The Cursed Iris

Sprout 14: Katsumi's Master and an Old Friend

Ayame and the others were on their way behind Natsume, "I just realized something," Katsumi said.

They looked at him, "What did you notice?" Atsuko asked.

"Well, this will be our first time going into a fight together," he stated with a smile. "You know even though the enemy is significantly stronger than us I have more confidence than ever knowing you guys are here by my side."

That comment bewildered them, "I may be weak, but I hope you guys will continue to stick by me," he continued.

"Stop!" they all yelled embarrassed.

Katsumi was confused, but he decided to stop talking. He thought about Natsume, and the sadness she gave off reminded him of his relationship with his master. He would give anything to see Totomaru again and show him how strong he's gotten; more importantly how much he's grown.

"In a way I understand where Natsume is coming from," Kikyo said out of the blue.

"Why so?" Atsuko asked.

"Well, she's portrayed as this strong, cold hearted, fearless dragon slayer, but right now she's at her weakest. She's desperate to see her master, which in turn has shown off her weakest of emotions."

Katsumi understood what Kikyo meant, because after he completed his training with Totomaru he felt the same way. He was the closest thing Katsumi had to a father, so his feelings towards the matter made him desperate to show that he had changed.

Ayame saw his expression, "Katsu what's wrong?" she worried.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking of my master," he replied as he gave a reassuring smile.

"Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about him. So what was he like?" she asked.

His expression changed again, and he gave a nervous chuckle. "You want to know about my master huh?"

She had a gleam in her eyes. He then chuckled, "Alright well, Totomaru also known as the Half Breed King was probably one of the strongest beings in existence. He was a dragon and demon half breed who had mastery over both halves," he stated.

"Wait you can master both halves?" Ayame asked in a confused tone.

He nodded at her question. "Yes, but it's actually more difficult than just training. It takes finding oneself, and harmony in one's heart; both are extremely important for a half breed. To continue on though Totomaru was one incredible being. I don't know about his past because he never told me, but I do know that he loved me and my sisters just like we were his own."

"But he was the one who captured you and turned you in though..." Kumo noted.

Katsumi bit his bottom lip, "Katsu," Ayame said worried.

"Yeah, he captured me. Maybe as a way to help me see the error of my ways or maybe to help me find myself. I don't know," he replied. "All I know is that once he turned me in, the trial was one of the worst days in my life. I was almost put to death, and I don't know what master wanted to show me. He's always had obscure findings in his lessons, but this one I don't know. He just left me to die, even if he did that I still see him as a father who just wanted to see me learn from my mistakes."

"By wanting to kill you?" Ayame asked with a voice full of frustration.

Katsumi chuckled, "You're the first to actually get frustrated at him for that. Chiyoko and Sayuri both scolded me for giving up, but you're the first Ayame," he said with a smile.

Ayame nodded as she smiled sincerely, "Because if you had died then so many people would've missed out on how amazing you are. I wouldn't have seen how amazing you are," she stated.