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~A story that I wrote and I hope you like!~
It was the big chance-the big break she had waited for. Artemis Tsumizaki had climbed her way to the top...almost. And she wasnt even Japanese!
She had made it a goal a long time ago that she would be a j-pop singer. She didn't care that she had white skin. She was going to be a j-pop singer and taht was the end of it.
But, though she tried to conform to Japanese culture ,at the same time , she kept everythign about her the same. She looked the same. She laughed the same. She believed everything the same way.
Every day in her life in Tokyo, she walked to the Shinto temples. She would fel the insense reach her nose. It had a warm feeling, yet it saddened her all the same. There was a mysterious air here...dark, yet the darkness can not win to the light. She wanted to be that light.
One of the mikos working there, in teh traditional red skirt pants and white blouse, always seemed to notice her. Perhaps becasue she was the only one there who wasn't japanese.
"You seem to like it here-" the girl said in broken English one day.
"Nihongo ga wakarimasu..." (I understand Japanese) Artemis muttered, annoyed at how many times she must inform people of this.
"Un--GOmen nasai!" (Yes-please excuse me!) The girl smiled, relieved she could speak freely
"M...Shinto desuka?" (Are you shinto?)
"Iie...." Artemis thought for a moment. "Watashi wa...Kurisuchan desu.." (No. I'm a Christian)
"Hai! " The girl tried to show approval
*translated for sake of limited japanese skills and for those that can't read...japanese...*
"The Europe religion!"
"..." Artemis smiled sadly. "Yes.." She knew the statistics. Japan was the least ministered country in the WORLD. Less than 1 percent were Christian.s The numbers always staggered her. That's why she decided. She would be a j-pop singer, and brign some sort of hope to Japan.
"I believe...in the Ichi Kamisama." (One god)
"Ichi Kamisama ka? Demo-" (One God? But-)
"Ichi! Isn't that much easier to remember?" Artemis smiled, considering all of Shinto's gods that were supposed to be worshipped.
"Demo, ichi...." the miko seemed downcast by this remark. Her life was practically offered by her parents to serve at this temple-to serve the many gods.
"Ichi!" Artemis smiled, knwoing this was hard to understand. "And you don't have to burn insense to him or anything!"
The miko smiled politely, though it did not really...mean anythign to her. "Demo...there are seven gods of fortune that we must remember! Luck is very important- and there are the spirits-the spirits we must fend off-"
Artemis gave a polite laugh. "I have no evil spirits to fear-"
"Are you...a shaman?" Miko asked, suprised.
"Even better-Ichi Kamisama Ga protects me from all of them! He promised me!"
The Miko's eyes opened wide. This girl was very...religious.
"But-gods have bad intentions at times too! You can not always rely on them to fend off evil spirits-"
"You can rely on my God" Artemis smiled at the young girl. "You don't have to give him anything more than your trust!"
The miko stopped. This was some fantasy-some European faery tale. Surely no God would give away salvation...only ____ (I can't remember his name *sweat drop*), and he was a Bhudda...
"Do you...doubt your gods?" Artemis tentatively asked.
"No," the miko said, not too surely. "They have blessed me with good fortune...I got this job, after all..." she looked at the intimidating temple. "I'm sure I will be honored for my work."
Artemis gave a sad smile, not knowing what else to say. They're so close...but they still want to earn salvation. They can't...and I can't stop them from trying. Oh-what a failure I am!
"Well, my Ichi Kamisama has blessed me with strife!' she said, to catch the Miko off guard.
She laughed slightly. "You sound like a hermit monk!"
"Well-its true! I've been persecuted for my beliefs, my culture, and I've seen a lot of loss in my life. But, my Ichi Kamisama has shown me that it is a blessing! That even in that, there is...a shimmer of hope! And becasue of that, I have full faith in my Ichi Kamisama-I only need him-and I can strongly say, without doubt, that I can run this race for Him!"
The Miko looked at me, shocked. Surely she knew, she cuoldnt' say that about her gods. Their persecution gave her no hope. There was nothign hopeful about the loss of her family-being forced to take this position of serving the temple. THere was no true strength that she felt in the statues that filled its halls. Nothing. But at heart, she wouldn't call herself 'religious'. This job made her think about the after life though...would she be good enough to get in?
"Now you sound like a samurai!" she smiled. "You must be considered...very honorable amongst your people!"
"Not really..." Artemis looked out at the shimmering statue of a Shishi dog. Rain began to trickle down. "I'm still...weak. But I have someone to look up to!"
The Miko, seeing the rain begin to fall, turned to walk back inside, to return ot her duties. "May fortune smile upon you, Europajin," (European)
"Arigato gozaimasu, but-I need no luck." (thank you)
"Nani?" (what)
"Ichi Kamisama will provide! He is more reliable than luck! And much less expensive!" she smiled, pointing to the small stand outside the temple, which sold paper strips and sundry articles, meant as offerings for various gods. 1000 yen one read.
The miko stopped where she was, letting the rain drench her black hair. Needed no luck...she had something stronger. The Miko had to admit, there was some strong aura around this girl. Somethign stronger than chakra or any demonic spirit she had felt glances of at the temple. She had never...seen it before. But as she looked at Artemis, she could see that this girl had hope. True hope. Perhaps this Ichi Kamisama was one to consider...
"Chotto!" The miko shouted as Artemis began to walk away. Artemis turned her reddish-brown head.
"This--Ichi kamisama--how does one give him offerings?"
Artemis laughed sweetly. "He is not one that you give offerings to! You just confess with your mouth taht he is your Sama-your Ichi Kamisama. You can't follow other gods too. He wants your love-only for him!" she smiled.
The miko could not understand. But, she still was curious. "But surely you must appease him...in some way."
"Already done! The offering for him was given!"
"Nani-"
"He paid the sacrifice through his son-just so you could come to know him!"
"Wakari--wakari masen-" (I do not understand) the miko stutteerd. This power-she could feel it grow stronger against the demons that filled this place. She had never been spiritually acute, but now-the tales she had been told her whole life-she could feel them.
"It is uncomprehendable! His love-his vast love! But-you don't need to understand. You just-must trust him. Trust him alone."
"That...that is too easy."
"It is easy, but to live the life is hard...Not saying that it does not pay for itself instantly."
"......I must....go now. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu, Europajin!" the miko bowed, and returned to the shelter of the temple.
Artemis frowned to herself. I felt so close...she thoguht. That maybe...for once...I got somethign across. She looked at her soaked hands. For the hundredth time that day, she thought of the nails that should have been driven thorugh those hands. But now. Christ saved her from that fate. Her IchiKamisama.
She smiled. If only others knew....if tehy only knew how easy it was to be saved...to know her Ichi Kamisama...
PeglegGem · Wed Feb 28, 2007 @ 09:46pm · 0 Comments |
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