A/N: So this is the awesome start of my even more awesome hitsumatsu-oneshot collection. Which will hopefully be to your liking. If not...Yeah, well. Tell me what you think about it! Pretty please?

Disclaimer: Not mine.

#1: Merit

Matsumoto opened her eyes to the unyielding and unforgiving light of the midmorning sun.

Ugh ...

Afternoon sun.

Oh well, whatever. Not that it really was of any importance.

What was, however, was the fact that she had been ripped right out of her nap by forces yet unknown but as good as annihilated. Once she was finished sleeping, anyway.

With a slight sigh she turned onto her back, draped her arm over her eyes to shield them from the invading light, and tried to get back to sleep.

Life was good.

"How long exactly are you planning to sleep, Matsumoto?"

"Uh ... only five more minutes, sir ... please ..."

The shuffling of paper could be heard and Matsumoto knew that she already had him on toast.

"Remind me again, Matsumoto, why is it I keep you around?"

Or maybe not.

But she didn't miss a beat. "Because I'm awesome like that."

She could practically hear Hitsugaya's eyebrow lift skeptically.

"In skipping work and getting yourself slam-drunk? Well, I'll admit, you have those disciplines down pat."

"Taichou", Matsumoto whined, but still refused to get up from her spot and prove him wrong.

There was a long moment of silence in which Matumoto was lulled back into a light slumber by the continuous rustling of papers. But Hitsugaya wasn't finished yet.

"Name three reasons why I shouldn't ask for your transfer right this instant."

It seemed he was in a playful mood today. Matsumoto was willing to go along.

"Because nobody can make onigiri as good as I do", she said, absolutely convinced – and rightfully so. Her onigiri were famous among her accomplices, even more so because, as proven, Matsumoto couldn't cook anything else to save her life.

"While they are indeed quite delicious", Hitsugaya replied after a few seconds, "They are not indispensable."

What? Did he just ... mock her onigiri? "If that's how you think it is I won't bother to make them again", she said, a pout on her lips.

"You are just touchy because you can't think of a better reason."

Matsumoto forced the still tired gears in her head to start working a little more efficiently as she realized he was actually right. Unfortunately, it took her a few minutes to come up with anything at all.

And in all honesty, it was Haineko who pointed it out to her.

"Ah!", Matsumoto exclaimed, inwardly thanking her feline companion, "I'm a good fighter."

"One done, two left."

"Uh ..."

Well, what was it that made Matsumoto worthy of being the second-in-command? Comparing herself to fukutaichou of other divisions she found herself awfully lacking.

Wait! Woah. Back up.

Was Matsumoto Rangiku getting self-conscious?

No way in hell.

"I have been part of this division since forever", she said, finally sitting up, "I have earned my place here as much as anyone else did."

"So now you are just resting on your laurels?"

"Am not!", she cried indignantly, sounding like a child. Hitsugaya threw her an unconvinced look, but kept silent.

"Are you trying to make me insecure?", she asked with a huff.

"I'd rather call it 'understand the workings of your brain'", he replied, putting his pen aside, "Other people in our division obviously work harder than you do but still you are their superior. Why do you think that is?"

Flicking her hair behind her shoulders she got up and marched over to her desk. "Right, right, I get it", she growled and sat down, "Look, I'm doing my work..."

Hitsugaya looked at her hunched form with a smirk of triumph.

Not only had he made his lieutenant work without having to yell at her face, he also had ascertained the fact that Matsumoto had no clue whatsoever as to what merit she had for the entire 10th division.

It was a good thing that he knew at least.

But he wouldn't enlighten her quite yet.