The Cursed Iris

Sprout 29: The Truth of Suzaku

Atsuko thought she could handle being told anything, but what Kumo told her really took her by surprise. It rattled her quite a bit, "So Homura told you to notify me of this?" she asked.

Kumo nodded. "Yes, but what will you do Atsuko? It seems like it'll be tough if you leave for a month, right?"

The day slowly faded into night, it was a full moon, the air had become chilly that Atsuko's jacket didn't provide enough warmth itself. "I will go. If I am to serve as Ayame's guide then I have to. Especially if I want us to survive through all of this."

She didn't believe herself, because for the last two weeks the Phoenix's voice constantly asked Atsuko what did she want to do. She didn't know what she wanted to do either, she was still confused as to what the power was, then there was Katsumi himself. During his fight it was like Atsuko's gear was seemingly resonating with Katsumi, almost as if it were drawn to him.

Kumo stared at her, "Come on. We're going to see Homura," she said.

They then flew away in the cold night, Ayame I swear I will get strong enough to serve as your guide. Suzaku has chosen me, so I will live up to that.

*****

Homura smiled, "Well it looks like my little feather is on the way," she said.

She activated the Phoenix. "Okay, time to do the same training regimen that I used for Asami."

Atsuko landed, and Homura locked eyes with her, "So, you know why I'm here right?" Atsuko asked.

"Of course. I mean you are me and I am you now. We are connected my dear. Come on in, how about we have a little talk? Oh yeah, Kumo would you please get back to Katsumi. You are his guide after all."

Kumo nodded, then he flew away. Homura walked inside and Atsuko followed, "So what is the deal with this thing constantly in my head?" she asked.

"It wants you to find your way. That is all; it will constantly ask you this a lot."

Atsuko clicked her tongue. "You are one cryptic woman."

Homura laughed at her comment, "Well I'm sorry I can't give you all the answers. I will help lead you to the answers though," she replied. Homura was almost the same way when she was learning about the gear as well.

"Homura I have another question."

"Yes dear?"

This was something that weighed on her mind, "It's about that power Katsumi used. His flames, no more like his spirit was calling to the Phoenix. It was a strange sensation; I feel it when I'm around Ayame as well. It was like they were calling on me. Why is that?" she asked. She felt like she had the answer, but she didn't want to assume anything.

Homura's expression gave Atsuko an answer that she didn't want. "Atsuko the Phoenix is a symbol of Susanoo. That's why it resonated with him. As you grow stronger the more you will resonate with them. The Phoenix is like a storm, everlasting and ever reforming; that is why it has been chosen."

"What? Isn't Suzaku the symbol of Amaterasu? How did Susanoo become the choice?"

"Amaterasu got the Yagatarasu as her symbol. A bird that shines the light in the darkness, leading ones in her bloodline to a new age."

"But when the egg hatched it told me that I had to do that for Ayame."

Homura held up her finger. "That's just it though. You are to lead only Ayame and Katsumi, it's confusing I know, but it will all make sense once you get more into it. Once you grow stronger."

Atsuko still didn't understand, but she didn't want to pry to hard. She had one thing to focus on for now and that was to get stronger to be able to protect Ayame. She would have to worry about that later. "I understand, so what exactly did we have in store for training?" she asked.