It took a long time to convince everyone to leave, but Azula was sure they would all be listening carefully in case Ty Lee started screaming for help. Once upon a time, Azula really would have tried attacking her, or would at least be planning some kind of vengeance. Now she just wanted to get this over with so she could pretend they never knew each other in the first place.

"You look so much better" her former friend said in that kind tone she used nearly all the time "I can see why Zuko is so proud of you. You've made so much progress" the girl gave her a knowing smile "I always thought you two would end up together eventually"

"Your sweet talk doesn't work on me anymore, Ty Lee. So drop the act and just tell me what is it you want from me"

"It's not an act. Not anymore."

"How lovely" Azula mocked "What is it then? Pity for the insane, disgraced princess, or just remorse because stabbed me in the back?"

"I won't apologize for not letting you kill Mai. I'm not sorry for saving her or for changing sides" she had never heard Ty Lee being that serious "But I am sorry for hurting you that badly. I never thought it would affect you that much. But if I had not done it, Mai would be dead and you would have never healed and found love with Zuko."

"And let me guess: you wish there had been another way?" the princess asked, rolling her eyes and ignoring the part of her that screaming she didn't have the right to be mad.

"Yes. But there wasn't any, and I don't regret what I did. What you went through was horrible, but I am not letting you blame it on me, or on Mai"

"Why are you still pretending you care?"

"What, you get to call yourself my friend after threatening me and forcing me to follow you around the world searching for Zuko, Iroh and Aang, but defending myself and our friend from you makes me a traitor? I kept in contact with Zuko, remember? I was always asking about you and the only reason I didn't visit you, was because you told Zuko you didn't want to see me ever again"

The princess knew it was true, but that didn't make those words any easier to hear. She wasn't even sure if was angry at Ty Lee anymore, or if she simply wanted to run and hide.

Why couldn't Mai be the one screaming at me? She's more vicious, but she wouldn't be this emotional. It'd be easier to ignore

The acrobat sighed "Look, I can't even imagine the pain you've been through, and I'm not going to pretend I never resented you, but I am saying this because I really am your friend and I do want you to be okay: stop making up excuses for what you did to us just because you were also hurting."

After a moment or two, Ty Lee finally asked to be let out of the cave... only to them come rushing back claiming she forgot to say something very important.

"Your little sister is adorable by the way!"