Chapter 66

“I think I’m going to burn this tunic after the party” Rangi called, as he picked up her wife’s discarded clothes. The fabric she was holding specifically had numerous holes and even some charring already.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Kyoshi replied, as she continued to adjust and readjust her tunic. “Does this even look okay?”

Rangi folded the fabric in her hands as she strolled over to Kyoshi, now standing in front of her. Swatting the Avatar’s hands away from the collar of the tunic she reached up straightening the fabric for herself, making sure it laid neat.

“Jinpa have anything to say today?” Rangi asked, as her hands remained on the Avatar’s chest, warm and present.

“Nothing too notable,” Kyoshi recalled, remembering her earlier meeting with the monk. She had told him she wanted to spend some time in the fire nation, as they haven’t spent too much time here as of late.

“Some people I’ll have to meet with, but that’s a later affair” Kyoshi waved off.

“Diplomaitc work? You’re favorite” The fire bender teased as she stepped away to look for their daughter.

“You know me so well”

A couple moments after the fire bender ducked out of the room, she soon returned with Koko who had something tucked in the crock of her arms.

“What do you have there?” Kyoshi asked as she crouched down to meet her daughter at eye level.

An almost proud smile formed on the child’s face as she drew out one of Kyoshi’s fans, grabbing the end with two hands to successfully flick it open.

“I’ve been practicing,” she said proudly. “But they’re kinda heavy, so I need both hands”

Kyoshi smiled as she held out her hand for the fan, performing the action her daughter had described. “We’ll get you a lighter pair.”

“But I want to use yours”

“One day you will but for now I still need them,” Kyoshi laughed lightly.

Koko pouted slightly before really looking at her mother in front of her. “You look funny in those clothes.” She stated like it was a matter of fact.

Kyoshi could hear Rangi almost wheeze in the background. “Well they were your mother’s idea so you’ll have to take her up on that.” She said as she finally stood back up.

“Are we almost ready to leave?”

“I just need my other fan” Kyoshi called, looking down at their kid who smiled, claiming she would go get it with a cheer.

“You’re bringing your fans to a party dear?” Rangi asked as she leaned up against the bed.

“It’s only fair, I’m leaving the chainmeal and headdress here.”

Rangi gave her an unimpressed look, but eventually caved with a sigh. “It’s only because the fans can count as an accessory, you’re not allowed to go breaking any other rules tonight though.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior” She promised, starting to tug the fingertips of her gloves free.

But something sadder suddenly evokes the fire bender’s gaze. She remembered their conversation the night before. “No Kyoshi I didn’t mean… it’s fine if you wear the gloves tonight”

Kyoshi only smiled as she finished removing them, placing them neatly on the side table. “Rangi its’ fine-“

“Mama I got your fans” the little girl cheered, holding them up for her with great pride. Kyoshi accepted them with a wide smile, wondering if Koko would even notice that she had removed her gloves.

Her eyes caught them immediately though, nearly dropping the fans as she passed them over. “Your hands are finally warm enough?” She asked what Kyoshi was surprised with a smile.

“Yes, they are plenty warm now,” Kyoshi smiled back, as she tucked the fans into her sash.

But then Koko remained there a minute, finally noticing the scars that twisted around her finger and up her forearms. They weren’t the angry red lines they used to be in her teenage years, but were raised pale scars nearly all healed over. Now almost perfectly resembling the lightning that had caused them.

“It’s okay you can touch them” Kyoshi reassured her as she held her hands out for her daughter to look at.

For a moment Koko just stood there staring, eventually she walked up to Kyoshi who had taken a seat on the bed. Hands resting on her lap patiently.

Kyoshi watched Koko’s brows knit together as she tentatively reached out one hand to brush over the top of Kyoshi’s hands. But at some point she realized that these were still the same hands that held her, the same hands that carried her and helped make her noodles. Or at least ate them with her.

She now had a firmer grasp of Kyoshi’s hands using one of her fingers to follow the scars up Kyoshi’s forearm.

“Did something happen?” She asked quietly.

You expected her to ask questions. Kyoshi thought, taking a breath. Her eyes naturally wander over to Rangi for support.

“Your Mama was in a big battle” Rangi began, as she took a seat beside Kyoshi.

“A battle?” Koko’s eyes lit up.

“What kind of battle? Did you lose” She continued to question.

“Quite the opposite, she won”

“Then why do they look like…” It had seemed like Koko had realized that this may have been rude, now looking at the floor dropping Kyoshi’s hand.

“Why do my hands look like this?” Kyoshi finished the question for her, feeling more confident, retaking her daughter’s smaller hands in hers.

“The man I was fighting shot lightning at me, it was fighting a thunderstorm” She mused.

Koko’s eyes went even wider, grip on the Avatar’s hands tightening. “Really? Then what?”

“I realized I had to win, so I did”

Koko frowned. “But then what happened?” She whined.

“A story for another time” Kyoshi smiled, as she stood. “I do we have a party to attend” She looked over to Kyoshi who wore a proud smile.

“Yes, let’s get going now. We can have stories later.”

As they entered the court yard, Rangi took the lead with Kyoshi trailing behind as they looked for the bald monk.

“I have to admit you threw yourself quite the party.” A familiar voice called.

Rangi spun to see the monk smiling back at her, dressed in his nice robes and for once free of the multiple scrolls that filled his arms.

“And you clean up the very nice Koko,” He said acknowledging the child beside Kyoshi.

Koko smiled proudly, like she had won a medal. But remained by Kyoshi’s side. That’s what they had told her, parties could be fun but tonight Rangi would likely be pulled in every direction. So it would be best if she had Kyoshi as an anchor for the night.

Koko had easily agreed, simply asking if she could still get food with the arrangement.

When Rangi had started to wander away from the other two Jinap caught her arm, quickly pulling her aside.

“I don’t mean to be too forward or come across as rude but Koko…” He didn’t finish his sentence, he didn’t mean to.

“She’s Kyoshi’s.” Rangi said flatly, looking away from the crowd where her wife and daughter were. “We decided that would be the best course of action for tonight”

The monk could see the bits of sadness stretched across the fire bender’s features. “Rangi, I’m sorry”

But she shook her head, “There’s nothing to be sorry for, now if you’ll excuse me I have some people to thank”

Jinpa stood there a moment, watching his friend leave. She had always carried herself with so much pride. She was prideful about every aspect of her life, from her bending to her family. This definitely hurt.

It did hurt.

As Rangi moved between groups of people, thanking them for their time, or simply engaging with former comrades she began to hear it.

People learned that Avatar Kyoshi is watching over a child, this girl was the Avatar’s kid. She was approached by her mother, who she could tell was aware of this new situation. But now was not the time, she was so close.

Nonetheless she put on a smile, offered a toast to all the people who supported her, accepted the praise and back handed compliments about retiring so soon with the same smile.

Her wife, or rather the Avatar, was even encouraged to give a speech, which brought a true smile to Rangi’s face as Kyoshi was led to the front of the courtyard.

“I mean really what else can I say about Lieutenant Rangi?” Kyoshi started, finding Rangi in the crowd. “I know for one I’m happy she’s on our side, otherwise my job would be a lot harder”

The space filled with laughter.

“But I think we can agree that there is one more honorable or passionate about the things she wishes to protect, so with that thank you for all you’ve chosen to protect. To Lieutenant Rangi of the Senik’a clan”

People’s glasses clinked as conversation resumed, and Kyoshi tried to find her way back to Jinpa and Koko.

There was food and conversation with old friends, but all Rangi wanted now was to go home. But it was almost over, people were starting to leave now. It wouldn’t be long.

Rangi finds herself in another conversation with one of her superior officers, who was enjoying himself as he recalled how much of a spit fire Rangi was back at the academy.

“Mami, is it almost time to go home?” Everything in Rangi freezes as her child tugs slightly on her tunic to gather her attention.

“Yes it’s almost time, why don’t you go ask Kyoshi when she wants to leave,” Rangi replied, offering a smile, and pointed out her tall wife in the crowd.

The officer that she was talking to looked taken back, “Isn’t that the Avatar’s child?”

Rangi sighed to herself, before laughing slightly. This had to be convincing. “Yes , yes of course she’s the Avatar’s child, a sweet thing at that. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to spend some time around her”. She began, pausing to catch her breath like this was a funny affair. “She’s so young though, she’s called me that a couple times now. A childish mistake, I think it’s because I’m always around and she gets confused.”

Rangi held her breath for a minute, waiting for his response. Only to release the air in her lungs when he smiled laughing along too.

“Kids will do that to you” He said. “You ought to be careful though, don’t want people to get the wrong idea” He continued on. “Thank you again, for all of your service to this nation.

Rangi remained there for a moment after he had left, allowing people to pass and chat around her. The wrong idea. She knew what he meant, and spirits it hurt.

“I believe it’s time to retire for the night,” Rangi said, finding Kyoshi.

“Are you sure?”

“Very, things are starting to die down already.”

They left with little other words, though once they were out of the gates, Koko had started chanting the word stories to herself over and over again.

Once inside of the gates of her mother’s estate Rangi couldn’t help it; she gathered Koko in her arms and held her tight as they continued onto the house.

“You did very well tonight Koko, I am glad you were there with us.” Rangi spoke quietly.

“They had so many desserts, can we come back sometime?” She asked as she held on tightly to the fabric of her mother’s tunic.

“Yes, sometime.” Rangi replied as they walked through the entry way, and finally put her daughter down, who said she wanted to find her plush duck.

In their daughter’s absence Kyoshi took her wife’s hand continuing down the hall. “How are you doing, now that it’s all over?”

“I think I’m relieved,” Rangi admitted. “Though I didn’t realize how happy I was to have this part of life until tonight” She said. “And now how grateful I am that there’s a chapter after”

But regardless of how happy she was to now be able to fully explore this new part of her life without guilt. She still felt confined, in hiding.

They walk the rest of the way in silence until they run into Hei ran, and something tells Kyoshi that it would be best if she proceeds on to find Koko. “I’ll give you two a minute”

Rangi enters a study with her mother looking at the ground. “I hope you are still okay with my retirement, I know some people were unhappy about it” She started, trying to at least keep her own mother on her side.

“I don’t care about that anymore.” Hei ran said, gathering her daughter’s full attention.

“I thought you would be mad after tonight, after it was a sealed deal.” She let a loose laugh slip.

“I’m not mad, I just- I’m sorry that’s how this night had to go” Hei Ran said, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You are just as much a mother as anyone else, especially to that girl. Please don’t forget it'”

Just like that the dam broke, Rangi fell into her mother’s arms sobbing. As much as Rangi hated to admit her, her mother could read her well, she’s always been able to. After hearing through the grapevine the news of the Avatar’s child, she had simply put two and two together.

“It’s not fair-” She wept. “Do you know how much it hurt everyone saying that Koko was only Kyoshi’s? That she was the only one Koko loved. That I had to confirm that true as well.”

“The world shouldn’t be this way” her mother said softly, rubbing soothing circles on Rangi’s back. “You shouldn’t have to do that”

“Do you have any idea how it feels?” She said pushing back. “To go around the world with the love of your life, and have to pretend to be nothing?”

“Becasue that’s what I am, nothing in their eyes mother, nothing . But I am something I am. I have a loving wife and beautiful child that I love more than anything, and they love me too” Rangi started to beg, to yell.

“And it’s all because I love them I can’t be anything.”

Hei ran let her cry until her breaths evened out, “You’re right I don’t understand, but you are so much stronger than me. I don’t think I could ever do what you’ve done”

But Rangi just shook her head, “I feel like a coward, but for them I would give all my pride and honor and be known as a coward to keep them from harm’s way.”

“There’s just no way to win” Rangi said more quietly, words still laced in sorrow.

“I think you should go talk to Kyoshi” She whispered, whipping some of the tears from her daughter’s face. “Like you said, I don’t know how it feels. I got to parade you around, my pride and joy. Despite me wishing that as your mother I could take all this pain, I know you have someone who understands, and you should be with her now”

Rangi nodded as they started back towards her room, where she couldn’t help but smile at the sound of her wife and daughter’s laughter.

“Koko, would you like to help me make some tea?” Hei ran asked as she pushed the door open. Koko gave Kyoshi a quick glance back, and with her nod she bounded after her grandmother.

Leaving Kyoshi and Rangi standing in front of each other. Kyoshi’s face softened when she saw Rangi’s red rimmed eyes, and blotchy cheeks. Her face had always gotten flushed when she was upset.

“What do you need, love?”

“Can you just hold me please?”

Together they crawled into bed, Kyoshi propped up against the head board, Rangi locking herself in Kyoshi’s arms. Hoping to never have to leave.

“Thank you Rangi” Kyoshi started as she began to take Rangi’s topknot down.

“For what? I’ve done nothing.”

“I thought you were always supposed to be right,” Kyoshi laughed to herself. “But thank you for protecting Koko and I. I know that was hard tonight.”

“It’s not fair” Rangi mumbled, turning into Kyoshi’s chest. “Why can’t I let the world know how much I love you, that we’re married and have a beautiful girl that I now realize I could never live without?”

“I do not know,” Kyoshi admitted. “I do not know why the world always defaults to choosing hate, when there are so many greater problems.”

“People asked me so many times tonight why I decided to retire, and I don’t even remember what I said. But I know it was a lie”

“It shouldn’t be this way”

Kyoshi felt tears fall from the fire bender’s eyes and into her shirt. “I’m tired of being scared too, I mean for spirits sake I’m supposed to be the Avatar. I have all four elements in the palm of my hand and still I’m scared.”

“Can we be cowards together then?” Rangi asked quietly.

Kyshi sighed, “Yes love, as long as we’re together I could never care”

“Do you think one day this will change?”

“I hope so” Kyoshi smiled softly, “I wish on the stars for it every night”

Rangi continues to rest her head against Kyoshi, listening to the rhythmic beating of her heart, when she starts to hear the soft sound of her mother, and daughter’s footsteps down the hall.

“How will we explain this to Koko?” she whispered. “That the world hates the love her parents give her.”

Some of y’all wanted more angst so here you go… also as this story is starting to wrap up, let me know if there is anything else you want to see <333