Wow, I've finally made it. It's been a long journey, if you will, to get to the end of this story! I'm glad its over, just to see it all completed but I'll also miss it. So, just as I promised, a sequel is in order! yes this is the part where you cheer to make me feel good Haha, sorry! But besides all that I'm going to let you get on reading and finish up my talking at the end.

Chapter 8: In Good Company

"Do you think Katara is alright?" Aang asked of the Water Tribe warrior. Sokka nodded in reply. He was worried too but no good would come from reassuring Aang's uncertainties.

"She can take care of herself Aang, she'll be just fine." Aang still wasn't convinced. They had been missing a torch since the rock slide and he dearly hoped that it had ended up on Katara's side of the accident. He didn't want to think about her wandering in the dark by herself. All the same, even if she had gotten it, that would mean she'd have only two hours to find her way out while they had far more time to navigate the tunnels. He wasn't sure, but just before they'd been split up; he had felt a sort of eerie sensation in the back of his mind: the kind that he got when they were being followed.

Wherever she was, he just hoped she was okay.

Katara was okay, though she wasn't exactly in what Aang or Sokka would consider good company. Zuko wasn't an easy guy to put up with and he certainly wasn't making it easy. With death threats and consistent bickering, Katara was starting to get mentally worn out. To top it off, all the walking was starting to get to her too. Her footsteps grew shorter and her legs were dragging. Zuko, on the other hand, looked as if he could keep it up forever, not a fault in his step was visible.

She groaned, just thinking about it reminded her of their encounter at the North Pole. When they were fighting there, whether or not he meant to, he had proved something to her. He'd proved that he wasn't just a show off. He could follow through and was just as good a fighter as he claimed to be.

Suddenly, Katara remembered what she'd thought she'd seen when the torches had went out in the lovers' chamber. "Uhm," she stuttered, "Zuko, could you do me a…well a favor?" Zuko raised an eyebrow, not taking the effort of shooting her a glance.

"Depends," he replied. Katara sighed. She might as well level with him. Nothing could come of arguing.

"Okay," she began, "this is going to sound crazy. You know when the lights went out before, in the tomb chamber?"

"As if I forgot," Zuko scoffed.

"Okay, good enough. Well, did you…notice anything before you did the whole…light thing again?" She asked. She was crazy. He'd tell her she was going nuts, she knew it already. No need to wait for a reply.

"Well…no. What should I have noticed?" He asked, being unusually cooperative. That was odd. Zuko, being a team-player and trying to work with her? Ridiculous, she really was crazy, she could see it herself.

"Well I thought I saw a light or something in the ceiling while it was dark. So I was wondering if you'd put the light out, just for a minute?"

Zuko sighed. Here was another one of her ideas. At least this one didn't involve anything…intimate. In resignation he agreed. "One thing: how do you know I won't just ditch you?"

"Well I don't I guess. But I'm willing to risk it." Zuko smirked.

"Okay, your mistake." The firebender did as he was told and the fire went out. Katara suddenly realized the absence of the heat and her cheeks grew cold. She waited. She knew that she'd seen something. It had to be a sign! She stood silently, waiting, listening. She couldn't hear Zuko leaving but that didn't mean much. He had stealth and could easily make a beeline without her knowing it.

All at once a bright glow illuminated the room. Katara looked up, bewildered. It was a massive amount of shining crystals imbedded into the cavern's ceiling. Anxiously she looked over. There he was. Zuko was right beside her and also marveling at the beauty. Who would have thought even he could appreciate something so magnificent? Regardless, the wheels in Katara's mind started spinning.

"This must be how the two lovers from the story found each other! These crystals must light up in the dark so they put out their lights and followed the crystals to each other!"

The next hour was long and tiresome but worth every minute in the hearts of the two companions.

It wasn't long before they'd found the exit of the cave and at first sight neither could bring themselves to believe that they'd actually made it. Katara, upon recognition of the expanse of blue sky, threw her arms in the air and spun in exhilarated circles. They'd spent the whole nights in the caves. It had been difficult, stressful, and embarrassing at times but they'd done it.

Katara turned to say something to Zuko, though she wasn't sure what. She knew that a 'thanks' was in order but she didn't know if she could bring herself to it. But her trouble was saved when she saw that he was already making his way down the path from the cave exit.

"You're leaving?" She asked simply.

"Why stay? I really don't want to be around when that fool of a brother of yours and the Avatar come along." He replied.

"Well…goodbye then."

"Don't bother, it won't be the last time, I'm sure." Katara sighed. He was just as much a mystery as ever, though he was right. It was certainly not the last they'd see of each other. She nodded in reply and let him go on his way.

When Aang, Sokka, Momo, Appa, and the musical nomads had escaped from the tunnels to find Katara was already safe and sound ahead of them much rejoicing ensued. She was first greeted by a reassuring hug from her brother and also by the boyish affection of the Avatar. Next in line came Momo with a good deal of chatter for her and the nomad Chong said a word or two as well. How nice it was to be surrounded by the people she cared about after a whole night with an impossible companion but the simple silence was something she'd miss, even if only for a moment.

Soon after, the three original companions and their two animal traveling partners were on their way. Katara settled into her usual spot at the head of Appa's saddle and watched the mountains drift away behind them when she noticed something that she hadn't remembered having before. It was a piece of parchment tucked into her belt. Quietly she pulled it out so as not to draw the attention of the two boys. She had a feeling but…

I haven't given up on the Avatar yet. I'll be waiting for you next time I catch up.

--The All Powerful Prince of the Fire Nation

Katara grinned and read it once more. Sokka looked over, having been distracted from polishing his boomerang. "What's that?" He inquired suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing," she insisted and tucked it away into her traveling pack. Sokka lifted an eyebrow but refrained from further questioning. It must have been some sort of weird girl thing.

Katara laughed. She had no idea how he'd managed to get that to her but now that it was behind her she found it all rather funny.

She'd be interested to see him again next time. Not eager, but interested. Yet somehow, she couldn't wait.

Okay, so I was going to be lazy and not write out all the reviewers but I decided that since it was the last chapter that I'd put aside my personal…well, I don't know but I decided to put aside my usual laziness. So here's that Thank-you's

Thank you to everyone! Whenever I'm having a hard time going I come back and look at all my reviews and hits and say to myself 'how could you think of stopping you big dummy! All these people are cheerin' you on!' so that's what's got me this far.

By the way, I'm hoping to get the sequel started soon. I can't get right into it since I'm gonna be out of town until Saturday afternoon (we're just driving to Chicago so it's only three hours). But I'll be getting to work ASAP. I may even start writing this afternoon just to see what I can get pushed out. I'm just sort of refining my ideas for the next part, I don't know where I'm going to go with it for sure. Until then put me on your Author Alert list or just be looking for anything new in my profile, whatever suits you! Thanks to everyone for reading to the end of "Lurking in the Shadows". It's been a great adventure!

The Ever Grateful-

--Lynnia

Special Thanks:

Thanks to FirebenderKitty, PeaceLovingHippie and Wings, Animegirl040391, Rashaka, and soul of a fire dragon for leaving a review regarding the sequel! I really 'preciate it!

Replys:

Akiismarina: Thanks for the review and cookie! Fluff is good, yes?

Rebirth of a Phoenix: Thanks for always leaving me such nice long reviews! I really enjoy reading them! Yes, I was worried at first about Zuko since he's not exactly my favorite type of guy to write (don't get me wrong, I LOVE Zuko, he's just hard to get just right) but now that I'm through it's gotten easier to keep him in line but still manipulate the storyline. Ah yes, the "sly and dangerous" Zuko…insert fan-girly giggling here that gotta be my favorite part of him too and it's a lot of fun to write as well! I kinda miss it too! Emo Zuko gets kinda old. Well, we can just hope for some more kick-ass Zuko in the future! Oh my…--looks over reply—this is long…I better stop here.