Sermons From An Outcast [P]

Kamiko stood upon the dais within a small formerly abandoned church that she had managed to procure for the time being in order to give sermons such as the one she was given at this very moment. She had been attempting to build her Following once again for some time, and despite the fact she had little luck thus far with the rougher and less religious crowd of the Black Market; Kamiko was confident that the combination of the larger crowd due to the terrible weather outside and her charitable gifting of simple foods such as bread and porridge to all that attended would put her in a more benevolent light which would hopefully result in at least one among the many in the crowd to seek more information about her Following - and that was all that she felt was needed.

"I ask not for money, nor for material possessions, I only wish for you to lend me your ear and in return, I can give you a place within this terribly cruel world," Kamiko said, a smile slowly forming upon her lips as she spread her arms covered in their long sleeves as if to offer her arms to all of those in attendance. "The word of my Goddess is one of acceptance; all of those who are outcast, all of those who've felt that they have been abandoned by the very world around them or that have nowhere to turn - She wishes to help you, and all that is needed of you is to follow my guidance." Kamiko's smile grew wider as she spoke, closing her bright red eyes as she moved her hands together in a praying motion. "I can feel Her among us tonight, and I would like to pray for your safety and for clarity of your minds." With that, she would begin to speak a prayer in a sing-song voice to the crowd in attendance.


"O' Goddess, Guide us here tonight.
 May your grace reach those such as we.
 May you guide us to what is right..." 

She continued into a longer prayer, however, the rest was in a mutter and in what seemed to almost be an uncertain language until eventually the woman lifted her head up and smiled to those who were left in her audience - though it would seem by now that many had filed out due to the weather having cleared up if only somewhat. Not many wanted to be in attendance of religious ceremonies nowadays and without the proper methods, it would be quite difficult to convince the general populace otherwise; though she supposed that now was not a time for musing on such subjects, as she graciously thanked the few that remained and offered to them the food that she had managed to prepare earlier before the sermon and it was after this that it would seem that all of those who had come had left, unless she had not noticed someone who remained, of course.

[498 wc]

The pouring rain was bitter cold in nature, soaking through her many layers of clothing and soaking her down to the bone. She walked quickly from alley to street, head kept down to avoid the rain falling in her eyes. Every once in a while, her doujutsu flickered, making it easier to see and not bump into people. Puddles splashed around her feet, and after carefully maneuvering through a handful of crowds, she found herself under the overhang of an old building- judging by the architecture, it was most likely a church of some sort. Perhaps they wouldn't mind if she stepped in for a minute? Churches were generally pretty lax about stuff like that. She opened the door slightly and slipped in, careful to be quick so that her armor or hair didn't get caught when it closed. There was a sermon of some sort going on- not that she was interested. Religion had never been her thing, and as a ninja, it was more imperative to rely on your own skills rather than that of someone you didn't know for sure even existed. But it provided comfort for some, and compelled others to perform acts of charity, so she supposed it was okay. Eventually, the sermon transitioned into a mutter. Perhaps another language?

When people began to filter out of the building due to weather letting up, she decided to stay behind to avoid being trampled. She scratched the side of her head, pushing back pinkish orange strands behind her ear. Amaterasu looked up at the young woman who gave the sermon- something about her was interesting, though she didn't know what.

WC: 274
Total WC: 274

Kamiko did not mind too much that her sermon had been quickly deserted by the masses; it was to be expected that in order to grow a Following that she would encounter many who rejected her flowery words and grandiose statements of acceptance for all within her little circle - such a prospect was often too good to be true, and she of all people was one who understood that. 

A smile came over Kamiko's lips, however, when she noted that a single person had remained from her sermon. Like a shark drawn to the first drop of blood in the water; Kamiko was about to take a bite, figuratively, of this woman and attempt to place the seeds of her Following within her mind. Without needing to think much on her plan of action, she would move over to the stranger and produce a thin yet still helpful blanket that she would drape over the woman's shoulders and in the same swift motion place an arm over the now blanket-covered shoulder of the woman - unless she had of course refused such treatment.

Regardless, she would begin to speak to the woman with a slight smile upon her lips and a sweet tone in her voice that attempted to be as warm and welcoming as she could manage:

"You do seem dreadfully cold..." She would whisper, her eyes moving down the woman's form briefly until it returned to the woman's eyes. "You are more than welcome to stay here for the time being, after all, all are welcome as I said." She would add with a light patting of the other's back if she had previously been allowed close to her in the first place. "I've also food and drink to provide if you are so inclined, and of course many more prayers to offer." As she concluded speaking, Kamiko would reach up and take the small religious headpiece she wore off of her head and place it to her chest as she bowed in respect toward her temporary guest.


"I am at your service, as they say."

Internally, Kamiko mused to herself about how well she felt that she was doing and furthermore about how this was what she had been waiting for all this time. If she could manage to covert just this one individual or at least have them trust her - then her plans for a new Following that worshipped not this Goddess who she preached for, but her and her alone! She could feel herself grinning at the thought and quickly calmed herself down to dispel it. This was no time to get too invested into her own desires of being worshipped in her own right, she needed to focus upon her task of winning over this one stranger first -- she could worry about the rest in the future.

Turning her attention back onto reality, Kamiko found herself focusing upon the woman before her and would realize she had missed something when previously speaking to her and would utter a barely audible gasp to herself as she bowed once more:

"Forgive me, I had not introduced myself properly; My name is Kamiko Koutaishi." She would say, before raising herself back up into a standing position. "And who may are you, if I may be so bold as to ask?" She rose a brow in curiosity at this, waiting for the woman's response as she stood before her with her hands tucked into the long sleeves of her garments.

Whatever came next, Kamiko was confident that it was only a matter of time until she restored the Following that had been so cruelly taken from her early on in life. It would just take patience and, of course, the right individuals that she could trust in following her without question or at the very least, without complaints.

[1,137 Total WC]

"You do seem dreadfully cold..." the stranger spoke, eyes trailing across her form. Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly. Was this stranger...? "You are more than welcome to stay here for the time being, after all, all are welcome as I said." Amaterasu had to hold back from flinching when her hand touched her back. Normally, she tried to avoid physical contact- a habit she had carried back from Sunagakure. "I've also food and drink to provide if you are so inclined, and of course many more prayers to offer." Prayers... Yes, this was a church of some sort. Many of her prayers seemed to focus on a Goddess of some sort- to each their own. She didn't worship or pray, preferring to leave that to those from Haven country. When the stranger bowed and removed her headband, she spoke up once more. "I am at your service, as they say." The Akari noble remained silent, head tilted as she took in the priestess. She was dressed up in religious garbs, and the headpiece looked custom made as well- it didn't mean it was, of course, it just seemed that way. The person stood in front of her put a lot of stock into this religion of hers, but for what, she didn't know. It could have been that she was genuinely this religious, but something in her gut told her there may be more to the story than meets the eye. A grin took the face of the woman in front of her for just the barest of seconds, but she managed to catch it just in time. Yes, there was more at play here. She supposed she could learn more- perhaps the young noble might find her useful if she was clever enough. Two arms raised and folded, the long, flowing cape of Moyasu trailing behind her. Right as she was about to speak, however, the stranger's mouth opened instead. "Forgive me, I had not introduced myself properly; My name is Kumiko Koutaishi." Kumiko Koutaishi? The girl- Kumiko?- raised back into a standing position. "And who are you, if I may be so bold as to ask?" The girl from Sunagakure no Sato nodded.

"My name is Amaterasu- I'm a wandering mercenary." she began. It was a half truth- she had done mercenary work in the past, and her name was indeed Amaterasu. She had just neglected to mention the fact that she was a ninja and that she was from a clan of powerful light using assassins. Her head tilted to the left, and her chakra flared beneath her skin. Perhaps the girl in front of her would take notice? "Tell me more about yourself." she began. Where were you from, Kumiko? What were your motivations? She wondered to herself quietly. Furthermore, what did you hope to gain from such an elaborate scheme? Though she wouldn't appreciate being lied to, there would be no way for her to verify the truth. Of course, if she found out the person in front of her was lying later on... Well, there was no need to focus on future unpleasantries.

WC: 518
Total WC: 792

Kamiko put on her best pleasant smile toward the woman she came to know now as Amaterasu would introduce herself and soon afterward asked a question of her that she had predicted would come next; People were predictable enough, after all, all it took was enough time spent within the thick of them to understand the more base instincts and desires that most individuals held within their hearts - one of which being a desire for knowledge and for solving of unknowns. She supposed that she herself was an unknown to this woman, they had after all only known one another for a short few moments and Kamiko had purposefully only given the woman enough information that she would desire for more and now: She had Amaterasu right where she wanted her.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Amaterasu." She would begin simply, gesturing to herself with an expressive motion of her arms as she began to explain herself to the woman before her. "I am a humble shepherd of sorts, I suppose you could say." Kamiko began, her smile widening as she gestured then upward and out with her arms to the ceiling of the Chuch. "I take those who are lost, those who have been abandoned, all manner of outcasts, and I give them a home within these walls and in my arms; My Followers are not simply worshippers, but my Children in a sense, under my care and guidance." She would explain, lowering her arms back down to her side as she turned her eyes back fully upon Amaterasu.

"Though of course, I provide any sort of guidance or care that my Followers ask of me in exchange for their loyalty." She concluded with a slight bow of her head, her eyes turned up to look upon the other woman as she did so. "Though if you wish to know anything more... Specific, you are more than welcome to ask anything of me: Lady Amaterasu." With the woman's original question seemingly answered Kamiko would bring herself again fully to a stand while folding her hands at her chest and waited to see if the woman had anything further to ask of her, which Kamiko secretly hoped that she did if only so that she could attempt to win over the other woman or at the very least - earn a bit of her trust.

These moments were like puzzles, Kamiko thought: One had to place the right words in the right moment in order to win, and the prize was not currency or material possessions but the trust and control of another individual which was something that Kamiko placed above all else, at least for the time being. It was not as if she did not care about others, especially her Followers, but she knew that it was difficult for others to understand that it was she and she alone that knew what was best for them -- and if it took deceit and sweet words to win them over, then so be it.

[1,641 Total WC]

Kamiko put on her best smile upon introduction, and Amaterasu found herself returning it- it wasn't genuine, of course- Court life was all about putting on a smile even when you didn't want to. But to those inexperienced with politics, it would come off as real, not manufactured for the moment. The girl in front of her seemed to be hiding something, and the young noble wanted to get to the bottom of it. Even if it wasn't harmful, the feeling of getting to the bottom of a mystery was one she loved to embrace. Perhaps if the girl in front of her proved clever enough, she might have use for her in the building of her new village... But she needed to know more, first. Usually, there were two ways to do something like this- as bluntly as possible, or subtly. Of course, both had their ups and downs, and while she preferred to go towards the latter option, she felt like the former would be better for this situation. People tended to reveal things they didn't want to when surprised, and often being pressed directly on something they intended to hide would help with that. Of course, she had no idea how Kamiko would react- it was all just a theory.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Amaterasu." the religious woman in front of her began. "I am a humble shepherd of sorts, I suppose you could say." she continued, expressively gesturing to the rest of the church. "I take those who are lost, those who have been abandoned, all manner of outcasts, and I give them a home within these walls and in my arms; My Followers are not simply worshipers, but my Children in a sense, under my care and guidance." Followers? That was an important word- definitely one she could use later... When she lowered her arms back down and continued, she already found herself building up questions to ask once she was finished. Interrupting was rude, after all, and some ingrained habits from the Wind Daimyo's court had never left the young Akari. "Though of course, I provide any sort of guidance or care that my Followers ask of me in exchange for their loyalty." Followers? Loyalty? Just a bit more... "Though if you wish to know anything more... Specific, you are more than welcome to ask anything of me: Lady Amaterasu." Amaterasu paused for a moment, tilting her head as she stared directly into the eyes of the person in front of her. Her mouth remained shut for one second, two, and then three before she opened it once again.

"Perhaps you can start by telling me who your followers REALLY worship- your Goddess, or you." the girl began, arms folded. Her right index finger tapped her arm a few times. "You're playing at something." she said. "I'm willing to bet this is planned meticulously. You don't have the air of someone who did this overnight." a pair of eyes closed for a few moments and her head tilted downwards. "I don't really care what other people do, and I don't care what happens inside your 'following'. Don't try anything fishy with me." The threat remained unspoken- if Kamiko tried to manipulate or lie to Amaterasu, and the latter found out, there would be some unpleasant consequences. She didn't quite know what she intended to do, as it would depend on the severity of what the religious woman had done, but she'd find something. She always did. A deep inhale and exhale rang through the church. She opened her eyes, and two pairs of crimson discs found themselves staring directly into Kamiko's. "Let's try this again. My name is Amaterasu. Who are you really?"

WC: 621
Total WC: 1413

Kamiko was taken aback, to say the least, upon hearing Amaterasu's bold words and even bolder statements regarding her and her Following; it seemed to Kamiko that this woman had managed to see through her thinly veiled intentions and furthermore seemed to have enough of a head on her shoulders that she could not only manage to see all of this, this woman was also able to piece together Kamiko's true intentions, or at least a piece of them, and to do so with such confidence that Kamiko was convinced she had experience with individuals such as herself - there was no way that a novice would have been able to comprehend all that Amaterasu had:

"Very well..." Kamiko would say, bowing her head slightly and then raising it back up while speaking in response to the woman's intense line of questioning. "I can see that you do not have the head of just anyone off of the street, so I suppose that I can be a bit more open." She would say earnestly, offering what was now a somewhat timid smile toward the other woman. "My name is indeed Kamiko Koutaishi and I am indeed a leader of a Following..." She would begin to explain, sighing deeply as she felt quite honestly a bit backed into a corner with all of this. Kamiko knew that she was in no shape after several years living in the Forest to fight and furthermore: This woman had the appearance and demeanor of someone who was more than capable in handling her own, something which Kamiko often did not count on when conflicts arose.

"This Goddess is some old text that I found years ago and being a Holy Person ... Well, it comes with certain benefits with how others perceive me." She would begin to explain honestly, extending her arms slightly to her sides and giving a small shrug of her shoulders. "I've found out a long time ago that if you say the right words to the right people, they will be more than willing to follow you to the ends of the Earth and equally willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of whatever God you claim to represent." She continued, averting her gaze off to the side briefly. "Something which is useful in a day and age as dangerous as this." She commented with a scoff, before then turning her attention back fully onto Amaterasu.

"I only want to be the guide to others that I know I can be -- My words may be attributed to a Goddess, but they are my own; all that talk of acceptance and care is not all a show. I care for those who follow me, Lady Amaterasu, and I want to help put them on the proper path." She said this in a soft tone, her expression becoming equally softened while her lips turned downward somewhat. "It is true that I may enjoy the worshipping of my Followers, but..." She would begin to speak further but fall silent for a long few moments as she contemplated if she wanted to indeed plead her case fully to this practical stranger or simply stop there.

Kamiko would decide after a moment's debate that Amaterasu had enough information to simply spread the word of her falsehood to anyone who would listen and as such, she may as well come utterly and completely clean to the woman:

"I only want what I was denied during my early life, Lady Amaterasu, and I want to give others the same: A Home." Tears formed in the corners of Kamiko's red eyes as she spoke, seeming to be genuine in nature and perhaps signifying that there was at least somewhat more to Kamiko than being a simple con-artist and swindler of citizens and the gullible.

"I know to you those may seem like hollow words, but I am willing to swear on my life to you that I am truthful when I say that I care for those who Follow me and that I only want to make a Home someday where we can be free of the judgement placed upon us by this cruel world." She concluded her speech with a few tears falling down her cheeks in a vulnerable display that Kamiko internally realized may be the first time she had told anyone her true intentions or have ever let down her facade of the confident and charming Priestess that she had been adopting since her younger years.

[2,394 Total WC]

"Very well... I can see that you do not have the head of just anyone off of the street, so I suppose that I can be a bit more open." Kamiko began. She tilted her head, ready to take in the new information. "My name is indeed Kamiko Koutaishi and I am indeed a leader of a Following. This Goddess is some old text that I found years ago and being a Holy Person ... Well, it comes with certain benefits with how others perceive me." Amaterasu found herself nodding around. First impressions were very powerful- especially in a position such as her previous one. It could make or break alliances, stall wars... "I've found out a long time ago that if you say the right words to the right people, they will be more than willing to follow you to the ends of the Earth and equally willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of whatever God you claim to represent." Wasn't that what the village system was all about? Blindly putting your lives on the line for a Kage, one whom you often would only meet occasionally? "Something which is useful in a day and age as dangerous as this." she finished with a scoff. The young noble couldn't help but agree. After being driven from her home, listening to rumors about the Kirigakure invasion of Konoha, the world was teeming with criminals and outcasts. Though perhaps a little odd in her methods, the thing she intended to do wasn't that different from what many others did. Band together in hopes of surviving the trying times. "I only want to be the guide to others that I know I can be -- My words may be attributed to a Goddess, but they are my own; all that talk of acceptance and care is not all a show. I care for those who follow me, Lady Amaterasu, and I want to help put them on the proper path." She tilted her head, staring deep into the eyes of the girl in front of her. What was the proper path? Did she herself know what it was? "It is true that I may enjoy the worshipping of my Followers, but..." well, that was a given, who wouldn't? "I only want what I was denied during my early life, Lady Amaterasu, and I want to give others the same: A Home." as tears began to form in the corners of Kamiko's eyes, she found herself nodding. She understood the sentiment- she was trying to do the same as well. Waiting to allow her to finish her words, Amaterasu waited for a moment before speaking up. Her voice rang softly throughout the now empty church, but every word carried with the weight of the world.

"I have plans to start a home of my own- in the depths of Forest Country, there lies the perfect location for a hidden village. If you assist me in its construction, I will provide your Following a haven within its walls." she said. Red eyes sparkled as she continued. "The majority is already drafted out- I just don't have the manpower needed to construct an entire town." she brushed a pinkish orange strand of hair behind her ears as she studied the face of the woman before her. "If you agree, we can talk more about it. I'm sure you understand the need for such securities." she continued. Should she not agree, she would nod respectfully and leave the church, searching continuously for clues to lead her towards her target. Should she agree, however, she would proceed to talk. "We will begin by taking a few missions in the country borders- contracts without a village. Along the way, we will pick up whatever allies we can muster. Once a significant number of our group has progressed strength-wise, we will begin in the construction. Personally, I specialize in ninjutsu and am very quick. If you inform me about what kind of things you can do combat wise, I will try and assist you the best that I can- whether by learning new jutsu or helping you perfect ones you already know." she took a breath here, and tilted her head once more. "What do you say?"

WC: 711
Total WC: 2,124

Amaterasu's words elicited a stunned look from Kamiko who would continue listening on with reverent awe as if she was standing before a deity, her eyes wide and quivering with tears as she dropped to her knees before the other woman as if she had been brought down by her words and the offer which those words proposed. Kamiko would not hesitate for but a moment before reaching out and attempting to take one of Amaterasu's hands in both of her own, holding it with a gentleness that suggested respect yet at the same time seemed to be as if Kamiko were afraid that holding too tightly onto it would cause it to disappear somehow:

"I would want nothing more than to travel by your side, Lady Amaterasu." She would say with a smile that grew across her lips and a tone of voice that still shook with emotion yet seemed to be more hopeful than grim. "I will follow you to the ends of the Earth for the kindness you have done me this day." Kamiko punctuated this by kissing the woman's hand if she had been allowed to take it earlier before letting the hand go and raising herself into a standing position once more. 

"If you speak the truth and you intend to deliver upon your words -- Then I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to make your ideas into reality." She added with conviction, making it clear she intended to help Amaterasu with the plans she had mentioned and would speak further in response to her offer and her request to know more about Kamiko's specialities and abilities:

"I have a few individuals in mind that may prove useful to our cause, as for myself; I am more versed in the ways of the mind than I am in the ways of ordinary Ninjutsu, Genjutsu as they call it." She would explain, before then holding out a hand with the palm facing upward, a pause following before a piece of paper would come from her body and form into a small origami swan which she presented to Amaterasu. "This is my other specialty if you could call it such, I am able to craft paper from my own body and use it as I see fit -- though so far, with my sermons taking up most of my time ... I will admit that I have not had the time required to truly master the arts of my predecessors." If Amaterasu would not accept the origami figure, Kamiko would simply allow it to become an ordinary sheet of paper as she returned it to her body with an idle motion.

"If you've anything to teach me, I would be more than willing to heed your instructions, in return, I am afraid that I cannot offer much to someone such yourself -- Not yet." Kamiko would say with a slight frown on her lips, seeming disappointed that she did not have much to offer to the woman she now viewed as a savior of sorts, though she supposed all great acolytes must begin under the practice of someone else before they could earn the ability to teach others.

With the woman's questions answered, Kamiko would wait for her to take the lead in either beginning to set them along their next course of action -- or perhaps she wished to discuss this matter further or speak more about one another. Whatever Amaterasu asked of her, she would be more than willing to abide with her wishes if it meant furthering their goal toward a place her and her Followers could truly call Home; the only thing that Kamiko had ever wanted and which was now within her reach,

She just needed to wait a little longer...

[3,022 Total WC]

The stranger before her took her palm delicately in both hands. She allowed it to be held as the woman in front of her sank to her knees. A little bubble of anxiety rose up within her chest. What was she supposed to do? Nobody's ever kneeled in front of her like that before. Her face flushed pink slightly, but her expression remained carefully stoic to avoid displaying any of the emotions which were stirring inside of her. Kamiko spoke of wanting to travel by her side- something which she felt relief at- before saying she'd follow her to the ends of the earth. The anxiety rose. She'd never been responsible for anyone else before other than herself. What would happen if she made a mistake? Would Kamiko abandon her? Would she merely accept it, but lose the hope in her eyes a little more each time? She swallowed subtly, a lump forming in the back of her throat. She couldn't afford to be anxious about it now, however- she still needed to get stronger. Still needed more allies. None of her dreams would ever come true if she couldn't handle what was happening right now in front of her. She proceeded to talk further, explaining the types of things she could do- Amaterasu admitted that genjutsu was not a specialty of hers, and that it was immensely difficult for her to learn and perform. Next, the girl summoned a small origami swan from her body. She titled her head slightly. Was that a bloodline of some sort, or a strange skill? She'd never heard of anything like this quite before, so she was willing to bet on the former. The woman in front of her talked a little more before ending. She remained silent for a moment, to be sure that Kamiko was finished so she wouldn't interrupt, before continuing.

"I too have a specialty- I can control and manipulate light. It is not strong enough yet to burn or harm, but it is bright enough to blind those I face in combat." Amaterasu neglected to mention her Golden Eye doujutsu- she'd rather keep that a secret until a later time came when it was necessary for her partners to know. Having all of the information about her in one place was a bad idea, after all. Maybe she could trust Kamiko, though...? "I have also been trained in the arts of the assassin, and can move and draw weapons silently. It is a hidden technique, but one which I might bestow on you should you prove that you need it." she remained silent for a bit longer. "I am going to teach you a jutsu right now. It is not particularly powerful- I believe it's D ranked. It's called the Temporary Paralysis technique. Perhaps you might have heard of it?

It only has one hand seal- Tiger- though those who master it can cast it via eye contact. In order to use it, focus your chakra into thick binding chains and place them around me. Don't worry- you won't hurt me, and if you do manage to bind me, it will wear off shortly. But in battle, it can provide you with a split second advantage that could lead you to victory. Once you're ready, I will be waiting right here." at that, Amaterasu stepped backwards until she was around four meters away from Kamiko. "This technique has a range of ten meters, but I believe here is a good place to start." Suddenly, she recalled something- forming the rat hand seal at a slow speed so as not to alarm the girl in front of her, a single scroll materialized out of blue particles in thin air. It was the Storage Displacement technique. She walked up to the girl in front of her and handed her the scroll, walking back to where she was standing. Should she open it, she would find that it detailed the use of Temporary Paralysis. It was a gift to Amaterasu from her father, and now Amaterasu was gifting it to the priestess in front of her.

WC: 685
Total WC: 2,809