Only you- Rangi & Kyoshi

Chpater 42

Rangi wasn't sure when her body had made the transition from wake to sleep. But her mind kept running. She kept replaying a conversation she had earlier that day with one of the healers. What would happen if Kyoshi didn't wake up soon enough?

The woman had said three day was the most that Kyoshi's body could stand. Three days, and it already has been one.

Soon over and over again she heard the healer say it was day three over and over again. She was forced to watch time go but unable to move. Rangi had felt like she saw the whole day pass without being able to move. She watched as Kyoshi lost more and more color each moment, like she would wither away at any moment.

When she was finally able to move again it was day four, she had stumbled forward from the position she was stuck in. As she tried to take Kyoshi's hand she was cold. There was no pulse, she couldn't be gone-

The first couple breaths of air felt hard, like the air had become stiff. Rangi clutched the fabric over her chest like it would make breathing easier. She began frantically scanning the room, still unsure what had happened.

She had nightmares before regarding Kyoshi's safety, so there was only one fix she knew of. It was so second nature that she didn't give it another thought as she called out Kyoshi's name softly.

Once her eyes had adjusted to the darkness more she was able to find Kyoshi's silhouette. Rangi reached for Kyoshi's hand and squeezed it hoping it would wake her. She just wanted to feel less panicked and less scared.

"Kyoshi-" But she suddenly stopped short when she remembered, Kyoshi wouldn't wake up not to her call. Or it was very unlikely. She still hadn't woken up from the battle. There was a pulse, but no answer to Rangi's call.

She sat there in the silence trying to pick up the sound of Kyoshi's breathing between the sound of her own thudding heartbeat in her ears.

But it didn't feel like this was enough, it felt like she was still trapped in the dream. Images from her nightmare still flashed through her head, even though she could feel Kyoshi there beside her she couldn't shake it.

She wanted to will this feeling to go away, but the one person who she knew would make her feel better. Who would hold her until, and tell her stories until she forgot about her own thoughts even though she was laying there beside Rangi, she had never felt more far away.

Dropping Kyoshi's hand she wrapped her arms around her middle, the images still swarming in her head. Then she thought of something else, the only other form of comfort she might have left.

Rangi had pressed a kiss to Kyoshi's forehead before heading down the hall. Although the closer she got the more she wanted to retreat. But before she knew it she was at the door.

The firebender wasn't sure what force had completed her to open the door but it creaked open as a rush of regret coursed through her.

All her instincts told her to leave, that it was pathetic to be here now. But as she was about to turn to leave she heard her name being called out.

"Rangi is that you?" Hei ran called out into the darkness as she held a small flame in her palm just bright enough to illuminate the key features of her face.

Rangi took a step closer letting the door shut behind her, unsure what to say, or what to do.

"Is everything alright?" Her mother had called out, but Rangi couldn't find any words, she just looked to the other side of the room.

"Why don't you sit for a moment?" Hei ran asked as she went to light the lamp near her bed.

Rangi had complied as she walked stiffly over and perched on the end of the bed. The two sat there a good while in the silence. Neither moving, Rangi looked at the floor while Hei ran tried to find what she would say next.