The Streets

I don't own Star Wars Rebels!

Ezra Bridger had only his twin sister, Kyla, she had short dark blue hair like he did that she kept cropped close to her chin and electric blue eyes. They had had only each other for eight years, ever since their parents had been murdered in front of them by a gang of Imperials.

After the deaths of their parents, the two seven year olds had discovered they would be separated by the foster care system and ran away. They had lived on the streets for the past eight years. Until one day...

Kanan Jarrus and his wife, Hera Syndulla, were foster parents to two great kids, Garezeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren. Kanan was a detective at the Lothal Police Station. When Kanan was on patrol he ran into two kids, a boy and a girl.

"Stop, thieves!" A man nearby shouted.

The two kids started to run but Kanan chased after them, calling for backup as he went. Of course, Detective Kallus was the one who responded first, saying he'd be right there. Kanan didn't particularly like Kallus, but he didn't really have time to complain as he chased the two kids.

They ran several blocks before a police car pulled out of the alley in front of the kids and Kanan, effectively stopping them. Kallus stepped out of the car, gun drawn and pointed at the two kids who exchanged a quick glance before slowly raising their hands.

"That's right, nice and easy." Kallus told them as Kanan caught up with them.

"You don't need the gun, Kallus, they're just kids." Kanan said harshly.

"Is that any way to thank me for catching these two criminals?" Kallus growled "Don't you know who they are? They're the pickpockets we've been chasing for years."

"They can't be more than thirteen." Kanan said "Put the gun away."

"Fourteen." The boy growled.

"What?"

"I said, we're fourteen." The boy repeated.

"Oh, sorry." Kanan sighed "Look, kids, you're gonna have to come with us down to the station. We'll call your parents and hopefully get this all sorted out."

The boy scoffed and the girl tensed.

"We don't have any parents for you to call." The boy snarked.

"Well, then we'll have to get you in the system and find you some." Kallus snarled "Now, get in the car."

The boy looked to the girl, it was obvious to Kanan that they were siblings, most likely twins. The girl was shivering and looked terrified.

"We can't get in that car." The boy declared.

"And why not?" Kallus asked.

"We don't trust cops."

"Well, be that as it may, you have to come down to the station and to get there you need a ride." Kanan said "So it would be best if you got in the car."

"Look, you don't get it." The boy frowned "My sister can't get in a police car."

"Why?" Kanan asked gently.

"I'm not saying anything." The boy crossed his arms defiantly.

"Fine." Kallus said, loosing patience and grabbed the girl around the waist and threw her unceremoniously into the vehicle.

"Kyla!" The boy shouted.

Kallus locked the door "I'll take her, you take the boy."

Inside the car, the girl, Kyla was pounding on the window, her breath coming in short gasps and her eyes wild.

"Kallus, I don't think-"

"Just get moving, Jarrus!" Kallus shouted, getting into the drivers seat and taking off down the road towards the station.

"Kyla!" The boy tried to run after the car but Kanan caught his arm.

"Come on, kid, your sister will be fine. You can see her when we get to the station." He half dragged the boy back to where he had parked his car and helped the kid into the back.

"You don't understand, it's the officers she's afraid of!" The boy shouted.

"Kid, my boss won't let anything happen to her at the station. We're trying to help you."

"By separating us?"

"We'll try not to separate you, but if it comes to that, I'm sure you can still see each other." Kanan offered "Buckle up."

"Why should I?"

"It's the law, now do it or I'll have to come back there and do it for you." Kanan warned.

He heard the click of the seatbelt only moments later.

"Thank you."

There was a long pause before the boy asked "Will-will Kyla be okay?"

"Kyla, that's your sister, right?" Kanan checked and the boy nodded "She'll be fine. You know, I know her name, but I don't know yours."

The boy hesitated before he muttered "Ezra. My name's Ezra."

"Ezra? Well, my name's Kanan, nice to meet you."

"Can't say the same." The boy looked out the window with a worried expression on his face.

Kanan drove the rest of the way to the station and got Ezra out of the backseat to bring him in. He led the kid inside and towards an interrogation room.

Before they got there the Captain's voice rang out "Jarrus, come to my office, and bring the kid."

The color drained from Ezra's face "Kyla." He whispered.

Kanan could see that the kid was ready to bolt to the office so he kept a firm grip on his arm. They entered the office and found Detective Kallus standing in front of the Chief, Ashoka Tano. On the couch in the corner of the room laid Ezra's sister.

"Kyla!" Ezra shouted, breaking free from Kanan's grip and rushing at Kallus "What did you do to her?"

"Easy, Ezra." Kanan caught his arm again.

"Ezra?" Ashoka asked "Bridger?"

"What's it too-" Ezra's face transformed and he flung himself into Ashoka's arms "Ashoka!"

"You two know each other?" Kallus asked nervously.

"I know both of the twins." Ashoka confirmed "And now that Ezra is here, why don't you explain what happened to Kyla?"

"I put her in the back and started driving. When I looked back she had passed out in the back seat." Kallus explained "I brought her straight to you, Chief."

Ezra released Ashoka and glared at Kallus "I told you, she can't get in police cars."

"Why?" Ashoka asked.

"It's-It's a long story." Ezra muttered.

"Ezra, we can't help you if you don't tell us." Ashoka said sternly.

"I don't think she'd be comfortable with it." Ezra answered "She doesn't like people to know."

"Okay, Ezra, what if you just told me?" Ashoka tried.

Ezra shook his head and crossed his arms.

Ashoka sighed "Okay, then. Look, Ezra, we need to find you both a home. We'll call child services when Kyla wakes up. You can stay with her in here, okay?"

Ezra nodded and Ashoka smiled.

"Wait!" Kallus shouted "They're criminals! You can't just let them get away with it!"

"Detective Kallus, that's enough." Ashoka frowned "Come with me, you too, Kanan." She led them outside "These kids aren't criminals. They are orphans."

"Shouldn't they be in the foster system or an orphanage then?" Kallus questioned "They can't just run free, they've been pickpocketing and stealing for years."

"They were placed in the foster system when their parents were killed but when the found out they would be separated they ran away." Ashoka explained "I've been searching for them for eight years."

"They've been on the streets since they were seven?" Kanan asked, shocked.

"Six and a half." Ashoka corrected.

"Oh, my God." Kanan muttered "That's terrible."

"It is, but now they have no choice but to go back into the system." Ashoka sighed "I just hope they can stay together this time."

"I'll take them." Kanan announced.

"What?"

"I'll take them. My wife and I already foster two kids, we can handle two more." Kanan said "I'll talk to Hera and we'll take them in."

"Are you sure, Kanan?" Ashoka asked "This won't be easy."

"I know, but they should stay together." Kanan said, thinking back to his own time on the streets "We can help them."

"Alright, I'll check on the kids, then, if Kyla's awake we can call social services and get the paperwork filled out for you to foster them, Kanan." Ashoka agreed.

She turned and walked back into the office. Ezra was sitting next to his sister who was now sitting up and taking deep breaths.

"Hey, Kyla," Ashoka said gently "Do you remember me?"

Kyla nodded silently and Ezra squeezed her hand.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Ashoka, Kyla doesn't talk anymore." Ezra said softly.

"What? When I first met you, she couldn't stop talking. She made friends with everyone." Ashoka questioned "What happened?"

"Like I said, it's a long story." Ezra sighed "Do you want me to tell her, Kyla?"

Kyla quickly shook her head no.

"Sorry, Ashoka, but I'm not gonna say anything that Kyla doesn't want me to." Ezra shook his head.

"Okay, Ezra." Ashoka nodded "I understand. But we are going to have to call social services for you two."

"Will-will we be separated?" Ezra asked nervously "Please don't separate us."

"You won't be separated." Ashoka assured the twins "In fact, we've already found you a foster family. They are really good people and they already have two foster kids. You'll be safe with them."

Kyla and Ezra both sighed a deep sigh of relief and Ezra hugged his sister.

"Do you want to meet your new foster father?" Ashoka asked.

"Do we have a choice?" Ezra raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, but nope." Ashoka chuckled "I'll go get him and bring him in." She got up and went outside.

Kanan was just getting off the phone "Hera agreed, we can take them."

"Good, do you want to meet them properly now?" Ashoka offered.

"Sure."

"Good, come on, I'll call social services while you talk to them. Once they get here and all the paperwork is filled out you can take them home." Ashoka led him into her office.

"You've got to be kidding." Ezra groaned when he saw Kanan "This guy? The one who brought us us in?"

"He's offered to take both of you." Ashoka pointed out "Ezra, Kyla, this is Kanan Jarrus."

Kanan shuffled his feet nervously and held out his hand for the kids to shake. Ezra hesitated but gave him a quick nod of acknowledgment. Kyla simply shivered and hugged herself tightly.

"I'll let you get to know each other." Ashoka said and stepped out of the office.

"So...My name's Kanan." Kanan tried to make small talk "I know your names are Kyla and Ezra. How old are you two again?"

"We're fourteen." Ezra said shortly.

"Well, as soon as social services arrives and I fill out the paperwork I can take you two back to The Ghost."

"The Ghost?" Ezra asked skeptically.

"That's what my wife calls our home. Don't ask me why." Kanan laughed.

"Ashoka said you have two other foster kids?" Ezra asked.

"Yep, Zeb and Sabine. Zeb's almost eighteen and Sabine is sixteen." Kanan nodded "Don't worry, they're nice. What do you two like to do?" He asked slowly.

"Not a lot of time for hobbies on the streets." Ezra scowled.

"What about you, Kyla? What do you like to do?"

"My sister doesn't talk."

"Oh, why not?" Kanan asked confused.

"I'm not gonna tell you." Ezra glared "She doesn't like people to know."

"Okay, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Kanan agreed "But what can you tell me about yourselves?"

"There's not much to know." Ezra shrugged "We've been on our own for eight years. Our parents died when we were almost seven."

"I'm sorry." Kanan said, unsure of what else to say.

Ashoka came back in with a woman in a grey pencil skirt and dark brown eyes "This is the social worker. Miss, this is Kanan Jarrus, he's going to take Ezra and Kyla in."

"I know Mr. Jarrus." The woman nodded "How's Mrs. Synulla? And your charges, Garezeb and Sabine?"

"They're all very well." Kanan nodded "It's good to see you again Miss."

"You as well." She nodded "Everything seems to be in order for you to foster these two, I have the papers for you to sign here."

Kanan quickly read through and signed the papers "Thank you so much."

"Have a nice day, Mr. Jarrus, and tell your wife I said hello." The woman left.

"Well, Kanan, you can take the rest of the day off, take Ezra and Kyla home and get them settled in." Ashoka smiled "I'll see you tomorrow. Have a nice day. Stay safe, okay, kids?"

"Aren't we always?" Ezra scoffed.

Kanan drove them back to The Ghost and led them inside "Honey, we're home!" He called.

"Kanan? I'm in the kitchen!" Hera called back.

"Don't worry, you'll like Hera. She's a great cook and she's very nice." Kanan told the two kids.

He took them through to the kitchen and chuckled when he saw Hera covered in flour. The two stayed lightly behind him when they saw the pure white woman in front of them.

"What happened to you?" He laughed.

"Incident with the mixer." Hera shrugged "Where are these two kids you told me about?"

Kanan stepped aside and revealed the children hiding behind him"Hera, this is Ezra and Kyla."

Hera moved forward and paused "Let me clean up and then we can meet properly." She giggled and hurried upstairs.

Kanan laughed again "So takeout?" He called after her.

"You guessed it."

Kanan shook his head and smiled before turning to Ezra and Kyla "Sorry about that, usually she's not so crazy."

"I heard that!" Hera's voice echoed down the stairs.

"You were supposed to!"

Laughter pealed around the house and Ezra and Kyla shared a look.

"Come on, I'll give you a quick tour." Kanan offered.

He showed them the living room, the dining room, the mud room, and took them back to the kitchen. By the time they had finished Hera was back.

"Sorry about before." She apologized to them "The mixer blew flour all over me, and I didn't realize you'd be here so soon."

Ezra shuffled his feet and glanced up at Hera. She was short but had bright green eyes and long brown hair. Kyla stared firmly at the floor.

"Sabine and Zeb will be home soon." Hera smiled "Until we can get your rooms ready, Ezra you'll have to share with Zeb and Kyla can share with Sabine."

The twins exchanged nervous glances, they hadn't slept away from each other since they were six.

"Is that okay?" Hera asked nervously.

Ezra looked at Kanan, trying to convey the problem without being rude or ungrateful.

"Are you worried about being separated?" Kanan asked, grasping the issue.

Ezra gave a half shrug half nod.

"Well, we can make one room for the both of you, get you a bunk bed." Kanan suggested "But it'll take a few days to get ready, so is it okay if you stay with Zeb and Sabine until it is?"

Ezra looked to his sister "Kyla? What do you think?"

Kyla took a deep breath and slowly, almost imperceptibly, nodded.

"Okay, I guess." Ezra said "That's fine."

"Great, do you have any clothes or things you want to put upstairs?" Hera asked.

"No."

"What?" Hera turned to her husband.

"They've lived on the streets for eight years, Hera." Kanan explained.

"Oh, you poor things!" Hera surged forward and wrapped her arms around the two siblings.

Ezra stiffened and Kyla jolted sharply, her breathing starting to come in short pants. Hera quickly realized her mistake and let go.

"I'm so sorry." She apologized "I wasn't thinking."

Ezra clasped his sister's hand and looked at her, she was still breathing shakily and shivering but she squeezed his hand to let him know she was okay.

"It's fine." Ezra said softly "We're just not used to..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Hera sighed "I didn't think of that."

"It's fine." Ezra repeated quickly.

"We'll get you some new clothes tomorrow, and anything else you need." Hera told them "For tonight you can borrow some of our things."

"You don't need to-" Ezra tried to say.

"Of course we do. You can't go around in those old clothes." Hera smiled "We'll help you find some that you like. For now, would you like some cookies?"

"You already made the welcome cookies?" Kanan asked "I only called an hour ago."

"Of course, that's when the mixer incident happened." Hera laughed "They should be out of the oven any second."

A loud beep sounded and Hera led them all into the kitchen and took out a sheet of chocolate chip cookies.

"Give them a minute to cool before you try them." She smiled "Take a seat while you wait."

Ezra looked around, there was a small table set for six and a large island with a bar and stools tucked underneath. He slowly moved towards the bar stools and pulled two out. Kyla followed him and sat down next to her brother. After a few minutes, Hera passed them each a cookie and they looked at the sweet treat.

"Go ahead, try it." Hera urged.

"Hera's cookies are delicious." Kanan nodded.

Slowly, Ezra and Kyla each took a bite. Their eyes widened at the gooey goodness and Ezra shoved the whole cookie in his mouth. Kyla snorted at her brother's face.

Kanan realized this was the closest thing to a sound she'd made since he met her "Do you like them?" He asked, holding back his own laughter.

"They're really good." Ezra said with his mouth full.

Kyla elbowed him as she took another dainty bite.

Ezra swallowed "Sorry, Kyla."

She grinned and elbowed him again, looking pointedly at Hera.

"Sorry, Hera."

"Don't worry, just swallow before you talk, we don't want you to choke." Hera joked "But I'm glad you like them."

Ezra blushed and ducked his head, Kyla tapped something on the table "Kyla likes them too." Ezra said.

"How'd you know?" Kanan asked.

"She just told me." Ezra explained "We have our own way of communicating."

"Well, maybe you can teach us one day." Hera suggested "We'd love to talk to you, Kyla."

"Kyla doesn't actually talk." Kanan whispered.

"Oh? Why not?"

"It's a long story." Ezra muttered.

"Well how long has this been going on?" Hera asked.

"I don't know," Ezra shrugged "A year, year and a half? She doesn't like to tell people about it."

"Okay, well we won't force you to talk, Kyla." Hera said gently "But if or when you feel comfortable doing so, we'll be happy to listen."

Kyla nodded nervously and glanced at Ezra. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Word count: 3112 words
I know I'm writing a lot of Star Wars Rebels fanfiction. But it's not my fault! My brothers insisted I watch it and I got hooked. Also I don't own the whole of this fanfiction. I got the idea for it from 's The Light in the Dark by Superherotiger. I again added my own elements like Ezra's sister but there will be similar parts. I'll try to make it different from the other fanfic but I want to be clear that the idea is not entirely mine. Please don't forget to comment, vote, and add to your reading lists!
Love,
The Author