still a part of his mind that entertained a certain fantasy. Maybe Jenna would become disillusioned with Balto and want more. Only he would be able to meet that want, and that alone would make him a hero in her eyes. But now, even that fantasy was starting to look like quite a stretch. This new revelation only added insult to the long-standing injury, but Balto still said nothing. After staring at each other for what seemed like hours, Steele finally let out a loud huff and stalked away, leaving them behind. Balto realised that he'd been holding his breath the entire time, and let it out in one long sigh as Sonya came up to him, hoping for an explanation.

"Huh, that actually went better than I expected," he said.

"What were you expecting?" Sonya asked.

"A lot worse, that's for sure. Steele and I… let's just say we never got along at all," he replied, pausing a moment before returning to the present. "Oh there I go forgetting my manners. How are you today? The name's Balto."

"Sonya," she replied. "Hang on, I have heard your name before… a couple years ago."

He smiled a bit, before replying, "Yeah, that sounds about right. Then again, it was probably the whole world that heard my name after the serum run."

"Serum run… of course!" she cried as everything started to come back. "You're the Balto who saved those kids in Nome! You rescued the team on your own, even though you were just a stray half-wolf."

"Guilty as charged," he replied. "I just hope the whole half-wolf thing doesn't bother you as much as it does with Steele."

"Far from it - you were actually my new hero when I heard about that. I may not look it as much as you do, but I'm half-wolf myself."

"No kidding? And you're on the same team as Steele? My condolences for having to run under a dog like him," he replied.

"Who said anything about that? Did I mention I'm the lead dog of my team too?"

"No way."

"Way - now mind you, my owners don't really know that I'm part wolf, but I can still run circles around many of the sled dogs around here."

"Heh, that sounds like a challenge," he chuckled.

"Hey, that's what we're here for, right?" she said, grinning. "I may not be as famous as you, but I'm certainly no pushover on the trail."

"Uh oh, I'd better watch out then," he said. "As temping as an early footrace is, I probably should get back to my team - they'll want to know their former boss is in town."

"You're leading Steele's old team? Wow, no wonder he's miffed at you," she observed. "You have a point though, I should get back to my team too. Care to lead the way?"

"Sure, but what about Steele?" he asked, looking down the street.

"He'll come around… eventually," she muttered. "He has to - the team is his only way back home."

"I am curious though - how have you managed to handle Steele for so long?"

"Well… that's actually a pretty long story. What really matters is that I've been able to keep him on a leash, if that's what you're wondering."

"Well, I might want to hear this story," he requested. It wasn't long before the two were making their way to down the streets, with Sonya regaling him with the story behind her deal with Steele. As he listened to it, it made him wonder just how much Steele had changed over the past two years.

----------

The warehouse was scores larger than the old gold mill that dogs met in back in Nome, but the size was necessary considering how many dogs were housed here. This was their lodging before the race would begin, and there were countless sled dogs present. Dominant were the classic sled dogs such as huskies and malamutes, but there were a few of the more uncommon breeds like Samoyeds, Chinooks, and even a few that Balto couldn't name. In the mix were a few that looked like they could have been part wolf as well, but he avoided prying to avoid offending them.

He settled well into the conversation, learning about the other teams, where they came from, and some of their experiences sledding. It was from this that he started to get a true appreciation for the camaraderie between sled dogs. They would often start their training young, a group of strangers, but through that they would grow closer, trusting each other with their lives. In many ways, it was like the bond between those in a wolf pack. He was amazed at how similar sled dogs could be to their wild cousins, but few seemed to note it. He surmised that it was his unique perspective – half dog and half wolf – that allowed him to see the similarities more easily than the differences the dogs focused on.

Despite the animosity towards wolves, Balto found that many of the competitors were very civil towards him, saying hello when passed, with some wanting a quick chat to know more about him. Even though two years had passed, the story of the serum run was still fresh in their minds. The fact that he had picked up the torch after their former champion so clumsily dropped it captured many of their imaginations, and there were even a few young rookies who told him how he inspired them to work their hardest. He showed how even the underdog had a chance of winning.

It warmed his heart to see how he had impacted them so positively, but the attention soon started to overwhelm him. He'd spent the last couple of years only in Nome, so he wasn't prepared for how celebrated he would be abroad. He eventually excused himself from the crowd and stepped out into the dark street, taking a deep breath to calm his excited nerves. The sounds of the teams filtered through the walls of the warehouse, but other than that, the dark streets were stone silent. The crisp winter air made his breath come out as a fog, and he let his eyes drift skyward. It was a cloudless night, with small stars poking through the inky black sky. As his eyes scanned the night sky, he found that there was a familiar colourful display in full bloom that night. The northern lights were out, and they instantly made his thoughts drift towards Jenna. She was so far away by now, and he imagined her sitting at home, looking outside at the lights and thinking of him.

He imagined them sitting on the bluff overlooking the ocean that they loved to visit, watching the lights as they were reflected in the calm sea. The aurora was something that they loved sharing with each other; in fact it was his attempt to create a close mimic of the lights that caused the first signs of their feelings to show through. While some thought that love had no form to take, to him, love looked like the auroras, mysterious but beautiful at the same time. Lost in his thoughts, he let his eyes wander up and down the stream of light until something caught his eye near the horizon.

In the dim light it was hard to pick out the shadow down the street, but the fact that it was constantly moving made it easier. The shadow was definitely a dog's, and after a few minutes studying it, it was unmistakable who it was. The wide body and kingly gait were Steele's, but this immediately struck him as very odd. He would've expected him to be inside, trying to be the life of the party, not pacing outside in the dark, alone. Steele's presence caught him a little off guard, and the fact that he was alone put him on edge. Steele could easily charge him without any witnesses, but that was how things would have happened years ago. Part of him wanted to think that Steele had changed for the better. He was torn between optimism and caution, and as he went back and forth, his shuffling paws made the snow to crunch underneath them. It wasn't much, but it was enough to cause the shadow to stop mid-stride and stare right towards him.

Both froze, but neither made a sound or any sort of movement. Balto could feel his heart thudding in his chest, but Steele made no move against him. Part of him wanted to just turn back to the safety of the warehouse, but his curiosity begged him to step forward. Steele may have been his enemy before, but he wanted to know if anything at all was different about him. There was always the chance he might turn on him, but that didn't stop him from taking a tentative step forwards. The husky's ears twitched with his steps, but he didn't make any move to run towards or away. He took one step, then another and another, and before long he was close enough to see Steele.

Neither said a word, wearing very neutral expressions as they studied each other, each trying to ascertain what the other's next move would be. Steele looked much the same as Balto had always known him, save for the different sled collar he now wore. Steele however, thought he was looking at a very different wolfdog than before. He'd always thought of Balto as a lanky, scruffy stray, always holding his head low to avoid attention. Now he was facing someone who looked like they were taken care of and had put on a few extra pounds of muscle. Now Balto approached him with confidence, staring him right in the eye as though they were equals.

The silence started to make Balto uncomfortable, urging him to make the first move. If anyone was going to extend an olive branch, it would be him. "Steele," he started.

"Balto," Steele returned, mimicking their exchange from earlier.

There was another uncomfortable silence. "So, I wasn't expecting to see you in the race this year," he continued, hoping to get things moving.

"The feeling's mutual." It was becoming obvious that