DISCLAIMER: This is so the last time I'm putting this in. It's a waste of space.

Author's Note: I haven't updated this series in what feels like forever, and yeah, I do feel guilty about it. So there, and hope you don't hate this addition too much.

Tōshirō walked through the streets of Karakura, an irritated scowl firmly rooted on his face. The rest of his team were waiting at Urahara's shop – except for one person.

Namely, Matsumoto.

His scowl darkened. Who else?

Sometimes, he really had to wonder if his fukutaicho was honestly worth the effort. The only consolation he had was that if he had it bad, then Zaraki Kenpachi probably had it worse.

Or not, commented the little voice in his head that had been doing most of the grumbling. The insane git apparently enjoys being constantly bullied by that pink-haired menace of his, doesn't he?

The white-haired taicho shook his head in annoyance. He really detested missions to the Human World, one of the main reasons being that he ended up spending way too much time than could possibly be healthy with a certain shopkeeper.

Which, now that he thought about it, was also probably why he now had an annoying, sarcastic voice in his head making completely unneeded comments about everything.

It's either that, or you're going completely crazy. The voice gave the mental equivalent of a shrug, which seemed strangely reminiscent of said shopkeeper.

Scratch that – he now had an annoying, sarcastic, and pessimistic voice in his head making ridiculous comments on equally ridiculous topics. Just great.

He continued to search for his fukutaicho, making a mental note to stay away from Urahara Kisuke as much as possible – doing otherwise would probably endanger his sanity, especially considering the increasing frequency of his missions to the Human World –

His thoughts cut off abruptly as he spotted the familiar figure of his fukutaicho in front of a pet shop, looking happily at a litter of kittens in one of the cages on display. Unsurprisingly, the poor things looked traumatised.

The annoyed taicho walked up to her, barely bothering to hide his approach. "Matsumoto."

She jumped in surprise at his voice – Urahara's gigai had evidently done a good job of masking his reiatsu, considering that she hadn't noticed him at all. Of course, there was no way that he was going to tell this to the shopkeeper, just as he wasn't about to admit that he felt considerably amused to see her do that.

Tōshirō narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you know that you were supposed to be at Urahara's shop half an hour ago?"

"I was?" Matsumoto blinked innocently at him. "But these kittens are so cute, aren't they? And – "

Exasperated, he interrupted her. "Yes, maybe, and no - you may not bring any of them back to the office, however cute they way be."

His voice made it abundantly clear that he knew what she was thinking, and there was no way he was going to let it happen.

She insisted on trying, though. "I really can't? But taicho…"

He nearly rolled his eyes at her pitiful expression. "Which part of 'no' do you not happen to understand, Matsumoto?"

Yet another innocent look. "Er… the whole thing?"

"Under no circumstances and by no means are you to bring that… thing into my office. Are we clear about that?"

Matsumoto pouted, causing Tōshirō to seriously consider banging his head against the wall several times. That might help to get the point across.

He settled for leaning his head against the cool glass of the display window, contemplating a terrapin that contentedly swam up and down its tank.

As he watched, the terrapin swam up to him, looking at him in a seemingly profound manner that somehow suggested to him that the animal understood and pitied his plight.

If only.

The taicho groaned. He could already feel Matsumoto getting ideas.

Sure enough, she spoke excitedly moments later. "Look, taicho, it likes you! Why don't you take it back, and I can bring this kitten back, and – "

"MATSUMOTO!"

END

2nd Author's Note: Yup. Going to post the next one now, so moving on then.