Open Your Heart

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: Chrono Crusade ©Daisuke Moriyama

The church doors opened and she tried to turn her gaze to the visitor. With last bits of the strength she forced her head to turn. Last pieces of hope shone in her eyes.

A tall, dark haired stranger.

She almost stopped breathing. It was him. He fulfilled his promise. Tears continued pouring down her cheeks as she tried holding on. She gasped for air as he came closer. And at last he was here, near her.

''Chrono.'' He took her in his arms.

''Don't speak Rosette. Please don't speak. Save your strength.'' She grinned and coughed.

''I-I'm s-so glad t-that you made it. I love you.''

He tucked her hair as she closed her eyes for the last time.

''I love you too, Rosette Christopher.''

He stroked her hair once again and gazed to her peaceful expression. His eyes watered and he hugged her one last time.

-x-

Chrono? Are you here?

Sister Rosette Christopher opened her eyes once again. The last thing she remembered.

Him.
His touch.
His embrace.

Where am I?

She closed her eyes trying to recall the memory. But there was nothing but blur in her mind. A huge black door that closed, never to open again.

She moved her arms, trying to reach the handle. Something soft and gentle caressed her skin.

Chrono?

It didn't feel like the touch of human skin. And yet, her love wasn't a human at all.

Is this a dream?

But, his emotions made him human. Yet, this weird sensation still didn't fit her memory of the warmth. It was just plain cold. Just, lifeless.

CHRONO!

Her mind screamed once again before she opened her eyes. She woke up in the middle of field. A field made of fluffy clouds. She rubbed her eyes at the sight. It was so… white.

''Beautiful.'' She said to herself. Rosette blinked a couple of times. There was nothing around. Nobody. Just soft layer of clouds. A endless white that spread into nothingness. And…

Will I wake up?

She narrowed her eyes. Stairs in the distance. She carefully stood up and went to them. There was no support, just floating glass tiles which reflected the whiteness in this place.

This place. What was this place anyway? She put those thoughts away.

No. Because…

She knew somewhere deep that she isn't dreaming. That she won't wake up this time.
That the clock ticked the final hour of her life.

But she ignored those thoughts for this moment. All that mattered was here and now. Her future.

Do I have a future?

She carefully put her foot on the floating tile and blinked a few times. The tiles lead somewhere up, into another layer of clouds. When she didn't fall, her courage returned and she decided to climb.

No more running. I can't run forever. I got to face my fears.

She wasn't the person that gave up easily after all. And after all, she couldn't run from this anymore.

She shed the last look at the white surface and looked up. Step after step. One piece at a time.

Step by step. I won't give up.

-x-

She panted for air after couple dozen of those stairs. How much more?

Does it have an end at all?

It felt like an eternity since she left the cloudy field. And yet, she somehow knew that no time had passed. This place was frozen in time. Just like those kids in the orphanage. The memory flourished through her mind.

Oh my God. I'm dead. Joshua, Azmaria, everybody, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I died.

Chrono. She raised her gaze, remembering the demon that stole both her heart and her soul. I'm sorry. Suddenly she saw light and the end revealed itself.

She finally stepped on the final stair and raised her gaze. Her jaw opened in amazement. Before her were giant golden gates. Her blue orbs kept staring at the sight until she heard some coughing.

''Rosette Christopher. Age upon death, twenty four. Applied for the Heaven.'' Rosette lowered her head and saw a cat scribbling some notes with his ink quil.

''Excuse me, but what are you doing?'' Asked the nun with raised eyebrows.

The cat ignored her and continued.
''Interesting. Member of Magdalene Order. An exorcist. Oh, look at these tiny details,'' His eyes widened, ''Contracted with a demon. What? Wait there's something else written here. Let me just get my glasses.''

He pulled out half moon shaped glasses and put them on his nose.
''Interesting. A choice. Mhm. I see.'' He instantly turned to the very confused nun.

''So, Rosette. Why are you here?'' The blonde seemed dazed by that question.

''Umm… I'm here… because I'm dead. And I figured this is Heaven. Or the gate to Heaven.''

The cat cocked his head.
''I know you are dead. I'm asking why are you here?''

''Because I want to go to Heaven…?'' A question mark popped above Rosette's head.

What am I supposed to say?

''Interesting, interesting. But it says here that you are granted a choice. Probably because of your noble deeds in your life.''

Rosette raised her eyebrows in surprise. Noble deeds?

''A choice?'' The cat fixed his glasses and locked his gaze to Rosette.

''Yes. You may go through this gate to heaven. Or you may choose the second option. The All Mighty certainly has a great sense of humor. Consider that a second chance. You have down there someone who is waiting for you. You were granted a reincarnation. You soul will return to the Earth.''

Her eyes watered. Tears fell, no, tears crashed down from her face. And she didn't want to stop them.

A second chance. A second chance! For her.

The cat stared at her for a few moments.
''So, what is your decision?''

Rosette quickly wiped her tears off and calmed herself.

''I choose to return.''

The cat blinked and wrote something down.

''So… I was told that you would choose that option. So I must warn you about the flaws. You will lose the memory of your past life. Those memories might return to you someday. Or may not. But you will live. It is unknown in which year you will be reincarnated. Time flows differently here than on Earth. And the last thing I want to say,''

Cat's wise eyes looked through the glasses and into Rosette's eyes,
''Good luck kid. I hope you find the one your soul craves for. You are something special, I can see that. You won't stop until you get what you want. I can see why you were granted a second chance.''

A small smile appeared on cat's face.

''Thank you.''

Chrono, I will find you. I promise.

Rosette felt her body shivering when a cold sensation consumed her, bit by bit. She gazed to the golden gates once more and then the cold consumed her mind. And everything went white.

Author's note: My first Chrono Crusade fiction. May be a one shot, it all depends on you.
So you basically have to do this:
Write me a review, tell me if you like the idea or not, should I continue or not.

I read the manga last night. So sad :'(. I don't like sad endings.

xoxoxoxo

~MB