Azula picked the head of a match with her thumbnail, then stuck it into the dry wood. She sat back on the sand, folding her arms and staring into the flames. Ty Lee sat across from her, running her fingers through the sand boredly. She looked at Azula and wondered why she used a match when she had firebending abilities. Frowning, the kyoshi warrior sat up.
"What's wrong, Ty Lee?" Azula muttered. "You never frown."
"Why didn't you just make the fire?" Ty Lee asked simply.
Azula narrowed her eyes, looking at her feet. She rolled back on her calloused heels. "I don't want to get used to it," she whispered, "because I might not have it one day."
Her friend went wide-eyed. How could this be? Azula was a very powerful firebender. Why wouldn't she keep her bending?
Sparks flew in front of Ty Lee's pondering eyes as Azula shrugged it off.
"Being in that asylum made me realize something," she continued, "that I myself am insane."
Ty Lee giggled, wrapping her arms around Azula's shoulders. "No you're not.."
"And you know what happened to my father, don't you?" Azula said. Ty lee watched her in amazement. How could she act so confident and sure of herself?
"Um, yeah...," Ty Lee drawled. "Why?"
"What if that happens to me? I mean, it never will, because I am such a powerful bender and all that," Azula laughed. "But just in case."
Ty Lee squeezed Azula tight, pulling her in an embrace.
"It won't, Azula. Don't worry," she whispered, resting her head on Azula's shoulders.
Azula yawned, shrugging off Ty Lee. "I suppose," she whispered.
"Now get to sleep," Ty Lee cooed, wrapping her arm around her friend.
