Within her own quarters, but not behind her desk. Instead, she sits in front, having moved her chair to this same spot, and before her is a wooden stand, created to hold a single yet large sheet of paper. Blank, not an inkling of dirt or wrinkles can be found, but soon the brush between her index and thumb presses gently against it. The stroke of her brush glides like a child's finger in the water. It moves in a multitude of directions, until it finally stops, removed, placed against a wooden that housed a multitude of different colors. On the other hand, she holds this board. The brush dips into blue after being rinsed and cleaned, and once again it glides just as it did before. The process repeats, and nearly moments later, her picture is finished. Another masterpiece to hang upon the wall of her Quarters, among a plethora of other art she has drawn from her past to her present.
The picture this time displayed the Rukongai beneath a cool blue sky, with a sun at the very peak. It was only a single block, buildings are drawn with heavy detail and precision that it almost seemed life-like. Its dirt roads are drawn with dust and nearly every grain visible. However, she could not forget the people. As scarce as the roads probably are nowadays, she instead would give this block life. A variety of folks- men and women, elderly and children are no exception to the level of detail she provided, and even then, their clothing varied, every style unique and different. Colors of different shades. Every piece drawn seems to grow in skill and technique. There seemed to be no end to her improvement, but as she spent her time drawing, she knew she needed to spend her time training…
So why hasn’t she?
Art for the longest time has been her get away from the busy and stressful life of being a Soul Reaper. It is her chance to unwind, to let her imagination run free. However, it wasn’t just the workload or the liberation of her mind. She had grown content with the rise of Commander Kagayaki, even though she had yet to meet him. However, the disappearance of Head Lieutenant Oki left a wound upon her heart. A cut that ran deep, having looked up to the woman for years…
Where had she gone?
Why did she leave?
Kasu felt abandoned, left with no sense of guidance or inspiration to continue. Silently, she grits her teeth at the thought, her two fingers snapping the brush in two. She stands, as her face relaxes from its taunt and irritated look. She doesn’t bother to clean up the mess as she normally does, she simply places the board filled with blobs of paint onto her desk leaving it to dry. In turn, she equips her Zanapkuto to her hip, placing it between her sash and her Hakama. She passes her by her finished piece, ready to exit, but then her Zanpakuto slowly begins to glow, with a multitude of different colors. It radiates before it extends into a stream that moves in front of her and eventually forms her Zanpakuto Spirit… A brat, who cared little of anything else unless it pertained to art. His intoxicated attitude truly drives her nuts, but for him to appear now, it actually caught her by surprise, slightly…
The childish boy makes a square frame with his index fingers and thumb, a makeshift camera if you will. Upon his face is open-mouthed, with eyes that are wide and full of joy it seems. This prompted a raised eye-brow from Kasu.
” What?”
” CLICK!!!”
With a sharp head turn, she scuffs with closed eyes. The brat only laughs, amused by her irritation.
” This one I shall draw for later. Anyway. Are you going to train now? Are you done sulking over the absence of your old Lieutenant? “
Her eyes open, but they present a sense of sadness and disapproval. Quickly as it is displayed, it is just as quickly dismissed. Her head turns back, her eyes full of focus and only that.
” Ye-.”
” Bitch do not lie to me!”
He snaps, rudely interrupting her. The joy in his face left instantaneously. Her facial expression sits with shock as her eyes widened to this sudden display of anger from the child. Alas, he was quite fed up with her groveling and sniveling over a woman who did not live up to his standards...
not that anyone did honestly…
” You have been cooped up in this room for hours! I am sick of it!.” He tosses and flaunts his hands around in rage. Pacing back and forth across the floor.
” I grow impatient with you. She’s gone, you are here. There is still art to be made! Blood to be spilled! Soooooo! I need you to-
GET! OFF! YOUR! ASS! WOMAN!” Clapping with each word.
At a loss for words, she could do nothing but sigh heavily and shake her head.
” Hmph!”
He places his fist against his hips and quickly dissipates, returning to her Zanpakuto. Kasu stands in silence, thinking on his words, and while she did not enjoy the way he presented it, she knew he was right. A path presents itself, and she had to choose to continue it or remain where she is today. The door to her quarters opens slowly, moved by a single hand, and as light rushes into her face, it illuminates the room behind her, revealing all of the art and murals that she had covered her place of work with. Just as each piece drew improved over time, she needed to improve as well...