~Her portrait in black~
The portrait was remarkably life-like. The eyes staring off into the distance, turned toward the open window where far off a golden sun was lowering in a leaden sky. The lips pursed in a thin line were an amalgam of amusement and detached contempt for the world. The student clasped his hands tighter behind his back, leaning a little closer to the new exhibit.
Her hands, folded, lay on the slim leather bound cover of a book; most likely of holy Psalms. The family, to which she had belonged to, had been a rarity among the Noble class in their day: converted hard-line Christians. Wealth, however, hadn't been enough to save them from the tyrant Shogunate's rule. All save for the subject in the painting; the rest had been crucified. Only a bonfire lit by Fudo Myu's sacred torch was good enough for the young novitiate.
They had burned her at the stake.
Here, the student grimaced. Human beings themselves were what caused such atrocities to happen, based purely on motives of religion. Fools, he thought vindictively. Though it certainly was a pity…for she had been quite beautiful.
Distantly the Gallery intercom went on, warning patrons of the shortened open hours, reminding him of the essay waiting to be turned in come Monday. With a slight sigh of regret, he glanced one more time to the portrait of her in black. The loose-belled sleeves that tapered above the forearm, the high collar encircling her pale throat, a large Catholic type crucifix was painted in against the base of her neck, gleaming a dulled foil leaf gold.
His attention went to her eyes, lacking expression, empty almost, but then if one looked closer, then one could see the vivid emotions captured with the stroke of an artist's brush. Vivacity in lilac tinged with deep blue, eyes that at once revealed nothing, then expressed firm strength and belief: had she known this very painting would seal her fate as the gold cross boldly worn, declared her to be an infidel living among infidels?
That was all the evidence the presiding Daimyo required to destroy them.
Proof they were practicing Christians.
The student began to walk away, his mind preoccupied with the past and not the present…
~~*~~
A/N: Don't own Bleach. Sorry, I chose to rewrite this under the above title. :) Hope you liked it!