Yachiru

You know the tiny steps belong to the child who enjoys tormenting your life, turning your manor into a maze with tunnels and secret rooms and is constantly calling you by sickening nicknames, but you have a special place in your heart for the girl since you obviously don't bother to correct her. She's the child that you and Hisana didn't have, a little girl who needs a proper upbringing, rather than the animalistic one that the eleventh division provides.

You know she'll never leave Zaraki's command, the two are inseparable, but you can't help but wonder what they would be like apart. The prospect is quite gloomy--Yachiru would probably lose that bright smile and upbeat attitude and while Kenpachi can be quite insufferable, you can't imagine him without a pink head of hair on his shoulder. Unfortunately, that leaves you to play the role of mother for her, as much as you despise that fact, and it puts you much closer to the demon of the Gotei 13.

"Kusajishi, have you some business here at this time of night?"

The steps halt and you know she's trying to pretend she isn't there. You turn to peer at her, not malevolently or anything, simply to show her ruse is not fooling anyone, least of all you, and she pouts. "Aw, no fun, Byakushi!"

"What are you doing here?" You ask again, not avoiding the authoritative tone because you know that a child should not be wandering the streets alone, even within Seireitei.

"Ken-chan's being weird, Byakkun," she answers, tilting her head like the curious child she is. "He beat up a dummy that looked like you and he still wasn't happy!"

You know that Zaraki Kenpachi has always wanted to fight you, for whatever insane reason he may have and even with his massive amounts of reiatsu he has at his disposal, you're confident that you're much more controlled than he is and it isn't the strongest blow that wins, only the most tactical. Even though your pride and confidence border on arrogance where the matter is concerned and you're positive you can defeat him in a match, you have no desire to truly expend your power and exhaust yourself on him. He isn't a captain for nothing and you know that you may take a blow or two--it's inevitable in battle--but you aren't afraid of him. It's just a waste of time and your time is precious.

"And where is Zaraki-taichou?"

She frowns and pulls at her bottom lip. "Ken-chan didn't come with me. If you guys got into a fight, you should make up, Byakushi! Ken-chan's really nice!"