Author's note ~ This is the third.

331e) Memento
Genre
: Drama, Humor
Main Characters: Toshiro, Matsumoto
Rating: K+

Rangiku found herself glad to be back in Soul Society. She stepped into the tenth division office to begin working on her paperwork, when a soft snore came to her ear. She turned her head to the desk her small taicho used. His head was bent low and he clutched his Soul Phone in one hand. She crept over and tapped the child on the shoulder.

At that, two teal eyes blinked and then the small head darted up. "Matsumoto. Stop napping and get to your paper work."

The female let out a deep laugh. "Taicho, you were the person taking nap."

Toshiro began to rub his eyes. "My reiatsu's still recovering from everything."

"You should be sure to eat your meals." Rangiku pulled a treat from her sleeve and shoved it in front of the small taicho. Her eye fell on the stuffed lion phone strap attached to the phone. "Taicho... what is that?"

At that, his teal eyes suddenly darted to his hand. "That?"

"Yes. The phone strap. You aren't one for trinkets." Matsumoto leaned over his shoulder, suddenly seeing a blush creep up on his cheeks.

Glancing away, his voice came out. "Its nothing."

"Taicho..." Rangiku suddenly stood up, wrapping her arms across her chest.

At that, the boy muttered, turning his head away from her. "Apparently it has to do with the fact that I have the word lion in my name."

"Who gave it to you?" The woman's voice was filled with curiosity. "I know full well that you wouldn't go out and buy yourself something like that."

"Kurosaki's sister..." Toshiro muttered, trying to not look her in the face.

"Oh." Rangiku suddenly hugged him tightly from behind. "You are growing up."

"Matsumoto!" Toshiro suddenly roared out. "She gave it to me because she got two free and we're friends. Not because... of that!"

At that, the female let out a deep sigh. "It is rather funny that you jumped to that conclusion. I was simply nothing the fact that you accepted a gift from someone else rather willingly. So, you do have a crush on her, don't you?"

"What is it with everybody thinking that we're boyfriend and girlfriend. It isn't funny." The small boy sputtered out. Rangiku clapped a hand over her mouth causing the boy to become even more frustrated. "It isn't a laughing matter. Bad enough Kurosaki teased me about this."

"Ichigo? Ichigo knows that you and Karin are friends?" Rangiku was suddenly laughing. The small taicho's eyebrow twitched. "What did he do, threaten to beat you up?"

"No." Toshiro's lips tightened with frustration. "I don't want to talk about it. I really don't want to talk about it. And no, we're not dating, not matter what anyone thinks."

"Oh, Taicho." Matsumoto shook her head at the small taicho. "The more you deny the idea of you crushing on Karin-chan, the more likely people aren't going to believe you."

"Matsumoto! I do not have a crush on her!" The small taicho stomped his foot down hard.

"Uh huh." Rangiku shook her head. "Well, I don't believe you. As I told you, the more you deny it, the more people won't believe you." At that, the small taicho's cheeks flushed red from frustration.