Frost crunched under her small feet, as she tried not to let him see her shiver. She wasn't sad, a strong willed piece of the only good he found in the world. She thought he was giving his all to help her, to save her, but truth was, she gave him the drive not to give up. The drive to not give up hope and rot away; even in their poor state, he didn't want to set a bad example, felt guilty when he did wrong, and never wanted her to witness his bad behavior to keep them surviving. A bird flew through the air, as he pointed it out to the young girl, "Mayu, look there, do you see that?"
Big beautiful eyes looked up, "It's a birdie!" She chirped, springing to life.
As her attention drifted away, he found an opportunity to snatch a few small things from a near vendor, however in the process of doing such, he caught glimpse of her darting off to chase after the little bird, whom was pecking away at the ice. "Mayu, wait!" He dropped the food, knocking over the venders basket, giving the seller opportunity to realize that he was being robbed. He went to snatch at the older boy, but missed as the convict jolted after the young girl, to catch her as she slipped on the ice.
There was a loud thud, a caw, and the sound of fluttering wings flying into the horizon, feathers leaving evidence that the bird had once been there. Tazo realized he was caught, lifted the girl off the ground in an instant, sprinting off as angry yells beckoned after him; he felt eyes on his back as he ran from every person looking down on him for being street scum, rounding a corner into an alley way, setting down Mayu. "Are you hurt?" He questioned, observing her palms.
She ignored him, "That bird flew away, he didn't like me."
"Don't worry, he was scared if you."
She smiled at him, "I know, I'm getting to be strong- I'd be scared of me too, brother! I'm able to fight too, make all the hurtful types go away."
He looked into those strong, willing eyes, "Mayu, don't talk like that, you know that's not your job."
"But, you're scared, Tazi-kun.." She trailed off, "Something scares you, I don't know what it is, but I know you get scared sometimes, and when I find out, brother, you'll have nothing to fear. Just like me! I have you so I have nothing to fear, and you have me so you have nothing to fear either!"
"You don't go burdening yourself with what you think you see in me, Mayu." He handed her cooked fish, "Now eat, and make yourself stronger, young one."