The Cursed Iris

Sprout 41: An Interesting Story Is Told

Atsuko couldn't sleep, and it wasn't because of her aching body. It was because of the dreams; she wasn't the type to have nightmares but ever since they've come to this time period a recurring dream has been eating away at her.

She didn't know what it meant, nor did she think it would actually happen. Then she remembered that Katsumi was real, and Ayame always dreamt of him. This really worried her.

"If I go to Homura she'll just give me some crazy answer," she concluded. Atsuko truly thought she'd hit a wall with this one. She wished Ayame was here. She'd know what to say.

"I wonder did Kumo reach them?" she thought wistfully. That was another thing she had on her mind as well. She took him without consulting Katsumi, not like she cared. But she worried for little Kumo the most, mainly because he was her favorite animal.

"I've got to get some fresh air," she said. She walked over to her clothing bag that she had brought, and she noticed that she didn't have many left. She couldn't continue wearing the same thing either which brought about another problem: where were Ayame and Kikyo getting clothing from?

Atsuko remembered what Ayame had made Katsumi before. That's when she got an idea, "So they put Katsumi's spirit energy into the fabric, which the haori was made with. I remember the symbol on his back changing as well when he went into that freaky form of his. I wonder would I be able to do something like that with my Raiya's energy? I'll have to ask Homura," she said.

"I'd never thought you'd ask," Homura suddenly appeared behind her.

Atsuko yelped. She could've sworn that no one was there a second ago, so she wondered where the heck did she come from. "Don't ever do that again."

"Do what?"

"Never mind," Atsuko sighed. "Will you be able to help me with this clothing issue?"

Homura nodded. Atsuko thought about asking her about the dreams she's been having, but she hesitated. She decided to go with another question, "Atsuko I know what has been bothering you," Homura said as if she read her mind.

"You do?"

Homura's expression scared Atsuko, but if she knew why didn't she say anything? "You've been worried about that dream and what exactly does it mean in regards to you and Ayame. You want answers correct?"

Atsuko gulped as she nodded. She hadn't told Homura anything about it, but maybe the Phoenix connected them more than she thought, "Yeah," she replied miserably, "I do want answers. Because if what that dream is what I think it is, then not only Ayame and myself but the entire world is in trouble."

"I figured. I guess your main motivation is Ayame for the most part, correct?"

"Yes, but she's only half the reason, I think?" Atsuko wasn't sure of herself of what she actually meant.

"Very well," Homura smiled. "First let's get you some clothing. Then we shall discuss this dream."

*****

Atsuko loved her new clothing. Homura had made it from her Raiya's energy by extracting it, and she definitely didn't disappoint. It was as if the clothing were a part of her.

"Those clothing will change to anything you desire. I think anything will look good on you," though my dear," Homura smiled.

"Anything I desire, huh?" she asked. She then thought of something she had always wanted to wear. It was from one of the shows Ayame watched. It was a gold and white body suit with a gold half skirt that covered her backside. Her outfit also had gold pieces of fabric at her hips, thighs, and chest. The fabric looked like padding.