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Untamed love

Balto fanfiction work in progress!

Started by Juuchan17 on 29 Jan 2005, 15:46 UTC · 27 preserved posts

74-108043194729 Jan 2005, 15:46 UTC

Hey, this is a Balto fanfiction that I am still working on called "Untamed Love."

It takes place after the end of WQ and follows the adventure of a love-struck hybrid that is willing to keep his promise to his beloved. One of my own characters debuts in the story, plus I have fannames for the remainder of Balto's pups.

Current status: Working on Part Eight! (Done 8/12 of the story)

I hope you enjoy it so far! I will continue to post this until it is completed! Forgive me if I multi-post; the story looks better when I do that! (Hope it doesn't cause a problem! )

Enjoy! If you get a chance, please tell me what you think so that I can add changes to make the story more enjoyable! Thank you!

(Just to be safe, I'll post the first chapter on here! )

Untamed Love
my fan-fiction sequel to "B2: WQ"


**Note: This takes place sometime after "WQ" ends, when Balto returns home. I do not own any of the Balto characters, but if you wanted to know, Aoi is an original character just for my stories (His name means "blue" in Japanese). Thank you for listening!**

Part One: The Secret Revealed
Setting: Nome, Alaska. Balto has just returned from his "journey" home.

Balto walked nervously to Jenna's house to tell her the news about their daughter's new home. He paused and remembered their last moment together as if it were yesterday - his headstrong Aleu leaping into the cold, dark water and climbing onto the iceberg where her pack awaited her arrival. She was looking back at him, and he had done the same. Then she was howling with all her heart to the spirits of her wild ancestors as her father walked away from the life that he had never known.
"I hope she's okay," He said to himself with his face full of worry. "But I've got to tell her somehow." Balto soon got his thoughts straight as he continued on his way.
Little did he know, an indigo-blue shadow was following close behind the wolfdog, silently listening to every word.
When Balto arrived to Jenna's, she was fast asleep in the barn. He crept slowly towards her warm fur and nudged her with his nose. She slowly opened her eyes, peering at the mutt.
"Good morning, Jenna!" he said. He nuzzled his love on her nose.
�Good morning to you, too.� yawned Jenna. Then she whispered, �Aleu! Is she okay? Where is she?�
�Don�t worry, dear,� he said. �She�s all grown up now, and our little baby�s with her own kind: the wolves.�
Jenna gasped. �The wolves?! Aleu�s with a wolf pack?� She began to panic until Balto ceased her.
�Calm down. You�ll hurt yourself and our new arrivals if you keep panicking like that.�
Jenna slowly breathed, and continued to listen as Balto told his story to her: meeting the animal spirits that helped him find Aleu, the wolf pack and their search for caribou, and seeing Aleu become the leader of the new pack.
Little did they know, the dark shadow was still spying on them. It gasped at the announcement of Aleu�s name. �My love . . .� it murmured into the wind.
�We mustn�t tell anyone where Aleu is located. I don�t want anything else to happen to her.� Balto commanded.
Jenna nodded in agreement. �Don�t worry about her right now. I�m sure she is doing fine.�
The shadow leaped from the darkness with a crash and stood right in front of the two dogs. It was a dark-blue husky with blue-white markings like a wolf. It was a male, and he growled in an anger-filled voice. �Where�s Aleu?�
The two lovers looked shocked that someone overheard their conversation. The brown wolf-dog stepped towards the newcomer and began to talk.
�Why do you want to know where she is?�
Before the dog could speak, the red husky stood forward and said politely, �First, I think it would be proper to tell us your name.�
The third canine was silent for a minute, and then he replied, �My name is Aoi. I grew up in this town, and I was just coming back to keep my promise.�
�Promise? What promise is that, Aoi?� Jenna asked.
�Well,� Aoi spoke, blushing. �It�s a long story that I�ve had on my mind until I heard you say Aleu was gone.�
Balto had a questionable look on his face. �What does Aleu have to do with your promise?�
Aoi looked back at the mutt, very seriously. �Because before I left, I promised Aleu that I was going to marry her when I returned.�
Jenna and Balto gasped.
�Marriage?!� Balto exclaimed in a loud voice of surprise.
�Yes, Balto. I am going to marry your daughter.� Aoi stepped closer to them and sat down. �Before I get your permission, I would like to tell you more about the promise that Aleu and I made a long time ago.�

68-108707261929 Jan 2005, 21:00 UTC

That's on my forum.  It's dead ... But, I'm sure people will be flocking over there and other forums for B3 info or pics.  I have read this on FemaleFluke's B3 Forum.    Fun to read too.

66-109650395329 Jan 2005, 21:25 UTC

hey wow that was really good I can't wait to read the rest of it.

74-108043194730 Jan 2005, 07:46 UTC

Here's the next two chapters! (Note: I have most of it written already. I'll post the next chapters up from time to time for your enjoyment! )

Part Two: Aoi�s Story

�It was a year ago when I first met Aleu. I grew attached to her at first sight. Her light-brown coat. Her bright radiance. Her cute, wolf-like appearance. Her azure-blue eyes. Her playful personality. Everything about her was stunning and boy, was I impressed! I guess I became friends with her because she looked similar to me than any of the other huskies or dogs anywhere else in town.
�We used to play all the time, as long as her brothers and sisters weren�t around. To get rid of them, we howled to the heavens as loud as we could until they ran away. After all of her siblings had found new homes and Aleu still remained (I wasn�t surprised because it happened to me, too. I didn�t mention anything about her wolf-like resemblance.), I was glad to be with her. One on one. When we got to six months old, we started to become more than friends. We fell in love. At night, we would snuggle underneath the blanket of the northern lights and a million sparkling stars. We both wished these moments would last for all eternity. Unfortunately, we discovered some bad news one day that would tear us apart.
�My family was moving to Anchorage for a business trip, and all of us had to go.
��No! Please don�t leave me!� She cried to me, an hour before my family left.
��It�s not my decision for me to go, but,� I stopped when she began sobbing on my furry shoulder, then continued, �But if I could have made a decision, I would stay with you, Aleu.�
�She looked at me with teary eyes of two emotions: happiness and sorrow. I couldn�t bear to leave that pair of sad eyes here. So before our family�s boat took off, she was there to wish me a safe journey.
��Oh, Aoi, my love,� she whispered to me. �Promise that you will return soon.�
�I nodded in response. I whispered back into her soft, dark ear, �And when I return, we will be wed for all eternity.�
� She gasped in surprise as the boat�s booming whistle alerted watchers of the boat�s take-off. My owner�s gave a call to come to the deck. She nudged me one last time as we exchanged our parting glances to each other.
��Don�t forget!� I yelled to her from the deck as the gigantic barge left the dock. �I promise will be together forever!�
�She howled back a hopeful howl, almost as a response to my promise. I watched her light brown figure get smaller and smaller, until the land had vanished. I never saw her again.�

------------------------------------

Aoi blinked back tears as visions of Aleu flashed inside his head. He suddenly jerked his head back and let out a slight howl of sorrow. Balto and Jenna saw how concerned he was about their daughter�s safety. After a few moments of silence, Balto finally stood up on his four legs and turned to his mate.
�Should we tell him, Jenna?� Balto asked her as he stared into her hazel eyes.
Jenna looked back at Aoi, who was patiently awaiting their decision. �I think we can trust him. I�m sure he will fit in with her pack and Aleu will return his love.�
Balto nodded in agreement and they both faced the blue wolf-dog.
�Well?� Aoi asked anxiously. �Can you tell me where Aleu is?�
Balto took his time with his reply, until it came out of his mouth.
�All right. You have our permission to take our daughter�s hand (or is it paw?). I�ll try to tell you where she and her pack is.�
Balto tried to remember the exact way to the ocean where he and Aleu first met Nava, the pack�s previous leader and his pack.
�It�s pretty difficult to get there, but I�m sure the spirits will help you. Just like they helped me find Aleu. As soon as you reach the ocean, find Nava. He will guide you on the rest of the journey to your love.�
�Thank you so much, Balto. And you too, Jenna.� Aoi bowed in appreciation. He walked towards the doorway when Jenna stopped him.
�Aoi! Why don�t you stay the night? I�m sure you need some rest before you head off on your trip.�
�But it�s still light outside!� Aoi pointed out to her. �Evening won�t be here for several hours.� Unexpectedly, a long yawn rolled out of his mouth. Jenna and Balto laughed quietly.
�I guess I�ll stay for awhile!� Aoi giggled as he sat down near the dog couple.
Nighttime fell as they told stories of their youth to each other and Aoi told of his adventures in Anchorage and his journey to the town of his birth. At about midnight they all grew tired. Aoi had already fallen asleep on a soft patch of hay as Balto began to return to his boat home.
Jenna stopped Balto before his exit out of the door to the barn of Rosy�s house. �Are you sure about him, Balto? Can you really trust him with our daughter?�
Balto smiled a slight grin of trust. �I trust him, Jenna. And I�m sure that Aleu will remember him and accept him too.�
However, he forgot about one thing: Wolves rarely ever accept outsiders. Especially if they are male. But would Aleu, now as an alpha female of her pack, accept him as her alpha male and eternal mate?

Part Three: A Traveling Decision

It was a bit before the first light when Jenna awoke in the barn. She looked at the spot where Aoi was sleeping the night before. There was nothing there but a mashed bed of hay. She stepped outside slowly with her slightly pregnant body and looked around for the navy-colored pup. After walking for about five minutes, she found him near the edge of town, stretching his youthful body beneath the dawning sunlight.
He perked his ears up as she walked towards him. �Hey there, Jenna! Lovely morning, isn�t it?�
�You�re up early!� Jenna said. �Are you okay after last night?�
�Yeah,� Aoi replied. �I really needed the rest! I never realized how exhausted I was getting here since I left Anchorage a week ago!�
Jenna was shocked. He traveled that long distance by foot in only a week?! She thought. He would make an awesome sled dog like some of my other children and Balto! Then an idea popped into her head. I wonder . . . . .
�Umm . . . . Aoi?� Jenna asked him as he trotted around the totem pole marker in between Balto�s boathouse and the edge of town.
�Yeah?� Aoi continued his morning routine around the pole.
�I just remembered that a sled team is headed for the direction of Aleu�s pack! Balto will be there to help you if you decide to join them! Would you like to��
�No thanks, Jenna.� Aoi interrupted Jenna�s last sentence. �I prefer to go at it on my own.�
�But, . . . .  you could get lost or in danger. I don�t want that to happen to you, Aoi.� Jenna began to plead. �I�ve seen how dangerous it�s been out there! I . . .� Tears began to swell in her hazel eyes. Aoi stopped and stood still as she sniffed. �I want you to arrive to our daughter safely, that�s all.�
Aoi sat down and thought for a minute. He was hesitant about the trip, especially the thought of traveling with some huskies that he hasn�t seen for at least a year. But then he would be with a human musher . . . . He didn�t trust humans that he didn�t know, and he knew that most of the mushers in town probably forgot about him since he was a young pup.
�I�ll think about it, Jenna,� he answered. �Tell Balto I will think about it . . . .�
�Alright then.� Jenna said softly. �The sled dogs will be meeting in the boiler room at noon today before they hitch up at one.�
�Thanks.� Aoi said, gently bowing at Jenna. �I might be there, if I decide to be.� Then he walked away from the totem and more towards the old wooden boat, tilted towards the sea.
A couple of minutes later, he arrived at the vessel, awaiting the emergence of the brownish-gray wolf-dog. He did appear as the old mutt�s fur slightly glistened in the morning sun. He shook his fur as the sound of a loud honking snore was a morning wake-up call.
Balto quietly walked to the edge of the boat and leaped off the deck. He landed perfectly in front of the azure pup. �Hey there, Aoi!� he greeted happily. �Are you ready for the race later?�
The blue dog frowned. �I�m not sure whether I�ll go with you yet, Balto. I mean, I want to go, but . . .� He stopped as he saw Balto�s slight grin. �I think I�ll make my final decision when you guys meet in the boiler room, ok?�
Balto nodded his head and watched as Aoi sat at the wooden pole on the beach. The blue dog stared out into the sea, then closed his eyes. He breathed a deep breath with his nostrils and smelled the sultry scent of the ocean�s breeze. That smell brought back memories of his beloved friend. Almost as if in a daydreaming trance, his dark eyes opened as he saw a vision of his love in the sky.
�Aleu?� Aoi whispered to the vision. �Aleu, is it really you?�
The young light-brown alpha had a worried expression on her face as she nodded yes.
�What should I do? I mean, I want to learn more about your family by traveling with the huskies, but . . .� He stood up and stepped a bit closer to the water�s edge. �I want you more than ever. Please give me some advice, my love.�
The wolf leaped out of the sky and stood right in front of him. She walked up to him and put her nose close to his velvetly right ear. Then he heard an angelic voice in his mind.
�Don�t forget to follow your heart, Aoi. Do whatever it takes to get to me. I promise, I will be waiting for you. Besides, I think you might like Papa. Get to know him a bit more and you�ll get closer and closer to what you want.�
The wolf saw the blue mutt grin bashfully as the vision lightly licked his nose. She howled into the wind as the breeze blew in Aoi�s direction. The translucent image of Aleu fell into the wind�s path and exploded into tiny specks of sand from the beach. Then as the specks headed towards the blue figure, a familiar, soft voice spoke words he couldn�t understand at first. As he collapsed in his dream-like state, the words became clearer.
�Are you ready to go?�

Next part up soon!

83-108302525631 Jan 2005, 05:29 UTC

I like what I've Read so far   Keep it up

74-108043194731 Jan 2005, 06:04 UTC

Your wish is granted, SimbasGuard! *poof* Next two chapters!

Part Four: Meet the In-Laws

Note: Yukon and Denali are my fan-names for the two unnamed pups from the WQ6. Please credit me if you use these names for your own works. Thank you!

�Huh?� Aoi�s deep voice emerged from his lips. �What did you say?�
His eyes opened showing him blurred images of several huskies; most of them were of a reddish-burgundy color like Jenna, including the familiar brownish blur of a wolf-dog that was still speaking to him. Now the voice was loud and clear.
�Are you ready to go, Aoi?� Balto said in his ear.
�Aaah!!� Aoi shrieked as the voice echoed through his eardrums. His body leaped up into the air about three feet. The Jenna-clones began to laugh.
�Don�t laugh at me!� Aoi yelled at the group of red huskies as they fell into a deathly silence. He could clearly see that there were only three of them.
�Don�t yell at them, Aoi! They�re still growing up.� Balto scolded. �These are three of my pups: Kodi, Yukon and Denali.� Each dog bowed slightly at the roll call of their names.
Kodi was a tall pup with a darker coat than his dam but maintained her white markings. Yukon, a blue-eyed husky, had a lighter red coat with a red blaze down her white face markings. The all-dark burgundy pup was Denali, whose only face markings were around his nose and mouth. Jenna was there too; she had just arrived as she slowly walked towards the group.
�So Aoi, did you decide to join the team?� Jenna asked him as her three pups looked at her strangely for knowing the blue dog�s name.
�Yeah, I guess so.� Aoi replied, still regaining his balance and sight. �Aleu would want me to join you guys for now.�
The red pups perked their ears up at the sound of their sister�s name. �Aleu?� Denali said. �How do you know our sister?�
�She�s not here, you know,� Yukon said, approaching Aoi in a slow, graceful strut. �But if you want a pretty female, I�m still available!� She gave Aoi�s cheek a gentle lick as the other dogs hooted and whistled cat-calls. Aoi�s face quickly flushed into a deep shade of beet-red.
Kodi playfully tapped his young sister as a scold. �Give it up, Yukon. I think he�s only interested in Aleu.�
The blazed pup pouted in a slight fit. �Aww, man!�
�Yeah,� Aoi added, now with his vision and posture corrected. �She�s my future bride.�
�Is that true, Dad?� Yukon asked her sire.
�Yeah,� Balto agreed. �And that�s why he�s going with us to the Northwestern coast, to join her.�
�So . . .� Kodi said. �Our sister is out there? In a faraway town?�
Ah, thought Aoi. They haven�t told them the truth about Aleu�s true destiny yet. I guess it would be difficult to tell some huskies that they�re part-wolf, especially if they don�t look it! I�ve seen that reaction before . . . .
�Umm,� Balto hesitated on his words, then looked at his expectant mate. �Jenna? Should we tell them?� he whispered a bit loudly.
�Tell us what?� Denali said, wagging his blood-red tail.
�Oh, . . . nothing!� Jenna hid the secret. �We�ll tell you later on, during the trip as a surprise!�
Balto quietly sighed in relief as he pushed Jenna aside to talk to her privately as the three dogs introduced themselves to the strange-looking blue pup. The wolf-dog and the husky�s conversation was not loud enough to be heard by the young sled dogs, who were currently laughing about random things.
�Jenna, there is no way you can go with us in your condition! You�re with pups, for goodness sake!�
�I know that, Balto,� Jenna answered back in a slightly angered tone. �But I want to join the adventure this time! And make sure that Aoi makes it to her pack safely. That�s all I want!�
�What if the time comes for you to give birth, Jenna?� Balto asked. �Something might happen to them if they�re born during the trip!� He walked closer to the husky and nuzzled her neck in a soft motion. �I don�t want you,� he then put his ear up against Jenna�s belly and heard the patters of multiple heartbeats. �Or them to be in danger.�
Jenna returned the loving kiss. �I know that, Balto. But I promise I�ll be safe on the driver�s sled, covered in blankets. Especially since you�re the lead dog, I know that you would do everything to protect us from harm.�
They stood closer to each other, and were about to seize the moment until the three red pups cleared their throats in unison.
�Are you ready yet, Dad?� Kodi asked, still giggling at the sight of his parents acting like young, love-struck pups.
�Ahem,� Balto cleared his own throat after being caught. �Yeah, sure. Let�s head into town to meet the rest of the team!�
The dogs, with Balto and Jenna in the front, followed their hero and his damsel as if they were the head of all of the dogs in the universe. Aoi was not surprised to see other dogs around town act this way towards him, especially since he was a local icon to dogs and the people that were saved thanks to him.
�I hope I can be as strong as my father-in-law someday,� Aoi murmured under his breath.
Yukon�s left ear pricked up in tune to the silent vibrations and slowed down to speak to the mysterious creature. �I think you will be, Aoi. I can see it in your eyes.�
She looked into his dark eyes and began to blush as she jerked her gaze away before he could notice. When Aoi looked back in surprise, Yukon was running towards the front of the group.
�Did I do something wrong?� Aoi said to himself quietly. He stopped walking for a moment and blushed. Then the thought hit him as he shook his head to erase the previous image that he saw of the young husky�s gaze out of his head. �I don�t have a crush on her! I love only Aleu! Remember that! Remember!�
�Come on, Aoi!� The trio of siblings barked to the blue pup far behind them. �We have to hurry!�
�Coming!� He said as he challenged them to race, running in a quick gait behind Balto and Jenna.
Maybe this trip was a good idea, Aoi thought as the wind combed through his fur. He looked up to the sky in happiness. Your family is so wonderful, Aleu. I know I will continue to learn more about them and they will accept me as your mate. I�m on my way, my love! I�m coming for you!

Part Five: Journey to the North!

It was about ten minutes before the musher would arrive to hitch the dogs to the sled. Balto and his crew of huskies were relaxing at the boiler room, warming up for the long journey that was ahead of them. They were also eagerly awaiting for any other dogs that would join them on their route to the northern Alaskan terrain that was unknown to them.
Balto sat next to his expectant mate, still worried about the situation of Jenna joining them in her condition. Jenna had laid down on a blanket and felt the slight movements of the unknown number of her litter inside her. She suddenly jerked her head back, with eyes shut tightly and teeth clinched together. The slight contraction was her first for this litter, and she knew that the end of her pregnancy wasn�t too far away. Nevertheless, she quickly regained her regal posture as she looked at the wolf-dog beside her and smiled gently. He returned the smile and they nuzzled each other�s noses.
�Oh please,� Kodi scoffed, seeing the sight.
�Eww!� Denali got on the ground and covered his eyes with his white paws.
�Ooh!� Yukon said, in a childish voice. �How romantic!� She then giggled as a bright blush of pink returned to her face as she turned to their other companion, who was now laid out in the shadows.
Aoi returned the gaze with a tired �Do not disturb� look on his face. Then he turned more towards the ebony corner of the room and tried to clear his mind. He didn�t want to think about anything else but of his destined love.
Go away! I don�t love you! I love Yukon- Wait. No! Not Yukon. Oh no, not Yukon! Aleu! My heart only belongs to Aleu! Aoi fought in his head as the thoughts of the two sisters confused his judgment. His body was about to move until a high-pitched whistle went through his ears.
The others, thanks to their previous training, automatically reacted to the sound and headed towards the entrance to the early winter weather that was almost on its way.
�Come on, Aoi!� Denali eagerly said to the pup. �That�s our signal to get hitched!�
�Denali and Aoi, sitting in a tree,� Yukon whispered sarcastically. �K-I-S-S-I-N � Ow!�
�Stop it, Yukon.� Kodi scolded yet again, but quieter than usual. �Leave Aoi alone for a while. He�s seems to be going through a lot, with meeting us and searching for our sister and everything. Give him some time for now. Okay?�
The blazed female nodded sadly. Kodi had a confused look on his face as she past him with a tear in her eyes. No. It couldn�t be! Kodi finally realized. Yukon is falling in love with him!
�Oy vey! So much drama . . .� Denali sighed.
Aoi followed Denali out of the warmth and into the lowering temperatures outside. The wind sent a chill through his body that made his back hairs almost stand on end. He shivered but continued onward to the sled that Balto and Jenna had stopped in front of. Jenna saw a few blankets inside the sled and carefully laid on half of them. Balto pulled one of the other sheets with his mouth and tucked Jenna in so that she was in a state of comfort. Aoi ran past Denali, Yukon and Kodi in a slight burst of speed and went to Balto and Jenna.
�Are you sure you�re going to be okay, Jenna?� Aoi asked. �I mean, you don�t have to do this just to make sure I arrive at Aleu�s safely. We�ll be fine.�
�Don�t worry about me, all of you,� Jenna said with a tired smile. �I would have came even if I wasn�t in this condition!�
�That�s Jenna for you!� Balto commented. �She�s a fighter.�
�Look!� Yukon announced as a door shut to the building that they were near. �It�s the musher!�
�Showtime, huh?� Aoi asked as everyone�s attention went to the short figure in front of them. Every dog sat up straight to impress the musher as everything was inspected for safety. Jenna attempted to sit up from her location, but the force of her growing body caused her to lay back down on the warm covers. The musher, whose coat covered the lower part of the face, noticed this and petted the red husky�s head in a familiar manner.
This musher is different than the others, Jenna thought as she observed the motions and the thin features of the musher. The human wore typical musher attire: a thick tan coat, shirt and pants, dark brown boots, and a dark musher�s hat with furry white trim. The human�s short bangs could be seen as they stuck out from under the hat. The musher had dark, round eyes that were kind and young. Almost like someone that most of the dogs knew.
�Rosy!� A voice from inside the building yelled. �You forgot something!�
�Coming!� The female musher replied to the male voice as she darted to the door and opened it. She went inside to retrieve something, then returned back out of the door with a dark, heavy camera bag. She carried it to the sled and placed it behind her faithful pet husky, who was currently in a light sleep.
�Whew!� she lowered the coat from her face, revealing her young face. �That�s the last thing! I hope there�s enough food for the dogs and myself!�
The dogs slowly moved to the girl�s direction at the rear of the sled. She bent over to pet them and suddenly Denali leaped over her back. She giggled as Kodi and Yukon imitated their brother and licked her peach-toned face. She then pointed to the pup that was standing beside Balto.
�Hello there! You must be Aoi, right?�
The dog was surprised that she knew his name. He tilted his head to the side with a confused expression on his wolf-like face.
�Don�t worry, Aoi. I was informed that you were joining us, since my dad remembered you in the barn house last night. You were born here over a year ago, weren�t you boy?� She rubbed the navy pup in a spoiled matter as he panted and wagged his fluffy tail happily. �You get to be one of the wheel dogs with Yukon, Aoi! Balto�s the lead, of course! Denali and Kodi are the swings. All right! Get into your positions!�
The dogs lined up in front of the sled in the order that they would be hitched in the riggings. Balto was all the way in the front of the team; he knew he would have to be strong enough to pull the sled with his pregnant wife and his human friend. Denali and Kodi were behind their father, with Kodi on his right and Denali on the left. Aoi groaned when Yukon stepped to his left side and stood eagerly.
�I hope you can forgive my brothers, Aoi,� she said in an apologetic voice. �I�m sorry if you thought that I was . . .� She paused in a slight blush. �hitting on you. Only because you�re right. I�m in love with you, Aoi.�
His white face markings turned pink as he grinned a small smile. �Yukon? You like me like that?�
�Of course. But I know that my sister is the one you love with all of your heart. What does she have that I don�t? Huh?� Yukon approached him until she could almost touch his nose with her own.
�Um . . . the reason is�� he began to answer but Rosy had tugged on his fur at his shoulders and put the ropes and lines on the new sled dog. �I�ll tell you when we stop, Yukon. Okay?�
She nodded as she was being hooked onto the lead lines and slipped into her harness. The team was finally ready to go. Jenna had woken up to the excited yipping of the pups in front of her and smiled. She was so proud to see some of her children following their sire�s legacy. Many of the dogs in town sat on the wooden porches to cheer them on and barked their wishes for a safe journey. Rosy�s father walked outside from the house to hug and kiss his daughter as if he was giving her away to the groom of the Alaskan wilderness. He also handed her a small compass to put in her pocket. The needle spun in her hand and pointed out of town.
�That�s the way to the North, Rosy,� her father told her. �That�s where you�ll find what you�re looking for.� He then placed an extra harness into the bag. �And that�s for Jenna, whenever she�s fully recovered from giving birth. Put her with Yukon and move Aoi closer to the front, to wherever you think will work best. Be careful out there, darling and good luck.�
�I will, Dad!� Rosy hugged him tightly. She smiled brightly as she fixed her coat and stood on the sled�s runners. �Okay everyone, MUSH!�
Balto and the others heard her signal to go. The brown-gray wolfdog ran steadily as his children and his son-in-law to be followed his lead through the main street of town. People waved and cheered to the young girl and her team of five strong dogs and expectant mother in the sled.
Rosy grew a bit nervous at the start, but when they came close to the edge of town, her fears dissipated from her and her team. Jenna was proud of her as she stood bravely on the runners and called out her directions to the wolf-dogs and the huskies. The young child remained focused on her team as they left their beloved town and headed to the Northern Alaskan terrain where she would find what she was looking for and Aoi would finally be with his one and only.

More to come soon!

78-110711749731 Jan 2005, 17:44 UTC

Wow- that's really good. Can't wait to hear the rest. You're a good writer! Keep it up!

66-109650395331 Jan 2005, 20:16 UTC

Still really good cant wait to read more!!!

83-108302525601 Feb 2005, 07:25 UTC

This just keeps geting better

83-108302525603 Feb 2005, 06:44 UTC

Quote (Juuchan17 @ Feb. 02 2005,8:16)

I wanna draw fanart pics for my story now! Maybe a pic of the dogs pulling the sled perhaps? Would you guys like to see that?

Yes! Pictures always make a story better

66-109650395303 Feb 2005, 10:58 UTC

Yeah pictures always help out on a story, its always nice know what the writer see's in there mind when writing their story. Oh yeah the story is still great and getting better each chapter

74-108043194725 Feb 2005, 01:32 UTC

Quote (Funkee_puppee @ Feb. 24 2005,5:57)

wow thats a really great fanfic so far! And I think pictures would be cool:)

Thanks for the comments, you guys!

I've been busy with college work and lots of other things, so currently this has been put on the back burner for now (temporary hiatus). I have actually been working on the next chapter (Part eight, I think?), so I will try to have that ready by whenever I can!

Um . . . I never posted Part Seven, did I?

83-108302525625 Feb 2005, 05:40 UTC

Quote (Juuchan17 @ Feb. 24 2005,7:32)

I never posted Part Seven, did I?

No You didn't. When You do I'll Be sure to read it

74-108043194725 Feb 2005, 18:54 UTC

Oopsie! I'll put it up right now!

Part Seven: The Miracle of Birth

Aoi tried calling the fleet-footed Yukon, but it was to no avail. She was angry, upset, and saddened. Did I do the wrong thing? Aoi thought. Should I have left the situation to her parents to reveal instead? Then he remembered that Aleu was now out on her own. I remember that Balto mentioned that Aleu ran away like that when she found out the truth as well. Wow, they really are sisters! So alike in a few ways. He knew what he should do now: I�ve got to go back to camp to explain everything and set things right!
Yukon reached the camp in only a couple of minutes, running on her anger and wolf-like speed. When she arrived, the rest of the team, except for Jenna, ran up to her as she slowed to a stop to catch her breath. They were happy to see that she was okay, but were curious about her upset expression and the tear stains on her face.
�What�s wrong, Yukon?� Kodi said to her. �Did Aoi break up with you?� He felt a slap of a blood-red tail on his face.
�Don�t be rude, Kodi,� Denali told his brother. �She seems to be in a lot of pain.� He then gave her a gentle, soothing nudge. �Do you want to tell us what he said to you?�
�Yeah,� Yukon took a quick glance at her father, who gulped in fear. �He told me something that Mom and Dad should have told us long ago.�
Balto stepped forward towards the group, knowing what she was going to reveal. �It�s about the wolf, isn�t it?� Yukon nodded. This shocked the rest of the team.
�Huh?� The other two huskies said in unison. �What wolf?�
�Me,� Balto lowered his head in shame. �I�m a wolf-husky hybrid, and you guys are part wolf as well.�
�Really?� the Jenna-clone began to snap. �Is that what that cur told you, Yukon?� Kodi said with a growl. �I�ll . . . . I�ll �� Balto stopped him before he could thrust forward to the direction where the blue dog was now standing.
�He also said that he and Aleu are just the same,� Yukon spoke.
�And that we both are part-wolf and look like wolves, just like your own father.� Aoi finished her sentence. �We are all the same: hybrids.�
�So that means Mom�s pups will . . .� Denali began as he turned his head to the small husky and gasped. She was breathing very heavily now and Balto knew what was next.
�Is it time, Jenna?� Balto gasped when he saw Jenna nod and then howl in pain. Rosy heard her pet�s birthing cry and suddenly woke up. She crawled out of her tent and knew that Jenna would need to have a private place to bring her young into the world. After standing up, Rosy offered her tent to Jenna (it needed cleaning anyway).
Jenna, trying hard not to push until she was comfortable, slowly stepped off from the inside of the sled and into the tent, now dubbed as �The Pup Tent.� It took her about two minutes to walk from the sled to Rosy�s tent. Rosy and Balto helped move blankets into the deepest laying area of her shelter.
The four pups sat down in confusion. They had never seen a live birth before and were wondering what to do to help the laboring husky.
�Come on, you guys!� Balto turned to the three red huskies and blue wolf-dog. �Help me care for Jenna!�
�But what can we do, Dad?� Yukon asked.
�Yeah, Dad,� Kodi followed. �What could us pups do to help Mom?�
�This seems like a female�s job to me, Dad,� Denali told him. �But I think since these are your pups, you should go in with her.�
Balto had a mixed feeling about this. Then another loud cry filled the air. �Jenna!� He ran into the tent with Rosy as they watched in awe. Jenna, of course, was in some of the most pain she had ever experienced in her life. Her body trembled when the next contraction went through her body. Balto grabbed onto her lucky, red bandanna and took it off of her. He then put into her mouth to bite on whenever the grip of birth hit her again.
Rosy had helped with her mother with the birth of Jenna�s first litter with Balto, and she knew what to do. �Balto, keep her calm. She must stay down on the blankets.� She again crawled out of the tent and gave the remaining dogs their duties. �Kodi and Denali, find some water and put it in this container. Quickly!� Kodi grabbed the metal container and the two dogs left to search for cool water. �Yukon, you come in here to help catch the puppies and clean them for your mom.� She stepped into the birthing tent as another howl, almost like a wolf, came from Jenna�s throat as a harder contraction of birth came through her. �Aoi, you will help guard the tent during the night. Make sure that no one harms the new mother and her litter. Okay?� Aoi nodded in approval as he sat to the side of the tent.
It only took the two brothers about five minutes to make the round trip to a nearby stream. The container was filled most of the way with water and Denali, the stronger of the two, had the pail handle in his mouth. They arrived to the sounds of more painful screams from their mother, but they kept the water from spilling by walking quickly to the tent. They saw Aoi sitting at the left side of the closed opening, twitching his ears to keep him alert for danger. Aoi moved aside, letting the darker pup pass with the pail of cool liquid.
�How is she in there?� Kodi asked the guard dog. �Does she need any more help?�
�Let Nature take its course, Kodi,� he answered in a strange voice of wisdom. �She�ll be okay.�
It seemed that the husky�s emotions had suddenly changed about him, most likely because of the birth of his younger siblings was about to occur. The two of them silently exchanged a smile of friendship as the miracle was about to begin.
Balto was struggling with his birthing wife, who was still in labor after the whole thing began over an hour ago. The bandanna was now wet with saliva and had little teeth spots in it from the biting. Jenna soon was ready. She sat up for a minute as she concentrated on the little lives inside her. She began to push with a loud, long howl of birth. Finally, a slimy, dark object landed onto the blanket. Jenna began to lick the wet thing clean until a small whimper emerged as it breathed its first breath. Rosy then moved the pup to Balto and Yukon, who were now in charge of warming the newborns before they were given back to their mom for their first milk. The birthing cries seemed to ring out right before Jenna brought another new life into the world. Another pup emerged from her body, then another and another, until altogether seven beautiful pups were with Jenna, nursing and sucking on her teats.
It was almost the end of the night by the time the pups were all born from Jenna. The older pups were amazed by the event that they had just witnessed. Rosy gave her favorite dog a pat of congratulations and gave a call to the other dogs to come out of the �Pup Tent� so that Jenna could have some time alone to rest after the difficult birth.
Balto didn�t follow them at the moment. He saw the tired look in his mate�s eyes, but all he could do was smile.
�You did great, Jenna,� he told her while giving her a quick nuzzle. �They�re a bunch of little miracles.�
All the husky could do was yawn and return his smile. He then knew that it was his time to leave his new pups to bond with their mother for the rest of the night. He walked out to see Denali, Yukon, Kodi and Aoi walking near a clearing where they could see the night sky. They were expecting stars, but instead got a performance of the Northern Lights. The pups oohed and aahed at the sight, for they had heard about them but had never seen it until now. Many waves of colors danced in their swirling kaleidoscope of movements as if to celebrate the birth of seven new creatures on the Earth.
�Wow!� Yukon said. �They�re so pretty! Like a big, colorful blanket in the sky!�
�Just like how Mom and Dad said it looked!� Denali added.
Kodi wondered, �I wonder why we�re seeing this now, huh?�
�Maybe it�s because of . . .� Aoi began to speak, but instead he got all excited as a sound came out of his mouth. �AAAWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!� he howled to the heavens.
�What�s with that noise, Aoi?� Balto began to scold him. �Jenna has just given birth and is trying to sleep.�
�Sorry, Balto.� Aoi explained. �I was just thanking the sky for its show in honor of Jenna�s new puppies. It is a happy occasion!� He urged the brown wolf-dog on. �Come on! Let your inner wolf soar!�
�Yeah, Dad!� Kodi, Denali and Yukon egged him until he started a howl from deep within his soul. This howl had been in him since his first encounter with the mysterious White Wolf a couple of years ago and finally, it was time to howl again.
�AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!�
Rosy was about to hush the loud wolf-dogs until she felt a tug on her coat sleeve. It was Jenna, crawling with her lucky litter whimpering near her. She soon realized that they were howling in Jenna�s honor and congratulations for her new arrivals. Rosy smiled as she led Jenna back inside the tent and helped watch over her brood.
Balto and Aoi began a duet of howls as a few sets of yellow eyes began watching through dark bushes nearby. The lead pair of eyes knew that they should move somewhere else, for it knew that morning was near and that they would be back on the move shortly. Then all of the eyes moved out as the other three huskies got into their wolf heritage and joined the chorus of howls until daybreak.

Until the next part!

66-109650395325 Feb 2005, 23:22 UTC

Your story is awesome, its one of my favorite facfictions I can't wait tell the next one is released, but until then good luck on all your college work!

83-108302525626 Feb 2005, 04:46 UTC

Very well done Juuchan17

78-110650140328 Feb 2005, 03:22 UTC

This fic is pretty good overall, but the only thing that annoys me is that sometimes it's the story talking instead of the characters; put yourself in their shoes (paws?) and think about how they'd really say things. My only critique.

78-110650140301 Mar 2005, 20:40 UTC

Not to get too off-topic, but sure, shdrex, I'd love to see some of your work.