The Cursed Iris

Sprout 22: The Power of Fear and Hope

Chiyoko, Yukiko, and Aimi all stared at Usagi running from a nekomata, "So, we're not going to help her?" Yukiko asked concerned. The nekomata continued to close the distance, and Usagi continued to speed up as she cried from the fear of getting caught.

Aimi chuckled. "But it's supposed to be training, helping her would defeat the purpose."

Chiyoko smiled as she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her, "This reminds me of the time I trained Katsumi. Usagi has a lot of potential and I'm hoping we can nurture it," she replied.

Usagi dodged a strike from the Nekomata, and she enveloped her body in light. This surprised them, "What was that?" Yukiko asked.

"The light of Otonobe," Aimi mumbled. "I didn't think she'd be able to harness it yet."

"Otonobe? Isn't that the name of primordial sibling gods? Now I'm even more interested," Chiyoko stated. Katsumi with Susanoo, Usagi with Otonobe, things have definitely taken an interesting turn. I'd be the one to train those two, then I can do what I must to Takamagahara, she thought with a smile.

The light diminished and the Nekomata was gone, which caused Usagi to look around confused, "What happened?" she asked nervously.

Chiyoko began laughing. "This has gotten even more fun."

Aimi nodded, "Chiyoko, Yukiko I trust you both to help her harness that power," she stated.

"You can count on us of course. Now Aimi there's something I've been meaning to ask you," Chiyoko replied.

"Yes?"

"Well, I want to know what is your ultimate goal in all of this. You're putting too much faith in Usagi to run this country, are you planning on doing something crazy?"

She smiled. "I've already agreed to help you with our little plan against Takamagahara, so of course I'm planning on doing something crazy."

Yukiko stared at them confused, "Katsumi plays a role in our craziness huh? Well, I guess I need to get your little rabbit ready for what's to come in the future," Chiyoko stated as if she were glad he plays a part in it.

Aimi nodded. "Your brother and his group went to the Sea of Trees correct? I hope they can complete for what they've went there."

"They're going to be up against a being who defeated Tsubaki a woman who was able to cause her spirit energy to ascend. Not only that she'd been trained by the Four Guardians themselves; that woman was a power unlike any other. I don't know how she could've been beaten unless there was foul play," Chiyoko noted.

"Foul play you say?" a woman asked as they appeared.

Chiyoko turned to the woman with a scornful expression, "Uzume," she said disgusted.

Uzume gave one of her signature smiles, completely ignoring Chiyoko's expression. "Come now Chiyoko aren't you happy to see me?"

"Not necessarily," she scoffed clearly annoyed.

"I can tell you must really hate me, but foul play in the death of Tsubaki Hoshinomiya isn't too far off the mark. I must say that Hokusai Kojima fellow is an interesting being, I don't know if Katsumi can beat that one."

"He will win, especially now that he knows he's the reincarnation of Susanoo," Chiyoko replied.

"Reincarnation or not, that boy has no control over his abilities, which is his biggest weakness as we all know."

The smile that Uzume wore irritated Chiyoko, "I can't wait for the day I kill you," she stated.

Uzume began laughing. "You know it's punishable by death to say that you will kill a god. But I won't report you my dear because I like you and that family of yours. Speaking of which, that little sister of yours Sayuri is something else. She's doing a good job as one of the enforcers, she's already tracked down multiple criminals to the realm in no time at all."