I give you... the final chapter of A Love Frozen in Time. *breaks down sobbing* *Hollow takes over*
Hi guys. I'm Tatsuki's Hollow, Kagami. Anyways, since she's incoherent right now (she really likes this story), I'll be thanking everyone. *clears throat* Okay... first, the reviewers.
Thank you to grapejuice101, lostfeather1, and UnlockedPotential for reviewing this story. It really meant a lot, to both of us.
Next, the favoriters. A big thank you to all of you: aaronbrogdale08, auroranrose, ChevyImpalaCryWolf, grapejuice101, lostfeather1, Necke, nijha44, nikkidenney75, RainbowToasterCake, Roseflame Crystalheart, sophiescastle, and XxWolfMan95xX! You guys are amazing, and eternal thanks to you.
To those of you who followed: aarongbrodgale08, auroranrose, Dark-Grey-Wolf, Enora of Kaneda, lostfeather1, Necke, ninjha44, nikkidenney75. RainbowToasterCake, RedHotChillySteppers2008, Reklaw41, Roseflame Crystalheart, sophiescastle, TheBrightServant's secrets, thecoolguy1234, UnlockedPotential, and XxWolfMan95xX! We are forever grateful and honored you chose to follow this story.
And finally, eternal thanks to XxWolfMan95xX, who not only gave us permission to write this story, but gave us pointers along the way, and who never gave up on us. (*whispers* Even though we went a month without updating). You are amazing, and we can't thank you enough.
Alright, sentimental thank you's over. Enjoy the final chapter!
Chapter Four
Balto had no time to react when Steele latched his fangs on his throat. Rolling with it, he managed to push the husky off of him. Steele skidded to a stop, facing the wolf half-breed. Balto growled, taking up an offensive stance.
"Balto!"
"Stay back Yuna!" She froze. Balto's eyes flashed. "I'm going to defeat him. Once and for all." Yuna bit her lip, watching as the two fought over her.
The males circled each other. Steele clearly wasn't in his right mind. His eyes were alit with madness and lust. His body language was completely open, but, in some ways, that was more dangerous than being closed off, like Balto. Steele didn't care how much damage he took or inflicted. All he cared about was the prize.
"I'm going to kill you, Balto. I'm going to stain this snow with your blood, and leave your entrails for the scavengers." Balto snarled, digging his claws into the frozen ground. Steele laughed, foam flying from his jaws. "And then… and then… I'll-" Before he could finish, Balto sprang on top of him, snarling.
The two rolled together, snarling. Steele stomped on Balto's paw, making him growl in pain. When Steele dipped his head to bite Balto's leg, Balto fastened his fangs in his throat. A chocked cry came from Steele's mouth. Spinning in place, Balto flung the thicker dog into some crates.
Steele stood, shaking the debris from his coat. "Blasted half-breed!" he jumped on Balto again. This time, Balto was prepared for it.
Ducking down as if in submission, he waited till the last second before jumping up again. His head crashed into Steele's stomach, shoving all the air out of his lungs. Shifting his head so Balto had his teeth in Steele's fur, he threw the heavier dog down. Scraping him along the ground, he once again threw Steele into some crates. Just then, the pounding of feet distracted him.
Turning around, Balto saw Yuna leading a charge of dogs and humans. Jenna ran alongside her, her friends behind. Balto's sled team ran on Yuna's left side. They all stopped a few yards away.
"Yuna?" She smiled softly.
"I wasn't going to let you go through this alone." Star nodded.
"We've got your back buddy. Tear him apart!" Steele stood up, wincing as splinters dug into his paws as he tried to regain his footing. He looked in shock at his old teammates as they cheered Balto on.
"I'll tear you all apart for this!" He sprang at them, but was stopped by Balto jumping in front of him.
"Your fight's with me, Steele! Leave them out of this!" Howling in rage, Steele tried to pounce on Balto. The half-wolf took a half jump back, before springing forward to slam his paws into Steele's side. Instead of letting Steele continue to roll, Balto latched onto one of his forelegs.
Steele howled in pain as he felt the bone crack. He could do nothing as Balto flung him to the other side of the lane. This time, his body crashed onto the frozen street. He struggled to find his footing, but eventually was standing.
A few humans tried to intervene, but Rosie's father stepped up, preventing anyone from doing so. "But William! If they continue to fight, Steele will get torn up! He already can't run!"
"He brought it upon himself. Balto is fighting for Yuna. Steele is fighting for himself." He turned back to watch the fight. "Let them fight."
Balto smiled to himself. He heard what Rosie's father said. He could feel the faith everyone was putting in him. It warmed his heart, giving him the strength to continue fighting.
Steele, on the other hand, was feeling the overwhelming crushing weight of everyone's hate and disdain. He looked around, trying to find some support. Anything to let him know he wasn't alone. That he still had some fans.
He found nothing.
His eyes widened in fear as the dogs began to close in on him. Instinct took over… and he ran. Immediately, the others gave chase, biting at his heels, some ripping fur out of his tail. Steele was run into the mountains, Yuna, Jenna, and Balto leading the pack.
When they returned, weary and out of breath, everyone knew that Steele was never coming back.
Balto looked up at cheers. Yuna smiled, nudging his shoulder. "They're for you, Balto. You're a hero."
"R-really?"
"Yeah." She nudged him forward. "Go on. It's about time you were rewarded for something." Balto smiled, resting his head on Yuna's neck.
"You're all I need." Pulling back, he gently kissed her lips. In the background, the cheers got louder. Yuna smiled, licking the wound on the side of Balto's shoulder.
"I love you Balto."
"I love you too Yuna. I'll always be here for you. I swear."
"I know. I believe you."
雪狼
Balto and Boris were walking down the streets of Nome. It had been two years since Steele was run out of town. Rosie was in full health, and had never been better. Even though it was now winter again, the town had no worries about the sickness returning.
It was also the anniversary of Balto and Yuna becoming mates. Currently, he was even more worried about her than normal, as she was pregnant with his pups. He had made a habit of visiting her at least three times a day. Right now, it would be the first visit of the day.
He was snapped from his thoughts by a small Yorkshire terrier bounding down the lane, making a ruckus. "What's the matter?"
"The stork has landed! The stork has landed!" It took Balto a moment to figure out what the terrier was saying. The second he did, his golden-brown eyes widened.
"Yuna!" The wolf bounded down the lane, leaving a very confused Boris. He rubbed his chin.
"Stork? What stork?" His own eyes widened. "Oh. That stork." He too ran down the lane.
Rosie was waiting for Balto. She giggled, opening the door for him. "Go on in. She's waiting." Balto rubbed his forehead on the girl's leg before entering. Boris flew in through the window.
Yuna was lying on a dog bed in front of the fireplace. As he walked closer, Balto was able to make out five little forms next to her, all wiggling and making small noises. Yuna lifted her head, smiling tiredly at him. Balto smiled back, sitting down behind her.
"Hey."
"Hey." He looked down at the puppies. "They're beautiful, Yuna."
"One of them looks like you." His eyes widened. She lowered her head, nudging at a pup that was resting against her foreleg. It was true: his eldest daughter looked like him.
"I thought we would name her Aleu."
"I love it. Little Aleu." Balto looked around in the bed. "What about the others?"
"Too tired to think." He chuckled softly, rubbing her neck with his muzzle.
"I'm so proud of you Yuna."
"Thanks." She yawned. "Sorry."
"Don't be." Lifting his chin, Balto gently pressed down on the top of Yuna's head. "Rest. I'll look after them."
"And I'll look after him." Balto glared at Boris. The goose glared right back. "They are my granddaughters and grandsons. Don't you tell me I can't watch over them as well." He jabbed a feather in Balto's face for emphasis. Yuna chuckled softly, curling her head around to rest on her forelegs.
"Just so long as they're looked after, I don't mind if both of you do it." Balto licked the base of Yuna's ear as she fell asleep.
"Well done Yuna. I love you."
"You probably should have said that while she was still awake."
"Shut up Boris." The goose did. Settling down, he rested his head on the edge of the bed. Balto did as well, letting his head rest lightly on Yuna's shoulder. As he watched his mate and pups sleep, a feeling of pure love swept over him. Balto sighed in content, letting his own eyes drift closed.
Boris smiled at his adopted son. The goose lifted his head, resigning himself to watch over the family until one of Yuna's owners came in to check on them. One of the puppies, still blind, crawled towards the edge. It was the daughter Yuna had named Aleu.
"You are just like your father." Boris muttered quietly. Using his wings, he gently picked up the pup, placing her back with her brothers and sisters. Aleu immediately quieted down, falling asleep. Boris chuckled lightly.
He knew that, one day, people might not remember what Balto did for the town. One day, he wouldn't be around anymore. None of them would be, and he couldn't help but wonder what the world would be like at that time. A world without Balto...
but not without his legacy.
His legacy would live on in these pups, and their pups, and for all time.
"So... in that way..." Boris looked out the window, watching a fresh layer of snow fall to the ground. "I guess the love that overcame all odds... the love between Balto and Yuna... will never go away. I guess... it really is...
"A love frozen in time."
*sniffs* Okay guys, I'm back. Sorry about earlier. Like Kagami said, I'm just in love with this story. I guess this is a good instance to have an inner Hollow. *shrugs*
In any case, thank you again to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. It really does mean the world to me. Thank you! *blows kiss*