"I guess you don't know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko, more than I fear you".

I couldn't believe it, did my ears deceive me? Was I dreaming? This wasn't the timid and shy Mai I remembered. The Mai I knew as a child in the Royal Fire Nation Academy for girls would never betray me. She feared me too much. I controlled her like a puppet. Yet, as the words replayed themselves in my head again, I realized this really was my old childhood friend challenging my power. How dare she stand against Fire Lord Ozai's favored child? I knew she needed to be put back in her place.

"No you miscalculated!" I growled in pure anger at her audacity. "You should've feared me more!"

I took a battle-ready stance, concentrating my energy through my two fingers. As I felt the static build in my body, I lashed out towards her, ready to slice a bolt right between her backstabbing eyes. The energy surged through my wrist as Mai revealed her trusty knife until suddenly a flash of pink crossed my path and I couldn't move. As my face hit the ground, I watched as of all people Ty Lee, MY Ty Lee, ran to that traitor, Mai's side yelling, "Let's get outta here!"

Was this really happening?

I jumped out of my dream like I was possessed. I looked around, realizing I was in my huge bedroom.

"Another bad dream, Princess?" A gentle voice said groggily.

I looked in the direction of the voice. The girl lying next to me smiled sleepily.

"I'm fine, Ty Woo, go back to sleep".

My favorite concubine stretched an arm across my torso.

"Did you dream about her again?" She asked.

I turned my head away from her to avoid looking into her eyes. Those eyes and her hair reminded me of Ty Lee. Honestly, that was why I chose Ty Woo. Of Ty Lee's six sisters, she resembled the girl the most. I had been sleeping with her since the Boiling Rock incident when I threw her sister and Mai in jail for their treason. Although, Ty Woo was a nice substitute, she was no Ty Lee and it angered me to think I had allowed myself to be so attached to a person. Fear is the only reliable way.

"I said go to sleep!" I demanded, making the girl jump in fright, much to my delight.

I kissed her cheek to let her know I wasn't that angry.

"I'm so sorry, Princess".

I brought her lips to mine and kissed them madly, hoping to feel the sensation, no the thrill I felt when I was with Ty Lee. I did everything I could think of. I kissed and licked the girl from her head to her toes. I pulled her hair, alternated positions, even allowed three of my fingers to roam deep within her depths, but despite her obvious pleasure through her moans and sometimes yelps and our gasps for air afterwards, there was still something missing. I turned away from her, unto my back and looked at the canopy bearing the Fire Nation emblem. My dissatisfaction must have shown more than I intended because Ty Woo asked, "You're thinking about my sister aren't you?'

I shrugged. Why lie?

"Since you're psychic now, tell me whether we will win this war or not," I snapped coolly, lifting myself onto my elbows.

Ty Woo smiled, "Princess, you don't have to worry. I won't tell a soul if you wish to visit her," she said.

I shook my head in disgust.

"I don't deal with traitors! Ty Lee can rot for all I care!"

Ty Woo sighed, heavily. "As much as I want you to, I know you don't mean that".

"Ha! And how do you know this? Let me guess, you read auras also?"

"Actually, I can, but I don't have to see your aura to know how strongly you feel for my sister. I know you only sleep with me because I look like her".

It was my turn to sigh. I knew she was right, but I couldn't feel this way for a traitor. I mean, what would my father think of me?

"Just leave it alone, Ty Woo," I said, through clenched teeth.

The girl just looked at me with those beautiful eyes. All I could think of was Ty Lee and her…her…her BETRAYAL. I would not be fooled again! Feeling as if I'd suddenly come to my senses I jumped out of bed and threw my bed-robe on.

"You know what, just get out!" I yelled, madly.

Ty Woo clutched the sheets in utter fear.

"But, Azula?" She started her voice trembling, but I wouldn't hear anymore.

"No, you're just waiting for the chance to betray me just like Ty Lee did. But I'm not a fool! You won't get me! Now get out before I toast you like a fire-mellow!"

Ty Woo stood from the bed and hurriedly dressed before I could count to ten. Before she left, she said something that made me think for a moment.

"I understand why me sister betrayed you. You're nothing, but a heartless, cold MONSTER!" she screamed through her tear-filled orbs before slamming the door behind her. I looked towards the door, briefly contemplating chasing her down.

Nah I thought. There are women who would line up at my feet for a chance to replace her. I looked away as thoughts of Ty Lee plagued my mind again. I shook my head. It was time I faced it. Ty Lee was better off away from me. Like Ty Woo and mother said, I am a monster. So I returned to bed, alone as fitting for a monster.