Chapter 38

Kyoshi sat perched near the edge of a cliff watching over the town carefully. Waiting to see if any of the members dared to return. She continually scanned the town watching the people flow in and out of the streets. She watched as people gathered into the town’s center for a festival of sorts, she had heard Rangi talk about them celebrating being free once more for they were one of the first towns to be overrun.

They were all invited but Kyoshi declined, she wanted to see if the balanced nation dared to test her. Faint music now played in the background as people swirled around the square. The thought of the people being happy again brought a true smile to her face.

Everyone else except for she assumed Rangi was down there eating all the food and enjoying the festivities. Good. Kyoshi thought to herself. They deserve to have a good time.

She was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt a small pebble thrown at her shoulder, then another and another. Eventually she turned around to see Rangi standing behind her with a hand full of pebbles.

“17” She commented as she dropped some pebbles and walked over to Kyoshi.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kyoshi asked.

“That’s how many pebbles I threw to get your attention” She said calmly.

Kyoshi narrowed her eyes. “You could have just walked over you know”

Rangi shrugged. “I thought I could get to 20 before you noticed.”

With her response Kyoshi turned back to check on the town, leaving Rangi another opportunity to flick another pebble at her. Apparently she hadn’t dropped them all.

“The town won’t burn if you keep your eyes off it for 5 seconds.” Rangi commented as she walked up closer to Kyoshi pulling her shoulder so that she faced her again. “You know that don’t you?”

“I know, I just can’t help but wonder if they’ll come back. Try and take it over again.” Kyoshi admitted.

Rangi only laughed in response. “Fat chance of that you left quite the impression.”

“You really think they left?” Kyoshi found herself asking.

“Well we can’t be 100% sure, but you made a fair point. If they really were committed the balanced nation they would all benefit much more to report your whereabouts.” Rangi pointed out, glad she seemed to say the right thing at the sight of Kyoshi’s shoulders relaxing.

“Come on” she said, extending her hand out towards Kyoshi, who gave her a confused look.

“Dance with me, rocks for brains”

Kyoshi huffed a laugh as she took Rangi’s hand standing. “I thought you said I have two left feet.”

“Oh you do, but I figured we should practice while we have the chance. Just one dance, please”

How could Kyoshi say no to that? “Of course”

They could hear the light music from the festival. It played loud enough to where it simply buzzed in the background. They swayed back and forth, Rangi’s head on Kyoshi’s shoulder as she hummed.

“Do you want to get married?” Kyoshi asked suddenly. Rangi pulled her head off her shoulder suddenly to face her. “I thought we were already engaged. Was that not clear enough?” She asked.

“No I mean like you think we should get married now? We could pause the plan for another day, probably find someone to do it in the town”

“Why, I never thought you would want to rush things. Do you not think I can plan a wedding?” Rangi asked skeptically.

“No I do I’m sure you would plan one and it would be everything we ever dreamed” Kyoshi took a breath. “And I know we have our new plan with Kenna and the others, but if that doesn’t work for whatever reason-“

“Kyoshi what are you saying”

“You can’t marry a corpse.” Kyoshi said as they suddenly stopped.

Something snapped in Rangi that moment a s the words left Kyoshi’s lips.

“You’re not fucking dying, so stop that right now” She yelled. “I’m taking you back to Senika island and I’m marrying you there like you fucking promised”

Kyoshi’s face fell, but there was still a spark of life on her eyes, Rangi took note of this but wasn’t exactly sure how to reply. She could of course continue to yell, which was sort of the default option. But this seemed to sink much deeper, something that had always bothered her.

“Why do you care for yourself so little?” Rangi found enough courage to ask suddenly as she took Kyoshi’s hands once more. But Kyoshi didn’t reply, it was almost like she was waiting for Rangi to continue.

“Becasue I have and always will desperately try and show you just how much you love but I fear it will be pointless if you don’t love yourself the least bit first.” She continued.

“I grew up worthless Rangi, you know that.” Kyoshi started. “Nobody cared if I lived or died”

Rangi knew there was no use arguing, she did know just how Kyoshi had grown up. A world polar opposite to her own. But no matter there was nothing that she could do to reversed that.

“What about Jeslang, when he found you I swear that he loved you dearly”

“I like to think so”

“You don’t think he loved you?” Rangi questioned, befuddled at the thought of Kelsang not loving Kyoshi like she was his daughter. Her own mother had talked about Kyoshi and Kelsnag’s relationship before. Hei ran had mentioned how beautiful it was, their connection, though now it was long severed from his death.

“If you spend enough of your life being told you’ll never deserve anything but the worst it makes you question if anything happy is real” She took a breath. “Or how long it’s destined to stay”

Rangi almost charged Kyoshi as she pulled her in close. “Do you-” She almost couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Do you ever question my love?”

She felt Kyoshi’s body tense up, the reaction nearly brought tears to Rangi’s eyes.

“No”

Kyoshi whispered back, her response bringing a small smile to Rangi’s lips.

“You never have to doubt it, if you really wanted to I’d get married right now. Or at senika island, or back in the earth kingdom. I would marry you in the center of the world. No matter who was watching.”

“That’s just the problem” Kyoshi spoke up.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be deserving of it”

Rangi pushes herself off of Kyoshi enough so that she could see her face, admiring all her features. Those eyes. Rangi thought. After all that she’s gone through they never once lost their light, I will make sure they keep that light until I’m no longer living.

“I think you deserve more in my option” Rangi finally replied. The response seemed to being a different sense to awareness to Kyoshi like she may pay more attention.

“I’ve said it before, you deserve palaces, and armies”

“I don’t need armies” Kyoshi scoffed.

“I guess you’re right you have me”

The smile that Rangi loved so much finally seeped through Kyoshi’s features. “I have you.” She repeated back.

The two walked back to the camp and found themselves in their tent once more now seattled in the blankets. As Kyoshi had her propped up on Rangi’s lap as she ran her fingers through Kyoshi’s hair.

“I can’t believe I have to share you with the world” Rangi admitted jokingly.

Kyoshi laughed at Rangi’s words. She always was stubborn. “The world can have the avatar, but you will always have me. Promise” Kyoshi offered.

“I can live with that,” Rangi replied, making Kyoshi smile once more.

Sorry shorter chapter but I think this was cute, at least I thought it was. I needed more of them so here we are, also Rangi will definitely plan the best wedding. Part of me is I think is putting off the big fight cause I’m scared I’ll mess it up. So if you guys have tips on writing bigger fights please let me know!

Have a great day<3