Chapter 28

The morning stayed quiet, and within the next 30 minutes after their conversation Kyoshi had fallen back asleep. Rangi untangled her arms and pulled her hair back up into her top knot before putting back on her armor.

Her head turned suddenly at a knock at the door. She recognized Kenna’s voice as she entered with similar supplies as the day before.

“You stayed here all night?” She asked, setting down the supplies on the bed side table.

“Of course” Rangi said shortly as if it wasn’t even a question, which it wasn’t of course. Kenna nodded with a hum. “Of course,” She repeated with a smile.

“So how is she?”

Rangi just stared blankly for a second, well that was a loaded fucking question. She thought to herself. Kyoshi had been physically doing good throughout the night. But that panic episode that she just went through. Should I mention it?

“She’s been fine since last night, there was no more bleeding. She’s just been sleeping.” She finally found herself saying.

Kenna smiled again. “Oh well that’s good, I probably won’t do much more today, just change the dressings.”

Rangi then walked over to Kyoshi’s bedside, squeezing her shoulder lightly. “Kyoshi, Kenna just got here, she’s just going to change the bandages. Does that sound good?”

Kyoshi opened her eyes barely for a moment, before nodding. “You’re fine to start,” Rangi called, beckoning Kenna over.
She watched from the foot    of Kyoshi’s bed as Kenna started unwrapping Kyoshi’s hands. She almost looked away at the sight of the severe blistering.

“These will heal no problem, I know it looks bad right now but they will get better each day”

“Thank you, and I know. She just has a habit of getting herself into these types of situations” Rangi explained.

“No I don’t” Kyoshi mumbled, Rangi just laughed.

“Oh good you’re up, would you mind sitting up for me?” Kenna asked.

“Rangi is lying by the way, I don’t always end up like this” She mumbled as she pushed herself upwards.

“I’m not a liar, just look at her medical records from this place alone, and that’s only a fraction of it” Rangi argued.

“Traitor” Kyoshi called as Kenna turned her back to toss the old dressings. Rangi just stuck out her tongue before Kenna turned back around.

“I figured you were the type, I found some of your records last night. Seems the last time you were here it was on the account of taking some serious smoke damage from a fire”

Rangi just snickered. “Oh I like her” she mouthed jokingly. “So when can I get out here? No offense you’ve been lovely, truly. But I’d like to be on my way soon” I’ve a lot of things I’ve got to fix.

“Soon, maybe another day or two. Really as soon as I’m sure that the side gash won’t be opening again”

“That’s… fair, thank you” Kyoshi replied, bowing her head slightly. “What should she be doing then in the meantime?” Rangi asked, getting up from the foot of the bed.

“Resting, she should probably eat something when she’s hungry. Other than that, a healer will be in soon so hopefully speed up the process, I can stop by later if you like.” Kenna offered as she began to undress the wound on Kyoshi’s side.

“I would appreciate that” Kyoshi smiled as she looked over to Rangi who now wore a different expression. Shit I might be in trouble.

Kenna worked quickly as usual, and was out within a couple of minutes.

“So what do you want to eat?” Rangi asked, as she approached Kyoshi.

“I dunno”

“When was the last time you ate?” Rangi continued to ask, although Kyoshi felt like it was more of an interrogation.

She just shrugged, “Kyoshi I know you know, so just spit it out”

“Well after I left, I was too scared to eat any of the food they offered me, so I snuck around finding food that felt safer.” She said fidgeting with her fingers as she spoke.

“And after that” Rangi’s arms were now crossed, Kyoshi really didn’t wish to continue.

“Well I stopped doing that after we tried to meet up, because you know I was kinda hostage spo I guess before that-“

Rangi pinched her temple. “Okay yeah no more choice for you, you’ll be eating as soon as I can find something. I don’t care about Kenna’s whole whenever you’re hungry bs. I’m honestly surprised you hadn’t pass out by the time we found you”

“But I didn’t” Kyoshi claimed proudly.

“You looked like you would pass out at the drop of a hat”

“That wasn’t my fault-“

But Rangi held up her hand to silence her. “I don’t even care right now, just stay here I’ll be right back” She instructed. Well at least I never need to worry about her changing.

Rangi had come back with two bowls of hot noodles, placing one in front of Kyoshi, before sitting at the foot of her bed. She eyed Kyoshi as she watched the steam rise from the noodles.

“You’re not eating?” She asked as she looked up from her bowl, Rangi just frowned. “Not until you start rocks for brains”

“Is it too cold or something? I can heat it up more if you’d like” Rangi offered, even though she was aware it was plenty hot. She knew Kyoshi was stalling.

“No, it’s fine. I’m just not sure I’m hungry yet” Kyoshi replied quietly, as she stirred her noodles around the bowl. Causing Rangi to set her bowl down her bowl maybe a bit more aggressively than required and march over to Kyoshi. Apparently this was enough to cause the firebender to snap.

“Listen here you amazing, selfless, idiot your body has been on survival mode for over a week, maybe more. So just please eat the damn noodles, so you don’t wither away before we have the chance to kick that guy’s ass!” Rangi yelled.

Kyoshi looked star struck, “Don’t look at me like that” Rangi exclaimed using her hands to cover her blushing. “I’ve never met anyone who cared more about noodles than you”

“I don’t care about the noodles, I care about you idiot” Rangi huffed.

Kyoshi couldn’t help but laugh, before she took a bite of the noodles. Rangi let out a sigh as she went to retrieve her own bowl. “Yeah, I’m your idiot” She smiled as she took another bite.

Kyoshi had fallen back asleep after she ate, leaving Rangi with her thoughts. She began to pace the length of the room, thoughts racing around her head.

So Kyoshi had to open the portal, so what? They could find a way to close it.

As she contemplated their next move there was another knock at the door. “Hello I’m Beq the healer Kenna told you about. My schedule’s been busy so it was hard fitting this in” The man explained as he walked into the room .

“Of course, come in” Rangi was a bit surprised, she normally didn’t see male hearers, but it didn’t really matter. A healer was a healer right?

“I’m just going to let her know your here.” Rangi explained as she walked over to Kyoshi’s side, before shaking her gently telling her who had come by.

“I’m just going to keep my eyes closed” She mumbled to Rangi who nodded in response. Carefully, Rangi tucked the bottom of Kyoshi’s top up just enough to expose the gash on her side.

“Do you need anything?” She asked the healer before taking her designated seat at the foot of the bed. “No thank you, I’ll just get to work then. No need to make this any longer”

Kyoshi heard mumbling above although she wasn’t necessarily trying to listen. She had herd Rangi talk, and recognized her touch as the bandages become exposed.

How pathetic is this, I caused this whole mess and I’m not even well enough to start fixing it yet. She thought to herself. I just need to get out of here as soon as I can, Naruklok will pay.

She opened her eyes slightly as they adjusted to the sudden brightness. She could make out someone above her, she squinted to see who it was. He looked like he was from the watertribe. She blinked again, no fucking way. How did he find me? I’m not ready yet

Suddenly Kyoshi twisted upwards quickly sending a great gust of air at the man sending him through the closed door.

“What the hell!” He yelled as he rubbed his head. Rangi was also now on her feet, trying to figure out what the hell just happened in front of her.

Kyoshi felt like her vision was going in and out of focus, one second she saw Narulok, the next a stranger. But when she had thought that he was gone she saw his face agin.

The quick and jarring movement had caused the gash on her side to reopen as well, crimson slowly leaking through bandages.

“Kyoshi!” Rangi yelled as she rushed over to the avatar, ignoring the healer laying on the ground.

“Shit, what happened?”

Well that was apparently the wrong question, because she didn’t get a response. All she got in return was Kyoshi’s breathing quickening.

“He- I thought” She started rambling, Rangi didn’t even try to make sense of the broken sentences yet. Instead tried to gather up some of the sheets to stop the bleeding.

Beq had gotten up and moved back into the room, possibly to help, but Rangi could honestly careless. All she knew was that he somehow caused this little issue.

He had rushed forwards, presumably to try to aid, but Rangi had caught his wrist mid air. Along with Kyoshi’s trying to make sure she didn’t hurt him further. She was pretty sure Kyoshi was just going to flat out punch the guy, if she didn’t intervene. For once I’m lucky she’s hurt, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stop her at full strength.

“Sorry but you need to get the hell out of here.” Rangi said firmly.

“Ma’am I’m a professional healer I assure you-” He tried to explain trusting his wrist in attempt to get out of the firebenders grip. If he scared her then he’s gone. I don’t care, what his intentions are. Clearly she doesn’t want him here. So he’s gone.

“I don’t care who the hell you are, and don’t ma’am me. All I know is that you caused this so I suggest you leave, let Kenna know we’d like her help as soon as possible.” She replied, as she tried to refocus on Kyoshi, who had seemed to have given up trying to move under Rangi’s grasp.

“I assure you that my medical experience would be helpful, she started bleeding again-“

“And I can see that thanks. You think I don’t know how to handle a little bleeding, this idiot gets herself hurt every other week. I’m fine, so please leave”

“Fine I’ll go get Kenna” He huffed as he pulled his wrist away.

Rangi turned back to Kyoshi who had seemed to calm herself down in the time it took Rangi to kick Beq out of the room. “Are you back with me?” She asked, grabbing a bit more of the sheets to try and stop the bleeding. Kyoshi nodded. “Because if you bend some shit at me I’m going to pissed, we both can’t be in the hospital”

Kyoshi exhaled slowly, trying to recenter herself. “Yeah I’m fine now”

“Then respectfully what the fuck was that?”

Kyoshi looked up at Rangi, and then to her side where the firebender was applying reassure to her side. Only Rangi would ask things like that while simultaneously trying to stop bleeding. Only my Rangi

“He looked like Narulok.” Kyoshi began.

“Who”

“The masked man, the leader. Who made me build the portal” She explained.

“So that’s why you tried to strike him into tomorrow? Which wasn’t half bad by the way, you caused some good damage considering your current state” She risked trying to joke a bit, hoping to help relax Kyoshi nerves faster.

Before Kyoshi could respond there was a quick knock on the outside door, because well there was no more door. “Come in,” Rangi yelled from across the room.

“Oh dear, it seems you have your hands full, I’ll be right back” Kenna said as she rushed back out of the room to gather the necessary supplies.
She worked quickly as she returned, Rangi gathering the bloodied sheets, and exterior clothing that was also now stained. Leaving Kyoshi in her wraps.

“It seems to have stopped for now, but I think we may need a couple of stitches. I just don’t like how it reopened up” Kenna explained.

Kyoshi was almost scared to look at Rangi, who she knew was mad. There was also the vein that looked like it was gonna pop out of her forehead that sort of gave it away too.

“When can we get this done then?” Rangi asked, as she placed a hand on Kyoshi’s shoulder. “I can go get the stuff right now,” Kenna said as she excused herself.

When she was outside of the door frame Kyohsi finally looked up at Rangi. “Don’t look at me like that you cause it”

“I know but it’s only like half my fault, he scared me for a second.” She tried to argue.

“Fine, I guess I’ll give you that” Rangi replied, rolling her eyes. As she started to move away from the bed she noticed that Kyoshi had clung to her shirt, and didn’t seem like she was letting go any time soon.

“Please, can you just sit next to me, if it’s not you know too much?” Kyoshi asked quietly. “Of course, and I don’t think you have to worry about Kenna, I think she’s onto us”

Kyoshi just laughed. “Plus I feel honored to be the support person of choice for someone who despite being struck by lightning still wants someone to hold their hand”

“I think I prefer the lighting actually ,” Kyoshi replied.

“You don’t mean that”

“Maybe I do, I just don’t like the whole idea of stitches. It freaks me out” She shuttered.

“Well I’ll be here, although I haven’t personally ever had any-”

“Oh because you’re so perfect” Kyoshi cut in.

“Maybe, but I hold your hand though it still,” Rangi replied, Kyoshi only stuck her tongue out at the firebender as she grabbed her hand.

Rangi had moved her way next to Kyoshi, keeping an especially close eye on the bandages to make sure that not too much blood was seeping through. When she heard someone approaching, assuming it was Kenna.

Kyoshi’s and Rangi’s eyes both went wide as they saw Jinpa in the doorway. He looked just about as shocked as he looked from Kyoshi, to Rangi, to the bits of broken door bedside him, then black to Kyoshi.

“Hey Jinpa-“

“Kyoshi what in the actual fuck happened?” Jinpa yelled.

Kyoshi felt her face freeze, she assumed Rangi’s was the same. Jinpa rarely curses, so she knew she was in trouble.

“Oh shit” Kyoshi mumbled under her breath. “Guess he wasn’t too happy with you disappearing either” Rangi whispered back

Oh my god guys its @Calew_star ‘s birthday, they are one of my amazing commenters/followers, so you best believe that as soon as I found out I expedited this chapter ASAP. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN🎉

You guys in the comments, and those who show support truly keep me writing, I’m so so so grateful for you all. And hope you enjoyed the chapter❤️