As the Leaves Fall
By Sapphire of Autumn
Disclaimer: I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold this truth to be self-evident, that BLEACH is not owned by the authors of the fanfics on this site."
Thank you
"Rangiku, listen ta me. Ya had a whole year wit those leaves. The leaves have ta go now. Nut'in can stay forever."
"But why? Why do they have to leave me?"
"So that the new leaves can come, Ran. So ya can spend another year wit the new leaves."
"But will those leaves come back? Please tell me they will, Gin."
"…I'm sorry, Ran… Them leaves…they ain't comin' back."
"Ever?"
"No. Those leaves are gone."
"N-No! They aren't gone! They can't be gone!"
"They are."
"No, they aren't! I'm going to go look for them. And I will find them and show you that they aren't gone!"
"Rangiku, the leaves are gone. You won't find them. They're gone forever, and they will never come back. Never…"
I remember that time. You were watching the golden leaves of Autumn drift off the trees. You loved the leaves so much back then.
I remember. I remember how you tried to collect every fallen leaf and guarded them relentlessly. You were in love with the leaves.
How foolish you were.
I remember that you cried in winter, when the trees were bare, the leaves all gone. I remember comforting you, explaining how the leaves must go.
I understand your feelings right now. You love me like you did the leaves, I guess.
It's the same, Ran. I have to go. Why? So the new people in your life can come. You've already had a large portion of your life with me, Rangiku. Now you have to spend another portion of your life with someone new.
"If only you could have held on a little longer…
…Gomen na."
I truly wish I could have been with you forever. I thought that maybe, just maybe, if you held on to me long enough, I could stay.
How foolish I am.
You can't hold onto all the leaves through winter. You can't make them stay. It's impossible. I wish it weren't that way, but it is. And I'm sure the leaves would have stayed if they could, Ran. But they can't. It's not their choice, they must go.
I'm sorry, Ran. I'm sorry I can't stay.
I have to go.
Don't try to come after me. I'm gone, Ran, and you won't find me. I'm gone forever, and I will never come back. Never. Just like the leaves.
Enjoy your life. Get through this cold winter and after it, in spring, you'll find a new leaf. Maybe leaves. Be happy, Ran. That's all I want.
Nothing can stay forever, Rangiku. Not me, not the leaves, not anything else.
It's time for me to leave.
Owari
