What's So Special About Her?
If you asked all the captains in the Soul Society which one was least likely to be a parent, the answer was simple.
Kenpachi Zaraki.
Sure, there were others who were… less than suited to the job; that was certain. Byakuya Kuchiki, for one, was so cold and chilly that others often wondered if his mother had committed some kind of unnatural act with a refrigerator; and Gin Ichimaru's face could scare pretty much anybody out of their wits, especially a small impressionable child.
But in the worst-suited-to-care-for-a-child category, Kenpachi took the first prize. And second and third, and possibly the complimentary pumpkin pie that was given to the runner-up too. He was a killing machine, there was no doubt about it.
So… what was so special about that little pink-haired girl?
It was the question on the lips of every taichou and fukataichou around. Why wasn't she scared of the imposing, violent man? More importantly, why was Kenpachi caring for this girl? He was known to dislike children (and small puppies) and went to great lengths to avoid anything too cute.
I guess everybody's entitled to their quirks, most of them thought, and went about their business as usual.
Rukia Kuchiki, while confused as to what the hell this Yachiru girl was doing with the formidable taichou of eleventh division, had always had a bit of a soft spot for all things little, fuzzy, and pink. Yachiru reminded her of a little rabbit with her big eyes and bursts of energy. She'd often seen the girl from afar, but had never really engaged in conversation with her.
So, one afternoon when she was able to get away from work, she headed over to where she saw Yachiru sitting, doodling what looked like an ice-cream cone in the sand with her finger.
"Hello, Kusajishi-san!" Rukia said, putting on her best "I'm-talking-to-a-small-child" voice, for of course that was how most people regarded Yachiru before they really got to know her. She put out her hand, just in case Yachiru wanted to shake it.
"Did you bring me candy?" the small girl asked, looking up at Rukia and her outstretched hand.
"Kids shouldn't eat as much candy as you eat. You'll get fat!"
Ten minutes later, Rukia Kuchiki showed up in Fourth Division. Many bandages were needed for her bleeding fingers.