Title: Little Black Book
Date: 26 February, 2009
Words: 769
Characters: Hitsugaya, Matsumoto
Pairings: Hitsugaya & Matsumoto
Summary: Hitsugaya stumbles across something belonging to Rangiku that he never wanted to see.
Inspiration: Something I woke up thinking about.
Rating: It could pass for PG, I suppose. I know, shame on me. Such a low rating. Haha, j/k.

A/N: I think I must have been dreaming this last night, because when I woke up this morning (okay, this afternoon, I'm a night owl by nature) this was on my mind. So, I had to write it out.

For anyone who doesn't know, a "Little Black Book" is commonly thought o as an address book with the names and numbers of people you use for potential "Booty Calls." Also, I'm certain a Japanese address book probably isn't arranged the same way, but, my native tongue is English, and this is the way you'd find something in the US.

Please enjoy, read and review!
-Rachel Noelle

Toshiro was looking for a key in the drawer of Rangiku's nightstand. She was such a packrat sometimes it could be unreal. He dug through all of the things in the drawer, pushing aside cosmetic mirrors, a few different makeups, a couple of tealight candles, and various beauty supplies.

Just as he was reaching for the spare key to her rooms, he noticed a tiny black, leather bound notebook. Across the front cover, embossed in gold lettering, were the words "Little Black Book."

Toshiro felt his heart drop. After all of the time they'd been together she had kept such a thing. Upon closer inspection, it looked as though it was decently new. He sat on the futon, nearly missing the soft cushion in his haste to get off his feet. Did he dare to open it? What would he find inside? Whose names, numbers, addresses?

Rangiku claimed to love him, spent every night he could remember with him, but, maybe she really was skipping work to see someone on the side… But, she continually assured him of her love, and her faithfulness. Why now, of all times, did he have to find this? This thing, this abomination. He cautiously fingered the small ring in his pocket. Only moments ago, if someone would have asked, he'd have told them that he loved her and there was no doubt in his mind that she loved him just as much, if not more. He'd accepted her 'experience,' though he preferred not to think on it, and knew he loved her.

But now…

Toshiro laid flat on the bed, debating if he should look at it, just to see. At least if he knew, maybe it wouldn't be so bad when he… He certainly didn't want to end what they had, but, if she was seeing other men on the side, he really didn't want to be attached to that.

"Well, here goes nothing," Toshiro muttered to himself, angry, sad tears stinging his eyes. He opened the cover of the little notebook, turning to the first page. The "A's."

Rangiku had filled in every entry, only about a single sheet of paper with room for eight entries altogether for each letter. The very first entry read "Adorable" and below that was the number to the cell he used in the living world. The next entry was "Absolute" with the number to their office phone below it. Next came "Awesome" with the number to the phone in his rooms. He scanned all of the pages of the book, reading each entry and committing them all to heart.

He found Perfect, Precious, Lover, Beautiful, Cute, Mine, Not Yours, Best Friend, Wonderful, Gracious, Caring, Kind. All of the entries, except the X's and Z's were filled in. Each entry listing some number of his, or the address as "Tenth Division Office" and "Tenth Division Taicho Quarters." Toshiro wondered how long it had taken Rangiku to fill in everything.

Toshiro wiped the tears from his eyes. At least they were happy tears. He had to talk with Rangiku. With a quick shunpo, Toshiro was out of his bedroom and in the living room only an instant later.

Sitting in a chair was the form of Rangiku, painting her nails. She didn't notice him until he wrapped his arms around her from behind, engaging her in a deep kiss. While he had her attention he slipped the small ring out of his pocket and onto the appropriate finger.

She relished the moment, enjoying his unusual boldness. He pulled away from her, grasping her left hand and looking into her eyes as he whispered, "I love you, Rangiku. With all my heart."

There was the threat of tears in Toshiro's eyes, and Rangiku knew she would cry if he shed even half a tear. She looked at their hands entwined in her lap, only just noticing the ring. She drew a quick intake of breath, covering her mouth with her free hand. "Toshiro?" Rangiku looked to the young man wrapped around her, eyes asking for an explanation.

"Marry me?" Toshiro offered, uncertainty and fear of a negative answer evident on his face.

Rangiku burst into tears. "Oh, gods, Toshiro. Of course!" she exclaimed, showering him in kisses as the joyful tears continued streaking down her face. For several minutes neither relinquished their hold on the other.

Rangiku dried her eyes and smiled happily. When she released him, Toshiro watched her go about the last of her primping with love and pride in his eyes. He was all hers, and she was all his.

Every last bit of her.