Chapter 68

Alright last two chapters, if you cry just know that I did too. Anyways hope you enjoy 

Songs:

To build a home- The Cinematic Orchestra

Almost to the moon- Daisy Gray

Eternity- Alex Warren & Gigi Perez

“You have never been one to be punctual have you?” Rangi called as they wandered deeper into the woods.

“Well you’re the one keeping me in line, so I think that says more about you than me” Kyoshi retorted as she continued onwards.

They were after a hot spring Kyoshi had heard about years ago deep in the earth kingdom near the mountain range. Near enough on their way back to Yokoya island that she was able to convince Rangi of the detour.

“Koko’s expecting us back today”

“Please? It’s one day, I promise you can wake me up however early you choose to make the last leg of the trip, but one night alone with you is all I want”

The natural spring steamed in front of them as they undressed the fire bender urging Kyoshi to leave the fans with her clothes before they got in.

“How could one ever refuse the avatar” Rangi mutters to herself as she slips into the water Kyoshi right behind her.

“You say no to me all the time”

Rangi can’t help but laugh. “Well that’s because I’m both honor bound to the avatar and my wife. They cancel out, I can do what I please” She shrugged, before spitting water splashed in her direction.

As she splashed her wife back, Rangi could only feel like they’ve done this a hundred times before. A similar fight with no heat over and over again. No clear winner ever truly in sight.

Yet Rangi never grew tired, if anything she enjoyed their moments together more now if that was possible.

“You’re makeup smudging by the way” She commented watching the eyeliner go across Kyoshi’s cheek as she wiped the water from her eyes.

“And who’s fault is that”

“Yours” Rangi sighed as she leaned back against the edge.

Kyoshi took the next moment to fully remove the make up from her face. Previously applied to make her brave at the diplomatic meetings in the earth kingdom.

But could now be removed and forgotten with the fire bender by her side.

“I see you’ve taken some of Lao Ge’s advice then”

Kysohi looked up, furrowing her brows, not sure if it was supposed to be an insult or not.

“What do you mean by that, I told you I met him in the last town”

“You have less wrinkles than me” Rangi said, eyes narrowing in on her wife’s face.

But Kyoshi only laughed, she had visited Lao Ge to discuss his methods of immortality, but not for that reason. Though a potential benefit, to tease Rangi about definitely.

“This era is taxing,” Kyoshi started to explain. “I can’t be caught lacking, and so I thought if there was a way to help me retain my muscle and strength longer so I don’t get hurt that would be better”

Rangi raised her eyebrows, before moving closer to Kyoshi. A hand slipped out of the water to cup Kyoshi’s tanned and freckled skin. Feeling the soft warmth it supplied, as her eyes locked on her.

“I didn’t think I would live to see the day you would actually take care of yourself.” She whispered as she pulled Kyoshi into a gentle kiss.

When they pulled back the fire bender continued to pepper kisses across Kyoshi’s face, trying to touch on every freckle.

“Had enough?” Kyoshi teased.

“No.” As if to prove her point Rangi moved her other hand so she cupped Kyoshi’s face with both hands keeping her in place as she continued her activities.

“I suppose it’s not too easy to maintain this era of peace is it?”

“Era of peace?” Kyoshi, asked. She had never heard her era be called anything but the era of the false avatar.

Rangi leaned back, smiling. “That’s what people are calling it now, haven’t you heard?”

But Kyoshi shook her head. “I guess I try not to listen to what others think”

Rangi grinned. “Well I heard it though the earthkindogms’s guards, that his highness believes that we are well into an era of peace”

“An era of peace” Kyoshi repeated. “Then we can’t slow down”

The only thing Rangi could do was laugh. “I don’t think anyone could stop you now. You could rearrange the continents, and they all know it. No one can deny your force or strength.”

People once did, when they were angry at her for taking Yun’s avatar hood. But it seems as though that was starting to slip deeper into the history books.

No longer the era of the false avatar.

The ear of peace.

“You could” Kyosh started. “You say the word, and I’d stop. You say the word and I’d flatten every mountain”

“I know you would.” Rangi replied. “And I’d burn the world if you told me”

Kyoshi wanted to laugh at the remark, but the look in Rangi’s eyes had told her she meant every word of it.

“Do you remember when you hated me?”

“What- I never hated you Kyoshi” There was a sudden redness to the fire bender’s face that could not have been blamed on the steam.

“I was an angry teenager who saw someone that refused to protect themselves, and was upset by that,” Rangi said plainly. “Remeber when you tried to test the bounds of the human body by temporary freezing your organs”

“Remeber when you broke down at Keslang’s grave”

“Okay well you were like balling for like our entire wedding”

“I remember beating you to the proposal”

“You beat me by like minutes, seconds even” Rangi argued. “If you didn’t go missing in the damn woods”

“Unlike you had a plan”

“You also have a tendency to wander.”

“It keeps things interesting,” Kyoshi smiled.

Rangi could only smile back, as she pressed closer to Kyoshi, taking her hand. Lifting it just out of the water so that she could trace the scaring and freckles up her forearm. Scars no longer red and angry but paler ones in their place.

“How has it been so many years?”

Years of travel, of battles, of nights spent together looking up at the stars or simply at each other.

“Maybe you just enjoyed the company”

Rangi reached to touch the ring strung on a chain around her neck. “I guess I do enjoy the company”

Time seemed to slip through Kyoshi’s fingers like water, as years and decades passed with Rangi by her side. Koko had been nominated to take Nora’s place as leader of the Yokoya warriors when she had stepped aside. It was a great day, the two had stayed on the island for a week for the occasion.

But then Kyoshi and Rangi had to go back out to help communities in need. Lately there were some things with the Northern Water that needed sorting as the nation continued to grow and expand.

Kyoshi often now found herself wishing time was actually water, because then she could freeze it, and remain in moments forever.

But alas the Avatar could bend all the elements at her will, but not time. So when the day came that Rangi could feel her body slowing down, in a way that couldn’t be solved with a quick sparring match or sleep, they knew it was time to return home.

Koko was happy to have both her parents home, and they were happy to watch the woman their child had become. A fitting leader who had a well defined handle on the Yokoya warriors now. She had firmly implemented the use of fans into their combat strategies, and was always happy to give her parents demonstration of her group’s work.

It had always reminded Kyoshi of when she was younger and insisted on giving her parents demonstrations of her new skills.

Days were slow, but time was still ever present. Kyoshi and Rangi had a lovely summer together with Koko. She had kept the house in great shape while they made their travels around the world. Being there felt like they never left the island.

But for the first time in a long while they had three hearts firmly in their home.

“What are you staring at?” Rangi asked, as they sat on the porch of their house that overlooked the island.

“Can’t I just look at my beautiful wife without being reprimanded?” Kyoshi asked, but she knew there was something else in the air. Something different.

Rangi gave a weak smile, taking another minute to gather her breath. “You have been saying that for what, over 70 years. I would have thought you’d come up with something new by now.”

“I was counting the grey streaks then”

“You’d have more luck counting the stars.” Rangi said, “You’re the reason behind most of these you know”

Kyoshi huffed a laugh, “Perhaps”

“Is Koko here?” Rangi asked as she set down her cup.

“Knowing her, she’ll stop by once the sun dips below the horizon.”

Nodding the firebender takes another deep breath. “There’s been something I’ve been meaning to talk to her about”

One of Kyoshi’s eyebrows lifted. “There something I need to know?”

“Nope it does not concern you one bit”

All Kyoshi could do was shake her head, as she stood. Walking over to Rangi to offer her a hand up as well.

“One last walk then?” The fire bender asked, keeping herself tucked into Kyoshi’s side. She laughed at the expression that fell across Kyoshi’s face.

“Of summer love, the leaves will probably start to fall tomorrow.”

Kyoshi took in a short breath, “Of course, though I rather like fall.”

“I know you do”

Slowly they made their way down the hill, passing by the growing village. They smiled at the townsfolk, and others they had come to know over the years.

At the very bottom of the hill was the old remains of the mansion, now basically grown over. They had kept the courtyard bounds the same, despite them lacking walls there was a beaten field where the Yokoya warriors were known to practice.

“I’m glad it’s not all gone.” Rangi said as they looked over the small bit of land, one that they themselves had spent much time at over the years. It was also where Rangi had taught Koko how to spar, and where Kyoshi taught her how to throw the fans properly.

“Me too,” Kyoshi smiled. “This is where I met you afterall. I remember it so clearly you were putting on this show of a display of your fire bending.”

And of course where they met.

“Sounds like me,” Rangi laughed. “I was impressive, was I not?”

“The best” Kyoshi hummed, as she lifted their joined hands to kiss the top of Rangi’s hand right over her ring. They had both been wearing them out since they were home. Little reason to hide here, where there were no one’s beckoning calls to answer.

“You were always the best”

As the sun started to dip, they made their way back up the hill, to find Koko waiting on the front porch.

“Kyoshi, could you get some water for tea tonight?” Rangi asked casually, as she unlooped her arms.

“You couldn’t have told me this when we were down the hill?”

“Afaid not” Rangi shrugged, a small grin forming across her lips.

“Koko, your mother is very demanding- I will be right back” Kyoshi excused herself as she headed for the well.

When Kyoshi was a couple paces and counting down the hill Rangi gestured for her daughter to sit beside her on the porch, and Koko knew.

“I am so very honored to be your mother Koko” Rangi started.

Koko sniffled, she wasn’t naive, she had known for a while that this day was coming. But spirits she wished it never had too.

So she listened with a tearful smile on her face.

“Raising a woman as strong as you makes all my other accomplishments seem so small”

“You could have accomplished more without me, no?” Koko started, wanting to argue with her mother, hoping it could buy more time.

“Nothing better,” Rangi replied, taking her daughter’s hand.

“Koko, please never feel like you have to be responsible for your mother, that has and will forever be my job.” Rangi tells Koko who now rests her head on her shoulder.

“It’s not too late, you could make every history book you wanted.” Koko said softly. “I’d make sure of it. That everyone in the world you wanted to know about you would.”

“I’m not worried about being forgotten, because I’ll live within you and your mother. I promise” Rangi stated, pulling her daughter into an embrace, planting a kiss on the crown of her head. “So you have to take care of yourself, so I can live on”

“Have anyone else on your hit list you want me to take out?” Koko asked weakly as they separated.

“I’ll leave a note on my desk” She replied, as Kyoshi approached them.

“Anyways your mother has always been a terrible example, I am glad you didn’t get your cooking skills from her.” Rangi said, clearing her throat. Kyoshi offered a pointed look in return as they made their way inside.

They make dinner in comfortable conversation. Their daughter gives the latest updates on the group. Telling them how Nora’s daughter has just expressed interest in training with them like Koko had when she was younger.

Koko makes them noodles, which Rangi is insistent on heating.

Kyoshi, though basically banned from touching cooking utensils at this point as she was much more distracted from when she first worked as a maid, she now just enjoyed the sight of it all. Them all together one last time in this plane of existence.

“Well I didn’t bring the extra water up here for nothing” Kyoshi said, going to fill a kettle for tea.

“We had noodles on our wedding night, you know.” Rangi said as she passed her bowl to Koko.

Koko laughed, “That sounds like you”

“Tell me the story one more time, please” She went on, taking the cup Kyoshi offered her.

“We never really had plan” Rangi started, “But one night actually when we were back at the mansion before it had burned down your mother asked me if I wanted to get married, like immediately, like tomorrow”

“We had been engaged for some time, I guess I couldn’t wait any longer.” Kyoshi smiled.

“We ended up meeting your Uncle Jinpa and Grandmother in this small earth kingdom town” Rangi went on, “and then the morning after we all arrived we hiked out to this meadow and your uncle married us”

“It rained during our vows but I had never been happier”

Koko just smiled, “that all sounds just like you”

Once the glasses were empty, Koko stood in front of her mother. Looking into the kind face that had raised her, and the heart that had loved her so endlessly.

But her eyes, it was like the fire was softer now, and it seemed now that they all knew.

She hugged her mother firefly once more, nearly knocking the wind out of her while her other mom stood close by. Eventually wrapping her arms around the two of them.

After Koko leaves for her own room, Kyoshi carried her wife up the stairs one last time, before getting ready for two different sleeps. The routine had been modified over the years, but it was always theirs that they could do together.

Kyoshi carefully took down Rangi’s top knot, and Rangi pulled Kyoshi’s into a loose braid so it kept out of her face.

“I will never take another,” Kyoshi says as they settle by each other in the bed.

“Another what love?” The fire bender asks.

“Another bodyguard, no one else would do me any good”

Rangi smiles. “You haven’t needed a bodyguard in many years Kyoshi, you just liked the company”

“I can admit to that.”

For a while they just stare at each other as the candle burns on their beside table.

“Avatar Kyoshi and the era of peace” Rangi says proudly.

“I don’t know if I can do it without you,” Kyoshi admitted. “How can I do it without you?”

“You still have so much life in you my love, and the world needs that light right now.” Rangi says. “I know you Kyoshi, I know how you think and breath so promise me you won’t waste it”

“Rangi please-“

“Promise me Kyoshi, they still need you”

Kyoshi swallowed, taking Rangi’s hand, and kissing the top. “I promise”

“How am I even supposed to begin to exist without you?”

“You’ve done it before, you will do it again.” Rangi smiles.

“What if all that’s left when you leave is the Avatar?”

“Then just know that once you’ve done all you can, helped as many lives you can touch that I’ll be waiting to make you whole. I promise”

Kyoshi holds her as close as she dares. “I’m sorry Kyoshi, I’m so tired. Can we talk later?” Rangi asks.

“Of course love, rest now”

“But I don’t think I can sleep yet,” Kyoshi admits.

“Then count the stars my love, that’s never failed you”

To count the stars, to wish upon them once more.

“Can you do one more thing for me?” Rangi says her breath growing shaky.

“When you no longer feel me, take off my ring.”

“Rangi, I can’t,” Kyoshi’s voice wobbled at the thought.

“Please, the last thing I leave with you can’t be a mess, please Kyoshi”

“Okay”

A small breeze drifted in from the window, the moonlight shining across Rangi’s gray striked hair.

“I promise-” She started once more. “To find you in every life time”

“A promise?” Kyoshi held her pinky out on the blankets for Rangi to link. “A threat, Kyoshi. You’ll never outrun me”

“Will we all meet again?” Kyoshi asked.

“I promise” Rangi started. “You, I and Koko. We will find each other again.”

Kyoshi couldn’t allow herself to cry, for she even feared if she blinked too long she would miss too much.

“Kyoshi, my only. It was ever only you” Rangi smiled at her words.

“Loving you was my greatest honor”

Rangi closed her eyes, but not for a single minute did Kyoshi sleep. She stayed there holding Rangi, hoping that somehow she would extend their timelines.

She had mastered all the elements, but she would have given it all for 5 more minutes.

But her breath began to slow, and for the first time Rangi’s body was cold as the sun peeked over the horizon, the freshly turned leaves starting to fall. The light filled the room as tears finally fell from Kyoshi’s eyes, as she placed a final kiss on Rangi’s gray streaked hair.

“Until we meet again my love”

Kyoshi remains still in bed with Rangi beside her, not daring to move. Moving meant it was real. Moving meant that she was actually gone, and this was not some cruel dream, but rather the cruel reality.

She picks her head up at the sound of the door opening, it must have been almost noon by now from where the sun was at.

“Is she-“

“Gone.” Kyoshi finished her daughter’s sentence, she no longer had any tears by now. “Yes, but we will all meet again she promised me that”

She watched her daughter wrap her arms around herself, not knowing if she should step further or back, eyes simply fixed on the body that once held her dearly.

At the sight Kyoshi moved for the first time since Rangi’s passing, out of their bed to embrace her daughter.

“She was so proud of you” She whispered, resting her chin on Koko’s head.

“I miss her”

“Yes I do too” Kyoshi took a breath looking back once to the bed. “Come now, we should let her rest”

A clenched hand falls back to Kyoshi’s side as she follows Koko out of the room. Two rings tightly held in her hand.

Kyoshi had traveled with Koko to the fire nation to attend a proper fire nation funeral. As Rangi, though long retired, was still a high ranking lieutenant.

It was the first time she had seen Jinap in a while, when Rangi’s health was declining Kyoshi paused all work. Told him to not pass a single letter her way as she lived out her last days whole.

She watched her wife’s body burn as they cast a flame to the casket so pure a white it reminded her of the fire bender’s brilliant flame.

Yet even as she watched the casket burn to nothing, she didn’t cry. The makeup remained perfectly intact, as if becoming the last barrier between herself in the world.

When the ceremony ended, and she had turned to leave, the two rings strung on the chain around her neck clinking together.

There had been a ceremony back on Yokoya as well, at the top of the lushest hill. Kyoshi stood in front of the Yokoya warriors. Though the tomb had no body, it felt more like a funeral than the one held by the fire nation army.

Koko watched her mother, who had always stood so tall and proud now suddenly seemed so alone. Because for the first time there was no one at her right. All her life Rangi had always been at Kyoshi’s right. It didn’t matter when or where, she was always at her right.

Now her mother stood completely alone.

For a moment Koko considered stepping forward to fill that space, before remembering what Rangi had told her, “that has and will forever be my job”

So she remained with the other warriors, not daring to take that space. No one would ever again fill that space.

People had all said something, something about how what a wonderful woman her Mami was. How she was brave and strong. How she always helped those in need.

When it had finally been her turn a million thoughts came to her mind of what her Mami was to her, how can you put all that into words completely?

“She was my mother” Koko had nearly choked on the word was. “And I will always love her”

The sun had started to dip as people made their way down the hill, leaving Koko and Kyoshi alone at the grave. That Koko had finally brought herself to read to tomb

Here lies lieutenant Rangi of the Senika clan, honored warrior, cherished comrade, and above all the avatars only. Beloved by the Avatar, and Koko, leader of the Yokoya warriors. In this life and the next.

When the last person was all the way down the hill, Koko approached her mother on the left. Standing side by side, all she could do was look at the tomb.

Koko watches as her mother reaches up and tugs at the chain around her neck. As it snaps the two rings landed in her palm.

“We will all find each other again” Koko whispered.

Kyoshi could only nod, she had promised her that. They would all find each other some day.

Someday.

Kyoshi watched as Koko then knelt in front of the grave herself, whispering words to her mami with a sad smile on her face as tears streaked her face. “I love you”

Slowly she stood, facing Kyoshi.

“You and Mami were the best things to ever happen to me” She whispered, looking up at Kyoshi’s face. Stripes of facepaint gone, stripped by tears Koko hadn’t seen fall.

“And you to us”

Kyoshi didn’t move, her expression barely shifted. But Koko knew that her mother felt this with her whole being, part of the heart that loved her was now gone.

Koko moved her hand across the top of the grave, slowly. “I’m going to visit tomorrow with flowers,” She said softly, as her fingers left the surface.

“Can I sleep in your bed tonight?”

“Of course” Kyoshi’s voice sounded hoarse. “I’ll be down later.”

Koko could only nod, as she hugged her mother once more before heading down the hill.

And then Kyoshi fell, her knees hitting the earth beneath her with such force that the ground cracked slightly. Her forehead met the dirt and she cried, sobbed.

She cried out hoping that if she cried loud enough something would happen.

That she would get to hold her, trace her face, kiss her forehead, even argue with Rangi one last time.

What she wouldn’t give for one more minute.

Taking a moment she pulled the dew from the nearby blades of grass. Pulling enough that she could wash her makeup away completely.

“How could you leave me?” She whispered into the ground.

More tears had fallen, damping the soil in turn.

As she picked her head up she lifted the pair of rings up. Taking Rangi’s embedded with a small red gem, kissing it softly before opening a small grave in the dirt.

Letting the two rings fall, they clinked together one last time as they settled in the dirt as she covered them

“Until we meet again, right Rangi?” She asked the sky above.

The sky of course didn’t answer.

So she walked down the hill, never once had she felt the weight of the chain mail, but suddenly it felt like everything bound her was trying to pull her under the crust of the earth.

Part of her wished it would.

As she pushed the door open, she found Koko sitting at the kitchen table with a bowl of noodles in front of her and one in Kyoshi’s spot.

“They’re cold,” Koko says, not looking up from the bowl. “Mami always used to warm them the best”

Kyoshi could only nod, “She was always the best”

And they ate their noodles cold that night. 

I cried, anyways onto the last part… see y’all there

I promise there is a happy ending