The Cursed Iris

Sprout 35: This Is Harder Than It Looks

Atsuko was more confused than anything. Homura was cryptid but this was ridiculous, "Stupid hag," she scoffed.

She was still training with Homura, and it wasn't easy. For an entire week it seemed like Homura did more torturing than training. The first day Homura threw her into a den of daidarabotchi, which almost killed her.

The second day she was tossed into a pack of wolves, which almost killed her.

The third day she tied Atsuko to a weight and threw her into a lake. That almost killed her as well.

Everyday it's been training disguised as an excuse to kill Atsuko or so she thinks.

"Atsuko!" Homura yelled.

She turned around, "What do you want? Want to kill me again?" she asked.

Atsuko's body hurt, her head felt like it had hot nails embedded in it, and she felt as if she were being stretched like a rubber band. Maybe that was because of the weight though.

"It's training," Homura whined, "you told me that you would be able to handle this."

"I thought it was going to be like some strength training or some junk like that!" Atsuko yelled. "I wasn't expecting to be thrown to giants nor was I expecting to be wolf food."

"Atsuko, you're so mean," Homura cried.

She sighed. "Look, I just wanted to get stronger. Not in this way though."

"You are stronger, my dear."

Atsuko has been wondering what the others are up to. She bet that they weren't doing the same type of training she was, "Yeah physically of course, but I don't know how that helped my gear improve?" she said.

Homura had a gleam in her eyes, "You really think I didn't do that for a reason? Atsuko your Phoenix has grown, so why don't you give it a try?" she smiled.

Atsuko stared at Homura with a disgusted expression, "I'm tired of you," she said.

"I know, but I am your only teacher. Well besides Asami of course."

Homura then activated her Phoenix, "As I told you earlier, the Phoenix was split into two halves: the yin which I possess and the yang which you possess. When we first met I decided not to explain your abilities because it wasn't the time," she explained.

"My abilities? I thought they were the same?"

Homura made a tsk sound. "Not even, well the only two abilities we share are the flame and the yin/yang cycle of course. But yours is special because of the ability that you have to transcend time."

Atsuko seemed to become more confused now, but then she remembered how she and Ayame had been able to come to this time. It was her blood dropped on the red string, "Oh, that must explain why I was able to help Ayame that way, huh?" she realized.

"It is!" Homura smiled. "Atsuko you possess that feather."

"I'm sure there's some kind of drawback to it though, so I'm not able to use it at any time I want, right?"

She nodded, "What did you say before? A broken ability always seemingly has a large drawback. This one has is one that draws on time from other places. I won't say for the sake of the story, but just know it's important that you only use this when you have to," Homura replied.

Atsuko wondered why Homura was starting to talk like Kikyo with the whole fourth wall thing. Why would she not tell Atsuko where she draws the power from? It made no sense to her at all. She activated her Phoenix, "See what I mean by cryptid? Lady you really irritate me..." she sighed.

Homura giggled. "I'm sure you'll grow to like me."

Atsuko began to notice that Homura wasn't really wrong about her Phoenix growing stronger from her training. Homura may have seemed crazy, but she knew how to train. Although it could still be used as a killing method. "Okay tell me then, when will I be able to use it? You say my Phoenix is different, but that's the only difference I see."

"You have the power to take the Phoenix a lot further Atsuko. Your gear is more different than mine, because of the feather that blessed you."

Atsuko made a flapping motion with her hand. "I'm tired of you. I'm going back to Ayame and the others."

She was about to storm off until Homura stopped her, "Wait a moment dear," she whined. Homura looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"You're too old to be acting like this." Atsuko sighed. She couldn't leave Homura because she didn't know what the old lady would pull when she had left. Atsuko was tired though; she was tired of Homura playing around with her training. She wanted her to take this seriously or she'd never be able to catch up to him. Nor will she be able to protect Ayame.

They locked gazes, I'm going to regret this, aren't I? Atsuko wondered.

"Okay I won't leave," she sighed. "I'll take your training, but you will get serious about this."

"I've been serious about this training the entire time." Homura replied.

"Yeah, serious about killing me. You honestly think that this stuff you're giving me is easy, huh?" she asked. "It's a lot harder than it actually looks."

Homura tilted her head. "I've given you tasks that I know you could handle. I don't know what's hard about these tasks exactly Atsuko?"

Atsuko couldn't believe what she just heard. She didn't believe that Homura actually thought those tasks were 'easy' she had to be joking.

"I can guess what you're thinking but they are easy," Homura insisted.

"Whatever you say," Atsuko rolled her eyes.

Homura smiled, "Atsuko listen, your potential is infinite. I want you to use that potential dear, it is my job as Suzaku to ensure the growth and prosperity of the next generation. You and your friends are the future of this world and that's why I decided to take my interest in you," she said. "I know you will do everything in your power to ensure Ayame will succeed in her journey."

"I have no other choice," Atsuko blushed. "I mean Ayame is my best friend. Of course I'll help her with everything I've got."

Homura seemingly had a lot of faith in Atsuko, just as Ayame. She didn't think that she had a special talent, but Homura had seen something in her that Atsuko clearly couldn't see. Maybe it was there, maybe it wasn't. Ayame and Homura both put too much faith in her.

Atsuko didn't, no, she couldn't let them down. Not this early in the game. "Homura, I've got something to say."

"Yes?"

She rubbed her head. "I may not like you all that much, but I don't want to let you down. You've helped me realize quite a few things so far that I didn't even know myself."

Atsuko was embarrassed from that comment; it was just the truth. She was grateful to Homura, "Although I'm grateful," she mumbled. "Don't kill me with your weird ass training lady!" she yelled grabbing Homura's face.