The Cursed Iris

Sprout 54: Shangri-La the County of Rebirth and Renewal

Everyone exited the portal created by Shizuko, "Good job Shizuko," Kikyo smiled. She noticed that Shizuko looked exhausted; she picked her up and placed her on her head.

"Thank you," Shizuko huffed.

Ayame turned to Kikyo. "That's a really nifty trick Shizuko has to be honest."

"Yeah it is but traveling long distances tires her out, so she gets a little too tired after doing it. Maybe it's something to do with my power, who knows?"

Asami sighed. "Okay it's about time we start to split up. Atsuko you and your team will take the west and the south, while my team and I will north and the east. The area of the country my team is covering has the capital city, Phoenicia, and the area you're covering has the second largest city, Solara. Plus it also houses quite a large number of noble families as well."

Atsuko nodded, "I have a plan to get information from one of the families. Homura told me about the Lucius family that has a close connection to the new emperor, so I'd assume that's where we should start," she explained.

"Smart girl. Yes, Homura was correct that family will be the perfect ones to use to get more information," Asami agreed. Then she tossed a device to Atsuko, it was shaped like a bracelet. "That'll help us stay in contact with each other and pass information we find."

After that she tossed the entire group one, although for some reason Katsumi's and Arthur's seemed different, "Why are ours so different?" Katsumi asked confused.

Natsume looked at it closely. "Oh yeah it does look different looks like it has writing on it."

Asami smiled. "This is just a precautionary measure for the both of you. I don't need you brawling with each other so that's the purpose of those."

"We're not going to do that!" they both yelled at her.

"Whatever you say. Anyways let's get started, today is the 14th of March and the Festival of Ashen Feathers is held in seven days on the spring equinox. Remember Atsuko this is also your ancestral home, so take in every chance to learn more about your abilities and your heritage."

Atsuko nodded, then she walked over to Ayame and Kikyo, "You both be careful. It seems like we're just spending a ton of time apart, doesn't it?" Atsuko giggled.

"Definitely seems like it," Ayame and Kikyo agreed.

They all hugged each other, "You both should be careful. From what I heard about this country is that they know about both of you coming soon so please," Atsuko said.

Kikyo chuckled. "We've got our reliable partners here, plus we have our knight clad in shining armor over there. I think we'll be fine we can handle ourselves."

"Yeah," Ayame agreed, "we've been training and we're a lot stronger than we were in Aokigahara. I refuse to run away ever again; I'm going to stand with you all and fight together. That is the reason why I trained so hard."

Atsuko smiled, she had never seen Ayame so determined before. This side of Ayame was charming, and she loved that. She wondered what had gotten into her, maybe it was that Minori woman or was it Katsumi? She concluded that it was probably that latter. "Okay, I believe you. If you fight anyone just be sure to kick their ass."

She held up her left fist, then Ayame and Atsuko followed. "See you in a week Atsuko," Ayame and Kikyo both said.

"See you then," she said. Then she, Natsume, and Jeanne walked off into the distance.

Asami smiled. "Well it's time to head off, come on."

*****

"Aimi are you sure it was a good idea to have Asami give those bracelets to Katsumi and Arthur?" Minori asked.