Trish: Do you think she's done sulking now?
Cait: Who cares? I'm havin' a blast at my yami's house!
Trish: You're on a sugar high aren't you?
Cait: (hides energy drinks) What gives you that idea Trish?
Trish: (gives skeptical look) Because a very good place to hide the drinks is right behind you.
Cait: Ok, before she kills me I'm gonna go look for Train. See ya! (runs to find Train)
Trish: Train would probably say thanks to all who reviewed and she doesn't own Balto or any characters from it or TP! Now enjoy the chap!
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Balto woke up to be strangely warm. He opened his eyes only to shut them from the light that poured into the boat's windows. Carefully this time he opened his eyes to see a boy laying with him. The boy that he helped get here last night.
Getting up and stretching he also realizes that Boris isn't sleeping. Only to hear his 'father' yell in pain and surprise. As quickly as it came Balto jumped out of the only room above deck. Well there was nothing to see. Balto had a questioningly look on his face. That is until he heard a noise from off the boat and in the snow.
Curious, but also cautious, Balto looked just off the boat. Fearing that someone is here to harm the boy that's still asleep in the boat. But what he saw made him bust out laughing. Boris had leaned too far off the edge of the boat and Muk and Luk charged at him. So now the goose was on the bottom of the dog pile.
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Jim, on the other hand, had heard laughing. He woke up and looked around. "Balto?" Jim asked groggily. When he couldn't find the wolf dog he started getting lonely. He went into a corner and started crying. Pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them he cried harder.
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Once Balto's laughter had subsided he got Muk and Luk off Boris. "Sorry Boris, but that was just too funny. I still can't believe Muk and Luk snuck up on you like that." He smiled as he chuckled a bit. Not able to get his mind off of what just happened. Funny couldn't even describe it. Rarely ever Muk and Luk sneak up on Boris. It was something Balto wasn't willing to forget. And he would never let Boris live it down.
Soon though Boris started fake laughing. "Ha ha. Very funny boy-chick! But you try getting out of ta way of tese two idiot balls of fluff!" At the nickname the to hugged Boris. "Get off of me! Let me go!" Boris yelled. Yet the two would not let go. This made Balto go into a whole new fit of laughter.
"We love you too Uncle Boris!" Muk said for both. They never took what their 'uncle' said seriously. For they knew he was just messing with them. They also loved Balto but they knew it was too easy for him to jump out off the way when they charge. So they do it to Boris all the time instead.
Once his laughter subsided Balto told Boris where he was going. "Boris. I'm going into town to see if I can find something to eat for that boy Jim. I'll be back soon." And with that he left. Boris just looked dumbfounded before he sighed. He went to where Jim was but surprised to see what was there.
Jim was curled up near the wall and crying. 'Balto left me. Just like my father did!' But as he thought that he felt wings wrap around him. He looked up with his tearstained face and saw a goose. Then he looked to the doorway and saw two polar bears. 'Ok. Either I'm going nuts or I really do see a goose with his wings around me and two polar bears at the doorway. Maybe these animals know Balto.'
"It's alright boy-chick. Dun't cry. Balto will be back soon." Boris said as he saw the boy's gray blue eyes' gaze. Those eyes held so much emotion. Loneliness, helplessness, hope; hope. Now there was something that Boris could handle. He hated when anyone cried. After a few seconds he felt the boy lean into the embrace.
'So this is what someone caring for you feels like.' Jim thought. 'It feels… nice.' His parents were always fighting too much to really notice him. Even the bruises and cuts he got from some of the bullies in his hometown. But now he had people, well animals that cared for him. And they didn't even know him too well.
"Is he okay Uncle Boris?" Muk asked. The polar bear was worried about the boy. He was told that he was small enough to ride on Balto's back. And now that he saw Jim, it looked like he couldn't be more than thirteen winters old. But he couldn't Muk couldn't be sure about the age. He never really was good with determining that kind stuff.
Jim pushed away and got a good look at them. "My name is Jim Hawkins. And I don't mean to be rude but who are you?" He really didn't want to act nor sound rude. It's just didn't know who they were or if they knew Balto. That's one thing he wanted to find out. He wanted to make sure he wasn't in danger. But more so that Balto wasn't in danger.
"Vat a minute, vat a minute." Jim looked at him curiously. "You can understand me?" Jim nodded. "Oh boy. In all my years this is the first time I heard about a human understanding animals." Jim lets his head fall to shadow his tears pouring out from his eyes. "Boy-chick! Dun't cry. Please dun't cry. I didn't mean anything by it. I'm sorry."
Muk and Luk join in. "Our names are Muk and Luk." Pointing to themselves at their name. "And that's Uncle Boris. It's good to meet ya Jim!" Said boy looked up at the group and smiled. Tears stopping. If he had a tail, it would be wagging like crazy right now. Jim smiled big and hugged Boris back. "We're glad you're happy Jim." Muk smiled. Jim was like them. Jumping from one emotion to another. Funny if one thinks about it really.
"It's good to meet you all too." Jim said. 'I think I'm going to get along just fine with these guys.' He looked around and realized Balto still wasn't there. "Hey… Uncle Boris?" Said goose looked to him. "Where's Balto? I mean I know it's none of my business but I'm worried about him." It was true that he cared for Balto. Almost like he would care for his father.
Boris tried to think of something but he couldn't lie to this boy. There was just something about him that you had to tell the truth. "He vent into town to see if he could find something to eat for you. But dun't worry about him boy-chick. He'll be fine. He always is." Boris answered. 'I just hope he didn't run into Steele.'
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Balto had just got some cooked meat for Jim. He smiled. 'I hope this is enough for him. Maybe he'll enjoy it since he's a bit skinny for his age.' His smile left at the thought. What was wrong with Jim that he wouldn't eat? But his smile came back at full force. 'Maybe I can be his father until he wants to go home. It's worth a shot for him.'
Balto skipped along with the meat in toe. He kept thinking about him being Jim's father. Of course he wouldn't mind or care. Jim was carefree and outgoing. There was no way Balto wanted to change that. It was something Balto loved about the human child. He just couldn't get his mind off it.
The boat was still a ways off before he would get back. But he could handle it. It wasn't like Steele was going to pop out and say… "What are you doing here mutt? And with that meat?" Balto's eyes went wide and met Steele's cold glare. Great, a sitting duck with extra meat. Just what he wanted to do today.
"That's none of your concern Steele. Why don't you and your lackeys go chase down some mice. I willing to bet you're quite good at it." Balto turned to walk away. But was slammed into the side by Steele. Thankfully he still had a hold of the meat for Jim. He thanked whatever god was watching him. Now time to fight back. "Get back Steele. Or if you really wanna fight," Balto looked straight into Steele's eyes with a dangerous look, "I. Won't. Hold. Back." Emphasizing every word.
Steele laughed. "Hear that boys? Sounds like this half-breed can beat me. What do you think?" Steele laughed again without giving Nikki, Star, and Caltap any time to answer. "Fine. If you wanna fight go out of your boat and wait there. We'll fight after the humans go to sleep. Am I clear?" Knowing Balto would do it he turned and walked away. The 'lackeys' giving Balto an apologetic look before following Steele. Already waiting for night. Good thing it's at night. That way no one will interrupt the fight.
"He thinks he's so good at everything he does. I'm willing to bet he can't even take me on alone and will bring his lackeys to back him up. Knowing that I am part wolf. Son of a-" But he was cut off as soon as Boris came flying to him. "Boris? What's wrong? And where's Jim?"
Boris sighed. "To tell you the truth boy-chick, he said you were in trouble and went ta try and find you. And now I have no idea vere he might have gone or vere he is. That's why I came to you. Maybe you could try and find him. See where he might be." By the time Boris finished what he was saying Balto was already gone. And the only thing left was the meat he had for Jim. 'Be safe boy-chicks.'
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Jim found himself in the center of town and being questioned by a black and gray-white husky. "What do you want? I'm only looking for someone. So just leave me alone." He tried to run. But before he could he was grabbed, swung at a 180-degree angle, and landed back in the snow.
"Well I was hoping that I would find myself a human. But there's no way that you would be right. And besides you have that half-breed's scent all over you." Jim's eyes widened at this. "Oh yes. I know all about that wolf-dog and his chicken of a pal." Steele laughed at his own joke.
"Well Boris can't be as chicken as you. Seeing as how you ran from Balto when he challenged you. And besides if he does go along with that deal you made you would bring your lackeys to try and help finish the job." Jim smirked at Steele's expression. One word… priceless. Surprise, confusion, and anger.
'This kid sure has a heck of a backbone. He would make a good son if only he was a husky.' Steele thought. 'Wait a minute…' "You can… understand me?" Steele finished out loud. Now there's only a few things that can make Steele speechless. And a human understanding the animal tongue is one of those things.
"You finally figured that out smart guy? Took ya long enough. I thought I would be 26 before you figured that one out." Jim smirked again seeing Steele's face. But it left as soon as Steele pounced and was on top of him. Jim struggled until he was too tired. He saw his vision blackening from exhaustion. But he couldn't pass out now. Not when he had to get back to Balto.
"Jim?" Said boy looked at the source of the voice and his eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "Jim!" His father, Leland, ran to the boy but was stopped by Steele's growling. "What are you doing you mutt! That's my son!" Leland tried to get closer but was almost bit because of it.
"Dad!" He looked towards Steele. "Stop it! Please! I'll do anything! Just please. Don't hurt him. Don't hurt my dad." Jim looked to his dad and gave an apologetic smile. Leland could see tears rolling down his son's cheeks. He reached out a hand. "Don't dad. Please. I don't want you hurt. And I can take whatever that stupid mutt gives me."
"But Jim… your mother and I have been worried sick. Please come home. We haven't argued since you left. We've tried everything to find you. And now that I have I don't want to lose you again." Leland explained. Trying to be strong and not cry in front of his son and best friend. He smiled a sad smile and held his hand out again.
Jim shook his head. But widened his eyes at the sight of Steele getting ready to bite his dad. "NO!!" Jim yelled and ran to block his dad from the attack. The attack missed it's target and hit another one. Jim looked up to his dad and saw his expression. "I'm sor-sorry dad. B-But if the stu-pid mutt got you, I w-wouldn't of forgiven mys-self. Besides it do-doesn't really hurt." Jim stuttered before he closed his eyes and a bright light surrounded him.
Leland had to cover his eyes. As soon as it died down he saw what looked like a pitch-black half-breed wolf dog laying unconscious where he last saw his son. Right across from where he was, was Steele staring unbelievably at the wolf dog. His mouth was agape and with one quick move he ran. There was another pair of eyes watching the whole thing surprised.
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Balto had heard some voices coming from the town center. And he couldn't believe what he heard. Jim was talking to Steele! The more he got closer the more he could understand the insults Jim was handing to Steele. 'That a boy Jim! Show him who can be top dog, human around here!'
Then he heard everything silent before hearing one word. "Jim?" Well now, who did this voice belong to? Balto finally stopped as soon as he saw an alley that got a perfect view of the town center. And what all the ruckus was about. "Jim!" A man ran to Jim but was stopped by Steele's growling. "What are you doing you mutt! That's my son!" The man tried to get closer but was almost bit because of it.
"Dad!" Balto looked surprised at what Jim just said. 'So this man is Jim's father huh?' "Stop it! Please! I'll do anything! Just please. Don't hurt him. Don't hurt my dad." Jim looked to his dad and gave an apologetic smile. The man could see tears rolling down his son's cheeks. He reached out a hand. "Don't dad. Please. I don't want you hurt. And I can take whatever that stupid mutt gives me." Balto saw Jim glare hard at Steele even with the tears.
"But Jim… your mother and I have been worried sick. Please come home. We haven't argued since you left. We've tried everything to find you. And now that I have I don't want to lose you again." That man explained. Trying to be strong and not cry in front of his son and best friend. He smiled a sad smile and held his hand out again.
Jim shook his head. But Balto saw the scared expression when Jim looked at Steele getting ready to bite his dad. "NO!!" Jim yelled and ran to block his dad from the attack. The attack missed it's target and hit another one. Jim looked up to his dad and saw his expression. "I'm sor-sorry dad. B-But if the stu-pid mutt got you, I w-wouldn't of forgiven mys-self. Besides it do-doesn't really hurt." Jim stuttered before he closed his eyes.
Balto could see Jim was bitten on his lower arm and deeply. He looked up to see the man known as Jim's father had tears rolling down his cheeks at his son's wound. The man picked Jim up and cradled him. But let go as soon as he saw a bright light surround Jim. The man, Balto, and Steele had to cover his eyes.
As soon as it died down he saw what looked like a pitch-black half-breed wolf dog laying unconscious where said three last saw Jim. Right across from where he was, was Steele staring unbelievably at the wolf dog. His mouth was agape and with one quick move he ran. But Balto looked surprised at the transformation that just happened.
He took a deep breath and walked out of his hiding place. Jim's father looked up and saw Balto walking over. He didn't stop the other wolf dog, Leland concluded. He put out his. "Hey boy. I'm Jim's father, Leland Hawkins at your service." He smiled as the wolf dog his paw in his and shook.
Balto spelled his name in the snow so Leland would know his name. "Balto is your name boy?" said wolf dog nodded happily. But looked at Jim with sadness. "Take 'em Balto. I think he likes you. And besides I don't have the proper resources to take care of him now. And if you want maybe Jim could show you where I am so you two can visit anytime you want. Ok Balto?" Again Balto nodded happily as he lifted Jim on his back and ran back to the boat.