Balto was running. It was dark out there but he could see and feel underneath his paws that the ground he was running was slippery. Was he on an ice? He didn't think about that. He was just running all while a black bird cawed above him. It was a raven. A raven that was following him, giving him no other choice but to run.
Then, the ice wall raised out of nowhere, making him hit the brakes with his own legs. He had to stop, but the ice was just too slippery in order to do so. For a moment, he actually thought that he'd slip on the other side of the wall, but he stopped only a meter before that and that way he slid back to the bottom.
Just as he did, the raven was coming down at him. Something large loomed up there and upon seeing it, he realized that he was here for too long and had to run for it! It was a large chunk of ice wall dropping at him! He didn't waste a second when he was running away. However, with that chunk of ice smashing down, the ice started to crack down.
It was all on him to jump from one ice flock bit to another all while he tried his best to avoid the raven coming at him. Then, numerous pairs of lights luminated in the distance. Swaying his view back and forth just to make sure if the raven was behind or not, he realized that the pair of glowing lights were the eyes… the eyes of the wolves ahead of him… the raven flew closer, the wolves were closer, a wooden structure resembling a bear flashed…
"Balto?! BALTO! Wake up!" Suddenly, all those sights in front of him vanished and Balto was awakened by Muk. Him and Luk were wondering what was happening to their wolf-dog friend, who was seen under the blanket in the old boat. "Huh?! Where did they go?! What happened?!"
"Balto! Were you preparing yourself for the race in your sleep?" Muk asked him, wondering how he could do such a thing. It took a whole ten seconds for Balto to realize that he wasn't running in the dark on the ice, being chased by a raven and seeing wolves ahead of him. Instead, he was on the old boat in the cold winter morning, greeted by his friends and Boris, who just told them: "Oi, you bears! What have I told you about sleepyheads?"
Luk mumbled to Boris and it was translated by Muk: "He says that he saw Balto running in his sleep and he didn't want to have Balto look too tired for his training today!" Boris clearly wasn't amused by what he was saying, but he didn't do anything about it. Instead, Balto let them know: "I was running, but it wasn't a race I was running… I was being chased."
"Oh? By whom?" Muk found his words "being chased" as terrifying. Who would chase a fearless wolf-dog like him? "It was a raven that was chasing me from above on the ice. The last thing I could remember was the pack of the wolves." The polar bear cubs and the snow goose all looked at one another in confusion. What was his point?
"But it was a dream, right?" Balto shrugged it off, seeing that dream as a random nightmare that occurred to him. Boris answered: "Well, mal'chik, we all have dreams and we mostly don't remember what happened in them. Though, your dream could mean something if you could remember it pretty well!" This made both Muk and Luk gasp in surprise.
"Oh, please, Boris! So what if I can't remember it vividly? Besides, that's not my main concern right now. At the moment, I have to meet up with my team and Max's team for the training out there." Balto stretched himself and yawned, leaving the blanket behind and also the old boat. However, Muk, Luk and Boris were tagging along.
"Balto, you know well how glad I am to see you more on the old boat lately?" Boris didn't hide his enthusiasm that Balto had been lately more around. Though, he had his reason why: "I know, Boris, but it isn't because I changed my mind. It's been three weeks since Jenna and I became mates, but lately I've decided she needs some more room. I don't want to make her upset with stupid decisions and actions."
"What are you saying? Are you and Jenna in a fight?!" Muk was afraid that'd be the case. He couldn't really imagine his friend cutting ties with their dear scarlett red husky and even Luk looked like he was about to cry. Thankfully, he reasoned with them: "No, we're not in a fight, you two! It's just that Jenna's been having sudden and unpredictable mood swings over the last few days."
"Boychick, if I could know why it's like that, you know that I'd help you two get those problems done!" Boris scratched the back of his neck when he realized that he was helpless here, but at least he didn't back down. Before he met up with his teammates, he told them: "As soon as that is over, I'll find out why she was like that lately."
The polar bears were happy to know that Balto wasn't done seeing Jenna. As for Balto's canine friends, they were seen coming from the town. First his team came, with Star speaking: "Hi, Balto! Have you been sleeping on the old boat again?" If he wasn't seen coming from the town, then it was the only solution.
"Well, I did, lately. I'm trying to give Jenna some space." Balto let them know, making his other teammates think about it and Kaltag asked: "What do you mean? Is everything alright between you two?" He hated to think that someone believed it was over between both of them so he answered: "It is, but ever since we've become mates, nothing is the same."
"Gee, Balto. Have youse been wondering what's with her?" Nikki tried to help. Clearly, neither of these three had a clue what was Jenna going through so he sighed. Star tried at least: "Maybe we can help you with this? You haven't done anything wrong to her? You're not seeing anyone behind her back?" Nikki and Kaltag's faces upon that were like: "Hey, watch your mouth!"
"I'm not seeing anyone behind her back! I mean, is there anyone else?" Balto took a defensive stance, making Star back up swiftly. His question was filled with sarcasm despite the situation going on in here. Nikki just told him: "Maybe youse should go face the problem she has and she will understand?"
"Good one, Nikki. I might do this when the training is over today." Balto went with it even if he wasn't sure what was going to happen today. Kaltag let them know: "Hey, here comes Max with his team. I see Kane is with them!" He wasn't lying. A red heterochromic husky was seen among Max and his teammates. Audrey was also present, but Molly was nowhere to be seen.
"Good morning, you guys! Are you ready for the training?" Max delightfully asked his rivals, with the tension thawed greatly . Kaltag responded: "If you're ready, then we are! We've got ten days until the final annual race! Oh, Balto, just to let you know, for some reason the race is one week before it was planned out to be. If I knew why, you could ask me why so!"
"Huh, that's strange, but I'll go with it. Say, Kane, have you come to watch us train?" Balto asked his new friend among Max's teammates and the answer he'd gotten from him was: "Actually, I've come to train alongside you for the race!" This made Balto and his teammates look at him in surprise, making Star ask: "But how come?"
"If you allow me, our master thinks Molly should rest. She's not feeling well lately and she's got pretty cranky over the last few weeks actually." Max explained to them why Molly wasn't with them this morning. Then Audrey told them: "And it was pretty ugly today. I asked her if she's coming with us but then she just snapped at me!"
"Trust me, you wouldn't know what she told her. I had to calm them down both!" Max's answer was genuine because the way he said it clearly showed how ugly that sight was. "But anyhow, our master is considering Kane to be our replacement if Molly doesn't get well by the time of the race. Your musher must have told our master about him!"
"You have no idea what honor it'd be to me if I were to be in a sled race, you guys! I hope I'll prove you right on training." Kane showed the spirit but also made sure he wasn't too confident about it. Balto warmly told him: "Don't worry, Kane, I'm sure that you'll knock us off our paws, right, you guys?" His teammates didn't know what to say, but Star spoke in the name of all of them: "Right!"
"Good, now we should get ready for the training! Team by team!" Balto suggested that the both teams were to train alongside each other and have their rivalry be friendly, thus leaving the dark days of Steele against Max's teams over the last few years. Boris, Muk and Luk got to watch these sled dogs train for the grand race the next Saturday…
The day of the final annual race loomed faster than they were expecting. By that time, Balto didn't find out why Jenna's behavior was irrational. They still loved each other and were also mates, but her erratic behavior was making him question what was going on? Also, Molly didn't show up on any of her future training, Kane taking her spot.
That dream with raven occurred once between these dates and so it came on the night before the actual race. It was like the last time - ice, raven, chase, ice wall, sliding on the ice and the chunks of the ice falling, then the chase again, a pair of glowing wolf eyes and before the wood carved animals - a water hit Balto right in his face!
"Good morning, Balto! Are you ready for your great race today?" Jenna's sweet voice and her tongue licking his forehead woke him up instantly. He was thankful for that, not wanting to be in that accursed dream ever again. It was early in the morning and the house was giving holiday's feeling with the first decorations set up. He answered her: "Oh, Jenna, you have no idea! I can't believe today is the day! How are you, by the way?"
"Me? I'm feeling a bit better than yesterday. My head does sometimes hurt a bit, but it isn't as bad as it used to me." Jenna explained to him. She'd been through her session of mood swings, headaches, dizziness and also her craving for food grew larger. In fact, she let him know: "You know, I hope Rosy's parents got plenty of leftovers for us!"
"Maybe so, but my musher will come for me any minute now so I'll have to eat out there." Balto got out of their bed, wanting to make sure that he was ready when Kaasan arrived. In fact, there was knocking on the doors and Rosy's father came from the kitchen, speaking: "I'm coming!" True to Balto's guessing, Kaasan was on the doors.
"Good morning, William! Is Balto here and ready for the race?" Kaasan spoke to the host of the house, with Rosy's father saying: "He's here. Balto, come boy! I think you should be preparing for the race now!" So Balto listened to Rosy's father, but not before Rosy, putting her musher hat, came to hug him and spoke: "Go get them, Balto! We'll be right with you on the street!"
He licked her in the cheek as a gesture of gratitude. As for Rosy, her father said: "Rosy, before we all go to watch the start of the race, I need to talk to you and your mom. It's about Jenna." Balto heard him say that and for a moment he wanted to stay, but Jenna beckoned him: "Go, we won't be for too long!"
Following his musher, Balto asked himself: "What do they have to talk about her now? Did they find out why Jenna had been like this for the last few weeks? If so, will they be able to treat it?" He didn't want to see Jenna as a cranky and ill dog, but as a friendly, cheerful and beautiful scarlett red husky he knew all his life.
They made it to the post office, where Balto's team was awaiting. "Morning, guys." He greeted them and Kaltag asked: "Are you ready for the grand race today, boss?! Because I absolutely am!" Nikki told him: "Balto, youse should know that today's race is going to be uncertain! Youse are racing against your friends and they are good sled dogs too!"
"I am aware of that, Nikki. Can I make sure that you're not going to pull off anything dirty on them during the race?" Clearly Balto didn't want to be another Steele who'd sabotage the final race for selfish reasons, but let the race be fair and square between both of them. Star even obediently yelled: "You got it, Balto! But what if they do pull off something on us?!"
"They won't! I know how Steele always influenced you to go dirty against Max's team, but I know they won't pull that off on us. After all, don't you remember that we all made amends?" Balto was confident about this. Nikki told him: "He's right, Star. I actually can see the outcome of the race to be tied at the best!"
"Hey, hey, no jinxing! They may be good and capable, but what if we cross the finish line first, huh?!" Kaltag protested, not wanting to hear anything about ending this race tie. "Relax, boys, we'll give our best today and may the best win!" Balto encouraged them how this race was just for fun and not for glory. Star looked behind Balto and let him know: "Hey, Balto. Jenna's coming and she looks like she's got something to tell you!"
"In a minute." Balto let them know, heading to talk to Jenna before the race. She nuzzled him when they met up and then started: "Balto, do you wonder why I remained behind? Rosy's father has possibly found out why I've been having all those sessions!" The tone in her voice grew enthusiastic and this actually sparkled the hope in Balto's eyes.
"Balto, I… uh… I… I'm carrying your puppies." Jenna let it out, having a hard time to say it with her face straight. Puppies… puppies… puppies… that word echoed in Balto's ears and it ignited the joy in his eyes and also made him say: "Puppies?! Jenna… that's wonderful! You're going to be a mother! And I… I'm going to be the father of our puppies! Oh… this is amazing!"
They shared the joyous laugh between one another and a deep nuzzle. The revelation meant a lot to him that a tear was seen in his eye, streaming down his cheek. Today was a great race and also the day he'd found out that he was going to be a father! His teammates could only guess what made these two so joyful.
"Jenna, when this race is over, we will have a lot to talk about this! I don't know what else to say!" Balto didn't hide his emotions with the news he'd received. Jenna licked his muzzle and spoke: "But I know what to say - good luck on your race today! I'll be there cheering you on." She pointed at the sidewalk where Sylvie, Dixie and Aurora were waiting.
"Thank you!" Balto said it, but not for the luck he'd been wished for, but for the revelation that he was going to be a father of Jenna's puppies. He headed straight to his teammates to share the great news whereas Jenna followed Rosy to the sidewalk to meet up with her canine friends.
"Good morning, Jenna! I have seen you and my brother laughing there. What was it about if I may ask?" Aurora greeted her first, clearly wondering what was going on. Jenna started with: "Girls, you know how the last few weeks things were a bit erratic with me?" Sylvie exaggerated it: "Know? More like seen and heard!" Dixie didn't spare it either: "Yeah, Jenna! Are you sure you haven't caught some sickness? We've been worried about you!"
"Well, you don't have to be worried about me being sick anymore. The truth is - I'm pregnant." Jenna didn't want to prolong the mystery and this caused the avalanche of gasps. Dixie didn't hide it: "Pregnant?! That's positively… incredible!" Not even Sylvie tried to: "My, my, Jenna! Soon you and Balto will be welcoming your little ones to the world!"
"Puppies? If you're having puppies, then I'm going to be… what's the word again… aunt?" Aurora was getting the news clearly, although she had a memory lag regarding the term what she was going to be to Jenna's puppies. She let her know: "Oh, you are, Aurora! Our puppies will have a wonderful relative like you to meet!"
This made Aurora blush slightly, thinking what kind of honor she was going to get now that her brother was going to be a father. Jenna looked back at her mate and also noticed Max's team had arrived. She noticed the usual sled dogs, such as Max and Audrey. However, instead of Molly, there was: "Say, I can see Kane over there! Where's Molly?"
"Right over here, girls!" Molly's voice came from their side, being accompanied by Sigrid. Sylvie asked her: "Molly, why aren't you there in a sled team? It's a great race for both teams!" Molly sat down and decided to let them know: "There's a reason, Sylvie. Last night my musher had finally realized what was with my mood swings, appetite and dizziness, girls! Max and I are having puppies soon!"
"You too?!" Jenna immediately launched with her words. This made both pregnant females glare at each other in surprise and then they both laughed in joy, since these two friends had been knowing each other for years! Dixie shared her joy: "Congratulations to both of you! Now we've got two future mothers in this town!"
"I won't lie, I really wish I had someone like they do." Aurora, as glad as she was that the two of her friends were barking in joy, wished that she wasn't single. Molly looked at her mate and gave him a signal that she told them the news and also let her friends know: "Kane is replacing me in a team. Wish him luck in this race!"
"Good luck, Kane!" All females but Molly wished the unofficial sled dog all the best for this great race. "Thank you!" Kane didn't hide his gratitude, although his eyes were focused straight at Aurora even if she didn't notice that. He was positioned in Molly's spot, just next to Audrey and was hearing the following from Max: "Balto, guys, Molly is pregnant!"
"She's pregnant too?! Jenna told me not long ago that she is as well!" Balto revealed to him, which made both of them continuously joyous! Both of them had been double lucky on this very day now that both friends were going to be fathers of their litters respectively! Audrey didn't hide it: "Balto, congratulations to both you and Jenna! I am sure the two of you are going to be have beautiful puppies no matter what!"
"I'm glad you think so, Audrey! I can say the same for your brother!" Balto didn't feel weirded out anymore by Audrey being his friend rather than someone whom she disliked for being half-wolf like she'd do exactly one year before. Kane didn't want to feel left out so he spoke: "Max, Balto, it's great to hear that you two are going to be fathers. Here's hoping that you are going to be good fathers too!"
"Thank you, Kane! That means a lot." Balto accepted his hoping and so did Max. In fact, that was the only thing they could wish for at the moment because the race was ahead of them and before the announcer made it clear about today's race, Balto said: "Max, Audrey, Kane? I wish you all good luck on today's race!"
"Same for you!" Max made it clear that there was no hard feelings between both teams today and that without Steele, the final annual race of 1925 was going to be fair and square. Soon enough, the race plan had been announced - the race was going to be from Nome to Golovin and back to Nome. The projected return time would be before sunset.
The race was, true to Nikki's words, uncertain. Both teams were excelling the expectations in the race. Balto's leadership was very efficient, but Kane's boost to Max's team also increased the efficiency. Both arrived at the same time in Golovin and both left at the same time. It escalated at the return to Nome.
Both teams were on the Main Street, seeing the finish line straight ahead of them. Then, when the gunshot was heard to announce the line was crossed, many people gasped and yelled things like: "TIE!" "It was a tie!" "They were tied!" "Both teams crossed at the same time!" "No winners, no losers!" and "Did they cross at the same time?!"
Thankfully, there were the photographers who had taken the pictures of both teams crossing. Sadly, the true winner remained unknown for until tomorrow as the pictures had to develop first! That took hours and hours and it was in the very late hour when the photos had been analyzed. By the morning of the next day, to the surprise of some, the winner of this race was Seppala's team. Max scored his first final annual race victory in life!
As it turned out, Max's team was one quarter of a meter ahead of Balto's team. Many contributed it to the fact that Kane's addition to the team improved the velocity and efficiency that led to their victory. As it was made clear, there were no hard feelings and Balto congratulated Max and his team for a well deserved victory!
Besides, this race didn't matter to them as much as the news of their mates carrying their puppies. Knowing how much they were going to need them for the next few weeks, both Balto and Max made sure they stuck close to Jenna and Molly respectively. If either of them were absent, Balto had Aurora and Max had Audrey to look after them. Sure, Balto could have asked Boris, but he wasn't sure what Jenna's humans thought of a goose in the house.
As for the dream of the raven, it was occuring more and more. It always ended with the sights of wood carved animals, such as bear, fox, wolverine, wolf and caribou. Why was this happening to him? What was the meaning of that dream? He wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks with this nightmare or it was more than that?
The Christmas day had come. Balto was with Jenna in the living room, sleeping together in their bed. Balto was seen pacing forth in his sleep, indicating the same dream with the raven. However, when he gasped loudly, he also woke up. Once again, he was massively relieved that he no longer had to be a part of that dreadful nightmare.
"I… I am home." Balto muttered to himself, observing this beautifully decorated living room. From the Christmas tree and presents below, a neat fire burning in the fireplace, to the decorations being hung on the doors and windows. Jenna was heard yawning and stretching and eventually lazily saying: "Good morning, Balto."
"Jenna, good morning… and Merry Christmas!" Balto wished her this beloved holiday. She leaned closer to lick him by his muzzle and whisper: "Merry Christmas to you too!" Truth to be said, Jenna had told him about this holiday time ago, but recently she refreshed his memory with the true meaning of it now that they were living together as mates.
"How did you sleep?" Balto was quite protective of her lately, not wanting any harm to come to her as she was bearing his puppies. She replied: "I had a good sleep. The puppies were playful but I could sleep anyways. And you?" She raised the concern in her tone because she was aware of his raven dream. His answer was: "It was that dream again."
"Balto, what are you going to do?" She didn't want him to go through the same troubles over and over again. He responded: "Look, Jen, I will figure out what is the meaning of that dream. Today it's Christmas and I just hope for good things today." She decided to let it go and furthermore, reminded him: "Then there's someone you should wish Christmas or should I say… there are."
"Oh, right!" Balto immediately added two with two when she gave him a clue who those were. Rosy and her parents were among them, but Balto gently leaned his head on Jenna's stomach and pressed it lightly. There he spoke: "Hey, hey, puppies! It's your daddy! Your mommy and I are wishing you all a Merry Christmas and we're wishing to see you coming to the world soon!"
Much to their surprise and delight, their response was one of unborn puppies kicking from inside, making him say: "This one is pretty energetic!" She rolled her eyes in amusement and commented: "Isn't there always the one who has more energy than the others?" He didn't have to answer that. Besides, Rosy was seen coming with her parents inside.
"Balto, Jenna, Merry Christmas! Did you two sleep well? Jenna, how are your puppies?" Rosy skipped opening presents first so she could hug two of her favorite canines. Her parents joined to cuddle both Balto and Jenna and Rosy asked: "Daddy, how long is it going to take for Jenna's puppies to come?"
"Well, honey, as far as I can assume, they will come around in early January. Two or three weeks are my best guess." Rosy's father spoke as he scratched behind Jenna's ear, showing his responsibility in taking care for her. Rosy said: "Balto, what do you think? Wouldn't it be amazing if you and Jenna had your puppies born today?"
He licked her in the cheek as an answer and her mother said: "Oh, Rosy, it'd be a true Christmas miracle! Don't worry, when the time is right, you'll get to meet them!" A little red haired girl clapped with her hands and showed an innocent smile on her face, hoping to see that day anytime soon. At this moment, it was a time for presents!
"Jenna, I have invited Aurora over here for Christmas so she isn't all by herself today. Think you will be fine on your own for a few minutes?" Balto got out of his bed while asking her that. Her response was: "Few minutes isn't a big deal. Go bring her here so the three of us have a wonderful Christmas!" He licked her in the cheek and went to pick up his sister.
By the time Rosy opened her presents, which included a new pair of winter clothes and a gear for a sled musher, Balto was already home, followed by Aurora. Judging by the delightful looks Rosy and her parents gave upon Aurora's arrival, it was made clear that they liked her and treated her as Seppala's dogs.
"Aurora, Merry Christmas!" Jenna slowly raised from her bed to wish the female wolf-dog Christmas. Since she was still a bit alien to this holiday, she repeated: "Jenna… Merry Christmas! This place looks so beautiful!" She had been here dozens of times, but seeing how it looked like during the time of season, she was truly amazed.
"Oh, thank you! What do you think of Christmas? Did Balto tell you about it?" Jenna hoped that wishing her Christmas didn't look too foolish. In fact, her reply was: "Oh, we talked about it a few days ago and while I still have to catch up with some things, I can see why you all love this day. It makes me feel so warm from inside!"
"Looks like you've got Christmas spirit in you, Aurora." Balto joked when he heard her say that. Her response was: "Christmas spirit, huh? I've not heard of it yet, but I like the sound of it. Anyhow, how are you holding in there with your pups, Jenna?" She couldn't really take the eyes off Jenna's swollen stomach.
"Oh, I'm still handling this well, thanks. I get to walk less and less, but when the puppies come and are old enough, it'll be like in the old days!" Jenna showed that she had no intention of giving up easily. This was one of the many reasons why Balto had chosen Jenna. Her strength and iron will proved that carrying a litter of puppies was no burden.
Balto was about to tell his mate something, but Jenna caught the look in Aurora's eyes and told him: "Balto, her eyes!" For a moment, Balto was about to say: "Jenna, don't say that, it's rude!", but when he looked at his sister, her irises started to glow like sun, making him give that wide-eyed look. Moreso, Jenna let him know: "I know what this means! She was like this when you set off for Kaltag!" But before he had to ask what was this all about…
"The brave heart and the pure heart with different destinies
have contributed their lives to form one single destiny
and as a result of their contribution, they are giving lives!
There are numerous new lives to come, such as
following the path of the ancestry, embracing both sides of ancestry,
taking pure heart's beauty and courage, bringing the joy to other lives,
accepting the honor of the brave heart and having the youth-like innocence.
These new lives shall have their destinies given
And their love for their ancestry shall keep them together!"
Speaking in this unusually deep and pleasant tone, Balto couldn't believe that he was hearing his sister speak in some sort of trance. However, Jenna informed him: "Balto, do you remember what her power is?! Do you believe me that she can see the future!?" His response, filled with shock and awe, was: "She has a power of foretelling!"
Just as he said it, Aurora's eyes stopped glowing and she felt wobbly for a minute, having Balto catch her before she dropped down. She spoke in her regular and sweet tone: "Ow, my head. What just happened?" Of course, even if she could foretell the future, she couldn't remember herself saying that. Jenna was aware of it, but he was confused.
"Don't you remember what you were just saying?" Balto didn't understand how she had no clue what she was saying a minute ago. Her response was: "I… I am sorry, Balto. I had this the day you left for Kaltag and if you remembered what I said, then I'd be glad to hear myself!" Seeing Jenna's look, Balto knew that he was going to have to do anyhow.
"Say, I've thought of the idea. Aurora, what do you think of naming one of our pups?" Balto gave her that suggestion, making both Jenna and Aurora gaze at him in surprise. She answered: "Well, I, uh, Balto, I… I think that's so sweet of you, but I'm not really good with names. I would like to, but I leave it to you two only."
"Come on, I am sure you have some names to suggest!" Balto knew that she was relying on her lack of confidence, as usual, to skip that duty. She persisted: "Well, I only have Taku and Micha, the names of the wolves who looked after me, but they sound better for the wolf pups than dog pups to me."
"Wolf-dog pups in our case. But yeah, I don't feel like they're really the best names for our pups, uh Jenna?" Balto let her know, then moved on to ask his mate and her response was: "Well, if you are fine with it, we will think of the other names. Besides, we'd be honored if you come meet the puppies on the day they are born! You know, when we give them names!"
"Really? Oh, thanks, you two!" Aurora was flattered to be present on the puppies' naming when Balto and Jenna's puppies were going to come. "You're very much welcome!" Balto warmly whispered to his sister and nuzzled her for at least trying to help them with the names. Besides, that was entirely on both him and Jenna.
Christmas came and went and so did the year 1925. Even with the arrival of 1926, Jenna's puppies hadn't been born yet. It was believed, as Rosy's father spoke about, that it should take two or three weeks for them to come to the world. It seemed more and more likely that his guess was turning out to be true.
Balto's raven dream repeated increasingly They started to become more and more frequent and Balto still couldn't get his answer. He kept running and running from the raven after sliding down the ice wall and made his jumps from one ice to another while the glowing wolf eyes were closer… so was the raven… who was going to get him first…?! Those wood carved animals again…! A faint yell in the distance…
"BALTO! Wake up!" Boris' voice turned out louder and much more clear when Balto felt the water splashing all over him! He instantly woke up when he was soaked wet and his nightmare was no more. He was in the captain's room on the old boat, Boris being responsible for waking him up with the water bowl in his wings. He spoke out rapidly: "What?! What? What's the matter?"
"The matter is, you were having that dream again!" Boris spoke in his thick Russian accent and as a consequence of him splashing Balto with water, he had some coming at him when Balto was shaking it off from his fur. Balto shook off, both literally and figuratively, Boris' concern with laying down and speaking carelessly: "So what if I was? It's just a dream."
"This 'just a dream' is keeping you from a decent sleep!" Boris didn't let his concerns drop down when he held Balto's muzzle with his wings and to spice it up, he raised with the tip of his wing Balto's upper right eye-lid and reminded him: "And if your eyes get any droopier you'll have to keep them open with toothpicks."
Balto wasn't having any of it and even repelled Boris with his front left paw just to get some more rest, reminding him: "Boris, they'll stop drooping if you just go away and let me get some rest." If he thought that Boris would just shrug it off and give up, he was wrong when he told him: "Wrong! You won't be getting rest, not with that dream hanging around like… dark cloud!" He proceeded to imitate a cloud with his wings to leave a scary impression.
That didn't even scare him, not even in the slightest. Balto's nonchalant comment was: "I hate it when you get dramatic." After all this time, spending the majority of his time with Jenna, save for the last few weeks, Boris hadn't changed the slightest. Boris still didn't quit: "How else to reach you?" He grabbed Balto's muzzle with his wing.
"I'm telling you, boychick, if you keep having the same dream again and again, it means something!" He wasn't wrong. Balto had been having that dream for weeks and it didn't start until after he and Jenna had become mates. Too bad Balto was too stubborn to listen to his words when he grunted and got up, yawning in the process and saying: "Boris, dreams don't mean anything, they're just… dreams!"
He knew he lied, because the dream that kept repeating back two months ago had the same day repeating. He possibly didn't want him to lose his mind over the dream with raven in it. He walked towards the edge of the boat and asked him: "Now, you wanna come with me? I have to go check on Jenna!"
"Of course I come! I'm not finished nagging you yet!" Boris didn't waste his time raising the dust around Balto's dream. As for Balto, he knew that he had to give Jenna some place last night so that was the reason he was on the boat. He was wondering, what were the odds he'd end up helping her in delivering the puppies to the world?
"So, if dreams mean nothing, why does it always have raven and pack of wolves, huh? Why not pickled herring?" Boris caught up with him, not willing to give up on this topic even if Balto was clearly above and beyond it. Anyhow, he couldn't possibly ignore his nagging here and that's why he answered sarcastically: "Because herring would be in one of your dreams, not mine."
"Precisely, ravens and wolves have meaning only to you!" Boris concluded, but then he gasped upon noticing the wooden pillar in front of them. "Balto, look!" He pointed with his feathers to the pillar, being a totem pole in fact. It had always been there, but as far as Balto was concerned, he hardly acknowledged its presence here.
"On the totem pole, there's a raven and wolf!" Boris connected the dots upon gazing at the carved sculptures of these two animals. But Balto was being nonchalant again, looking at the other animals carved on the totem pole: "There's also a fox, a wolverine… they should be only live and be well… far away from me… and a bear and a caribou!"
"Oi, such scary creatures!" Boris felt the shivers down his spine when he saw what were the other animals on this totem pole. "They're just wood carvings, Boris." For some reason, Balto made it clear that those superstititons weren't his thing, but they were for Boris: "Yes, I know. I know!"
"Humans use them to tell stories. But of what, I don't know?" Balto carried on, leaving the totem pole behind him with Boris. This gave the snow goose a potential idea: "Balto, maybe seeing raven and wolf on a totem pole… is making you dream something… very important!" This had the wolf-dog show some interest, even asking: "Well, like what?"
Boris grabbed his left ear and moved his beak closer to whisper: "Like something you forgot? Or maybe something you are supposed to know?" This was another one in the line of Boris' superstitious theories that he even unamusingly replied to him: "Look, Boris, all I know is that the totem pole marks the shortcut to Jenna's and that's good enough for me!"
Finally Boris gave up on convincing him to reconsider his thoughts about the dreams, even going as far as calling him 'Stubborn'. Alas, the two of them had finally reached the town and as they were heading to the first alley that would lead them both to Jenna's, a loud yapping came from the distance.
It was a small Scottish terrier with white fur, his belly, paws, tip of the tail and beard being gray, his eye patches being dark gray as well as having lighter gray eyebrows and around his neck was an olive green scarf. Balto and Boris hardly knew of him, but they knew that his name was supposedly Rob. He was yapping: "There you are, laddies!"
He started leaping around them, without even trying to stop yapping as he delivered the message: "I've been smelling all over for you!" Clearly he didn't realize how much this was going over Boris' head when he was seen holding his head. Finally he snapped: "Would you stop with the bouncing and make with the talking?! I'm getting dizzy!"
He calmed down for a little bit, but then he addressed the wolf-dog: "The stork has landed! I repeat, the stork has landed!" At first, Balto didn't understand what was the meaning of the stork, but then the other day he learned from Rosy that the human little ones were popularly being delivered by the storks and then his candle was lit!
"Jenna? Jenna!" Balto realized that he had no time to waste so he made a mad dash for it to get to Jenna's. He left both Rob and Boris behind him. The thoughts had shrouded his mind… What was he going to tell her?! Sure, he was driven by the joy now that the puppies were here! At the same time, he wasn't there for her to help her up! He would have to talk to her about this.
Alas he made it to Jenna's. Instead of walking to the front door, he made it right to her shed. It was decided that if she were to give birth, it out to be a shed where she'd keep her privacy and not be bothered by her masters or Rosy. Much to Balto's surprise, Rob was faster than him to stand there and let him in. He sighed, knowing it all had to come to this.
He pushed the doors open and once the daylight broke inside, he had a sight in front of him. There she was, in their bed, laying on her side, back facing the door. A surprise flushed him entirely, but more had to come when Jenna spoke: "Hello, Balto." Surprisingly, she didn't sound tired or exhausted. Could it be that she had been sleeping for hours?
He gulped, awaiting the inevitable in front of his eyes. He moved slowly inside when Jenna invited him with the words: "Well, come in. They don't bite, at least not yet." Upon approaching Jenna from her back, it was a true marvel to behold with a sight he had. He saw nothing else than his and Jenna's litter of puppies!
He examined each one of them first. Five of them were red, taking after their mother, but none of them had the same shade of red. One was dark red, the other one was scarlett red like Jenna, one was plum red, one was maroon red and one was bright red. Then there was one puppy who looked entirely different from the rest, a sandy gray one.
"Oh Jenna. They're…" Balto spoke, pausing for a bit so he could nuzzle Jenna. She needed it after going through hours and hours of labor and she seemed well rested actually. "They're so beautiful! Just like you." Jenna didn't leave him to be the only one to share compliments so she whispered back to him after observing her six adorable newborns: "And you."
Both were nuzzling each other deeply to cherish these moments they had together. After two months their litter of new-born wolf-dogs had been born at last! Boris was heard boasting from the entrance: "Look at me! I'm an uncle!" His voices were hushed with Rob's yapping but as they weren't looking, Rob went silent or just went somewhere else.
"Do you think it's time we name them?" Jenna asked, having a handful of names to give to their puppies. As for Balto, who also had a handful of names to give, he reminded her: "Before we get to that, Jen, I have to go get Aurora. I told her to come over when we name the puppies!" Boris walked inside so he could have a better view on Balto and Jenna's newborns.
She took it well, her smile never fading from her face. Boris put a wing on his back and let him know: "Don't worry, mal'chik, you go get your sestra here, I'll keep an eye on Jenna and mal'chiks here!" So Balto had time to get Aurora over here and the names could be revealed. He nuzzled Jenna first and thanked Boris for being a sentinel.
Rushing to his sister's house, Balto couldn't hide his enthusiasm by yelling: "It's a miracle! I'm a father! I'M A FATHER!" While the humans dismissed Balto's voices as growls and barks, some dogs heard him but that didn't matter to him. He finally made it to Aurora's house and instantly started scratching the doors, yelling: "Aurora!? AURORA! Come quick!"
The doors were opened by Aurora's master Reg and he commented: "Balto, you should take it easy with clawing here! Are you looking for Aurora here?" Clearly Balto left a deep mark on the doors and Reg wasn't really satisfied with it. Aurora was seen coming and she asked: "Balto? Calm down! I heard you yelling from outside!"
"Aurora, come with me! They've come!" Balto didn't go with the usual "Hi, how are you?" routine with his sister and when Reg shut the doors behind Aurora on the porch, she asked: "What are you talking… huh? They? You mean… Jenna and your puppies are born?!" Balto nodding energetically was the answer she needed!
"Balto, congratulations! I'm so proud of you two!" Aurora nuzzled him by his neck and laughed with her brother as she figured out: "And I am now the aunt to your puppies!" To Balto and Jenna, this day meant a lot, but it meant to Aurora as well. She even looked like a tear of joy was going to stream down her cheek.
"Balto? Aurora? What is with the yelling, you two?!" Max came running from the other side, clearly he'd heard everything. Balto explained to him: "Max, they've come at last!" Max was faster than Aurora to figure out: "Your and Jenna's puppies? Congratulations, Balto! You're one lucky wolf-dog to be a father today!"
"Hey, how about me as a wolf-dog to be an aunt, Max?!" Aurora didn't hide her joy, but clearly she didn't want to be put aside. Max was heard speaking: "Right! But this is amazing, all three of you!" Max was enthusiastic, but he wasn't showing any from his side when Balto asked him: "And what about yours, Max? Did they come?"
"Nah, still nothing. Puppies still don't feel like coming yet, but we hope anytime soon! Audrey is looking after Molly for me now." Max explained his situation. As amazing as it would have been that both litters were to be born on this day, it was destined that one would be earlier, or later. Balto just got another idea: "Well, if she's looking after her, come with us! You'll get to hear our puppies' names and you can tell them later on!"
"Well, I could…" Max started, but Aurora hushed him: "Ah, ah, ah! He invited you so come with us!" He was like: "Oh, whatever, let's meet your puppies and of course, your nephews and nieces!" He was addressing them both when they were heading to Jenna's. In a matter of the minutes, Balto led them to the shed and as he expected, Boris was keeping guard for Jenna.
"Jenna! We've made it! Boris, thanks for keeping her safe for me!" Balto made sure nothing was going to stand in their way to name the puppies. Boris responded: "Don't mention it, Balto! I see that not only your sestra is with you, but your drug Max tagged along too?" So Jenna could see both Aurora and Max coming in to greet them: "Hi, you two."
"Jenna, hey. Congratulations on being a mother. How are you holding?" Max sat down next to Balto, who took his spot close to Jenna's head. Jenna let him and Balto know: "I feel rested. They've come after midnight, mind you! As far as I know, today is the 12th so January 12th is their birthday! How's Molly holding?"
"She's fine, but still nothing. Maybe later today or tomorrow they'll come!" Max got to know some details and let Jenna know that his and Molly's puppies aren't coming. An excited squeal came from Aurora, who got to see all six puppies and she couldn't hold it: "Jenna… they… they're so adorable! Oh, I wish I could hug them so badly right now! If only I had puppies some day…!"
"Don't worry, Aurora, there will be days when you hug them." Jenna appreciated her compliment for her and Balto's puppies and her brother made sure: "Aurora, one day you'll meet the right male and the two of you will have a family on your own, there's still time!" She knew that he wasn't wrong and that the time for her to be a mother was still ahead.
"Aside from that, we've got names for the puppies, who wants to hear them?" Balto decided it was about time to reveal them the names of their puppies. Boris joined the female wolf-dog and a male husky while Balto moved to the other side. Boris let him know: "Come on, boychick, let's hear the names of your mal'chiks!"
Balto looked at Jenna and she told him: "Balto, you have the honor to name the eldest two puppies!" The thing was, he had no clue who was the eldest and who was the youngest pup in the litter until Jenna pointed with her nuzzle: "The sandy gray female is the eldest one and the dark red male is the second eldest one."
"Right." Balto had some clue right now so he looked at his guests and then at the sandy gray puppy. The name he had for her was: "The eldest one is going to be Aleu. And her eldest brother? Let me see… oh, I got it! His name is Yukon." Aleu and Yukon the eldest two of the litter caught their interest and even Jenna spoke: "Aleu is a wonderful name! Yukon is an interesting one too."
"Very nice, boychick. Aleu sure gives a sweet tone!" Boris gave his opinion. As for Max, he smugly asked his friend: "Admit it, you named Yukon after the river in Kaltag, right? But here's a funny thing - one of Molly's brothers is named Yukon!" This had Balto surprised, but since he made his decision, he wasn't going to change it.
As for Aurora, she gazed at her eldest niece and eldest nephew and spoke: "I love those names!" Both Balto and Jenna took those compliments and now Jenna spoke: "Now I'll name the two in the middle. This scarlett red female here is the next one after Yukon and I name her Saba. As for this plum red male, next to her? His name is going to be Dingo."
"Saba and Dingo? Those are pretty names, Jen." Balto nuzzled her when he heard how the next two were named. Max suddenly remembered: "Hold on, Jenna, you named your middle daughter after one of your sisters, ain't it?" It was amazing how he could remember that, despite the fact that Jenna's siblings hadn't been living in Nome ever since summer 1922.
"Nice thinking, Max!" Jenna smiled, knowing that someone at least remembered. Aurora mused: "Awwwww, that's so sweet of you, Jenna! And Dingo's name is funny, but in a good way, don't get me wrong!" Boris let the female wolf-dog know: "Don't worry, she knows you meant nothing wrong. I like his name too."
"Balto, why don't you name the youngest male? I'll name the youngest puppy, this bright female here!" Jenna allowed him to name their youngest son, that one being a maroon red pup. Balto thought and thought and he figured it out: "Let's name him Kodiak." And Jenna finally finished things off while looking at the bright red female pup: "She's named Nunivat."
"Kodiak and Nunivat? My, that's a rich choice of the names!" Boris was amazed how the youngest two got those unique names. Max's eyes flashed for a second when he heard the name "Kodiak". It was probably a random flash in his eyes or it could have been something else than just a flash? Aurora spoke: "Wow, you really can handle the naming of the pups! I like both Kodiak and Nunivat as names, not going to lie."
Balto and Jenna got to remember those names and so they did: "Aleu… Yukon… Saba… Dingo… Kodiak… Nunivat… our dear little puppies… welcome to our world! We love you so much!" The puppies were either whimpering or getting their spot at Jenna's belly to be fed by her sweet and warm milk all while their father, their aunt, their parents' friend and Boris observed.
"Is there anything you would like to say?" Jenna asked her guests. Boris declined: "No, not really, Jenna, but I will say that I like all six of them and their names!" Max also declined: "It's alright, Jen, I will forward the names to Molly and Audrey when I get home." Yet, Aurora had something to say, not too much, but the word from an aunt.
"My nephews and nieces, this is your aunt Aurora. I am so happy that all six of you have come to the world and I just can't wait to spend as much time as possible with you! I love you so, so, SO much!" She emphasized the last one, showing how much they meant to her. Everyone else in this shed appreciated her kind words. Soon it was going to be on Rosy and her parents to come and see the newborn puppies.