another short chapter. ^^; Well, here is chapter fifteen!

Chapter Fifteen

Pitiful

Katara stirred, her lips puckered slightly as she drew in breath. Her eyes opened and then closed again - she must've been feeling dizzy - and a few seconds passed before they opened yet again. "Vinca?" She murmured, struggling to help herself into a sitting position.

I helped her. "Hey. Just…um…relax?" I told her awkwardly, for that she wouldn't pass out again. However, the color returned to her cheeks and she seemed fine. Katara took a look around, her eyes widening as they rested on the large, almost surreal crystals.

"What-? Where are we?" She asked, bewilderment clear on her face.

"The Crystal Catacombs." I repeated what Prince Zuko had said earlier when I asked the same question.

Katara blinked, exhaling softly, "How did we get here?"

This, I wasn't sure of. "I don't know."

"Where is everybody else? Sokka? Toph? Aang?"

I froze. I hadn't thought of this. What if they were hurt? Aang took away to the Firelord's Palace to be kept prisoner? Killed? I suddenly felt lightheaded. "I-I don't know." What had happened to them? Sokka? Was he killed? Toph?

She let out another breath. "Okay…we need to find a way to get out of here." She looked at me and we both nodded. Katara rose to her feet a little shakily, and then her whole body went rigid as she took into a waterbending stance, "Zuko!" She spat, clenching her fists together.

Prince Zuko narrowed his golden eyes at her, though didn't make a move like he was going to attack. "Water Tribe Peasant." He shot back, crossing his arms.

I stood awkwardly in the middle of this, rocking back on my heels. "So…I see you guys know each other?" I said lamely.

The Prince made a face, looking away. "Yes."

"Sadly." Retorted Katara. Zuko glared. Katara glared back. "Vinca, why didn't you, well, get him out of here?" She questioned, her facial features hardened.

"Why?" I asked, confused.

Katara's eyes widened, but they didn't leave Zuko. "He's been trying to capture Aang! For forever!" She exclaimed in disgust, "That's why he brought us down here because he knew Aang would come save us!" She reasoned angrily.

I rose my eyebrows, backing up slightly. I didn't know what to say to this. So, all I said was, "Oh."

Zuko sighed, clearing annoyed. "Listen, I didn't 'bring you down here because I knew Aang would come save you'" He repeated, mockingly, "I don't even know where we are, so why don't you shut up?"

Katara glowered at him before nudging me away from Zuko. There was a big space between us. Zuko sighed again, and sat down across from us, staring. Katara was glaring. A long moment of silence passed.

I suddenly felt tired, and a yawn escaped my lips. My hands reached for my mother's necklace, almost instinctively. I had been holding the heart when I was bored or needed assurance. Right now, I was bored. I patted my neck area where the golden heart locket should be.

It was gone.

I let out a little squeak of alarm, shooting to my feet. Katara looked up, panicked. "Vinca, what's wrong?" She asked, rising to her feet as well.

"I lost…the necklace!"

I knew I was overreacting. But it was the only piece of my mother besides fading memories that I had. I frantically searched the ground, my heart beating hard in my chest. No…Where had I lost it? The necklace could be anywhere, with anyone…

"What's going on over there?" Zuko called lazily from across the other side. I glanced up from my searching on the dirty ground.

"I lost my necklace." I replied hastily. I sat down in defeat after a few moments of searching. My heart sinking to unbelievable depths.

I had lost it.

I felt like I was going to either cry or scream angrily.

Because one thing, one thing that I had of my mother's, I couldn't keep safe, with me? How stupid, foolish…

"It's just a necklace." Prince Zuko retorted.

I felt anger bubble up inside of me. "It's not just a necklace!" My voice rose, "It was my mother's!"

Silence.

"Just get another one?" His voice echoed.

I laughed sadly, pulling my knees up to my chest. "I can't. She's dead."

Katara touched my arm, a look of sympathy in her eyes. I was glad she was my friend. "It's okay, Vinca. We'll find it." She assured me, her voice soft.

I nodded, feeling like a child who had just thrown a temper tantrum.

Then, Zuko said quietly from across the cave, "I lost my mother, too."

I then felt bad.

"Mine too." Katara frowned, touching her neck. I had never noticed before, but she had a necklace as well. It was tightly wrapped around her throat, the symbol of water on it.

Even though I knew this, I felt even worse.

Prince Zuko laughed, a mixture of bitterness and sorrow, "How pitiful of us." He echoed.

Katara, Vinca, and Zuko have some bonding time. Isn't that nice? Haha. Chapter 16 coming soon. (: