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The heavy weight of her gear hits the ground with a solid thud. Rangi wipes her brow clean, only for a new line of sweat to form mere moments later. Her lips are cracked like concrete and her throat has become sandpaper. Yun nudges her. In his hands, is a fresh water bottle from the cooler they keep on hand. It already has become as sweaty as her.
"Thank you," Rangi says. She presses the cold plastic against the back of her neck. Cold spreads across her spine, sending much needed relief though out her body.
"Good work out there, Chief," Yun says before taking a long swig of his water. Half the bottle is gone in one gulp.
"You think people would be smart enough not to leave their food on the oven when they leave their homes," Rangi huffs. "Or not putting water on oil."
"That's why you got me!" Yun grins from ear to ear. He bends the sand from the bag at his hip. "Waterbenders always get credit for stopping fires but they always forget about us earth, air, and firebenders on the front lines."
Rangi rolls her eyes. "With all the hot air you spew, you might just be an airbender."
Yun chuckles. "At least it was only the kitchen. When was the last time we had an actual fire?"
"I don't want to remember. Hopefully we won't have one anytime soon." Rangi hangs up her gear and grabs her keys. "Can you lock up? I have to get home."
"Only if you tell Koko her Uncle Yun kicked butt."
Rangi scoffs, causing Yun to laugh. She pops into her car, letting the AC blast her, and makes the drive home. By the time she pulls into the driveway, the sky has turned a soft shade of pink. Rangi grumbles as she steps outside.
One person forgetting about her dinner made her leave her own. She and Kyoshi were just starting to settle in. A ladle of stalknose mushroom soup was in Rangi's hands when her radio screamed to life. Kyoshi told her she didn't have to go, there were plenty of others on the crew. That Yun could handle a grease fire without her. But Rangi said no, not wanting to risk not being there if the fire spread. Who's better at understanding a fire then a firebender? And worse comes to worse—if the fire consumed more than just a single home, she would be needed to create a backburn.
Wonder how cold the food is…
Rangi enters her home. She does not make it far before her a small figure hits her directly in the legs. Rangi staggers, catching herself from the sudden assault. Looking down, she finds her own 'mini me' attached to her legs. Kyoshi loving gave her that nickname, as the only thing the little girl received from her are her freckles, and her grandmother's grey eyes.
"Welcome home, Mama!" Koko shouts. "Did ya stop the fire?"
Rangi smiles. She reaches down, ruffles up Koko's ink black hair before scooping up her daughter. "Of course I did! No fire can stop your Mama!"
"Did Uncle Yun join you?"
"He did. Your Uncle Yun always helps puts out the fires. Is your Mommy in the living room? Can you lead the way to her?"
Koko nods. The five year old squirms out of Rangi's grasp. Once little feet are on the floor, she races off down the hall. Rangi has no time to catch her breath before she is attempting to keep up with Koko.
"Mommy!" Koko shouts—she has yet you learn her inside voice—as she enters the living room. "Mama is home!"
Kyoshi appears out of thin air. Arms wrap around Rangi's waist, pulling her close. Lips brush against Rangi's cheek.
"Ack! Kyoshi!" Rangi says, unable to hide the delight in her voice. "I am all sweaty! Can I shower first?"
"You know I don't care," Kyoshi smiles. "How was it?"
"We got it under control fairly quickly. Gave the homeowner a stern talking to about leaving their food on the oven."
"How badly did you scare them?"
"I don't think they will ever do it again, if that answers your question." Rangi manages to pull away from her wife's grasp. "How was dinner?"
"Haven't eaten yet. Was waiting for you."
Rangi cranes her neck. Sure enough, everything is still on the stove, the burner set to a shimmer. Rangi opens her mouth but is quickly stopped by a finger to her lips.
"Koko had some food. She wanted to wait too, but I made her have something."
"Good. We don't need her getting that bad habit of yours." Rangi sighs, her shoulders drooping. "You didn't have to wait for me."
Kyoshi shrugs. "We wanted to. Can't change it now."
Rangsi sighs, rubbing her temple. "What am I going to do with you two?"
"C'mon, Mama!" Koko says, tugging on the hem of Rangi's shirt. "Let's eat!"
Rangi takes another scoop of her soup. This time, it is able to make it into the bowl. Koko wolf downs her food, nearly choking on it. Rangi not only has to remind her to slow down and chew her food, but not to speak with her mouth full.
One everyone's bellies are full, Koko pesters Rangi into tell her all about the fire.
"It was just a grease fire," Rangi chuckles as she settles onto the couch with Kyoshi.
"But did ya have ta save anyone? Did anything burn down?"
"I didn't have to save anyone, thankfully," Rangi tells her. "The only thing that burned were some cabinets."
"Do ya ever get scared?"
"Sometimes. But it's not the fire I am scared of."
Koko blinks. Her head tilts to the side. "What do ya get scare of?"
Rangi brushes her hand against Koko's cheek. "Not being able to come home to you or your mother."
Kyoshi's strong arms wrap around her abdomen, pulling Rangi as close as humanly possible to her chest. Lips press against the top of Rangi's skull.
"I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon," Rangi reassures. "Someone has to make sure Kyoshi eats and sleeps."
"Hey! I can take care of myself!" Kyoshi retorts.
Rangi snorts. "Says the woman who had to be reminded to eat breakfast for the past four days. A five year old had to keep reminding you."
Kyoshi turns red, her freckles becoming more visible. Giggles escape Koko.
"Yeah, Mommy! You gotta eat!"
The redness spreads to Kyoshi's ears. Her eyes dart away from her wife and daughter. "I don't need the two of you ganging up on me!"
Rangi wipes the sweat from her brow, smearing soot across her forehead. Her nostrils tickle from the lingering smoke in the air. Turning her gaze behind her, she watches at the waterbenders spray the last of the burning embers. The house that stood here only hours ago as been reduced to charcoal and blacken wood.
Electrical fire. The melted power strip that she found and now sits at her feet is the culprit. Overloaded, it had no choice but to unleash the pent up energy. The result is a skeleton of a home.
A sharp crack—like a gun going off—pierces the air. Rangi snaps her head up just in time to watch a support beam splinter down the middle. The smoking pieces crash down to the earth, sending up a small plume of smoke into the air.
Thank the spirits everyone got out, Rangi thinks to herself.
A harsh cough escapes her. Invisible shards of glass scrape against her throat. Her body curls in on itself as her lungs lose control of themselves. As quickly as the attack comes, it ends, leaving her gasping for air.
"You okay there, Topknot?"
Rangi looks up, finding Kirima standing by her.
"I'm fine," Rangi replies, straightening out her body.
"Shouldn't firebenders be use to smoke? Seems like you would breath it in a lot."
"You breathe in burning timber, then we will talk."
Kirima snorts. "A couple of others are going back to your firehouse to catch their breath. You should join them."
Rangi gives her a look. Kirima throws her hands in the air.
"Hey, I don't need a chief dying on my hands. That sounds like a pain to deal with. Kyoshi might kill me too. 'Sides, weren't you guys having a party when the call came in? Go back and be with your family. The rest of your crew and ours can take care of this."
Rangi chews the bottom of her lip. She doesn't like to leave a fire like this. But the sweat won't stop dripping from her face and her throat remains raw. With a huff, she concedes. She, along with a handful of others, hop into one of the many trucks and are brought back to the Yokoya Fire Station.
After stripping out of her gear, Rangi decides to head towards the showers. Her clothes stick to her skin with sweat and the soot threatens to drip down into her eyes. As she heads to her locker to get the spare clothes she always keeps tucked away, Koko appears. Grey eyes widen as she races down the hall, nearly tripping on the slick tile.
"Mama!" the young girl squeals.
"Hi, baby," Rangi grins. "Were you a good girl?"
Koko stops right by Rangi. Little hands grab Rangi's and start pulling her towards the lounge.
"I did! Some older kids showed me how ta play pool! Come play with me!"
"They taught you you play pool?!?"
Koko nods vigorously. "C'mon, Mama! I want ta show you!"
Rangi is pulled against her will into the lounge, joining many other firefighters and their families. The moment Kyoshi spots her wife and daughter, a smile spreads from ear to ear. When she is within arms reach, she attempts to embrace Rangi.
"Ack! Kyo!" Rangi throws a hand up. Kyoshi's lips are stopped by her calloused palms. "I am covered in sweat and soot! Do you really want to hug and kiss me?!?"
Kyoshi doesn't hesitate with her answer. "Yes."
She pushes Rangi's hand away and pulls her onto a tight hug. Kisses pepper her cheek, much to her dismay (and pleasure).
Rangi squirms in her wife's arms, but only puts up half a fight. "Can the two of you let me shower?!?" Why do you have to keep kissing me when I am gross?!?
"No," both Kyoshi and Koko says in unison. And people claim Rangi and Koko are twins.
"I love you both but can y-"
Coughs spill out of her mouth, her throat constricting more with each harsh exhale. Tears prick at the edges of her eyes. Fingers dig into Kyoshi's back, nails nearly tearing through the soft fabric.
Kyoshi keeps her steady as her body jerks. A hand rubs small circles against Rangi's back. When breathes come out steady, though with a slight edge, Kyoshi speaks.
"What happened?!? Are you okay?"
"Smoke and exertion," Rangi wheezes. She inhales deeply, holding the precious oxygen in her aching lungs for several seconds, before exhaling. "I'll need some rest."
"Are you sure?" Kyoshi's eyebrows knit together.
"I've been through worse. You know that. A little smoke is nothing to a firebender."
"You worry over me not eating. I think breathing in smoke is worse than that!"
"Kyo, I will be fine." Rangi reassures. She cups her hands against Kyoshi's warm cheeks. "You earthbenders eat dirt, firebenders inhale smoke."
Kyoshi scoffs at the first half of the statement.
"Let me take a shower. Once I am clean, I will sit. Plus, I have to watch Koko play pool." She looks towards her daughter. "Remember, Sei'naka's don't lose. You're going to kick everyone's butt, correct?"
Koko nods, her face filled with determination and eyes burning with pride.
"That's my girl."
The high pitched wail of her radio snaps Rangi awake. Even before the cracked voice of the operator comes to life, she is on her feet, her jacket half slung over her shoulders. Behind her, Kyoshi stirs. She sits propped up on an elbow, her green eyes half lit.
"Fire?" Kyoshi mumbles.
"Yes. Sounds like a three alarm, they are calling everyone," Rangi answers.
Kyoshi drags herself across the bed. Long arms reach Rangi's waist, pulling her close enough to bury her face between her shoulder blades.
"Come back. I don't want to wake up to an empty spot in the bed," Kyoshi mumbles, her voice barely audible.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be back before you know it."
With a kiss for good luck, Rangi races off. In the dead of night, barely a soul wanders the streets. The flashing lights in her car are of little use, no one needs to move aside for her. Rangi makes it to the fire department in record time. The trucks are ready to go, engines roaring. Half the crew has their gear on. Rangi is in hers in a flash and leaps into the driver seat of a truck. Yun hops into the passenger side.
"What do you think caused this fire?" Yun asks with a yawn.
Rangi speeds out of the fire department, blaring the truck's sirens and lights. "Hopefully not something stupid," she grumbles. "I don't need another fire caused by an idiot who fell asleep smoking."
She makes a sharp turn. Off in the horizon, the dark, navy blue sky changes to a bright orange. Rangi steps on the pedal, sending the truck flying. Sirens from the numerous amount of trucks fill the air, surely waking up anyone nearby. With each turn down the streets, the brighter the sky becomes. With one final turn, Rangi reaches her destination.
The apartment building is eaten alive by brilliantly colored flames. Thick, black plumes of smoke climb into the sky. The amount of flashing lights in the area nearly blinds Rangi as she steps out onto the pavement. Waterbenders and earthbenders are already working to smother the flames. The handful of airbenders attempt to starve the hungry fire.
"Oi! Topknot!" Kirima shouts. "About time you and your crew came."
"What's the situation?" Rangi asks.
"Dunno everything. But there are still several people trapped in the upper levels. A few other firebenders are inside trying to get them out."
She doesn't need to be told anything more. Rangi secures her oxygen mask to her face, grabs an axe, and makes her way towards the inferno. She quickly finds the opening made by other firebenders.
The flames are intense. Rangi can feel the heat through her gear. She quickly reaches with the other benders. They catch her up, informing her they believe only a few people are left. All of them split up in their search for survivors. Rangi fights back the flames with her own, allowing small openings for her to jump through. After travelling up two flights of stairs, Rangi finds someone sheltering in a room.
The fire eats at the doorframe, keeping them trapped inside. Rangi jumps through the flames without an ounce of hesitation. The person, a young teenager, nearly throws themself against Rangi.
"Thank the spirits someone is here!" they shout.
"Are you alright?" Rangi asks.
They nod. "I think so. It's getting hard to breathe…"
Smoke is filling the air, choking out what little oxygen is left. Rangi has to get them out of here quickly. Before doing so, she turns her attention to her radio. Her eyes momentarily leave the teenager.
"I found someone. I am about to bring them down. How is everyone else?"
"All clear here. Your guy should be one of the last one," comes the reply. "Bring them quickly so we can get this over with."
"Ten-four."
Something catches her attention out of the corner of her eye. The teenager has their hands pressed against the closed window. Rangi's eyes widen in horror and her heart stops dead in her chest. Her body moves without thought. Arms wrap around the teenager, the a cool night breeze kiss the nape of her neck…
And the sounds of a bomb going off floods her ears before everything goes dark.
Rangi's body is heavy. Any sort of connection her brain might have had with her limbs have been severed. She attempts to open her eyes and figure out what is happening, but her eyelids are made of lead. Only two things seem to be working. Her nerves, which feel as if they are exposed to all the elements. And, her ears. Muffled voices shout at each other. The heat around her disappears. A groan escapes her as the sudden temperature drop assaults her body.
A new voice enters the fray. At first, all she can make out is the anger in their voice. Rangi feels herself placed on the ground. She attempts again to open her eyes but to no avail. The new voice comes closer to her.
"Kyoshi is going to kill me!" they say. "Topknot, you better not die on me or I am hunting down your spirit to kill you."
Something cold envelopes her. A sharp hiss of pain escapes through her teeth.
"It'll feel better in a second," the voice says.
The pain reaches a peak. Needles dig into her skin, threatening to tear her apart at the very atoms that make up her being. Just as she feels like her body can take no more, everything calms. In fact, her nerves disappear. What little connections she has to her body fades away. The voice beings to become distance as her mind loses consciousness.
"That's right. Sleep, Rangi. We'll get you back to Kyoshi and Koko."
Rangi sees fires already around her, eating away everything with a rapturous appetite. Through the flames, she sees a young teenager cowering in free. Rangi attempts to reach them but the flames block her. They reach towards the ceiling, forming a hot wall. Rangi winces as the flames lick her arms.
Through the thick, choking, black smoke, Rangi watches as the teenager opens the window. She can only watch in horror as the fireball consumes the teenager, and covers her vision in a sheet of burning red and orange light.
Rangi gasps, her lungs burning as they are flooded with oxygen. Eyes snap open and pale, fluorescent, white lights blind her. Her body flies forward, her mind still registering an unknown danger. She is stopped by not only the wires attached to her body, but the pain that ripples through her to her very core. Teeth dig into her lip. Cooper tickles her tongue. Ears ring with the sound of a fiery blast.
Hands press against her shoulders. Rangi snaps her head up, eyes meeting Kyoshi's. They are filled with several different emotions. Joy, sadness, relief, and pain.
"Easy, Rangi! You're okay! Don't aggravate anything," Kyoshi soft says, a strain in her voice.
"Wh-What happened?" Rangi asks. Her mind is as hazy as the smoke she sees in it.
Kyoshi gently pushes Rangi back down on the bed. After some minor adjustment—such as positioning Rangi into a upright position—she informs her what happened.
"You got caught in a backdraft. Some other firefighters found you unconscious with a young teenager by your side. They said they had opened a window and you shielded them. The teen wasn't hurt at all and was taken to safety."
Kyoshi inhales deeply as she continues. "After you got dragged out, Kirima did some basic healing before you were carted off. Atuat took care of you. She healed most of your injuries but you still are pretty banged up. Broken ribs, a concussion, and some smoke inhalation. You've been out cold for over a day."
Rangi runs a hand through her hair. "Crap. Does Koko know?"
Kyoshi sighs. "She knows you got hurt. Your mom has been watching her. She'll be excited to see you."
Kyoshi's shoulders fall her eyes darkening. Rangi swears there are heavy bags under her eyelids. Her hair is unkempt to boot. Slowly, Rangi raises her hand. With Kyoshi's mind elsewhere, she fails to notice the fingers about to flick her.
"Ow!" Kyoshi yelps at the impact between her eyes. "What was that for?!?"
"Have you eaten at all?" Rangi asks bluntly. She receives her answer when Kyoshi looks away. "Of course you haven't."
"How could I when you were out cold in a hospital bed?!?"
Rangi grabs a nearby tray with food that has been left out for her. "You could have eaten my crappy hospital food."
"It's for you when you woke up."
"I'm awake now, aren't I? You have half, and I will have the other half. And you better eat are I am going to shove it down your throat."
Kyoshi grumbles but concedes. The pair sit in silence as they eat the bland and tasteless hospital food. After about ten minutes, Rangi breaks the awkwardness with a cough.
"I'm sorry for scaring you. Needless to say, I wasn't planning on nearly getting blown up."
"I know," Kyoshi wipes a tear from her face. "I guess this is payback for all the times I've given you a heart attack."
Rangi chuckles. She regrets it quickly as her ribs protest. "You've gotten better with your vigilantism."
"You saved a kid. If you didn't throw yourself on them when you did, they could have been killed. I can't be mad at you for that. They feel really bad for almost blowing you up. They didn't realize it was a bad idea to open a window."
"I need to go to more school to teach the kids what not to do." Rangi shifts in bed, finding a more comfortable spot for her aching body. "I want to see Koko."
"I'll call your mom."
Koko arrives within the half hour. Hei-ran has to grab her by the collar to prevent her granddaughter from jumping on Rangi.
"Koko!" Hei-ran scolds. "What did I tell you? Your mother can not be jumped on!"
"I'm sorry, Grandma," Koko says. "I promise not ta jump on Mama."
Hei-ran lets her go. Kyoshi helps her daughter onto the bed.
"How are ya, Mama?" Koko asks.
"Sore. But your Mama is tough. I'll be back on my feet in no time."
Koko blinks, the gears in her little head turning. She shifts in the bed, being mindful of her mother's injuries. Tiny hands place themselves on Rangi's cheeks and little lips press between her eyes.
"A kiss will make ya feel better!" Koko shouts. "Do you feel better, Mama?"
Rangi softly smiles. She carefully pulls her daughter into a hug. "Of course."
Koko grins from ear to ear. "I healed ya like Granny Atuat!"
"I'm lucky to have you," Rangi says. She turns her attention to Kyoshi. Carefully, she pulls her in for a soft kiss. "And you. I'll keep my promise that I won't ever leave you two."