This is a civilian. Which is why Kaoru stares down at the girl in mute shock as her face goes white. Rangiku might feel the turmoil in Kaoru's soul. A brief image of a proud man holding the hilt of a bokken with both palms, the tip on the ground at the entry of a dojo. His blue eyes are kind.

It flickers as the little girl begs, "Where is Daddy? Is he alright? Did you talk to him?" Kaoru is wordless for a few minutes before somehow her vocal chords start to work.

"Y..Your Father ---" Kaoru can feel her voice start to crack--she's about to lose it and she's seeing the little girl as herself. Her, waiting for a man who would never come back, body torn apart by the swords of war.

But that little girl..is not needed now.

The strong Kaoru is needed.

So instead she laughs. "Of course I did! He told me how brave a little girl you were, and that's why he knew you'd be alright if he went away for a little while, haha..." Her laugh is forced to anyone who focuses hard, and as she smiles brightly down at her.

"He made me tell you to promise him something..until you see him again, so listen close, okay? It's really important.." Kaoru leaned in as did the little girl, Kaoru's eyes crinkling with a smile to both hide the pain and the horrified tears springing under her eyelids.

"Be....be a strong girl. And live a..happy life until you see him again, okay? That's what he said. So..will you promise him that? " The girl's eyes were wide, and a tear slid down her cheek. Kaoru's gut felt like it had been kicked.

Just as she had vaguely realized her father wouldn't come back..somehow this little girl also knew. But instead she offered a bright smile as the tear rolled down her face. "O-Okay..Tell Daddy that I promise, okay?"

Kaoru's eyes watered. "Yeah...you can do it.."