AN: This is my first ever fanfic! WOOHOO! And I know one day I going to read it again and think it is utter crap. Any errors you saw or suggestions you might have are welcome! Adena's name is from a thread on Reddit, AvatarRP. If you read fanfiction, my fellow hotma'am, let me know!

I do not own the Legend of Korra. All I own are my OCs

The Tale of Akari

Chapter 1

My target laid before me; a small, humble vegetable stand. And the owner was nowhere to be found. Perfect.

Working quickly, I managed to slip into the marketplace unseen from a back alley. I had studied the owner's habits and had concluded that he took a short five minute break at precisely noon. This small window of time was all I needed.

I took out my lock picks and set to work on the owner's strongbox. This one was surprisingly tricky for a stand, but eventually the tumblers clicked into place, and the box springs open. Inside was….nothing. Nothing at all. Then I noticed someone has been lurking on my left, my blind spot. That explained the police-grade lock; I walked right into a trap. I stood and dusted myself off.

"Well," I said. "This is definitely not what I was expecting. I must have been mistaken when I took you for a stuttering hog-monkey."

The owner stuttered. Thanks for proving me right, bub. "I couldn't believe someone would try to steal my money for m-more uh, cabbages. I guess the tip was legit."

A tip, huh? I stored that in my mind for later. I laughed. "I know you, Mr. Hog-Monkey. And I know what that money was really spent on. So how about we call it even?"

The owner grinned maliciously. "Oh, I don't think so, little thief."

And that's when metal wires wrapped around my waist. Dammit.

"Akari! I was beginning to wonder if we would ever cross paths again," the annoyed voice of Chief Lin Beifong came from the doorway of the holding cell. Her hair was disheveled and she looked like she hadn't slept in a month.

"Chief Beifong. May I just say that you look like hell?" Her face got even more annoyed. I laughed, ignoring the fact that I was probably going to jail. Locks were made to be picked.

"Actually," she said as she sat down, "I've had a very… interesting day. Now cut the chatter. You're in deep trouble. Again." She crossed her arms and gave me her best "you're in deep shit" glare.

I sighed, and then relaxed against the back of my chair, ignoring her expression. "How many charges this time? I want to beat my personal record." Last I had was seven at once. It kept police visits interesting.

If possible, Chief Beifong grew even more annoyed. "Crime is not a game! You are throwing your life away!" Chief Beifong made an effort to calm herself down. "Look, I know life is hard for you…"

I slammed my palms against the table and stood up abruptly. "You have no idea what life is like for me! I have to provide for over twenty children by myself! It's not an easy life! Would an easy life slash me across the eye? I can't see properly anymore!"

Chief Beifong stood as well, staring down at me. "Yes, yes, we all know your tragic history. But it has nothing to do with your current situation. You need to wise up and earn your money, like an honest citizen. You are still under the age of 18, so I can still get you off. But this is your last chance. I catch you again, and you're on your own. Are we clear?"

I shrugged and said, "Crystal. Now can I go?"

Chief Beifong thought for a moment, and then said, "Fine. But I'm watching you."

With a wave of hey hand, my handcuffs popped open, and I walked to the door. As I left, I couldn't resist a parting shot. "Don't worry Chief, you won't catch me again. I'll be much more careful."

I stood in front of the old, decrepit building. My home, I corrected myself. Well, the closest thing to a home I had. I had grown up in this sad excuse for an orphanage. My parents were gone, whether they were dead or alive somewhere remained to be seen. And in the ten years I had lived here, the building had never been maintained or repaired. The roof had sagged, and the wood had rotted in several places. The glass was gone from all the windows, so they had had to be replaced with plywood. All in all, no one had ever guessed this "abandoned" building was home to twenty or so kids. I walked up the rickety front steps and push on the rotting door. The hinges protest loudly, and I will them to shut up before-

"Akari, is that you?"

Dammit, I woke them up. I braced myself, and then called out, "Yes, kids. It's me." And then I looked into their big round eyes filled with hunger, but also hope. I sighed. How was I supposed to tell them that they had to go hungry that night? My adventure in the marketplace had been their only chance for a decent meal.

Adena, one of the older girls, caught my expression. She shooed the kids back to bed and made me follow her upstairs. The old owner of the orphanage's office was still there, and we often used it to discuss matters the smaller children couldn't bear to hear. I sat in the owner's chair and she remained standing.

"What happened, Akari?" She had a stern look on her face, making her look much older than her thirteen years. She had had to grow up a lot.

I sighed. "Would you believe me if I told you a poodle-monkey ate all my money?"

"Nope," she replied, crossing her arms.

"Well, good. I wouldn't have either. The owner of the stand I planned on hitting today had a tip."

Adena's eyes widened. "But you're one of the best thieves in the city! You wouldn't be careless enough to tell someone your plans!"

I shrugged. "Maybe I need to be more random. It's nothing to worry about."

Adena sighed, "The last time you said that, I ended up treating your heavily bleeding eye. Mr. Leng won't be happy if he discovers you're stealing again. You might not be so lucky next time."

I snorted. Leng was the least of my worries. "Chief Beifong already threatened me. I'm pretty sure Leng can't do much more." Mr. Leng was the owner of the orphanage where I lived, with twenty other children, in poverty. A cruel man, he did not spend any money on food or clothes for us. So I had to get them myself. Hence the thievery.

Adena gaped, then said, "Chief Beifong! Again?" She sighed, again. The common reaction when I told of my crimes. "Seriously, Akari. I'm beginning to think you have a death wish."

"Oh, ha ha. I'm just trying to provide for an entire orphanage. Seriously, though," I said, calming myself. "We need a backup. You know, if I'm arrested or killed. We can't let the kids starve."

Adena brightened, for some reason. She then said, "I don't think we'll need one. We finally have hope!"

I furrowed my eyebrows. Hope was something I had run out of. "Why do you say that?"

"Because, the Avatar's in town."