The Cursed Iris

Sprout 17: The Truth of the Cursed Slayers

"A demon? Oh, I know my friend Katsumi is a half demon and he's hugged me quite a," Ayame was stating until she realized, and her face felt hotter. "No that's not what I mean at all."

The woman giggled, "Don't worry. That has to be the case because it's a faint smell. One not too strong for me to suspect that you're a dragon/demon hybrid like Totomaru," she reassured. "So, what is your name?"

"My name is Ayame Akiyama," she replied instantly.

Her response surprised the woman, but she remained calm. "Nice to meet you Ayame Akiyama, my name is Tsubaki Hoshinomiya. As you may know I am Natsume's master."

Ayame smiled. "That's a beautiful name."

"Why thank you," she replied. "If Natsume was here then she would ask you what characters does your name have?"

Ayame gave her a blank stare, and Tsubaki chuckled. "I won't ask you that. Those type of things hold power over your role in the cycle of fate."

"Cycle of fate?"

"Come with me," Tsubaki replied as she began to walk away. "You're probably not very informed on the ways of this world since you're not from it. Besides if it's true that you're from a different place, then I know it'll be helpful for you to know more about the Dragon Slayers. That would help you learn more about my little Natsu too."

*****

Ayame followed Tsubaki to the ruins of a village, "This is the ancestral home of the Dragon Slayers. Natsume and I came here to do more training as this place is special to us," Tsubaki stated to Ayame.

Ayame heard her, but she wasn't really listening due to the interest the ruins have given her.

"This place has an abundance of spirit energy, so it would've helped her out even more in controlling her spirit energy."

"So, this is what those bubbles and snow like things are?"

"Yes, those are concentrated forms of spirit energy, the natural spirit energy that flows through everything. Ayame Akiyama I have a question for you," Tsubaki said as she sat down on a fallen structure.

"Question?"

"Yes, I was curious just how much are you willing to learn about my little Natsume? She's different from other dragon slayers, but that what makes her special. So, I'm going to ask again, how much are you willing to learn about her?"

"I want to know a lot about all the friends I'm going to make in this time period. I want to know more about this world, and I want to save whoever I can," Ayame replied.

"You seem like a smart one. Knowledge can give you the edge in a battle, so I get what you're saying," Tsubaki nodded.

"Tsubaki, I would love to learn about the Dragon Slayers, but," Ayame said.

"But what?"

"But I want Natsume to tell me more about herself when I see her again. I wouldn't want anyone telling my secrets when I'm not around."

Tsubaki smiled, "It seems like my student in the future has made some amazing friends. Very well then, I'll tell you about the fate of the cursed slayers and the cycle that we were all victims of," she stated.

"Victim of?"

"Yes indeed. We're all victims of the cycle one way or another. Now listen Ayame Akiyama, once you learn about us you will see Natsume in a different light, especially since you're a dragon half breed."

Ayame nodded as she sat down in front of Tsubaki, "I like you a lot Ayame," Tsubaki noted. "Now I'm sure you know or may not know but there's three types of slayers," she said.