The Cursed Iris

Sprout 2: Results of Katsumi's Training

"Katsumi, what are you doing?" Chiyoko asked as she walked towards him.

Three years have passed since Chiyoko began helping Katsumi train and gain more control over his abilities. It's also been three years since the mysterious god appeared. Katsumi's hair had grown slightly longer that it reached the top of his shoulders. He also grew taller, and more toned. "What do you mean? I'm just trying to control it at this point."

"Oh, I see, you're just trying to change it into different forms. Not even I can do that to a degree," she said in awe.

He chuckled. "I know, and that's why I want to do it."

"You're just trying to show off then?"

Katsumi moved his hand, and his flames became a small figure.

"It's a bear," Chiyoko said amazed. She stared at him as he beckoned someone over. It was a girl, and she wore a smile. She was small in stature, her eyes were wide, and she had on ragged clothing.

"Who is she?"

Katsumi released the bear, and it walked towards her. She giggled, but Chiyoko got nervous, "Don't worry, I know how to make my fire burn and be completely harmless. Thanks to you, I finally got the trick down."

She smiled. "You really have changed over these last few years, you know?" she mumbled.

Katsumi heard her mumble something, but he couldn't make out what it was. "Sakura is a sweetheart; she was the first one to talk to me when I first came here. I didn't care for her to be honest, but I thought about what the crazy lady said. She was right, I had no compassion for K, and I want to change that now."

Sakura ran around playing with Kumo and the bear of fire. "I'm not the same idiot I was before. I can assure you of that. I want to prove myself, and I want to correct the mistakes I've made in the past."

"I'm sure Aimi would love to see this growth. Also, her daughter would too," Chiyoko reassured.

This overwhelmed Katsumi, "That crazy woman has a daughter!?" he yelled in shock.

"Yeah, she's about seventeen years old, and she's definitely interested in you for some odd reason."

He got flustered and the fire bear seemed to glow brighter. It made Sakura laugh, and Chiyoko stared at him. "In me?"

"Yup, and she was coming to visit one day. Could be any day at this point."

Chiyoko loved Katsumi's expression, but she had a weird feeling about today. Like something crazy was about to happen.

Chiyoko! Chiyoko, can you hear me?

"Damn it, I should've known!" she yelled.

Be quiet and listen up. The princess has been kidnapped, the voice said.

She got mad. "Don't tell me to shut up Frosty."

I don't have time to argue with you, Usagi has been kidnapped near your current location. I know you've been training that brother of yours for some time now so you should be familiar with the area, she stated. The thieves demanded a ransom of 8 million flora. The princess is more important than money, but if we can keep them both, then I'm all for it. With you near then we can definitely do that.

"Damn, 8 million? Wooh, who would've thought that Usagi was worth that much?" Chiyoko whistled. That brat, I can't believe she actually got caught. Why can't you send someone else?"

Because you're the one that's closer!

"I don't feel like it though. Where's Aimi?" Chiyoko sighed. Then a thought crossed her mind, and she gave that mischievous smile. "I got it!"