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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 241
Katara was much calmer by the time the butcher shop opened. She waited inside with his wife while Amayu spoke to him about acquiring a portion of liver, a fast cooking cut of flank and longer cooking meats such as bone-in shank or spine bones that would fit inside Katara’s stew pot. The master haggler wound up with several tough cuts of gristly meat along with what she had asked for. She proudly carried those back to the hotel crowing about the delicious meal Katara would cook for her.

Mu was still chatting with Zuko when they returned or rather he was expertly interpreting Zuko’s mumbles and using them to carry on a mostly one sided conversation. Amayu glared at Mu challenging him to say anything untoward against the Waterbender who had set down her vegetables and promptly ran to hide in the bathroom.
“Izzat Katabla?” Zuko groaned belatedly realizing someone had entered the room after Amayu had washed her hands and began examining him.
“Yes, she’s back,” Mu replied tersely.
“His condition has not deteriorated in spite of the fact you covered his wounds with this goo. What is it with your and brother? You lack your mother’s intelligence and father’s skill yet you still insist upon treating humans. What’s in this concoction that compelled you to use it on Zuko?” the doctor asked rubbing it between her fingers and sniffing it.
“It is my mother’s secret formula. I am not allowed to divulge it,” Mu replied.
“Uhm-hum,” Amayu scoffed placing her fingers in her mouth and licking them. Mu treated animals; none of his creams, ointments or dressings were harmful if small amounts were ingested. She shuddered while spitting and using the hem of her shirt to wipe her tongue, “This is not your mother’s recipe. You mixed this. Hers has more bitterroot and less cactus. What is this pure Si Wong?”
Mu’s mouth dropped. Amayu had mentioned his family members. His mother’s extensive botanical knowledge made her a frequent guest lecturer at various medical institutions so it was possible Amayu had attended one of them. His father was just plain famous. He had attained notoriety as a General in the cavalry and as the royal family’s official veterinarian. Wei was also a veterinary officer in the army but he was nowhere near as high ranking. There was only one reason Amayu would know to mention him. Wei had almost gotten himself and their father killed by coming home during basic training and announcing he’d found a sister - a medic whom he dubbed I-Nag-Yu.
He’d only met I-Nag-yu once almost ten years ago but she was the right age. It also explained why Wei’s letters had mentioned saying hello to his little sister and be sure to mention the warts on his ass, boils beneath his armpits and a strange smell between his toes. He originally had thought he meant Ty Lee as they had both married one of her older sisters but he had no reason to say those things to her. Mu voice was filled with trepidation as he questioned, “I-Nag-Yu?”
“Oh, so Meathead didn’t forget. Has his dumbass at least learned the difference between lard cakes and soap?” Amayu said smiling fondly using her nickname for Wei. Her tone sharpened drastically, “And I ask you again, why is it that you insist upon treating humans when you lack your mother’s intelligence and your father’s skill? And is this cactus pure Si Wong?”
“Yes?” Mu replied hesitantly as Amayu frowned.
“Si Wong cactus has stronger hallucinogens than those cultivated by Lady Sunshine. You run the risk of causing more harm if your patient sees something unpleasant. You should use less of it. Adding gelatin to supplement the aloe is a nice touch but it needs more bitterroot to dissuade your non-human patients from licking it. I would also recommend a miniscule amount of cayenne. The capsaicin also deters licking and keeps away parasites. And you shouldn’t have given it to him. The effects of the cactus juice will -” Amayu stopped when she realized she’d begun screaming.
She took a deep breath then tersely explained, “The cactus juice impairs the body’s ability to synthesize the coca as it now has another agent that must be broken down. Si Wong isn’t like the derivatives your mother grows in that there is no gentle step down. Zuko will crash. I can only hope that most of the coca is out of his system otherwise his body will rely on the stimulant effects of the coca to compensate for the rapid change. Did Toshio mention the last time coca was given to him?”
“He gave him another dose before he left this morning. He steeped the leaves. He let him drink it in tea form and mixed in the food he gave him,” Mu replied knowing that method ensured the medicine would remain in the body longer and would be continually released as the food was digested.
“Katabla,” Zuko groaned in his sleep as he shifted once more.
Mu looked at friend. He had always been slightly taller but Zuko had always been the broader of the two them. He looked so pale and tiny lying in his sickbed whimpering for Katara. He didn’t even seem so fragile after Ozai burned him. Ursa, Chu-hua, and Niu were like brother and sister. Wei and Lu Ten were like brothers. He and Zuko were like brothers. His mother often joked Zuko was the well behaved son she never got the opportunity to have. It devastated him to learn why Zuko was burned then banished and swore to always look out for him. Mu’s voice was shaking as he asked, “Have I hurt him? Did what I do make his condition worse?”
“Come to the infirmary this afternoon and I will show you what all you did wrong,” Amayu said tiredly. “If it weren’t for Meathead and Lady Sunshine I would leave you to your folly and let you learn by harming your patients. It is out of respect for them I am willing to offer you correction. You should leave now. He wants Katara. She won’t come out while you’re here.”

Author's Note: Real life is still handing me my ass on a garbage can lid so still can't promise regular updates. Thank you all for sticking with me and reading. Hopefully these little tidbits bring a little escape to your day.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story