Welcome to Chapter Two of my first Balto fanfic. Hope ya like.

Chapter Two

Friend or Foe

3,279 Words

With a chorus of barks Nikki, Kaltag and Star jumped past Steele and started to advance towards me. I growled and put all four paws firmly on my ground ignoring when my shoulder flared and more blood came out. This isn't good.

I could have easily taken on these three any other day but I was injured, dizzy from blood loss. Plus I didn't like Steele standing there waiting for his moment to attack. And something just didn't want Jess to see this side of me, not yet, not till absolutely necessary.

With one last growl I turned around and ran away.

I could hear those three behind me still, though I wasn't too sure who was the closest, I have a feeling it's probably Kaltag as he was the faster of him and Nikki. I know Star wouldn't even try to be first and have to fight me before the others, he's too scared.

I let out a laugh as I rounded the corner of a building wincing when I put too much weight on my shoulder but I kept going. I heard them growl behind me when they slipped on a patch of ice followed by a crash. Looking over my shoulder quickly I saw Kaltag sprawled under a large pile of snow eyes closed. One down two to go.

I'm going to try for Nikki next. A fence was coming up fast with a small enough gap for Star and I to fit through, but only just for me. Digging my paws in more I whimpered before jumping. I just made it through but I think I lost some fur along the way.

A loud thunk sounded behind me and I skidded to a stop to take a look. Nikki, the big dog that he is had tried to follow after Star and got stuck in the gap. Now he lay there kicking and barking like mad as Star rolled on the ground clutching his stomach laughing. "What are you doing, get him!" Another voice yelled. I froze.

That was Steele crap I didn't think that he would follow, I thought he would let the lackeys try to deal with me. That snapped Star out of it and made Nikki struggle even more to get out of the hole that he got himself stuck in.

Dragging my attention from Nikki to Star I watched as the smaller dog faced me, his body visibly shaking as he slowly moved towards me. I grinned, now these odds will be easy. I snapped my teeth baring my fangs to frighten the dog even more, this is too easy. I've never even seen a dog shake this much in my life. I froze in mid step when I saw the fence crack around Nikki. Damn now that's not good.

Backing up I let out one more growl before turning sharply and running again. I wasn't even to sure where I was going what I did know though was I hope it was somewhere I know. After ten minutes I slowed to a stop and listened. Nothing.

Finally I lost them. I looked around me and noticed something down on the ground. A blood stain. Damn it I went in a full circle, why does this town have to be so small? I growled under my breath as I started to walk back and forth on the spot as I thought.

Ok this isn't too bad I'm just back at the Dog Club, where the majority of the towns' dogs hung out, where the wolf haters hung out. It could be worse Steele could be behind me. "Hello, pup,"

Damn I really jinxed myself there. Hanging my head I slowly turned around and looked at the devil incarnate. "Hello Steele." He wasn't as big as I thought he was. I was actually only an inch or two shorter than him and though he was bulky it looked like it was for show and I was about as strong as him. "You know you're smaller than I thought you'd be," I mussed looking at him from the corner of my eye as I looked for a way out.

"I'm still bigger than you pup."

I sighed shaking my head. "Honestly can't you be more creative? I've been called that for my whole life so something new would be appreciated,"

That seemed to stun him for a second; obviously he's not used to being told to do something. I let loss a grin as I saw him thinking hard on something. Sitting down I looked at my nails waiting, and waiting. "Did you think of something yet, Steele?" I asked yawning gently.

"Fine mutt" He finally growled. Well that was new, not that original but different. "Now give me one good reason not to kill you, right here, right now?"

This will be good. "Because Steele," I began taking on a whining, begging voice. "Why would someone as big, strong and heroic," Wow Jenna was right he is a glory hound. After the first complement was out of my muzzle he started to raise his head even higher, puffing out his chest. "As you pick on a wolf that will totally whop your butt from here to Bear Rock!"

"Why you little!" I was inching to the side. Any minute now. With a roar of anger Steele jumped at me.

At the last possible second I stepped to the side and watched with a smile on my face as Steele crashed into the same crates that I had used to climb and look through the window. Amazingly they didn't even budge.

Taking my chance I gave a laugh and took off running down the road. Within minutes of leaving the small town I saw the Trawler approaching. I grinned the closer I got. I could see the sun starting to set behind it. Topping a hill I froze in shock.

I took a deep whiff of the air. I'd recognize that scent anywhere. A wolf pack went through, and recently by the strength of it. A couple at least one puppy in the group. That would explain why I thought I heard a wolf call when I was running from Steele and his gang.

Shrugging I went into a slow jog climbing the plank that was propped against the deck of the old boat so we could get up. Looking around I saw Balto laying down under his blanket with probably the saddest expression on his face that I've ever seen on him. Suddenly one of the old toys that we had rolled past Balto, falling from a step to his side. "Ouch if you feel anymore down Balto were going to need to fix the floor." He just looked at me. "Well I tried,"

Turning his head slightly Balto looked up at Boris who was peeking out from around the corner of the cabin. Smiling sheepishly he gave a little wave with his wing before hopping down. This is going to be funny. Moving past him I plopped down with a pained groan beside Balto and looked up at Boris from where my head rested on my large paws.

"Hey!" With that Boris started dancing crossing his wings over his chest and kicking his feet out from under him quickly. Nothing, it didn't work.

"Well I don't know about Balto, but I liked it Boris," I supplied hoping to cheer up this bleak Trawler.

"Thanks." Boris sighed plopping down on the other side of Balto and putting his head on the boards with a clack of beak on wood. Honking filled the air and we all looked up as flocks of geese flew over.

I saw Balto shift from his position slightly to stare at Boris. I groaned as I got back up to paws and shook out my coat. I could feel the fur that was stuck down from the dried blood that came from the reopened cut on my shoulder. At least it wasn't bleeding anymore.

"Home sick Boris?" Balto asked. "Ever think about going back?"

I heard the slapping of Boris's flippers on the wood as he got up. "Don't fret fido I'm staying here until I know you can stand on own four feet." The sloshing of his mop filled the air as I turned and saw Balto get up to keep him in sight.

I was sort of upset when I realised a word that was missing from the sentence ,'two' he didn't include me in that sentence. That hurt. My ears flattened and I walked past Balto, I don't even think he realized that I had walked away. I walked to the prow of the boat and sat down at the peak laying my head on the old railing and looking at the sun light setting across the crystal snow. "You're taking care of me?" Balto asked laughing a little.

I took a sniff of the air. Herring? Oh no its Muk and Luk. "I'm out of here." I said. I was too slow.

The second I hopped off of the ship I landed on something, large, soft and a dirty white color. "Cain!" Muk shouted gleefully as his much larger brother Luk, smothered me in a polar bear hug. I winced when I felt the fresh scabs on my shoulder tearing.

"Luk, shoulder. My shoulders opening!" I gasped trying to get out. Trumpeting his apologies I was finally released Muk translating what his brother had said because I couldn't understand his odd way of speaking. "Thank you." I said the second I calmed down.

Finally calmed down I looked up at them before swinging my nose towards the boat behind me. "Boris and Balto are up there."

"Uncle Boris!" Muk shouted.

"No!" I heard a shocked goose yell followed by splashing. Sounds to me he might be using the mop and bucket to protect himself again.

I chuckled as I walked away shaking my head as I heard the cries from the polar bears and goose. "Uncle Boris!" I heard one last time before I was out of even my strong hearing range. I was laughing all the way back to the small town. It was almost dusk now so I didn't have to worry about running into any wandering dogs.

Trotting down the side street I headed towards the hospital and inched open the large barn like door for the furnace room. Empty, finally! Sighing I shouldered it open the rest of the way and heard it shut firmly behind me with a bang that made me wince.

Sighing again I gently laid down in front of the large furnace, feeling the heat of the fire wash over me and settle deep in my bones. "Ah now that feels good," I muttered letting my eyes flutter closed and feeling my body finally relaxing.

"It does feel good doesn't it?" A voice suddenly asked. I yelped in shock and jumped to my paws the pain in my shoulder seeming stronger from being relaxed than suddenly tense from the fright. I spun around and watched as a familiar dog seemed to materialize out of the shadows under the wood ledge.

I froze taking in the dog's sleek black coat before my eyes wandered to hers. Green met my yellow and I slowly relaxed. "Jess isn't it?" I asked sitting back on my haunches.

She nodded and looked around before coming out from under the ledge fully and approaching me. I could tell by the way she was approaching me that she was worried. She was walking at an odd angle nose pointing slightly towards the large door that was the only exit from this room. I tried not to let on that I could read her like an open book. "Yeah its Jess, or Jessica." She finally said plopping down a good distance from me.

I cocked my head a smirk stretching my muzzle. "Well Jess or Jessica, whoever you are. My name is Cain." I told her nodding my head slightly and giving a sweep of my paw. Bad move I stretched the wound on my shoulder and I winced.

She must have noticed my wince because within a heartbeat she was on her paws and leaning towards me. "Are you okay?" She asked me. Is that concern I heard in her voice. I looked her deep in the eyes and saw something that really shocked me, she actually cared. She just met me and already she was worried about me.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine just a little sore." I made a show of rolling my shoulders holding back my wince and and whimper that threatened to make itself known.

"Liar." She growled. With the same growl she lunged forward and nudged me to my left. Within seconds she smelt the drying blood that coated my right shoulder and leg. She gasped horrified as she backed up shaking her head. "Oh god, no I did this didn't I? This afternoon when I pulled on your tail and forced you down onto the ground, I cut you."

I saw tears welling up in her eyes and shot forward before I could help myself. I stopped myself a second before I nuzzled her head comfortingly, instead I settled for laying my paw on her shoulder. "No, no this wasn't you. A couple weeks ago I was attacked by some dogs," I leaned back as the memory came crashing down on me. Shaking my head I rattled myself out of my thoughts and sighed. "I'm lucky my friend found me and chased them off or I wouldn't be here,"

"Come,"

"Wait what?" I asked startled. Her only answer was a short growl before whipping around. With a smack her tail hit my cheek snapping my head to the side. Before I could recover I felt a pinch on my ear and my head was wrenched down to her level. I whimpered scared for what was to come. Here I was almost completely off balance because she had me bent almost double, my cheek was smarting from her hard tail lash and my ear was clamped firmly in her mouth.

"Where are we going? Please tell…Ow! That hurt!" She had cut me off midsentence by pinching my ear harder in her strong jaw and I couldn't help the whimper as she kicked the door open and pulled me out. I jumped when I felt the door shut not even an inch from my tail.

"You're coming with me so we can get that blood off of you" She said voice muffled around my ear.

"Oh no, oh that's not a good idea." I said trying to pull away. All I caused myself was more pain to my ear.

"What is the big bad wolf afraid of a little water?" I growled again trying to glare at her but it was pointless because all I could see of her was the fur on her neck. I looked around me. We were walking down one of the alleys so at least she had the sense not to walk out in the open. With a tug of her head we headed down a side path to a back gate for a fenced in yard.

"Where are we?" I asked finally being released from her grip. She didn't answer instead she walked up to the gate and nudged it open with her nose.

"You coming?" She was looking at me over her shoulder and I could see the odd look in her eyes. This can't be good, but I didn't have anything to lose. Hesitantly moving forward I walked through the gate and looked around.

I was right it was a backyard for a house. That wasn't what got me worried at all. It was that the lights were on in the house itself. "Not happening," I started backing up but before I had gone more than two steps I ran into a hard surface. Spinning around I couldn't help the groan that came from me. The gate was shut. "You little…"

I couldn't finish because just than Jess let out a loud bark. "Crap!" A voice yelled from inside the house as a bunch of crashes sounded from inside. I winced in sympathy, that sounded like it hurt. A scrambling was heard follow by a bunch of latching noises.

Within seconds the door was wrenched open and I could see the person that lived in the house. It was a teen maybe around fifteen with blond hair and blue eyes. "Jess girl where have you been," He exclaimed moving up to her and scratching her behind the ears. I stared shocked that he would talk like that, usually as far as I can tell humans treated us like little kids, like we couldn't understand them.

Jess gave a bark acting liked the dog that the teen believed her to be. I backed up and my foot hit something that rattled drawing the teen's attention. "An' who's this?" He asked getting up. I growled when he tried to approach and he froze holding his hands up at shoulder height.

I growled again hackles rising as the teen made shhshing noises and got down to his knees hands held wide from his body. "Easy boy." He mumbled not moving from his spot. "Jess."

"Why am I here? Why did you force me here?" I barked spooking the teen and making Jess growl.

"You're here because we can help you! Ryan here positively loves dogs of any kind and that includes wolves," That shocked me I didn't think she was listening to Steele earlier when he mentioned I was a wolf, "Yes I know! Please Cain just trust me on this,"

"Trust you I just met you yesterday!" And yes it was yesterday as the sun had just started to rise, which made me wonder why Ryan here was even up as I could remember hearing that human teenagers preferred to sleep in. "And during that time you tossed me on the ground and forced me to be chased by Steele so I could keep you from getting harmed!" I froze. I didn't mean to say that last part it just slipped out.

Jess was frozen I couldn't tell if it was in shock or anger but I did know that one way or another I might live to regret this. Ryan moved to get closer and I shot him a glare barring my fangs but otherwise not making a move. He froze again and backed up. "Please Cain." She whined. I looked at her, eyebrows lowering as I frowned. "Let me make it up to you, that wound doesn't look right and I know by the way you're standing it doesn't feel right, just let Ryan look at it he's learning to be a vet."

"I…I don't know Jess." I started to back up again shaking my head.

"Please boy." Ryan begged curling his hands in a come here gesture.

I didn't know what to do. I looked between them and the gate. The latch and hinges were old and worn showing rust in spots, if I hit it hard enough I might be able to get out. I took a step towards it and let out a short howl when pain flared in my shoulder. It never even touched the ground!

I collapsed whimpering in pain. "Cain!" I heard someone shout. I let out a yelp when I felt myself move but didn't do anything else. Something banged and I felt myself being laid down on something.

I continued to whimper until I felt a pinch and I sighed as darkness claimed me.

Thank you for reading the second installment of this story. I hope you keep reading and know that I accept all reviews and appreciate them also.

This chapter stands at 3,279 words without AN and the recap at the beginning and stands around 7 pages long.