from running his first actual race, he could still take part in lower intensity runs around town. They, along with the other young dogs, were starting to be seen less as rookies, and more as full members of the team. Kaltag couldn't have asked for better. No longer was he some weirdo rookie; he felt like he truly belonged, all thanks to his friendship with Steele. However, there was still one dog that Kaltag could never get along with: Zeke. The husky was still being antagonistic towards him, but Kaltag didn't feel as bad about it now. If Zeke gave him any trouble, he could simply call on Steele, Nikki and Star to chase him off. In fact, that had just happened today, when the group chased him around town until Zeke had holed himself up in one of the many abandoned buildings in Nome. As Kaltag and the group returned home, they would soon find out that not everyone thought that their actions were for the better.

"So, did you four have another fun day terrorizing a teammate?" a voice called out. The group turned and saw that it was Cain, the same dog that had led them on their training runs a few months ago.

"Why do you care?" Steele shot back.

"I care because we're all supposed to be on the same team here," Cain replied.

"Tell that to Zeke," Kaltag shot back, "He's the one who's always pushing us around and saying that we're not a part of the team, so we push back!"

"That's right Kal. Zeke isn't being a team player," Steele continued, "A true teammate knows to not cross the lead dog, or his friends."

"So, being a part of the team means that we should all roll over to your whims Steele? Well then, I guess I should do my part too," Cain said coyly before lying down on his back.

"Don't mock me Cain; you of all dogs should know not to cross me," Steele growled, "You may have had your time as lead dog, but now it's over."

"You got me there. I suppose I'm not as young as I used to be," Cain said as he got up, "Though, if it were up to me, you'd be the last choice for lead dog."

This only caused Steele to snarl, "Who do you think you are? You know full well that I'm the most talented for the job!" he growled.

"Yes, you do have talent, but you don't have much of anything else," Cain said coldly.

"Oh yeah... you see this?" Steele said, showing off his gold-studded collar, "I won this earlier this year because I was the best dog in the race. Did you ever win this during your time? No! I was the first."

"Are you sure?" Cain asked, "Forgive me for being so bold, but I've heard a few reports that you used… less than honest means to win this year's Derby."

"Whatever you heard back in White Mountain is nothing but the whining of a bunch of sore losers!" Steele growled, "I beat Amak's team and that's final! I am the champion sled dog of Alaska; fair and square."

"Alright, if that helps you sleep at night, then I won't question it. Though, the last time I checked, the title of champion goes to the whole team, not just the lead dog," Cain replied.

"What are you getting at?" Steele said, and Cain turned his attention towards Kaltag.

"Kaltag, let me ask you this. When you aren't out chasing Zeke around, does Steele ever pay much attention to you?" Cain asked, "What has he done for you?"

Kaltag thought for a moment, and found that Steele never really did pay much attention to them when they weren't out chasing Zeke. Normally, he was just telling stories about his various sledding adventures; stories in which he always ended up as the hero. As he thought about it, he realized that he and the other younger dogs rarely came up in conversation, "I… uh… well…" he stammered.

"What have I done for him?" Steele cut in, "I'll tell you what I've done; I've stopped him from being Zeke's punching bag." At this, most of Kaltag's doubts washed away as he remembered that his friendship with Steele had allowed him to rise above what he was before, and become much stronger, "I served as not only a friend, but a protector as well!"

"He's right Cain; Steele helped me deal with Zeke, and that's more than I can say about you," Kaltag continued, "You never did anything about Zeke; you just told him off, but it never worked. You did nothing for me, while Steele made me stronger."

"Look Kal, I know that what Zeke does can be frustrating, but trust me on this one. You don't have to stoop to Steele's level," he said, "C'mon, I can help you through this."

"I don't need your help!" Kaltag snapped, "I may have been the odd one out before, but not anymore. I'm someone now; I'm a part of the team. Steele did that for me, while you did nothing!"

Cain could see the anger burning in Kaltag's eyes, and as much as he hated to admit it, there would be no way to convince him otherwise. Kaltag's negative experiences had led him to take the easy way instead of toughing it out, "Alright, if you'd rather be somebody and follow your leader blindly, then I won't stop you. However, you may find that you're becoming no better than what you're trying to fight. You always have the choice to say no to him," he said, before walking away from them. Steele and the trio turned the other way and headed back towards their home. Even though he was still secure in his support for Steele, the exchange with Cain still left Kaltag with questions, "Why didn't he think that Steele wasn't up to being lead dog? What did he mean by 'becoming no better than what we're fighting'? Of course we're better than Zeke; he started it, and Steele said that he wasn't being a team player. It sure sounds like Cain and Steele have a bit of a history with each other," he thought, "Um, boss, can I ask you something?" Kaltag asked.

"Fire away," Steele said.

"Why doesn't Cain like the idea of you being the lead dog?" Kaltag asked, "What does he have against you?"

Steele rolled his eyes at this, "He's probably just upset about losing the position to me," he replied, "Cain used to be the lead dog of the team, but I replaced him last year. I think he's just sore about the whole thing; losing the perks and status that comes with being a lead dog."

"What about the other thing hes said?" Nikki asked, "The thing about your last race?"

"What about it?" Steele asked, slightly annoyed.

"Is it true?" Star asked, "Did you cheat?"

In a flash Steele, turned himself around and had pressed his face against Star's, "I did no such thing! I may have bent the rules, but no one caught me, so as far as I'm concerned, I won fair and square," he said, "I'm tired of hearing the accusations of sore losers, and if you or anyone else brings it up again, I swear I will shove you in a crate and send you to the Sahara! Understood!" The three of them nodded and the conversation ended with that outburst, as no one wanted to aggravate Steele any further. He was still their boss, and he had previously made it clear that stupid questions would not be tolerated, "Good. Now that that's cleared up, I think we should have a little more fun today," Steele said, "Maybe I'll give you guys a little treat."

"What is it; some new bones?" Kaltag asked.

"No, but that would be nice right about now," Steele replied, "I want you guys to help me deal with a certain mongrel that has crossed me a few too many times…"

---------------------------

Present Day

At the time, Kaltag had been so overcome by his frustration, that he he had joined Steele without a second thought. He saw Steele as a dog of action; someone who would do something about their problems. Cain on the other hand was seen as an aging has-been who didn't want to stick his neck out. However, that was then; that was before he learned just what kind of dog Steele truly was, and how blind action could come back to bite you on the rear, "Okay, I know we haven't been on the best terms in the past, but I want to make things right... for everyone," he said.

The old dog looked at him for a moment before breaking out into a grin, "Well, I did tell you that you always had a choice, and after what happened to Steele, I guess you made the right one. Plus, that choice got you into the position of lead dog as well," he said, "How are you feeling about that?"

"I'm feeling great about it. It was unexpected, but our owner thought I was up for the job, so here I am," he said.

"Well, let's just hope that you do a better job than our last lead," Cain said, "Steele may have had talent, but he was reckless. Worse, he even dragged a few good dogs down with him, using them to help weed out those who might oppose him," Kaltag knew that he was referring to the actions of himself, Nikki and Star, and it only served to increase the sick feeling in his stomach, "I might've been able to stop him too, but I didn't. To this day, I've wondered how things would've gone differently if I-"

"Had been less of a bystander?" Kaltag finished, and Cain nodded, "Yeah, I know how you feel right now; wishing to turn back time and do it over again."

"Hm, I guess being saved by someone you used to hate will do that to you," Cain said with a slight chuckle, "Though, I will admit that I was surprised when it was Balto leading the medicine home. That fact in itself will probably make most of the town rethink what it means to fit