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Borealis: A Zutara Story	By : jaded_priceless Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality Views: 34026 -:- 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
- 12
- 13
- 14
Chapter 12
Zuko dragged Katara away from her brother and Sokka snarled loudly in her direction in native Water Tribe, “Be careful. Protect yourself. We are Southern Water Tribe, children of the wolf. Wolves wait quietly, always hunting. Wolves devour dogs. They can not run away. We will bite their bodies, chew their bones and belch their blood,” then filled the air with his battle cry.
Comforted by her brother’s words, Katara wiped away her tears. She lifted her head and replied, “A wolf always remembers and gets revenge,” before howling as well.
Sokka nodded, “A wolf always remembers and gets revenge” indeed. He had forgotten how ferocious his little sister’s battle cry was. It was more haunting than Amnak’s. The knot in Sokka’s stomach unwound somewhat; Katara could hold a grudge like no other. They would get out of this somehow.
Aang had no clue what was going on. His cage was wheeled out in time for him to see Katara being pulled away but he screamed, “Hey guys don’t forget about me. I don’t speak much Water Tribe.” He called out something he often heard during his training.
Sokka and Katara laughed –“warm clothes were great”. They replied something they often heard Aang say in Air Nomad and he laughed just as hard as they did. Aang only hoped what he said wasn’t as ridiculous as “Fruit pies are delicious.”

The trio was soon united and placed into formation. The heralds and flag bearers led the way. The royal siblings, high ranking military officers from the ship, and Azula’s henchwomen were next. The cart bearing Aang’s cage was directly behind them. Sokka and Katara were tied to the rear bars by the waist. The rest of the lower ranking officers marched behind them.
The road up the volcano to the capital seemed much steeper than it did the day of the invasion. With each step Katara took the wedge between her legs grew wider. Aang and Sokka were encouraging her, but it was hard to keep going. She stumbled. A quick jab with the butt end of a spear kept her upright.
Zuko rode beside Azula, but he kept turning around to check on Katara. He had noticed that she was walking funny earlier. He’d thought it was because her legs were chained, but she continued to do so after he pulled her away from her brother and removed them. He saw one of the soldiers poke her with a spear so he broke formation and rode beside her long enough to remove his cloak and drape it over her. It was illegal to desecrate royal clothing.
They were close to the city proper and his gesture did not go unnoticed. Several onlookers screamed, “She’s wearing his robe!” and “Prince Zuko has claimed the Avatar’s Waterbender!”
Zuko returned to his rightful place in the procession. Mai called his name when he rode by but he avoided looking at her. They rode another quarter mile and Zuko turned his head again. This time he saw Katara stumble.
He broke formation again to return to her side. This time he severed the rope tying her to the cage with a single burst of fire. He leaned down and lifted her onto his rhino with one arm. He settled her in front of him and wrapped one hand around her waist. “Lean back against me.”
This time cries of “Prince Zuko took the Avatar’s Waterbender!” rang out.
Katara ignored the deeper implications of what was being shouted and sat ramrod straight on the animal. Her arms were tied behind her and if she leaned back her hands would be somewhere she didn’t want them. This was more painful than walking. Her legs were stretched almost completely open to accommodate the rhino’s width. Each lumbering step jostled her in the saddle and caused her wraps to shift uncomfortably. The palace gates were in sight. She could endure it for a little longer.
The beast turned down a street lined with people; Katara realized they weren’t going straight to the palace. They would be paraded around the city. She bent her knees higher and brought her feet to rest on the back of the animal’s neck. That position offered little relief, but at least it changed the angle of pressure between her legs.
“Put your feet down. You’re causing Korhi to strain herself,” Zuko said impatiently. This was his personal Komodo rhino. Korhi had been a gift from Lu Ten for his seventh birthday. Her sire was Lu Ten’s personal mount. She had accompanied him on his banishment and he thought she had been lost when Zhao commandeered his crew and supplies. Lieutenant Jee had her sent back to the palace since she bore the royal family’s brand.
Katara ignored Zuko’s request and soon regretted it. He tapped lightly on the pressure points in her kneecaps causing her feet to slip and her sore parts to rock forward against the saddle. She yelped in pain curling her knees up on either side of the animal. She closed her eyes, but the tears still came out.
“Sit up, Katara. No matter how hard you try I won’t let you fall off,” Zuko sighed in irritation.
Afraid he would try to adjust her; Katara lowered her legs and tried to lift her shoulders. That caused her hips to shift forward and down so she stopped. Maybe she should just fall of the animal. If she were lucky she’d take Zuko down with her. Zuko grabbed the back of her shirt and roughly pulled her upright. This time she screamed loud enough to startle several of the veteran soldiers and war animals.
“Why are you…?” Zuko began angrily before remembering how sore he was the first time he rode Korhi after returning to the palace. Katara had been walking funny since last night. It was possible she was already in pain from what he’d done to her. He cursed at his own stupidity and growled at her, “Why didn’t you tell me it hurt?”
“For what, it’s not like you care,” she spat in between sobs.
“Stupid girl,” Zuko snapped spreading his legs. He turned her sideways so she sat in between them. He arranged her knees so they rested over his right thigh then pulled her torso against his chest.
“Is this better?” he questioned softly once his arms were wrapped securely around her.
Katara nodded. At this new angle, she had to lean against Zuko but only her bottom bumped against the rhino. At least she could look over his shoulder to see Aang and Sokka. Aang had turned to face forward, but he sat cross legged as if he were meditating. Sokka looked straight ahead. His head was held high and his face was blank giving no indication of what he was thinking.
Katara schooled her features in a similar manner determined not to let the world know just how badly Zuko had hurt her and in what manner he had shamed her.
- 12
- 13
- 14
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Borealis: A Zutara Story