Enjoy. (:

Chapter Sixteen

Reunion

I sat staring at the ground, over thinking every step. Where could I have lost the necklace? When could have I? It frustrated me. I wasn't responsible. I should've checked sooner. It could be anywhere, with anyone. Someone could have picked it up and sold it, then it was sold again…again…again…I closed my eyes, biting my lip to resist crying in anger and sorrow.

One thing? One little thing that was hers, and you can't even keep it safe! I furiously beat down on myself, unconsciously digging my fingernails into my palms in anger. I stop when Katara nudged me gently, looking at my palms. They were bleeding a little bit. I exhaled softly.

"Its okay, Vinca." Katara told me, her voice slow like she was talking to a child. In part, she was, because the way I was acting was like one.

I drew in a quiet breath, forcing myself to get calm. After a moment of silence, I nodded, hugging my knees to my chest. "Yeah." I murmured, then turned away for that she wouldn't try to get more out of me. I didn't feel like talking. I only continued biting my lower lip until it started to bleed as well. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

My mind began to wander from the necklace to other subjects. I thought about my former village. Wondered if anyone actually missed me. I about laughed. Nobody would believe me if I told them who I was friends with. I smiled, glad that I had such great friends. Then, I wondered about my brother. Was he okay? Still alive? Where was he? I frowned. I hoped desperately that he was alive, so much that my head began to hurt. He was the only one I had left. My thoughts traveled to my friends. I wondered where they were. My eyes narrowed as I tried to remember what had happened after I fell…

Suddenly, the wall across from me burst open with a loud, earsplitting crack, and then a large boom.I instinctually jumped backwards, landing on my feet as I struggled to see what, or whom, made the whole. As the haze slowly clear, two figures immerged. I subconsciously raised my hands if they threatened.

I felt my heart leap in great lengths, and it felt like it had jumped to my throat. I could feel a wide smile tugging at my lips and let it go, grinning childishly. There stood Aang, an identical smile on his face as he came forward, pulling me and Katara into a hug. I giggled in happiness that he was okay. I was overjoyed, the previous worried slipping my mind.

"Are you okay?" He backed up after a few moments, his eyes flickered between us. I nodded, the grin still on my face. He giggled, hugging us once more. But he suddenly pulled away, his face serious, the smile faint. Aang's eyes rested on Prince Zuko and another large, gray-haired man as they hugged. I saw confusion flash through his gray eyes before he turned back to us. "We have to hurry." He tugged us along, away from the others. His step was rushed. We all started to run.

We ran through numerous caves. I didn't ask where we were going. We passed large crystals that glittered beautifully. By the time we came to a gradual stop, we were all short on breath. We were in a large catacomb, with a small stream.

"What's…going on?" Katara breathed, bending over slightly.

Aang looked straight ahead, determination in his expression. "The Dai Li…" He bit his lower lip. "The Fire Nation - they're drilling under-"

A loud, heart-wrenching screech of metal interrupted him, and I jumped in surprise, whirling around to face the opposing wall. The sound grew louder and into a high-pitch, causing me to flinch and cover my ears subconsciously.

Suddenly, the wall cracked and then fell into nothing, dust rising into clouds. I coughed as some dirt entered my throat. Aang cleared the haze with a gust of wind, and as the debris settled, my eyes rested on a large black object.

I narrowed my eyes in confusion. What was that? It was like a very large cylinder, almost looking like a worm. But my attention was adverted as a figure walked out from the large whole in the wall. I studied the figure, and as the smoke cleared, I saw that it was a lady. She wore clothing similar to the warriors that attacked us after jumping the Palace's walls. Her black hair was neatly tied into a bun, thin bangs handing around the sides of her face.

She didn't hesitate. Stepping forward, a sly smirk on her face, she punched her fist outward. Blue fire - blue - flamed toward us. Reacting fast, Aang brought his hands up, creating a wall of rock and shoved it forward. My first thought was that he had gotten really good at his earthbending. The next was sidestepping as another burst of flames shot towards me this time.

I flinched inwardly, my breathing coming out in short breathes. My brain was on full alert as I danced around the fire being shot at me. Fire, fire, fire! My mind screamed as I almost got burned, my eyes widening.

Katara came forward, bending water from the creek and skillfully demolishing another flame that was directed towards us. My heart was pounding. The woman shot blue fire upwards, creating a cloud of steam.

I stood, regaining my breath as I quickly glanced around. I didn't know who she was, but she was the enemy. And that fire scared the hell out of me, plus it was blue. Blue? I was confused. Suddenly, she shot out of the steam, firing more flames at us. Quickly, Aang and Katara swiftly bended the water from the stream again, killing the fireballs.

She landed gracefully, sweeping down low and kicking blue flames at us. One headed straight towards me, and I instinctually moved my hands, gusting the fire away. I saw her eyes widened with surprise, and felt weirdly more confident. Running on adrenaline, I gathered the air around me together before pushing it forward with my hands, which caused her to skid backwards into the water.

The woman immerged from the water, enraged. I felt a smirk rise to my lips, feeling oddly energized as the fight went into a faster fighting motion. She leapt out of the water, shooting a wave of fire at us. I dipped under it - I winced as the fire nearly burned me again - and kicked my own wave of air at it. Aang bended water gracefully, whipping it around himself.

Katara flicked her wrists, eyes narrowed as she bended her own stream of water, and the two benders shoved the waves of water at her. Aang stomped down, flinging his wrists forward, moving another wall of rock at her. It hit the lady, making her fall.

Suddenly, I felt a sudden warmth on my back. It turned into burning pain. Letting out a strangled yelp, I whirled around, bending air onto my back, putting out the orange flames. My eyes rested on Prince Zuko. He stood in a stance, his eyes narrowed as his black hair fell into his face, his fists outstretched.

I glanced back towards Aang and Katara, who were fighting fiercely with the girl. It was one on one with me and Zuko. Narrowing my eyes, I stepped forward, moving my arms quickly and gusting numerous balls of air at him. He seemed surprised. Yeah, I can airbend. I thought angrily. To think that I actually thought he was nice.

Prince Zuko flung his own fireballs at me. They came hurling at me, and I dodged quickly, but one caught my leg. I flinched, biting my lip from crying out. I created a whip of air - apparently, my seemingly useless training on my own have been paying off - and moved it upwards, bringing it down hard on him.

A sudden boom distracted me, and I tilted my head in the direction, distracted. I saw Aang fall to the ground, his clothing ripped and mottled. I had the urge to help him, but that thought was replaced with pain as Zuko created a fire whip and it hit my back. Clenching my teeth, I turned to shoot another gust of wind at that damned Zuko's direction, my dropped my arms in surprise.

Shit.

I suck at writing fight scenes! So excuse my lack of action-writing skills. Thank you all for the reviews & adding me to you story & author alert! You guys make me happy. I wouldn't be anywhere without you guys. Thank you so much! (: