Me: Nyuuuuuuu

S.A.N.: Animefreak! What's wrong?!

Me: I need to finish up my summer reading for school, and I haven't finished the two books. Also, school is coming up soon!

C.T.E.: … that's it?

Me: Yes.

C.T.E.: …pathetic.

S.A.N.: Animefreak doesn't own Bleach.

Chapter 10: Legends of Angels

It was night and late for people to do anything else. The streets are empty, and the neighbors are prepared to go to bed. Some drove back home late because of work or because there was an emergency. The two captains were not yet sleeping because they were talking to the General-Commander of the Gotei 13 about the battle.

"I see. So this new Vasto Lorde is powerful enough to defeat the two of you. Addition to the new information, Hitsugaya-taichou said that a strong power from an unknown person defeated the Hollow without taking damage and instantly healed you, correct?" An old man from the communicator asked with slight interest. Toshiro nodded.

"Hai. She is very powerful and saved us, but she disappeared without a trace of her reiatsu or detection, Yamamoto-taichou." The first division captain nodded and thanked the two captains for the report.

"Arigato. Hitsugaya-taichou, you may leave. Kurosaki-taichou, I have something to discuss with you." Toshiro was surprised and glanced at the not so surprised orange haired man. He seemed to know what Yamamoto was thinking, but it was between the two captains. Therefore, Toshiro couldn't interfere no matter how curious he is.

"Hai." Toshiro bowed and turned around to walk out of the room. He closed the door behind him and continued to walk to the stairs. When he reached to the living room, he heard Karin talking on the phone and stood behind her, listening to what she was mumbling about.

"… did you give Kazeru-san the letter I wrote to him?... good, good… nani? Brownie has… You need to stay over to…? I see… All right. Take care Yuzu… make sure she… Hai, Hai. I got it… Fine. I'll see you tomorrow." Karin hung up the phone and turned around. Karin froze on the spot when she saw Toshiro overhearing her conversation with Yuzu. She was starting to sweat a little, thinking that she was already screwed. They stayed on the same spot in silence before Toshiro started to speak.

"Kurosaki-"

"It's not what you think! Yuzu just told me that she would be coming here late because Heiwa needs more help on her project! That's all!" Toshiro stared at idiotic Karin with a sweat drop. When he was about to say if she was all right, Karin just panicked like she was hiding something she knew.

"What are you talking about? I was going to ask if you are alright." Karin sighed in relief.

"I'm fine. You just startled me." She, then, scowled at the man before her and ranted.

"Why the hell were you just standing there? Do you know it is rude to eavesdrop behind someone's back? I'm not sure if you do that in Soul Society, but it is rude. You hear me?" Toshiro had an urge to roll his eyes but suppressed it. He just shook his head and just took it. He stared at the girl who reacted strangely by just denying something that was out of the main point. He wasn't going to let her slide this one out, but he'll play along.

"I hear you. However, I'm not the one who is rude to others and mumble through the phone." Karin glared at the white haired boy to cover the blush. Toshiro inwardly smirked at her attempt to cover up the glare. She was definitely embarrassed. The phone behind her rang, and Karin turned around to pick up the phone and ignore the young man behind her.

"Moshi mosh…" She mumbled and made the conversation unclear. "Otou-san! SHUT UP! ... no… Yuzu's going in to be late… otou-san… er… Heiwa, Natsu, and Yuzu… working on project… don't tell me to… Hell no! He is not going to read me a bed time story! I'm already sixteen years old!... gulp… fine. I'll… sleep… promise me that you'll never bring this up again… got it?… okay… don't worry about… Oyasumi nasai." She hung up and sighed, feeling tired and stressed out. She turned around again and walked passed the captain, muttering about needing sleep. She looked at the captain and hesitantly sighed.

"Hey, Toshiro."

"Hm?" Karin blushed and scratched her head, trying to put words into place without crushing her dignity. Oh for Kami-sama's sake! This was far too humiliating for her. She was already old enough to make her own decisions, and the old goat just made it worse. Even though her father is smart and understanding, he still treats her like a kid. He also threatened her by trying to push the humiliation further in the town. Very clever for someone who's in the clinic again for another patient…

"Okay. Don't laugh or tell anyone about what is going to happen in this house, or I'll make your life here a living hell. Understand?" Toshiro raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly. Whatever it was, she looked like she wanted to commit suicide on that very spot after the conversation with her father. Karin took at least three deep breaths and spoke out against her pride.

"You are going to go with me upstairs and read me a bed time story by otou-san's 'order.' If you are going to ask why, he said that I have to do it or he'll make my life a living hell. And for the sake that is good, don't even dare smile or smirk! It's not funny!" Karin shouted with a very red face and caught a glimpse of Toshiro's mouth twitching.

Toshiro wanted to laugh at her or smirk in amusement, but he didn't, no matter how hard it was to keep the humor in. The strong Kurosaki girl was easily succumbed to the former captain's orders by humiliation. He shook his head and kept a calm face, patting her head before he passed her to the stairs.

"Fine. We'll go to your room. It's time for bed."

"Will you shut the hell up, Toshiro? You're not making this any easier." She grumbled as they walked up the stairs and to her room. Karin opened the door and walked in with Toshiro following her. Karin sighed and sat on her bed. Toshiro sat next to her, and the two blushed slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Then what would you want me to read about?" Toshiro asked to break the awkward silence between them. Karin thought for a moment and looked at the books in the mini bookshelf. The twins were in high school, so Isshin bought them a bookself for their summer reading books or any other outside reading. Karin thought it was a stupid idea, but Isshin was right. Karin scanned the books around and knew which book she knew about it. When she reached to the children's books, she almost forgot about it. Her index fingers slid on the small spines of the eight books.

I almost forgot about these.

When she reached to the end, she picked the last one, slipping the book out and reading the title on the cover.

"Densetsu no Tenshi: Shinu and Tanjou."

"I heard about that." Toshiro stated when he heard the title. Karin nodded and walked back to her bed, giving him the book. The cover had gold engraved letters and two people holding each other's hand: a black figure of a man with black wings and a pink figure of a woman with pink wings. He stared to recall the legend of the ten angels.

"There were ten angels who have a different legend in each angel: Hyouzan, the angel of ice; Kasai, the angel of fire; Mizu, the angel of water, Kaze, the angel of wind; Chikyuu, earth; Hikari, light; Yami, darkness; Shinu, death; Tanjou, birth; and…" He trailed off, trying to remember the last and famous angel out of all the legendary angels. Karin blinked and tilted her head in question.

"You can't remember what the last angel, can you?" Toshiro shook his head, and Karin sighed sadly.

"It's okay. Don't push yourself." Toshiro felt guilt and changed the subject.

"Since when did you get this book?" Toshiro asked with curiosity. Karin has a tomboy personality and would never cry in front of others, but she has a child book in her bookshelf.

"Heiwa gave me the eight books on my fourteenth birthday, saying I need to read the legends of the angels. There were supposed to be nine books, but one was missing in Heiwa's collection. She said that she lost it or it was left in her old home. This one was the most favorite out of all the books." Karin sat beside his left and leaned a bit over his shoulder.

"Why is that?" Toshiro asked when he flipped the book open to the beginning. Karin thought about it and finished with a dreamily yet sad smile.

"Because it reminded me of okaa-san and otou-san." Toshiro glanced at the raven-haired girl and looked at the story.

"If you feel sleepy, just put your head down on my shoulder." Karin looked at him with surprise and finally placed her head on his shoulder, inwardly very happy to hear the story with someone she likes. Toshiro started to read the story.

"Below the heavens, there was an angel named Tanjou who was sent down to slay the four demons of destruction. She was very beautiful and very caring for others than herself. When anyone was in danger, she helped them and aided the people as her first priority than her mission. Men tried to court her, but she always turned every single one down because no one would love her as she is. Not long after her, there was another angel named Shinu who was sent to bring the souls to heaven. When there was any death, he would find them and bring them up to heaven. He was famous and feared by many, but he wanted to be accepted as who he is." Toshiro turned the page and continued the story.

"On that one day, a young girl was about to fall from the bridge and into the rushing rivers. Shinu stayed back to wait for her death and take her soul up to heaven. The girl screamed for help, and her hand slipped from her grasp for her death. Out of the sky, Shinu saw a bright light dashing to the girl and caught her from death. Everyone was surprised and saying it was a miracle that Kami-sama saved the little girl from death. Shinu was surprised, but he was not the only one to be invisible to others. A woman with wings like him saved the girl and walked away without being noticed by other people."

Toshiro turned the page again and looked at Karin who was still staring at the book. She wasn't showing happiness, but her eyes were giving it away.

"Shinu was following her because he wanted to know more about this guardian angel. Days and nights, he learned more and more about her and started to love her for who she is. On the one day, she sensed someone following from behind. When she turned around to find the death angel following her, he was stunned to see her and afraid at the same time. Tanjou continued to stare at Shinu and took a step forward. On reaction, he took a step back because he feared of being rejected by the beautiful angel."

Toshiro remembered what Karin told Toshiro about her parents. Isshin was a famous captain in Soul Soceity and feared, but he did have a good heart that half of the Shinigamis accepted him. It was a wonder why Karin liked this book out of all the legends.

"Tanjou wondered why he was afraid of her and took another step. The step made Shinu run in fear in the forest. Tanjou ran behind him, calling him to stop because she wasn't going to hurt him. He continued to run, but he stopped when he saw the four demons with swords. He fought against the demons, but he was losing. When the final blow was about to pierce him, Tanjou intercepted and blocked the sword by a pierce through the shoulder. The two fought against the four demons and won against them, but the demons disappeared and said that they will return."

"Tanjou and Shinu were together, learning about each other and started to grow in love. However, Shinu's time was up and was about to leave back to his home. Tanjou asked if they would see each other, and Shinu said that no matter what happens to them, their love will never break. Tanjou nodded with tears in her eyes and gave him a charm that would protect him from danger. Then, Shinu disappeared, leaving Tanjou in the world." It was no wonder how Isshin and Masaki were sort of related to the story. Toshiro turned to the next page.

"The next decade, Tanjou was walking through a flower field because her mission was still continuing. Tanjou wondered where Shinu would be because it has been a long time. In the middle of the field, a wounded human figure slept there and didn't move. Tanjou ran to the wounded person and asked if he was alright. The man woke up and groaned, calling her name at the same time. Alarmed by his familiarity to her, Tanjou quickly stood away from the figure and asked how he knew her name, clutching her weapon with suspicion. The man said this, 'Because Tanjou… you gave me the protection charm ,and it worked.' Tanjou's eyes widened, and she dropped her weapon. Shinu was back with injuries, but he was smiling with happiness for his entire life. Tanjou ran to him and threw herself into his awaiting arms. The two were never separated ever again."

Toshiro closed the book and looked over his shoulder. Karin was already asleep and resting her head on his shoulder. He sighed and slipped her head off his shoulder, but he carried her upper body down to her own bed. He placed her head on the pillow and pushed her legs on the bed. Finally, the captain pulled the quilt over her body and tucked her in without a sound. He observed the sleeping girl, unconsciously moving a strand of hair away from her face.

She looked like a little child again, and his heart calmed with ease. Toshiro moved himself away from the girl and turned off the lights. He looked back to see her once more before he closed the door.

0000

"I see. It's happening right now, isn't?" Ichigo asked the general captain. Yamamoto nodded and continued the discussion.

"Just like the report said. She was telling the truth after all." Ichigo frowned and asked the general.

"Hey, old man. I have a request." Yamamoto nodded and listened to what Ichigo has to say.

"The Hollow… I felt that she's not exactly in the Hollow category or a Vasto Lorde. Would you research anything about what kind of Hollow is stronger than a Vasto Lorde? I have a feeling that this is not like the others during the Winter War." Yamamoto nodded, helping out whatever he can.

"I'll ask the Information Headquarters to find this higher class. Be careful. I have a feeling that this future battle will be worse than the Winter War." Ichigo nodded.

"You too, old man." The screen turned off, and Ichigo turned around to exit his old room. When Ichigo was out, he was a bit surprised to see Toshiro exiting out of his sisters' room. Toshiro saw the fourteenth captain standing in the hallway and sweat a little.

"Why were you in there, Shorty?" He asked with a bit of suspicion. Toshiro sighed and wished that he wouldn't deal with Ichigo who now wants to beat the crap out of him. He lied, saving Karin from humiliation.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Kurosaki-taichou. Isshin-san ordered me and Karin to go to bed, or he'll make our lives a living hell."

"But that doesn't explain why you were in her room." Toshiro walked passed the irritated Kurosaki and said before he closed the door behind him.

"It was a small request from Isshin-san. Don't push it."

0000

Karin woke up by a tap on the window. She looked at the clock and groaned silently. It was two o'clock in the damn morning, and someone was going to die. She looked down and saw Yuzu sleeping. It seems that Yuzu came back very late. Chu and Inu were sleeping with her to make sure she gets sleep before the next day of school. Karin quietly tip toed out of her bed and to the window. She slowly opened it up and looked outside.

"No one's there." She muttered and was about to close the window, but a letter was hanging by a string over outside. She wondered who was there and grabbed the letter, pulling it from the string as it broke. Karin was very suspicious about whoever found this place other than her friends. She looked at the front and whispered.

"Only for the Kurosaki twins and Kazeru twins a.k.a. Masked Shinigamis. Who is he? How does he know us?"

Omake

Heiwa stared at her ogre of a father and her twin with anger. She didn't like to have unknown guests in her house until she agreed with her family, and she didn't like to have unknown guests in six o' clock in the morning. Her father was huge and had a brown beard and messy hair. He was old but strong, wise but an idiotic father. The two males in the house stared to feel scared of the calm Heiwa who looked like she would create a tidal wave in any moment. Sitting on the couches, a busty woman, a bald headed teenager, and a pretty boy with feathers on his eyelid and eyebrow were staring at the irritated girl twin.

"Didn't I remind you that I want to be involved in whatever conversation you two were talking about before we have guests in the house, dear Natsu-kun and otou-san?" She was very pissed about this, and the two men were scared of her, nodding out of fear.

"Of course!" Natsu agreed, but Hiewa was still not very happy about this.

"Then, why didn't you let me be involved with these terms?!" Natsu looked at their father, but the father gave him the letter. Natsu sighed in defeat and gave Heiwa the letter.

"What's this?" Heiwa took the letter and started to read. For a few seconds, Heiwa's eye twitched and turned around to the stairs, stomping up. Everyone stared at the disappearing girl and heard the stomps above them. The next thing they heard was the door slamming; what they don't know is that her strength ripped the hinges of the door and the door slammed on the floor, very hard.

"DAMMIT!! NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE DOOR!!" Natsu sighed and smacked his head on the table.

"That's better than we expected" The three Shinigamis stared at the boy in disbelief.

"Are you joking?" Rangiku asked the two brunettes.

"When we told her that she was tutoring her cousins…" Natsu muttered and looked at his father to finish the rest.

"You got to admit it though. That single punch on the wall definitely brought the house down."