"Aizen-sama?"

Aizen removed his gaze from the horizon and turned towards the 4th Espada. "Is there something wrong, Ulquiorra?"

"Gin-sama was seen leaving Hueco Mundo." He answered evenly. "It is believed that he is headed to Soul Society. Should I send someone to- ?"

"That wouldn't be necessary." Aizen Interrupted. "Just let him be. He knows what he is doing."

"Yes, Aizen-sama." Ulquiorra nodded and left the room.

As soon as he was alone, Aizen sighed. "You have to let her go somehow, Gin."

Matsumoto Rangiku sat on the floor of an abandoned and ruined house she once called home. The placed held so many memories from her childhood, some of them happy but most of them sad.

"Fancy seeing you here, Ran." A voice whispered from behind her.

Rangiku felt her heart skip a beat as she heard the familiar voice. The voice of her savior and oldest friend…

"Gin…" she managed to choke out. "Wha… What are you doing here?"

The former 3rd division captain's ever present smile widened at his childhood friend's reaction. "Well, I always spend my birthday here with my best friend and since it is my birthday today, I'm here." He kneeled in front of her and lifted her chin so she was looking directly at him. "Isn't that why you're here?"

Tears pooled at the brim of Matsumoto's eyes as she looked at him. She was so happy to see him, to be near him, to feel his hand on her face. God, she missed him.

"I missed you, Rangiku." He said, breaking her train of thoughts.

Matsumoto looked at him again and saw that his grin was gone. His expression was full of sadness and need; it told her that he indeed missed her during those days they were apart.

"I missed you too, Gin." She replied, launching herself into his strong arms. She no longer held the tears and allowed them to flow with her feelings.

Gin held her as close as he could. He relished at the moment their bodies touched. How he wished that this moment could last forever….

"Please don't leave again."

Unfortunately, it can't.

He reluctantly released her and stared into her hypnotizing silver-blue eyes. "You know, I can't. I owe my loyalty to my captain."

"Your captain?" he flinched at how her voice sounded so hurt. "What about me?"

"I can't go back here, Rangiku. I'm a traitor."

"Why do you do this, Gin? Why do you keep coming back to me, when in the end you're still going to leave? I can't take this anymore. It hurts too much."

"Rangiku…" he moved to wipe her tears.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" she yelled. "I don't want to play your silly game anymore. Just leave and DON'T come back ever again."

Gin slowly stood up and faced to door. "I guess this is really goodbye then."

"I guess it is." She replied. "The next time we see each other I-"

"-will be your enemy. "He finished for her.

Ichimaru walked towards the exit and stopped at the door.

"I love you, Rangiku."

Matsumoto wiped the tears in her eyes as she watched his figure disappear into the distance for the last time.

"Apparently, not enough…."

I made this for Gin's birthday (obviously) but because of my hectic schedule only got to post it today.

Please tell me what you think.