The Cursed Iris

Sprout 31: An Unmatched Skill and the Power of the Dashavatara

Ayame and the others left the village heading to the southeast. They stopped in opening in the forest, it was a clear day, but the air itself was chilly. Ayame wore a mix of her modern clothing and some clothing from this era. So that meant she wore her jeans, a blue shirt, and a jacket.

Katsumi wore his same haori, but the pattern on the back was different. He wore what looked like sandals, and he wore a pair of puffy black pants with bands at the cuffs.

Natsume wore what looked like a set of skintight armor that was shaded black and blue. She had the Kusanagi no Tsurugi on the back of her hip, and she wore the jewel Tsubaki left around her neck. She styled her hair to be in a ponytail with the white crystalized ribbon.

"Katsumi, Usagi, Natsume I like the way you're progressing over the course of the last few hours. Although Usagi you need to learn better control; you have excellent control of healing but with the light magic you're using," Chiyoko didn't finish her statement.

"I have no control, I know," Usagi replied.

Katsumi agreed. "I've been the latest target of her previous attempt."

Ayame sat with Miya on the side, but her attitude about it was more bored than interested. She was ready to learn more about using spirit energy, but no one could teach her. Besides one person, "Why so glum Akiyama?" Miya asked.

"It's just I want to learn how to use spirit energy, but obviously the person who can teach me is nowhere to be found. So will I be able to learn?"

Miya chuckled. "Interesting, all I can say is the only way you can learn if you want to truly achieve something is go on the path yourself. I wouldn't say wait for the opportunity, especially if the opportunity doesn't come."

"But what if I mess it up? Besides, I still don't think my abilities whatever they are can truly compete against what they have," she mumbled.

"A safflower stands out in any garden." Miya replied.

Ayame looked at her baffled. "What does that mean?"

She smiled. "Well, all that means is that someone special will stand out in any crowd, but here's the thing. Anyone can stand out, so standing out doesn't make you special. It's how you choose to stand out that makes you special."

"That makes no sense," Ayame chuckled nervously.

She didn't know what Miya meant but she was grateful for the talk she gave her. Ayame was given an explanation on how to use spirit energy, but she didn't know what she could use to form what she needed. She was stuck at a wall.

"Then there's you!" Chiyoko yelled interrupting Ayame's thoughts. She faced Chiyoko who had slapped Katsumi onto the ground.

"What did I do?" he asked. He was shivering from the fear he had felt. Katsumi knew that no matter what foe he faces, nothing could compare to Chiyoko's anger.

"I thought I told you to never pull that stunt!" she yelled. She seemed so angry that she was emitting heat that melted the ground. The cold around them didn't matter, because Chiyoko was like a furnace, "You know you could've died stupid little brother!" she growled.

Katsumi stared at her. "If you're talking about me emptying my vessel I only did it because I needed to free Tsubaki's soul," he stuttered.

"I know that, but it was still reckless!"

Ayame was glad that she wasn't learning from Chiyoko. Because even if she just met her, she felt afraid of her, "She may be brutish, she's not a bad teacher. To be fair we're all pretty decent teachers; well besides Yukiko," Miya smiled.