Yo! Back with the next chapter. Thank you to those who reviewed last time. Now the real story begins. So basically for some unknown reason (At least to you guys. XD) Toshiro has lost all his memories of ever being with Rangiku, and Rangiku is devastated. She not only has to cope with the pain, but she has to continue working with the man she loves dearly yet remembers nothing about their relationship. A very heart-wrenching, teary-eyed journey awaits her as she tries to find a way to get him back. Let it begin. Enjoy!!!
Wilting Daffodils
Chapter 3
The Flower Stops Blooming
Rangiku sighed shakily as she adjusted her shihakusho, checking over herself in the mirror. She would hate to go back to the office, after five days absence, looking like hell. Then again why should she care? It's not like she had anyone to look good for anymore. She let out another sigh and grabbed her pink scarf, draping it over her shoulders. Rangiku began to wonder what sort of things could be going on in his partially-empty head now.
"Oh and Hitsugaya-Taicho also told me to tell you to 'hurry and get your cheerful ass back here'. You can tell there's still some hope for him..." Nanao had said before leaving the night before. It made Rangiku feel a little bit better. But only by a small bit. Rangiku still had her doubts about returning to work. But she couldn't escape him forever. She had to face him eventually. Might as well get it over with, she supposed.
Matsumoto looked over onto her dresser. She walked over to it and stared down at an object she had always felt so honored to wear.
Her Tenth Division armband.
It was a symbol of her loyalty and devotion to her division and to the Soul Society. It was proof that she had earned the rank of a Fukutaicho. It was what kept her by his side all these years... But how much did it mean to her now? Did she truly feel the same way about it now? She would always be loyal to the Soul Society but could she still give her devotion to her division? Especially with him leading it?
Rangiku couldn't believe herself. She was making it sound as if she didn't want to work with him anymore. It was impossible to not want to work with him, she knew that for a fact. But she still felt resentment towards him though, for forgetting her and all those months he spent with her. How could he? He always told her how he cherished and treasured the moments he spent with her, so why was it so easy for him to let them go?
Matsumoto Rangiku was determined to find out.
She was not willing to let him go that easily now that she had a few days to think about it. She'd have to get used to the fact that they're not together anymore, but she was a strong woman. If she could live through Gin she could live through this.
With that thought in mind she swiped the armband and proudly placed it on her uniform. She hurried to the front door and put on her shoes, then took a deep breath and opened the door for the first time in days. The sunlight nearly blinded her. After being in a dark house for five days, her eyes needed to adjust to the sun she missed so much yet couldn't face while in her depression.
Rangiku breathed in the fresh air, her lungs feeling relief. Too much stuffy air she'd inhaled for days, this fresh air felt wonderful. Nanao had been kind enough not to make her go outside until she was ready. Rangiku just wanted to take her time, and not feel rushed. But Nanao had not been kind to the other things. She cleaned and took away her sake for heaven's sake! Matsumoto had been just fine in her nest. But now that she had sobered, and let her mind fix itself back into a normal state, she thanked Nanao.
The walk felt nice. Her legs had been useless the last few days, using them felt so good. But she knew her brief good mood would not last long, and it didn't, plus she would soon be at the office and once again be face to face with him. Rangiku didn't have a plan really, she figured she'd best wing it and see what happens, and also deal with whatever Kami dishes out on her. She just hoped she was strong enough to do it, it was easier said than done.
Soon her feet paused as she saw her division come into view. She missed it's familiar walls and paths so much, it was so great to see them again. Rangiku continued walking, keeping her posture straight and her head up high. She would be strong, no matter what, she told herself. Her hand felt the familiar touch of the door into her division. And she stepped in, welcoming the soothing feeling of being where she belonged.
Her head turned, facing the more-than-familiar hallway towards the office. The office... She knows he's there. She feels his reiatsu, and it feels so good to her after being without it so long. But his reiatsu did not caress her like it normally did when they were together, or give her any greeting at all. It was just there. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding, and walked to the door to her office. Here goes nothing, she mused before slowly opening the door.
"M-Morning Taicho." Even though they weren't together anymore, it still made her heart flutter when she saw him. The last time she saw him though... He had pushed her away... She shook away the thought and let a smile appear. The first smile in days she might add. He looked up from his work at the sound of her voice.
"Ah, nice to see you remembered you have a job to do. Welcome back, Matsumoto." He let a smirk grace his features. She laughed lightly, trying to make herself sound amused. "I'm sorry for being gone so long. Been feeling under the weather." She said, a hand rubbing the back of her neck.
"I hope you're feeling better. You weren't caught in that storm were you?" Toshiro asked, a brow raised. She nodded weakly. "You know if you still feel bad you can take off for a while longer. I can't have my second suffering and let it interfere with her work." He insisted. Rangiku could only smile, he was still concerned for her, that was another sign. It had to be.
"I'm much better now. It was just a cold. And Nanao-chan took good care of me." She held up a fist in the air. "No sickness can take down Matsumoto Rangiku!" She giggled and he shook his head, smiling. Yup, she was feeling better, he mused.
"I'm glad Matsumoto." Hitsugaya chuckled. She couldn't help but blush at the familiar chuckle. A wonderful sound. "U-Umm, how about I take some of that paperwork off your hands?" She asked, taking attention away from her cheeks. Rangiku grabbed a stack and carried it to her desk. Toshiro's eyes showed he was bewildered.
"Are you sure you're feeling better? You must be sick if you want to to paperwork." He said incredibly. She laughed nervously. "Maybe that sickness did something to my brain?" Rangiku inquired, placing the stack on her desk. He gave her a look she didn't quite understand.
"I hope not, I like you the way you are Matsumoto." Rangiku felt her cheeks heat up and turned back to her desk. It wasn't fair, he wasn't even trying and he could still make her blush. Damn he was good.
"Th-Thank you Taicho. But I thought you'd be happy that I would actually do work for a change." She turned back to him, and he simply shrugged. "I've grown so used to you slacking off. It doesn't matter to me whether you do any work or not anymore. What matters is that you're here." Hitsugaya stated, picking up his pen and continuing his work. Rangiku felt the blush return. He was still so sweet. She smiled. There was still hope for them, there had to be. She could tell there was still a part of him that still loved and cared for her...
She chortled. "That's really sweet Taicho. Do you study poetry? You somehow make anything you say sound poetic." She said playfully, adoring the blush that came onto his cheeks. Her grin turned back into a soft smile. She could still make him blush... She remembered how she would tease him, and then when that blush came up she'd run her fingers lightly over his cheeks. Feeling the warmth that she brought there...
"Get to work Matsumoto." He ordered, lifting his hand to cover his cheeks, and hide the blush. She giggled and saluted. "Aye Captain!" He rolled his eyes yet smiled nonetheless.
Over the next hour Rangiku had, for once, done her duty as Fukutaicho and did her share of paperwork. Of course she hated it but she found a nice way to get through it. Every now and then, she'd stop writing, and let her eyes look over to his desk. She'd watch him as he wrote gracefully, his pen skillfully moving across the paper to create a lovely handwriting only her Toshiro could create. Rangiku loved watching him. She loved watching as his teal eyes moved from side to side as he wrote.
Or how every now and then, he'd run a hand through his soft hair. She could definitely say it was soft because of the thousands of times she had ran her fingers through it. And she loved it when he pulled his hair back as he ran a hand through it. It gave him a sexy look Rangiku couldn't even begin to describe. It made her miss him so much.
But then, he'd get the feeling he was being watched, and lift his eyes towards her. And, not wanting to create an awkward situation, she'd quickly glue her eyes back to her paperwork and keep writing. She could feel his gaze on her for several moments before she felt it leave her and go back to his work.
She did this several times. Glancing and staring for a while, before he'd feel her gaze and then go back to work. It was basically the only motive for her to work, was when he'd be staring at her after getting the feeling she was watching him. She could basically get through several sheets at a time that way, compared to the two sheets she'd do without the motive. This was a game she'd made with him when they were together.
Back then she'd get easily distracted by him during work hours, daydreaming of him and her doings funner things than paperwork. And then one day he caught her staring at him. So he just stared right back, trying his hardest not to crack a smile. They did this back and forth until someone cracked, laughing or breaking into a smile, losing the game. Rangiku felt happy that she could still play a less-fun-yet-nice version of their game.
Yet her little game was soon interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in." Hitsugaya called. Rangiku lifted her head to see the door open.
"Hitsugaya-Taicho, a member from first came and told me to give this to you." It was their Third Seat. She crossed over to the desk and hand Hitsugaya a folder. "Thank you, you can go." She bowed and left. Toshiro flipped open the folder, and read through. Rangiku stood up and walked over to his desk.
"What is it Taicho?" She asked. "First has been given more strange sighting reports. There's been thirteen this past week and a half. This is very strange. This report says that every division is to stay on guard and do not allow any members to go anywhere alone. First must be getting really spooked by this. It's almost like the Bount all over again." Hitsugaya sighed and slid the folder to Rangiku. She picked it up and read it.
"It also says the leaders have to do a sweep of their divisions every other day. Are these strange sightings really that scary to them?" Rangiku asked. "I don't know. First has been like this ever since the end of the war. Anything strange or a possible threat had to be dealt with immediately. They really want to keep history from repeating itself I suppose." He leaned back in his chair.
"But isn't it already repeating itself? The Winter War starting off as strange sightings from the arrancar. The Bounts started appearing and disappearing in the Living Realm. Do you think maybe there's someone deliberately trying to make history repeat itself? Or could it be coincidence?" She wondered if it really was possible. If so, who could be doing it?
"I suppose you have a point there. I'll be sure to bring that up at the next meeting. But in the meantime I think it would be safe if you kept on your toes. I doubt whatever is behind these sightings can get into Seireitei without being noticed, so I'm sure we're safe for now. They may be hiding out in Rukongai. I wonder what the possibilities are that some arrancar may have survived the last war. If so, how? And how did they get into Soul Society without being noticed?" He asked, more to himself than to Rangiku.
"Don't think too much on it, we don't know anything yet. Until we do we should just stick to being on guard." Rangiku stated, feeling a sense of comfort at how their old relationship hadn't changed. "Right..." He muttered. He still had some bad feelings about those strange sightings, such as the sighting he had gone to investigate. He couldn't exactly recall, but he knew something else might've happened...
"Taicho?" He snapped his gaze up to Rangiku. "How about I get some tea and we finish the paperwork. Maybe when we're done we can goof off the rest of the day." She chortled, a big smile on her face. He chuckled.
"Maybe. If you actually do all your work. But tea does sound nice." She made a pout. "Maybe? Just maybe?" She really hopes he'll say yes. If he does, that will be her opportunity to try and get his memories back. He couldn't help but feel weak against that pout. Though he didn't know why.
"Alright Matsumoto. Maybe after we're done we can go for a walk." Rangiku's pout turned into a bright smile. "Yay!" She cheered and skipped happily out of the room. Hitsugaya watched her with an amused look. Some things never change... He thought idly. Picking up his pen, he continued his work.
Rangiku felt a tinge of joy as she walked to the kitchen. She felt her depressed emotions all but vanish, yet a light of hope still shined. Even though he may not remember, there were signs that he still loved her. The Toshiro that loved her could never resist her pout, ever. And the Toshiro from before their relationship, would not joke around like the Toshiro she just encountered. And he, in a way, played their game. Rangiku could see the hope.
If she could just find a way to make him remember, then everything will be alright again.
She carried the tray with their tea back to the office, a small smile on her face. She skillfully kicked the door open with her foot and hopped in. Closing the door with her elbow. When a piercing sound pealed in her ears. Her head automatically turned to the creator of the sound and she saw Hinamori Momo, standing beside Toshiro's desk, shaking with laughter.
Rangiku's eyes darted from Momo to Toshiro, who was also sharing a smile. Matsumoto felt a tinge of pain, yet ignored it. She approached the desk and cleared her throat, placing the tea on his desk. Hitsugaya's gaze switched from Momo to Rangiku.
"Ah Matsumoto, thank you." He said, taking a cup from the tray and sipping. A soft sigh escaped his lips as the delicious, warm liquid went down his thoat. Rangiku smiled at the fact that she could still please him with her tea. Momo took the second cup, which was originally meant for Rangiku.
"I've always wondered how your tea tasted Rangiku-san. Shiro-chan has mentioned it in the past." Hinamori said before taking a sip. Rangiku felt a bit of aggavation, how dare she take her tea! "Mmm! Rangiku-san this really is delicious! Shiro-chan wasn't kidding." Momo smiled and took a bigger sip. Hitsugaya scowled.
"Hinamori, it's Hitsugaya-Taicho. And that's Matsumoto's cup you're drinking." He said sternly. Momo's eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry Rangiku-san!" Hinamori bowed in apology and set the cup back onto the tray.
"I-It's okay, go ahead and drink it. It's nice to know my tea is loved." Rangiku said, offering a smile. "W-Well, I really just came to ask Shiro if he could come with me to my division. I'm having trouble with my defense squad, they know the kido but they need better hand-to-hand skills. And unfortunately I don't do that category well." Momo laughed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"I suppose I could show them a thing or two." Rangiku's wide eyes darted to him. He was looking at Momo with a friendly smile. "Thank you Shiro! I'll treat you to lunch as thanks!" Momo chirped, clapping her hands together in a joyful manner.
"That sounds nice Hinamori." Rangiku felt another tinge of pain. Did he already forget the plans he made with her? Like he forgot everything else?
"Matsumoto, I trust you to watch over things while I'm gone." Hitsugaya said, getting out of his chair. Matsumoto watched him sadly as he grabbed Hyourinmaru and walked out with Hinamori. And the Rangiku was all alone again.
She asks him to go out after work is done, he says maybe. Momo asks him to help out with training during work, he immediately says yes. Where was the justice in that?! That wasn't fair! Rangiku's fists clenched at her sides. She felt so angry she just had to hit something. She came close to breaking of a part of the desk, before something clicked in her mind.
Haineko... Rangiku called. Mistress... The cat responded. Can you... Can you sense Hyourinmaru at all? Anything? A single trace? Rangiku asked, in a way she sounded as if she was begging. Begging for her to say that her connection to Hyourinmaru was still in tact and that Hyourinmaru still remembered her. Surely the memory loss couldn't have effected his zanpakuto too.
I'm sorry Mistress... Hyourinmaru... Remembers nothing either... Rangiku felt the world closing around her. It wasn't fair. How could it have effected him too?! Mistress... I'm sorry... Haineko's prescence disappeared, leaving Rangiku alone.
Matsumoto just felt so alone now, more than ever before. The only two people who understood her anymore, who understood the truth and stood by her for it, were Haineko and Nanao. But while she appearciated their comfort, it wasn't them that she wanted. She wanted him back. That was all she wanted in this world more than anything. She'd sell her soul to get him back. She'd give up a limb to have him back.
She sank to her knees onto the floor, her gaze lowering to her limp hands. These hands that longed to touch him, to wrap around him and embrace him... Rangiku felt a tinge of self-consciousness. Also self-doubt. How was she ever going to bring his memories back now?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The light of hope began to slowly fade, and the winds began to grow heavy... The lone daffodil began to fall into complete and total darkness...
And that's the chapter. Seems like Rangiku's faith in herself is still in tact, but how long will it last? Can she keep it up? Or will she end up losing it completely? Stick around and find out. I'm proud to say that you'll get more HitsuMatsu next chapter. ^^ How you ask? You'll find out! And I just want to point out, that throughout the story, references to a daffodil will be made, hence the title. You can guess what it represents if you want. Earn a cookie! Keep reading and reviewing you guys! Until next time!
LATERZ!!! SoaringHellButterfly.
