Found . . . Again
"She can't have gone this far," Star remarked as they trudged through belly-deep snowdrifts. "We should've found some sign of her by now."
Chipper suddenly raised his head from the ground. "Just did. She's been here."
Star walked over. "Scent's old. She could've been gone for hours."
Suddenly, a sharp howl pierced the night, and Chipper edged closer to Star. "What was that?"
"Wolves," Star replied in a hushed tone. "We're getting out of here now."
As they started to back away, a canine form materialized out of the darkness. "Why are you here?"
"It's a trick. Back away slowly," Star whispered.
A voice spoke behind them. "Very perceptive for a domestic canine."
They spun around and saw a two other wolves in an increasingly tightening circle. "Thanks," Star said. "If you don't want us here, we'll just go, okay? The sooner we leave, the better for all of us, right?"
"Wrong. You stay for now," the leader snapped. "Why are you here?"
"We're looking for a puppy," Chipper said.
The wolves paused. "A puppy?" the leader asked.
"She's the daughter of Balto," Star added.
"You may have seen her," Chipper suggested. "She looks a lot like a wolf."
The wolves glanced at each other. "What we have or have not seen is our own business. What connection does this pup have to you?"
"We're friends of Balto," Chipper declared. "And he doesn't like it when his friends get eaten."
The leader looked at another wolf, who nodded. Sighing, he turned to the pair of dogs. "I apologize for the inconvenience. I am Chehalis of the Anvil Creek Clan. You will come with us."
"Better do what he says," Star whispered.
Chipper gulped but offered no response.
The wolves led them to a nearby rock shelter, where they were met by still more wolves. One of them stepped forward. "Kiska, these claim to be friends of Balto."
The pack leader nodded. "Ah, they've come for Aleu?"
"You know where she is?" Star asked.
Kiska nodded again. "Yes. She left with her uncle not half an hour ago."
"Uncle?" Star asked.
"Yes. Kemo. He's a lone wolf in these woods. He took her to his den to wait for Balto or someone else to come looking for her. It lies on the east bank of the stream due west of here. You can make it in ten minutes if you hurry."
"W . . . we're . . . I mean . . . we can go?" Chipper stammered.
Chehalis and a few other wolves laughed. "Of course. Why shouldn't you?"
Kiska smiled. "Any friend of Balto is a friend to us. Go in peace."
Aleu again stole another furtive glance at Kemo as he stood watch at the entrance of his den. She was trying to sort out what the other wolves had said back at the Anvil Creek den. Why would Papa know any wolves? And how can a wolf be my uncle? Mama's a dog and Papa's a dog, so that means I'm a dog. So how can a wolf be my uncle? She frowned thoughtfully. Then again, Uncle Boris and Uncle Kaltag aren't really my Uncles. They're just friends of Papa. Maybe it's the same way with Uncle Kemo. Yeah, that's it, he's just a friend of Papa's like he said. Still . . .
"Um . . . Uncle Kemo?"
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering. How do you know Papa?"
Kemo had known that the question would be asked sooner or later. "He saved my life many years ago. As I said, your father and I know each other very well."
Aleu frowned. "Then how come Papa never said you were a wolf?"
Kemo smiled. Persistent. Just like her father. "Balto has a saying, does he not?"
"Several," Aleu said, rolling her eyes.
Kemo sighed. He'd never have allowed such behavior among his own pups. That was a long time ago. Let the dead remain buried. "I was referring to 'Appearances are everything and nothing.'"
Aleu nodded. "What about it?"
"Some dogs dislike wolves simply because they're wolves. They base their hatred on this fact only. Your father wanted you to judge by what you knew rather than what you thought you knew. You'll understand someday." He stared into the night.
"Uncle Kemo?
"Yes?"
"Do you have a family?"
Kemo continued to scan the trees outside his den. "I did once. A long time ago."
Aleu cocked her head to one side. "Where are they?"
Kemo sighed. "They're gone. They went to a place where I could not follow. It's one of those things that you won't understand . . ."
"Until I'm older," Aleu finished glumly.
"Correct," Kemo said with an affirmative nod.
The conversation fell silent for a few minutes. Aleu cleared her throat again. "Uncle Kemo?"
Kemo sighed again. She's certainly making it hard to stand watch. "Yes, Aleu."
"Did you have any puppies?"
Puzzled, Kemo turned his head toward her. "Why do you ask that?"
Aleu shrugged. "I just thought if you haven't, you should. I think you'd make a good papa. You're almost as good as . . ." Her voice trailed off.
"As Balto?" Kemo asked, ignoring her hesitation. "That means a lot coming from you. But since we're on the subject of families, why did you run away?"
Aleu hesitated. "Papa's been acting weird."
"How do you mean?"
Aleu shrugged. "He gets mad easy now, and he's acting . . . weird."
"Why is he . . ." Kemo turned his head sharply when he heard a sharp crack outside. "Get back!"
Aleu crouched down and backed away. "What is it?"
"Stay back and don't move until I come back."
"Are you sure sneaking up to a wolf's lair is a good idea?" Chipper asked again.
Star shook his head. "Actually it's downright stupid, but we want to see this wolf, don't we?"
Chipper nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so, but I still think . . ." He broke off when he heard a loud snap.
Star cringed at the noise and slowly raised his paw off the broken stick. They all froze and listened. The only thing they heard was the whisper of the wind through the treetops. Hearing nothing, they resumed breathing.
"Whew. That was close," Chipper commented.
Star nodded. "Too close. Maybe no one heard."
"I wouldn't count on that," a deep voice said behind them. They spun and saw a white wolf crouched to spring at them. "Who are you?"
"Kemo?" Star asked.
The wolf nodded. "Yes."
"We're friends of Balto."
The wolf relaxed. "You've come for Aleu, then?"
"Is she all right?"
"I believe you'll find her well. Please come inside." He walked into the cave. "It's all right, Aleu. You can come out now."
"What was it Uncle Kemo?" She stepped back when she saw the others. "What are you doing here?"
"Balto has everyone out combing the entire area trying to find you," Star said.
"He does?"
"Yeah, I do."
They all turned and saw Balto standing in the cave entrance. Aleu blinked in surprise. "Papa?"
"Balto? How did you get here so fast?" Star asked.
"I heard your howl in town. Following your trail was easy enough." Balto walked inside and sat down facing his daughter. "Are you all right? What are you doing here?"
Aleu studied her paws. "Uncle Kemo came and got me from the other cave."
"I don't think that's what he meant," Star said.
"Thanks, Star, but I think I can handle it from here. Um, could you and Chipper go find Kaltag? Have him tell everyone else that Aleu is safe with me and we'll be back in Nome shortly. And tell Jenna to wait for us at home." About as nice a way as any to tell them to get lost.
Star apparently got the point. "Oh. Let's go tell the others, Chip." The two dogs quietly exited.
"I'll leave you two alone to talk," Kemo said, rising to leave.
"That's not necessary, Kemo." Balto turned again to his daughter. "I meant, why did you run away?"
Aleu's head drooped lower. "I didn't want to bother anyone anymore. Especially you."
"Bother me?" Balto lowered himself eye-level with her. "Aleu, what are you talking about?"
Aleu refused to meet her father's eyes. "First there was the other night when you got upset, and then there was today in the camp . . ."
Kemo laughed quietly. "Yes, I heard you caused quite a stir . . ."
"Don't encourage it, Kemo," Balto growled. "She nearly got k . . . caught in the process."
The wolf looked at Aleu. "I see. So if I'm understanding this correctly, you almost got, um . . . caught in the humans' camp, and you ran away, as you put it, so you wouldn't bother him anymore. Correct?"
Aleu nodded slowly. "I'm nothin' but a problem for everyone."
"That is not true," Balto declared flatly.
Kemo nodded. "Your father is correct, but I'll tell you what I think happened. I suspect that when you were captured, your father was a bit upset. The two of you had a disagreement, and he pulled rank saying that you would discuss it more later. You, wanting to avoid any punishment, ran away, perhaps convincing yourself you were helping everyone. Yes? No? Maybe?"
Both Aleu and Balto stared at him, mouths open in surprise. Kemo knew the entire story as if he'd witnessed it firsthand. "Well, maybe," Aleu finally admitted.
Balto shook his head in confusion. "How did you . . .?"
Kemo laughed aloud. "Come now, Balto! I had a family once. You think that I never had to deal with anything like this? I do have to say that your family certainly makes things more complicated." He turned his gaze on Aleu. "And I also have to say that running away and nearly freezing to death is not quite the way to solve anything." Aleu nodded, head lowered, and he raised her chin with his paw, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Talking works much better in cases such as these." His kindly smile was returned by his niece.
"You'd best take her home now; the others will be waiting," Kemo said, turning to Balto.
Balto looked at Kemo. "Thanks for the assist."
Kemo nodded, but as Balto and Aleu began to exit, the wolf waylaid his brother. "Don't be too hard on her. Words spoken in anger accomplish nothing and are often soon regretted." He shrugged when Balto shot him a dubious look. "I have already spoken to her on the matter, and after all she's been through tonight, I do not think there will be a recurrence."
"What do you mean, 'all she's been through'? Kiska mentioned some trouble."
"Aleu became a bone of contention between the Eagle Pass and Anvil Creek Clans. The tension between those two clans has been a tinderbox since they split. It's ripe for the spark, and Aleu nearly ignited everything again." Balto nodded and turned to leave. Then Kemo spoke again. "Oh, and I didn't reveal your secret to her either."
Balto nodded his appreciation. "Thank you my brother."
"Don't mention it. I was pleased to be of service."
With that, Balto walked outside, and he and Aleu began the journey home.
