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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 26
Zuko’s head dropped to her shoulders and his large hands settled around her hips. She flinched expecting him to molest her but she only adjusted her so that she was perched more solidly in his lap. She felt a slight chill and realized his chest was longer against her back and he’d withdrawn his hand to part his shirt to reach into the inner pocket.
“My necklace,” Katara brought her hands to her neck. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten he’d taken it.
“It’s amazing and so well crafted,” Zuko said running his fingers over the delicate carving. “I tried to take good care of it when I had it.”
He smoothed the ribbon and tied it around her neck before retrieving a key from his pocket and inserting it onto the cuffs, “This garden. It means to me what the necklace means to you.”
Katara nodded and her golden fetters fell off. She rubbed her wrist and Zuko took her hand in his to inspect it, “I’m sorry. I should have remembered how much they chafe.”
Katara pondered why he would have that knowledge as she called a small amount of water from the pond to soothe the damaged skin. Unlike earlier Zuko didn’t flinch or make any move to stop her as the water gloved her hand and coated her wrist. He cradled her wrist, fingering the newly healed areas only letting go so she could do the other side. “You’re lucky. Whenever something goes wrong, you have the means to fix it. No matter how hard I try all I ever seem to do is make things worse.”
This time Katara was unable to mistake the quivering in his voice, the shine in his eyes or the faint trembles as he let go of her hands and leaned back against the tree and shut his eyes again - He was crying.
Katara pulled a small ball of water from the pond and let it bounce along her fingers as she pondered the reason he would shed tears. She soon forgot the troubles of her makeshift bench and her own as a tiny fire whips began to chase the two balls she had guided into a game of leapfrog. Zuko’s chuckle made her drop her concentration and the water splashed onto the ground beside them.
“It’s okay. You can bend here so long as it’s too small to be noticeable and you don’t destroy anything.”
“Thank you,” Katara rose from his lap and began a concentration kata that focused on minimal foot movements to keep the water between her knees and ankles. She shifted into another kata that coiled the water along her torso with every motion as she focused on keeping it close but not touching.

Zuko watched as the girl and the water moved in perfect harmony; the layers of diaphanous fabric of her dress shimmered in the moonlight and floating droplets glistened alongside of it. She was graceful and fluid; all the things his fire was not. He like his element was a series of stops and starts accented by frenetic bursts of energy that threatened to spiral out of control at every moment.
He waited until she’d come to a standstill before suggesting they head back indoors. She put on her shoes and he picked up the chains. He paused before putting them on her, “Do you promise to stay by my side if I don’t use them?”
She gathered her skirts and held them in one hand then silently slipped the other into his. The cuffs were wrapped in the cloak so they wouldn’t jingle and he dropped them off in his bedroom and led her to the darkened kitchens.
A voice yelled at them, “Halt, who dares trespass in the Fire Lord’s kitchens?”
Katara pressed her back against the wall dodging a flying object. Her companion wasn’t so lucky.
“Ow, it’s me. Prince Zuko. Taiga, top throwing spoons,” he said rubbing his forehead and arm.

“I’m sorry, my prince,” the cook apologized with a bow. “Usually you are not this early.”
“I didn’t really eat that much at the banquet,” Zuko admitted grabbing a loaf of bread from one of the large pantries.
“Ah, I guessed as much. Many a good meal has been ruined by unpleasant company. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing my creations spread amongst the poor and my fellow servants. Grab what you want. I’ll prepare the sandwiches,” the woman said slapping Zuko’s hand and taking the bread before he could further mis-slice it.
Katara watched as Zuko grabbed several different types of meat and vegetables then instructed the cook to make more once she’d assembled four large sandwiches. “Are you really going to eat all that?”
“No, we are,” he shrugged nonchalantly. He lowered his voice so only she could hear it, “I know what it’s like to be hungry, especially when you’re surrounded by others eating,” he admitted. He still hadn’t regained all the weight he’d lost when he and his uncle were fugitives.
She took a chance and replied, “Aang is a vegetarian.” To her surprise he requested some of the sandwiches be made with eggplant, mushrooms and tofu as the main ingredient.
The cook made them muttering, “Never thought I’d see the day this one would go meatless, must be your fault young lady. Too much meat clogs the arteries, ruins the stamina and makes a man sluggish. Can’t get a good push with a belly interfering.”
“Speaking of bellies interfering,” she turned away from the sandwiches and handed Zuko a pot of water and instructed him to boil it. She broke off three leaves in a cup and handed the rest of the potted plant to Katara. “Three leaves a day, keeps the babies away. Pour the hot water no higher than two fingers and let to cool to the point it’s not steaming.”
The blushing teenagers did as instructed while the cook completed the sandwiches and riceballs then made the punch that Zuko requested. Zuko took Katara back to his room and set the riceballs on the two plates they were given and poured punch over them. He explained the punch was made from fruit juice and wine. It was specially blended to settle the stomach and aid digestion.
He then tossed her a set of dark clothing, socks and a pair of boots that she guessed had also once belonged to him. She turned to ask him where to put her dress and noticed he had already started undressing. She scampered behind the screen telling her herself that she did not just ogle the Prince of the Fire Nation and that his sculpted torso really wasn’t that impressive. She emerged to see they were wearing matching outfits.
Zuko wrapped the sandwiches in cloth and had her saturate the riceballs with punch. He then used his Firebending to sear them trapping the liquid inside before having her direct the rest into a water skin. He told her to be quiet and led her down his much traveled route to the palace dungeon. He waited until the guards walked by to lead Katara to the maximum security cell next to the one his uncle had escaped from.

“Katara!” two voices yelled her name in unison.
“Sokka! Aang!” Katara squealed running towards them.
“Shh, stay quiet. You don’t want to attract any attention,” Zuko told the three of them.
“Are you going to let us out?” Aang asked hopefully, remembering that Zuko had once saved him as the Blue Spirit.
“I can’t. The palace and capital are too heavily guarded. Your bison is still on the ship docked in my father’s private harbor. You have nowhere to run,” Zuko explained as he searched for the plates used to feed the prisoners. He cursed when he noticed they were still dusty. He led Katara to a small well and told her to use her bending to wash them and two tin cups.
“So does that mean you would if you could?” Aang chirped perkily.
“Shut up and eat your sandwich,” Zuko gruffly admonished evading the question.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story