Yo! Back with the next chapter. Thanks so much for the encouraging reviews! ^^ They made me so happy and pumped to write more. So here's the chapter that really helps thicken the plot. This one really describes where Rangiku wants to go from here. It can either go further down hill or get better, let's find out. Enjoy!

Wilting Daffodils

Chapter 12

Eyes Tell A Story

"I would like to request a transfer out of Tenth Division." Rangiku said, trying to sound as strong as she could. Those words hurt her to say, but she couldn't let her feelings drag her down anymore. It was time to bury them and start anew. Again. Ukitake let out a silent gasp.

"A transfer? May I ask why?" Yamamoto asked. Matsumoto's gaze shot back down to the floor again. How could she answer that without crying? She let out a shaky sigh.

"I... have personal reasons for leaving..." Was all she could say. Ukitake looked at her with a bewildered look. How could she want to transfer away? He thought she loved working in Tenth. He wondered what kind of personal reasons she could have. Could they have something to do with Hitsugaya?

"I see. I'm hoping these personal reasons won't keep you from working properly, but if it makes you do your job better I suppose I could allow a transfer. We can't allow personal feelings get in the way of our duties as part of the Gotei 13." Yamamoto said sternly, and Rangiku nodded.

"Very well. Where would you like to be transferred to?" Sasakibe appeared then, with several sheets of paper in his hands. "The order is ready, sir." Sasakibe said.

"Very good. We're ready when you are Matsumoto-Fukutaicho." Yamamoto said, and proceeded to wait patiently while Rangiku pondered on where to go.

She wasn't stealthy enough for Second. She wouldn't dare go to Third. Her kido and zanpakuto weren't based in healing for Fourth. Renji would kill her if she traded spots with him. Seventh was too weird for her taste. Rangiku didn't want to separate Nanao and Kyouraku. She couldn't go to Ninth or Thirteenth because of reassigning being done. She'd rather die than go to Eleventh or Twelfth. That left only one option...

"I'd like to switch positions with Hinamori-Fukutaicho if that's alright." She choked. Ukitake looked at her with a knowing expression as she kept her gaze on the floor, her bangs shadowing her eyes.

"You would like to switch? Become the Fukutaicho for Fifth, and let Hinamori-Fukutaicho take your place in Tenth? That's a first, it's never happened before, but I suppose it's allowable... Is that your final decision?" Yamamoto asked.

Matsumoto felt the sadness coming but pushed it as best as she could. She would not break down in front of the Soutaicho. With great will power she forced herself to look at him and give him a serious answer with a serious face to go with it.

"Yes, sir." Yamamoto nodded then.

"Very well. Your request has been granted. Hinamori-Fukutaicho does need a Taicho guiding her at this time. I trust you'll find your decision to be the right one. Sasakibe-Fukutaicho will give you one of these forms. The other two will go to Hinamori-Fukutaicho, and Hitsugaya-Taicho." Rangiku's eyes widened.

"Until I have all three signatures, you will remain in your current position. You all have three days to get them signed or else I will dismiss this transfer, no exceptions. Return all three to Sasakibe immediately after signing. That is all." Yamamoto dismissed. Rangiku sighed.

She was led out of the room by Sasakibe, the giant doors closed behind her with a loud boom. Sasakibe turned to her and held up a form.

"Fill out this transfer sheet, and sign it. When all three forms have been turned in you will have twenty-four hours to pack your things and move to your new post. Be prepared to handle a division on your own until a new Taicho has been assigned to Fifth. You have three days starting now." He explained and handed her one of the sheets.

"I shall send these to Hinamori-Fukutaicho and Hitsugaya-Taicho within the hour. Dismissed." Sasakibe said, turning on his heals and walking off.

Rangiku sighed again and looked at the form just given to her. The words "Transfer Report" in big bold letters at the top. She had done it. She had requested and gotten permission for a transfer. Now she could finally try to move on for real.

As soon as she got his signature.

She knew as soon as she saw him, he'd ask why. And he wouldn't stop until he got an answer. She knew him well enough to know that he would demand a reason. And he knew her well enough to know that she would never leave without a very good reason.

Yet was the reason she was leaving good enough? In the beginning she thought she could stand the pain, she thought she could be brave and strong. Especially thought she could somehow bring back his memories.

But she couldn't.

It just hurt too much. This fate given to her was far worse than death itself. She'd probably have taken death if given the option. To be with someone you truly love, and want to spend the rest of your life with, and then have them taken away... They no longer remember you, yet you remember everything. To watch them as they act as if nothing ever happened, while you grieve over it all. It was too much for her, she had to end it all.

He may have said once that he loved Hinamori as a sister, but now that his mind has changed some, she was sure he'd say different now. Rangiku knew Hinamori would be happy about this arrangement. Hitsugaya should be too.

They are good friends, maybe even more than friends now, and will be a great team. Maybe even greater than the team Toshiro and Rangiku used to be. Back when everything was just... Normal... No sadness, romance or problems tossed in... Just plain happiness...

"Matsumoto-Fukutaicho?" She whirled around at the voice of Ukitake. He stood before her, a concerned look on his face. She put on a polite smile, and it didn't require effort. Ukitake's presence was always nice.

"Ukitake-Taichou, nice to see you this evening." Rangiku said, as cheerful as she could make it. Her act was not fooling him though. From the way she acted when requesting the transfer, he could tell she was deeply hurt by something.

"I'm sorry to bother you. But, if I may, why would you want to leave your division? I understand it's personal, but I just thought I should ask." Jushiro said, his voice matching his facial expression. Matsumoto didn't quite know what to say, her smile fell and turned into a frown. What could she tell him? Could she answer him, and without crying too?

Rangiku lowered her head, she really did want to tell Ukitake the truth, he was a kind, wise and understanding man. She wondered if he would have a solution to her problem. But now that she was ending it, she may as well have the least number of people know about it.

"I... I just... Things just got too hard and complicated. I thought I could handle it but I can't. Please understand that if I could tell you, I would. But I think it's best if I don't." Matsumoto lifted her head. Ukitake's eyes widened slightly.

That's when he understood it all. Her eyes said it all.

The look in her eyes, the sad emotion pouring out of them. They told a story of heart-break. And Ukitake knew just who caused it.

"I understand. Please excuse my rudeness, Matsumoto-Fukutaicho." He bowed his head in apology. Rangiku shook her head. "You could never be rude, Ukitake-Taicho. I'd better go now. Good night, sir." She smiled and gave him a wave before turning and walking away. Ukitake watched as she disappeared into the darkness of the street.

"Amazing how eyes tell a story, huh Jushiro?" Ukitake looked over and saw Kyouraku leaning against the door to First, his arms crossed over his chest. Ukitake frowned.

"I'm guessing you know what's really going on then?" He asked. Shunsui pushed himself off the door and stepped towards Jushiro, he let out a low sigh before lifting his head to look at his old friend.

"Since you've basically got it figured out, I see no harm in telling you the story. I'm technically keeping my promise. But I do warn you, it's heart-breaking."

The sheet of paper suddenly felt permanently attached to her hand. She couldn't put it down and could barely keep her eyes off it for more than a few seconds.

The signature line remained blank, and the pen in her hand made no move to change that. Was it irony to hesitate now? Now when she had finally gotten the opportunity to be freed from her state of sadness and depression and go back to her normal self. Why did her hand shake at the thought?

Getting cold feet, Mistress? Rangiku snorted.

Of course not. I'm just having a hard time grasping it all. To think all this has happened in two months... It feels like only yesterday when everything was just... normal. I wish that I could reverse the clock, stop time, and never let it start back up. Maybe then this whole mess could've been prevented. Matsumoto lifted the transfer sheet and placed it on the desk.

Even if you were to sign, Hitsugaya still has to sign his. And he has a right to decline and make you stay. What will you do then? Haineko asked, eager for her answer.

"According to law, I am allowed with my right as a Fukutaicho to go against my Taicho and request the transfer to Central 46. They will no doubt grant me my transfer if I told them about personal relationships interfering with the products and well being of the division."

But that's not the case. And that could lead to Hitsugaya losing his position. Matsumoto stopped for a minute. She hadn't thought of that. Rangiku would never want that to happen, Toshiro loved his job very much and it would kill him to lose it. All the hard work he went through for hyourinmaru and everyone would've been for nothing...

"Well... If it comes to that, then I'll just quit. I have a right to quit and he can't stop me." With that said, she lifted her pen and signed her name on the dotted line.

Later that evening, Matsumoto decided to stop by the store for a few things. An evening at home sounded nice so she needed to pick up some food and appliances. It was nearly Midnight and there was only one store nearby open that late. She needed to be sure to stock up on sake too, she'll need a lot of it in order to survive tomorrow. Probably the worst day of all days now.

The anniversary of Gin's death... And the day she fell in love with Toshiro...

Was it wrong that two events, one bad and one good, fell on the same day? The day that held the anniversary of her old friend's death, and the day she began her romance with Hitsugaya? Where was the irony in that?

This year though, she wasn't planning on visiting Gin's grave like she usually did. This year she'd rather barricade herself from the world and just survive it altogether. Sure, it was just another day of the week for some, and it should be for her too. But the meanings behind it, were just too painful this year. Maybe next year she'll be able to make it through without so much as a tear.

To get to the nearest store, she needed to go by the division. Rangiku peeked into the terrace, wondering if everyone had gone home. The barracks still had lights on, so she wondered if someone forgot to turn them off. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the office light was still on through the window.

"It's past Midnight, he should be home. Why is he still here?" The icy reiatsu answered her question, it was just as she expected; tense and upset. He had received the transfer sheet by now.

You should at least talk to him. He deserves to know why you want to leave. You owe him that much. Rangiku clenched her teeth together, Haineko was right. She did owe him at least one explanation. And she had to face him eventually, may as well get it over with. But the matter of what she'd do when she saw him was what concerned her.

What would I say? He's clearly baffled. Judging from his frustrated reiatsu, she wondered if he would even hear her out.

Well yeah he's baffled. His Fukutaicho acts strangely for the past two months and suddenly wants to leave, how would you react? I'm surprised the division isn't covered in ice. Just go in there and tell him something, don't leave him in the dark. Haineko's voice was insistent and rough, she really wanted Matsumoto to face him. Rangiku sighed.

"Alright, but only if you say something to Hyourinmaru. That makes it fair." She felt Haineko's presence falter slightly, and smiled a little."You two haven't spoken in a while, this may be the last chance to."

Fine... After that, Haineko's presence was gone. Matsumoto took a deep breath and entered the barracks.

The members of the division, that were still there for whatever reason, looked at her with many faces of sadness and disappointment. Somehow they must have gotten the message that she was leaving them. How she didn't know, but she shared their pain, she loved all her members like they were family.

When Matsumoto reached the door to the office, she could already tell what was waiting for her. The temperature was cold inside, and it was leaking out into the hallway. Rangiku took a deep breath before slowly opening the door.

A big wave of cold air brushed over her when the door was opened, making her shiver slightly. Matsumoto stepped inside, closing the door silently behind her. With a quick glance around the room, she saw him by the window with his back to her, the transfer sheet clutched tightly in his hand. She knew he was aware of her presence, yet neither said a word.

Rangiku just watched him, waiting for him to at least move. He was so still she wondered if he was even breathing. She took a step towards him, but stopped short when that single step made him tense up. She opened her mouth to say something but he suddenly turned his body towards her.

She suddenly felt frozen in place when glossy, saddened, and frustrated teal eyes locked onto her. His voice was barely above a hoarse whisper.

"Matsumoto..."

The life begins to drain... The colors begin to fade...

Cliffhanger! And that's the chapter. Hope you liked it. If you think this and the last chapter were great, just wait until the next chapter, it'll really get you hopping in your chair. Next time, we see confrontation between the two at last. What will happen? Will something occur that will make them love again, or will Rangiku leave his side for good? You gotta tune in next time to find out. Keep reading and reviewing you guys! Until next time!

LATERZ!!! SoaringHellButterfly.