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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 294
The rest of camp was awake when they returned. After breakfast Chu-hua ordered those who’d tended to the funeral to rest a few hours before resuming their duties. Katara wasn’t sure how long she slept but was woken by Ty Lee gently shaking her. The acrobat placed a finger over her lips then removed it to whisper, “Thank you.”
Katara sat up while eyeing the other girl quizzically.
“Zuko never would have thought of doing that so I know the idea had to have come from you,” she replied as she removed her hand from Katara’s mouth.
“So why are you thanking me? Katara asked.
Ty Lee glanced at the bedding, “I grew up hearing tales of my father’s glory and how it’s a shame he’s not the same man today. He’s grown soft in his infirmity and it shows in his deference to a single woman, my mother. I have six siblings ranging from age 5 to almost 40. My mother had missed her cycle when we left. I don’t know if I have another sibling on the way or if the mother’s blessing has finally left her.
“Papa says during his time carousing he never fathered a child but who is to know if it is true or not? As much as I want to think he saved his best for Mama I am not so naïve as to believe that all babies come from love or the other women he’d slept with just weren’t as fertile. I also have uncles and cousins who look up to my father; not the man he is today, but the man that he was. Every time I see a colonial I can’t help but to search their features and wonder if I am looking at an unknown sibling or cousin. I don’t know if I had family in this town or not but it eases my mind to know that if any of these women or children were my siblings, cousins, nieces or nephews their souls can now rest in peace.” Ty Lee slipped away before Katara could reply.
She too was wearing white.
Zuko returned shortly after Ty Lee departed. There were bags under his eyes and he was carrying food. His tired voice was in direct contrast to his cheerful, “Oh good, you’re up. After last night, I didn’t want to wake you. I know how much you hate our funerals.”
Katara yawned, “That one wasn’t so bad.” She paused searching for the right words after seeing his hurt expression then said, “The bodies had already been committed to Agni so it didn’t feel like I was reliving my mother’s death.”
Zuko nodded and handed Katara her bowl of soup. Once they’d finished eating he used his finger to draw a map on the sleeping mat. “We are here. The town that was destroyed is here. There are towns here, here and here. The sniffalongs were able to trace scents back to all three. Chu-hua is deciding the formation now. This one is closer to us but further away from the others. We’ll be leaving in two hours.”

The camp was packed and ready to move in less than hour. Katara watched as it split into three groups. The majority went straight to the rendezvous point with Aang. It was led by man Bong Cha had identified as Lord Asami’s younger brother. The backup group was led by Commander Huang. It split into two smaller groups that flanked hers. Sokka was placed in that one as insurance. If someone attacked and managed to free Aang he’d led them back to the Fire Nation to rescue his friends. She would remain with Zuko in the primary strike group led by Chu-hua.
There were no hills in this part of the plains so they were able to see the first town after two hours of travel. After an hour what looked like fence posts guiding people to its entrance appeared on the horizon. Katara closed her eyes as they got close enough for her to realize what she thought was a beacon for lost travelers was nothing of the sort. A mostly naked man was tied to each pole. Some of their heads turned in their direction as they passed while others could only move their eyes. A short time later they arrived inside the small village.
The headman and council strode out to meet them as soon as they stopped. Others bearing troughs soon came with water for the animals while others emerged with small tables and refreshments.
The headman spoke, “We have lived on these plains for thousands of years with little to no interference and would like to continue to do so. This war has interrupted our nomadic way of life and we’ve adapted as a result. Luckily this place has very little that others want so our peace has not been disturbed. We know what was in the village southeast of here and we know why you have come.
“Those you seek have been placed outside our village walls. We are not Fire Nation sympathizers, nor are we Earth Kingdom supporters. We are simple folk who wish to be left alone by our neighbors unless trade and survival dictates otherwise. We are also decent human beings with no tolerance for those who brag about raping women and killing children regardless of virtue or parentage. We have punished them according to our custom. They will hang on those posts until they find their own way down or the spirits decide to have mercy on them. Each day they will receive one cup of water and a piece of fruit to sustain them. Those were Fire Nation women and children they harmed so you are welcome to take them with you and exact your own justice. All that we ask is that you leave those within these walls without further harm.”
Chu-hua stared at the man. In spite of his calm words his eyes seemed tired and his voice sounded as if it were plagued by something more than age. She loudly asked, “Which is your son?”
The man inhaled and exhaled, his shoulders moving heavily with the motion, “The one who is the least dressed and most tightly bound.”
“I see. So why was your son punished most harshly?” the Admiral asked.
The man stepped forward and undid the wraps shielding his face from the sun revealing his fair skin and golden eyes, “As I said, we seek little interaction with our neighbors unless it is for trade or survival. We are a small group that has lasted here longer than most. We don’t get very many outsiders but those women and children are all outsiders with fresh bloodlines. Not every man looks upon his pregnant whore or the bastard she’s birthed and sees proof of his own virility. We take those unwanted children and cast off women and treasure them. Without the callousness of your people I am certain we would have died off long ago. My father and I are most grateful to the man who tossed aside a pregnant woman as thing of little value. My mother and I are grateful there are people in this world who look beyond nation and circumstances of birth when creating a family and dictating right and wrong.”
Chu-hua dismounted and sat at one of the tables provided, “I will accept your hospitality and pass word that you are not enemies but you also are not friends.”
The rest of the strike group followed suit and finished the small meal that had been placed before them. Once it was completed Chu-hua rose from the table and removed a few silver coins, and a small writing set from her saddle bag. “A token of appreciation for allowing us to take our own justice. There is a new colony to the south of here at the Northern border of the Si Wong. The governor there is a practical woman who will honor your way of life. I am writing this letter of introduction on your behalf if you would like to open future trade with them. I will also let her know that whenever possible you and yours are not be harmed.”
The man thanked Chu-hua but stared in confusion when she asked for fresh water, fruit and called for Toshio. Chu-hua’s face was a mask of serenity as she asked the men be brought down, allowed to rest as well as fed and watered. The men behind her roared with outrage but the village’s headman understood. His shoulders sagged with regret but he did as he was asked.
He hugged his son and apologized, “Forgive me for not outright killing you.”
The young man dismissed his father’s apology and gorged himself on water and food. Chu-hua waited until she could see the hope and relief on the culprits’ faces to demand that those with her surrender their Fire Wire. Fire Wire was similar to steel wool in that it contained metal but it was softer, stronger, very expensive and used to make the cloth in the uniforms of Firebenders. The fabric was paradoxically able to conduct as well as disperse heat while withstanding high temperatures thereby allowing the wearer’s skin to breathe. It was believed that Bong Cha’s unique cloth was the reason this current generation of soldiers could wield their flames without worry of the spontaneous combustion which frequently occurred among previous generations when vigorously bending.
Once accumulated the shorter strands of Fire Wire were sewn into the skin of the criminals before they were secured with new rope, also Fire Nation, back to the poles they originally occupied. Chu-hua then smiled and strode towards Katara, “Waterbender give these men succor.”
Katara looked at the men whose lives had been cruelly prolonged. Water could be absorbed through the skin but she knew that was not what Chu-hua was demanding. She wanted them healed so their punishments would be all the more painful. Katara lowered her head deferentially and spoke, “Admiral, my prince has forbidden-”
Zuko interrupted her to address the soldiers gathered with them, “You have lost your sons, daughters, and the women you love. Are you willing to keep a secret unknown to even my father so that those who harmed them may suffer?”
There were whispers among the men but man who’d lost his three children including the son he’d named posthumously understood. He’d lived on the edge of the desert long enough to know the danger posed by prolonged exposure to the sun. He yelled, “I will rip out my tongue and never speak again if it means knowing my family’s killer receive justice rendered by Agni himself.”
One by one the others agreed. There was a collective gasp as Zuko announced, “My Katara possesses all the gifts of Fire Lady Nini. She used those gifts during the last attack on New Ursa to save those who would have died from their injuries.”
He placed his hand Katara’s shoulder and demanded harshly, “Do it. Heal these men so they may die slowly and painfully beneath the vengeful rays of Agni for killing the ones we love.”
Katara’s mind was conflicted as she did as she was ordered. The numbness of the previous day had given way to clarity. Regardless of her feelings the people who’d attacked that town had found a way to hurt the Fire Nation. They’d done to colonist what she’d threatened to do to the people of the capital her first full day of captivity. These men deserved to be punished for what they’d done to defenseless women and children but they were only doing to the Fire Nation what the Fire Nation had done to the rest of the world for a century. In a way they should be considered heroes for striking a brutal blow to the morale of their enemy. Carefully so that no one would notice she pulled water from the troughs the komodo rhinos had drank from. There were bacteria in their saliva. It wouldn’t take long for the men Chu-hua wanted to suffer to find the sweet release of death in one of the ways the Admiral had threatened to kill her brother.
Katara made sure the tainted water sank into the blistered skin before healing the damage and locking the poison inside their bloodstream. Once the deed was completed she slapped Zuko, “Do not ever use me like that again.”
He scowled and bristled, raising his hand as if he was going to retaliate but placed his hand on her head. He slid the palm of his hand down the side of her face pausing to cup her cheek before dropping it to her shoulder. He said nothing as he pulled her against him and began walking towards Kohri.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story