Author's Note: I'm gonna be honest when I say I'm not entirely happy with this chapter. The past few days due to the weather I've had one of my migraines and it's made it extremely hard to concentrate but I think towards the end it smooth's out. I know if I don't work through this block I never will so I plunged ahead and I hope it turned out good! I think I received more threats and mentions of harm from last chapter than I ever have before! LOL! Also a bit more Bolin focus in this chapter.

As a warning this chapter (and chapters to come) may be a bit graphic for some so read at your own discretion. Thanks to everyone for their amazing reviews! They really keep me going! Please enjoy…

~~~GW~~~

Chapter 6: Hazy Memories

Between the two of them they managed to get Bolin down the difficult ladder leading up to the loft. Mako hauled him onto his own back, hands twined around his legs as he carried him piggyback style with Korra following behind them, a slender hand pressed between Bolin's shoulder blades. It reminded him strongly of when they were kids and he used to carry his little brother around whenever Bolin had become too tired or finicky to walk on his own. With a grunt he lowered his little brother to the couch and the two of them helped him into a thick jacket, bundling him in several layers of clothing against the cold outside. Bolin blinked sleepily up at them, uncharacteristically silent and it bothered Mako that he didn't even question where he was being taken. After a brief moment of hesitation Mako seized his precious red scarf in his hands, the fabric soft to his touch as he deftly wound it around Bolin's neck before tucking it in. Korra watched him silently as he crouched in front of Bolin.

"We're taking you to the hospital bro. We're gonna get you some help." Mako told him gently, trying to get him to understand. The firebender reached up, ruffling Bolin's hair in a comforting manner and tried to smile confidently up at him. Vaguely Bolin nodded his head, fighting to stay awake.

"We'll stay with you the whole time Bolin, okay?" Korra chimed in but Bolin was too tired to care. His chin dipped towards his chest, eyes fluttering closed in exhaustion. With a sigh Mako slid a hand along his brother's back, tugging his arm around his shoulders and hefting him to his feet. Once standing his whole weight sagged against Mako and he was forced to support the both of them.

"Let's go." Mako instructed and they began the less tricky task of navigating the sick earthbender down the steep stairs. It was a far harder process than it ever should have been with Mako stopping often to let Bolin rest and for him to regain feeling in his own shoulder. When they finally made it to the entrance of the Probending arena the sight that greeted them was disconcerting. The streets were eerily empty for the bustling city. No lines of satomobiles raced by on the streets, drivers impatiently honking their horns with looks of irritation. The once bustling sidewalks filled with people milling about and noisily calling out to one another were deserted, the occasional person fleeing by trying to get to work and make a living despite the disease spreading through the city.

That had to be the worst part out of all of this. You couldn't simply hide away in your house and avoid venturing outside. Life had to go on even as those around you were dropping like flies. Electricity had to be generated, work had to be done, money earned, food bought and sold. The streets that were normally lined with food carts and wares were vacant, parks empty, schools closed. A majority of the people that did hurry by all wore white masks pressed tightly over their mouths and noses and they adjusted them frequently, almost like a nervous tick, fingers inching upwards to press the white fabric closer to their faces. They were clothed in heavy winter jackets, collars turned up, hands clad in thick gloves as if the barrier of cloth would fend off the illness. The city was quiet, filled with heavy tension and a nervous energy. Korra and Mako exchanged a brief glance of apprehension before she pressed two fingers to her mouth and whistled piercingly.

"Naga come!" She called loudly and the polar bear dog came scrambling excitedly around the corner. The massive white dog brushed her head against Korra in a loving gesture and then lowered her muzzle, breath whooshing against Bolin's hair as she sniffed him cautiously. A questioning whine keened from her mouth and she tilted her head to lick the side of his face in her usual friendly motion when Korra suddenly tugged her head away from him. "Not now Naga." She murmured sadly, brushing a hand through the soft fur on her face. Pabu leapt forward, scrambling up Naga's massive head and shoulders before racing in circles along her back as if inspecting the area. He must have deemed it suitable for his master because he quickly scampered back down and curled around Mako's shoulders, chittering noisily in his ear. "Alright Naga down." Korra instructed firmly and the polar bear dog lowered herself to her belly, resting her jaw on the sidewalk with a concerned whine. Korra clambered up on her best friend's back and reached down a strong hand to help pull Bolin up behind her. Mako hauled himself up behind his brother and wrapped his arm firmly around his waist, his other hand securely grasping at the saddle.

"Don't go too fast." He warned seriously, peering over Bolin's shoulder at her with a cautioning look and she nodded.

"Let me know if we need to stop." She replied before leaning forward and patting Naga's neck. "Alright girl, take it easy. Bolin's not feeling too well so let's go slow." She told her and as if in understanding the dog carefully rose to her full height and took off at a more controlled pace than usual. Bolin rested flush against Korra's back, his head cushioned tiredly on her shoulder blade, hands weakly clinging to stay on. Mako tightened his grip on his brother, afraid that if he let go he'd slip from his grasp.

The wind whipped by, catching at his hair and tossing it playfully back from his face. It snagged at his clothes, flapping the loose layers about and tugging at something bright red strung around his neck. The world was a blur of lurching, sliding motion that whirled past his eyes and slipped by him in a sling of momentum. Things jumped out at him, rows of tiny windows, a sign here and a person there, their face blanching in surprise as they barreled past. Where was he going? How was he moving so fast? The world was crumbling apart, falling away and leaving him behind because he couldn't keep up. How was he supposed to keep up? They were running through a park and his mother was passing him a slice of cake, warm fingers gliding past his own. Mako smiles and pokes his nose, leaving behind a smear of icing and he tries to lick it off while laughing and they all join in. But Shady Shin is standing on the street, a lopsided grin on his face, eyes slanted, hands shoved in his pockets as he gestures him over with a faint nod of his head. And briefly Bolin realizes that he should probably go over and see what he wants because Mako hasn't been back for two days and he's worried. He leans over, preparing to take a step forward when an arm tightens around his waist and pulls him against a strong body. He can't go forward and they round the corner, Shin slipping past, eyes following them, only now it's not Shady Shin it's some stranger he's never seen before. Faintly in his ear he can hear a whisper, fighting to be heard against the rushing wind.

"I've got you Bo." Says the familiar voice and then it's gone, snatched away. But who's Bo? Certainly not him. It's that kid that got left behind ten years ago when his parents were murdered-burned alive by a firebender. It's that boy that just suddenly stopped coming to school with his brother, who lived in that house where the lawn began to grow wild before the police eventually showed up.

Pabu chirrups in his ear and his words are funny so the boy Bolin laughs a breathy chuckle as the wind stings his eyes. There's a girl sitting in front of the boy, blocking his view of where they're going and he frowns, thinking that's rather rude of her. The world tilts again and the city fades from glimmering towers of white concrete and sparkling glass to filthy brick and dripping green moss that leeches up the walls. It's dim and damp and he crinkles his nose in distaste as a memory of a sour smell fills his senses. The boy stumbles forward, tears and snot running down his face, smearing the grime already coated there. A tiny pale hand drags the boy along, yanking relentlessly, tugging at his arm until the socket screams in protest and the brother Mako snaps his head around, eyes searching over the boy's shoulder and they're filled with paralyzing terror and alarm. Blood drips from his nose and the side of his face is rough with a scrape that tore the skin to shreds and vaguely he realizes that the little boy Bolin isn't in much of a better state. And the two of them are barreling down the twisting, turning alleys at a break neck speed because whoever is after them is bad, really bad and if they get caught they're dead.

As if from miles away he feels his own heart racing in response as the memories of fear flood him, his breath coming in short pants and the arm tightens protectively around him. His head lolls back, hazy eyes trying to find the body the arm belongs to and his dad is there, his beloved red scarf wrapped around the two of them in a tender way, his golden eyes shining with life as he silently watches him.

His dad should say something shouldn't he?

Like Look how you've grown! Or My boy is growing into a man…

This should be a shock to him because he hasn't seen his son in ten years and-

He's dead so he never will.

He's dead.

He's dead.

He's dead.

And suddenly it's not some little boy named Bolin sitting there, it's him. That's his life and his body and his memories no matter how hard he tries to escape them. And that's not his father that's Mako and it's Bolin's fault! It's all his fault! It was always him! He was always the one that somehow managed to find trouble! The one Mako had to slow down for, turn back for, wait to catch up. He was always chasing after his brother's back, that red scarf waving behind him like a flag-like a marker for Bolin to follow. He was always the one being tugged through dark grimy alleys as they ran for their lives. It was Mako's back he stared at as the young firebender stood protectively in front of him, arm extended to form a barrier of flesh between his brother and the jeering thugs.

Mako was his savior, his protector, his anchor, his courage, his safety and love, his hope, his emotional support, his best friend and confidant. His everything. He was the person Bolin treasured above all others, his reason for living. But what was he to Mako? His little brother? Someone to stress over and worry about? Someone who added work to his already hard life and who needed to be constantly taken care off?

He could still see that Triad member about the same age as Mako, a condescending sneer on his face as he worked a wad of saliva in his mouth before spitting a thick glob of it at Bolin's feet. Mako's eyes had hardened and the boy had looked particularly apathetic, his beady eyes flickering between Mako and Bolin.

That's too bad kid, with a burden like him you won't last long.

Burden.

That word sent a sickening twist of guilt and regret through his gut like a burrowing worm of doubt because life was hard enough without having a helpless little brother in tow. Mako thought he was oblivious but he really wasn't. He was no longer an ignorant child. Bolin was well aware of every sacrifice made for him, every yuan spent on him and every bruise and drop of blood gained or spilt in his defense. He was painfully aware of the worry he caused his brother, the stress he added to his life.

And it wasn't like he didn't try because he did. He tried to be more mature, less sensitive and not as gullible. He tried to pull his own weight and that was why he really loved Probending so much. It was the one chance he had to step up when his brother had fallen, plunging towards the pit of water below, and score points on his own. It was his chance to shine when he knocked the other team's earthbender so hard the other opponent flew out of the ring, the crowd erupting in cheers that Bolin ate up with a grin, pumping his fist enthusiastically in the air.

Sometimes it seemed like Mako didn't even give him a chance. Like protecting Bolin was so engrained in his consciousness that he automatically shoved the other boy protectively behind him. It seemed like no matter how many times he stepped forward, no matter how many times he slid into his grounded earthbender stance, eyes trained forward, expression determined as he stood side by side with his brother ready to fight, Mako somehow always managed to end up one step ahead of him. Even in Probending his brother purposefully put himself in front of him in an effort to deflect a majority of the attacks.

Just once Bolin wanted to be the one people relied on. The one people turned to with questions in their eyes. He wanted Mako to have enough confidence and trust in him to not only watch after himself but to know he had Mako's back too.

His fingers dug into the white fur on Naga's back as he struggled to piece his thoughts together, flashes of hallucinations and long gone memories flickering across his vision. His mind felt muddled and confused as he shivered in the cold breeze whipping past his bare face. Vaguely he became aware that he was sandwiched between Korra and Mako, with his brother's arm wrapped securely around his waist. His muscles ached, feeling as if they were being forcefully tightened underneath his flesh and his skin burned. And god did he just feel so tired! So ridiculously exhausted like the air had been turned into cement and he was struggling to move before it hardened. He just wanted to close his eyes and sleep until this miserable feeling passed.

It hurt to be alive.

Dazedly Bolin lifted a shaking hand and clutched at Mako's pants leg, the fabric scrunching underneath his fingers as Mako glanced down at him. He felt safe there, cradled in his brother's arms like when he was a kid, like everything was going to be alright again.

"Mako…" He murmured and Mako leaned forward, strong chest pressing against his brother's slumped back so he could hear over the rushing wind.

"Yeah Bo?" Bolin took a slow breath, blinking away a memory of the day he'd found Pabu that threatened to distract his train of thought. There was something he needed to say…what was it? Something that was bothering him…

Oh.

"I'm…sorry." He mumbled vaguely, closing his eyes. He could feel Mako's heartbeat drumming strongly through the two of them, feel his brother's firebending heat warming them both. There was a beat of silence between the two of them and then Mako rested his chin on Bolin's shoulder.

"The first year after our parents were killed I hated myself." Mako spoke up quietly and Bolin's brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought it was my fault because I hadn't been able to help them. I wasn't strong enough and I blamed myself." He told Bolin seriously, golden eyes dark. "But there are some things we can't control Bolin no matter how hard we try. This isn't your fault, got it?" He demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument and Bolin swallowed thickly before silently nodding.

Abruptly they lurched forward, Mako scrambling in alarm to keep a grasp on Bolin as Naga ground to a forceful halt and suddenly the sounds of chanting filled the air.

"What's going on?" Mako asked impatiently, craning his neck to see ahead of them.

"I'm not sure, there's a crowd gathered…" Korra hesitated, fingering Naga's reins as she debated simply bypassing the mass of people congregated.

"A crowd with what's been going on? Are they insane?" Mako demanded gruffly, eyes narrowing in anger. "I thought the council banned all public gatherings?"

"They did." Korra replied, standing up in the stirrups and shielding her squinting eyes with one hand. The sinister face of Amon stared back at her from a large banner and she recoiled, a spiteful expression on her face.

"It's Equalist supporters." She informed them with surprise, flopping back down in the saddle and snatching up the reins. "Let's get out of here before the police show up to break up their little party."

"It figures!" Mako ground out, wrapping his arm securely around Bolin again as Naga set off in a detour. "People are dying and they're still causing trouble! What a great way to make everyone sick!" He spat out sarcastically, gritting his teeth in irritation at the group of anti-benders.

"You would think they'd be afraid of getting sick…" Korra trailed off, brow furrowing in confusion as they navigated the streets towards the hospital.

"They're insane Korra." Mako deadpanned and the conversation ended.

When they arrived at the front of the hospital the entrance was bustling with people hurrying in and out of the large double doors in a steady stream. The building was large and wide with lines of tall windows and sophisticated archways curving in a stunning display of architecture. It was made of smooth stone and carried about itself a refined appearance. In front of the building a massive statue of a younger version of the waterbending master Katara stood glimmering in the afternoon sun. A confident smile was carved onto her lips, her hands extended in a graceful symbol of peace as cool water flowed from between her cupped fingers and tumbled into a pool below. Behind her figure a large bright red banner hung down the front of the building, a massive water tribe symbol surrounded by swirling chi marking the building as a place of healing. The three of them gazed up at the statue as they passed underneath, Korra's eyes staring at Katara's face until her neck ached at the odd angle. It made sense that they'd have a statue of Katara in front of the hospital honoring its founder and the best healer in Republic City history but it was still surprising seeing a much younger version of the old woman she knew so well. Suddenly Korra missed the older woman who always seemed to know what to do, a warm loving smile crinkling her wizened face as she soothed away your pain. Katara would probably know what to do right now…

Mako hefted his little brother down from Naga's back, stumbling a bit as the other boy's solid weight landed on him. Bolin clutched desperately at the sleeves on Mako's arms, trying to keep the world from spinning as he swallowed down the bile threatening to rise up his throat. He worked to regain his breath as Korra patted Naga and firmly instructed her and Pabu to stay outside and wait for them.

"Mako…" Bolin rasped, his eyes seeking out his brother's, a worried frown creasing his brow. "How are we gonna pay for this?" He hesitated, looking upset. Mako grasped his brother's hand tightly and tugged him to his feet, a determined fire in his golden eyes.

"How many times do I have to say it Bo? Let me worry about those things!" He stressed, wishing to soothe his sibling's worry despite his own uncertainty. Bolin leaned against him for support, practically hanging off of his frame as Mako dragged him upright. Suddenly his little brother's breath hitched and he latched ahold of Mako's arm in a fearful grip, fingernails digging painfully into the firebender's arm. Mako's head snapped up and he glanced at his brother's scared face, following his wide eyes towards a corner of the courtyard. "What is it Bo? What's wrong?" He pressed urgently and Bo dragged him closer with surprising strength despite his sickness.

"It's that guy!" Bolin gasped, eyes never wavering from the place he was staring at. "That freaky goggled guy! The one that attacked us that night!" He cried, lunging forward to point a finger in the direction he was looking, his arm jostling his brother as Mako was forced to roughly catch him. Mako craned his neck to peer over his shoulder, eyes scanning the area for the figure of the Lieutenant and his eerie green goggled face.

"Bo…I don't-" Mako began hesitantly.

There was no one there.

"Look he was right there Mako!" Bolin interjected stubbornly, confusion filling his dulled green eyes as he sought out the Equalist fighter in the stream of unassuming people passing by. Mako faltered.

"I know Bo…don't worry about-" He began again but Bolin rounded on him, a scowl on his young face as he weakly shoved Mako back, almost falling in the process.

"Don't tell me not to worry about it!" He shouted, face flushed as people paused in the middle of walking to stare at the three of them. With a flash of irritation Mako caught his arm, dragging him towards the hospital doors as Korra jogged to catch up.

"It's alright Bolin, the three of us can handle him!" She reassured him and he glanced back at her in apparent relief. Mako shot her a disapproving look and then quickly caught Bolin as he stumbled again, helping his brother to regain his balance. The three of them made their way towards the hospital doors, optimism in their hearts at finding Bolin some help and returning their lovable cheerful earthbender back to his normal goofy self.

A relieved smile fluttered across Mako's lips, Korra shouldered the door open and the three of them promptly stepped into hell.

Screams of pain and wails of the sickly pierced the air, warbling like the shriek of a badly tuned violin. Children clutched tightly in exhausted mothers' arms screeched and sobbed brokenly, faces flushed in dangerous fevers, lips blue from lack of oxygen. Sickly bodies filled the room, pressed for space, standing in clusters and sitting in the hard plastic chairs that littered the room. Voices raised, people shouting to be heard over the noise, desperate for help and please god it's been six days-she's so weak! Hot tears filled eyes, spilling down pale cheeks, fingers clutching frantically at nurses sweeping busily by. Help me. Help me! Help me! The room was stifling, so many people crammed together, sweating, talking, crying, breathing! The breath caught in their throats as the stench of sweat and vomit and antiseptic assaulted their senses.

And the fear was so palpable in the air you could taste it. What is this? Why is this happening? Please make it stop! Wide eyes flickered upwards to focus on the three of them and a hushed it's the Avatar rippled through the room before they turned away. Can she help us? Will she help? Fear. It seeped out of their skin, hands trembling, eyes staring senselessly and hovered in the air like a thick choking blanket suffocating them all. The fear of the unknown. The fear that nothing could be done. The fear of death.

Overworked nurses and healers trotted past, shoes snapping noisily against the stone tiled floor as they abruptly shook off the desperately clinging hands.

Wait your turn! Be patient! Wait your turn!

Shadows settled under their eyes as they stared hopelessly at the filling room, bodies piling up, voices growing louder. A nurse stumbled by in the hall, bracing herself against the wall as she shook off a moment of dizziness before pressing on. They were exhausted, nerves frayed and minds numbed by the rush and the sheer amount of work that needed to be done and go, go , go! Because there's a little girl that's sick and she needs help-oh she's dead? Because there's a different little girl and she needs help!

The hospital is a war zone and there are casualties everywhere. The number of healers has been rapidly dwindling as they grow sick, infected by the very thing they seek to cure, sickened by the very people they're trying to help.

In the corner a child vomits down its mother's legs and she stands awkwardly, clutching her baby in her arms, sick dripping down her dress, just sitting there for the longest time until a nurse pulls herself away and bustles over to help clean up the mess. On the opposite side a sudden wail pierces above the noise and a woman screams, clutching a bundle to her chest and rocking back and forth, broken sobs wracking her form as she realizes that in the time she's been sitting there her baby has stopped breathing.

Mako feels the color drain from his face and he freezes, clutching Bolin tightly to his side as Korra draws in a sharp, stunned breath. The two of them exchange a horrified glance as people hack and cough into the air until their lungs ache. They feel dirty and contaminated just by standing there and for a brief moment in time Mako wonders if he hasn't just made a horrible, terrible mistake.

"This is…awful..." Korra whispers, expression distraught as she takes in the heartbreaking sight before her.

"This is bad." Mako swallows, fear pounding in his heart and pumping unnecessary adrenaline through his veins.

"Hey…why's that woman crying?" Bolin murmurs, eyes blearily focused on the sobbing woman being pried from her chair so yet another can take her place. "Mako…why's she crying?"

The sharp tap of metal boots on tile beats a rhythm of urgency in Tenzin's head as he halts in his frantic pace, hailed by a stern voice snapping through the air. He's in a hurry, he has to go. The council is gathering and the city is in chaos, looking to their leaders for guidance. But he recognizes the voice, knows the person would never waste her time let alone his so it must be important.

"Tenzin." Lin calls and rounds the corner, relieved to see he's stopped long enough for them to talk. "How are Pema and the children?" She grinds out impatiently, as if forcing herself to go through the pleasantries in her rush.

"Just fine so far, thank the spirits. Ikki has a fever but-" There's the sharp rustle of papers and Lin abruptly shoves a handful of documents in his face, cutting his words off.

"What is this?" He demands, reaching up a hand to accept the files. "Really Lin is this not something you can just tell me? The council-"

"Just read it!" Lin snaps, anxiety churning even her calm and collected gut. Her sharp light eyes bore into his face, taking in every twitch of emotion, searching his features for that sickening moment of realization.

Before Mako can change his mind and turn to leave they're being jostled forward by more people entering the hospital and seeking help. The three of them shuffle forward, trying and failing to avoid bumping into others as they're forced further into the room. Mako tugs Bolin in the direction of the main desk, Korra sticking fretfully close. She takes over keeping an eye on Bolin, resting her hand on his thick shoulder in some semblance of comfort as Mako leans forward over the counter, eyes flashing sharply as the nurse asks her routine questions. What's wrong? Symptoms? For how long? Name? Age? She scribbles it all down in a file looking extremely haggard and worn down as she smooth's back a straggling lock of hair that has escaped her once-neat bun. Her lips move and Mako blinks, drawing back a bit.

"What?" He asks, brow furrowing in temporary confusion. She looks up, an impatient look on her face.

"I asked what kind of a bender is he?" She repeats slowly.

"What…is this?" Tenzin breathes, eyes locked on the piece of paper before him. That little leaf of paper that bears such horrible, devastating news. It doesn't make any sense! It's…

"That's a census from the hospital with data on all of their patients reported with the illness." Lin replies grimly and Tenzin lets out a shaky, incredulous breath.

"This is….impossible!"

There's a moment of silence as Mako stares down at the nurse before he nervously licks his lips, hand clenching into an anxious fist.

"I never said he…how did you know he was a bender?" He demands, hoping-praying it's because she recognizes Bolin from the Probending matches. But somehow he already knows the answer even as the nurse looks up at him, pity shining in her dying eyes like tears.

"You don't know?" She says. "All of the ones getting sick. They're all-"

.

.

.

Benders.

~~~GW~~~

Author's Note: Please keep in mind that while it deals with the spirit and chi/chakra paths there has to be SOME aspect of genetics and DNA involved in bending. How else could a waterbender plus an airbender equal one airbender, one waterbender and one nonbender? So before people freak out hold your horses and let me finish the story first lol.

Tell me what you think? Please REVIEW and let me know your thoughts! It really gives me an idea on if people are enjoying this or not!