Authors Note: This is a story about Ikki and her OC love interest. The main character, Kido, was created by Aurora Lynne and her sister, you can see the link to her Tumblr on my profile. She has also drawn fan art for this story. I don't own these character I don't profit from this story.

Kido was convinced this entire situation had been cooked up just to annoy him.

He had been relatively happy in the Northern Water Tribe. Sure, it was known to be a bit on the cold side - and the snow was a perpetual nuisance - but it had been quiet and familiar. Kido liked familiar.

Then his father had been called to a position in Republic City's council. An honor of course, but tinged with some political backlash, due to the previous councilman's unfortunate demise. But that's what happens when you end up being a blood bender, kidnap the Avatar, and then are later revealed to be the equalist leaders brother.

Kidos thoughts were broken by his mothers shrill voice.

"Don't stand so close to the edge Kido! The boat will hit a wave and you'll go tumbling over!"

"I'll be fine mother, I would just water bend myself back to the surface." Kido had to roll his eyes at his mothers over-dramatic display. Her frail fingers were wringing the scarf clenched in her hands.

"Yes, but look at the water, it's filthy! We should have kept you in the North, at least that way you'd be a semi-clean environment."

Kido cast a desperate glance at his father, who was too busy with his nose buried in paperwork to notice what was going on. The boy sighed, and stepped away from the railing.

"Father, how long is your appointment as chairman supposed to last? Will we be returning home soon?"

"Eager to get back before we even get to our destination?" The older man didn't raise his eyes to glance at his son.

"I'm simply curious of how comfortable I should make myself in Republic City." His father must have heard the petulant tone in his voice, because he finally drew his attention away from his work.

"Kido, I know this isn't your first choice. I'm sorry for having to up-root you like this, but it's important. Not just for me but for the Northern Water Tribe and Republic City alike. You'll get used to it soon, you'll see; you might even make some new friends, if you try."

Kido couldn't even remember making any old friends. He'd always been kept apart. Isolated from the other children, and they never reached out to him in turn. He never really minded being alone, he had his water bending and his studies to keep him occupied. Not to mention maintaining his mothers good mood was a full time hobby.

"And to think, you might even get to meet the Avatar!" His mothers voice was laced with excitement. Kido favored her with a smile, trying to show any sort of positive emotion.

"Look, we're almost there!" Her relieved remark had him scrambling for the railing again, despite her protests.

Kido was NOT impressed with republic city.

As far as he could tell, it was over populated, had too many buildings, and the Satomobiles led to some apparent air pollution. Just looking at the puffs of black air that came out of these wretched machines had him cringing.

And all the people! They were crammed together, in each others personal spaces, and surely sharing all manner of horrid bacteria. Didn't these people adhere to any sort of personal health code?! He could practically see them all sweating in the oppressive heat, and the sight made him shudder.

"Oh good, the other council members are already waiting for us." His father rose to pack his belongings, and Kido glanced in the direction he had been gesturing to. The welcoming party seemed small from far away, and the boy breathed a sigh of relief, maybe they could get any formalities out of the way quickly, then Kido could escape to the new house, lest he catch any sort of disease from this horrid city.

When the ship finally docked, he could clearly see the members of the group. All of the council members were accounted for, as well as a pack of younger children, led by a frazzled looking woman, which he guessed to be their mother.

A tall bearded man approached first, Kido assumed this was the representative of the air peoples, judging by the tattooed arrow, and the small group of children must be his family, considering they all shared the same color pallet.

"Councilman Tahatan, it is an honor to meet you." The gentleman bowed to Kidos father, who returned the bow in kind.

"The honor is mine Councilor Tenzin. I am eager to work with each of you." The other representatives nodded their heads at his sentiment.

"This is my family, My wife Nidawi, and our son Kido." The boy stepped forward at his fathers introduction, formally bowing to the gathered adults.

"Ah yes, we had heard you were bringing your son. How old are you young man?"

"Ten, sir."

"As old as my eldest daughter then, I brought them to meet you, I'm sure you'll all become friends." Judging, by the way the other children were running amok, Kido seriously doubted that.

He politely followed Tenzin over to his family, listening to the introductions. The youngest was an infant, So Kido had no real opinion of the baby, he was cute enough he supposed.

The next oldest was by far the craziest, tugging on his mothers hair, and blowing blast of wind at his older sisters and unfortunate birds. Even a few random passer-bys, if his father didn't catch him fast enough.

The younger daughter would not stop chattering! She went on for days! By the time she finished, Kido had learned all about intricacies of her morning. She was also the only one to show any enthusiasm to his presence.

Then the oldest Jinora, she was off to the side fingering a book, looking as if there were anywhere else she would rather be. He could agree with her on that. She seemed smart, and she was his age, perhaps they could be friends. He would have to research ways of earning friendships.

After introductions were done, Tenzin offered to lead them to their new living quarters. His father agreed and off they went.

Kido walked next to Jinora, running scenarios through his head of ways to initiate conversation, without looking like a total idiot.

"What book are you reading?"

"Hmm? Oh, just a fictional story about a hero, he has to save his country by using a magic sword, blessed by the spirits." She still looked around distractedly, not paying him any attention, and Kidos stomach fell. Seems even in Republic City he didn't fit in.

There was a tug on his sleeve, and Ikki began a conversation he almost immediately tuned out. Giving off "Hmm"s and "Oh yeah"s, where it seemed appropriate. Finally Meelo caught her attention, tripping her with a swing of air, and she went scampering after him, bent on retribution.

Alone with Jinora again, he prepared another conversation starter, than noticed her attention was turned to a group of street kids. They didn't seem to be well taken care of, and all of them looked positively filthy. But the oldest grinned slyly at Jinora, who blushed and gave him a little wave.

The scruffy young man winked in return, and ran off. Jinora watched him disappear then turned to her mother.

"Mom, can I go to the park? I wanted to catch up on reading?"

"What? Oh yeah sure, just be back by dinner." The woman returned to trying to keep her children minutely behaved. Jinora gave him a quick goodbye, and ran off in the direction the boy had left in.

Kido could feel his jaw drop. His mother would NEVER let him run off alone in such a huge and dangerous city! She hardly ever let him decide what he wanted to do with his free time!

For a moment a twinge of jealousy overcame the boy, he would like to know what such freedoms felt like.

He was interrupted again, by the presence of Ikki, this time accompanied by her younger brother.

"You look funny! You got big ears, and huge teeth!" Kido had to sigh at the other boys remarks, he knew he was awkward looking, there was simply nothing for it.

"You shouldn't talk Meelo, Your head is all bumpy!" The little air bender stuck out his tongue at his sister, and ran off to chase some birds.

Ikki turned to him with a bright smile, and Kido was a little shocked. Not many people had ever come to his defense in verbal assaults. He was beginning to think he had misjudged the young girl. Until she sneezed all over him.

He could practically feel the germs seeping into his skin, he was almost positive there was snot and other questionable material covering his clothes.

He must have made a disgusted face, because Ikki began pointing and laughing. Her giggles were loud and they drew the attention of the rest of the group. The adults turned to glance at the commotion, some breaking out into small snickers.

"Oh man your face!" Ikki gasped out through her laughs. "You look like someone just spit on your shoe!"

Nevermind, he had judged the girl perfectly, she was a menace.

He stomped over to his mother, trying to maintain any sense of dignity, while wiping the his hand against his pants. He hoped this would be sufficient enough to remove any of the sneeze gunk.

His mother smiled kindly at him, wiping away invisible traces of dirt on his face.

"Shes just a girl Kido, give her a chance."

Kido looked back at Ikki, who was swinging on her fathers shoulders, pointing at her younger brother and making mocking noises.

She certainly was a girl. An irritating, chaotic, infuriating girl.

Kido did NOT want to stay in Republic City.