Day 1: Touch.
*
Victory often came at a price, and the invasion was no exception.
When Sokka grabbed her and shoved her up against the wall, she'd smirked and taunted him like it was nothing. Oh, she'd had so much fun watching his face contort with anger, watching the Avatar and the little blind girl try to run circles around her. And the looks on their faces when they'd realized she'd ruined everything, she'd cherish that for months.
But now that the rush had worn off all she could think about was how hard that wall had been. Azula groaned as she peeled her tunic off, craning her neck to examine her back in the mirror. Ugh, I'm going to have such a bruise tomorrow thanks to that stupid peasant. Maybe it was a bad idea mentioning his little girlfriend...
"Azula?"
"I was wondering when you'd be back." Azula turned around, Ty Lee stood in the doorway holding a tray of food and two cups of tea. "I take it you heard the good news? We managed to drive those pests off despite our little disadvantage," she said, wincing as she sat down on her bed. Ty Lee frowned.
"You got hurt, didn't you? You were just walking a little funny there, and your face..."
"Oh, one of them had me pressed up against the wall. It's no big deal," Azula said, but her face must have given her away; Ty Lee put down the tray and sat down at the foot of the bed. She brushed her fingers over Azula's back, her frown deepening when she saw Azula wince again.
"Whoever it was really did a number on you."
"Tell me something I don't know," Azula snapped.
"Lie down," Ty Lee instructed. Azula raised an eyebrow.
"Since when did you tell me what to do?"
"Since you're hurt," Ty Lee said simply. "So lie down and let me take care of you, okay?"
Azula sighed, doing as she was told. I just don't have the energy to fight her on this, she told herself. But the first touch of the acrobat's hands on her aching back quickly snuffed out any protests she might have had.