The following days Kyoshi's focus soon turned to her training. But more than usual. She started to hyper focus on her progress. Where she was, and where she needed to be. How much she has to do if she wants to help the fire nation. Which she needed to be able to do as the avatar, but more importantly for Rangi. She knew how important her home was to her. Which only made it that much more important to Kyoshi. She had to get stronger.
One dewy morning as she was training Rangi walked up to her with a determined look in her eyes. "I'm ready to try fire bending again. '' Kyoshi was surprised. She had always wondered when Rangi was going to attempt firebending again. Or if she had already and just didn't tell her. Apparently not, cause here they were.
"Do you need a minute? I can leave if you want," Kyoshi offered. "No, it's fine. I want you here"
Kyoshi took a couple steps behind her as Rangi took a deep breath. As much as she tried only a thin shaky flame came forth. Kyoshi stayed silent. She tried again, a slightly larger flame burst forth producing as little heat as the last. Kyoshi watched as rage started to fill the fire bender, as she tried over and over again while Kyoshi remained completely still.
It hurt Kyoshi to watch as Rangi struggled. But something was off, and Kyoshi had a feeling that firebending wasn't going to happen today. Either way Kyoshi didn't want her to push herself too far before she was ready. But would Rangi really stop before that happened?
Possibly an hour had passed, and nothing had changed. Rangi wasn't going to stop.
"Rangi that's enough" Kyoshi said, but Rangi barely acknowledged her continuing to try and produce a steady flame. "Rangi stop" She walked up behind her, forcing Rangi's arms to her chest. "Nothing is going to change if you try one time or fifty more times"
"You just need some time. '' Listening to those words Rangi never felt more defeated. Her knees fell weak, as she stayed balanced in Kyoshi's arms.
"I was sure... I was sure" She mumbled as she turned burying her face in Kyoshi's chest.
"It's okay we can try again later" Kyoshi tried to explain, Rangi didn't even listen. "I was sure, I was so sure"
Kyoshi's heart aches for Rangi, and what she must be feeling. She knew what it felt like to have no control over your own power. How confusing, how irritating it is. How helpless you feel. She wished she didn't have to endure it.
Days passed with little progress. Day after day Kyoshi stood and watched as Rangi tried again and again. "How about we meditation, like with the candles?" Kyoshi offered quietly. Rangi stopped for a second. Considering the idea.
"I remember you had me do it for hours, and hours. So many hours really... but I think it could help" Kyoshi explained, trying not to fumble over her words. "It's worth a shot"
Rangi pressed her lips together, but nodded as she turned to follow Kyoshi into the temple.
Kyoshi rummaged through a basket until she found some candles, and began to place them in front of a meditation cushion. Neither one of them spoke as they sat down. Rangi looked worried as she turned to look at the candles then again at Kyoshi.
Kyoshi gave an awkward look as she leaned over to light the candles. She felt stupid for not doing it sooner.
She watched as Rangi began to take deep breaths, slowly but surly the flames started to quiver, then grow.
The flames soon fell into pattern with Rangi's breathing. Kyoshi just sat there awkwardly, not wanting to close her eyes.
As time passed the flames seemed to continue to follow seamlessly. Kyoshi started to wonder if Rangi was easily able to control the already lit flames, then why did she still struggle to produce a flame on her own?
After the meditation they sat at the table staring at their plates. The conversation was slow and dry. Everyone focused on their own thoughts.
"So I guess we have a trip to plan." Jinpa said, looking up. Kyoshi nodded. "I was thinking that we would head to the royal palace first, visit the fire lord and see how he's dealing with all this. I'm sure he's getting letters about the matters as well."
"That sounds like a good first step. Then maybe we could proceed to move out to the other clans and islands." Kyoshi added.
They both turned to look at Rangi who was unusually quiet. "Any suggestions?" Kyoshi asked. "I was thinking that maybe we would swing by the earth kingdom first, you know check on things over there." She said, looking down toward the table. Kyoshi scanned Rangi's face. She refused to make eye contact, and just continued to stare at her plate, her hands resting in her lap.
"Jinpa, can you give us a second?"
"Sure why not? Anything else I can do for you?" He replied sarcastically as he turned to leave.
"Rangi I have to go to the Fire Nation, I can't just leave all those people to deal with these possible dark spirits."
"I know I know, and I'm not letting you go alone," Rangi replied coldly. Kyoshi tilted her head. "Last time wasn't exactly a walk in the park. But it's just..."
"Look everything is going to be fine-"
"But what if it's not?!" Rangi exclaimed looking up.
"We've dealt with this sort of thing before, everything is going to be fine"
"Will you stop saying that?!" Rangi snapped. "You don't know that okay?" She yelled, turning around.
All the blood drained from Kyoshi's face, she was stunned. She felt tears building in her eyes. Did Rangi not feel safe, like she felt she couldn't protect herself? Or like she couldn't protect her.
"What's this really about?" Kyoshi asked, her voice slightly shaking. "A part of me is missing..." She started. Still with her back turned. Kyoshi didn't know what to say.
"It just feels like this part of me...I don't know, it feels like I don't know who I am anymore."
"I just feel so lost, and confused, and I..." She took a breath before continuing and she turned around facing Kyoshi.
"I have standards to uphold, someone of my rank can't be seen in the fire nation in this condition." She said in defeat.
"I just feel like such a failure"
Kyoshi bit her lip as she processed what she was saying. "None of us think that you're a failure."
"Really then what would you call this?!" Rangi exclaimed, slamming her hands down on the table. Kyoshi continued to stand there in shock.
"All my talent and skill has boiled down to first year's at best. At best Kyoshi!" She yelled, suddenly grabbing the hem of Kyoshi's tunic.
"Rangi, you know you are much more to me than just your fire bending right?"Kyoshi asked, taking her hands.
"We can take this at any pace, we can get up at dawn if you want, or we can train until the stars are dancing in the sky... either way, I will do anything to help you."
"Anything?"
"Anything, but I do think we should talk to your mother about this. She might be able to help."
"But what if she mad, or-"
"She'll be happy you're healed"
Rangi buried her face in Kyoshi's chest, as they stood there. Kyoshi looked out the window into the starry night. For the love of Rava, if I'm not strong enough to deal with the fire nation, or the dark spirits, please let me be strong enough to protect her.
They had sent a letter to Rangi's mother that night, as well as the Fire Lord announcing their trip, and when they planned to come. As the time of their departure neared Rangi seemed to grow to like the idea of returning to the fire nation more. She was excited to see her mother again, though a bit scared at the same time. But Kyoshi could be right. She just might be happy that she's safe.
Although they had a very strong relationship, it wasn't necessarily the most traditional. When you're the Headmistress's daughter you are excited to be the best, nothing less. You can't afford mistakes, no bad behavior. All eyes are constantly on you. Anything and everything you do will reflect upon your mother, your family name, both the good and bad.
So for Rangi graduating early was more less just expected of her. No heads even turned. It was just expected. Everything she did just felt like it was expected.
Kyoshi however. She wasn't part of the plan. Guarding the Avatar yes, falling for her no. But it was possibly the best thing that ever happened to her.
"Have you ever tried counting all the stars?" Kyoshi asked as they sat in bed with the comforters wrapped around them. "I can't say that I have."
"Have you?"
Kyohsi gave a light laugh. "At least a thousand times, can't say I ever got that far though"
"All those nights in Yokoya, I always tried to count the stars. But eventually I gave up"
"What made you give up if you already spent all that time on it?" Rangi asked. "Well I used to do it to take my mind off of things, but now it feels like there are some better things in my life that I can think about" She smiled.
"You're not slick you know" Rangi replied, rolling her eyes.
Just then a hawk landed on the window sill, Kyoshi got up leaving the nest of blankets to retrieve it. Her eyes widening as she opened it. "What's wrong, is everything okay?"
Kyoshi walked back over and sat on the end of the bed, Rangi crawled across leaning over her shoulder to read the letter. "Well the good news is that I don't think anyone else is hurt at the moment" She said, rolling back the letter. Rangi let out a sharp exhale of disapproval.
"But..."
"But I think our trip may be a little more complicated."
"Complicated?" Rangi snatched the scroll and examined it closer for herself. "It seems you've become quite popular," Rangi responded sarcastically.
"So popular I'm warned not to come"
"Are you nervous?" Rangi asked. She noticed Kyoshi's leg shaking slightly. "Nope" she tried to give her a sure smile.
"If you say so" Rangi responded, taking Kyoshi's hand.
As Kyoshi started to drift off that night she couldn't help but think about the fire nation. How did they know she was going to come? The only people they told were Hei-Ran and the Fire lord, they probably heard through the servants which made it's way to the locals, she thought. It didn't matter if she was welcomed or not she still had a job to do.
She was the Avatar she had duties to perform, tasks to uphold. She couldn't back down, she wouldn't back down. She would stand her ground.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed. I really excited about these next chapters, I'll have them out soon. Promise ❤️ As always feel free to leave suggestions or comments