In the few weeks following Ikkis departure, Kido could see her everywhere.

A girl at the market had the same colored hair, another at the park possessed a similar smile, and yet another had a laugh that reminded him so much of his missing air bender, he had to hurry away.

But none of them had the same eyes, her gray eyes that always caught him in their snare. He missed seeing her eyes, he missed her.

It was fitting of course, for him to realize he was in love with her, moments before she was gone from his life. And he had no idea when she would be back.

Skoochy and Jinora were of no help. The couple spent all of their free time together, Skoochy distracting his girlfriend from missing her sister too much. They were always trying to include him in their group, but Kido was having a hard time stomaching their adorable romance. So, more often than not, he spent time alone, and when he was alone he thought of Ikki.

He would replay the kiss so many times in his head he began to see it in his dreams. Sometimes these dreams would shift and morph, creating scenarios where the kiss had progressed into more. He would wake from these dreams panting, sweat leaking down the side of his face.

He was going insane.

His mother had of course taken notice to his change in behavior. Over their time living in Republic City, her son had seemed quite content. But now it seemed he was distracted, and rather sad.

She herself had grown displeased with the city, and lately her husband had been talking of winding down his political career. They came to the decision to move back to the Northern Water Tribe.

Kido was not thrilled with the news.

"You can't just drag me away from everything I have here!" He shouted, tugging furiously at his hair.

"Really Kido, lower your voice. There is no reason to be shouting." His parents had called him into the main sitting room to inform him of their impending return.

"But what about my friends here, my studies, or my training?"

"You have finished with your studies Kido, you can always continue training in the north, and as for friends, you'll just have to make some new ones when we return."

"Why can't I stay here? You two can go back and I'll stay here and find work." His father, who had been silent for the entire conversation, decided it was time to step in.

"Because you are our son, and you belong with us. Really now, you hated coming here when we first moved, why are you so hesitant to return now. What is it that is holding you here?"

Kido couldn't think of an honest answer for his father. Ikki was gone, he didn't know for how long. Skoochy and Jinora were busy with each other, he would miss them and they would miss him, but they were not a reason to stay behind. If he were being truthful, he had no reason to stay behind, except for the fact that he wanted to wait around for Ikki. And who knew how long that was going to be.

"There is no reason father, I just want to stay here. I like it here, and I'm comfortable where I am now." His mother sighed, rising from her seat she moved to brush the hair away from Kidos forehead.

"You grew used to Republic City, you will become accustomed to the Northern Tribe again. Besides, its about time we started preparing you for your future."

"And what is that?" He couldn't help the petulant tone in his voice, it seemed his life preferences were of no consequences to his parents, he would do what they wanted and he would have no say in the matter.

"Politics of course!" Both of his parents looked rather proud at this thought, Kido had no opinion one way or the other. All he knew was that he was leaving the city where every experience he had with Ikki happened.

And he hated the thought.

Preparations to leave took a few months, but soon enough they were packed and ready to go. Kido had helped as little as possible, in attempt to show his distaste for the move. But it was still happening, whether he hindered or helped.

Skoochy and Jinora were both upset at the news. The three of them had sat by the docks one afternoon, and he regaled them with the details of his relocation.

"That's not fair!" Skoochy was angry on his behalf, Jinora looked irritated, and also a little sad.

"I know it's not fair, but they are my parents. I have to go with them."

"No you don't, just stay here! You can sleep on my couch, I'm sure my mom won't mind" The vision of seeing the chief of police every morning when she first woke up, was not one that Kido wanted to live through.

"I'm not sure she'd be as accepting as you think Skoochy, but I appreciate the thought. Maybe I can get a job doing secretary work somewhere." Both boys looked rather pleased at this thought. However Jinora seemed less enthusiastic.

"Kido, maybe you should go with your parents." That had his jaw dropping, and he could see the same look mirrored on Skoochys face.

"Wait, are you saying I should just leave everything I have here and follow my parents off to a frozen wasteland, so they can continue to rule my life!" Jinora rolled her eyes at his theatrics.

"No I'm saying you should take this opportunity to get away from the city, maybe discover what it is YOU want to do with your life. We all know the real reason you want to stay is because you want to continue pining after my sister." Before he could protest she held up a hand asking him to let her finish.

"But waiting for my sister, and wasting away after her, are two entirely different things. It's okay to miss her, I would be disappointed if you didn't, but you can't keep obsessing over her, it's not healthy. Do you think Ikki would want to come back to see you had completely abandoned your life waiting for her."

Jinora had a point of course, No one knew how long it would take for Ikki to complete her spiritual pilgrimage, and really he wasn't benefiting anyone by completely abandoning his own life to wait anxiously for her return.

"I just…I don't want to feel like I'm abandoning her or giving up on the feelings I have for her."

"I know that Kido, we all do. But shes working on her own future right now. It's only fair you take this opportunity to work on yours." She gave him a supportive smile, Skoochy who had remained quiet on her other side, seemed to be agreeing with his girlfriends logic.

Kido looked out across the water, the sun set had the waves sparkling in a spectacular fashion. He was scared of leaving, scared of the unknown. Even if he had lived there as a child, he had never felt like he belonged. Here, in this city, with these people, he had developed and grown into the person he was today. But he needed to move on, he couldn't stay stagnant forever.

"I'll miss you guys."

"We'll miss you too." Jinora laid her head against his shoulder and Skoochy clapped a hand against his back.

He wasn't leaving forever, he was determined to come back. And when he did, he would come back as a man Ikki could be proud of.

He and his family boarded the ship that would take them to the Northern Water Tribe, his friends were waving farewell on the docks. Jinora had allowed a few tears to escape when she hugged him goodbye, and Skoochy had jokingly handed him a knapsack full of fruit picked straight from the tree. A few other dignitaries and officials were also seeing them off, but Kido kept his eyes on the couple until they were two small to make out.

His heart was heavy at leaving the city, but he reminded himself of the silent promise he had made.

This wasn't goodbye forever.