Okay, once again, sorry for the wait! Just to warn you all, the next few chapters (I think it'll be the next two chapters following this one) will be spaced at weekly intervals. Though, I may be able to write the next chapter by tomorrow night since I had originally planned to have them together. Anyway, I'll talk more after you read.

The fire at Zuko's hand flared and dimmed faster as his breath did the same. This wasn't just any labyrinth. He'd heard stories of the two Earth Kingdom villagers that had built the caves with their superior earthbending but had never taken a second notice, believing it to be a myth. Now that he was standing in the room where their bodies lay he was a little out of sorts. Was there really a curse?

Katara ran down the flight of decaying stone stairs before her, ignoring Zuko's calls from behind her. Below the entrance was a platform. On top of it rested two coffins; each, Katara presumed, holding a body. Hesitantly, Katara ran her fingers along the inscription of the base. It told a story. She didn't notice when Zuko came to stand behind her.

He listened, hardly breathing, lest she stop reading. He caught most of her words. It was the story of two lovers, torn apart by war, who learned earthbending to create the labyrinth they were currently wandering and how Omashu was created in their names: Oma and Shu. But as she spoke his mind began to drift.

His mother laughed. She rolled up the scroll and set it beside her and looked to young Zuko in her lap. "—and that," she said, "is the story of The Little Firebender Who Cried Wolf-bat." Zuko hmphed

"Why didn't the townspeople listen to him?" he demanded, "he was telling the truth in the end!"

"Because," the Fire Lady explained somberly, "he wasn't telling the truth the first two times. Why would they have cause to trust him?" Zuko stood to his feet with crossed arms and peered into the courtyard pond.

"That's why I don't tell lies," he informed her proudly. His mother smiled.

"And for that, I am very proud of you, Zuko. I'll always be proud of you."

A moment later he was pulled from his trance by Katara, more specifically, Katara's shoulder that struck his own when she pushed past him to gaze at the opposite wall. At first he didn't mind her, rubbing his shoulder crossly. When he heard her gasp though, he turned as well to be faced with two enormous statues. His jaw hung low. It was a great sculpture of the two lovers, Oma and Shu, kissing together.

"Love shines brightest…in the dark." She whispered. The torch went out. She stood, blinking. In her hand was the extinguished torch, still simmering with the last legs of its life. Behind her was Zuko, holding the only source of light remaining. At that moment both realized that Zuko's light wouldn't last forever either. He would only be able to hold it out so long, no matter how little exertion it took of his body.

"We need to find a way out of here…" Zuko murmured, expressing what both of them were thinking. Katara rubbed her temples impatiently. Suddenly, a crazy idea came to her, a really crazy idea. No, she thought, that's too out there. He'd never agree. She voiced her opinion anyway.

"Okay, I have an idea." She said, getting Zuko's attention. "It's really nuts but just hear me out. I went along with your plan of getting in here and it worked so just trust me."

"I'll listen," he agreed. She caught the subtle hint. He didn't agree to trust her. Trust was still too much to ask. She couldn't blame him though, she wouldn't trust him if this was his idea.

"Good enough.. Alright, so the legend says that you have to trust in love to get through this place, right? I mean, I don't love you and I'm sure the feeling is mutual but there's also the sculpture of them kissing. I mean, it's just an idea, it might not work but as far as I'm concerned any idea is an idea."

"Well? Out with it." The prince prompted.

"Okay, okay, what I mean is…what if we kissed?"

Before I forget, sorry that this is so late! Again, hope for another chapter by midnight tomorrow (just to give myself some leeway). Hope for it but don't count too heavily on it. Also, sorry it's so short! I didn't have much time to write today but i wanted to get something in today so i didn't feel bad about neglecting my readers! That's about it for today though!

Special Thanks:

Reviews: Rebirth of the Phoenix, Firebenderkitty, storm-of-insanity

Replys:

Rebirth of the Phoenix--haha, thanks for the review! When I first saw it I thought 'snarky Zuko? Did I write any snarky/sarcastic Zuko moments?' I finally went back and read it and went, "oh...right!". My brain must have been turned wayyy off when I wrote the last chapter because I don't remember a thing! I had to re-read the whole thing so I could write this chapter!

--Lynnia