Of course, the realization that Azula is missing happens as soon as the fireworks begin to die down.

Azula is still up in a tree, bark scratching her back and leaves in her loose hair as Ty Lee watches in rapt awe. It must be nice, Azula thinks, to be able to enjoy things as trivial as fireworks.

"Aw, they're over," Ty Lee remarks with a tiny pout. As if she did not know that they would end, even though of course she did.

"That's why I find them so unimpressive," Azula says dismissively and Ty Lee tilts her head. "They're pretty for a few minutes and then they're just gone. Like literally everything else in life."

Ty Lee frowns. "Well now that's just cynical."

"No," Azula insists, "it's honest. Nothing lasts forever."

Immediately after her words, she regrets snapping at her new friend and saying no so briskly. Because Ty Lee looks distressed about it, and maybe hurt. Azula is left breathless and sore about that fact.

So Azula quickly says, "I'm ─ I have to go."

She drops down from the tree. It is much easier than climbing it was, even though her emotions are not a swell of excitement; they are a throbbing anger and hurt. Azula weaves her way through loud crowds until she is out of sight.

It takes everything in her not to look over her shoulder. And she feels like a fool for hoping secretly that she would be pursued into the cold night.

Azula runs as soon as she reaches the steps leading towards where her father and bodyguards are all waiting for her. She is probably in more trouble than any kid ever needs to be in for eternity, and is probably going to be under watchful guard forever.

She slides to a stop in front of the primly garbed bodyguards, standing before her with their arms crossed. Their faces move less than Mai's, of course, but Azula can tell that they might have just been under threat of execution for losing the princess.

Quickly, Azula tries to make-up an excuse. She is a talented liar, even if this museum girl thing is probably going to come back and very viciously bite her. Azula is not stupid, even if she has just succumbed to the horrid nightmare that is an adolescent crush.

"There you are," says the low growl Azula was not looking forward to hearing. "Where did you run off to? I was afraid you were in danger."

"I was watching the fireworks," Azula says softly and she realizes what a complete fool she sounds like.

"With someone?" Ozai inquires in that tone. The tone that Azula has come to truly despise.

"Of course not, father. I have no one to be with except for Mai," Azula replies very calmly, not messing up, despite being shaken by her encounter with Ty Lee up in that tree.

Ozai slowly breathes in, examining her from head to toe. He doesn't like it; he doesn't like the sound of his daughter disappearing. Her cheeks are flushed, and he is certain that her pulse is racing judging by her trembling fingers. She was with someone, and so help him, he will find out who dared to touch his dear little girl.

"You missed your speech. But it doesn't matter," Ozai states and Azula could not be more relieved.

Yes. That way Ty Lee will have no idea that Azula lied to her about being the princess. The sensation of father's actions playing along with her lies instead of slashing them down is exhilirating.

She goes home that night and cannot sleep for a second. How could she? Azula tries to keep her room as cold and comfortable as possible, and has demanded her sheets be changed by servants to more comfortable cotton and silk ones. But she cannot sleep as she feels this unwanted desire coursing through her, but regret as well.

Azula thinks she regrets not kissing Ty Lee. It is so ridiculous for someone as powerful and important as her. But, here she is. Looking like a fool, and feeling like one twice as much.

While she tried to keep her room cold, it is... hot. There is no way it could not be in the sweltering Fire Nation summer. But that heat, beneath her silk blankets, makes the memories feel different. They are alien and unknown to her, and she really had hoped that this would be an innocent summer fling.

Summer fling. Ha. As if Azula could ever be allowed to take up such a relationship. Ha. As if Azula would even be able to maintain that or keep her lies flowing or know when she is supposed to kiss the girl. Ha. She might be powerful, genius and royal, but she is not romantic.

As she tosses and turns, the light tank top she has on slides from her shoulder slightly. Azula moves her hand up to gently adjust it, her fingertips brushing against her exposed, bare breast. It sends a very uncomfortable shiver.

Azula has to fight the warmth between her thighs until she at last falls asleep so she can face another brutal day of training.

After the holiday, Azula does not see Ty Lee for a very long stretch of time. But, in all honesty, Azula does not know why she ever expected herself to. Ty Lee is gone, and that is by far for the best. Azula knows it in her heart.

Even if her dreams are sugary sweet, blue hot and riddled with her confused emotions from a girl she barely knows. Agni, Ty Lee does not even know Azula's name. Museum Girl, she calls her.

But, even though the nickname should be a deterrent, it happens to be the thing that makes Azula realize how she might be able to see Ty Lee again. It fills her with excitement as she demands on her day off that she be allowed to go to the museum.

It is madly unlikely that Ty Lee would be there, but Azula is going to try anyway. Or perhaps she will go just to feel the cool air drying her sweat, and to look at the famed paintings. To remember something that should be forgotten and cast aside.

The fact that Ty Lee is at the museum that day is the strangest thing Azula has ever encountered.

Their eyes meet. Ty Lee grins. Azula is left breathless.