"So you're saying it couldn't have been started by other firebenders?" asked Toph, one eyebrow incredulously raised.

Iroh raised his hands slightly as if to ward off misconceptions. "No, but it isn't likely. The fire surrounded our camp very quickly from more than one direction. That means that it started in more than one place or that it started far enough away that it spread in an unusual pattern. Had it been an attack, it would have probably been raised closer to camp, which means that it would have required multiple firebenders. As far as we know, my niece is accompanied only by her friends, neither of whom can bend."

They had been contemplating (and arguing about) the situation for the better part of an hour. Appa was finally back in the air, and they were due to reach the city soon.

"What if there were two firebenders?" asked Katara, looking at Zuko out of the corner of her eye.

Iroh followed her gaze. "Even with two, it couldn't have spread that quickly." 'Besides,' he added mentally. 'My nephew would rather let the Avatar escape than let Azula take the credit of his capture.' He was a little surprised that Zuko hadn't risen to the bait, but the prince had been characteristically sullen.

"How soon 'til we get to Ba Sing Se?"the boy in question suddenly interjected.

"Another hour if we don't get lost," called Aang over his shoulder.

"Wait, lost?" Everyone jumped a little in surprise. They had thought that Sokka was asleep under the brim of his hat. Now he was upright and decidedly alert. "Are you saying you don't know where we are?"

"Well, I sorta do. It's been a while since we've been to this part of the Earth Kingdom, right, Appa?" The bison snorted in reply.

"That's it, where's the map?"

"I've got it," said Zuko, sitting up a little to sift through his hastily packed bags. He spread it out on Appa's furry back. "Okay, here's the river. Where are we?"

"I think we're right… here!"

"No, we passed that lake a few days ago."

"Oh, you're right. How about here?"

"Wait, move your thumb. I can't see. What? No, That can't be it. We're going north, aren't we?"

It was amazing how much attitude a blind person could put into an eye roll.

…

By the time they finally reached the city gates, it was almost dark. A slight draft stirred the air as Appa gently touched down outside the city walls. Aang hopped off quickly, almost forgetting the others in his eagerness to stretch his legs. Sokka wearily followed, pulling a satchel out with him. Katara and Toph dismounted together, followed by Iroh.

After a few seconds of stretching, Aang turned to Iroh. "So…" He rubbed his head awkwardly. "Are you guys, y'know…?"

A loud thump made them all turn to face Appa. Zuko and Iroh's bags were on the ground in front of the bison. The prince hopped out after them. He looked up to see the others staring at him and sighed, pushing his tousled hair out of his face.

"Look," he started, straightening up and walking a few steps forward. "I appreciate the help and everything. I mean, my crazy sister and her friends would've killed us if you hadn't stepped in." He paused as the realization of what he was about to say sunk in.

"But I still have an obligation to the Fire Nation, and I still think that it's my duty to, um, finish my mission." He wasn't meeting Aang's eyes. "So, um, I'm not going to do anything… for now. I mean, it'd be wrong to - to take advantage of your generosity. I'd rather just pretend that I… don't know where you are. For now."

There was a long silence as the others processed his words. Then the Avatar spoke:

"I… understand. You have to do what you think is right. So, um, thanks for not attacking us?" He held out his hand.

Zuko didn't hesitate in shaking it. He and his uncle picked up their bags and started to head to the city.

"Oh, hey, Zuko!" yelled Sokka.

He turned around. "Hmmm?"

"Next time, we're totally going to beat you!"

"Yeah, right!" he replied with a grin. He waved and started walking again. This time, he didn't turn back.

It was an acceptable compromise. He'd just pretend that he didn't see the smirk on his uncle's face.

Aand... that's it! First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for reading. Would you believe that we've had 1,040 views from America alone this month? I hope that you'll all consider reading some of my non-Avatar stuff (since this isn't my usual fandom).

Secondly, I'd like to thank Atarah Derek for the help in revising Chapter 9. (If you haven't seen the revised version, I invite you to check it out.) Also, I'm going to preempt the inevitable complaint about my explanation for why firebenders couldn't have started the fire by saying that I couldn't think of a good excuse but I wanted to make it clear that the fire was natural. (Sorry about that. It's hard to write things so that people who can generate fire don't look culpable.) If anyone has a better explanation I'd be happy to revise.

Finally, I'm sorry that this fic is as short as it is. I go back to school in a few days and I didn't want to have to slow the updates. Plus, I've been sort of waiting the ending for the last five chapters. The only reason I didn't put it sooner is that it would've felt cheesy and tacked-on.

Thanks again, please R&R, etc.