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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 273
The water retrieval took twice as long with Zuko than it did with Ty Lee but Katara didn’t mind. After spending weeks trapped indoors seeing Zuko outside in the sun was like watching water being poured upon wilted greens. He came to life under the rays of the sun and if not for back spasms to remind them she would have forgotten that he was still recuperating. As they days passed Zuko continued to accompany her and the amount of time it took to gather the water didn’t shorten; it grew longer. At first Zuko had to stop frequently due to pain, but later they were stopped frequently by the townspeople and refugees.
The Ursa House was fully operational and the Sunshine Wing had been added. The refugees wanted to speak to him. Unlike Qiaolian most of them came from the Lower Ring. They had lived in constant fear of the Dai Li, criminals, and rich men seeking diversions. Being poor in a city that catered to the rich meant that many found solace for the first time on the grounds of the plain brown building named after a woman who should have been their greatest enemy. There were enough of them who had suffered in Ba Sing Se to understand the Ursa House’s significance and convey its true meaning to those who did not – they too were deserving of respect and kindness.
The situation in this dusty city away from their home and the sanctuary of Omashu was far from ideal but the townspeople and refugees saw the wisdom in creating a place for women to heal and not worry about their children’s safety while doing so. It was the only place of its kind in the Earth Kingdom and existed only as a result of Zuko’s benevolence. They were unable to believe that someone from the Fire Nation, a member of the royal house no less, acknowledged their humanity and believed that they too, had a right to peacefully exist.
They stopped Zuko wanting to know more about the person who had done something so unusual for them. Was he like so many of men of power and position using false kindness to ensnare them or had Jin, the jilted daughter of the restaurant, spoken the truth about a hidden side of his personality? Many times when calling his name they caught him off guard and saw glimpses of the awkward boy lurking behind his princely demeanor. The broad smile across his face and his genuine happiness at being outside of the hotel room only served to encourage their efforts. Zuko, who was used to being ignored, did not turn away a single person who greeted them. If they waved, he waved back, if they yelled he yelled back, if they hugged, he froze then patted them awkwardly on the shoulder before gently pushing them away and stepping out of reach.
Katara was still viewed as a betrayer but her efforts to conserve water were changing some of their hatred to indifference. Her actions allowed them to do what they could to improve their sanctuary. They no longer feared dying of thirst and had enough water to deem it safe to plant flowers. The small green sprigs emerging from the well tended dirt would not be possible without her. Each day as she tended to her duties there were less shouts of “whore”, “traitor” and “betrayer”. The words were still whispered although most frequently by children asking their mother’s what they meant and why they shouldn’t look at her, she was pretty. The innocent words of the children only served to add fuel to the cold glares.

Each day Azula saw all of it from the training grounds. Not that she cared anything about the people of the Earth Kingdom, but history had proven colonization and the expansion of a conqueror’s wealth increased at a more rapid pace when dealing with cooperative natives. These mudbugs loved Zuko; a boon for their nation which tipped the battle for the throne in her brother’s favor. No one liked to pay taxes but it was more tolerable coming from a ruler they believed cared for them and their interest. Lu Ten’s idea to fund the navy with voluntary donations based on the premise of “stronger faster ships to bring your sons and daughters home safely” separated enough peasants from their copper coins to rival her own personal income. If their love for Zuko continued to grow they might volunteer the location of the nearby coal deposits and place him another step closer to the throne. She could not let that happen. She would have to increase the amount of hours her Dai Li agents spent searching for the mineral veins and ensure control of this town went to her.
“He certainly has a way with them,” Bong Cha commented casually while monitoring the efforts of her unintended charge. Ozai had trusted Chu-hua’s judgment when it came to his daughter and the first thing the admiral did was pawn the princess onto her.
“First the water peasant, then the restaurant peasant now all of them; Zuzu’s a regular peasant piper,” Azula replied while carefully lifting a leg and moving it forward. “It will all come crashing down upon him soon enough. I’ve received word that Father is penning a reply to my letter. I am told it has a favorable response.”
“Favorable? In what way,” Bong Cha parried while adjusting Azula’s stance to improve her balance. She had thought it best to have their lesson outdoors in case Azula’s reaction upon realizing this lesson had nothing to do with her skills as a fighter and was truly a simple lesson in how to walk in high heels was just as violent as her mother’s.
“Let’s just say Father’s reaction was quite exuberant after learning how his wife’s name is being slandered. There are rumors he wishes to personally handle the problem,” Azula boasted while taking another precarious step.
“Merciful Agni, what have we done to deserve the privilege of another visit from the Fire Lord?” Bong Cha shrieked causing her charge to misstep. The princess’s descent and landing was just as loud and fiery as she had been expecting. In her ire, Azula never noticed how easily the War Minister’s wife suppressed her blue flames.
That night Chu-hua’s rest was once again disturbed by an unexpected tea service – white tea containing the leaf of a single red orchid. Her master required the use of her dog.

Author’s Note: thank you for reading and being so patient with the irregular updates.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story