Black Frost // John Proudstar

1.7 echoes

When Akira was seven, her mother revealed to the family that she was pregnant. It was the first good news Akira had heard in a long time. Ever since her and her family had escaped Japan, Akira had become a tightly kept secret. Her parents and brothers went by different names, Chinese names, and they all lived in a one bedroom apartment in one of the poorer districts. Akira had not been allowed in or out of the apartment since they first arrived and her brothers were forbidden to speak about her to anyone. As far as anyone knew, the Lim's (now the Huang's) were a family of four.

Akira actually didn't mind not going to school, staying inside all day. She would watch the TV on low while her family was away or she would draw and read and do some of the worksheets her mom would create for her as part of some basic schooling. But Akira did get lonely and sad, knowing she had ruined her families lives. They had tried to keep the truth hidden from her, but they couldn't censor the news from Akira.

She was a wanted criminal in Japan, her school photo and a photo of her and her whole family was constantly circulating through the news. Because of this, her mother was forced to cut her long hair into a short bob, Eiji had to discard his glasses, and Hioshi even bleached his hair blond just so he wouldn't be recognized at school.

Scientists and other experts on mutants didn't sound optimistic when they talked about the unfreezing of Japan. The icy waters had managed to be been broken apart but the dark swirling clouds above the entire country were ever present. Snow fell at least once a week and the rest of the time, the people of Japan had to deal with constant sleet, hail and icy winds. "The only way this will stop is if Akira Lim returns and undoes the damage herself." But Akira couldn't. She had been practicing trying to unfreeze things to no avail. She just couldn't control it.

Akira was overjoyed by the news that she would no longer being the youngest member of her family but then fear seized her heart. Akira knew that her father held a deep seeded hatred for her and Akira also knew that Hioshi felt resentment towards her for being forced to leave his life behind. Would this new brother feel the same way they did? Could he come to love her and her powers? 

The day that her mother brought Koji home, was one Akira spent in great worry, pacing back and forth by the door, practically skating as her feet created layers of ice underneath her. When her mother walked through the front door with a small bundle in her arms, Akira leaped over to meet him. Her father held out his hand though. "Don't come closer Akira. Koji is small and I don't want you to hurt him." Akira froze, bottom lip trembling. She just wanted to see him. She wanted to see her little brother. Her mother glared at her husband and immediately walked towards Akira and bent down a little.

"Here he is Akira, your baby brother Koji." Akira peered into the blanket, smiling widely.

"He's so cute." Akira said softly, poking Koji's little cheek. She watched her baby brother yawn and snuggle further into their mothers arms. Akira's heart soared. The ice in the apartment began to melt, disappearing back into their individual molecules until there wasn't a remnant of a puddle.

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"Onēsan!" Koji trilled out, rushing through the apartment before jumping straight onto Akira's lap. Akira laughed loudly, no longer worried about being quiet while she and Koji were alone in the house. As far as their neighbors knew, she was Koji's babysitter. "Onēsan!" Koji shouted again. "Can we please go outside today! Why can't we go out together. You never ever leave this place." Akira smiled lightly. Exercise and freedom were important to kids, especially kids his age. At five years old, Koji was active and curious and completely adored his older sister.

Unlike their father, Koji loved Akira's powers. His nickname for her had become "Aisupurinsesu" or Ice Princess. He would often say that he wanted to be like her when he was older which would always anger their father but Koji didn't let this bother him. Akira had been helping to take care of him ever since she was seven years old and she loved him to death.