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Borealis: A Zutara Story	By : jaded_priceless Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality Views: 33555 -:- 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 307

Surprisingly Katara was finished showing the girls before Sokka finished with his students. They were happily tossing snowballs as she began showing the others.

Once everyone was trained Sokka threw a snowball at Zuko and Katara threw one at Mu. They then explained it was how they picked teams. Katara and Sokka each would be captains. Southern Water Tribe snowball quickly turned into grudge matches and the captains and players got to choose the other team. Zuko would play for Katara while Mu would play for Sokka. They got to choose next by throwing snowballs at someone.

Mu threw his snowball at Zhao 1. After several pitiful tries Zuko finally managed to strike one of the guards so Sokka's team would also be handicapped with a Firebender. Zhao 1 hit one of his former classmates. The classmate hit the other twin. Zhao 2 hit the second boy he wanted Sokka to beat. The game continued until the teams were chosen with Katara's team ending up with the three little Firebending girls. They believed it would be a fair since as a Waterbender even though they agreed to no bending she would have an advantage.

Sokka's team won the first round. As a prize he got to switch two of his people for Katara's. He traded two of the Firebending guards for non-bending scientists. The guards had been on the receiving end of the girls snowballs so they asked how they weren't melting them. They got no response. Sokka's team won the next round and he was able to pawn off two more Firebenders.

This time one of the guards who were tired of being beaten offered a bribe, "If you tell us how you are doing this we'll give you candy the next two times you pass by our stations."

"Four," the seven year old co-offered.

It was well known that Eun Lee was not a fan of candy and giving it to her children without her permission was generally a bad idea. After losing that round the guards agreed to provide candy the next six times the children passed their stations. The girls grinned widely; Granny Bong Cha, Granny Tsubaki, and Grammy Nima didn't share their mother’s views on candy. They believed candy was fine so long as it was balanced with plenty of milk, exercise, vegetables and tooth brushing which they all received. However they did take Eun Lee's threat to only allow supervised visits with their grandchildren very seriously so they used highly covert methods to provide treats. All three girls reached behind them into the pockets sewn in the back of their shirts and pulled out a butterscotch. "We think about not melting our candy when we make the snowballs."

Now that the Firebenders with the exception of Zuko had a way of making snowballs Katara's team won the next round; and the next and the next and the next. Sokka wasn't surprised his team was being beaten now that Katara had adjusted to once more throwing snow without bending. As a child she’d had one of the meanest throws in the village. His mother's insistence that Sokka take her out to play ensured it. He and his well dug in friends hid inside their snow fortress while the little siblings they were forced to bring along played the role of Fire Nation invaders.

But his friend’s younger siblings didn't have Katara's stubborn streak, competitive nature or her ability to hold a grudge. After three months of protecting their fort, the brave Water Tribe Warriors succumbed to the might of a single pissed off five year old. Before going off to war and leaving him behind several of Sokka's friends joked they were leaving a fearsome warrior behind. Sokka's heart swelled with pride until the older boys picked up Katara and said they were taking her with them.

The more arrogant of the young scientist couldn't believe what was happening, first he'd been beaten in Pai Sho several times by the Water Savage then beaten in a snow ball fight. They'd achieved victory several times over the Waterbender but now suddenly they were losing. He rationalized the only thing he could, "You're cheating! You're using your bending!

His friend piped up, "Yeah, you're cheating. You wouldn't win this much otherwise!"

"I am not cheating!" Katara yelled back.

"Yes you are! You Water Savages have no honor!"

"No way we'd believe some fucking cunt is that strong! There's only one use for women and fighting isn't one of them."

The snowballs Katara had in her hand knocked them off their feet. Mu and Zhao 2 were next. They hit the ground clutching their heads. Sokka ducked behind Zhao 1 but ended up knocking him down as he dodged his own snow-bullet. He grabbed the twin planning to use him as a shield as he scrambled out of the way. A snowball pelted him in the rear sending him skidding forward taking out both of them. They fell and rolled away in a tangle of limbs. Katara turned around and took out all of the guards with snowballs fueled by strength and anger before taking out Zuko.

She waited until the boys who called her cheat stood up and yelled, "This is what would have happened if I'd been using my bending."

Katara outstretched her arms gathering all those present but Aang and the little girls in a one large snowball which she heaved three feet in the air and dropped. She copied a move from Toph and shaped a snow couch large enough for those who hadn't angered her to sit on.

Several guards rushed out of the building as she leaned back with her arms and legs crossed angrily muttering, "Accuse me of cheating. I'll show you cheating."

Chu-hua, Azula, War Minister Qin, and Eiji were among the first to approach them. Eun Lee wasn't that far behind. The girls immediately began squealing as they excitedly explained what happened. The adults listened with the ease of parents accustomed to picking out truths from several tiny voices chirping at once.

"And you expect me to believe this?" Eiji asked once the girls had quieted.

The trio nodded their heads. They sank back against Katara as their father’s eyes narrowed. "But Daddy, we're telling the truth."

Chu-hua glanced back at the lump of males which had not melted. The heads of Zuko, Zhao 1 and her brother stuck out of the top at odd angles. Chu-hua shook her head, "I'd say they were telling the truth."

"What makes you think that?" Qin asked.

"Those three antennae," Chu-hua pointed. Amayu was sworn to secrecy about Zuko's treatment in New Ursa but nothing else she’d witnessed their room. She spoke freely when ordered and told Chu-hua how Mu had insulted Katara. It explained his spot on the bottom. Zhao 2's use of a companion placed him there. Zhao 1 was one of the few who didn't have an unwilling female companion. Chu-hua took his ability to breathe freely as a sign the capture of the Northern Water Tribesmen had been kept secret as the gay Zhao had frequently visited two of the prettier male prisoners before they'd been shipped to the Fire Nation. Her brother was understandable and so was Zuko, his insurance policy.

Qin looked at the prisoners intending to ask Chu-hua what led her to that conclusion even thought he trusted her judgment. But he did have to ask the Waterbender, "Well girl, what do you have to say?"

"They were being rude to me, speaking disrespectfully about women and using profanity in front of your granddaughters. I decided to teach them a lesson on manners. Those three are a lesson on precision bending," Katara smiled at the little girls and Aang, "with hard work and dedication that can be done with any bending discipline. Isn't that right Aang?"

The Avatar shuddered, "Yeah it can. My Earthbending teacher did it to me once."

Eun Lee picked up on one statement and asked a question of her own as she waved her children to her side, "Who was using profanity around you?"

"I don't see them. I think they're at the bottom of the pile." the eight year old replied.

"Mommy, what's a fucking cunt?" the six year old asked.

Her seven year old sister asked, "Cousin Zula how come you and Aunt Quanli and Aunt Ty Lee and Mai can fight? That meanie said there's only one use for women and fighting isn't one of them?"

Eun Lee scowled at Katara, "While I do not approve of you, your scandalous behavior, your relationship with my cousin or your presence in my home, I can appreciate your lesson to those who'd spew such filth in front of my children.”

She turned her gaze to her husband and father-in-law and pointed at the human snow ball, "If Mao and Pol are in that pile I expect them to be departing with you Father. As you eloquently stated before relocating the development division to this cold airy temple it would be my home. I do not allow such foul language or blatant sexism in my home or such despicable men around my children."

"Eun Lee they are two of the brightest minds in our country," Eiji argued.

Her voice hardened and she glared at her husband, "I have learned the folly of placing my faith in you as a husband, shall I began preparing my children for the day you disappoint them as a Father?"

"Eun Lee, do not speak ill of me in front of my children," the head of the science division whispered harshly.

"I have said nothing against you Eiji, I merely asked a simple question. Should I be concerned this whore cares more about the welfare of my daughters than their father?" Eun Lee replied quietly.

"Come with Grandpa children, your parents have an issue they need to debate," the War Minister said as he kneeled down so the eight year old could climb on his back while he tucked the two smaller ones under each of his arms.

The snow melted beneath Chu-hua's feet as she strode over to Aang "Why are you not in your cage and where are your guards?"

"Under there," he answered while pointing at the pile.

"Why are you not in your cell?" the Admiral demanded.

"They came to get me so I could play snowballs," Aang replied innocently.

"Come with me," Chu-hua instructed tersely. "Azula don't..."

The princess barely heard Chu-hua. She was watching Eun Lee and her husband argue. For as long as she could remember they never argued. Their fighting began after Eiji took a mistress. Before that Eun Lee was just as happy go lucky as Ty Lee. The old Eun Lee never would have verbally attacked a stranger. The more she listened to the fight the more she began to wonder if all wives felt that way about mistresses? Either way Eun Lee was the wife of the director of development and held a high position herself. She was also a noblewoman by birth. Her strong disproval of Katara could be useful, especially if all women felt that way but were simply not as vocal.

The world stopped spinning long enough for Zuko to feel safe enough to Firebend. He could have very easily have melted it earlier but he would have risked hurting his friends and Katara's brother. He raised his body temperature enough to extract himself them wobbled over to Katara. The snow melted beneath his feet as he began yelling at her, "What did you do that for? I wasn't the one arguing with you. I haven't done anything to make you mad all day."

Katara hadn't paid much attention to what Zuko was saying. It was true that he hadn't done anything to make her mad today but she owed him plenty for overall. It wasn't until his last statements that his words had an effect on her.

"I'm the one that brought the Waterbender outside in the snow with the Avatar and her brother just because you wanted to play. Do you know how stupid that was? I try to be nice and the first chance you get you make a fool of me."

Katara shook her head at him, "No Zuko it wasn't like that. I wasn't trying to make a fool of you and I really am happy that you let me play with Sokka and Aang. It's just Sokka made me so mad, those guys accused me of cheating and the things that they said. I know I'm a prisoner Zuko and I know I only have one purpose. I didn't need to be reminded of it by strangers or by my own brother. I just..."

Katara lowered her head and sighed, "I just needed to feel like I was in control. Like there was something I could do to change my circumstances. I didn't do that to hurt you or to make you feel bad, I did it to remind myself of what I'm capable of. So I wouldn't forget I'm an actual person with real worth."

Smoke filtered out of Zuko's nose, as angry as he was he couldn't argue with her. He knew what it was like to feel worthless and as if his life wasn't his own. It wasn't until the day he captured her that he began to feel differently. He shoved her lightly on the shoulders, "You used your bending after you promised you wouldn't. I was on your team and you attacked me without cause. Spar with me if you want to regain the honor you lost when you broke your word."

"Spar with you to regain my honor?" Katara repeated incredulously, "You really are trying to turn me into angry ponytail girl."

She lifted the snow and took a battle stance understanding what Zuko meant by his words and what he was trying to do for her. "Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, I accept your challenge."

Azula rolled her eyes but stepped back to watch the duel between her brother and his Waterbender. She was soon joined by Eun Lee and Eiji. They had never seen a Waterbender fight before and were enthralled by how easily Katara transmuted the snow into water and ice as well as how easily Zuko kept up with her.

"He's gotten better," Eun Lee muttered as she watched Zuko's fire take on new forms to counter her attacks.

"If you say so," Azula muttered angry that Zuko would be the one to receive such praise from their cousin. Eun Lee possessed the same agility and speed as Ty Lee but she was one of the only two girls in Ty Lee's family who could Firebend. She didn't have much fire power but she had excellent control and stamina. Her national service requirement was fulfilled by training Lu Ten. She was able to help him fine tune the raw power than ran through Agni's line. Eun Lee was also one of the few people Ozai recognized as being a worthy sparring partner.

"Don't be like that Azula. You should be happy he's improved. His increase in skill takes nothing away from your own," Eun Lee chided.

"If that's the case you should be happy he's found a woman to help him improve. Loser Zuzu couldn't Firebend straight until he got himself a concubine," Azula snapped back knowing the words would hurt her fragile cousin.

"Azula! Mind your tongue. I do not care if you are our nation's princess, I will not tolerate such disrespect towards my wife from anyone!" Eiji thundered.

"Whatever," Azula rolled her eyes and tsked before turning her back to them and going back inside.

Eun Lee shook her head and placed her hand on her husband's arm, "That was her way of saying I'm sorry. She'll apologize to me properly when there's no one around to hear it."

"I don't know how you put up with that girl. She listens to no one but Chu-hua and the Fire Lord," he muttered.

His wife shrugged, "She's a princess, she's spoiled. Besides it's better for her to have been raised that way. Zuko has always been at a disadvantage because he didn't trust himself and listened to everyone."

"He doesn't seem to be doing so bad now does he?" Eiji said as Zuko pushed Katara on the defensive, "And he has manners."

Zuko's upperhand didn't last long. Katara used the snow he melted to form a shield, flank him and knock him aside.

"It's like they're dancing," Eun Lee whispered as the battle turned tides for a tenth time.

"They are well matched aren't they?" Eiji agreed as he stepped closer to his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Do you remember when we used to spar like that to solve our disagreements?"

"We never solved anything by sparring," Eun Lee replied as he nuzzled her neck.

"No, but it pushed enough of the anger aside for us to talk about the things that mattered,"

"Are you saying you want to fight me?"

"No, love I'm saying I want to understand why you are so angry. I know I violated your trust and humiliated you by choosing a woman that we work with but she's dead and so is her child. I want to know was it something else that I did or if it is something I am still doing to hurt you?"

"Why do you care?
"I've always cared. I haven't always put thought into my actions but I've always cared. I'm learning now to put thought into my actions. I've always prided myself on being a man able to see beyond the surface of things to understand how things work but at the age of 45 I feel more like a lost confused boy than I did as a teenager. I never intended to father a child with that woman and to be honest I never intended to sleep with her but once it happened I listened to the wrong people instead of the voice inside my head telling me to stop. It's not in me to abandon a child I created or its mother. It wasn't until we almost lost Hikko for a second time that I realized how much I was hurting you. I never meant to hurt you, I never meant for any of this to happen."

"And you say all of this now?"

"Watching them spar reminded me of us. You're the only woman I've ever seriously sparred with and the only one who made me feel truly challenged. You're the only woman I've met that I've ever considered to be an even match for me. It seems like all you do is cry and all I do is apologize. I want us to fight again and find a way to fix things like they're doing."

"You do realize you are speaking about a whore, not the woman he will marry, a whore,” Eun Lee stated bluntly.

"I am speaking about your cousin and his chosen woman. Mai might be his fiancée but Azulon set that match. He chose her for himself just as I chose you. I would like to think that you chose me too." Eiji whispered.

"I was eight when we met and ten when we did the fluid exchange. I was a child who knew nothing of choices or men." Eun Lee replied.

"That's true but you didn't take a lover from the time we consummated our betrothal or during our courtship. You were a such a vibrant young woman and I was already an old man. I wouldn't have faulted you or thought any less of you if you had. I told you as much on your fourteenth birthday."

Eun Lee wrapped her arms around her torso. All of the others girls she knew were warned by their fiancés if they were older men or their parents if they were both in their teens not to stray. They were told to preserve their bodies and affections for their future husbands but Eiji had encouraged her to explore. "You are a young girl Eun Lee. I am old enough to appreciate this gift you have given me and moral enough to feel like a dirty old man.

Please do not take this the wrong way, but Eun Lee you are a very young woman. In many ways you are still a child. I do not wish to be married to a child. I want to be married to a young woman who knows something of the world and more of her own mind. Travel the islands, join the military, see the world, get a boyfriend; get two boyfriends, do whatever it is that you need to do to expand your mind.

I know there are fifteen years between us but I do not wish to be married to a child. I want a wife a true woman who might be young but is confident enough within herself to feel as though she is my equal. Grow up Eun Lee. I will be back to court you properly in a few years time but we will not be married until I feel that you are a woman I can live with."

"You told me you wouldn't marry me unless you believed in your heart I had grown into a woman who knew my own mind and could confront you as an equal," Eun Lee whispered as the Waterbender extended a hand to help her cousin out of the snow.

"I meant it then and I mean it now. I miss the Eunnie who would come to me with the most ridiculous things and force me to listen until I believed in them too and the Eunnie would tell me my brilliant ideas were garbage but would stand by my side with little suggestions to make them better but run like the wind when she sensed them about to blow up in my face. Once the smoke cleared you'd always return with bandages and burn cream, tend to my injuries and kiss my check as you whispered 'I told you so.' You always waited until I was completely healed to laugh like a clown-hyena. You sent a formula the last time and a doctor when I didn't follow it. You haven't laughed once since I've gotten better," Eiji said sadly as he wrapped his arms around hers.

Eun Lee stepped out of his embrace when she saw Zuko and his whore walking towards them. As she turned to go inside she asked her husband, "How can I laugh when it hasn't stopped hurting?"
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Borealis: A Zutara Story