A/N: ATTENTION PLEASE! Ok. Now, I decided to name the character Takeo Kenji, but I'm not sure whether you can name somebody that way, so if you know, tell me, I can still change it. And thanks for all the people who left me suggestions for a name. I really appreciate that! Also, guys, you're the best! Thanks a lot for the reviews! I really hope you like this chapter. It's a little short, but it's because I want it to end on a particular moment. So don't hate me.

Matsumoto stormed out of her apartment and pass Ikkaku, determined to reach her aim as soon as possible. She was holding the piece of paper in her hand, squeezing it so tightly that it looked like someone had chewed on it.

Oh, please God, it must be a mistake…

She was in front of the office in no time. The door was unlocked, but that was nothing unusual. Hitsugaya always came to work before her. She took a deep breath in a brave attempt to regain her composure and pushed the door open.

'Good morning, Matsumoto.' came a low indifferent voice as Hitusgaya gathered his things from the desk and put them in a large cardboard box that lied in his feet. He then pulled the first drawer and started rummaging, the fukutaicho's eyes following every each one of his movements with growing horror.

'So… It's true…' she managed to say after a few seconds 'You really are transferred to the fifth division.'

'Yes, I'm afraid I'm not your captain anymore.' He answered, calmly moving to the next drawer without even glancing at her 'I talked with general Yamamato. I asked him to let me be Hinamori's new captain and employ somebody on my place. We both agree that it's better for Momo to work for a person she knows. You know… after what happened with Aizen…'

'But you're leaving ME!' Matsumoto pointed out, slightly narrowing her eyes.

'Yes, well…' Hitsugaya lifted his gaze and redirected it to the window 'Momo needs me more than you need me. So… I guess you'll just have to deal with the new captain…'

'This is ridicules! Your transfer has nothing to do with Hinamori.' Matsumoto said, putting her hand on her hip. Hitsugaya let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

'Is there anything I can do or say to convince you that the world isn't spinning around you!?' he snapped, surprising her a little.

'Is there anything I can do or say to convince you that Hinamori isn't the only one who needs you?' Matsumoto gazed at him expectantly, but all she got was a small snort. She let out a weary sigh, before continuing 'I need you. I need you around me. You are my taicho! I like working for you! Please, don't go, Toushiro! I l-'

She was suddenly cut off when he slammed his fist on the desk, making her and it jump a few centimeters in the air.

'ADDRESS ME PROPERLY, LIEUTANANT!' Hitusgaya yelled, his enrage teal eyes meeting hers for a first time since he had left her apartment 'FOR GOD'S SAKE, YES, THIS IS'N ABOUT HINAMORI, THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND ME AND WHAT HAPPENED! BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING! I CAN'T WORK WITH YOU ANYMORE, MATSUMOTO! I JUST CAN'T! AND YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!'

'WHY CAN'T WE WORK TOGETHER?' Matsumoto yelled back, clenching her fists 'IF YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME…'

'WHAT? What is going to change?' he let out a dry laughter 'You still made a fun of me. The poor naïve juvenile captain that fell head over heels in love with his fukutaicho… The perfect story for entertainment.' Hitsugaya's features softened and after a short pause he added much more quietly 'My transferring is for the best, Matsumoto. You have to understand…'

'Understand? Understand WHAT exactly? This makes no sense at all! We should just sit down and discu-'

'Understand that I have no other choice!' Hitsugaya sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before adding 'I don't trust you anymore.'

The last state left Matsumoto speechless. She just stood there, her shocked pale blue eyes staring into his teal ones… His gorgeous orbs, filled with hurt, anger, sadness and disappointment… She felt her heart sink. She was the one who caused him all this. It was her fault... it was happening because of her...

I don't trust you anymore.

His words repeated in her head again and again, making it harder to breath.

I betrayed him… it's only natural that he isn't trusting me anymore…

She swallowed hard, not daring to look away, even though his eyes only made her feel guiltier. Hitsugaya stared at her for a couple of more seconds before sighing yet once again, bending and picking up the cardboard box.

'I can't work with a lieutenant I do not trust… I'm sorry. I hope you'll get along with your new captain.' He softly said, looking down at his things. He then lifted his gaze and looked around the room. Not because he searched for something he had forgotten, but because there were so many memories within these four walls. The ghosts of those memories were laughing, crying, yelling, ruining paperwork and daydreaming… He could hear the echo of the voices, the sobs and the giggles all around him, calling him, chasing him, gently brushing against his skin, leaving goosebumps... He felt a small smile appear on his lips. So many things had happened in this office… Including the first time he had met Matsumoto Rangiku – an amazing, intelligent, smart and beautiful woman… he would never forget that day…

'Take care, Matsumoto.' Hitsugaya said, his eyes meeting hers once again. He then made his way pass her and towards the opened door. He was only a step or two away from it, when a hand suddenly clenched his arm. Toushiro raised his eyebrows and looked up at Matsumoto who was gazing at him with a determined expression on her beautiful face. The boy opened his mouth to say something, but she placed a finger on his lips to keep him silent.

'Why won't you listen to me, Toushiro?' she asked softly, leaning a little so their faces where inches away from each other 'Don't you want to forgive me?'

She was so close… too close… His eyes drifted to her beautiful rose lips and he swallowed hard. He wanted to kiss her so badly… but how could he after what happened…

'It's not that…' he whispered, his eyes now visibly locked on her mouth 'It's just that… I…'

Matsumoto leaned a bit more, their noses almost touching.

'I wanted to tell you for quite some time now…' she begun 'I lo-'

'What's going on in here?' a rough voice asked and Hitsugaya immediately snapped back to reality and pulled away from her grip. On the doorsteps there stood large muscular man with black eyes and messy red hair. He was so tall that his head almost hit the top of the door-frame and his thin lips and square face made him look like a rude colonel that couldn't wait to eat you for breakfast.

'Takeo-taicho.' Hitsugaya said, quickly regaining his composure and greeting the man with a small nod. The red-head nodded in return before redirecting his eyes to Matsumoto, who just stood there, not knowing what exactly to do.

'Are you Matsumoto Rangiku?' he asked carefully, raising an eyebrow and folding his arms in front of his giant chest.

'Who are you?' the woman asked, a bit too sharply. Hitsugaya sighed wearily.

'Matsumoto-fukutaicho, meet your new captain – Takeo Kenji.' The boy announced, looking in some spot far away from the horizon behind Takeo's back as he did so. Just then the woman noticed the captain haori that looked a bit odd on the giant.

'Oh.' She managed to say, blinking a few times, while examining the man 'Gee, you're one hell of a mountain.'

Takeo let out an odd wheezy sound that was probably his laughter and shook his head.

'Will definitely have to work on your manners, Barbie, that's for sure.' He said.

Hitsugaya cleared his throat to remind the others of his existence, then said a dry goodbye to the both without looking at his former vice-captain and shunpoed to his new office, leaving them on their own.

'Ok, Barbie…' Takeo begun after closing the door behind him and walking inside the office to look around 'Here's the deal – you do whatever I tell you to do and everything will go smoothly. Otherwise…' he looked at her with a strange spark in his black eyes 'You'll be in one hell of a trouble.'

Matsumoto narrowed her eyes a little. She knew this man for about a minute or so and she already knew she didn't like him even the slightest bit.