(A/N): I should have done this a long time ago! I do not own Legend of Korra, or adorable child Bolin. I do own Akira until the end of time. Because, as the title states, she is a Fire Ferret we'll be throwing out that pesky Hasook that nobody likes. Other than that, expect cute brotherly moments and little kid-ness as we go!
She's confused, lost, lonely, and so very hungry. The little girl bumps into every stranger in the crowded streets, looking up at unfamiliar faces that push her away each time. The child watches happy families go about their business, wondering where hers is. Or this place. The smell of fresh food from clustered vendors digs at her nose and growling stomach, pitiful blue eyes earning no sympathy to the tight merchants. A sound of an explosion streets away shatters the atmosphere. Citizens take hold of another, fearfully uttering a word the girl has heard hushed once before.
"Triad!"
They take shelter in the safety of buildings, parents ushering their children inside, leaving the lone girl to fend for herself. Frightened as well, she ducks into a nearby alley and hides behind lone crates filled with odd merchandise.
"Bo! Here!" A boy's voice shouts from the street, heading into her alley. She dares to peek above the wood to see the boy, hardly older than herself, red scarf around his neck and holding two loaves of bread. Sharp golden eyes dart over her area, scanning the alley as the one he called comes over.
"I'm hungry, Mako." The smaller boy pants, though with a smile as his brother hands him a loaf and ruffles his hair.
"All right, eat up. That Triad'll be here soon." Mako begins eating his bread slowly, savoring each bite as Bolin chomps happily. The girl hesitates, her stomach groaning as she eyes them eating. Then Bolin looks to where she is. His green eyes look right at hers, and she knows that he sees her. Carefully, he breaks the rest of his bread in half and hides it up his sleeve, knowing that the girl watches his every move.
"Bo, did you eat it all already?" Mako sighs, his attention back on his little brother. Without a second of hesitation, he hands Bolin the rest of his. "I'm full, so you can have it."
"Thanks." Bolin smiles as Mako returns to his post of spying around the corner for Triad. Pressing a finger to his lips, Bolin retrieves the bread from his sleeve and sets it on the crate for the girl to find. "There."
"C'mon, Bo, time to go." Bolin nods, taking one last glance at the girl's hiding place, and follows Mako out of the alley. The girl watches him leave, shakily getting out of her position. Her stomach moans again as she picks up the bread, and starts to eat it. Salt from the tears that start to fall mix in with it, but she keeps eating it.
"Thank...you." Her voice catches from lack of use. Moments after, she peers out of the alley to where the two must have gone. She wants to thank the kind boy with the bread.
"There's another one!" A rough male's voice growls, getting the girl's attention as she leaves the safety of the alley. "Little rats are everywhere."
The male's two companions agree with a sharp laugh, breaking a nearby vendor with earth and fire in response. Her blue eyes widen at the sight, the burning wood frightening her most. Paralyzed, her feet betray her.
"What's wrong kid, afraid of a little flame?"
"We got our fees from the locals. Can we have fun now?"
"S'just a kid." The leader of the trio determines, then with a twisted grin. "After what that fire brat with the twerp did earlier, I'll overlook this one. Just this once."
"Aw, you got lucky, girl." The fire companion grumbles, then notices the girl's vacant expression. "Hey, I said you got lucky!"
Fire erupts from a fist, flames engulfing the vendor next to her. Heat burns at the right side of her face, a broken memory playing in the inferno. A woman with pure blue eyes waving farewell in red flames. Her tiny hand reaches over her right eyes, small rough patches of burned skin covered by dark brown hair etched forever. Her body shakes, hand returning to side, as water from a jug subdues the fire. Water she had bended.
"Really is another one. I lied. Get her."
"My pleasure." The firebender cackles, his element emitting from his outreached hands. With a hopeful gasp, she throws her arms in front of her, water shielding her as another portion douses his hands. An angry growl escapes from him, but her legs gain the ability to move again as she flees. The rest of the Triad see her go, falling and scrambling back up, but make no move to stop the child.
"Nice going, Howzon."
"Can it, Yikka."