Hikari

Priestess

“*I am only responsible for my own heart, you offered yours up for the smashing my darling. Only a fool would give out such a vital organ.*”

― Anais Nin

## History

To this day, Hikari still knows little to nothing about her mother, barring the sparse childhood recollections she has of the woman whose face is little more than a blur in her memories now. At the age of six, Hikari found herself left under the authority of a Shinto shrine, to be cared for by the shrine maidens there. It was no secret that, despite her young age, she had begun to show an inclination towards spirituality and divinative prowess. A strange child, she suffered from temperamental fits, occasionally working herself into such a state of rage that she would make herself violently sick, and remain bedridden for days after. Despite her self-damaging little tantrums, she was, for the most part, a placid and kind-natured little girl; soft-spoken and outwardly shy more often than anything else. It was due to these hysterics, though, coupled with her morbid fascination with the occult, that she was taken in by the shrine inhabitants and given the opportunity to become one herself.

Hikari spent the majority of her formative years undergoing intensive shamanistic training. She would learn how to communicate with kami and spirits of the deceased, as a medium, by being possessed by the spirits themselves. The rituals she practiced as part of her daily routine were designed to teach her how to maintain control over her trance-like state. By the age of thirteen, she had learned the obscure language, discovered the secrets of divination, and, built a secure connection with the kami nearby.

She served as a shrine maiden for two more years before leaving of her own accord only a week before her final initiation rite. She had made a connection with a particularly powerful kitsune during her time spent at the shrine. Enamored with him and his promises of shared knowledge, the young girl left sacrifices and treats in her own makeshift shrine on a weekly basis, though they only met a handful of times over several years. Eventually they struck up a deal. Unwittingly, and unwisely, a fifteen year old Hikari traded one life of service for another.

## Appearance

Hikari is short in stature with a somewhat fit form, though she is currently lacking in muscle tone due to inactivity. Featuring a milky complexion, it would seem as though she doesn't often see the sun. This much is true; she is more likely to venture out after sundown. Her hair is split into two different colours, rose pink and blonde, parted slightly off center and usually worn waist length. Her eyes are very vaguely different shades of violet, her heterochromia no longer as pronounced as it once was.

## Personality

Having spent the majority of her life either in service or living with temperamental yokai, Hikari can alternate wildly between submission and a savage disposition depending on her perception of the situation at hand. She can often be unpredictable in her reactivity, sometimes flaring up at the slightest offence, and remaining dispassionate and detatched in regards to things that probably should offend her.

Hikari can be disarming with her charm, even adapting her personality in order to bring herself closer to her person of choice. She will wait and observe until it becomes obvious to her what role she is required to play, and then conform to it until she has obtained what she wanted, and it no longer serves its purpose . She has no qualms about using people in this manner, for she never targets anyone of moral worth, and believes that those she manipulates are fools for being susceptible in the first place.

Conflictingly, Hikari is deeply empathetic by nature and will often take on an instinctive maternal role, immediately jumping at the opportunity to show care towards those she believe deserve it.

## Abilities

In Progress.

**Kuchiyose**

Hikari is the contract holder for Kitsune, the spirit foxes of the human realm.

**Fox Mode**

Fox Mode is the result of a demon fox using spiritual possession and taking over Hikari's body. Unlike Sage Mode, which allows users to tap into the natural force of the world by blending natural energy with one's chakra, creating senjutsu; Fox Mode grants Hikari access to the Demonic Energy of the fox that is possessing her, in exchange for a small portion of her life force.

Hikari's appearance undergoes minute changes while she is possessed by one of her kitsune companions. She produces a pair of Fox-like ears, her nails become more akin to claws, her canine teeth sharpen, and she produces crystalline tails, the number of which depending on the kitsune's power.
Whilst using Fox Mode, Hikari's physical strength, speed, stamina, reflexes, perception, and durability are
vastly enhanced. The strength of her ninjutsu and somewhat unique Kekkei Genkai are increased by a significant amount depending on her supply of demonic energy. This supply depends solely on the kitsune that is possessing her, as the Yōko are unable to replenish their energy sources whilst possessing a human.