Chapter 9
(Sorry, FanFiction was bein' stupid and wouldn't let me upload this for two days. Anyways, enjoy.)
The next weeks were interesting for Balto. He would see the sled dogs in training, doing their various runs and different exercises. Steele and his friends were among them and even though Balto didn't like them he had to admit they were impressive workers. So to aid in his recovery, Balto had taken to copying their training as best he could, and within three more weeks he'd grown back stronger than before, all of his skills, hunting, running, stalking, were greatly improved. Another benefit with Steele being so busy training was that it was safer for him to go into town, which was good because winter was driving most of the natural prey away.
Balto hadn't seen any more of the grey husky, he had just disappeared. On a specific night though, Balto had learned that Steele and his team were to participate in a dogsled race at only two years old. Even though they were the youngest, they were good, and already had many bet on them. But for every bet they won, two went against them, simply because of the age. This made the whole team train twice as hard, all of them desperate to prove the world wrong.
Balto was glad Steele would be leaving, but couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he won. That would increase Steele's already high self-esteem, and make bigger his already huge ego, and Balto feared that. It was very likely Steele would come after Balto and crush him simply because of the increase in said ego.
So even as the weather got colder, he would take long runs down the beach, sometimes not returning for two or three days. He built his strength up and could feel it flowing through him. After only four weeks since the removal of his cast he felt stronger than ever before no one would've ever been able to guess he'd been injured.
Despite his feeling amazing physically, he felt horrible emotionally. Balto wanted to see Jenna and Rosy again. So late one night, as the first light snow fell he made his way into the town and was happy to find it almost completely deserted, and those that were still outside quickly made their way in. It was already dark, the only light provided by the warm glow coming from the windows of the houses. Balto was able to walk like he owned the place and got a taste of what Steele must've felt like. It felt good, but Balto preferred peace over power any day. He stopped at the home where his friends lived and sat, staring at the warm looking house.
It made him feel warm inside to think about them, and the wolf dog closed his to just let the peaceful silence of it all wash over him. He could almost see them in the house…
"Something on your mind?" Balto whirled around, coming face to face with Steele. He looked around for Steele's other friends but didn't see them. Steele noticed this.
"Afraid of something?"
"No."
"Oh, trying to be brave for the girl." Steele taunted and looked toward the house where none other than the red husky herself stood in the now open door, staring at both of them.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Balto growled, taking a step toward the malamute.
"Balto don't." Jenna said calmly, kicking the door shut behind her as she approached the two, "You don't have to prove anything to me."
Balto stood and considered her words.
"You know, he's dangerous Jenna. He might try to hurt or kill both of us."
Balto growled again, narrowing his eyes. Steele braced himself, ready to meet the wolf dog if he attacked.
"You," Jenna spoke, turning to Steele, "are a sick dog, you care only about yourself and you use him to better yourself just because he's different, if anyone in this town deserves to be shunned it's you."
Steele cocked his head and listened with growing amusement.
"Does this wolf dog really mean that much to you Jenna? I'd have thought someone such as yourself would be more careful with who they spent their time with."
"I'd rather spend my time with Balto than be with any of you." Jenna retorted, "He's got a purer heart than any of you could dream. He's the only truly good canine I've seen in this town."
Steele shrugged, knowing now that he wouldn't win this fight.
"Just be careful Jenna, he might bite."
Balto stood stiff until Steele disappeared and only then let out the breath he just realized he'd been holding in. He relaxed his posture and took a look over at Jenna.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"It's true, what I said. You're better than any of them. You'll prove that someday, but it won't be through fighting. They'd only win that way."
"I know that… I'm just sick of him. He stepped on my foot, that's why they think I growled at William. I didn't mean to do it."
"I figured as much. He's a dirty dog, and what's a shame is how he attracts all the females with those dirty acts."
"Except for you," Balto pointed out, "and you're the one he wants."
Jenna smiled at this, "I know, I make him so angry."
Balto and Jenna stood in silence for a few moments before a call from Rosy got Jenna's attention.
"I better go, you should leave too."
"I will."
"Don't do anything rash Balto. I expect this is the last time I'll see you for a while and I do want to see you again."
"I'll be careful, and I'd like to see you again too."
Jenna touched his nose gently before turning around and heading back towards the door. Balto stood in shock for a few moments, as his brain caught up with him. He shook it off though and started back towards his home. He now had a true reason to live, actually two, Rosy and Jenna. Although he didn't know then what would happen in the future, Balto knew Jenna was right. There would come a day that he would be able to prove himself, and when that day came he'd be ready.
Jenna stood in the door and watched as Balto made his way out of town. Once he was out of sight the red husky looked over to a roof across the street from her home. On it stood the grey husky, whose name she figured out was Storm. She knew who he was; he had told her. Jenna could see the sadness in his eyes, sadness at having to leave his son behind. But she also saw the gratitude. Storm trusted her to be Balto's friend, and to help him like he would've until he could return. While she didn't know what Storm had to do, it was obviously important. Storm nodded to her and she returned the gesture before turning around and going into her house.
Storm was indeed sad. He hated to leave Balto without telling him the truth, but it was necessary. If Balto knew the truth, then he wouldn't be around at that moment, the moment in which he would shine. Storm knew Balto would be fine and would eventually beat Steele and gain the trust of the townsfolk. That would happen in a little more than two years from this point, on February 2nd, 1925.
..
I hope y'all liked this ending as much as I do. I was gonna have them fight, and this go on for about nine more chapters, but when I wrote this version I loved it, it all just seemed to flow so well out onto the paper and then onto the Microsoft word program. Next story will probably be a short one about the adjusting of life after the night that made him famous, but I can't think of any good titles for it. I'd appreciate any ideas guys. I'm gonna take a break though to focus on another story, as that one is probably gonna be a monster. Don't know how long I'll be able to stay away though.
Thanks for all the reviews/favorites, they really truly mean a lot more than I can say. Thank you all for reading this, I hope you're lookin' forward to the next addition as much as I am.
ANonymouS789
