to ever survive in this world I’d have inflict some of my own torment... just between you and me... I’m much better at inflicting it on others than most.”

“Is that it?” interrupted Steele. “Are you finished boring us to death now... we get it... you’re a nut job with a crappy childhood, boohoo get over yourself.”

“Shut-up Steele, this isn’t helping!” said Balto.

“You see this is what I don’t get” interrupted Sam. “He has been a constant thorn in your side for years, why are you more inclined to defend him then me?”

“He’s about as low as it gets Sam... He even tried to kill me at one point. But in all the time after that he has never harmed or laid a paw on anyone that was close to me, why? Because I honestly believe that a small part of him has changed, made him learn from his experiences. He can do that... but you... why do I get the feeling that Jade wasn’t your first kill? Beating someone to a pulp, that’s cruel even if it was Steele. But murder is pure evil Sam... I’ve met plenty of bad guys before, one even took away my wolf half... but none have scared as much as you. It makes me sick to even think that your my brother! I swear to god that if Dingo is dead, I’m gonna make you pay!”

Sam was now shaking with anger, he hit Balto across the face. Balto just growled back at his brother.

“If he doesn’t make you pay, I’ll chew you up into kibble myself psycho-wolf!” shouted Steele.

Sam started to walk away, but turned one last time to say...

“I’ll see you soon little brother.”

Sam knocked the oil lamp over, the deck started to catch fire. Sam looked at Balto with a tear in his eye, but then made a dash for it before the fire spread towards him. The deck and eventually parts of the bulkhead where now a flame...

 "Okay where exactly did you find this mental case for crying out loud? Was he born this way or has he simply gotten to know you over a period of days?!" shouted Steele in a panic.
"Shut up! Let me think!" yelled Balto.
"Oh that's right! You think while we burn to death! Brilliant plan!"
"Look try and chew off the rope, it's our only chance!"
Both Balto and Steele started to bite at their restraints as quickly as possible, the flames of the fire where getting more and more intense with each passing second. The smoke was starting to become a problem, as they knew they'd most likely suffocate to death than burn. Balto was starting to cough as he struggled to bite through the rope, Steele however seemed to be racing away at his restraints like they where just wet pasta to him, he then noticed Balto was slowing down.
"Getting tired wolf-dog? If you quit now I'll kick your butt, understand?" he shouted.
But Balto didn't respond he just slowly continued hacking away at his rope. Steele began to race away again at his rope, completely ignoring the smoke and fire that was just spreading all over the place. Balto was starting to wheeze and stopped chewing at his rope; he was getting weaker and looked like he would loose consciousness at any moment. Steele's rope began to snap... he was now free from the restraint. He ran towards the exit that was still clear from fire for the moment, but stopped suddenly. He turned to see that Balto was now unconscious and had fire spreading towards him fast. Steele was about to dash off again... but just couldn't, he only had a few moments to make a decision that would probably change his life forever. Steele headed back to Balto. He began to bites and scratch at the rope that had Balto pinned to the bulkhead, once Balto was free he fell to the ground. Steele began to drag him across the deck towards the exit, but could proceed as the fire had completely blocked it off. Steele began to panic a little; there was no way out... until he noticed the weakened wall of the cabin on the deck. He lifted the blacked out Balto onto his back in an amazing feat of strength, and charged at the wall crashing straight through it onto the frozen beach. He placed Balto back on the floor and dragged him away from the burning boat. Balto looked dead, he wasn't breathing at all. Out of near desperation Steele pounced hard on Balto's chest. Balto started to cough and then to breathe normally, Steele then fell down ext to him with exhaustion. Balto was starting to regain consciousness.
"Wha... What happened?" asked Balto.
"It doesn't matter... just don't say it!" snapped Steele.
"But you-"
"I mean it fur ball, don't say it!"
"-saved my life..."
"Shut-up. And don't you dare get all mushy on me."
There was silence between them both for a few moment, both just didn't know what to say to each other. Nothing, not even an insult came to mind. Balto then struggled to stand up.
"Dingo... I have to find... I have to find him... my son" said an exhausted Balto, who simply fell to the ground again.
"Look just give yourself a few moments. You can barely stand... we'll find him... plus if you die whilst looking for him I'll only get blamed so shut up and just lie down for a few minutes." said Steele calmly.
Balto's home ever since he arrived in Nome was now in a complete blaze, the fire burned all through the night...

Dingo was barely conscious and still had no idea where he was. His vision was still blurry, but he could still hear the sound of dripping water, strangely enough it was quite warm. He managed to struggle up into a sitting position, from what he could make out he was in a metal casing, he looked up and saw a wooden ceiling lit up by what could be candle light. He had to get out where ever he was. He stood up slowly on his three other legs and limped around the small space, he began tapping against the walls, as he was doing this he hit a loose section... a hatch leading out. He tried to bang against the hatch but it wouldn't open fully. He tried and tried again as hard as his weakened condition would allow him. But suddenly he head a noise from outside, it was paw steps and they where approaching where ever he was. Then a clanking noise was heard just outside the hatch... then it burst open... the light from outside blinded Dingo at first, but it didn't take him too long to see who it was who had opened the hatch...

The sun started to rise over Nome, it was Christmas morning. Balto walking slowly around the streets of Nome with Steele trying to look for Dingo. There was still silence between them both, what could they say to each other exactly. Two bitter enemies where now in a position of mutual trust, the whole concept unnerved them both but yet could not dismiss what had happened.
"Where do you suppose we start?" asked Steele quietly.
Balto stopped and thought about the question for a few moments.
"I don't know... I don't know where to start anymore. What the hell happened back there exactly? Where exactly does this leave us now? Any answer I think of sounds stupid you know... Are we friends? Still enemies? Are we even? For crying out loud where do we start? This makes no sense!" ranted Balto.
Steele just looked blankly at Balto.
"I mean where do we start to look for Dingo?" said Steele in a flat tone.
Balto felt slightly embarrassed.
"Oh... well... let’s... just look in the alley ways, abandoned buildings. And forget Balto's little insane outburst alright." said Balto.
Balto walked quickly away from Steele towards an alley way, but Steele just followed.
"Wait a minute" said Steele.
Balto came to a halt but was still turned away from Steele as he continued to talk.
"I don't know where we start now... I don't know why I saved you... I don't know what happens now. Maybe... it's... forget it, it's stupid." said Steele.
"What?" replied Balto.
"When I saw Sam... He reminded me of myself... someone who was cruel and harsh for the sake of it, just to be horrible. When he admitted what he had done, I realised that maybe I don't wanna be that guy anymore... I'm not asking to be friends, I don't think I'll ever ask that. But I don't think I hate you anymore."
Balto turned to face Steele.
"I think I feel the same... it's-"
"Weird" they both said at the same time.
There was a long pause between them both. But a noise was heard from behind and both snapped out of it to see. It was Kodiak helping a badly hurt Dingo along the street. Balto ran over to his son's, Steele just stood and watched.
"I think I found something you lost" said Kodiak.
Balto hugged Dingo and licked his forehead with genuine father and son affection.

"It's funny... how the moments you remember the most in life tend to revolve around family, friends... even love. I've had none of those things... until now; well at least I did for a short time. My brother, the hero, the champion, the father, the friend... he's nothing like me yet we had the same childhood experience of discrimination and despair. I could have killed my dear nephew you know, but it would have only made my dear brother hate me completely... I mean a little is just enough, it's all part of the game and now I know for certain he's a part of it. Maybe I should kill his precious Jenna? Would that add more intrigue to the game or just be really funny like beating up Steele in the alley, I love watching the pure breeds from both sides bleed. I remember my first kill... the ignorant kid... he didn't have time to scream for his mother. Soldiers used to say that when you take a life in the field of battle that a part of yourself dies a little, in all honesty... I've never felt that, does that make me a monster? If so, please come and tell me. I'm sure I can change your mind... I'll see you soon brother, we're gonna have fun you and I..."

THE END

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