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Chapter Twenty-Six: That Awkward Tension
Zuko, Katara, and Aang decided to go get Appa. It killed time and would be useful. Katara and Zuko were subconsciously walking close and sharing a glance every once in a while. It made Aang uncomfortable.
"So, Zuko, what happened to your wrists?" Aang asked, snapping Zuko out of his daze. He was looking forward.
"Oh, uh." He had to process the question. "I had a small battle with Azula this morning."
"Oh. What happened?" Aang asked.
"Nothing. We fought, she got hurt and Ty Lee and Mai returned her to the ship." He said bluntly.
"I see." Aang said. Katara rolled her eyes. There was that strange tension, but now she knew what it was. They both really liked her. She was already technically with Zuko, but Aang didn't know that. She just hoped he didn't try anything.
"Hey, Aang, why don't we practice some waterbending!' Katara interrupted the silence between Zuko and Aang. She pointed to the river.
"OK!" He ran for it, following Katara. Zuko sighed. This better not be like the times he sparred with her. He sat at the shore and watched.
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"Aang, here, like this." Katara said as she went behind her friend and moved his arms to the right position. He blushed at the body contact. They were both in their under garments. Zuko sighed; he hated seeing them that close. He stood up.
"Where are you going, Zuko?" Katara asked as she faced Aang and took the stance she showed him.
"For a walk." He said, and continued walking.
"OK! Don't go to far!" She yelled as she continued to teach Aang, who let out a sigh of relief. Zuko almost made him fear being that close to her.
"Katara, can we take a little break?" Aang asked. They had been sparring for about a half hour, and he really wanted talk with her alone.
"Sure." Katara said as she bended the water out of her hair and clothes, they sat on the shore.
"So, how have you been? We haven't really talked to you lately." Aang said casually.
"Aang, I see you everyday." She giggled, he blushed a little.
"Yeah, but Katara…how do you feel about me? I mean, I know you told me you didn't love me, but how about now? Is there even a chance?" Aang looked into her eyes.
"Aang…I…" She couldn't finish. Then, he leaned forward and kissed her. He was about to deepen it, but she pulled away and moved her hand to her mouth. "Aang, we can never be anything more than friends." She looked down.
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Iroh and Jee returned to the cave. They had indeed found a small village. It was worn-down, but it would do. Iroh knew this was the area Zuko and he had separated in for that short time. He sighed. When they walked in, they saw only Toph and Sokka sitting in the cave, silent.
"Where are the others?" Iroh asked as he took a seat.
"I don't know. Katara and Zuko were up when we left. They must've gone for a walk or something." Sokka said. Iroh nodded.
"Well, we found a small village that will be good to stock up in, I guess we will just wait for the others to return." Jee said.
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Zuko decided to head back to the river. There wasn't really anywhere to go, and maybe he would convince Aang to practice some firebending. He walked through the bushes, but stopped. He heard them talking.
"Aang, we could never be anything more than friends." Katara said, Zuko smiled. He stepped out of the bushes before Aang could say anything back.
"Hi, Zuko." Aang said a little coldly. He could never tell Katara anything when he was near. Zuko shrugged and sat by Katara. He smirked as he watched the monk have a tint of jealousy in his eye. He sat with his body about an inch from hers. Katara sighed; it was like he was trying to start problems.
"Let's go get Appa, I'm sure the others are waiting." Katara said as she stood up. Aang didn't stop glaring at Zuko, and neither did he. He wasn't going to break the gaze. "Guys!" She yelled. Both of them shot up and followed her.
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Azula was able to walk around her ship again. She wasn't supposed to, but since when did Azula take orders from anybody? Doctors aren't special. Mai had been doing a lot to keep them in order; Ty Lee had done some things, but not much. She sighed as she leaned against the railing. Then she saw them. Her uncle and Lieutenant Jee were walking along the river. She was going to follow them, but thought better of it. She knew they wouldn't leave the others and either were going for a walk or looking for a village, maybe. She had seen a small village went she was looking for Zuko earlier. It was a piece of crap, but she guessed it would beat the forest. She knew where they were going.
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They finally reached Appa. Aang ran right up to him. It wasn't long before they were in the air. Zuko wasn't so fond of riding a giant bison, but he didn't let anyone else no that. It wasn't that he had a fear of heights, he just didn't feel comfortable on the saddle of a bison. Katara giggled as she watched him grip the edge of the saddle for dear life.
"Is there something funny?" He asked as he glared at her.
"Does Zuzu have a fear of heights?" Katara asked. She was sitting across from him on the saddle.
"Don't call me that!" Zuko yelled as he stood up. Appa took a sharp turn and Zuko immediately sat down and held onto the saddle.
"I'll take that as a yes." She smiled.
"No, I flew here on a freaking war balloon." He said seriously.
"Guys, we're here!" Aang said, relieved he didn't need to here them bicker. They fought like an old married couple. After Appa landed, they all went into the cave.
"And just where were you?" Sokka asked as he stood up and pointed his finger at Katara.
"I went for a walk to get Appa." She replied.
"Great news! Jee and I found a village just a few miles off from here." Iroh interrupted.
"And we have Appa now! No more walking! My feet are killing me!" Sokka yelled as he ran up to and hugged Appa. Katara, Zuko, and Aang rolled their eyes.
"Sokka, you make it sound like you've actually done something." Katara said in her motherly tone.
"I've done plenty!" Sokka yelled.
"yeah, eat, eat, eat, and, um, did I mention eat?" Katara said.
"Relax, let's get out of this place." Zuko said, everyone looked up to him.
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They all took their seats on Appa. They hit the village,
"We are supposed to stay here?" Sokka asked.
"Its here or the woods." Aang said.
"It will have to do for now." Jee added.
"I think it's nice, there's a small tea shop." Iroh said.
"I like it!" Toph yelled.
"I think it's pretty nice." Katara said. Then they all looked to Zuko, who was wide-eyed. He stood with his mouth agape.
"No." He whispered.
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My shortest chapter yet. Kind of going throu a small writer's block, but I'll keep the updates. Dun dun dun! The cliffie. Not really, but still a little on edge. Where are they? I wonder… I gave a few hints, please review! XD
Oh, I was wondering, should I go Taang and maybe Ty Lokka? Just so Aang isn't stuck alone? Let me know what you think!