Your Guardian Angel

Chapter 10
In A Tree

"I thought you were adopted," I told Len. He nodded. "Then how...?"

"Obviously, we were both separated," Len said. "When we were at the orphanage, the Cheriie family adopted Rein and not me. Miku adopted me a short time later." My mouth formed into a small 'o' and the coaches at the fields were blowing their whistles to signal the end of the school day and the period. Rein was about to turn to me to talk, but Len grabbed his upper arm. "You, I want to talk to you for a bit, Rein." Rein blinked, but he nodded carefully, both boys walking down the benches. But, only one think was in my mind: I was free from both of them...for now. I sighed in relief and jogged to the girls' locker room.

"Hey there, Rinnyyyy," Meiko said, immediately glomping me from behind when she saw me. I could have fell if I weren't already against the lockers. "So, Luka's off recovering. Where are Rein and Len?" I shrugged and pointed to the boys' lockers room.

"Probably in there," I said.

"Damn," she said, we're not allowed in there. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow!~" She gave me a hug and went off, her 'water' bottle in hand. I shrug on instinct and exitted the girls' locker room to see Len outside, dressed, and ready to go home.

"Let's get going," he said, simply. I nodded and started after him, catching up to his side.

"How'd your talk with your brother go?" I asked. He looked at me and smirked.

"Oh? And is it any of your business?" he retaliated.

"Hmm, technically I was there at the time," I said, thinking about it. "You know, when you asked to talk to him. So, since I was there, I should have been given the option to listen for myself, but since I couldn't, I think you should be obligated to tell me." I gave him a smile and he gave me a confused look, but it was instantly wiped off when he laughed.

"You know, some day, you'll make a great lawyer," he said, as we waked around the school to get to the front.

"Don't they save lawyers are devils?" I asked, jokingly.

"Then what does that make angels?" he asked, in the same tone I was using.

"Mmm...the police?" I suggested. He laughed.

"I've always thought of angels to be more like...a servant," he said. "Because that's what they are." I nodded in agreement. We found our way to the front and met up with Teto and Lily, who obviously got there before us. Lily and Teto boarded onto the bus first and I followed them, heading immediately into one of the empty seats, but it kinda felt like I was tugging something behind me. Len took the seat next to me and I stared out the window. In front of me, Teto turned around and gave me a smirk.

"Sooooo~" she started. "How was your day at school?~"

"Uh...pretty strange, I guess," I admitted.

"Oh?" she asked. "In what way?" I pointed to Len.

"He was was being a jerk," I said in a childish, whiny way.

"Was not," he said, with a pout. Teto giggled and for some reason her smirk grew wider.

"What are you smirking about?" Len and I asked at the same time. Teto simply pointed down and we followed her finger to see our hands together and our fingers intertwined. When did this happen? Did we start holding hands when we were walking? I guess this was what was holding me back... I need to stop listening to my wants and listen to my needs. I tried to drop his hand, but I couldn't bring myself to. Okay, let me describe the feeling...it's like...the safest, warmest feeling you could ever possibly get. Like, when I was little, I got lost in a museum with Rinta. I was going to cry, but Rinta held my hand and it felt all better... I really miss Rinta.

"Are you okay, Rin?" Teto asked. I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks and I couldn't stop them. A hand appeared in front of me and started to rub my tears off my cheek. I looked up and saw Lily with a pitying frown.

"Don't cry, Rin," she said. "It doesn't fit you. I'd rather see you argue with Len." She reached into her bag and handed me a soft cloth so I could wipe my eyes. Good thing I hated wearing make up because if I wore any now, it would have been ruined.

"Hey." I looked to the side and saw Len take the cloth from me. "Let me." He folded the cloth around his finger and started to wipe at my eyes. I couldn't stop crying though, even though it was comforting...Len...reminded me too much of my brother...Even when I look into his eyes...I kept crying silently, but I trained my gaze into Len's eyes. They were blue like Rinta's but...the pretty flecks of gold, green, and orange made me realize. They weren't the same person. They'd never be.

"Len, Rin, we're at our stop," Teto said, pointing out the window. Her voice was careful...I had to thank her later...everyone else too... Len tossed Teto his bag and picked me up in a way that made me feel like I was a child again and my Dad picked me up so I could see over the counter. Len carefully carried me off the bus and I burried my head into his shoulder. All the great times I had with my family...they all rushed into my mind. The memories I tried to control when I was out on the street. Len rubbed my back carefully like when Mom helped me after I threw up from food poisoning. Why? Why is Len's touch reminding me of my family? It wasn't fair...but...in his arms, I started to fall into a sleep caused by exhaustion.

Len POV

I carefully placed Rin inside her bed and tucked her in. I can't believe she actually cried herself to sleep... I exited her room and closed the door, making sure I didn't make a sound. Of course, I almost did because for one, I was thinking about the things she murmured in her sleep. And two, Rein appeared in front of me in the hall. He smirked when he saw my reaction.

"What?" I asked, a bit quietly.

"It's my turn to talk to you, Aniki," he said. I chuckled darkly.

"I'm surprised you're still respecting me," I told him. He frowned and headed downstairs. I followed him and we went to the backyard which was filled with children's toys for the little kids. We went and started to climb the old oak tree. It's where we always went to talk. We head up to the highest branch and looked out into the sunset.

"I'm respecting you because you're my older brother," Rein responded simply. "And as an angel, I will not disrespect my elder." I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want, then?" I asked.

"I want you to release Rin," he said. "I don't want another innocent soul falling into your traps, Aniki." I chuckled.

"It's not like I chose to," I said. "She's falling for herself." Rein stayed quiet for a bit.

"...why'd you pick her up before we had the chance to?" Rein asked. "You know we're the Guardian angels. You're nothing but a demon."

"Tch, and here I thought you weren't suppost to disrespect me," I said.

"I'm not," he said. "I'm simply stating who you are."

"Whatever," I told him. "But, Rin is mine." Rein bit his lip.

"But why?" he asked. "What would you possible gain from someone like her? She's just a normal human..."

"I'm doing it for a friend," I responded. "Okay?"

"You have no friends," Rein said.

"Now I feel insulted."

"Your last friend died seven years ago."

"Again, thanks for reminding me, Rein, really," I said sarcastically.

"...well, I'm proud that you've been keeping your promise to your friend," Rein responded. "What was his wish?"

"That if he died, I'd become Rin's guardian angel," I said, a bit carefully.

"...it's been seven years," Rein said. "Since you stopped being an angel."

"Just because I'm not an angel, doesn't mean I can't protect her," I said. "Besides, it's not like anyone's going to stop me from protecting her."

"...you just jinxed it bro."

"...thanks, man, I really needed to know that." And Rein, do me a favor. STAY AWAY FROM MY RIN. ...I really wish I said that.