Chrono Crusade Fan Fiction ❯ A Contract ❯ Chapter Four: Sister Kate ( Chapter 4 )

A Contract

Chapter Four: Sister Kate

By Selenity Jade

Rated: M

 

Disclaimer: Bite me?

 

Pairing: Chrno/Rosette

 

AN: As someone pointed out, my summary sucks. I know. I really, honestly, blow at summaries until I get most of the fic written first. ^_~ So I apologize. Secondly, this does follow the manga partly at first (I wasn't going to change part of the meaning of one of my favorite series, which is why I kept the contract in it), however, it changes now and I will probably not put anything from the manga/anime in it from here on, or at least directly. Thirdly, I'm glad someone gave a fangirl squeal after the Aion/Rosette hint. Though I'm not a shipper of that pairing, since it gives me the heebie jeebies and I'll probably make it as messed up in here my twisted mind makes it.

 

xxx

 

"Now that we're alone," the minister began, then hesitated. "Well, in a manner of speaking." Rosette knew he was referring to the fact Chrno could probably hear them with his mind. "Firstly, demonic contracts are very, very dangerous."

 

Rosette rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know. I am an exorcist, after all."

 

"This isn't exactly a normal contract, Rosette. I'm going to tell you a few things that very few exorcists in the Order know. Normal demonic contracts allow the demon to devour the soul of the person who summoned them, and in exchange, the demon will work for that person until that soul is devoured. The stronger the summoner, the longer he or she lasts, and the longer a demon is bound to follow that person's orders. Basically, it's an agreement that the demon will serve the summoner in exchange for their soul. However, in the past fifty years or so, there is another type of contract that is much rarer. A contract in which a hornless demon can use a human being's life to retain their own. Now I'm not sure just how powerful Chrno is, but my guess would be, if he went all out, using only your life force, he could kill you in minutes. I've seen two devices that regulate the energy put out by the human contractor. You're not really in control of Chrno, it's more of the demon who is in control in these contracts. While that device Chrno gave you does seal his powers, he doesn't need you to open it to unseal him necessarily. That is the problem, Rosette."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

Her mentor sighed. "If he gets upset enough or angry enough, he'll unseal himself. Hell, even if he wasn't upset he could do it, but he probably won't. My point is he is the one in control, not you. That is why demon summoners do not usually call higher devils like Chrno. For one thing, they'd never get one unless that demon wanted to for some reason. Higher devils are not controllable like lesser ones. Period. They'll agree to work for a human, usually out of some twisted form of amusement, and the few without horns might forge contracts to keep themselves alive like the case twenty years ago in Illinois."

 

Father Remington sighed, glancing at the bathroom door. "I think we can convince Sister Kate that we do have Chrno under some form of control by using your contract with him. However, she knows just as well as I do, a higher devil isn't controlled unless he wants to be. We'll have to convince Sister Kate he's safe to allow on Order grounds. Because you're still part of the Order and your movements aren't your own all the time and honestly, I think forcing Chrno away from his contractor isn't a very good idea. So when I call Sister Kate, I will be trying to convince her Chrno won't go rampaging around the convent."

 

"He wont," Rosette stated assuredly.

 

"That may be, but you have to remember he is not human. He does not think like a human being, he doesn't react like a human, and his abilities are not human. Demons - even higher ones like Chrno - are very much ruled by their instincts, especially in situations of stress. We don't know why that is, possibly because they're made up of what they call legion, or some other reason. We just don't know. Think of him as being like a lion from Africa. He's from a different culture, upbringing, and a completely different species. That means something that might be innocent to us is deadly serious to them, or vise versa. Okay?"

 

She was giving her mentor a hard stare throughout most of his speech, but she had to admit that did make a lot of sense. Demons were like beings from a different culture or like aliens from space, completely different from human beings. That didn't make them bad though.

 

"Now, I wouldn't be pointing this out to you except for that little contract you formed with him. The Order likes to keep things simple for their exorcists. Are all demons evil? We don't honestly know that, Rosette. We teach that they are, because every one that we deal with are. We get called in for the demons that are harming humans. Those demons that don't harm humans, if they exist, either don't come up from their home or just plain don't draw attention to themselves if they do. We don't want our exorcists to know demons this well.

 

"This will be the last thing I'm going to warn you about. I want you to really listen to me on this. One of the man reasons demons are dangerous to us is if they get too... unsettled, I guess, they can lose their sense of self. They go berserk, basically. It happens a lot and I know that at least two of our cases last year were from lesser demons losing control of themselves. When demons lose control of their emotions, their legion - like our cells - sometimes reacts to that, and they lose control of it. My point is that is is now part of your job to make sure nothing makes Chrno fly into a rage. I will already have to talk fast to Sister Kate about him and your contract, but honestly, he hates me as much as I despise him, and I don't think anyone else in the order is going to be charitable enough towards him to be able to soothe his temper. Actually, they'll probably run away screaming if he loses control. I do know you will probably be able to calm him down somewhat. This is just probably, Rosette. I have no idea if you'll be able to bring him back if he loses complete control, but I do feel you'll be able to calm him down before he gets that far. Demons who lose control of themselves don't come back until they've run out of things to destroy, usually. So you must make absolutely sure you keep Chrno calm. I guess this sudden camaraderie between you two will be useful in that respect."

 

Rosette watched the man who had been her protector, guardian, and first crush talk to her about controlling a demon. He was still exactly the same as he was five years ago, she suddenly realized. He still tried to look after her like he had when the authorities found her wandering around alone in shock at thirteen-years-old. She suddenly couldn't remember when she had stopped fantasizing about him. She knew when she first started her silly crush, though. Her fourteenth birthday, he had given her a brilliantly red rose in honor of her name. But when had he become simply a protector and friend to her? Maybe back when she saw her mentor cared about her a lot, but he was completely oblivious to a teenage girl's feelings. First crushes don't last long to fatherly indifference.

 

She felt a keen embarrassment and it confused her for a long moment until she realized Chrno must have picked up on her train of thought and it was his emotion.

 

::Sorry,:: she heard faintly in that deeply pleasant voice.

 

"Now, you two should also try to stop these weird side effects you're getting. I don't understand how you're developing this special bond, but put some distance between you two to see if that stops it."

 

"I am here to help you, not to be your subordinate," Chrno spoke, startling the minister. Rosette had felt him exit the bathroom so didn't jump, but she glanced worriedly in his direction at the frustration in his emotions. "What I and my contractor do or do not do is none of your concern." The words were blandly spoken, but the blonde exorcist felt his anger. A fiery pulse that simmered just below his calm facade.

 

Father Remington sighed. "Rosette, lastly, demons are very possessive creatures and as his contractor, they automatically view you as property."

 

"Not as property," Chrno snapped before Rosette's thoughts could even form. "But mine, yes."

 

"So most demons will protect their contractor, but might kill him or her themselves."

 

Chrno's fists clenched at his sides and Rosette felt disgust enter his anger. "You truly know demons," Chrno said. "But she will not die by my hand."

 

The blonde wasn't worried Chrno would hurt her, Remington had been right before in the tomb when he accused Chrno of not wanting to kill. Chrno didn't want to hurt anyone.

 

The demon shot her a pained look. "Do you mind?"

 

She smiled apologetically. "Minister, you're making Chrno angry," Rosette said, turning to the priest. "You did tell me to make sure he doesn't get too angry, remember?"

 

Remington sighed. "I meant don't let him fly into a rage; no one can escape simple anger. But I will drop it. Until Sister Kate brings it up as well as the sixteen other ways in which you have screwed up hugely this trip."

 

Wincing, Rosette watched as he picked up the hotel phone and dialed. She glanced over at the newly-dressed demon and had to smile. He looked so uncomfortable that it was just too cute. He had some coat draped over one arm, it looked black or maybe a dark brown from where she was sitting, but she was going to guess black. Remington always did like the color black and since he was forced to wear blue because of his rank, he decided to dress Chrno up in black slacks and a black shirt that clung snugly to his chest. She couldn't see what type of shoes the priest picked out, but she was betting they were black too. It did look nice on him, though.

 

He gave her another odd look. ::I don't care what it looks like. It's uncomfortable. Too tight across the chest.::

 

::I'll make sure we get you looser shirts from now on.::

 

"Ah, hello, Sister Kate," the priest voice broke in. "Yes, I borrowed Rosette, she isn't missing if she's with me. She was on leave and since you ordered it, I felt it was safe enough to take her with me. Why? Did something happen?"

 

Rosette and Chrno watched the priest, who had sprawled out on the bed as he listened to the nun on the other end.

 

He suddenly sat up. "What?"

 

There was another long pause as he listened to his superior and Rosette unconsciously gripped the watch at her chest nervously.

 

"I see. Well that will be a slight problem, Sister Kate. Sister Rosette and I are in Michigan. We can't get there soon." Pause. "Yes, I know how important Satella's job was but even you didn't see her finding anything when you sent her. Aion's been too well hidden to slip now. So I took Rosette with me to get some... help," he explained, eyes flicking to Chrno.

 

"Well I decided to track down someone who knows Aion." Pause. "No, it's one of Aion's old compatriots, a demon."

 

Rosette flinched at the same time Remington pulled the phone from his ear and all three of them clearly heard the startled shout, "What?"

 

"Sister Kate, please calm down. Chrno has excell-"

 

"Chrno! You released the Sinner Chrno!" the phone screamed.

 

Rosette actually leaned away from the phone, glad for once she was not the one being yelled at. Though that would probably change shortly.

 

"Well, yes, I released the seal. I think he'll be of great help to us and has already agreed to lend us that help."

 

The next words from the Head of the New York branch of the Magdalen Order were indistinct but the furious tone carried quite well.

 

"Sister Kate! Please, we have no other choice in this matter. Aion is leading us around like a whipped dog on a leash and we must stop him soon. Asking for help toward that goal will not put us all in jeopardy, even if that help comes from a demon." Another long pause ensued. "I know better than you what Chrno can do and has done, Sister Kate. I pledge to you he is quite safe right now." Pause. "No, it isn't that he lacks horns. He made a contract with Rosette," he admitted weakly.

 

The resounding explosion was a pure scream of rage that left even Chrno staring at the phone in amazement. Rosette simply paled while Remington tried to smile reassuringly at her, though the effort fell rather flat.

 

"No, I didn't let her. I didn't find out about it until after. But it is a good opportunity. With his powers sealed like that, he is the next thing to safe to allow onto the Order's grounds."

 

It took nearly twenty minutes for Remington to calm that outburst.

 

"Of course I gave her a lecture about it, Sister. She understands the consequences of it and will not break the contract. I do not believe Chrno forced her into it." He smiled at Rosette to indicate things were going rather well. It was really too bad Rosette didn't believe him at all and gave him a very doubtful look to make that point to him clearly.

 

"No, he is as safe as a demon sealed in a holy container and left in the bottom of pool of holy water." Chrno winced at the image. "Rosette has this well in hand, Sister."

 

There was another pause. "No, that isn't a good idea. You know better than trying to separate a contracted pair unless you want things to go wrong."

 

Chrno growled.

 

"It will not be effective if you make waves between a demon and his contractor. And I value my skin very much." Pause. "No, he's not threatening me, but I don't want to push him. You know as well as I do that we have yet to successfully exorcise a demon and keep the contractor alive. I do not think putting strain on a higher devil who made a similar bond is wise." Pause. "No, I didn't mean he'd kill Sister Rosette or she'd die. It'll simply make the demon angry and you and I have seen that enough." Pause. "He is safe as long as Rosette is the one to control him." Father Remington held up a hand to keep the two watching him from protesting his statement.

 

Rosette didn't need to be told, she was just flabbergasted that Father Remington was fibbing to head of the Order!

 

"Yes, we'll fly out tomorrow morning and we'll follow up on this lead when he land." He paused, smiling. "This would make a good assignment for Sister Rosette and her new partner." Pause. "Because if what you say is true, then either Joshua let lose with those powers or there is another demon with almost the exact same kind as Chrno's. He'll be the best one to judge." There was another pause. "Yes, I'll see you then. Goodbye, Sister Kate."

 

The priest hung up the phone with obvious relief. "You owe me, Rosette Christopher."

 

She spontaneously hugged the priest. "Thank you for taking the first scolding."

 

Father Remington looked down at her in absolute amazement as he returned the hug. "Rosette? Are you okay? I think this is the first hug you've given... in five years."

 

She simply smiled sadly at him. She couldn't explain how suddenly she felt she owed this man. He had always been there, watching over her and now he protected her from a demotion she definitely deserved. So she simply squeezed him and then released him, standing up. "I need a shower after all we've done today," she told them both and disappeared into the bathroom.

 

xxx

 

Remington hung up the phone after briefing the Elder on what he needed when he and his partner as well as Chrno landed in New York tomorrow. He turned and glanced over at Chrno, who was leaning against the far wall, a frown of concentration on his face.

 

"Trying to see Rosette in the shower?" Remington teased.

 

It earned him a dirty look. "If she looked in a full-length mirror it might be something to watch, but she doesn't, so it's only mildly disturbing so I'm trying not to see."

 

"Any idea why you are having these problems with the contract?"

 

"No, but I'm no expert at them. I've only made one other one and she didn't live long after that. But it didn't do this."

 

"When did you notice something was odd?"

 

"When Rosette was getting excited and happy while walking back to the car. She was practically shouting in my head."

 

Remington stared at the demon for a long moment, before turning his gaze to his hands that rested in his lap. He sighed in resignation. "Rosette used to be a very happy, sunny little girl before Aion gave her brother your horns. She has never told anyone how she survived the incident at the Seventh Bell and we never pushed her to. All I know is that I arrived shortly after it happened to find the entire orphanage frozen in time, but I couldn't find Joshua or Rosette in those immobile people. You see, the Order wanted Joshua and I was sent to work out adoption for him and his sister if she wished to come. When I couldn't find either of them, I filed a missing person's report, and the rest of the branches of the Order sent out their own teams to look. We all knew how important an apostle was. I don't know if they looked for her with the same single minded drive though."

 

Remington stood up and walked toward the room's only window. "Rosette turned up a few months later in Alabama, the police notified the Order, and I flew down to get her. She has never been the same little girl. She was given a choice when I brought her here, she could learn to be an exorcist if she wanted. She jumped at the chance and attacked her studies and training so furiously that worried us all, and some nights we were forced to sedate her just to make her sleep. She started learning to hide her obsession with getting stronger behind a distant, polite mask, the one she still wears today. She never bothered to make friends or open up to anyone. She only had one goal, to get strong enough to save her brother."

 

The minister glanced over at the silent demon. "If the very existence of your contract made a woman who hasn't lived a moment of her own life since she was twelve actually happy, I am wondering what I've been doing these past fifty years. Did Magdalene feel the same? Was she just happy knowing you, despite the risk of her death? You gave her the first real hope she's had with your simple presence. That tiny blessing that her happiness truly is means more to me than you can possibly grasp. The fact that you might be the agent that saves a woman's life even while taking it? I don't like that her life is being used to fuel your powers, but if a demon can make a woman happy and her life worth living, who am I to judge what God wills?"

 

"I am no angel to do God's bidding," Chrno pointed out in irritation. "You of all people know that."

 

"Yes, I know. But you made her happy, if only for a moment, which is more than our entire Holy Order could do. An unholy demon is healing a holy woman. Ironic, isn't it? She is like a daughter to me, Chrno. Just take care of her for me, then. You and her are going to be partners now and the order always sends people out in pairs, never in groups of three. I leave my charge to you then. If you can make her life even a little brighter, I will fight to keep you with your contractor against everyone in the Order."

 

Chrno's eyebrows rose in absolute shock. "She's my contractor."

 

"Yes, and you'll protect her for that reason too. I love that girl as if she were my own and I thought I knew what was best for her. It turns out, she knew what was best and didn't back down from it even when one of the only people she cares about was angry with her. For some reason, she needs you."

 

"She needs my power."

 

"She needs your power," Remington agreed. "But if that were all, she could have tried to get another demon on her side by summoning one with death."

 

"She's not that type of girl."

 

"I agree. That is why she needs you with your powers. I will make sure Sister Kate doesn't try to separate you. I don't know what sort of relationship you two will form, friendship, sibling, romantic, I don't know, but already she defends you as you defend her. But what's more is she gave me a hug in happiness after just knowing you for a few hours. For that, I thank you, Chrno."

 

The demon fidgeted uncomfortably. "She wants her brother back and she trusts I can do it. It has nothing to do with me personally, just my powers."

 

"You lie to yourself, Chrno." The priest approached the demon he had spent five decades hating. "I have no objects and will let you and her decide your own course."

 

The violet-haired demon stared at him, stunned.

 

Remington smiled. "You're the closest she's had to a friend in years and already she has put a yellow bow in your hair."

 

Chrno reddened slightly.

 

The bathroom door swung open as Rosette walked out, dressed in a casual skirt, holding her nun's habit over an arm. "Why is the mood so serious?" she asked, glancing between them.

 

Chrno sincerely thanked God that she wasn't able to pick up his conversations like he could hers.

 

xxx

 

AN: ...yeaaaah.

 

Fic of the Week: Crimson Intolerance by Manda-chan (http://www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/2509495/1/Crimson_Intolerance) - I honestly think it's funny to picture people from anime drunk. Maybe because I'm old enough that a lot of this type of stuff really DOES happen on occasion and when you're sober and your friend is not, it's embarrassing as all hell. And while a lot of "Let's get Chrno or Rosette drunk" fics aren't good, I really liked this. ^_^

 

Lovies!