'I wish I could head over to where Duke is now, he must be worried. But oh well, family comes first. hang tight Duke, I'll be back soon.' Balto sighed heavily as he walked back deeper into the cave. There he met up with his grandchildren who were more than pleased to see him. "Gramps is babysitting, Gramps is babysitting!" Alas pranced around singing a somewhat annoying tune. Well in Balto's opinion. "honey please don't call me that."

"why?" the little red pup asked. "Because it makes me feel old." the halfbreed answered. "But you are old, thats what grandpa's are, right?" Togo joined in the conversation. 'if this continues they'll make me go through a midlife crisis.' Balto sighed. "Just call me grandpa." He looked over to blade who still hadn't said a word to him since he got here. "You're Blade, right?" Balto approached the older pup.

"hm." the black and white wolf nodded. "Not much of a talker huh?" Balto jokingly said with a chuckle. Blade however was not amused. Balto seeing he was the only one laughing tried to end the awkwardness with a more serious talk. Maybe if he could try to comfort him "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be back soon."

Blade shook his head "Its not that," he stated calmly "Its just," the young pup started. "what?" Balto asked again trying to get more out of his grandson. "Its nothing. Please leave me alone, I'd like to be by myself for a awhile." Blade finished as he walked off. "Oh, ok. Whatever makes you feel better." Balto said ears folding back. "If there is anything I can do to help than-,"

"No." the pup quickly stated. Balto sighed again. So far it hasn't been a good start. "Grandpa?" Balto looked beside him to see the two younger pups staring at him with curious eyes. "Is it true you're half husky? Or, whatever that is?" Balto smiled at his granddaughter "Yeah, my dad was a husky who had pups with a wolf. My mother."

"what IS a husky?" Togo asked. "well, they are sort of a…gee, I never answered this kind of question before. From where I live most dogs are huskies. It's a kind of dog that races a lot. Most specifically sledding."

"Sledding?" the two pups questioned in sync. "it's a sort of game or sport that has a group of dogs put together to pull a human in a box, the more dogs the more power, the more power the more speed. And they all race against each other to see who's fastest." Balto finished.

"And that's the same sport that you did to save the humans?" Alas asked.

"Yep. You sure are the curious little one aren't you?" Balto chuckled patted the top of her head. "Hehe, I can't help it." She replied sticking her tongue out slightly. 'just like your mother was at your age.' Balto lied himself down making himself comfortable.

just then thunder began to roar outside. Togo gasped and jumped after hearing the loud booming sound, and rushed into his grandfathers paws. 'and he seems to be the scared shy type. Blade must be the quite tough guy type.' "Hey Togo its just thunder, nothing to be afraid of. After all its just sound."

Togo poked his head out from his hiding spot. "R-really?" Balto winked at his grandson. "Say Togo, tell me a little about you and your sister and brother. Have you all been getting along." Togo nodded. "Yup, mum and pop make sure we do, all the time." Alas joined in with her brothers spot and snuggled into her grandfathers fur. "Yeah, papa says we should always be looking out for each other."

"I see, what else have your parents taught you?"

"Papa always treats me like his princess. I think I'm his favorite." Alas smirked. "Nah I'm sure your father loves you all equally." 'I should bite my own tongue, Aleu always was my favorite, not that I didn't love the other pups but,' "I guess its just a matter of how much time one spends with another."

"Mama always calls me and Togo her babies. I personally like it but blade hates it." the little pup giggled. 'Now doesn't that take me back.' "Mama always looks after us and protects us all the time." Alas added. 'I guess I better not bring it up then, these two she her as a strong mother. And I cant bring myself to crush that vision by saying how I use to treat her.' Balto had to face it, her 'baby' was full grown now and had babies of her own. It was a hard pill to swallow but, then again maybe he didn't need to. At least not in front of his grand kids. 'yeah, she'll always be my baby. No matter how old she is.' but still, these pups can also be his babies. Why not?

"Tell me more about your brother." Balto asked. The two pups looked at each other then back at their grandfather. "He's always looking after Togo and he spends time with him the most. He thinks he's weak so he wants to try and make him stronger." Alas said. "Well, you should be happy that you have such a caring brother Togo." Togo nodded. "I am. I'm really thankful to have someone like him to watch over me."

"And you sweetie? Tell grandpa more about you sweetheart." Balto asked the little red wolf. "I like to explore, playing, and my papa! I love my papa! I love my mama too!" Balto could only laugh at how adorable the little pup was. "spunky little one." He said rubbing his nose on hers. The pup giggled at the gesture. "hehe, I do that to papa all the time." Balto smiled and looked over to his youngest grandson. "I, well, um, I love my mom, she always gives us lots of food and milk, my brother of course, and uh…" the little pup pondered for a third thing he liked "and being safe. From the bad guys." he finished.

Aleu and Legolas were in the same group together, After all they did make a formidable duo together when it came to fighting. Hunting down intruders was no exception either. Aleu could always remember that foul stench, ever since he attacked her she's been keeping it stored ever since. Legolas had been in many battles with Alister, he knew his tactics and strategies. Which made sense seeing as how he knew him since their cub days. Thus, making Aleu and Legolas the perfect team of hunters for this particular wolf.

"You think Balto will be alright with the kids?" Legolas asked his mate. "Don't worry, he might be getting old but he can still hold his own. And if I know my dad, he'll do whatever it takes to protect his family." Aleu replied. Legolas was a little awe struck. There wasn't a single shroud of doubt or worry in Aleu's voice. She had her full trust in her father. And if she did, then he would also.

Happy new year everyone! Please review! I want to know if I'm getting better or not. have a good one!