Cliffside Reunion

Kyoshi stood on the cliff overlooking the bay, watching the cerulean waves crash against the rocky shore. The salt spray kissed her face, bracing yet soothing all at once. Closing her eyes, she drank in the clean ocean air. This was one of the few places left that still felt like home.

Ever since defeating Yun, she'd been traveling almost nonstop in her duties as Avatar - subduing various criminals and unrest across the Earth Kingdom. The constant motion left little chance for her to catch her breath. And though she was mostly welcomed wherever she went these days, with people excited to meet Avatar Kyoshi after hearing tales of her victory, something still didn't feel quite right to her core.

She was ready for a reprieve from the endless requests for aid. But more than that, her heart ached for Rangi's companionship again. Her fiery partner had responsibilities back in the Fire Nation that kept her away. But the separation wore on Kyoshi nonetheless, leaving her feeling incomplete.

As if summoned by her longing, the wind carried a familiar voice calling out. "I thought I might find you up here brooding."

Whirling around, Kyoshi's eyes lit up at the sight of Rangi nimbly climbing the last stretch of the cliffside path. Without hesitating she rushed forward, sweeping Rangi into a fierce embrace. Rangi melted against her, holding tight to steady them both.

"I can't believe you're really here," Kyoshi breathed, the knot in her chest already beginning to loosen at Rangi's touch.

Rangi grinned, her gold eyes flashing with mischief and affection. "Did you think I'd just leave my girlfriend to wander the world alone forever?" She cupped Kyoshi's face, stroking her cheek gently. "I told you I'm staying by your side. We all are."

With a small shock, Kyoshi realized Rangi hadn't come alone. There behind her stood the full Flying Opera Company - Kirima, Wong, Lao Ge. Each one bore a knowing smile.

"Well don't just stand there gawking," Kirima laughed. "Come show the avatar some love!"

Wong was the first to rush forward, nearly tackling Kyoshi with an embrace. Lao Ge followed close behind, squeezing her shoulder with his wizened hand.

"We couldn't leave you to your duties without backup forever," Wong said with a wink.

Overwhelmed, Kyoshi felt tears sting her eyes. Having these friends, her found family, together again was all she truly needed.

As they all broke apart, Rangi kept close to Kyoshi's side. "So," she murmured. "What does the Avatar do for fun around here?"

A mischievous grin tugged at Kyoshi's lips. She turned toward the nearby woods, raising her arms in a bending stance. The branches of the trees shook and swayed, leaves rustling. Then with a groan, an ancient tree twisted near the base. It leaned slowly at first, then pitched faster, leaves spraying as it hit the forest floor with a tremendous crack.

Kyoshi met Rangi's gaze, mirth dancing in her eyes. "I'll give you one guess."

Rangi narrowed her eyes at Kyoshi in amusement. "Escaping your duties by abusing nature, I see." She looked over to where the company stood prepping supplies, then back at Kyoshi. Her tone softened. "In all seriousness...are you holding up okay?"

Kyoshi let out a slow breath. It felt good to drop her veneer of composure. "Honestly? No. All of this still feels too heavy." Her shoulders slumped. "I think part of me hoped defeating Yun would make my quest to bring balance to the world simpler somehow. Instead..." She trailed off, shame creeping in.

Rangi touched her arm gently. "Instead, you just traded one set of burdens for another." Her eyes shone with empathy. "But that's why you have us."

Kyoshi nodded, gratitude sweeping through her. However difficult her path ahead, at least she wouldn't walk it alone. And with Rangi at her side again, she felt as if she could climb the highest mountain.

Beyond them, Kyoshi noticed Kirima gesturing toward trail food she'd set out for the group. "I suppose we should join them before the food's all gone," Kyoshi said with a soft laugh.

Rangi extended her hand, interlacing their fingers as they walked back toward their friends. After a moment though, her steps slowed. "Wait. I almost forgot..." She turned Kyoshi to face her, then reached into her satchel. "I brought you something. Close your eyes."

Kyoshi gave her a curious glance but complied. A second later, something metallic and cool slipped over her head to rest on her collarbone. "There," came Rangi's whisper. "Open."

Kyoshi looked down, fingering an ornate, golden necklace engraved with the airbending symbol. The pendant felt light yet substantial against her fingertips. "Rangi..." was all she managed.

"Since he can't make it today for obvious reasons...this is from Kelsang." Rangi gave a small smile. "Two Avatars — one destiny. No matter where you go or how heavy your burdens grow...part of their light and wisdom travels within you."

Rangi brushed a loose tear from Kyoshi's cheek, then simply pulled her close once more as the winds swept over their cliffside haven.

After a few blissful moments wrapped in each other's arms, Kyoshi and Rangi made their way over to join the rest of the Flying Opera Company. Lao Ge had managed to get a small campfire going, the flames crackling merrily as everyone gathered around its warmth.

Wong passed Kyoshi a plate piled high with sweet buns and fire flakes. "We figured your Avatar appetite could use some fuel," he said with a grin.

Kyoshi wasted no time devouring the feast before her. Only once fully sated did she come up for air, noticing the amused smiles from her friends. Kyoshi had started to eat better due to Rangi's constant supervision. "What?" Kyoshi asked self-consciously. "That customs official in Omashu held me up so long I missed lunch."

"By 'held you up' she means earthbent him twenty feet when he refused her entry to the city," Kirima snickered.

Kyoshi scowled, but Rangi simply patted her knee. "I'm sure he deserved it," she said loyally.

For awhile the group swapped stories, recalling old adventures and new exploits since they'd last been together. As the sunlight faded into dusk though, a comfortable silence settled around the campfire.

Kyoshi found herself focusing on the flames, her thoughts drifting. She felt endlessly grateful for thisfound family before her. After years adrift, she'd finally discovered where she belonged.

Yet introspection crept in...these connections could so easily have eluded her. If she'd clung to bitterness after Yun's demise rather than choosing understanding. If she'd rebuffed Rangi's overtures instead of opening herself to love. If power had corrupted her rather than teaching humility. So much had fallen fortuitously into place exactly when she needed it.

As though reading her mind, Lao Ge's gravelly voice broke the silence. "The threads between ourselves and others are not woven through mere chance, Avatar." His eyes glinted knowingly as he took a long pull from his flask. "Such bonds span lifetimes...drawing us toward their heat even in darkness."

Kyoshi met his intense gaze, considering his words. Perhaps through some quiet movement of Spirits, she had found her way home again with these friends - no matter how improbable their union seemed. She only hoped fate might permit them more time together than it had allowed with Yun and Kelsang. Their lights still burned within to guide her path.

She nestled closer to Rangi, letting her presence banish further dark thoughts. Whatever tomorrow held, tonight they had each other.

*******

The dawn's first rays streamed through the trees as Kyoshi gradually awoke, still cradled in Rangi's arms. Around them, the rest of the camp began to stir. All except for Lao Ge, who sat meditating on a nearby rock.

Kyoshi smiled softly at the familiar sight, warmth spreading through her chest. Spirits, how she'd missed this during their months apart - not just Rangi's tender embrace as they slept, but the simple comfort of friends living in close company. The aromatic scent of rice porridge as Wong cooked over the fire, the birdsong chorus heralding a new day, Kirima's usual attempts to rouse a silent Lao Ge with light prodding and jokes. It felt like coming home after a long, lonely voyage at sea.

As the group ate breakfast together, Kyoshi found herself watching Rangi. The way she gestured animatedly with her chopsticks, making Wong nearly shoot porridge from his nose in laughter. The mesmerizing dance of early sunlight in her obsidian hair whenever she moved. And most of all, that radiant, beautiful smile that never failed to make Kyoshi's heart skip.

After a few moments Rangi noticed her gaze and raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What is it?" She asked, though the coy quirk of her lips betrayed her awareness of precisely the effect she was having.

Kyoshi opened her mouth to respond when a haggard screech sounded from above. An urgently flapping messenger hawk circled downward, finally coming to rest on Kyoshi's outstretched forearm. With an ominous frown she unfurled the tiny scroll tied to its claw. As her eyes quickly scanned the messy writing though, her look of trepidation shifted into an irritated scowl.

"I know that face," Lao Ge grunted as he gulped down the last viscous dregs from his reptile-skin flask. "What new crisis beckons the Avatar's attention now, just as you've regained a modicum of peace?"

Kyoshi sighed, rolling up the cryptic message and feeding the great hawk a scrap of smoked fish in thanks before it took flight again. "My esteemed company has been requested most urgently in Gaoling by Governor Yunju." She turned toward Rangi, face awash with regret and longing. "Apparently the powerful Silk Weaver Guild and the Mining Union delegates have been clashing violently over land access rights near the mountain quarries. The Governor fears the situation escalating into chaos and economic ruin for Gaoling if I fail to intercede on the Earth King's behalf."

Rangi waved one hand in a display of casual nonchalance, though Kyoshi detected the ringing disappointment she attempted valiantly to mask. "Far be it from us to delay the Avatar from carrying out her duty to maintain harmony and world peace, one stuffy guild squabble at a time." In truth, Rangi had hoped desperately for more than a mere handful of days enjoying this blissful reunion before responsibility's crushing weight descended upon them once more. When would the neverending needs of the complex world ever permit them some semblance of peace or rest?

Lao Ge, however, simply issued one of his infuriatingly knowing smiles. "Destiny may weave unusual and unexpected threads at times...but in time the tapestry comes clear, as the constituents harmonize." His eyes flickered meaningfully between Kyoshi and Rangi. "Therefore I advise we all depart with due haste for Gaoling come sunrise tomorrow."

Kirima crossed her arms defiantly. "Really now - you know I'd relish a shot at quelling some juicy civil unrest as much as anyone, for old time's sake. But I'm failing to grasp how the lot of us barging in could hope to resolve some petty commercial land dispute between those business magnates."

Lao Ge drained the last viscous drops from his flask with a satisfied sigh. "Petty it may seem on the surface, yes. But the winds of upheaval gust once more, mark my words. I sense a gathering storm amidst the tranquil Gaoling hills and valleys -with the Silk Weavers and Miners Union at its explosive core." He fixed Kirima with a piercing glare. "The Avatar could use some... unconventionally skilled allies at her side, given brewing events poised to engulf that region."

Having vaguely dispensed this foreboding proclamation, Lao Ge gradually pushed himself to his feet and shuffled off toward the lonesome dirt road - not bothering to wait and see whether his fellow companions elected to follow.

Kyoshi swept her gaze over her band of steadfast friends as determination crystallized in her heart. "I cannot say what precise dangers or strange machinations await us in Gaoling. But of one thing I am utterly certain - whatever comes next, we shall undoubtedly face it together."

With their course decided, Kyoshi extended her hand and entwined her fingers with Rangi's. Thus resolved, Avatar Kyoshi led her comrades into the forest understory, trailing in Lao Ge's wake toward whatever new bend or upheaval the unpredictable road to Gaoling held ready...forever grateful for their faithful, formidable presences girding her for fate's unknown twists.