Balto

 

 

Family Stories:

 

 

The Change of Heart 

 

 

(Part 3)

 

 

 

 

Chapter 37

 

 

 

 

     The morning as well as noon passed quickly. It seemed as if the hours had just flown by after Aleu returned from the medical center. While Aleu waited for the afternoon to come she had taken the clan out back into the woods to give catching their breakfast a second try, except for Balto. He decided to pass to spend some time with Jenna. But thankfully, they were successful. All team work this time.

            Aleu decided to bend the feeding rules a little bit. She wanted everyone to eat at the same time, knowing that everyone was really hungry since they failed their first catch, though still reminding everyone who was in charge.

            After breakfast, Aleu and the clan returned to Balto’s boat. Since it was noon, they decided to tie breakfast and lunch together since no one was hungry enough for a second meal, except for maybe Nuk. Actually, they all seemed rather tired, supposedly just a mid-day nap feeling. So they all decided to take one, except Aleu.

 

 

 

Aleu: You guys go ahead and rest for a bit. I’m gonna take a walk.

 

 

 

Sarah: Would you like any of us to come with you?

 

 

 

Aleu: No. It’s fine. I just need a little time on my own.

 

 

 

Sarah: If you insist, Aleu. 

 

 

 

            Balto walked out of his room as Aleu began to head off the boat.

 

 

 

Balto: Don’t leave us worried like last time, Aleu. Don’t be gone for too long.

 

 

 

Aleu: I won’t, Papa. Don’t worry. I’ll be back after night fall, I promise.

 

 

 

Balto: Alright. Be careful.

 

 

 

Aleu: I will.

 

 

 

            Aleu went over to Balto and gave him a hug as a sign of appreciation. Even though Balto did sometimes worry about her too much, she was thankful that he worried a lot instead of not at all.

 

 

 

Aleu: I’ll be back after night fall, everyone. Sarah, take charge until I get back.

 

 

 

Sarah: Yes, Aleu.

 

 

 

Aleu: Thanks.

 

 

 

            Aleu turned and walked down the plank off the boat, passing her father. Sarah turned her attention back to the clan.

 

 

 

Sarah: Alright, everyone. You heard Aleu, until she get’s back, I’m in charge.

 

 

 

Nuk: Like always.

 

 

 

Sarah: Watch it, Nuk.

 

 

 

Nuk: Alright, alright. It was just a joke.

 

 

 

            Aleu looked back at the boat, over hearing Nuk and Sarah. She laughed at their comments. Good old Nuk and Sarah. She thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 38

 

 

 

 

     Niju was fast asleep inside of his cave. He really had nothing better to do while he waited for Aleu. He had been taking walks ever since he’d got there and he needed to save his energy for a bit. Plus he was going to walk with Aleu down to the stream so he didn’t want her to get there to find out that he had already gone without her. But he wouldn’t go without her regardless. There couldn’t have been a better person to walk with than Aleu. He thought.

He was so in love with her. He couldn’t wait to tell her that night how he felt. But how was he going to put it in words? What was he even going to say? What if he started to stutter or lose his words in the process? Niju had way too much to worry about, though he never had the problem of being himself. He was always himself ever since he had arrived at Nome. He just didn’t know what to say to her. But what he didn’t realize is that he had no problem speaking to her when something was wrong. When he saw the look on her face that other morning, he wanted to desperately know what was wrong. He had no problem asking what the problem was, and he wanted her to know that she could tell him anything. He supposed that all he wanted was to make sure that she was happy, and after that, what he wanted to say was all put together. He realized that he hated seeing her sad or depressed. As long as he knew that she was happy, there was no loss of words.

_

 

 

 

            Aleu was just around the corner from Niju’s cave. She hoped that he was still there. She wouldn’t have to look for him if he was out walking or catching food or something. But she was happy enough to be able to see him and she was positive that he was going to be there.

            Aleu reached the cave. She peaked around the corner to see if he was inside. At first, she didn’t see anything. She moved to the middle of the entrance and saw Niju in the corner, fast asleep. He looks so handsome when he sleeps. She thought. He was wrapped up in a bundle. She could see his side rise up and down slowly as he breathed. He looks so peaceful. She thought. So nice.  For some strange reason, Aleu began to feel somewhat of an attraction towards Niju whenever she was near him. Whenever she was with him she felt… happy.  It was a feeling she couldn’t describe. She began to think about it. Was she in love with Niju?

            She walked inside the cave, a shadow falling over her as she walked in. It was starting to get a little dark, so the cave was a bit gloomy, but she didn’t mind it.

            She got closer and closer to Niju as she walked in. She wondered over to the corner slowly, trying to make as less noise as possible to not wake him up. When she got to the corner, she looked down at Niju. She smiled a little bit just at the sight of him.

            All of a sudden, Niju started to toss and turn in his sleep. It looked like he was having a bad dream or something. He turned back and forth on his sides, pawing the air and muttering words.

 

 

 

Niju: No…. no. Please, no.

 

 

 

 

Aleu: Niju?

 

 

 

Niju: Don’t go. Please.

 

 

 

            Aleu reached forwards and shook Niju’s shoulder with her paw.

 

 

 

Aleu: Niju! Wake up!

 

 

 

            Niju tossed and turned harder, throwing his paws in the air. Aleu started to paw his shoulder harder to wake him up. He lied upwards and started shaking his head. His eyes slowly started to open.

 

 

 

Aleu: Niju, it’s me.

 

 

 

Niju: (blinking tiredly) Huh…. Oh, hi.

 

 

 

            Niju smiled, seeing that Aleu was right in front of him. Even in the dark, she still looks beautiful. He thought.

 

 

 

Aleu: You were having a bad dream.

 

 

 

Niju: (tiredly) was I?

 

 

 

            Niju stood up slowly, yawned and stretched.

 

 

 

Aleu: You were tossing and turning in your sleep. I’m I woke you.

 

 

 

Niju: No, it’s alright.

 

 

 

Aleu: So, what was it about?

 

 

 

Niju: Hmm… I can’t really remember.

 

 

 

Aleu: Well. Besides the bad dream, did you sleep ok?

 

 

 

Niju: Oh, yeah.

 

 

 

            Niju yawned again, his eyes still half open.

 

 

 

Niju: Just decided to take a little nap before you came over. I needed to save some energy.

 

 

 

Aleu: Alright. Well are you ready?

 

 

 

            Aleu noticed that Niju was still a little droopy. He must have been really tired, but she just woke him up from sleeping as well so he must have been still a little sleepy.

 

 

 

Niju: Yeah. Let’s go.

           

            Niju started to walk forward. It seemed like he was loosing his balance. This made Aleu laugh a little, though she felt a little bad waking him up and then having him walk somewhere.

 

 

 

Aleu: Uh, maybe we should wait until you’re up and ready.

 

 

 

Niju: Oh, no. It’s fine. I can walk.

 

 

 

            Niju kept on walking. He still seemed a little wobbly. Aleu walked next to him, observing his funny walk. Once they were outside the cave, Niju began to give in. Aleu tried to help him a little, laughing at the same time. Once he was down, he began to close his eyes. Aleu lied down gently on top of him.

 

 

 

Niju: Maybe I’m not quite ready for a walk yet.

 

 

 

Aleu: (laughing) I agree.

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