By: Nightelfcrawler & Amai

Author's note: We're insane

Chapter Ten: Separation

The sound of buzzing saws from the chair off to the side was the only sound in the room, aside from the beaming, whirring, and buzzing sounds of various machinery. That and Aion's mouth running non-stop, and his flashy smile trying to gain the normal wooing control over the females in the room. Remi was leaning against the side of the wall, listening half-heartedly, half-sleeping himself, keeping an eye out for anything unusual. . Azmaria sat on one of the plush chairs, her eyes half-lidded staring at the cup in her hands, completely out cold. No one would know... Of course... Joshua was the only one paying complete rapt attention. "REALLY?! Cool!"

The only person blissfully unaware of the babble, was the one in the tube... who twitched a little, as one of the monitor's pace sped up slightly. Rosette's ear twitched at the small beeping sound that had gone off evenly her entire chant, speed up, and she looked up past the door into the lab where small lights were dancing from the monitor, and she pursed her lips. Sheda would kill her if she bothered her one more time....ah well. "Excuse me..."

Aion blinked, giving her a rather cute look as she stood and moved past him. "Ah... but this is the best part..." Zzzz... Sheda was dead to the world..... talk about manic mood swings.... Remi glanced her way a bit, but nodded lightly. He honestly couldn't blame her... the demon just didn't ... shut... up....

The blonde captain gave him a sheepish look, squeezing Remington's shoulder meaningfully, the first unprofessional contact he had gotten from her since they had been attacked by the fleet, when before it was almost every hour something playful was done. "I'll be right back." And with that, she slipped out, to check on Chrno herself, for about the 34th time...

That provoked a small smile from him as he inclined his head lightly, watching her go down.

Nothing seemed to have changed much... Chrno was still laying in the tube, but his breathing and pulse were strong and regular now... and his eyes were half-open. Rather then return to Aion's incessant chatter, she pulled a stool up next to the glass tube, and sat down next to him, exhausted since she had yet to sleep in two days, but still happy that he was doing better. "Chrno... you are a attention seeker, aren't you."

His eyes blinked once, and his head tilted towards her, eyes focusing on her and a faint smile tugging at his lips. He mouthed her name, but since the glass was still on soundproof mode, nothing could be heard. That, of course, provoked a small smile, and a bit of tears too as well, as she pressed her hand to the glass, heart skipping a beat a bit. "Yeah. At least your brain works fine?" She looked up at the monitors that were slowly showing him moving out into the normal zone. He tried to sit up, but bonked his head on the glass, and winced, flopping back down, rubbing it with a sore look at the thing. She had to laugh, thunking her head on her side of the glass as snickers rocked her form. "Geeze..." She forced a straight face, before mouthing very clearly. "Do you feel good enough to come out?" He blinked at her, and rubbed his head a little more, and nodded a bit.

That brightened her mood, and she swiftly went to work on figuring out HOW to let him out, uttering a few pirate curses before she managed to pop a switch, which scooted the glass tube out and flipped back, leaving Chrno sitting on the bed, and the fresh air to waft in around him. She popped up her head from under the bed and grinned brightly at him, absolute glee rushing through her. God, he's ok...

He took a deep breath slowly, and coughed a little bit suddenly at that, wincing, but stopping after slowly taking another breath. His face wasn't pale anymore, and his back was mostly healed over, small wings re-forming on it over the healing patterned skin. He glanced down at her and smiled rather tiredly at her, but his eyes sparkled brighter. "Morning..."

She stood up, and carefully curled her arms about his neck, hugging him gently as not to aggravate anything. "Morning, moron."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her lightly, blinking a little since it was strange being so... big.... ".... sorry for making you worry."

It did feel a bit strange, that not even a month ago, she had been comforting him like a little kid, and now here she was, enveloped safe in his warm large arms, and her own arms fit about his neck almost perfectly. "Ah sorry. I'll release the jimmy we put on the seal if you want..." She said, pulling her arms from his neck to release the twist on her armband. She didn't want him to leave, and gosh damn it, if he didn't remember them, more likely he'd stay with her.

He nodded a little bit, with a slight frown as he was about to say something, but stopped, thinking better of it. She had her hand waiting on the knob, cocking her head slightly to the side as if waiting for an answer. He opened his eyes a bit, peering over at her, wondering what she was waiting for, then smiled faintly as he realized she was waiting on him. "Oh... I probably don't have much time left like that... so.... best to enjoy it while it lasts, right?"

She felt the edges of her lips tuck down a bit at that, the knowledge that he really didn't want to remember dawning on her. "Right..." And with a bit of a turn, she sealed the runes again, giving him a faint smile as he changed back. "We'll make it last forever if you want it to be so."

He shrank a few inches, but the differences between the two forms were very minor now.... the horns were smaller, no longer nearly invisible beneath his hair, his wings, though still re-growing were smaller, but not tiny anymore, and the gems still adorned his forehead... no tail yet, and the tattoo of his achievements and the one marking him Eden's crewmember were still missing. "I don't think I really have a choice Rosette....." His voice was slightly older than it had been before the seal had opened, but still not it's full deep octave of his oldest form.

Her bottom lip wobbled a bit. "Sorry.." Her voice was a bit low, fighting tears. "I shouldn't have dragged you into this without asking you first..."

"No." He said gently hugging her a little tighter, voice warm and soothing, totally blame-free. "If you hadn't, I'd still be stuck back..." He hesitated, frowning a little. "Back.... um...." He bit his lip and shook his head lightly. "Wherever.... you know...." He smiled down at her, some of the childishness still obvious in his gaze."Adventure .....excitement ... it's not something to regret.... even if I do know what I'm in store for."

She gave him a wobbling smile, her eyes crinkling up a bit as she just snuggled a bit into his arms, careful of his wounds, and just laughed a bit. "Careful there boy, you're going to make me fall for you."

He blinked and turned bright red, stuttering a little at that, his heart obviously quickening strongly against her ear, and his breathing catching a little. She just smiled sweetly, completely exhausted, and with a cute little murmur of how silly he was, fell asleep right there. He blinked a little, glancing down at her, and sighed softly, laying slowly back down on the bed, holding her close, and closed his eyes, joining her... though a sad tug crossed his mind.

---------------

Several hours later, Sheda woke with a snort, and sat up, yawning. She glanced over at the table, and blinked seeing the two of them, and stood up, grinning a little, as she made her way over. Rosette was curled up against the demon, her hands resting lightly over his shoulders so that his head rested on her upper arm, and his arms were curled around her, his wing being used as a blanket over her small form, out for the count, a peaceful smile on her face.

Aion had finally run out of things to chatter about, and stuck his head into the lab, since he just realized that Az was out cold after she went face first into the tea she was holding, and followed her eye trail, grinning widely at where Sheda was looking. "Well, well, well.."

Chrno's eyes were open, watching her with a distant look, but shifted upwards as Sheda and Aion both entered his field of vision, and carefully, without waking Rosette, sat up, shifting her to the side comfortably.

"Sooo...." Sheda tapped her foot, eyeing him. "Where HAVE you been all this time?"

Aion leaned back against the wall, grinning widely. "Really now, Chrno, I would have never thought..."

Chrno folded his hands lightly in his lap, and looked down, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Um... I'm very sorry about this.... I'm not completely clear on what he went through...."

"Who?" Sheda asked, giving him a particular look.

The tall demon leaned closer, inspecting his eyes. "Hmm, you don't remember anything, do you?"

Chrno's eyes tentatively glanced back at the violet-haired man. "Um... kind of.... before she loosened the seal, I didn't... but when she did that, some of... the things inside were released... and I had time to see for myself... who I was."

Aion raised an eyebrow, pushing some of his pale hair out of his tan features. "I see..." He grinned a bit, adjusting his glasses, "We can fix that in all due time, Chrno, and you'll be your good old self, now let's just send these humans on their way..." he danced his fingers to the side.

Chrno looked up alarmed with a flash of fear over his face quickly. "No, please don't! They're my friends.... I don't... want to leave them."

He frowned at that, not at all happy. "Does that mean you're abandoning Eden, Chrno..."

"They can't stay here forever."

He blinked up at him with a torn look. "I... I know that I used to be part of your crew but...." He looked down, some tears stinging his eyes as he fought to keep control. "I'm sorry... can I at least... finish things up there... before you finish unsealing him...? Because once he's out, I'm gone...." He trailed off in silence.

Aion gave him a long look before turning to Sheda. "I think that is a worthy request to be given." He pushed some of his hair away again, as if it was an annoyance. "On one condition." Sheda looked a little bit disturbed. She didn't like the thought of what their shipmate had been forced into, but on the other hand, she just wanted him back the way he was....

He looked up, rubbing his eyes a little. and nodded lightly. "Allright.... what?"

"You are being lead to the Heart of the Astral Line.." He chucked a pin-sized communicator to him. "When you get there, tell me, I'll be following, if they spot us, dissuade them. I will have that Heart, and unless you want me to steal it here and kick them out, you will let them lead me there."

He stared at him, and his face turned a bit pale. Blackmail...? Help him or else...? He knew dimly what was in the Heart of the Astral Line... and he knew that it wasn't a good idea to let Aion get there... He bit his lip, decisions running through his head. Finally.... he held the communicator back, not meeting Aion's eyes. "In that case... I must refuse your offer...."

Aion blinked almost startled, before his eyes narrowed almost dangerously, and he took the pin, his wings snapping out as he shifted flawlessly, and reached for the girl beside him. "If that is the case..."

Chrno's eyes widened at that, and he jumped up, turning to face him, standing directly in front of her, hands spread, a stricken look on his face. "Stop! What are you doing! She's innocent!"

Rosette shifted a bit as the raised voices woke her a bit, making a small noise in the back of her throat as she went to sit up. "Whatss...?"

Aion shifted his eyes to his sailor, before using one arm to easily swat him aside. "Innocent? I think not." His claws gleamed in the light. "She will get in the way. I apologize, Sheda, for getting your bed messy." Sheda just watched impassively, arms crossed. She wasn't about to get in the way here... this was between them.

"No!" Chrno flinched as he was thrown aside, hitting the wall and sliding down, aggravating his wounds a bit, but jumped up, and grabbed onto Aion's arm with both of his, looking up with wide fearful eyes. "Please stop! Killing her won't solve anything! Please!"

Rosette rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, not understanding what all the muffled yelling was about, as Aion turned his gaze on his crewmember. "It will solve a lot, I leave her body with her comrades on her ship,and the fleet stops chasing us. Leave her alone, she'll of course follow her little human crush and bring them along on the ride." He shook his arm, trying to get rid of him without hurting him. "Chrno, don't make me do this."

"You don't have to do this!" He begged insistently, tears running down his cheeks now. It looked strange, considering his mentality was that of a young man, but he physically looked like an older teen. "She saved my life... she showed me so much... you can't deprive her of her life as punishment for that! If anyone should die, it should be me! If you want him back so much, let them go... then unseal him the rest of the way...."

Aion opened his mouth to retort, when the solid 'click' of a Testament gun being put off safety drew his attention, over to the little blonde girl who finally got the drift of what was going on. "Oh... now look what you made her do, now her death won't be painless." He growled, not the one to be messed with.

"No!" He gasped, grabbing tighter, claws digging in as his eyes squeezed tightly shut, as he desperately held on.

"Your death ain't going to be pretty, you mean." Rosette growled low in her throat, slipping off the bed, the gun aimed firmly on him. The tall demon just trained his eyes on her, and then at the man on his arm, before he just smirked a bit. "Sheda."

Sheda just raised an eyebrow at him. "Why not compromise." She said softly. "Either allow them to accompany us, or we accompany them. It's obvious that the child in Chrno at the moment isn't going to fall for your tricks. Or...."

Aion didn't seem happy about that, dragging humans along on the ride after something like this didn't make him a joyful devil. "Or?"

She shrugged. "I could just force it open here... since some of the information on how to find it is inputted into the key. We look at it, and whoever gets there first...."

Rosette tapped her finger on the trigger. "Or, we could leave and just let you all rot."

"No!" Chrno stood up straighter, stepping between her and Aion, eyes going wildly back and forth between them. "Please... stop this! "

"Stop what?! I won't let him get to the Heart! Who knows what he'd do to it?!"

"Chrno, your little human girlfriend is testing my limits..."

He glanced at her with torn eyes, reflecting agreement with her, but desperation. These people were like family.... though he felt so far detached from them. He glanced back at Aion, his body shaking a little. "I'm sorry sir... but...." He looked up at him, tears in his eyes. "I won't let you hurt her...."

Aion's eyes narrowed again. "So be it." With a sharp snap, he shoved his hand into Chrno's middle, before tossing him aside, and faster then Rosette could blink, closed his hand around the barrel of the gun, crushing it as he lifted his other hand to strike.

Chrno's eyes went wide with surprise as he hit the wall hard, a bloody streak left against it as he slid down with a groan, shaking, as his gaze lifted, and in slow motion watched as Aion's hand came towards Rosette.... He didn't even think.... There was an explosion of light, and the clock at her wristband snapped open sparking with a brilliant gold light before dying out, which it had never done before, all glow vanishing. A very firm hand latched onto Aion's, a pair of narrowed golden eyes meeting his as he stepped up. "You moron...."

Rosette winced as the claws just caught her skin, before they were wrenched back and the strong voice of Chrno Truth, her idol, and yet, someone she now dreaded seeing, filled the area, and she looked up at the two tall strong demons, surprised as anything. Why would he...?

Sheda blinked, not having expected that obviously, and glanced curiously between the three, tail twitching.

Aion narrowed his eyes, "You of all people Chrno, should know better than this..."

"Uh huh." He said rather flatly, and just rolled his eyes. "And you've never been a good negotiator." He glanced down at his chest, putting a hand there where the blood still ran down, healing over slower than normal since his body had been taxed a lot lately. "Look what you did.... not very nice of you, brother." He sounded a little disgusted, and exasperated.

Aion just raised an eyebrow, grinning slightly, "Well, your other half was a bit stubborn for his age." He pulled back his arm slowly, as if testing Chrno's loyalties.

"My other half has been thrown into more chaos in the past month than he's had his whole life. Give him a break." He released him, but kept a wary eye still on him. "Look. I owe this girl my life, more than once... not only for finding me and taking me away from the backwater hole I'd managed to find my way to, but for sticking by my side and refusing to leave me. I like her, and her crew. Killing them not only is pointless, but it'll tick me off. So don't do it."

Rosette looked at him almost unsure, her eyebrows pushing together at his almost callous tone. What had... what had happened to the other...?

"Fine then." Aion moved swiftly, snagging the clock before looking down over his glasses at her. "You can go girl. My brother's request."

Chrno turned around, glancing over at her, gaze softening a little, in apology. "Go... take the rest of the crew and the apostles. I'll grab my things quickly."

Aion didn't seem happy about that. "Whoa. You're going with them?"

He glanced back at him and rolled his eyes a little. "You expect me to leave my board there? Don't get your hair in a bunch."

Rosette paled a bit at that. "But!"

He put a strong hand on her shoulder, turning her and pulling her along firmly. "Come on, before he changes his mind...." He glanced at Sheda sideways. "Ah... sorry about the blood on the wall..."

She just waved a hand. "Well, no worries. I'll just make you two clean it up later."

Rosette bit her lip, and looked down to the side, pulling her shoulder free trembling lightly. He was going... after that... it pissed her off... His grip held firm however, and the pressure increased slightly almost in warning, not enough to be visible to anyone, but enough to feel. She winced a bit, and her eyes drifted back to the captain of Eden who was now arguing with Sheda over cleaning up, before they disappeared around the corner, heading towards The Apostles. He was silent as they walked up, eyes shifting over to the lounging demon on deck who was gnawing on a chicken leg idly, ignoring everyone, but glanced his way, a quirked eyebrow shooting up as he saw him.

Yuan straightened as they came on deck, and looked faintly alarmed, seeing the blood running down Chrno's chest, and the upset look of his Captain. "Rosette?" He strode forward swiftly.

She looked up at him, before biting her lip and looking to the side again, her hands tightening into sharp balls, her nails cutting into her skin as she took a small shuttering breath. "Disembark. We're leaving."

"Leaving.... I see." He glanced sharply at Chrno, but turned then and gathered the other two, throwing another glance her way.

Azmaria blinked, unsure as why the Captain seemed so upset. "Already...? Alright!" She spread her wings, preparing to return to the other ship.

Rosette stayed by Chrno's side, his firm grip on her shoulder controlling and slightly angering, since she felt almost like a child being lead by an adult, unable to move without his lead.

Joshua looked worried, and glanced at Chrno with some worry. "Are you...?"

"I'll be fine. Go ahead." He nodded lightly, turning and offering his arms to Rosette, releasing his hold on her to do so.

Rosette just gave him a little glare, turning on her heel, her voice tight. "I can get there myself, thank you."

He sighed faintly, watching her, and shook his head, but let her go, simply vaulting over with ease, landing and wheezing a little, as he wobbled, grabbing the edge of the ship for support. "Ah... little overexertious..."

Rosette stepped up onto the edge of Eden, staring at the chasm that was between the ships before taking a leap over, once again, barely making the edge, and having to windmill to keep from toppling. "Ack!"

Remi came up quickly, having made it over on his own apparently, and quickly caught her arm. "Easy there..." He lowered his voice, with a glance back at the ship. "What the hell is going on?"

She snagged his hand that was holding hers, balancing herself as she stepped down, watching as the apostles landed, Az looking confused, before looking down at her feet. "Aion has the clock, and Chrno's staying with them." Her voice was extremely bitter.

He frowned. "What?" He turned on the demon, eyes narrowing angrily at him. "All this work for nothing?"

Chrno looked up just barely in time, before Remi's hand came up to enwrap around his throat, slamming him against the edge of the ship, the earrings jangling on his ears as he hit it.

Rosette went to stop him, her beads and trinkets jingling as she stepped forward, but stopped herself, her pride getting the best of her as she looked down, clenching her fists to keep from doing more. But Az on the other hand, rushed forward and started tugging on Remi's arm. "What are you doing! Let him go!"

"I knew he would betray us eventually.... What's to stop us now, since we've lost everything, from just killing him." He growled.

Chrno's eyes just narrowed a little, and his gaze went past Remi, to land on Rosette. "For crying out loud.... you two always jump to conclusions." She looked up at him confusedly, her eyes shining a bit with suppressed tears as she prompted him with her eyes to explain. His eyes bore down on her, and then flicked to the side and back meaningfully. "Don't you dare smirk back at me now. I don't expect you to give up that easily. But you're outnumbered here. Give it up for now."

She blinked again, before she finally caught hold of what he meant, and crossed her arms, letting her mouth twitch up in a tiny smile. "Give it up? I can't believe you're asking me to do that! As a pirate, I have too much pride."

He smiled faintly at that, eyes twinkling a bit, since his back was to the ship. "That pride will be the death of you if you follow us. But it's your choice. One way or the other, this will end. Now let me grab my stuff."

She shrugged lightly, before ordering Remington off, allowing Chrno to go within. "I don't see the point of grabbing it, when we take you back over, it'll be mine again." She started before dipping down below deck, leaving the apostle girl completely and utterly confused. Remi looked just as confused, but let him go, and he slipped down below to grab his things. Rosette walked calmly at the demon's side, her eyes down on the ground as she tried to contain her confusion, and not let out anything that he was planning. But DAMN it was hard. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. Was he staying? She wanted to believe it so badly.

He entered his room, striding in, and beginning to grab his things, glancing up at her with a knowing look. "I have nothing to say to you, 'Captain'." He said, sounding purposely mocking, but stood, and put a finger to her lips lightly, smiling at her.

Rosette...listen, and listen well.... His voice came gently to her in her mind. She jumped a bit, her hand lightly lifting to her ear as she watched him, her heart jumping a bit as she heard his voice and felt his large finger against her lips, standing rigidly as if at attention, her eyes trained on his. He leaned down and tightly embraced her, rubbing her back a little. I'm very sorry things happened this way.... I had wished they could happen otherwise... I really liked him...

Her breath caught, and she closed her eyes, willing herself not to speak as she wrapped her arms about him slowly, her heart pounding faster than it should be and she nodded a bit, her nose rubbing against his neck as a million and one questions rushed through her mind.

He was the me whom I wished I could have been... the me I might have been had I not been through what I have been through.... but it's possible he's not lost just yet... He released her and nodded lightly, turning to stuff some of his items from the box into his bag to give him something to stall for. Check the seal... tell me what it looks like. Silently.

She blinked at that, but nodded, the thought that 'her' Chrno could return making her smile a bit, and brushed the hair away from the nape of his neck, peering at the rune.

I haven't been through all of this to let it go to waste... He continued as he let her look, accidentally dropping something and uttering a curse out loud. Aion will not get what he wants... I only wish I don't have to sacrifice our friendship in order to do that...

She trailed a finger over it, before concentrating slightly. All the seals are lit, but, they aren't gone just yet.

Then there is still a chance... If we make it to her again... He sounded almost wistful. Let me use one of the Elder's communicators... I promise to keep in touch... you must not follow us, he'll expect it. Instead... go to your destination. Continue as if normal.

She hesitated, trying to keep a lid on what she wanted to tell him so badly, hints of it slipping out as she pressed her hands silently but tightly onto his shoulders, forcing down a small heaving breath. She didn't just care for him. No. God. No. O…okay.

He looked up at her, eyes querying back at her. You can speak freely this way... is there something wrong...?

She bit her lip, looking down at him, before shadowing her eyes with her bangs, her braids jingling. I…love you.

He blinked at that, breath actually sucking a small bit, and a startled look crossing his face. Blank surprise registered back at her, before he seemed to pull himself together, peering at her intently. Who... him.... or me...? And why...?

She looked down at him, trying to put exactly what she felt into words, but unable to, the raw feelings came unbottled, drifting through the mind link as she diverted her eyes again, embarrassed as all let out, and nearly ready to bolt at the first hints of rejection. She loved him, and his other self, they were the same person... and she loved them both.

He was just floored. His other half had wanted this... badly... and hence... some of the feelings had transpired into him... but on the opposite side... he also had someone else deep in his mind.... and as her feelings flowed out into him, he felt his heart speed up, and become tugged two ways. He blinked slowly, drawing a breath. What could he tell her...

Ah, sorry. She scratched behind her ear, backing up slowly. I'll get you that communicator...

Wait. He grabbed her hand quickly, gazing back up at her, gaze flickering. Rosette... I'm sorry... I was surprised... I'm not sure... what to tell you really.... I think you know how... my other half felt about you. He smiled warmly at that.

She blushed at that, shadowing her eyes once more as she curled her fingers up in his hold, not sure how to respond to that. Just speaking in her mind seemed odd enough, she wanted to vocalize it, do something other then just stand there. She wasn't used to waiting for someone else to make the first move. Yeah.

He just stood slowly, gazing down at her with an almost sad, pitying look. I'm sorry... I... can't offer you more yet.... I need time for that... but I should go before they suspect what's going on....

She nodded, not meeting his eyes, nibbling on her lip before she backed off slowly, reaching for one of the communicators the Elder had set in every room, just in case, and offered it to him, shielding slowly the emotions she wanted him to return, but forced it down, bottled it up. Here. Get going ok?

He took it, putting his hand over hers lightly. Thank you... promise me you'll keep safe..... He rose swiftly, grabbing his bag, and slinging it over his back carefully, wincing as he forgot he was still suffering from his injuries.

She didn't say anything, just watched him, making sure he couldn't read her mind, silent as the eye of a storm. He just glanced once more at her, then slipped up the stairs, heading away back towards the other ship. She listened to him leave the deck, the familiar thump of someone hopping off, before she let out a long shuttering breath, and slammed her fist right into the wall with a sickening crack, her knuckles shooting pain all through her arm, her mouth a firm line as she held back the sound of her shattered hand, before sinking down in a huddled ball on the ground, hiding her face in her knees, letting the hand just droop as the blood oozed off of it.

He glanced over sideways at Remi before leaping onto the other ship, stuff all safely in his bag, and communicator slipped even more carefully out of sight. Azmaria watched him go with a wobbling mouth, about to burst into tears. "Chrno..."

"Can someone tell me what's going ON?"

"He's leaving." Az said softly, turning around and hiding her face in Joshua's shirt, whimpering as she started to cry. "He's leaving..." This thought was confirmed as the ship turned, and moved away from their own, disappearing into the Astral mist.

He blinked and scowled. "He just left...? Like he didn't even care..."

"I don't know... I thought...but he's..." The rest of her words drifted off into unintelligent babble.

He bit his lip and glanced at Remi who looked distantly thoughtful. A few silent moments later, only punctuated by Azmaria's soft crying, before a few thumps were sounded from within the ship and the captain came out from below deck, eyes dull and her fist hanging limply at her side, stained crimson. "Let's move out."

"Captain...?" Remi asked quietly, eyeing her fist and frowning. "Are you certain ....what...?"

She nodded slowly at first, before moving to the wheel, laying her good hand on it. "Yes. we make for the Heart." She stated dully, the map still engraved in her mind. "Everyone on deck."

He frowned but nodded, and summoned the all-hands bell.

- - - - - -

Meanwhile, back on Eden... Chrno wheezed a bit leaning on the rail after leaping over. Aion poked his head out of the captain's quarters, grinning lightly. "Ah there you are. Come join us, tonight we feast."

He glanced up and smiled faintly, nodding. "Yeah sure.. let me shower and change first."

Aion just shrugged, grinning nicely. "We're going to eat all the food on you then!"

With a faint grin, Chrno made his way back down to his own room... and did just that, after changing back to a more human shape... He stood in the hot water for a long time... watching it run red.... until it finally was clear.... and he stepped out, feeling somewhat better, as he dressed in his old clothes... however his ears were still pierced, and the new tattoo still visible along with the other two, as he made his way into the captain's chambers.

Within, the 5 highest ranking sailors sat, laughing and drinking, and grinning widely as Chrno came in, Aion at the head, quite drunk. "Chrno! Why don't you get those ugly earrings removed. You're not with them anymore!"

He glanced over at him and smiled lopsidedly, shaking his head a bit. "What, you don't like them? I think they're rather distinguished."

"You look gay." Aion teased, smirking.

Chrno pulled a chair out, and flopped in it, peering at him with a mischievous grin, leaning forward a bit. "And you would be the expert in knowing."

Aion waved a hand around drunkenly. "Ah yes, of course I would, men and women drool over me, I must be careful."

Chrno snorted, and leaned back a bit, pouring a big glass of rum. Oh yes... it was good to be back in a way.

Aion just grinned, clapping his hand over the tattoo that was embedded into his skin, proving him a member of Eden. "It's good to have you back, my friend."

Chrno smiled, and tipped his glass with one hand, the other going around Aion's shoulder as he grinned back at him, though his eyes didn' thold quite the sparkle they should. "Yeah... glad to be back."

- - - - - -

Once they were headed down the track Rosette had plotted out, a sailor took the helm and the captain retreated to her quarters with a small sigh, feeling a bit stupid. "I need some rum."

A soft knock on her door. "Captain...?"

She used her one hand to take out a shot glass and then retrieve the large bottle of heavy rum, spilling it a bit as she tried to pour it single handedly. "Come on in, Remington..."

He opened the door, peering worriedly. She never used his full name like that... unless she was really upset. "Is everything all right?"

She looked over at him, forcing a smile as she spilt more of the rum, just giving up and setting the bottle down, snagging the overflowing glass and downing it. "Completely dandy." Oh sarcasm was a bitch.

"Uh huh." He closed the door and sighed. "What's wrong?"

She looked at him, surprised once again by her unwillingness to talk to him. "Nothing really." She waved the glass around, having to set it down to refill it again. "Just mild stress. Nothing I haven't dealt with before. Remember when the mast went down and we had to go 4 days trying to get into port before our oxygen gave out?"

He frowned. "Yes... I remember it... however that has nothing to do with this. So..." He sat down, eyeing her intently. "What really happened? Did he hurt you in some way? Why did he go with them? And what are we going to do. We're without the key, and hints."

She just eyed him, before downing the second overflowing shot. "He went with them, because there's a chance to recover... his other self. He didn't..." Hurt had so many meanings, "Injure me, and I still remember where to go... it's burnt in up here." She tapped her forehead, reaching for the bottle once more.

He frowned. "So... is he or is he not re-joining them?"

She gave him a faint smile. "He took a communicator, so I'd think not?"

He blinked and looked thoughtful. "I see....." He didn't look all that convinced. "I honestly don't think... he's truthful."

"He is." She slammed the shot glass down, looking positively devastated. "And he's coming back."

"Um." He frowned rubbing his chin." How can you be entirely sure."

"Because.." She gave up on pouring glasses and just took a swig of the bottle, her cheeks flushed a bit as she sank down opposite of him. "I have to be."

He took the bottle, and poured himself a huge mug. "Uhm.... why."

"I think I love him." God that was hard to spit out, thankfully, the alcohol loosened her lips a bit.

Remi, however, coughed that RIGHT out.

Rosette took a sip of hers, resting her injured hand up on the table where it lay, red, bruised, and unusable. "Sorry."

He stared at her with a look of incredulity. "You.... think you love him."

She nodded abashedly, drowning her sorrows in the rum before her. "Yeah."

He just stared at her, and his gaze hardened. "And what if he's wrong. What if he's been lying to you this whole time. What if he never returns."

She sipped the rum, focused on the table. "I don't know."

He took a deep swig, and slammed it down hard, shattering the mug, though it was mostly empty. He stood up and turned to face her, eyes intense. She blinked a bit, wincing as the pieces of the mug went flying, and looked up at him with wide, fuzzy eyes, clutching her glass. Ohh crap. He leaned forward, eyes intent on her, and grabbed her hand pulling her close to him and kissed her full on the lips.

Well THAT definitely got her attention, as his hand enveloped her own and his lips crushed to her own, the familiar taste of heaven mixed with something darker on his lips, something that completely would make her loose all rational, normally, but here, she just stared in surprise as he kissed her, unable to push away due to the captured and busted-up state of either of her hands. What was he?! He didn't let go... until he'd finally just shown her exactly how he felt... after this many years... this many... he needed to show her just how he felt. Years of being at her side... years of watching her... being close to her... never telling her the truth.

Which fully succeeded on making her feel incredibly light-headed, her heart pounding out a salsa as his pure emotion in the kiss wafted through her. God. "Y... Yuan..." She was able to make out at a small separation due to the lack of air, so intoxicated by him and the rum, that she couldn't see straight, her breath ragged and her lips red from the intensity of his kiss.

He drew back, breathing hard, looking directly in her eyes with his own tumultuous ones that were stormy and churning with color right now. "I've been with you for longer than he has Rosette... and I won't lose you to him."

She stared blankly at him, completely flabbergasted. She had no idea what to make of it, but it turned out she had the entire night to think it over, as he turned around, heading for the door, pausing just briefly to glance back at her. "Think about it." And with that, he left.

- - - - - -

"Ugh..." Chrno rolled over, and fell right off the table with a THUNK.

Aion was face-first in Sheda's chest, out cold, booze everywhere. They had said party and they had MEANT it. Chrno sat up, groaning.... and felt like shit.... ouch... he stumbled up and quickly vomited into the nearest bucket

That roused the demon captain, who extracted himself from Sheda's assets and gave Chrno a slightly hung-over look. "Well, well, I certainly missed that..."

Chrno shuddered and collapsed on the side of the wall with a disgusted groan, wiping his forehead. Ugh. Never get sick after being badly injured... it did VERY odd things to the body... for example... he SWORE Aion had pink hair right now....

Aion cocked his head to the side at him, standing up wobblingly, looking a bit sick before he flopped down next to his brother, curling an arm about his shoulder. "Ya know...You don't know how odd it was here without you, Chrno."

He sighed and glanced up at him with a weary smile, leaning his head back with a thunk against the wall. "Yeah.... Time has been so meaningless to me... until they found me and finally started unsealing me."

Aion looked interested at that. "How the hell did you get yourself sealed anyway, one second, you're there, then BOOM, off the charts for how many god damn years..."

Chrno sighed again, closing his eyes and going silent for a long period of time. Finally he opened his eyes and glanced over at Aion with a distant look. "I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind."

Aion frowned a bit, but pushed his glasses up, dismissing it. "Ok then. How about this, What now. On the trail I mean, where do we go?"

Chrno nodded lightly, and smiled over at him, fangs glinting a bit. "You should enjoy this..... we have to go to Astral hot springs."

Aion blinked surprised, before a wide grin came over his features, and a low chuckle caught in his throat. "Oh yes. I KNEW I would like this quest..."

Chrno grinned in reply, and nodded, running a hand through his now-short hair. "Yeah .....relaxing vacation is more like it, right?"

He nodded, leaning back with a wide smile. "Right then. Shall we? First mate?"

Chrno nodded with another wide grin. "Yeah. Let's." Inside... he was torn however. How on earth was he going to stop this, without ruining everything.

Aion stood, dusting himself off as he walked over and gave Jenai a boot. "Yo. We've got to get going. Get off your lazy butt."

"Glargh." Jenai rolled over and flopped on his face like a limp rag doll. "Dunwannadranktofinmuch."

The captain just rolled his eyes, and groaned a bit, giving him another kick before stepping on and over him. "Fine. No rum for you for a month."

"WHAT!?" He sat bold upright, eyes wide, and bloodshot, looking panicked to all hell.

Aion grinned, waving his hand as if ordering him to follow. "Good morning sunshine. Now get to those riggings. We've got a spring to catch."

He burped but scrambled up. "AYE AYE."

Chrno grinned and stumbled to his feet holding one hand to his head. Oh yes....he'd missed this..... his heart tugged again. Damn it... now he was being torn in two directions.

"Chrno, I'm counting on you to show us the way." Aion thunked his thumb on the huge stellar map, making it fizz a bit. "So show us the north star."

Chrno grinned, and approached the map, staring at it with distant eyes. The galaxy was so huge... and they had only seen a fraction of it... what more would be in store.... He shook his head quickly and reached out a hand, his finger lighting on one sector, which enlarged as he touched it, showing five stars rotating around a warm gaseous star on the edge of it's life. "Here...." The closest one to the dying star... a dying world, but nice and hot, perfect for springs.

The captain nodded, his own finger tapping the star, which confirmed the course in the navigation, the ship shifting as the wheel snapped into auto drive, and began turning it in that direction, speeding faster than any radar could detect, the speed of light...