didn't know if that feeling was right or if it was just her need for a protector that was saying it to her. But right now, he was everything to do.

''I brought you a treat.'' he said, breaking her train of though.

He dug his nose in under his collar and brought out a dog treat for her. He treated her with such care now. On his end of the line, he would say that he loved her too. She needed him and he felt obliged to do what it took to prove himself to her. He nudged the treat towards her and she smiled at him with that tired look she had adopted recently.

''Thanks, Franz.'' she murmured.

She slowly nibbled at the treat and Franz rested his head over her neck. Yes, he loved her.

''Franz, I've been thinking.'' Dakota said, quietly.

He twitched his ears but didn't move his head, ''What about?''

She nudged the treat away and pushed her head into his fluffy neck.

''I was thinking of going outside again.''

Franz didn't reply for a bit. He lifted his head and looked at her.

''Are you sure about that, Dakota? Are you ready?'' he said, concerned.

The small dog hesitated before she nodded. She had been thinking recently that she should go out. Just because Orca had broken her like that didn't mean that she had to be completely terrified. She could hold it in for the sake of her health...or something?

''Can we go now?'' she asked, suddenly.

The sudden remembrance that the races were today and Orca would be in them made her want to get outside while it was safe to. She stared at Franz with pleading eyes. He stared back before nodding.

''I'll keep you safe.'' he promised, licking her cheek.

She nuzzled him in return and climbed out from under the bed. He followed her and they walked to the door. He went out first and, after taking a deep breath, she followed him.

It seemed to bright out. It was closer to summer now so it was warmer and the snow was thinner. There wasn't a large amount of people around, most would be at the races, but some were hovering. And a few dogs. Some of them watched Dakota in disbelief. She felt nervous under their stares but stayed close to her companion.She wasn't used to feeling scared by people watching her. How she hated Orca now. After walking down the street for a little bit they stopped.

''Where would you like to go, Dakota?'' Franz asked.

He smiled at her and nuzzled her ear when he felt that someone was watching them. Dakota thought about it, looking around cautiously as she did.

''I want to go see Pride and meet the new puppy in her house.'' she decided.

Franz smiled and nodded and they made their way to Pride's house. Dakota hoped her friend was in. She hadn't talked to her recently so she didn't know if she'd be at the races or not. Franz poked his head through the dog door and Dakota jumped at the sound of yapping followed by a high-pitched laugh.

''In you come, Hero.'' Pride's voice said.

Franz pulled his head back and smiled at Dakota, ''I think they're in.''

Dakota smiled and quickly slid through the door, followed by Franz. Pride gasped when she saw her.

''Oh, Dakota, it's so good to see you out and about again!'' she giggled, ''Are you alright now? Are you feeling better?''

She hugged her friend the only way a dog could and Dakota chuckled. She wiped away a tear in her eye, one that was there out of the happiness of knowing how much Pride cared.

''Well I think so.'' she said, ''I thought it was time.''

She looked down and saw a small-ish ball of fluff. One front leg was missing and it's wide eyes were slightly paler than they should be. The little pup stared at the fuzzy blurry red dog in front of him.

''Oh yes, Dakota this is Hero.'' Pride said.

Dakota greeted the little pup, who yipped and started gnawing on her paws. Dakota was happy that she had decided the leave the house today.

Later, after Dakota and Pride talked and Franz played with Hero, it was time to go home. Dakota talked non-stop to Franz on the way back, she was starting to get back to normal. She was still afraid, looking over her shoulder and staying close to Franz, but that was to be expected. They reached her house quickly.

''Thanks for coming out with me today.'' she said to Franz, ''I know I've been a bother lately.''

Franz shook his head.

''No you haven't. You behaved perfectly normal for someone in your...situation.'' he felt bad mentioning that.

Dakota was silent for a moment.

''Yes. Well I appreciate it anyway. I'm going to go in now. Thanks again.''

Franz approached her as she went to turn and licked her cheek. Feeling shy, Dakota smiled and licked his cheek back.

''Night.'' she said simultaneously.

Franz chuckled as Dakota went through the dog door. Then he went home, happy that Dakota was finally getting better.

After that, Dakota began going outside everyday again. She was still scared a lot of the time and was always with Franz or Pride or her family. But she was getting better and began to move further and further out in town. She was soon once again comfortable sitting on the beach with her friends. She watched the mail dogs chasing each other around Balto's boat and some dogs playing games with their owners. For once, Dakota was alone. Franz would be back in a moment and everyone else was busy right. She sat with her head held high, knowing that was the best posture to have. But her tail curled in tight around her paws to keep her safe.

''Franz will be back soon. And Kodi and Dusty are right over there. Everything is ok.'' she mumbled to herself.

Right at that moment the worst possible person appeared. Orca was down the beach some ways with a couple of female dogs. And he was harrassing another female. She was a hardy, no-nonsense racedog by the name of Tien. She had been Dakota's 'rival' for - largely unwanted - male affections for some time. But still, having Orca on your tail wasn't the best thing that could happen to you. And just seeing him behaving like his typical self made Dakota feel sick. Oh how she wished Franz would come back soon!

She tried turning away but she couldn't take her eyes off him. And then he noticed her sitting there. He said something to the females around him and Tien disappeared. Then he started on his way over. Dakota sat for a moment, frozen with fear. He was coming to get her again! Then, without thinking, she leapt to her paws and raced off. She didn't know where she was going or if Orca was following and how far behind, but she had to get out of there quick. She found herself leaving Nome and heading into the forest. Everything was a blur or brown and green as she raced through the trees and she couldn't tell any of the smells apart. They were all so new to her. She stopped for the briefest of seconds and that was all she needed to hear the loud heavy steps of an angry husky wanting to hurt her some more.

She sprinted off again, listening harder to try throw him off some way or another. She heard rushing water and followed it until she came to a river. It was wide, she could never jump across. She could try! No, that'd be silly. She'd drown. Maybe there was a way across it somehow. Stones she could jump over? A log connecting one side to the other? No, she couldn't see anything like that. The sound of the large dog's panting was getting nearer and nearer. Maybe if she jumped really high she could grab that branch leaning over the water. Could she make it? Probably not. She had never been the most energetic dog and she wasn't used to anything that that. It was too late. Orca crashed his way through the trees and stopped, panting in front of her. She couldn't help but scream.

''Dakota!'' the large brown dog growled, ''Finally I get to see you again.''

The little red dog was in too much shock to so much as speak. She just cowered, shaking with fear. The enormous husky advanced on her slowly, growling.

''Why are you doing this to me?!'' Dakota suddenly screamed at him.

She was going to break down, she knew it. She couldn't hold on to her sanity any longer and let the tears come.

''You were supposed to be mine!'' Orca snarled, ''If you'd just been a good girl. But no! This is all your fault!''

Dakota sobbed.

''You made me hurt you, Dakota. You made yourself afraid of me. Whatever happens now is because of you!''

Dakota couldn't take it. Was he right? Was it really all her fault?

''DAKOTA!!'' screamed another voice, louder than anything she'd ever heard.

Birds in the trees flew into the sky in fear and everything seemed to go silent until a familiar cream-coloured blur launched itself out of the bushes onto Orca. Dakota only watched in horror as Franz, again, was tearing pieces out of Orca. The two dogs fought even more fiercely than before. Both were angry and both wanted Dakota. The only difference was that one wanted her safe and one wanted to bend her to his will. Dakota could do nothing as her closest friend and greatest enemy ripped chunks out of each other.

Blood began to stain the soil beneath them as both bled. Chunks of fur went flying, mingling with the blood and leaving both dogs with some baldish spots. Orca snarled loudly, spit flying from his mouth as he bucked, trying to throw Franz off his back. But the cream dog held on strong, his