It was a sunny afternoon in the Soul Society With clear skies overhead, a leisurely breeze made its way through windows, doors and hallways. Ruffling the perfectly round hair of a man carrying a packet of papers. Said man smiled gleefully as he made his way to the Captain Commander's office. With a spring in his step, this man, third seat of the ninth division was none other than the greatest artist in all of Soul Society. Bobu Rosu, the master of the art of PAINting and killing had urgent business.
There was an issue with his recent edition of the Seireitei News. One that prevented its publication and the enjoyment of its dear readers. This was something Bobu Rosu could not stand for. Merrily humming a tune he made his way down a lone hallway, before spotting two figures walking opposite of him. Noticing the two as being Captain Oka and Natsuko he waved to them as they grew closer.
"It's a lovely day out Captain Ogasawara, Sunemizuki." Bowing to each lightly he continued.
"If only the Captain Commander could be more understanding. I'd be painting on Sōkyoku Hill." looking longingly outside the window next to him.
"What brings you two here?" he asked, taking his eyes off the scenery.
After yesterday's chaotic meeting, if it could be even classified as such, Natsuko was now being dragged out for barbecue by her junior, Oka. Not that that alone was too bad to deal with, but she still had not yet discovered what the animal's plot was—Oka rarely did what you could call "scheming", and it didn't exactly put her at ease knowing that it regarded the woman having a man in mind for her. Yes, she did ask, or rather demand she assist in this endeavour, however something about Oka's grin that day didn't feel right. To be honest, this little excursion to a restaurant wasn't solely the wishes of the animal-eared Captain; when she got distracted and began focusing too much on one thing, she tended to let things slip, which was good for the mummified of them.
On the way, however, the two ran into the seated artist along the way.
"Third seat Rosu," She greeted in turn with a nod. Then pointing to her tailed companion, fifth division's Captain answered his inquiry with another quip at Oka's animal side.
"I'm taking her out for food. If she doesn't get walked and fed, she gets wily."
"Mhmmhmhmm Tasty tast...Oh! Bobu! Ah Rossu-san! Good evening!" Humming to herself as if caught up in the idea of her meal, which in fairness she likely was, the sudden startled reaction seems to confirm as much. She always liked such outings, she could eat and drink as she pleased with Natsuko there to make sure she got home safely, though she would never admit such a thing. Paying attention now she guesses what he had been asking based on the Mummy s own reply.
"Ah, just going to eat, ehehe! And ehh...what brings you here, 3rd Seat, work?" Peering down at him through her masked visor, even if half of her face was hidden she seemed to be in a rather good mood. Her tail wagging tended to give such information away readily enough after all.
"Oh. A barbecue? That sounds delightful. And yes. It seems the Commander isn't happy with the latest Seireitei News." Looking down, Bobu lightly shows the front page of the packet in his hand with a glum frown.
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"He didn't even say why. I was going to see him about it. But, since you're here, would you care to give it a look and tell me what you think?" Presenting the top half of the papers to where they were in full view, Bobu holds them out to either Captain with a curious and hopeful tone.
As the third seat unveils his art for the two to see, asking of their opinion, Natsuko studies and stares at it a few moments, before deadpanning.
"...You drew the Inu..." She stated. The image just showed her fellow Captain crouched and howling. She even looked a bit cute, though that may full well just be Natsuko's inability to not see Oka as some kind of a pet. Still, there was nothing wrong with it that she could tell.
"...I do not see any blaring issues with it. The Captain Commander had an issue with this artwork?"
"Eh...EH?! Why am I the front page!?" Staring at the image, she felt it didn't look proper, not proper at all.
"Why in the hell am I on the front page!? And why do I look like...well that?.." Scratching her head, if this was in regards to earlier events, it seemed slightly out of place, more so with herself at the center of it all..was the paper being told what it couldn't put in? They would never do something like that though, or so she reasoned.
Sighing a bit she wondered what other images there were that weren't allowed. If there were any others. Upon Bobu's remark on the Captain Commander she wonders why he wasn't happy, or why it was so thin.
"So why's the paper like this Rossu-San?" Her ears slightly perked the wagging of her tail had ceased. While it didn't seem she was angry, she was staring at the approved draft of the paper still, waiting to see the 3rd seats own answer to this situation.
"That's what the editors told me." Bobu said before answering Captain Oka.
"I had to make you look nice, like a beautiful creature, otherwise no one would buy the paper, then I would be sad. I can't paint when I'm sad" he said shaking his head lightly.
"Here." Pulling out a slip from the remaining papers in his hand, Bobu handed Captain Oka a page with a different artwork.
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"I was gonna use this one, but the editors said I probably shouldn't. I don't know why it's a good painting." Below the image is yet another, but of a different angle. Featuring a feral Captain Oka with blood running from her mouth, fangs bared, and eyes piercing red.
"The editors removed a lot cause of the Commander. See," Reaching for yet another paper from his hand, Bobu hands Oka a second artwork. This one of the Kenpachi, it shows the man lying face down in the dirt, bloody and scarred.
"here's the Kenpachi lying face down like a sloth taking a nap. I erased the pain from his face, to make him seem more peaceful. It was suppose to be front page, but they didn't like it." Under the image the title of an article reads: Captains Growing Lazy? in bold lettering.
"Here's Lieutenant Zuo Ci waking him up." Adding yet another page to the revised draft. This one showed the Kenpachi with a sword sticking out of his gut and a very broad smile across his face.
"I made him smiling cause he's happy to be alive." Under it too reads: Fourth Division negligence all time high!
Deadpanning at the next set of pictures—Now, these were a problem. Oka most of the time was a cute ditz but when she grew—"feral", it was rather unsettling to say the least for any onlookers. Then there was another picture in which she was depicted even more feral than the last. Then the next two switched subjects from Oka to Kenpachi however they were less than flattering. The title wasn't all too morale-raising either. Oh if Oda saw the picture of himself laying face-down in the dirt...
Regardless, if the pictures themselves weren't enough of an issue, there was the matter regarding the headlines. In times like these, the Captain Commander would probably prefer something more—"uplifting", something that plays off the events more positively. Now, Natsuko herself didn't consider what happened to be anything close to a "victory", however she could see why these covers of Rosu's were not approved.
"...I have no conceivable idea why these would be disapproved of..." Natsuko murmured in a blatantly sarcastic manner, blank-faced were her expression capable of becoming more deadpanned.
Looking at the collection of images. Snarling her lips back, showcasing her canines showing fully.
"I'm not a monster! I should rip these images to shreds!" Pausing to stare at them a bit more it was much less insulting than the approved image however. Well minus the one that made her look like a snarling werebeast, the irony lost upon her with her current actions.
"...well they aren't badly drawn.." Eying the rest it was somewhat obvious even to her what some of the problems would have been.
"ehh...I...eh-heh..eh Maybe the old fart just doesn't appreciate your artwork?...It's all rather well drawn yeah.." Pausing awkwardly Oka scratches the back of her head, momentarily regaining her composure.
"Were there any other drawings you can show us?"
"Why would you do an awful thing like that!?" Bobu exclaimed at the very idea of his work being destroyed. Grabbing the top ends of the paper he was ready to snatch them back before Captain Oka complimented his work.
"Isn't it? A few others I asked said so too. They took me awhile to complete. And... Oh, yes, here. If you liked those you'll die for these." Handing the rest of the papers over Bobu takes the ones they'd already seen and begins examining them.
Taking them to the nearby window he holds them out to see how they appeared in direct sunlight.
"Hmm." Deep in thought and inspection he was oblivious to the reaction of the two at the first image he'd handed them. Being of Captain Natsuko, her entire top torso was bare, aside from her Shihakushō, and without a strand of bandage in sight. With her bust visible at an angle, Captain Oka stood beside her with a length of bandage in her hand and a smile. Underneath the image was the caption: Mystery of the Mummy revealed!?
"Shh... Calm yourself, Inu," Natsuko quickly hushed Oka paired with petting the top of her head. It typically calmed her down, especially if she got behind the ears. While the photos were less than flattering, tearing them up in a state of wild aggression wouldn't do well to improve the girl's image. It was unbecoming to let oneself lose control over mere portraits, no matter how insulting. Journalists needed a story and if the only good story was a negative one, they were going to lean towards that. There was no need to take their words so seriously as to become enraged.
Being handed the next set, however, Natsuko's own beliefs and previous thoughts on the matter of journalism flew out the window per say. Staring at it, frozen as if from shock, it was of her and, worse, it was her unbandaged. That alone was a cause for concern, let alone that there was some bust evident in the picture as well, albeit not much. Honestly, most people probably wouldn't have noticed it unless they nitpicked at such things like the blue-blood did.
Recovering from the shock, Natsuko's gaze, or death glare as it now was, shot over to Oka who was the only person alive to have seen her face.
"Inu... What did you do...?" Her grip on the picture had tightened, crumpling the sides slightly and her arms began trembling. Zooming over to the third seat, she shoved the piece in his face with the same scowl inviting death that she had given her fellow Captain.
"Explain this immediately... third seat..." By how she was slowing down her speech, it was obvious that the mummy was attempting to keep herself calm. Just exploding would be unbecoming of her, though she was getting there.
"Huh?! I Just uncovered your face!...though if they are shaped like that...yes Shiro...err eh.heh...ehh yes lets go to a Shinto temple after this.." With a half-assed diversion from her real words, it was better to leave the pair in their death stare as she picks up his now on the ground drawings. Looking at the other images it was a surprise that Bobu came out of the meeting with his head attached.
First was a painting of the small Arrancar that did so much damage, while rather well drawn there were scribbles on it such as; Give Orange Juice, Block off with Bears. Unsure what that meant Oka moves to the next image of the Meeting. Most of the Captains were drawn as they were, Oda with a "Fuck You" above his head walking out the door, the Captain Commander was replaced with a cardboard cutout..or that's what Oka assumed was the old fart. Above the meeting was a caption reading "And nothing was accomplished." Incidentally, Heizo seemed to have the most work in the form of papers laid out in front of him with a question mark under his person with the character for "Justice."
"...I..umm..." Sweating somewhat and highly unsure of what to say next there was still Natsuko she had to calm down.
"Umm..is this the Captain Commander? Why is he drawn like this?" Looking at the rest of the images, Bobu's thoughts on the rest of the Espada was clear, with most of them drawn sleeping, or lounging about, curiously the number one among them was drawn walking around the place in one photo with the other Shinigami that confronted him in servant garb.
"...errr...Bobu...you might want to go on vacation for a few days.."
"Hmm?" was all Bobu managed to say before the wad of paper was forced into his face. Mumbling through it he patted at his covered face before finding Natsuko's hand.
"Whhh daaah yuuuu eeean?" Trying to pry it off with the papers he was unsuccessful before Natsuko removed it herself. Catching the paper before it fell to the ground Bobu looked at it and said
"Oh." before attempting to straighten out the wrinkles in it.
"This was when Captain Ogasawara undid your bandages during the battle. It was my favorite piece to make." He said with a smile and glance up at Natsuko.
"Your hair is quite a beautiful shade of green, you must take good care of it." Turning toward Captain Oka, Bobu raised an eyebrow at her question before answering.
"Yes. That's the Commander. Does it not look like him?" Walking to stand beside her, Bobu examined the Captain's meeting in her hand searching for his mistake.
"Sometimes he can be so stiff that it's easier to just draw him like that." he explained. Watching as she cycled through the remaining pages and smiling at various ones.
"Vacation? Hmm." Looking up to the ceiling he tried to recall the last time he had taken a vacation. Surprised to find that he hadn't, Bobu cheerily responded with.
"That sounds like a great idea. I can take the time to paint or visit the woods and say hi to all of Kami-sama's little creatures. Maybe try out my new brushes too."
"So it was your fault!" Natsuko exclaimed, staring accusingly back at Oka. If she had never had touched her bandages, this picture would not be a thing. Sighing, the picture was good, however that wasn't the issue. It was bad enough the mutt saw, but apparently there were others who saw as well. Hell, there might be more than just the third seat who saw. The thought alone caused the mummy's head to slump forward into the palm of her left hand before raising it once again, an eye twitching in aggravation as she spoke to the third seat with a foot in the grave.
"You will tell me how many other copies of this picture you have... On second thought, no... Just destroy them all. Discretely. No witnesses..." At this point, Natsuko didn't care about the other photos, just hers and keeping the number of people aware of her appearance to the minimal.
"N-natsuko..Ehh..it will all be fine..I have a way to make up for it..really!" Feeling somewhat ashamed, well briefly at least it did seem Oka had some sort of plan in mind. What that plan was however was still the winning question. Luckily with the question of how many and who had seen her, Bobu would be off the hook with the forced marriage threat. Though given the man's actions it's unlikely Natsuko would have agreed to begin with even had he offered.
Her family habits were troublesome, what good noble houses and rules were to begin with was well past her and held in contempt. Short of platitudes and archaic words did they have any worth.. Shrugging it off the Wolf eared Captain was in agreement with the pictures, though how scary Natsuko was acting over this was concerning, she might actually would kill Bobu depending... given the course of action she would soon be attempting this could be worrisome. But that was for later.
"Eh..heh..heh.." In her typical fake laugh the Captain rubs the back of her head, holding on to the paintings, this sort of situation was beyond her means of dealing with.
"Umm..yeah you might should do what Natsuko-san says.. Here are your drawings. I really need that drink now.." Handing them towards Bobu, she had half a mind to read what the bits that were approved said. Though maybe it would be best to not know.. Bowing lightly in form of parting Oka really wondered if this situation was okay...he couldn't get into more trouble in the woods...right?
"But why!?" Bobu questioned. Not understanding their reasons, he was confounded as to why they'd demand him to destroy his precious work. Taking back his papers he shuffled them till he found the image of Natsuko. Looking at it he asked
"Is it that bad?" while searching for it's fault.
"I could draw and paint it again. Make the bust bigger." he suggested, trying to pinpoint and reverse the mistake.
"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" Natsuko quickly jumped in, only realizing the volume of her outburst after it occurred and took a moment to calm.
"The quality of the art is not the issue. It is the fact that my face is to bare! For what reason do you think I bind myself?!" Hand trembling in frustration, she reached an open palm forward.
"You will relinquish that photo to me. I am confiscating it... and you will as well destroy any copies without any onlookers to remember it."
Looking up in surprise at the sudden shriek of words, Bobu was taken aback at how swiftly his suggestion was shot down. Though relieved it wasn't the art itself, he grew less concerned in replying.
"That's no reason to destroy it. You just need to broaden your horizons, and reach out to others. Your bandages are keeping the canvas of life covered." "You will do as I say or I will bury your canvas of life six feet in the ground," Natsuko retorted firmly, not budging on the matter. It was obvious she would not be swayed or altered on this decision.
"Ohhh, the dirt feels good when you're rolling all in it. I never tried painting with it though. Maybe I should try, you're welcome to join me." Bobu said with a smile.
"I..uhh.." At a loss of words given the current situation, Oka was fortunately used to playing peace maker, this situation needed to be laid to rest and quickly.
"Bobu...err why not just let her keep the image as a gift..and you keep no copies.." Making the offer in a reasonable manner it was hard to tell what she may be thinking with the visor hiding her eyes and the upper half of her face.
"And Natsuko can forget all of this and do what she wants with it?" Making the offer for the pair she tugs at Natsuko's sleeve as if begging her to leave the situation be. For whatever reason Bobu seemed ignorant or maybe he was knowingly provoking the situation.
"Hmm." Contemplating the suggestion, Bobu looked at his work before nodding his head once.
"Okay. She can have it, but I won't let her destroy it." he said pulling out his Zanpakuto. Holding it in his open palm it released without his command and transformed into a wooden brush. Going across the bottom of the paper with it, Bobu signed his name in red before sealing his Zanpakuto and sheathing it.
"There. Now it'll be safe." he said with a smile, handing the paper to Natsuko.
"There's no copies. Only the printers do that sort of thing."
Now resembling Oka with her own growling at the third seat, Natsuko stared at him dangerously, only glancing to her tailed friend when she attempted to smooth over the situation. The tugging of her sleeve would do nothing, however. She wasn't going to leave without the picture.
Thankfully, Rosu agreed to relinquish it under some notion that it was a gift, but not before ensuring that it would never be destroyed, an act that greatly irked Natsuko. However, it was better than him being in possession of it. Taking the paper, she continued to hold a scowl towards the third seat, little by little being dragged away by Oka who seemed only intent on leaving the area without any bloodshed.
Sighing a bit Oka shakes her head in confusion and dismay at the situation. At least it was over for now. Pausing at the sensation that thought sent down her spine, Oka had a terrible feeling this would be but the start of the problems Bobu Rossu would cause for herself in the coming days. But for now the meeting was over and there was a meat and sake to be had.
Waving goodbye to the two without a word Bobu chuckled lightly to himself before turning his focus back to his work. Arranging the stack of papers back to their original form he looked outside once finished to see a small cloud drifting across the sky. Walking over to the window he rested on its sill and watched the cloud slowly pass, imagining what all he'd do for his vacation.
