Authors note

I'm back with a new story, trying to go for a completely different genre. All characters will be from the movies (at least for now). Nothing more to say I guess… You know the disclaimer thingy.

PS: Yes, I know this story is gonna be a bit cliché but it's what I want to write. So sit down, lean back, eat your snack and READ IT!!! Please?

Beginnings

It was late evening, since it was still summer, the sun was still hovering above the horizon, bathing the land with a golden gleam. But this went un-noticed by the three pups playing in the boiler room beneath the post office. They didn't know why they were there; their owner had brought them there and motioned for them to stay until he returned. They didn't mind, it was a nice place to play since there was nothing they could break by accident, which happened a bit too often in their owners house.

"Not that I mind, but why are we here?" Ralph said, he was a grey, chubby malamute but he was a nice and caring dog.

"How should I know?" a brown malamute named Kirby answered with irritation. He was Ralphs best friend, even though he kept teasing him whenever the chance offered itself.

"Calm down guys, he will be back soon and then we will know what's going on." This time, the voice came from the third pup. A grey husky called Dusty. Being the only female of the three, she was also the most sensible, and often had to keep the two malamutes from fighting when they became too excited.

"Yes Dusty…" they both did as she said. They had only known each other for two weeks, but Kirby and Ralph had quickly learned that when Dusty says something, you are wise to listen.

"Good" she exclaimed.

A few minutes were spent in silence, then, they heard someone walking outside towards the door. They recognized their owners scent, but there was something else there. A dog, more exactly a pup, but there was something odd about his scent. They didn't have much time to think about it though; their owner entered the boiler room. All three gathered at his feet, wanting to get a look at the newcomer.

"Easy now, let him have some air" The man said while putting the pup down, making sure the others were at a distance. "This is Kodi, like you, I'm going to train him as a sled dog, so be sure you treat him well. The musher, for that's what he was, went outside to let the dogs get to know each other.

Kodi suddenly found himself on the floor; the human that had adopted him had left the room and he was now standing face to face with three pups he had never seen before. It terrified him so much that he became paralyzed, and therefore he was startled when the brown one started talking.

"Hi, it was Kodi, right?" Kirby asked in his most formal tone.

"Y-Y-Yes…" Kodi stuttered, having trouble finding words.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Kirby. And this is Ralph and Dusty." Kirby raised his paw towards the other two.

"Hello" Ralph said.

"Nice to meet you Kodi" Dusty said.

Kodi just stood there speechless. They were very nice to him but he had never been any good with strangers. They looked at him like they expected some sort of reply, but they were disappointed. Kodi just looked at them and trotted off to a corner with his tail between his legs and head bowed down. He settled down facing the wall and stayed there.

Kirby was going to go over there to ask why Kodi was so rude, but Dusty stopped him.

"Give him some time; he just got separated from his parents."

Kirby looked like he was going to protest but Dusty gave him a glare that silenced him.

A few hours later, Kirby and Ralph were running around playing tag. Dusty however, was sitting by the wall, looking secretly at Kodi. She wasn't sure what to think of the newcomer since he didn't say much. She wanted to go talk to him about it but followed her own advice and decided to wait a little longer.

Right after the sun set, the musher came back with four bowls of food. He sat them at the floor by the door. Kirby and Ralph ran over and devoured their share in a matter of seconds and went back to playing. Dusty took her time eating, she noticed that Kodi was looking at the food but he didn't dare going near them while she was still there. She sighed. Now may be a good time… she thought.

She left her half eaten food and lifted Kodis bowl and brought it over to him. He stared terrified at her as she got closer. She dumped the bowl in front of him and laid down in front of him.

"Eat" she said with a stern yet kind voice. Kodi understood that this was not a girl that would take no for an answer and started to eat, constantly stealing glances at her. He was slowly getting over his fear of strangers and was mesmerized by the kindness of the female pup named Dusty.

After he was done, she eyed him up and down as if to make an opinion of him. Kodi shrank under her gaze.

"So" she exclaimed. "Why don't you start by telling me about yourself, that way we can get to know each other." She said this with a kind though inquisitive voice and curiosity in her eyes. Kodi was instantly blushing and looked down at his forepaws. Dusty just remained in place, determined not to leave until the newcomer would talk.

After a little while, Kodi started to talk, first low and hesitantly then stronger and more confident.

"My name is Kodi" What the... She already knows this! Nice work, that made you seem smart he thought to himself. He went on anyway. "Though my parents named me Kodiak, my father got tired of the long name and soon started to shorten it and it just stuck with me." He felt more at ease now that he was able to talk.

"I think it's a nice name no matter which version you use" she said, surprising Kodi.

"My parents are Balto and Jenna; I have five brothers and sisters." He was cut off by Dusty.

"Wait, you're saying THE Balto is your father? THE Balto who saved the town a few years ago?" Dusty was amazed, eyes wide open and mouth agape.

"Well yes, my dad told me the story but to me he is just my father, though I am proud of him." Kodi was embarrassed at the praise Dusty awarded his father. Dusty nodded, letting him continue.

"By the time the musher and his son picked me up, most of my siblings had already been adopted. Only my sister Aleu remained…" His face acquired a worried look. "And to be honest, I'm not quite sure if she will be adopted…" Genuine concern for his sister emanated from him.

"Why is that?" Dusty asked, her head rotated a few inches to the side, giving her a quizzed look.

"She looks more like a wolf than anyone in town." He hesitated, deciding that he should keep nothing secret, it would all come to light one day anyway. "I'm not sure you are aware, but my father is half wolf, that makes me and my siblings a quarter wolf." He let the statement hang in the air for a few seconds and observing Dustys reactions. There was none that he could point out. He went on. "But the only one in the litter that really showed it was Aleu, she looks more wild that my father. But she is one of the kindest pups there is." He added the last part as if to ward of any negative thoughts Dusty might get from this information.

"I can see why that may be a hindrance for her chances of getting adopted, but if she is as kind as you say; she will find a family in the end." She said matter of factly.

Kodi was surprised at Dustys understanding in the matter. But then he suddenly remembered something his father had told him right after he had told him about his wolf heritage. "Dusty, what I have told you now, must stay a secret. Aleu does not know she is part wolf, and my father wants to tell her at the right time…I'm actually not supposed to tell anyone about this…" He trailed off; he was blushing at his own mistake.

Dusty was flattered by the fact that Kodi had trusted her with this information. "Of course" She said in a low, grateful voice. "But why did you tell me this, if a dog has wolf blood in him, he usually hides it from others, why did you tell me?" she wondered.

Kodi acquired an insulted face. "I'm not going to be ashamed of my father!" He said rather loudly.

Ralph and Kirby stopped in their tracks and looked over at the two talking dogs. They soon lost interest and reassumed their playing.

"I'm not saying you should" Dusty said quickly, noticing Kodi was on an aggressive defense, a new part of him showed that did not fit his overall character. "I'm just saying I'm surprised you trust me with the knowledge. Personally I don't mind, having a bit of wolf blood in you might just prove useful someday" she finished with a smile.

Kodi got back to his calm self. "Sorry I snapped at you, I usually don't lose my temper like that" he lowered his head in shame.

They both laid the subject to rest.

Wishing to keep the conversation up, Dusty asked Kodi the question she originally came to ask him. "Why did you go to the corner of the room while Kirby talked to you?"

To Dustys surprise, Kodi started to laugh. "I was never really good with strangers; I would always hide behind mom or dad when we met someone I didn't know." His laugh subsided."This is the first time I'm away from my family…"

Hm, polite, strong willed, shy, a nice laughter. I'm starting to like this one. Heck, he even looks pretty good, she thought with a smile.

She understands me Kodi thought. She does not care that I'm part wolf, in fact, she admires it… She is also kinda pretty.

Any continuation of the conversation failed, as the musher came back to collect his dogs and take them home.

They arrived at the house right after the sun had disappeared behind the mountains. Inside there was a pretty ordinary household. The Musher left for the kitchen.

"This way Kodi." Dusty waited for him to follow. She lead him to a warm room in the basement and to a rather large basked padded with blankets. All four except Kodi jumped in, exhausted. Ralph and Kirby lay down in one corner, Dusty in the back. Kodi moved to the remaining corner and settled himself down alone. Right before he fell asleep, he felt something touching his side. He raised his head in shock, only to see that Dusty was sleeping besides him. This puzzled him, but sleep overcame him and he laid down, head between his paws. He was scared at the contact with Dusty, but he enjoyed it, and something else stirred within him, but he didn't have time to ponder over it since Dusty had put her head on his neck in her sleep. Kodi fell asleep with a broad smile across his face.

Authors note

GOD DAMMIT!!! There is something wrong with my "U" button and its driving me nuts!

Anyway, here is the first chapter, you may see where I want to go with this story but I honestly don't care, I'm really enjoying writing this! =)=)=)

Il post next chapter as soon as possible, hope you're enjoying this so far.

Silwer-Paw

Next chapter: One year later (Yeah I know, lame, but it fits my vision)