Rain On Me
By: Hitokiri Musei
Rated: T
Summary: Chrono finds himself in a predicament when in a burst of anger; Rosette tells him that she hates him. And to make matters worse, she's found a boyfriend. In order to relive the pressure of a pained heart, Chrono discovers a new meaning behind the words 'self-mutilation.'
Warnings: CxR, suicide fic, self-mutilation. I randomly came up with this, and that scene at the beginning of the anime really stuck with me for this reason. This is also sort of inspired by Maiden of the Moon's "Holy Water" which I love, by the way. I make no claim to either that story or to Chrono Crusade. Enjoy. This is my first Chrono Crusade fic, so be a little gentle with me. I haven't seen all the episodes, but I have read all the manga, so I have a good idea of the story.
Chapter 1
Chrono stretched slightly, and then settled back down into the blanket. His spine grumbled at his position, and frowning, the little devil rearranged himself again, trying to get comfortable in the front seat of the car. It wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep, but he and Rosette hadn't made it home from their mission last night, and Rosette had been too tired to continue.
Chrono smiled slightly as he remembered that. The correct thing to say was that Chrono had been tired, and had refused to let Rosette keep driving when he knew that she had to be tired too. He had eventually gotten her to pull over after they had drifted into oncoming traffic.
The crimson-eyed devil looked to the side to where the girl was sleeping, his features softening as he looked at her. Rosette had grown into quite the young woman. Chrono could still remember when she had been younger, innocent as she asked for piggy back rides, brushed through and braided his long violet locks, or fell asleep against his back while she, Joshua, and he watched the stars. Sometimes he missed those days, but then he knew that he wouldn't rather have Rosette any other way then how she was now, caring and courteous to others.
He had watched her grow, and now he could do nothing more than stay by her side, and make sure that she was safe. Chrono's eyes drifted to the pocket watch that rested against the girl's chest, his eyes hardening slightly. He regretted that decision to this day, and he wished a lot of the time that he could take it back.
The devil shivered slightly, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders. It was starting to get cold outside, with the winter months creeping up on them. It had snowed a little while ago, but it had melted fairly quickly. Now, with a chilly rain softly hitting the car, it was growing colder, and Chrono expected the rain to turn into snow in not too long.
Closing his eyes, Chrono yawned and tried to get some more sleep. He couldn't have slept for more than an hour or so, not with the way the moon had moved through the clouds. Plus, the devil had an excellent sense of time, and he knew instinctively, that not much time had passed.
As he started to warm up and slowly drift off to sleep, Chrono wondered if he could get Rosette to give him back the watch. If she no longer had it, he could break off the contract, and Rosette would be safe. That was all that mattered to him, her safety. The devil sighed, yawning. There was a noise from beside him, and Chrono's eyes flashed open. Rosette had shifted in her seat, her fingers reaching out to take a hold of the end of Chrono's long braid.
The devil smiled, and then settled back down. He was really tired after all, and he wanted to get some sleep.
Rosette yawned widely, opening her eyes. There was something lying in the palm of her right hand, and she looked down to see violet strands and a yellow bow. 'Chrono…'
Her eyes traveled up to the devil's face, and she felt her body warm as she looked at the other. Chrono's face was relaxed and peaceful in sleep, and it softened his features, making him look even younger. His violet bangs were hanging over one eye and near his parted lips, his breath stirring the strands every time he breathed. In short, Chrono looked positively adorable.
Rosette smiled, releasing her hold on the end of Chrono's plaited hair, letting the violet braid drop back to the seat cushion. She glanced at the time, and saw that she had slept for about 6 hours. 'That should do it… Besides, I really want to get back home, back to a real bed, with some good food…' The girl rubbed her hands together before starting the car, successfully doing so without waking the sleeping devil beside her. 'Ooo, and a nice hot shower…' She was almost drooling at the thought.
She drove silently through the night, paying extra attention to her driving. She knew that Chrono was exhausted, at least, if the dark circles under his eyes and the tired look that had taken up permanent residence on his face said anything. She didn't want to wake him until she had too.
As they pulled into the drive of the Magdalene Order, Rosette sighed, reaching over and gently shaking Chrono's shoulder. "Chrono. Come on, wake up Chrono, we're home."
The devil stirred, and then his vibrant eyes fluttered open, still tired. Rubbing sleep out of his eyes, Chrono yawned and sat up, looking around. "We're back already?"
Rosette nodded. "Yea. I let you sleep, you looked really tired."
Chrono smiled gratefully at the blonde. "Thank you."
Rosette grinned back, and then gave the small devil a playful push. "Now come on lazybones, let's get inside, get some real food, a shower, and then get some more sleep."
Chrono stretched out the kinks in his body, folding up the blanket he had been using. "Oh, a shower sounds really nice about now…"
Rosette grinned. "You have no idea…" Rosette watched Chrono for a moment, and then frowned. "Are you okay Chrono?"
The devil started, and looked up at her. "Huh? Oh, yea, why do you ask?"
Rosette placed her fists on her hips, studying the devil with a close eye. "I don't know if I believe you…"
Chrono waved his hands, smiling sheepishly. "Oh come on Rosette, I'm fine, I promise!"
Rosette's eyebrow twitched. "Chrono…"
The little devil squeaked slightly, cowering beneath the taller girl's gaze. "Alright! I'm just tired, that's all! I promise!"
Rosette frowned, still not quite convinced. But her hunger and want for a shower won out, and she let it go, leaving Chrono to sigh in relief.
After eating, Rosette stood beneath the warm spray of the shower, staring into space. 'Really, I do think that something's bothering Chrono. I just can't put my finger on it…' Sighing, the girl tilted her head back, allowing the hot water to fall over her face. 'I just want to help him… I hate how he hides things from me…'
Pulling a towel around herself, Rosette stepped from the shower, reaching to grab her nightgown and pull it on. Roughly drying her hair, the girl secured it into its usual ponytails, heading out towards where her bedroom was.
She ran into Chrono on the way, the devil smothering a yawn behind his hand, long violet mane unbraided and damp from his shower. The girl smiled. "Feeling alright now Chrono?"
The devil smiled at her, nodding slightly. "Yes, after that shower, I feel so much more…" Chrono paused, looking for the right word. "Alive."
Rosette nodded. "I know what you mean." She plucked at the strands of violet hair that were cascading over Chrono's shoulders. "Here, I'll come brush your hair for you."
Chrono started to protest, but the girl shook her head firmly, getting behind the little devil and pushing him towards his room. "But Rosette…!"
Rosette shook her head again. "No buts Chrono. I want to brush your hair, and besides, if it stays wet like that you'll catch a cold."
Chrono's protests died off at that. He merely folded his arms, and then walked civilly with her. Rosette smiled, ruffling Chrono's bangs slightly. The devil glared at her slightly, and then chuckled.
As Rosette situated herself behind Chrono, she allowed herself to sink into thought. Her hands ran soothingly over Chrono's long mane of hair as her fingers followed the brush, and the devil's shoulders relaxed, leaning into her touch. 'Even though I know he's older than me, I still can't help but treat him like a child…' Rosette thought. 'I have to wonder sometimes if he doesn't like that I do that…'
Chrono was a devil in the body of a child, and Rosette couldn't help but sometimes see him as the boy he resembled. She knew well that Chrono was anything but a child, and she didn't mean to do what she did, but she couldn't help it. The devil was just way too cute for his own good.
After about 15 minutes of running the brush though Chrono's violet locks, Rosette noticed that the devil was leaning against her more than before. She slowly looked around to his face, and smiled when she saw his features relaxed and peaceful in sleep. She continued to brush his hair, knowing that the motion calmed him.
She braided his hair as an afterthought, and then started to slowly lay him down on his side so he would be more comfortable. The movement woke him though, and Rosette found herself looking into sleepy crimson eyes.
The small devil smiled up at the girl. "Thanks Rosette."
The blonde grinned. "It's Jake."
There was silence for a minute, and then Chrono spoke softly. "Rosette… Do you ever regret what you did? Making a contract with me?"
Rosette smiled slightly, and then shook her head. "No. I did what I did so I could help Joshua, and this way I can be with you." She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because I do."
Rosette blinked. "Why?"
"I'm draining away your life. I'm taking away the most precious thing from you, and there's nothing I can do to repay it. I feel… guilty. Scared." Chrono's eyes turned to her, and Rosette found herself in shock at the myriad of emotions dancing in those red depths. "I'm so scared that I'm going to lose you. I want to break the contract Rosette."
Rosette blinked, and then her anger flared. "Chrono, we've been through this! I don't want to break the contract! You don't have to feel bad, this was my choice!"
Chrono sat up, staring hard into her eyes. "I know that, but I still can't help but feel how I do. I only want what's best for you Rosette!"
Rosette's eyes flared. "And since when did you know what's best for me! You're not my parent, stop acting like it! You never ask me what I want in these situations, you just assume that I'm going to be a good little girl and go along with what you say! Well I'm tired of it!"
Chrono sighed. "Rosette please. I just want to keep you safe."
"And I can't do that on my own?.!" Rosette asked, standing. "I'm a big girl now Chrono, I can take care of myself!" Throwing her hands in the air, the girl turned. "I don't need this…"
Chrono grabbed at her hand, but Rosette yanked her wrist from his grip, turning to fix him with a heated glare. "Don't. Touch. Me."
Chrono's eyes widened. He had never heard that tone from Rosette. "But R-Rosette…"
As the devil tried to grab for her again she smacked at his hand. "What did I say?.!" Rosette fumed, and finally what thread of control she had been holding snapped. "URGH! I hate you!"
Chrono's heart shattered. His eyes grew impossibly wide, tears filling them. His pointed ears drooped, and he looked down at his hands where they were clenched in his blankets. "R-Rosette, you d-don't mean that…"
The girl let out a snort. "Whatever." And then, she turned and stomped away.
A soft sob wrenched its way from Chrono's throat, tears starting to wet his cheeks. 'Rosette… hates me…'
The devil threw himself from the bed, throwing open the door and running from the room. As he pushed past Rosette the girl let out a small sound of surprise, but Chrono could no longer see for the tears clouding his vision. 'Rosette hates me!' He ran through the rain, not paying attention to where he was going.
Chrono found himself in the chapel, and he ran towards the alter, in his panic tripping over his own feet and tumbling to the ground. He reached out automatically to catch his balance, and his hands landed on the rim of the holy water that sat on the alter, waiting for usage.
The initial burn caused Chrono to yip in pain and shrink away from it. After blowing on the stripe of burnt skin to try and cool the pain, Chrono paused. After the first shock of pain, that had felt… good.
The devil blinked, looking back up to the holy water. Some of his pain was taken away with the pain brought by the water. Cancel out one with the other…
Chrono hesitated, and then reached forward, hesitantly pressing his finger against the damp edge of the container's rim. The burn started, and for a moment Chrono felt it. Then the ache in his heart eased a little. Chrono smiled slightly, his crimson eyes dull. 'That's it… The way to relieve this pain…'
And the small devil left the chapel, going to where he knew the vials of holy water for missions were stored. Everything was going to be alright now… Everything would be fine…
If they are a little out of character (which I'm sure they are) don't blame me too much for it. I think I also made Rosette a little harsh, but for the sake of the story, please forgive that. This is going to be a rather angsty fic, just so you know. And I really don't know if the contract can be broken, but once again, for the sake of the fic, please forgive that. Please review, and I'll update soon!