alrighty, so this is a tad sweet at the end. i'm not %100 sold on this chapter but i'm sure you'll let me know.

I am basing this on the australian school system... because it's what i know.

so first we have pre-school/playgroup/day-care then kinder, then prep then years 1-12.

and the school year starts in feb, which is the last month of summer here, until december, which is the first month of summer.

i feel like this little bit of clarity helps or serves a purpose.

anyway, enjoy and thanks for the kudos and reviews, you're all legends for doing so.

Chapter Text

Mako adjusted his uniform collar for what felt like the thirtieth time. "Stop fiddling with it."

"It's itchy."

"That's because it's new. A few washes and it will soften up." Lin grabbed a sash that was hanging off the back of the chair in the spare bedroom and fastened it around his waist. "You okay kid?"

Mako looked down into the Chief's eyes. "Yeah, just nervous."

"Don't be. School finishes at three thirty, you and Kuvira will go straight to the dance studio and I will be there with Bolin once I finish work."

"Yeah, okay."

"Good man." Lin ushered Mako downstairs then gave him his bookbag. "Lunch is all packed and your stationary is at school."

"Mum, Bolin took his shoes off!"

Lin looked to the youngest of the three children to find him trying to run outside in his white socks. Just as he managed to unlock the door, Lin had a hand on his collar and was dragging him back into the entrance to put his shoes back on. "Can you just leave them on until you get home tonight? Is that too much to ask for?"

"I hate them."

"Spirits, you remind me of my mother. Kuvira, have you got your dance bag?"

Kuvira picked up Lin's old RCPD duffle bag, which had been repurposed, but when she slipped the shoulder strap over her head, the bag touched the ground.

"Spirits, I do not have time for this."

"I can take it Chief." Mako took the bag from Kuvira and slung it onto his shoulder.

"Thanks Mako, I appreciate it."

They filed outside to Lin's police car. The Chief of Police couldn't help but notice the way Mako carried himself, now that he was wearing his new uniform with the added bonus of a department issued duffle bag, it had her beaming with pride internally.

Making it to the school in astounding time, Lin held Bolin's hand and guided Mako to his new classroom, leaving Kuvira to run off with her friends. "Relax kid. Everything is going to be fine."

Mako stopped scanning everyone they passed. "I am relaxed."

"Hmm." Lin pushed the door to the classroom open, where the teacher was standing at the blackboard, writing up the day's lesson. "Mrs Park?"

"Chief Beifong, hello." Bolin hid behind Lin's pant leg. "And who are these fine-looking gentlemen?" Mrs Park was an elderly looking woman, she reminded Lin of her own grandmother, the white skin, manicured natural nails, red lipstick, and a traditional Earth Kingdom bun.

"This is Bolin, and his brother Mako."

"Hello Mako, I'm your teacher. Your desk is in the back row in the middle, why don't you put your things away before the rest of your classmates join us."

Mako gave a nod and walked to his desk, leaving the adults to talk.

"Are you looking forward to day-care, Bolin?" Mrs Park asked, but the little boy now hid behind both of the officer's legs, and looked between the gap in the thighs.

"You should come over for dinner some time, I usually can't get the kid to be quiet." Lin laughed internally when she felt Bolin shake his head.

"Would you like a treat Bolin?"

Bolin looked up at Lin for a nod of approval then followed the teacher to her desk which had a large jar of lollies on top. Various colours that belonged in a rainbow decorated the hard pieces of sugar.

"You can have one but I have to hear manners." MRs Park gave him a smile as she lowered the open jar to him.

"Can I p'ease have a lolly?"

"You may."

Bolin stuck his hand in the jar and pulled out a treat. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Mrs Park directed her gaze to Lin. "I didn't receive Mako's transcript."

"I should have it sometime today. He hasn't been to school at all this year, but he did finish prep."

"He'll have to play catch up then. That means you're going to have to help him with a lot of homework."

"It shouldn't be a problem."

"It's refreshing to have a parent that's so willing to help their child learn."

Lin cleared her throat. "Yes, well. I need to get this one to day-care, it was good to meet you."

"You too Chief Beifong."

Lin walked up behind Mako, who was looking over the new stationary she had bought him. At his previous school, kids were given whatever parents could afford, but this was on a whole other level. Everything had his name neatly printed in Lin's handwriting and his pencils were professionally engraved. "Hey kid."

Mako jumped slightly, not expecting anyone to come up behind him. "Yeah?"

"I have to go to work now, you going to be alright?"

"Yeah. Umm, Chief, can I uh-" Mako rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her legs.

Lin was startled at the sudden display of affection, but she lowered herself down and pulled him close to her chest. "You're going to be okay."

"Thanks Chief."

They pulled apart, both with dopey grins. "Have fun learning, I have to get Bolin to day-care."

The two brothers quickly embraced then Mako was left alone with his teacher.

"Your mother is a very nice lady."

Mako didn't want to correct her, he just wanted that sentence to ring true. "Yeah, she is."

Lin was seated at her desk, diligently filling out paperwork. Her eyes ghosted over a single brown envelope, and then back to her in-box. She would fill out a few lines but her eyes kept drifting away. Reclining in her seat, she opened the envelope contained birth certificates, tax records, criminal history, of which there was none. The last few documents were the steps necessary for adoption, though out of all the information that was delivered to her, there was only one thing she was interested in, an address.

She stood from her desk, knowing now that her curiosity was piqued, no more work would be completed, then proceeded out to the bullpen. "Sayo, you're with me."

"Yes Chief." The Captain followed Lin to the garage and got into the passenger side of an RCPD Satomobile.

The ride was filled with so much tension, that it made Lin regret her decision to invite the Captain along. "You okay Sayo?" Maybe it's too soon.

"Yes Chief."

"You know, that's all you've said to me lately. Yes Chief." Lin parroted.

"It's just awkward."

"Because you choose to make it awkward."

Sayo relented. "Where are we going?"

"I have a hunch I need corroborated." Lin pulled up alongside a curb outside an apartment block.

"Why does this feel familiar?"

"Come on." They entered the stairwell and climbed to the second level where a door had police tape across its entrance. Lin felt for the mechanism with her bending then pushed her way inside once it unlocked.

Not much was left of the apartment, save for a half-melted stove and oil heater. "I remember this place. It was that dad and his newborn son. What happened here?"

Lin ran a finger over the heater. "Burglary gone wrong, at least that's what the report says."

"The person responsible?"

"Firebender. A neighbour was able to identify him using our mug shot folder but when we caught up to him, he was dead in an alley with a needle in his arm."

"What are we doing here then?"

"I just had to make sure."

"About?"

"To make sure that the Mako I have staying with me, is the same Mako I met those years ago."

Lin felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. "His dad was a good man. They didn't deserve this."

"I feel like we failed them."

Sayo managed to make Lin turn around. "Chief, Lin, we didn't fail them. We can't be everywhere at once."

"I know, but we should be able to do more."

Sayo stepped forward and hugged her commanding officer tightly. "You do more than most officers. Those boys are lucky that you found them and not the triads. I know that whatever orphanage takes them in, you'll make sure it's a good one and that they're safe."

Lin pulled away. "There's only one way to make sure they're safe."

"Thanks for teaching me the ropes of free travel Shaw."

Shaw held out his hand. "Anytime Kya. I actually appreciated your company these past couple weeks. I hope we cross paths again one day."

Kya grasped his hand firmly and shook it. "I'm glad I could provide some entertainment." Kya slung a newly acquired travel bag onto her back. "And I'm sure we will meet again one day."

"I hope so. Where are you headed anyway?"

"No idea, I just figured I'd follow this road and hope for the best." Kya shrugged. "Weren't you the one who said that you can't find yourself if you look for yourself? Well, I'm just going to keep walking straight and let the universe make my decisions for me." Kya gave a final wave, took one step forward and fell face first into a mud puddle. "Mother fucker!"

"See ya Kya!"

Kya managed to get back onto her feet and continued to march forward into wilderness. The forest started off rather sparse but as she kept going, the foliage became thicker and greener to the point that she couldn't walk five meters without manoeuvring around a tree. She was surprised by how loud her surroundings were, she swore she could hear the bugs crawl. Kya hadn't realised how dark and damp the place was until she saw light and a clearing up ahead after hours of hiking.

Parting the vines with her hands, she saw it for the third time since starting her journey, the bright yellow orb. Turning side on, Kya apprehensively crept towards it with an arm outstretched as though she were searching for an invisible object. When she got within arm's reach of it, the orb drifted slightly out of range, making Kya jump back, it then quickly settled back to its original location. "Spirits, I wish this were lillyweed making me see this, otherwise I might be going crazy."

Kya rubbed her fingertips together, as though it would discharge any negativity that may result in her touching the innocuous orb. "Come on, don't be a whimp." She sat cross legged in front of it and watched as it floated back and forth. "You had better not be a stupid trick sent from the universe."

"Here goes." Taking a breath, Kya reached out and touched it. The bright orb turned black and it began to pulse, it started slow but it grew faster and faster. With each pulse, Kya could feel it in her chest. It felt like it was suffocating her. Within a blink of an eye it exploded into an array of colours that she had never witnessed before, followed by a loud ringing that grew and grew until the two factors overwhelmed her senses. Kya felt her body go limp.

She was an hour old.

"She's beautiful Aang."

"Just like her mother."

"I want to name her Kya," The baby felt warmth, love, "for my mother."

She was eight.

"You're not the Avatar's kid!"

She closed her eyes.

"You're not a nomad!"

She begged them to leave her alone.

"You're a water tribe savage!"

The tears fell.

She's twelve.

"I like you Kantra."

She made a friend.

"I like you too Kya."

She felt her heart swell.

"… I love you."

Her hands were clammy.

"Oh, I love you too."

She took a chance, she pressed her lips to her friend's but found herself being pushed into the snow.

"Get away, you Dyke!"

She wept.

She was nineteen.

"What are you starring at Kya?"

She tore her eyes away from the sixteen year old talking with her brother.

"Nothing Su."

"You're such a dork."

She's twenty.

"You're beautiful."

She looks away, afraid to accept what she says as truth.

"No, I'm not."

She's twenty one.

"I love you Kya."

She doesn't believe it.

"I love you too, Lin."

Kya wakes with a sharp intake of breath to find a woman kneeling next to her with an open hand raised. "Toph?"

"What mushrooms have you been eating?!"

"I haven't been eating any."

"Oh, good. I didn't want this to be a cheap shot."

Kya looked at her mother in-law confused, until a fist collided with her face.

Mako ventured out to the school yard and watched as kids ran past him to play a wide variety of games. He rubbed his arm nervously until he felt something tap him on the shoulder.

"Hi Mako."

"Hey Kuvira."

"Want to play with me and Asami?"

"Who's Asami?"

Kuvira took his hand and lead him over to where Asami was swinging on the monkey bars.

Mako started to panic. He remembered the girl from the arena.

"Asami, this is Mako."

Jumping down, Asami offered him her hand, just like her dad taught her. "Asami Sato."

"Umm, hi." Mako relaxed once he realised that she hadn't recognised him and he was quickly noticing that she was kind of pretty. "I uh, I like your hair? It's long."

"Thank you?" Asami looked to Kuvira for help with the strange boy who hadn't blinked for a minute.

Kuvira ruffled Mako's hair. "Yeah, your hair is long too Mako. Asami and I could style it."

Mako attempted to smack Kuvira's hand away. His hair was once short but after five months without a cut, it was nearly touching his shoulders. "Leave it alone."

Asami gave him a smile. "Want to play with us Mako?"

"What are you playing?"

"The floor is lava."

"But it's not."

Kuvira punched his arm. "We know, but you have to act like it is." Kuvira jumped onto a large boulder, one of many that littered the playground. "Hurry Mako! Or you'll melt!"

Mako jumped onto the same boulder. "What now?"

"It's starting to sink! Jump!"

Mako slowly got into the game, and they were soon joined by other kids.

"Spirits Toph," Kya gingerly touched her cheek as she stirred a pot, "how many times did you slap me?"

"I lost count after fifty." Toph picked at her toes then flung a piece of dirt in Kya's general direction. "Sokka and I used to do the same thing to Aang when he would go into the spirit world. Spirits, I wish I could have seen the hand prints we left."

"Are we going to talk, or are you just going to punch me again?"

"I haven't decided yet. Depends on your answers I guess."

"That's helpful. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"I once told you that if you ever hurt my kid, I'd hunt you down."

Kya rubbed the back of her neck anxiously. "I'm suddenly wishing you weren't a detective."

"And I'm suddenly wishing you and Lin never got together."

That one cut Kya deep. "Nice to know you and Katara finally have something in common."

"Get off your fucking high horse Kya. You hurt my kid, don't blame me or her for your consequences."

"You're right, I'm sorry." Kya grabbed a bowl and filled it and gave it to Toph, then set about preparing her own. "How is Lin?"

"Riddled with guilt as far as I can tell."

"Why? She has nothing to be guilty for."

"That's not what she thinks. If you can, call her."

"You came all this way, to tell me to call her?"

"If it alleviates her guilt." Toph shrugged. "Pretty much. How goes the soul finding?"

Kya swallowed the food in her mouth. "I'm getting there. Before you punched me, I realised that since I was born, people have been telling me who and what I am, I've never had a chance to find that out for myself."

"Could that be because we know you best?"

"No, because sometimes you guys are wrong. I need to find out who I am and why people think certain things about me. I have no idea what I'm about."

"I understand where you're coming from. All my life I had to listen to servants say I can't do this, can't do that, I should do it like this. Even my parents would call me an invalid, or weak and helpless. It took me partaking in underground fights to flush out who I truly was. I'm sure you will find something that will help you."

"I guess. I'm not too sure fighting is the way though."

"You do what you gotta do, but just call her. I know Kuvira would love to hear from you."

"I sent her a gift. Did she get it?"

"How would I know!?"

--

"See you later Mako!"

"Bye Mako!"

"You're really cool Mako!"

Mako stood just inside the school gates with his school bag and Kuvira's dance bag, waving to other kids as they walked past him.

"See you later Mako, I had a lot of fun with you."

"Ah, thanks Asami."

"Let's go Mako!"

He watched as Kuvira ran right past him, he was catching up to her but they soon found themselves outside their destination. "I win!"

Mako rolled his eyes. "You had a head start!"

Kuvira stuck her tongue out and entered the building. "Oh, hello Kuvira. Is this your brother?"

"Umm kinda, this is Mako."

The teacher looked to him with a stern face. "Did you come to dance too?"

Mako shook his head. "Waiting for Chief Beifong."

"Okay. Kuvira, you can get dressed in the room out back, Mako, have a seat."

Mako gave Kuvira the gym bag then sat on one of the many chairs that lined the wall

Zolt was strolling down the streets of Republic City, his hands were stuffed into his pockets, his hat was pulled down so low, all you could see were the bottoms of his sideburns, and he had a scowl that made anyone want to shit themselves.

The sound of music and bright lights grabbed his attention. Young dancers, roughly ten of them were running in a large circle and jumping, one after the other, what really grabbed his attention was the boy sitting on a chair.

Zolt entered the studio. "Heya Mako." He took a seat and placed an arm across the boy's shoulder which allowed his nails to dig into the clothed flesh. "Don't make a scene. We're gonna stand up and you're gonna come with me or else this place goes up in flames."

Mako looked to the other parents, none of which knew that the man next to him wasn't his father, then he looked to Kuvira who was giggling as the teacher taught them how to cartwheel.

Standing up, he followed Zolt out of the studio and into the alley until they were behind the building, obscured from view.

Zolt grabbed Mako and lifted him so he was at eyelevel and held a blade of fire to his neck, singeing the hair enough that it burnt the boy's ears. "You caused me a lot of trouble these last few weeks."

A bead of sweat ran down Mako's temple as his feet tried to find purchase on the brick wall behind him. "I'm sorry."

"Too late for sorry kid. Do you have any idea the shit I had to go through when the triad thought a snot nosed brat got the better of me? I hope you have the money kid. Thousand yuans you cost me."

Mako hastily dug into his pants and pulled out the two yuans Lin had given him in case of emergencies.

Zolt took the two yuans into the hand that had the fire blade and burned it right before Mako's eyes. "I'm not after lunch money kid, I want it paid in full, or else I come after that little brother of yours."

"Leave him alone!" Mako kicked both legs forward, knocking Zolt back a few steps, allowing him to free himself.

He started running but only made it around the corner when a hand grabbed his hair, yanking him back into the shadows of the alley.

Zolt growled. "You think you can better me?!" He pulled back his fist but when he tried to land his shot, a hand caught the limb.

"No, but I can."

Zolt didn't have time to react as a white fist collided with his jaw.

Mako starred in awe as the Chief of police stood tall and unfazed by the man rubbing where it hurt.

"Fucking bitch!" Lightning crackled in the space around them as Zolt built up the energy in his body.

Lin, having dealt with lightning benders before, erected a pillar that sent the man's arms up, directing the lightning to the sky with a large bang. Not missing a beat, she kicked Zolt's feet from under him so he landed on his back, then pressed a steel-clad boot onto his throat. "What do you want with the kid?"

"Oh," Zolt spat a bit of blood onto a small patch of snow, "nothing officer, I swear. I was just giving him a parting gift."

"Mako, go inside."

Mako looked to the Chief. Her eyes were fixed on the man who was practically kissing the soles of her boots, then to Zolt who still had his eyes on him with a bloodied grin. Not wanting to be in the presence any longer, he ran out of sight.

"Aww, Big Bad Beifong is getting soft."

Lin slightly put more weight onto her foot, making it hard for him to breath. "If you ever come near my family again, I will have you on so many charges, you would never see the light of day again."

"You lettin' me go?" Zolt managed to wheeze out through clenched teeth.

"For now." The weight of the foot was removed. "I'll catch up to you sooner or later." Lin watched as he walked in the opposite direction of the studio, then turned on her heel.

Lin sat in her home office. Her eyes were focused on the last ice cube that floated in a third glass of whiskey, allowing her mind to drift off to nothing, until she heard a creak from the last step down the hall. Bolin looking for a midnight snack again. Kid's like a bottomless pit. Standing, Lin walked over to the door and was surprised to find Mako on the other side with puffy eyes.

"Mako, what are you doing awake?"

"Can you cut my hair?"

Lin was taken aback by the strange request, especially at this time of night. Trusting her years as a detective, she led him into her bathroom and patted the edge or the tub. "You sure you want me to cut your hair? I've had a couple of drinks so my lines might not be even."

Mako gave her a firm nod.

"Alright." Grabbing a piece of meteorite, she kept in the bathroom draw for her own personal grooming, she contorted it into a switch blade, sharp enough to cut a leaf floating through the air. "Do you want to tell me what you want or are you just hoping I know what I'm doing?"

"I," Mako paused for a moment, searching for the words. Trust you, just say it. You trust an adult for once, get over it.

"My friend Iroh has a great style, I'll just try and give you his." Lin started to cut away at the black locks. The alcohol had her fairly relaxed, including her lips. "I think you would like Iroh, he's a firebender in the United Forces. His grandfather is Lord Zuko."

This bit of information had Mako's eyebrows shooting up into his hairline. "Does he come over a lot?"

"He comes to visit from time to time with my brother in-law Bumi, Iroh, that is. I don't get to see Zuko as much as I did when I was younger." They fell into a comfortable silence, that was until Lin cut enough of Mako's hair away to find a slightly blistered ear. "Spirits kid, you're injured." Lin put down the blade and reached into her cabinet for the leftover ointment from her back injury.

When she turned, Mako's face was downcast and tears had managed to escape their prison. Lin sat across from him and hooked her index finger under his chin to encourage him to look at her.

"I'm so sorry Chief."

Lin applied the ointment carefully to his red ear. "You have nothing to apologise for. I let Zolt go because he's part of a wide triad operation and I'd rather pin him on charges with a bigger sentence than one that is based on my word against his."

"I stole from Asami."

"Ma-"

"And because of me, Bolin got hurt."

Lin wiped the excess ointment on a towel and resumed the task of cutting Mako's hair. "Mako, I know you stole from Asami. I don't forget a face, especially when they steal from a close family friend."

"Why didn-"

"I didn't say anything because nothing needed to be said. What would I achieve if I reminded you of your mistakes? Nothing. It's clear you know what you did was wrong and I doubt you will do it again. Now for Bolin, I can't forgive you for that, that's something only he can do. All done."

Mako looked in the mirror. His hair was back to being short but it had a small bit of length in the front and was spiked up.

"I hope I didn't do too bad of a job."

"It looks good."

"Mhm."

Lin turned off the light and walked back into her bedroom, with Mako right behind her. "Chief Beifong."

"Call me Lin, kid. I think we're past formalities."

"Oh, Lin. Umm, has the orphanage called?"

Lin looked away as she sat on the edge of the bed. "That's something I wanted to talk to you about, actually." Lin motioned for the young firebender to sit on the empty space next to her. "I went to your old apartment today. I've actually been there before."

"Did my dad do something bad?"

"No, quite the opposite. It was years ago. This blizzard hit Republic city and my captain and I were clearing the streets when this dishevelled man approached us. We were so confused until he explained that he was watching his son on his own and there was no heat in the apartment and the stove wouldn't work. Sayo and I, we went up there and helped him out. That man was your father, San and you were just a baby.

"Sayo and I helped to fix the heater and stove and your dad asked us to stay and eat. He was a very kind man and had the best of intentions to bring you up right. I have never seen such enthusiasm from a new father, even though he was frightened of stuffing up. Mako, I believe you and Bolin were robbed of loving parents that had the best of intentions for you and I want to see their dream realised, so, if you would allow me, I'd like to adopt you and Bolin, as my sons."

Mako was surprised. He thought this was a slim possibility, but now that it was happening, he had a few questions. "What about your wife?"

Lin looked to a stack of photos frames that were leaned up against a wall. Each had a picture of her and Kya that she was preparing for storage. "Kya always wanted more than one child. I hope you get to meet her one day but she's… busy, at the moment."

"Do I have to call you mum?"

"As far as I'm concerned, you have a mother and it's not my intention to replace her. You can call me Lin, but if one day you want to call me mum, that's up to you."

"Will I be a Beifong?"

"Yeah. Same for Bolin, you'd both be Beifongs and Kuvira would be your sister."

"I would like that. I always wanted a little sister."

"I'll get started on the paperwork."

"Do I have grandparents? What about aunts and uncles?" Mako was getting closer to her, excitement was quickly replacing the apprehension he held earlier. "Do I have cousins?"

"You would have two grandmothers, two aunts, three uncles, five cousins, four boys and one girl. You had a grandfather in Avatar Aang but he passed away."

"The Avatar?"

"Yeah, my wife Kya is his daughter."

Mako couldn't believe what he was hearing. This woman was friends with the Fire Nation Royal family, friends with high ranking officers in the forces, she had married into the Air Nation and she herself was Chief of police.

She allowed Mako to ask all the questions he wanted, knowing that this was an exciting turn of events and he just wanted to know what he was getting himself into, that was until he started to fall asleep. "Go to bed Mako, we can talk about this in the morning."

"Can I, sleep in your bed?"

"Uhh, okay."

Getting under the covers, Lin was about to turn off the light when the door was pushed open, with both Kuvira and Bolin on the other side. "Mum, Bolin walked into my room again."

"Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?"

"Yeah! It's like a sleepover!"

Lin moved to the side allowing the three children to get comfortable. I can't believe I tried to put this off for so long.