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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
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Chapter 137
Zuko ran back to his room. He saw the shadow of someone racing up the stairs and there were scratches on his doorknob. He fumbled the keys in his haste to open the door. He didn’t see Katara so he screamed her name frantically and turned to head back out of the door.
“I’m in the restroom,” she replied.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?” Zuko asked turning the knob.
“I’m doing moon time stuff and unless you let go of that doorknob, you’re going to find out exactly what that means,” she screeched.
Zuko paced anxiously outside the door until Katara came out. He threw his arms around her as soon as she emerged, “Are you all right? Did they get in? Did they hurt you?”
“Wait what? Did who get in?” Katara asked confused.
“When I came back up I saw a shadow going up the stairs and two of the guards who support Uncle Iroh told me someone was up here with a lock pick trying to get in my room,” Zuko replied.
Katara laughed, “You are easy. Dr. Amayu brought me this medical book. She said Dr. Bingwen wanted me to have it so I’d understand why he’s doing so many examinations. He wanted me to feel more comfortable since in the Water Tribes healing is mostly a woman’s profession especially when it comes to women’s reproductive areas.”
“But the guards downstairs said...,” Zuko stammered.
“Little Zuko has forgotten people who gave him treats when he snuck out of his room to listen to the wild stories his uncle’s friends told when they came to the palace to play Pai Sho.” Katara explained.
“I thought they looked familiar. It’s just it’s hard to tell about people’s agendas and how they change over the years,” Zuko admitted.
Katara could understand that. Zuko’s agenda changed daily, “Zuko, I want to go Waterbend. It helps clear my mind.”
Zuko led her upstairs and watched in awe as she moved through several katas. The water swirled around her then swung back over the ocean. He threw several fire balls over the water and she hit each one with a precise strike of a water whip. Zuko giggled when she pulled the water around herself in the form of an octopus, waved its arms and stuck her tongue out at him.
He tried to do the same with his element but ended up setting one of the lounge chairs on fire. Katara put it out without touching Zuko with a single drop of water.
“Show off!
She laughed and returned to the basic forms. She couldn’t forget she was in enemy territory. They did not need to know just what she was capable of. Master Pakku had stressed control, concentration and precision as much as concealing your true power.

That night Dr. Bingwen sent stewards to remove the cot she’d been sleeping on. She was glad she had the remaining 2 days of her cycle to curb Zuko’s enthusiasm about being able to touch her again. For the past few days the two of them had talked before going to sleep and Katara had to use the foul scented spray Amayu had given her several times to remind him to keep his lips away from her.
By the time she was deemed safe and they were allowed to leave the ship she wished Amayu had not remembered to retrieve the spray even thought it made her smell like the inedible parts of a skunkfish. Her’s lips were swollen, her hands were sore, her wrists were tired and her neck looked like she had been put in a headlock by a giant pentapus.

Zuko walked beside her happily holding her hand as they went into town. Katara soon learned how much faster the rumor milled traveled than a ship the Ursa’s size. Several people including those who bowed and cheered for Prince Zuko looked at her the same way Sokka had done. She stepped closer to him and tightened the grip she had on his hand after seeing their expression, bracing for the moment the shouting began.
It never did.
They were able to select a restaurant without incident and Katara was starting to relax by the time Zuko ordered a platter large enough to feed both of them. her insides twisted when the food came. Someone in the kitchen had made sure several of the items were arranged in that town’s configuration of the whore’s special. Long items thin items such as sausages and rolled omelets were placed between two piles of rice and the dish was garnished with green onions, pickled ginger, and radishes shaved above the rice to mimic pubic hair.
This time Zuko noticed the configuration and called for the owner, “Who did this? Someone is your establishment has disrespected my woman. Send them out.”
The woman smiled proudly and admitted to being the one who arranged the platter, “It’s what we served all ladies of the evening who attempt to ply their trade here to let them know their kind is not wanted in these parts. I thought it would be fitting for your slut.”
The woman didn’t flinch when the table erupted into flames and the fireballs began whizzing by her head.
Katara grabbed his arm, “Zuko, stop. You’re going to burn down the place!”
“She insulted you Katara! Did you see what she put on that plate!” Zuko yelled kicking a nearby chair and sending it sliding across the room. It ignited two others that it bumped into before crashing to the wall.
“That’s no reason to take away her means of livelihood!” Katara shrieked she bent liquid towards the fire to put it out.
Zuko grabbed her hands so the water splashed sideways, “So I’m supposed to ignore this?”
“If you want to punish her, find a different way, one that will make her consider her actions and benefit society somehow!” Katara screamed back at him.
“Like what? What can she do to benefit society? This is port isn’t controlled by the Fire Nation. There is nothing beneficial beyond here! The only thing she can do is harbor rebels and spread dissent so it will be more difficult to control if we ever find something useful here!” Zuko replied slightly less loudly as Katara’s words slowly began to sink in.
“It’s a restaurant Zuko, she has food. Make her feed the hungry. A day every week every month for every one of those shapes she put on the plate. She’ll think about her actions with every meal she doles out and doesn’t receive any pay,” Katara replied turning her hands over to hold his.
The woman looked at her, “I don’t need mercy from a traitorous whore. I’d rather lose everything than support my family with a restaurant spared by the woman who kills her friends and spreads her legs for the Fire Nation.”
Katara grabbed Zuko’s wrists and covered both their hands in ice to hold them, “Have someone get all of the food out first and the money. Take it to the local orphanage. Take the pots, pans, utensils and everything useful to them as well. Children should never have to pay for the pride and ideals of adults.”
Zuko nodded and the soldiers who’d accompanied them quickly set to work. Everything was out on the street when Katara released Zuko’s hands. True to her word, the owner did not shed one tear as her home and place of occupation burned. Two more restaurants went up in flames after receiving the same choice before they were served a decent meal.
The elderly owner sat the food down before them and told Katara, “I agree with their ideals, but I learned long ago that pride goeth before a fall. You may not be what we originally thought you were, but you are just and merciful. I can only hope you are able to spread those traits as well as you spread your legs and that Prince Zuko does not fill your heart with Fire Nation brutality the way he fills what is between them.”
He then looked at Zuko, “Punish me however you will. I am old and will depart this world soon, holding my tongue will give me regrets before I go to the spirit of judgment.”
Zuko looked at the man. For some reason his words reminded him of his uncle, “One meal. You will feed the cities hungry and poor one meal a day for the rest of your life.”
The man nodded. When they were leaving he said to Zuko, “A wise leader knows that brutality is not the only way to wield authority. Listen to her, especially if the spirits forsake us and we lose the war. Long live the Avatar!”
Zuko stopped, “You will also provide one koku of rice to the orphanage every month until you die for that treasonous statement.”
The man smiled, “I will be happy to do so. Spirits know your countrymen ensure there is no shortage of them. I can only hope you are a better father than the other Fire Nation despoilers of innocent women.”
“Old Man are you trying to test my patience?” Zuko growled angrily.
“Yes, Prince Zuko, I am. Testing your patience is the only way I can prove to you that you do have it. A wise man to whom I owe a great debt once told me that you lacked it. That is the death of any man, especially one who aspires to be a ruler,” he replied.
“Do you have any other bits of wisdom you wish to impart?” Zuko asked bitterly.
“Yes, watch your back. You have no idea what manner of demon is hunting the girl beside you,” he advised. “Young lady, if we live through this, I would like you to return to my shop and play a game of Pai Sho.”
“I don’t believe in demons,” Zuko replied harshly.
The old man laughed, “That doesn’t stop the demon from believing in you. It is known as a luóchà among my people, a rakshasa among yours and a skin walker among its own. Prince Zuko, as my final debt repayment to your esteemed uncle, beware of the wendigo. It seeks his flesh and blood.”

Mimi Feye: Thank you for your kind words. I plan to post as regularly as real life permits. I’m glad you’re liking the Sokka parts. I was a bit worried about them. He’s normally portrayed as such a likeable goofball I wasn’t sure how people would take seeing him abused, angry, and bitter. I hope the story continues to live up to your expectations.

MsScarletTaylor: Thank you for your feedback. That last sentence was a bit deceptive wasn’t it? I hope you like the scene that it turned into.

Author’s Note: One koku of rice is a unit of measure from the Edo time period of Japan. It’s enough rice to feed one person for a year.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story