The Cursed Iris

Sprout 21: You Have My Utmost Respect

"What was that with Katsumi?" Atsuko asked Michael.

Michael's expression worried her, "It was something sinister, something demonic. I don't know what that was, but that thing was not the Katsumi Nakajima that you know," he replied.

Atsuko sighed. "Damn, and just when I thought I'd get to know the guy. We have to follow him because he was heading towards that Hokusai guy as well."

"Yes ma'am."

Atsuko looked at her hand, "Michael tell me something," she mumbled. "Where is Ayame? Since I've come here I haven't been able to find her."

"I'm sorry I've never informed you, but Ayame Akiyama has been captured by Hokusai."

His response surprised her. "What the hell!? That should've been the first thing you told me! We're going there now."

*****

Natsume and Kiki locked hands, as they did the ground around them shook, "Nicely done, it seems like you're improving," Kiki noted.

Natsume emitted flames, Why do I feel like she's trying to train me?

She then tried to kick Kiki with her Solar Dragon Corona, but Kiki dodged the attack with a smile. "That's the spirit."

Kiki landed, and she put her palm to the ground, "Kilimanjaro!" she yelled as the ground began to tremble. Natsume lost her balance, which was the perfect chance for Kiki to attack. "Your movements are too sloppy," she said as Natsume was launched into the air by a pillar of stone.

Damn it, Natsume thought in pain.

Kiki gave a slight smirk, "Now," she said as she disappeared.

She reappeared above Natsume, Plus she's too fast. How can I beat this woman? Natsume thought as she turned to Kiki with a nervous look in her eyes. Kiki then kneed her in the gut, which sent Natsume to the ground and what followed was a loud crash.

"Natsume Hoshinomiya I know this isn't your full power. Something is still holding you back, and I will find out what that something is," Kiki said.

There was a large crater which Natsume was in the center of it, She's really strong, Natsume thought.

Kiki landed, "Natsume as you may know I'm not a big fan of sob stories, but yours interests me. You and I aren't so different you know? My master was like a father to me too, and when the time came I couldn't help him when he needed me the most. But you, you're different. You were able to help your master fight off the beings Hokusai sent."

What does she mean by that?

Kiki jumped into the crater. "So, why is it that you aren't using that power your master helped you hone to defeat me?"

She then grabbed Natsume's leg and threw her into the air, "Why do you insist on holding back?" Kiki asked as a she formed a large boulder above Natsume. "Apophis!" she yelled as the boulder hit Natsume. "Don't you care about what happens to those friends of yours that decided to help you? Ayame Akiyama was captured because of you, and she may very well be dead at this point."

Natsume heard that, and her flames seemed to intensify, "You made a promise saying you would protect her, but you can't go through with it now because she won't be alive anymore," Kiki teased.

Shut up, she thought. Natsume melted the debris; she enveloped her fists in fire as she attacked Kiki with a Solar Dragon Sunspot, but Kiki caught her attack.

"Yes, this is what I wanted," Kiki stated. "Show me that righteous anger."

The scales on Natsume's face began to spread as she broke free of Kiki's grasp. She continued her attack, as she went in for a headbutt, which was probably not the best course of action in Natsume's opinion. This time it worked, and her attack caused Kiki to stumble. "I like it."