KaiRuki and Bleach 268
I know it's late, but here's my thoughts on KaiRuki after 268. I'll save my opinions on 269 after the next chapter.
Before I have always thought Rukia’s attraction to Kaien seems to apparent to really have depth. I could have accepted it either way, but it just felt like it was a crush(at most) on someone who is exceptionally kind and understanding toward her when she most needed it, and she would be nearly as affected by him if it wasn‘t for when and how he died. Actually, I’m not sure if my opinion of that had completely changed. Rukia did had no one and nothing back then and Kaien was especially sweet on her, last chapter did not prove that what she felt for him was of romantic nature, or the other way around, and I still think that if he didn't go like that she wouldn't have had as a hard time getting over him. What I have changed my mind on is that whatever it was she felt for him, it was either obvious or shallow.
Rukia’s reaction to Kaien when she first met him was far from “love at first sight”, like Kaien had implied, she was rather blunt/unresponsive to him. Kaien is a complete clown and Rukia never hesitated to make fun of him, get mad at him or be the no-nonsense one around him. But it was those actions of Kaien, and his surprising moments of wisdom and understanding that gradually won over the Rukia. As Rukia has said, being with him is like being suddenly bathed in sunshine without even realizing it. Chapter 268 is exactly one of those moments where in between making a fool out himself, Kaien would say or do something that would surprises, even impresses Rukia without her realizing it. And as those little instants adds up, subconsciously Rukia relearned how to live life from him and he became the pillar of her beliefs.
Another import thing that was reveled to us about their relationship is that, Kaien had meant for Rukia to especially relay on him - probably not in a romantic way, and he probably didn’t know how strong her attachment would be, but he had meant to give her special attention. Rukia said that was the “first” time he trained with her like that, alone and out of the Seireitei, which meant it was far from the last time. I really doubt that Kaien would be able to do that with every of the 200 members in the 13th division. Ok, I know that Rukia is a special case, but probably even more so to Kaien because he knew exactly what she is going through (being alienated by even her closest friend + anyone near her by being held on a pedestal; not given any attention by her brother), and he knew exactly what she needed and that he has it.
Kubo used two pages (the cover page and the page before it) just to descript Rukia skipping over the meadows and running down the hills; how carefree she looked, how restless she felt and how young she was. And at the bottom of the cover page there was Kaien, strolling behind her. They were no more than small figures with their backs turned, you can’t even see their face, but you can pretty much imagine what kind of relationship they have, right there. That was significant for me to realize because before this, we have no real reason to think that Rukia wasn’t just another member of the 13th division who loved Kaien-dono.
If that was the case, than I understood a bit of why someone said that Rukia should be mad at Kaien for throwing his life away. It’s almost like when you have adopted a child, you can’t just kill yourself in front of her without considering what that would do to her. If Kaien had went to his last battle with the intention to die, than yeah, his efforts to reach out to Rukia would seem kind of half-hearted, or even irresponsible. EDIT: And what's worst is that Rukia wouldn't be mad at him, he leaves her no right to be mad at him. I mean, who is she to interfere with Kaien, if he decides that he wants to die with his wife?
But I don’t think that was the case. Instead of thinking that he should die for honor, Kaien seems more like a man who thinks that he could do anything if he was motivated enough. He was that idealistic and he even taught Rukia to be so, until his death took that away from her. But with the recent developments, I think Rukia had somehow regained that almost impractical idealism and even rebelliousness, while still having that practical respect for establishments that she has inherited from Byakuya. So again, while I think Kaien affected every man in Rukia’s life, his existence conflicts the most with Byakuya’s relationship with her.
Before I have always thought Rukia’s attraction to Kaien seems to apparent to really have depth. I could have accepted it either way, but it just felt like it was a crush(at most) on someone who is exceptionally kind and understanding toward her when she most needed it, and she would be nearly as affected by him if it wasn‘t for when and how he died. Actually, I’m not sure if my opinion of that had completely changed. Rukia did had no one and nothing back then and Kaien was especially sweet on her, last chapter did not prove that what she felt for him was of romantic nature, or the other way around, and I still think that if he didn't go like that she wouldn't have had as a hard time getting over him. What I have changed my mind on is that whatever it was she felt for him, it was either obvious or shallow.
Rukia’s reaction to Kaien when she first met him was far from “love at first sight”, like Kaien had implied, she was rather blunt/unresponsive to him. Kaien is a complete clown and Rukia never hesitated to make fun of him, get mad at him or be the no-nonsense one around him. But it was those actions of Kaien, and his surprising moments of wisdom and understanding that gradually won over the Rukia. As Rukia has said, being with him is like being suddenly bathed in sunshine without even realizing it. Chapter 268 is exactly one of those moments where in between making a fool out himself, Kaien would say or do something that would surprises, even impresses Rukia without her realizing it. And as those little instants adds up, subconsciously Rukia relearned how to live life from him and he became the pillar of her beliefs.
Another import thing that was reveled to us about their relationship is that, Kaien had meant for Rukia to especially relay on him - probably not in a romantic way, and he probably didn’t know how strong her attachment would be, but he had meant to give her special attention. Rukia said that was the “first” time he trained with her like that, alone and out of the Seireitei, which meant it was far from the last time. I really doubt that Kaien would be able to do that with every of the 200 members in the 13th division. Ok, I know that Rukia is a special case, but probably even more so to Kaien because he knew exactly what she is going through (being alienated by even her closest friend + anyone near her by being held on a pedestal; not given any attention by her brother), and he knew exactly what she needed and that he has it.
Kubo used two pages (the cover page and the page before it) just to descript Rukia skipping over the meadows and running down the hills; how carefree she looked, how restless she felt and how young she was. And at the bottom of the cover page there was Kaien, strolling behind her. They were no more than small figures with their backs turned, you can’t even see their face, but you can pretty much imagine what kind of relationship they have, right there. That was significant for me to realize because before this, we have no real reason to think that Rukia wasn’t just another member of the 13th division who loved Kaien-dono.
If that was the case, than I understood a bit of why someone said that Rukia should be mad at Kaien for throwing his life away. It’s almost like when you have adopted a child, you can’t just kill yourself in front of her without considering what that would do to her. If Kaien had went to his last battle with the intention to die, than yeah, his efforts to reach out to Rukia would seem kind of half-hearted, or even irresponsible. EDIT: And what's worst is that Rukia wouldn't be mad at him, he leaves her no right to be mad at him. I mean, who is she to interfere with Kaien, if he decides that he wants to die with his wife?
But I don’t think that was the case. Instead of thinking that he should die for honor, Kaien seems more like a man who thinks that he could do anything if he was motivated enough. He was that idealistic and he even taught Rukia to be so, until his death took that away from her. But with the recent developments, I think Rukia had somehow regained that almost impractical idealism and even rebelliousness, while still having that practical respect for establishments that she has inherited from Byakuya. So again, while I think Kaien affected every man in Rukia’s life, his existence conflicts the most with Byakuya’s relationship with her.