Lost Dreams and Hopeful Sons/Polish

"*23/08/2006*

*Hello Miki!*

 *My parents told me, we won't be going back to the village every month anymore. They've agreed to let me write letters to Kenji and you though. Ill miss you guys soooo much, hope you don't have too much fun without me.*

*From Daichi*"

(I stuffed my letter into the bundle which my parents has said will be sent back to the village. Then I anticipatedly returned to my room. I heard the cracking of straws from the room below, it had to be my brother, swiping his blade at a dummy. My brother inherited the same curse technique as our father, Prismatic Manipulation/Prism Technique. Our mother on the other hand has Density Touch. What's the point of training if you aren't even in Kyoto curse school yet? I giggle to myself, before pulling the curtain shut.

I reach to my duffle and prepare for my first day of school.)

*"27/06/2007*

*Dear Miki,*

*I heard you coming to the city soon. There's this ice cream shop that serves the best milk ice cream I've ever tasted, my brother usually brings me there during the holidays! Kenji will also be coming back from Tokyo. Can't wait to see you!*

*From Daichi!"*

The fourth year of school was such trudge. It's been even more boring since my brother left for the Cursed school up in the mountain. I reached home from school, the house was empty as usual, my parents were out for work. I take a packet of onigiri from the fridge that my mother prepares. Glancing at the table, I see a pearl necklace.

They must be my mother's. As I reach for it, I feel a slight tingle, along my finger tips. I frown. My hand now hovered above the cream white necklace. My palm felt sort of a false sense of cold, like one feels when they deep into room water after coming out of a spring. There was of a force pulling me towards it, a power begging to be released. My fingers slid across the surface of the pearl, my hand tensed up. As if it was boxed up, I could sense feelings; the pearl swelling with emotions: pride, confidence and a taint of jealousy. I just wanted to let it go, and so I did, In a span of a second, the a chill gust blew from the pearl, with a loud snap. Stemming it's place, sharp long tendrils of ice have reach outwards. Almost like a sea urchin, it's spikes piercing the wooden table leaving severe dents in the fridge.

I lunged back, *my mom loved that table she is going to kill me*. I glance at my finger tips, buzzing with energy. Bzzt. I looked around, the colors around me seemingly jumping out, did everything always look like that? The pale yellows rays of the sun now golden and the dull wooden floor now polish like lacquered timber. The world seemed so much more saturated, Bzzt, Bzzt. I turn back, scouring for the source of the sound. Then I see it, flushed against the frame of the window, a fly ramming into the clear pane. Was it ever this loud? My head was spinning, something was new, I crashed down on to the cushions in the leaving room, darkness ensued.

"Daichi wake up, Daichi wake up!"

Daiki stood above me. "What did you do the house!", Daiki said sternly. Another one of his lectures I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not sure, I touch mother's pearl necklace and it exploded into ice." Daiki dropped me back down, walking towards the pillar of ice in the kitchen. Puddles of water poker dot the entrance to the kitchen. He looked surprised, twisting his face as he turned towards me. His lips pulled back, baring his white row of teeth. *Wow I need to brush my teeth.* Tiny dimples formed at his cheeks, *was that a smile, didn't he could that.*

"Looks like you got your Cursed Technique, and it's pretty powerful" Daichi commented. His eyes tracing the form of the ice pillar. "I just came back to grab these new swords to train with, want to come?" He asked. I pulled myself up, "Sure."

*"27/12/2008*

*Dear Miki,*

*It's freezing here in Kyoto, I can't imagine how cold it is up there. My parents said we won't be going back this winter, as we will be going to have a vacation in Korea. I will bring you back some sweets, hopefully I can stop my brother from eating all of them like he usually does. Btw, I recently begin watched finish Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, it's so good.*

*From Daichi!"*

I stared in the bowl of dried vegetables, looking as my brother slipped one the soggy cabbages into his mouth. "Is it good?" I asked, my brother turned to me with a deadpan expression as always. "No, but we can't waste food. Are you going to eat yours?" He nagged.

"Eh no thanks." I replied, *have fun eating these yucky vegetables*, I smirked. Daiki took the whole bowl in one hand, and poured it all over the rice. While I continued to indulge in pork strips rice, I wondered how my friends were doing. I heard some of my classmates were going skiing in Hokkaido. Man I wish I could be there, instead of having to follow my parents to Seoul. Apparently, some cursed sprit was eating all the meat in an old slaughter mill.

I wish I could help them. My powers aren't as cool as my mom's or my brothers. My powers are similar to my dad's, very situational, the most powerful being to create an ice sculpture. Like a glorified ice making machine. At least my brother taught me how to wield the tachi, just in case any grade 4 curse aren't afraid of some cold.

"Daichi, I'm probably going to walk around Seoul a bit, do you want to follow?" "Nah, I can't really do much anyway. Not only do I not have my sword but I also don't have any pearls with me, at most I'll be deadweight." I sighed.

"Who says we're going to exorcise curse spirits? Dad gave us some allowance to spend, maybe you get your girlfriend some souvenirs"

My cheeks flared, "She's not my girlfriend!" I retaliated.

We finished up dinner and begin to venture the streets do Seoul. Our first stop was the shopping district of buck, where we browsed for clothes. My brother made a beeline to one of the game cafes. Walking around alley nearby, we exorcise a Grade 4 curse spirit.

My brother then settled in one of the game cubicles and started to play a game of StarCraft 2. I told him I'll be back, took some money and walked out. Venturing to the nearest souvenir shop. Inside were racks of collectibles, I found a cheesecake pin with the flag of Korea on the top. Miki likes cheese cakes, without a second thought I purchased it. Next I walked around the area, searching for rock or gem shop to add to my collection. I visited one next to train station, where they sold many different mineral pebbles. I looked up, and saw a small cursed spirit. A dark crow with many eyes. There was not much I could do, so I just purchased a 5 stones for a total of $40.

*"31/07/2009*

*Dear Miki,*

I'm going for a school trip to Tokyo next week. Maybe I'll get to see Kenji!

*From Daichi!"*

*01/08/2010*

*Dear Daichi,*

*I just heard about your parents, I'm so sorry. If you want to talk about it, you know who to call!*

*From Miki*

*23/12/2010*

*Dear Daichi,*

*Merry Christmas, Congratulations on winning the kendo competition too! It's been a while since I last heard from you, hang it there! If you want you stay in my house for a while, we can get the gang back together too. We can also eat mom's special cabbage egg rice all day everyday.*

*Miki*

*29/12/2010*

*Dear Miki*

*Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, thanks for the invitation but I'm busy catching up with all the school work and training. Maybe in early March, Kenji might be leaving Japan too so we could make it a send off for him as well*

*Daichi*

*04/02/2011*

*Dear Miki*

*You alright? It's been while since I've heard from you.*

*Daichi*

*07/03/2011*

*Hey Miki,*

*Just letting know Kenji and I will be heading up soon, because he has to go get some stuff for his parents. Not sure if this letter will reach since I never got a reply. Hope you're alright Miki*

*Daichi*