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Borealis: A Zutara Story	By : jaded_priceless Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality Views: 33555 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra, any historical figures or events, or easily recognizable persons, places or things. I make no profit from this work of fanfiction

Chapter List
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Chapter 100
Disclaimer: The designers Mine and Ayame are the characters from Natsuki Takaya’s manga Fruits Basket. I do not own them or make any profit from their usage.

As time passed things grew even more confusing for Katara. Zuko was unbearably kind when he wasn’t forcing himself on her. He would frequently take her to see Sokka and Aang. He didn’t always permit them to spend real time together but it was comforting to simply walk by and see his was still breathing. Those walk-by’s also confirmed her suspicions that Mu and the other veterinary workers were doing what they could to help him. Despite living in a filthy environment none of his many cuts and scrapes had become infected.
Aang was starting to show the signs of being alone and locked in one place. He chattered non-stop when he knew she was outside of his doorway and she could hear the chains rattling as he fidgeted.

Zuko often took Katara on deck and he encouraged her to bend as much as she wanted. She still didn’t feel up to sparring, so she mainly focused on the healing katas she’d learned from Yugoda. Ty Lee also taught her a few more exercises to improve chi circulation citing her aura was damaged. Katara realized she had misjudged the other girl after seeing how she was able to force the same exercises on Zuko.
Katara still wanted to kill him even though she giggled every time he scrunched up his face, puffed out his cheeks and squatted as they moved from Cloudy Heart to Airy Spirit position doing exercises Katara was certain originated with the Air Nomads. After getting to know Aang she was certain no other bending discipline was capable of incorporating facial expressions into martial arts to relieve negative emotions. She often thought it would be very easy to call up a large wave and just sweep him overboard but Sokka’s life was tied to Zuko’s. If she drowned the raping bastard she would also be killing her brother.
However; the threat against Sokka’s life wasn’t enough to prevent Zuko from accidentally get drenched during the whimsical arm movements of “Be Breezy”. After each soaking he would predictably get angry and Ty Lee would be forced realign his flow of energy back towards happy. The acrobat’s nimble fingers poking his side (the center of hostility) or jabbing his stomach (location of the sea of chi) didn’t seem to do very much to improve his disposition each soggy whimper and futile attempt to dodge worked wonders for Katara’s.

If they weren’t on deck they were in the kitchens with Fan. The old man had told her several embarrassing stories about Zuko including the age in which the prince had finally stopped wetting the bed – nine. Azula had convinced him the creaking floorboards were man-eating Earthbenders beneath the palace just waiting for a juicy little prince to eat.

Katara also came to realize that of all the things Zuko had stolen from her the ability to feel compassion was not one of them.
Ozai’s blatant favoritism towards Azula and his mockery of Zuko at the palace was only the tip of a very large iceberg. An airship had docked carrying mail. Azula had received a letter and commemorative sash celebrating the Avatar’s capture from their father. The Fire Lord had even sent a toiletry set from Kesuk’s vault for her.
He had sent nothing to Zuko.
The only package bearing Zuko’s name was from Mine. Her husband, Ayame, a rather fanciful and prominent men’s designer had been enchanted by her description of Water Tribe undergarments. He saw romantic allure in unwrapping a partner’s body like a precious gift. The two of them had created several men’s and women’s undergarments in different colors and fabrics based on that interpretation.
Even Fan, whose husband traveled with him as one of the Ursa’s stokers and stevedores received a care package. The kind Earthbender who possessed no qualms about being referred to as the property of Fan as it allowed him to be with his love of almost three decades had made arrangements before leaving port to have something delivered to him. Fan had done the same thing so as the list was called they would get to hear their names.
Mail delivery was done by ranking, Katara knew what Zuko was feeling to hear her name called right after Azula’s but before Chu-hua’s immediately knowing his father had sent nothing for him. After the men left the arrival of the Earth Kingdom trading ships during summer had been one of the most looked forward days of the year as they also brought news and letters from loved ones. She could remember the year she turned thirteen, one of the most significant for a Water Tribe girl as it marked the initiation into womanhood, and the anxiety she felt as everyone’s name was called but hers. The merchant saved her package for last.
Her father had carved a jewelry box, comb and two handles then paid an artisan to place a mirror inside the box and one of the handles as well as turn the other into a brush. He had then asked that it be given to her at night. The ship’s captain had kept it in her quarters with her personal belongings so it would not be damaged. Katara’s heart had been broken to think her father had forgotten her. Her heart was broken for Zuko. It was only a matter of coincidence, not caring, that he’d been able to hear his name.
That night Zuko took her to the cargo hold to escape everyone’s happiness. His ship had seemed so large when it crashed into her village but now she saw that ten new cruisers its size barely took up any space in the much larger Ursa. They were made of a different material, they were thinner, sleeker, and their bows came to a sharp point similar to Water Tribe boats. Compared to these newest models and their slightly older escorts, Katara realized the ship he had used to chase them was closer to the one frozen in their harbor.
Zuko’s father had sent him into the world on a fool’s errand on a ship that should have been decommissioned around the time of Iroh’s birth.
Zuko lay on his back looking at the shiny new ships, “How do you name boats in the Water Tribes?”
“We name them after heroes, strong animals, guardian spirits, or something else of importance,” Katara replied lying next to him. “How are they named in the Fire Nation?”
“We do the same thing. This ship is named after Mom. It is one of Father’s wedding gifts to her. Each year it is retrofitted so it is always the best and brightest of our nation. It has gardens, a desalination facility, and stables. It’s a moving battleship and island. Father named this ship to express his undying devotion to her. He designed it to show his commitment to the family she would give him. A person could be born, live a full life, and die aboard this boat Katara; so could their children.”
Several moments passed before Zuko began speaking again. “We place decommissioned ships around the more uninhabited islands to bolster the appearance that the Fire Nation navy has a greater presence in those waters. For centuries it served to deter Earth Kingdom ships from using it as a launching point to the larger more populated areas. My ship was once known as the Resilient. Seventy years ago it was the pride of our navy. It survived every attack it has ever undergone and none aboard it ever died from their injuries. It maintained a place of distinction even after it was retired to the garbage heap.”
“Father has always given Azula everything she wished for without question. He never thought she would ask for anything on my behalf. It was rechristened as the Albatross before I was allowed to set sail on it,” Zuko’s voice hitched and he asked harshly, “Do you know the story the story of the albatross?”

“No, I haven’t heard it,” Katara said placing her head on his shoulder. She could tell the edge in his voice was not anger but instead came from some other emotion.
“Albatross are revered by sailors in Fire Nation culture. During ancient times the journey from island to island was dangerous but an albatross was a sign of fair weather and land was near. It was a sign of good fortune if one were to land on your ship; it still is. We incorporate their images into our ships for that reason,” Zuko explained while pointing to a design in the ceiling,
“Each year since we learned how to build ships there is a race after the harvest. It goes from the Easternmost Island to the Westernmost to thank Agni for his bounty or ask for his continued blessings. After a thousand years of existence it is one of our more deeply rooted traditions. It is common for parents to purchase tickets for their children onboard participating ships or for the poor indenture themselves as a means for their children to gain passage.”
“The children of rich and nobles command their own ships as a means to test their leadership abilities and the strength of Agni’s blessing. Azula almost won the first time she entered. She did win the second. I was to participate for the first time this year but I’ve been banished again. I didn’t even get the chance to see if it is only my father or if Agni truly does hate me.”
Katara took his hand into hers and squeezed. She had been able to participate in most of her tribe’s rites of passage but the same was not true for Sokka. Bato had taken him ice dodging among the rocks of the Earth Kingdom but she knew he also went with a group of boy’s at the North Pole led by Chief Arnook and their grandmother’s oldest nephew. She knew that even though he had done it twice and been deemed worthy of manhood he still spoke of going at home with their father.
Zuko inhaled and exhaled heavily, “Our country was not always peaceful Katara. After Fire Lady Boudicca united her island and her son united the others there was always the threat of war. The race was fair way to settle disputes as the victor could claim Agni’s favor. Fire Lord Ham Ghao had twin firstborn sons that were both capable leaders. He was unable to decide an heir but also did not want his death to start a civil war so he decided to use the race to determine if the oldest or youngest twin would succeed him. An albatross landed on both of their boats and it was seen a sign that even Agni was unable to choose between them.”
“The oldest grew angry. It was only by minutes but he was the oldest; he should have automatically been chosen as heir and received the blessing of Agni. He killed the Albatross and his brother. He became Fire Lord due to his bold decisive action but he underestimated the wrath of his mother. She blinded him in one eye with the beak of the bird he had killed and severed the hand that killed his brother using his sword.”
Zuko practically growled, “My ship was named the Albatross to remind me that that foolish pride and action without thought are dangerous to stupid little princes who piss off their parents and shame them.”
After the outburst he touched his scar and extended his arms, “Concubine Izayoi is said not to have killed her oldest son out of love and mercy. She blinded him because his youth made him shortsighted and would not allow him to see beyond his jealousy. With only one eye he would be forced to realize he couldn’t see everything around him. He would have to make an effort to discern what he was missing to avoid making a poor decision. She cut off his hand so he would be forced to choose how to use it. Possessing only one meant he could choose to be an aggressor or protector.”
Zuko turned his hands back and forth while wiggling his fingers, “I have both my hands and my vision. I can attack and protect but I still am unable to see everything around me clearly.”
He touched his scar again, “At times I wish to believe this is mercy. I am alive although disfigured.” “I’ve been allowed to come home as if all were forgiven but how much can he hate me to have done this?” Zuko whispered quietly.
He noticed Katara was staring at him and quickly snorted, “Too bad my ship got blown up by pirates. We know it worked to keep away Waterbenders.”
“You insufferable Jerkbender!” Katara screamed with far more venom than she felt as she rolled over to attack him.
She tried to pretend his words had not made her pity him as she lifted his shirt. She pretended she had not chosen this particular type of assault because she had seen tears in his eyes and heard the sadness in his voice. As the pads of her fingers scuttled along the skin of his midsection Katara pretended she the only reason she was tickling Zuko was because he’d insulted Waterbenders. Not because his sadness had been so palpable that she simply wished to see him smiling.

Mimi Feye: Thank you for the feedback. Ember Island Players? Well of course, someone has to perform the play Sei has written. And yes they have been on the boat for an extremely long time. Sticking two people together in an inescapable situation is a convenient plot device. I hope I manage to bring a refreshing spin to the trope. J As for the length I’m starting to fear this monster will hit one million words.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story