Skoochy stepped off the ferry boat and onto Airbender Island cautiously. He looked around and was immediately assaulted by a blast of wind. He looked to where the blast had come from and saw a girl maybe a year or two younger than him coming down from the air.

She landed in front of him, a scrutinizing look on her face. She wore air acolyte clothing, and her dark hair pinned up in a bun, some fringe that came to just above her chin framing her face. "What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I came to see Kai," he told her calmly, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"How do you know her?" she demanded.

"I'm the one who showed her around the city when she first got here." Skoochy replied.

"So you were with her when she stumbled upon us being cornered by the Triple Triads," She whispered.

Skoochy nodded, ashamed that he had been too scared of the triads to try and help Kai save the airbender girl or her younger sister.

"Come on," She muttered, "she's in her room."

After walking along one of the paths that led to the airbender's home, Skoochy decided he needed to say something. "I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Wh- what for?" the girl asked him confused.

"For not trying to help Kai that night," he muttered.

"I- It's not your fault," she muttered, "and I don't blame you for anything. The Triple Threats are terrifying for most adults in Republic City, much less kids our age."

Skoochy's nose scrunched up at the term kid, and was about to retort, but he was cut off by the girl speaking again. "You know, I never got your name." her tough, slightly know-it-all demeanor was back.

"Skoochy," She raised an eyebrow in disbelief for a moment, "And you are?"

"Jinora," she replied easily. "And we're here. I'll show you to Kai's room." They walked into the house hold and down a hallway. They made a right turn into a room, and Skoochy saw a worn out Kai leant up against her head board, her usually pulled back hair falling down to her mid back.

X

"Hey kid," Kai spoke as she saw Jinora walk in with Skoochy.

"Don't call me kid," Skoochy retorted.

"I'll leave you two alone," Jinora spoke before leaving the room.

"How ya feeling?' Skoochy asked the girl as he took a seat in the chair at her bed side.

"Been better," she told him, "but I've also been worse." Skoochy chuckled at her nonchalance.

"You get any new jobs recently?" He asked her.

"Yeah, there's a store owner who wants to know who keeps breaking into his shop every night. Told him I'd check it out tomorrow, wanna come?"

"Are you sure you'll be able to?" Skoochy asked worriedly. Kai was the first person to take a legit interest in him as a person, seeing some form of worth and merit in him. He was grateful for that, and he didn't want her to strain or hurt herself.

"I'll be fine," she told him with a smile. "Speaking of jobs, though, I have something for you." She reached for a bag on the other side of the bed. Reaching into the bag, she pulled out a pouch.

"The lady whose husband was cheating on her paid be the other day. That's your cut." Kai explained as she passed him the small pouch, "and I wouldn't feel okay not splitting the earnings with you, because you helped me out a lot." Skoochy's eyes grew wide in surprise as he stared at the pouch of yuans in his hand.

"The ferry's going to be closing soon, you should probably get home." Jinora said as she walked back into the room.

Skoochy nodded, smiled in thanks at Kai, and then walked out of the room. "Don't spend it all in one place!" Kai called after him. Jinora followed after the boy to show him back to the dock.

As soon as Skoochy was gone Bolin came barging pretending to be playing a trumpet. "What are you doing?" Kai laughed at her friend.

"Your mail, m'lady." Boling bowed, extending a very clean and pristine envelope out her. Kai took the letter with a chuckle and read who it came from,

Troy Bainbridge

435 Main Street

Orta Island

"So, how much did you give him?" Bolin asked as he walked into the room and took Skoochy's seat.

"250 yuans," she replied as she went to read the Troy's letter.

Friday, May 9

So I heard you were in Republic City, Kao. That took some guts, showing up your father like that. Dimitri says he's pissed, too. I've actually been in Republic City for the last couple of weeks for some stuff my dad needed me to take care of, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.

Do you think we could meet up some time? Say, 7:00, Monday morning, at the fruit stand in the Main Street park for breakfast? I really need your help on something.

I hope you're causing just as much trouble as you always do, Kao.

My best wishes,

Troy Bainbridge

Kai tossed the letter onto the night stand with a roll of her eyes. "Who's this Tory Bainbridge, guy?" Bolin asked snatching the letter from the nightstand. "He givin' you trouble? Need me to rough 'im up a bit?" Bolin made some air punches for emphasis.

"He's cool, Bo," Bolin raised an eyebrow, "He's a friend from Orta."

Bolin went ridged for a moment, "Was he one of the ones who was–"

"Burned?" Kai asked him, "Yeah, his right peck, can't feel a thing there anymore."

They sat in silence for a moment after that, but, it was soon interrupted by Bolin speaking again. "I was really worried about you today." He muttered.

"I heard." She spoke softly.

"It was scary, you know. You were all easy going and then you see this symbol and you're shaking you're so terrified, and I'd never seen you so visibly shaken before." Bolin told her.

"I'm sorry I scared you so badly," Kai whispered.

"It's not your fault," Bolin told her. "It's Min Chang's," Kai looked to him confused, and saw a look so angry that she almost slid back "And no matter what it takes I'm going to help you take him down, I promise." He told her unwaveringly. Kai could tell there was no talking him out of this fight, no matter how dangerous the man was.

Not sure how to respond, she searched his sparkling green eyes with her green with a tinge of blue ones for any doubts he had. Not seeing any she wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face in his chest. He was stunned for a moment, but returned the gesture by wrapping his strong arms around her in return. "Thank you," she whispered hoarsely.