Chapter 32

                                    

                                          
A great tension loomed in the sky. Particularly on Appa's back as he soared through the clear blue sky. Aang sat atop the bison's head guiding his furry friend as Kano clung to his arm, resting her head on his bare shoulder. She gently massaged the air bender's bicep and giggled at the sight of Aang's flustered expression.
At any other time, the air bender would not have minded Kano's affection but with the situation, he was in with another water bender...Aang didn't know how to feel. It didn't help that he could feel Katara staring at him and Kano from the saddle. She watched Kano hanging on to Aang too closely for her liking.
The surprising announcement that Kano would join them on their mission caught her off guard. Since Zuko could not join, Aang vouched for Kano and said that she would be a great help for the mission since she had spent time in the villages that reported the missing people in the community. It also helped that she was a master water bender. Katara knew she would just have to deal with Kano joining them. She hadn't expected her to hang so close to Aang since this morning. Katara wanted to sit next to Aang, but Kano had beat her to the punch and would not budge.
There was not much else she could do but keep an eye on Kano and make sure that she didn't miss what Kano had planned for the air bender. As Katara watched Aang and Kano; Sokka, Suki, and Toph watched the spectacle from the other side of the saddle.
Deciding that he had enough of it, Sokka pulled his sister back and turned her around to face him and the girls. "For crying out loud sis quit glaring at them."
"I wasn't glaring!" Katara retorted with a hushed tone.
"You kind of were", Suki replied.
"I-...w-w-well look at her! She can't keep her hands off Aang."
"As if you're not guilty of doing the same thing Sugar Queen", Toph responded.
"I'm not like that with Aang at all!"
"Oh come on Katara! You don't even know how to keep your hands to yourself when it comes to Airhead. Ever since we met Aang you would have your hands on him one to three times a day", Sokka answered.
"That is not true!" Katara denied it with a flustered expression.
"Yes, it is." Sokka, Toph, and Suki said simultaneously sharing the same blank facial expression.
"N-no it-...ugh who am I kidding", Katara gave in and slumped her shoulders, "I guess I'm a hypocrite."
"The first step to recovery is admission my dear sweetness", Toph smirked. Suki jabbed her side with an elbow. It was at that moment Aang called out to his friends.
"Guys! I see Renu village. I'm bringing us down so get ready for landing."
"About time!" Toph exclaimed, turning to whisper to Suki, "I'm getting tired of this tension in the air."
"I know it's not ideal but the sooner we deal with this situation with Aang, Katara, and Kano, the better. Maybe after we find those missing villagers, we can try to get Katara and Aang alone somewhere."
Eventually, Appa landed at the center of the village attracting a crowd. Cheers were made at the Avatar's arrival in Renu village. The air bender jumped down to address the villages, freeing himself from Kano's grasp. Before his departure, Aang was informed that leaders from various earth villages would come to Renu to meet with him. The leaders made themselves known to Aang, each greeting his arrival graciously.
"We thank you for coming in our time of need Avatar", the eldest leader, Josu spoke for all of them, "We hope with your help that we may find our dear friends and families from wherever they are."