Here we are again with a new chapter. This time the Gaang will make its appearance, meaning Mako will see Katara for the first time.

I also wanted to thank my first reviewer, DragonforceX. You earned yourself a virtual cookie. Oh and I think Maiko doesn't really work too :p

Chapter 3: First impressions and saying goodbye

The following 3 days was hard work but otherwise uneventful. Mako was so busy that he didn't even realize he hadn't seen Kyra for 4 days. So when his last day of training with Pakku was over, he decided to pay Kyra a visit at her house.

While walking along the canals, he noticed a large furry creature floating its way up to the palace. On top of the beast was a group of people consisting of 3 persons. He recognized the familiar blue colors of 2 people in the saddle, but the third one wore clothing uncommon in the water tribes.

Seeing the young boy clad in yellow and orange colors, he remembered that those were the colors of the air nomads. 'That's impossible, all the air nomads have been wiped out by the fire nation for nearly a 100 years now.' he thought. But when he saw the blue arrows on his head and hands, he quickly realized that the young boy could be the avatar. 'How is he still so young, isn't he supposed to be an old man?'.

Not wanting to question that which was beyond his understanding, he quickly left that train of thought and looked over the boy's companions. First seeing the boy with his hair in a wolf's tail, he realized they came from the southern water tribe, where that style of hair was more common than in the north. He guessed that the boy was around his age, and had a look of wonder on his face.

When Mako followed his gaze, he saw that the boy was staring at Princess Yue. Seeing her, Mako saw the boy's blue eyes widen and instantly there was a dreamy look on his face. 'Is he checking out princess Yue? Ha, good luck buddy' Mako thought while lightly chuckling. He looked a little goofy, but he wouldn't be traveling with the avatar if he wasn't a good man.

And then he saw the girl. She was sitting at the front of the creature's saddle , while she floated by the 17 year old waterbender. He guessed she was a bit younger than him but it couldn't be much. Seeing he had to stop near a crossroads in the channels, he thought he'd show off a bit by bending an elaborate bridge made of ice. Now that got her attention. She was staring at him like she never saw waterbending before.

Watching her from the corner of his eyes he walked over the bridge with a confident stride and a smirk on his face. After reaching the end of his self-made bridge, he brought his hands up and made a downwards motion, causing the bridge to turn back into water and leaving no visible trace behind.

Katara was dumbfounded by the blonde-haired waterbender's skills. She watched him smile while he walked away, but she wanted to stop him and ask how he did that. When she finally was pulled out of her reverie, the warrior had already disappeared… but she had a feeling that she would be seeing him again.

After seeing the avatar and his friends, Mako really needed to get going if he wanted to speak with Kyra before the beginning of her healing lessons. By the time he reached her house, the sun was already setting. Then he saw something moving in the alleyway next to Kyra's house. When he moved to inspect more closely, he heard something falling in the snow. When rounding the corner he saw that it was Kyra, wearing her thickest parka and a travelling bag slung over her shoulder.

"Kyra? What are you doing here this late? Shouldn't you be at the healing center?" Mako asked with a confused expression on his face.

Startled by someone's voice, Kyra turned around and saw Mako standing there trying to figure out what she was doing. "oh… euh… nothing Mako, I was… just leaving for my healing lessons." came the unconvincing lie from Kyra.

With a skeptical look, Mako was looking intently at her outfit. 'She looks like she's going camping in the tundra. Why would she... is she running away?' said the alarming voice in his head. "Kyra are you running away?" he asked while he was holding her by the shoulders.

She was debating whether she could tell him the truth. When she still didn't answer after a short pause he went on. "Well?"

She could barely whisper the truth to him. "Yes. Me and Kanako are running away to the Earth kingdom."

"WHAT! You can't do that. Maybe you forgot but there's a war going on! Did Kanako put you up to this 'cuz if he did I…" Kyra cut him off by placing a hand over his mouth, and made a shushing sound.

"No, he wanted me to stay here and marry you. I told him I wanted to run away with him."

After prying off her hand on his mouth, Mako, with a sigh, tried to reason with her, "Kyra…"

"No Mako, I'm going. I love the tribe but these stupid customs have held me back for too long. I know I'm capable of being more than someone's wife. And I think you know that too." was Kyra's response.

"Of course you can be more than just a wife, and I know that. I also know that I can't stop you from going through with it but…" Mako was hesitant to show his feelings, something that has always been hard on him.

"But what, Mako?"

With great reluctance, Mako decided to tell her how he felt about all this. "I'm gonna miss you, you know. You were always there for me when I needed you and if you go, I cannot protect you anymore."

Feeling tears coming up in her eyes, Kyra quickly embraced her good friend with what you could only call a bear hug. "Why did you have to say that! Now I'm gonna tear up for days." She said while laughing and crying at the same time.

Tightening their embrace, Mako wanted to let her know how much he actually loved her. Stroking her dark ebony hair he said, "I want you to know, that I consider you like my little sister. And I will always love you…" feeling the emotions overtaking him, Mako went on "… just make sure to write me regularly and stay out of trouble. 'Cuz if you don't I will not hesitate to come over." he said with a sad laugh.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." was the whisper that answered him.

After a moment of embracing each other, Kyra pulled away. "I have to go. Kanako is waiting for me by the docks." as she went to pick up her bag, she felt her hand being grabbed by Mako. "Can I at least come to wave you off?"

"Yes... you can." was her response while she wiped her eyes with her sleeves.

Their walk to the docks was accompanied by a comfortable silence. Having shown each other their feelings did them both good. Knowing that she would write him, was a big reassurance for Mako.

Arriving at the docks he could see Kanako waving at them. Standing next to the small boat, he knew it was time to say his final goodbye's.

Taking her hand once more, he looked her in the eyes. "Kyra, if you're ever in any trouble… don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be on the first ship towards the earth kingdom."

Looking up into his blue eyes, Kyra couldn't help but think that her intended was actually quite handsome with his rare blonde hair. "You're gonna make some girl very happy someday, you know."

Chuckling with that remark, he grabbed something out of his right pocket. His tone once again becoming serious. "I want you to have this." He pulled out the betrothal necklace he made for her should the wedding go on.

Looking at the carving of waves crashing under a crescent moon, she couldn't help but let her mouth drop. "It's beautiful Mako. Was this supposed to be my betrothal necklace?" after he nodded, she took on a sad expression. "I can't take it Mako, you should give this to the girl you're gonna marry."

"No, I made this for you. Keep it, so you'll never forget me."

Choking back a sob, she grinned. "I could never forget you Mako."

"Same here… Sis."

In an attempt to stop her from crying, he hugged her one last time before they would go their separate ways. "Thank you Mako… for everything."

"Don't worry Kyra, it won't be long before we see each other again." Tightening the hug one last time, he heard Kanako come over to them.

"Honey, we have to get going." He looked at the hugging pair and couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Hearing Kanako's voice, Mako broke the embrace and directed his attention to his sister's boyfriend. "Take care of her Kanako, love and protect her with your life. Because if you don't,…" was his warning.

"Don't worry Mako, I would rather die than let her be harmed in any way." Kanako said while grasping the waterbender by the forearm, sealing his promise with the warrior's handshake. Mako nodded and stood on the pier, watching them sail off in to the distance. All the while waving Kyra goodbye and wishing her a safe journey. He stood there like a statue until they could no longer be seen on the horizon. He wiped away a tear while turning around to prepare for master Pakku's presentation in front of the entire tribe.

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