the lovey-dovey but still "just friends" routine the two of them would put up for the next minutes, she left the fighting games and moved to the nosier racing games on the other side of the arcade. Searching her bag for coins, she was dismayed on finding only a few bills. Reluctantly she made her way to the change machine near the entrance.
"My head hurts"
In fact it was more than hurting, it was like a dozen fire alarms had gone off in it and now hundreds of people were running away screaming with loud strident voices. Panic rose within her, an instinct to attack whatever was trying to harm her. She looked around searching for her enemy, but there was only Joshua and Az immersed in their game, the arcade manager behind his counter looking bored as hell. Outside there was an old-woman walking her dog, and a child had just entered the arcade and occupied the game next to the one she wanted. There was nothing wrong or out of place so why was she feeling like she was in some sort of life or death situation?
Ignoring the feeling and pushing it down with all her might she proceeded with her plan to change her five-dollar bill for quarters but it was fighting her, panic was actually fighting with reason telling her to flee that she was in danger almost like it was trying to talk to her. It was then that she realized that this feeling didn't belong to her…
"Chrno?"
Was that were this emotions came from? Chrno? What would make the demon that was called the Dark One feel such terror? He took a bullet in the head and an army of the Order without even breaking a sweat .
"It's just my imagination."
She sat down and started the game. She twisted the wheel and her car curved and raced across the poor quality race tracks, the child beside her was too immersed in his game. She gave out a sigh when her car crossed the finish line, third place she was really rusty at these games. She looked back; Joshua and Azmaria were in their own little world of Boxing Champions, by her side the boy was still in his game, the car going unusually slow for a race. He was about eleven or twelve years old dressed in a T-shirt and shorts that were obviously too big for him a cap in his head face focused, serious.
"One more game won't hurt"
-That's a funny looking watch.
-Huh?
The boy had ended his game and was staring at her, well at the watch hanging from her neck. His eyes were black, like holes ready to suck her in.
-Your watch lady. It's the first time I've seen one like it.
-Oh…you like it?
-Can I see it?
Before she could answer that the boy's hand had already latched to the watch and had brought it close to his face. The boy watched fascinated as the black pointers moved with almost deliberate slowness in the white background.
-I have never seen it…
-Listen kid…
-…but I've heard of it so many times. The Dark One's gift to his contractor…
The words took a few seconds to register the words in her unprepared brain but when they did they chilled her to the very bone. She made a quick move to get up, yell for Joshua and Azmaria but she had barely moved a few inches the boy's hand on the clock gave a thug pulling her back down, the boy then grabbed her hand in a seemingly innocent gesture but the grip was strong and if he decided to tighten it even more he would surely crush the watch and her hand with it.
-I wouldn't do that. We don't like to mess in human affairs and we would appreciate if you kept the causalities at a minimum.
The boy smiled, a smile fit for a young mischievous child so unfit for the situation it made her break out in a cold sweat. She could see his sharp fangs peaking at her. And she knew that this time the panic was all hers.
-What do you want from me?
The childish smile widen even more, his eyes seemed to glint with a dark purpose.
-For now I just want you to accompany me to my brothers, and to not make any brave attempts to escape or things will turn out very ugly indeed.
The way he glanced at her brother and her friend, still blissfully unaware of the situation told it all. She got up slowly and took the hand the boy had stretched out to her, silently they left the arcade and walked across the road and down the street, when Rosette looked back she saw a huge man in a trench coat standing in the alley besides the arcade, waiting.
-It's just a precaution lady. We can't have anyone interfering so one of my brothers is making sure your companions or you don't make any unexpected actions.
"Joshua… Why do I always drag you into my messes?"
-Are you going to kill me?
The boy was now guiding her into an alley where two more bastards in trench coats awaited them.
-Well… not right now. There is no point in killing you if we don't have the means to stop the Sinner from taking another contractor, so we'll take good care of you until he comes.
"The Sinner? How many names does that guy have?"
There wasn't too much time to wander about his names because the creature in question showed up. Literally dropping from the sky right in front of them in full demon form, his face twisted into something feral with anger, his eyes golden, completely golden, there was no iris just two golden gems glowing in anger and hatred. The child and the two men had also suffered transformations, the two men had bodies that seemed to be made of metal, huge horns surged from their heads, the child had grown claws that fortunately didn't pierce her skin, the cap however had been ripped apart by the horns that came out from over his ears. One thing that the three demons had in common was the disgust, contempt and hatred on their faces.
-We have been searching for you for a long time Sinner. It is time you came back home.
-That place is no home of mine.
The child demon grimaced at the response in one skillful movement he had twisted her arm behind her back, making her gasp in pain.
-We are going to have to insist. Dead or alive you will come back… after all Mother has been very worried about you.
Chrno snarled in anger and moved in for an attack, but the two demons on his back were faster she felt the vibrations in the air his roar caused when one of the demons clawed hands ripped one of his wings, she tried to step back, to run from the horror in front of her but the firm grip of the demon boy prevented her.
Chrno turned back, one of his black wings in shreds like ripped fabric, with quick move he grabbed the arm that injured him and ripped it from the rest of the demon's body, blood spilled out on the ground creating a dark puddle, the arm was left by its side, forgotten by its owner in the heat of the battle.
Rosette felt the bile rise to her mouth as she watched the demons fight, besides the injury on his wing Chrno now had an injury on his chest, so deep she could see his ribs standing out, one of his attackers, the one who lost his arm now laid a few meters away from it ripped apart beyond recognition. Behind her there was an explosion and a yell, a very familiar yell.
-Joshua!
She tried to break off the demon's grip but it was pointless, behind her she could see smoke starting to rise between the buildings. Why? Why was she stuck in this battle? She had nothing to do with this! Her brother was out there…her little brother….
-Dammit let go of me you freak!
-I'm afraid I can't do that.
The boy was watching the battle unfold right in front of him with a calmness and sort of coldness that worried her.
-You may be worried about your brother but he killed one hundred of mine in a single battle.
-What?
She watched Chrno again, even with his injuries he was still wining she watched as his arm went through his opponents chest grabbing his lungs than brutally ripping them of his body. The body felt to ground with nothing more than a thud, no longer could you see the ground, only the blood and dead bodies that covered it. Still bleeding due to his injuries, but healing fast he turned to face her and the demon-child.
-Let her go.
The words were spoken so calmily yet they were as sharp as blades. The demon-child tightens his grip on her already bruised arm.
-You already lost, but if you let her go I will let you live.
-If I kill her I still have the chance to bring justice for my brothers and sisters.
With one strong pull she was on her knees in front of him while his other arm surrounded her, his claws stopping just before they pierced the sensitive skin of her throat. He was going to kill her, she realized, right there right now in that blood soaked alley and she was going to do nothing about it? Even more with her brother in danger just a street away!
"No bloody way."
With her free hand she moved as fast she could to grab one of his horns and pulled with the force that only people stuck in near-death experiences have. That bought her just enough time; the demon child used the hand that was against her throat to try to grad her wrist, giving her the chance to duck and try to kick him. She did duck but before she could even try a kick Chrno had the child by his head, the boy stayed calm like he knew what would happen and then he just smiled.
-I never thought I would see the killer-of-one-hundred look so scared for a moment.
In a few seconds the hand that was holding the demon boy's head squeezed, and crushed. That image would forever haunt Rosette, demon or not it still looked like a child, and his blood was being spilled on the ground like a waterfall, his body dropped on the ground with no more care than if he had been trash on the street, on what remained of his face one could still see a last mocking smile. Rosette threw up on the floor; it didn't matter if it made her look weak in front of her enemy, she couldn't deal with this. To learn about this in the Magdalene Order, to learn to use a gun, to feel anger and resentment against a monster that ruined her life was one thing, to see such destruction first hand, to feel your hands soaked with dark blood, to smell death it was too much… it was too much!
-Rosette…
She turned, he was still there, still in demon form, wing healed, the injury in his chest was still bleeding but that was nothing compared to blood dripping from his claws, the claws that just took the life of a child from his own kind.
"The killer of one hundred… The Dark One"
How fitting those names seemed at this point, how could he kill so easily…
He tried to reach for her with his right hand, his bloody hand, when she flinched at his touch, his calm face turned sorrowful, regretful.
-We have to get out of here Rosette; somebody is bound to call the authorities they can't find you here.
-I'm not going anywhere with you.
She could hear the sirens in the distance, in a few minutes a bunch of cops where going to find her in a blood soaked alley with the corpses of three monsters and her brother…
"Joshua…"
She bolted, who cared if the cops tried to take her down, who cared about the corpses of demons her little brother was out there in the middle of another battle, that big guy in the trench coat looked like he could take down a whole army, never mind Joshua and Azmaria who didn't even had guns with them. Unfortunately she forgot about the fourth monster that was still pretty much alive and if it not well, at least strong enough to grab her before she could run in the direction of the arcade and to pull her back into the alley. Pushing her back against her chest and pulling his arm around her body trapping her arms, trapping her.
-Let go of me! My brother…
-Is in good hands.
-What?
-I asked my friends to watch over your brother and Azmaria. They'll bring them to safety but right now we have to go.
The sirens were getting closer.
-I said I am not going anywhere, especially with you.
-I'm sorry but I can't afford to give you that choice anymore.
His other her went to her legs and picked her up like she was a child. Stretching his wings to their full impressive size he took off into the sky like a lightning. Rosette watch as the ground suddenly was very far away without even a girlish scream, she did however swore like a sailor and punched her captor in the face. Of course she later came to regret that action has it set them "lightly" off course, lightly meaning it plunged them down a few meters.
-Don't do that! Or do you want to fall off?
After that Rosette decided she would wait to hit him when they landed. Until then she would settle with the yelling and swearing part of the deal.
-You stupid, selfish son of a whore! That's my brother you're leaving behind, put me down now!
-Stop it! I told you he is safe, my friends will bring him and Azmaria to us soon enough.
-Why should I trust any friends of yours?
-Because you have no choice.
She was silent after that. It was true, after this she had little options left. She was currently flying who knows how many feet in the air with a demon that couldn't kill her, her brother and friend were in danger and the only reassurance she had of their safety was that this guy's friends were going to bring them safely to whatever place he was taking her. So her best chance on seeing her family again was to stick with this monster. Plus she had no weapons with her, meaning she didn't even have the hope to keep him in line.
"Peachy... just peachy…"
-Can you at least tell me where we going?
He pointed out a direction with his head and Rosette turned to see what was it, and was immediately speechless.
The mansion in front of her was one of the biggest and most grandiose she had ever seen, even on TV, it was surrounded in forests and there was no other sign of civilization in sight, a single road connected the mansion to the main roads. All in all it looked like something out of a fairy-tale. Too bad there was no prince charming and the particular location of the castle made it difficult to escape when she reunited with her brother and Az.
At the speed they were going Chrno quickly found himself able to land on one of the balconies and finally put Rosette down. As soon as Rosette's feet kissed solid ground again she found herself more than willing to finish what had started on the air, she turned around and punched in the face, his face turned and he grimaced in pain but that was just not what she was looking for, looking at his still body and his blooded chest she grinned wickedly. The next fist hit him squarely in the hound. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees.
-Rosette why did you do that?
Rosette grabbed him by the scurf of his black leather jacket and pulled his face as close to hers as she could allow it.
-My brother and Az better be alright, you understand? I don't care how reliable your friends are I want to speak to my brother NOW!
Chrno was still wheezing on the ground, but he got up with a little effort and started to walk to the balcony's glass door, he was limping but still struggling to stand up straight, he opened the doors and walked into a beautiful, huge living room. Complete with paintings, other artwork and a piano, Rosette followed and observed every detail of the room while Chrno, with his back turned to her fumbled with something she could not see until he turned and silently handed her a phone. She stared at it for a moment before pressing it against her ear.
-Rosette…Rosette are you…? Hello… are…ok?
The connection was awful but she could still tell the voice of her brother on the other side of the line.
-Joshua! Are you and Az alright? Where are you?
-We're fine. And you?...the connection is breaking up… we're in a car…I don't know where…
The phone was cut off before he could finish that sentence but still Rosette gave out a sigh of relive. They were all right, she was alright and if it was true what Chrno had said they would be together soon enough.
-They will take a few hours to get here and I suppose you want to clean up and rest.
He took the phone away from her and took a long look at her. She suddenly became conscious that she was standing in the most luxurious room she had ever been in, in the richest house she had ever seen, in front of a guy who, despite being evil and from another species was still the sexiest man she had ever been close to in a pair of worn-out jeans, simple blue T-shirt all covered in demon blood and dirt.
-Come on I'll take you to your room.
His wounds were healing faster than she had ever seen, he was now perfectly able to walk straight and had reverted to human form, suddenly she was following him through the richly decorated hallways and up a flight of stairs to another hallway struggling to catch up to him.
-Whoa! Wait a minute! My room… what do you mean "my room".
He kept walking but slowed down enough for her to catch up to him, he was confused by her question for a moment before answering.
-The room where you'll be sleeping, bathing, changing and whatever you do in your bedroom.
-You don't mean that I'll be living here don't you?
-Of course where else will you go? They found you and now the Order won't be far behind the safest place for you now is by my side where I can protect you and your family.
That angered her and she was prepared to give him a list of the reasons why she would never allow a monster like that to protect her in a very violent and loud way when he gently pushed her into a big bright bedroom.
-There's a bathroom you can shower and I'll bring you new clothes. There's no use in arguing now so just go with it calmly for a while and your brother will be here soon enough so cheer up.
He said that in one quick breath than closed and looked the door in her face; soon enough Rosette was slamming on the door yelling about stupid, bossy demons. Seeing that he was not letting her go soon enough she turned to take in the room.
It was at least twice the size of her old one back in New York, it was very beautiful with a big closet, a plasma screen TV, a desk with a bookcase and a king-sized bed with a nightstand. There was also a door that led to a small bathroom. In the nightstand there was a vase filled with red roses. She was completely trapped.
-Well might as well enjoy this while I can.
Chrno remained staring at the looked door until Rosette gave up on the idea of breaking it down while shouting insults at him. When he heard the shower running he gave a sigh and decided to go find clothes for Rosette. He made his way to Florette's room since Satella's were way too big for her and had just came out holding his choice when a voice came out startling him.
-So when can I meet her?
-Not now Shader. She just saw me killing three Pursuers, and now she is being held against her will by me. I think we should wait a while before you jump all over her like you usually do.
Shader pouted and her kitty ears dropped low.
-But I've been waiting to meet her for ten years! And now she's here with us and we'll all be one big happy family.
-I think Rosette is not very willing to be a part of our "big happy family". Right now she doesn't want to have anything to do with me.
His head lowered sadly.
-How am o going to fix this Shader? How am I going to convince her that she's wrong about me? How am I going to make her happy?
-Well… The roses were a good start.
And there you have it, I'll to be quicker with my next chapter.
Review please! It only takes a minute and you'll have my eternal gratitude!