2

When star woke up, he was lying on the floor at the foot of his masters bed. He stood up and stretched. 'today is a big day, today duke comes back!' Star ran outside and found Kaltag waiting for him. The golden chinook smiled as his overzealous friend skidded to a stop in front of him. "today is an important... the most crucial, the-the most required--- " Kaltag started, but, true to form, Star cut in saying-"This is important!" Kaltag reached over to bonk him on the head, but before he could, Balto and Jenna walked up, Balto looked nervous at seeing his friend Duke again. The bush pilot had promised Balto a surprise when he came back. And Balto was excited and nervous at the same time. Star rushed up to jenna and balto and yipped, "Hi guys! Are you excited? Where is Dusty and Kodi? And where is Dingo? " he continued until Jenna stopped him, smiling.

"They are all waiting at the airfield already Star. Calm down a little.." But in truth, everyone liked him. His perpetually cheery personality made everyone feel better. The airfield was newly built, and the small two gate terminal was shiny from the steel they built it from. Noone knew why it was so big. They just knew it was. Together, the four of them walked to the airfield, chatting happily and laughing. As they approached the airfield, a large black and white malamute walked up. This broken and lonely dog, was, in fact- Steele. After what he had done very few dogs or humans would so much as look at him. He walked up to them, and sighed. He spoke slowly, his voice icy, but it held the tone of one, who is sad and lonely. "hi guys. Mind if I join you?" he asked. Kaltag and balto looked instantly alert, and almost growled, but Jenna and star said- "sure steele." they walked with steele, though almost all conversation had stopped now. As they reached the airfeild, almost the entire population of nome was gathered at the edge of the runway, canine and human alike.

They were all watching the sky and the 4 of them looked to see what it was. In the sky, in the distance, a black speck grew slowly larger. The steady thrum of aviation engines reached them, and the speck grew into a clearly defined shape. Everyone, dog or human, gasped at its size. The airplane was a dull shiny steel, three engines, one on each wing, and one on the nose, powered the plane into view, and through the windshield, Duke and another human were clearly visible, both concentrating hard. Everyone stepped away, as the plane lined up for its landing. It touched down, and the tires squealed, as the brakes caught, and the plane slowed to a stop.

Everyone gathered around the plane as the engines were cut-out. The engines windmilled to a stop, and in the windows, many people and dogs were visible. (the plane, was a Ford 4-AT tri-motor, top of the line. And on the side was a sight which made Balto Blush bright red. On the side, painted in large, block letters, were the words, Balto Airlines, and in smaller letters, underneath it, was, Seattle-Juneau-Anchorage-Nome.

Jenna looked at balto, and nuzzled him and smiled. He smiled back, still red. He walked up to the plane as the door opened. Duke stepped out, and saw Balto. "Hey boy! Did you miss me as much as I missed you?" he said, and scratched Balto on the head. Balto barked in reply, and sat, panting before him.. Duke turned around, and said loudly, "Welcome to Nome everyone! This is the great Balto!" Everyone in the plane climbed off, and gathered around Balto. They all praised him for rescuing the kids and saving Nome. Jenna squeezed through the crowd and stood beside her husband. All the new arrivals went, aaawwww... as Jenna and Balto nuzzled one another. Then they dispersed slightly, and were greeted by the current residents of Nome. Then, their canine companions gathered around Balto, and they all praised him in the same way. When he was able, he and Jenna escaped and made their way back over to the others. Kodi and Dusty, along with Dingo had joined Kaltag and Star. Kodi nuzzled dusty, who giggled. Then, one black husky, with a white streak along her side, and green eyes made her way over to them. She saide- "Hi.... um... I am... um... heh, this is awkward..." she blushed furiously as they all smiled and introduced themselves. Meanwhile, star was watching her, and when he introduced himself, she walked over and sniffed him. He stood stock-still, as she smelled him, and smiled. He smiled back weakly, and she said- "hi, Im Tanya. You smell nice." Star blushed furiously and turned away.. The others grinned at one another. Tanya smiled, then turned to Balto.

"so, you are the famous Balto that I’ve heard so much about. That was really brave, what you did." Jenna smiled, and Balto grinned. He then said- "It was nothing. Besides I couldnt have been able to do it without their help." He pointed with a paw at Kaltag, who smiled and nodded, then at Star, who blushed furiously again, and looked at the ground. 'she is really cute. He thought to himself. Maybe shed like to get dinner sometime... Wait, what am i thinking?! She doesn’t like me....' And with that thought, he forced a smile, and then walked sadly away.

Tanya, who sensed he was upset about something, was about to ask him about it, but then her master called her over, and she said goodbye,k before rushing over, barking happily. Dusty and Kodi smiled and started singing- "Star's in LO-OVE!" but Balto silenced them with a look, before taking off after Star. He ran up, and asked him-

"Hey, buddy, whats wrong? Why the sad face? She like you you know." Hew said, and star looked up at Balto, and smiled. "Thanks Balto, but I have to think. And with that, he ran to his house, and lay down on his bed by the fireplace, where he curled up and closed his eyes. He thought of Tanya, and smiled to himself, before watching the fire flicker in the fireplace.

*******

'he’s cute' was Tanya’s first thought when she saw star. He was watching her, and when he introduced himself, she walked over and smelled his fur. 'he smells good... Like the first rain of spring...' She smiled a him, and said, "Hi, I’ m Tanya! You smell nice." She was immediately embarrassed, and he turned beet red. When Balto had introduced Star and Kaltag, Star suddenly looked away, and walked away sadly. She wondered what it was, and was about to ask him, when her master, a woman named Lilith, called her. She said goodbye, and took one last look at Star, before running over to Lilith. She barely heard the younger two, Dusty and Kodi, sing loudly-- "Star is in LO-OVE!!" She blushed and watched Balto run after Star. She and her owner made their way to a large building, the hotel, and checked in.. Both exhausted, they lay down on the bed, and lilith hugged Tanya before going to sleep. Tanya lay awake for a time, thinking about Star, just as he was thinking about her.