Before Sarah went to sleep, Aleu had to talk to her real quick. When she was settling into her place, Aleu confronted her.

 

 

 

Aleu: Sarah, may I have a word with you?

 

 

 

Sarah: Of course, Aleu.

 

 

 

            The two of them walked over to the bow of the boat, overlooking the town as the sun went down. When they got there, they both sat together. Aleu faced Sarah with her back against the bow.

 

 

 

Sarah: What’s on your mind, Aleu?

 

 

 

Aleu: I just wanted to thank you for your patience with me. I know I haven’t been spending much time with my clan and I’ve been leaving the responsibility up to you a lot lately. 

 

 

 

Sarah: Oh, it’s no problem.

 

 

 

Aleu: It’s just, I know I’ve been gone a lot and I want to thank you for being there to fill in for me. I really appreciate it.

 

 

 

Sarah: (smiling) it’s my pleasure, Aleu. I understand that you may be going through something right now. And I just want to let you know, I’m here for you if you need me.

 

 

 

Aleu: Thanks, Sarah. If I weren’t the Alpha of this clan than I’m sure you would be a perfect leader.

 

 

 

            Sarah was touched by Aleu’s comment. She did try her best to be a good substitute for Aleu whenever she was away. And Aleu complimenting her on her job was great to hear.

 

 

 

Sarah: (smiling) Thank you, Aleu. But I can’t image anyone taking your place. 

 

 

 

Aleu: Try me.

 

 

 

            The both of them laughed. Aleu felt so lucky to have Sarah there for her to talk about anything. She really felt that Sarah would make a great leader. She heard about how she did during her absence, and she was impressed.

 

 

 

Aleu: Alright. Let’s get some rest. We’re gonna need it.

 

 

 

Sarah: Yes ma’am.

 

 

 

            Aleu and Sarah walked together back to the stern of the boat, where the rest of the clan was settling into their sleeping places.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 42

 

 

 

 

     Aleu woke up in the middle of the night. She looked around her to see that everyone was asleep. She could see the moonlight reflect off their fur. She looked over at Nuk. He was snoring, heavily. Sarah was laying on her felt side right next to him. As Nuk continued to snore, Sarah’s foot kicked Nuk in the head, stopping his snoring. Aleu laughed. Wow. They don’t even have to be awake to fight. She thought jokingly.

            Aleu got up quietly, being careful not to disturb any of the clan members. She had to talk to Niju about Balto and the clan. They had to know about him. She tried to ignore the possible outcome of them finding out about it. They had to stop hiding their friend ship from them, or their love for each other.

            Aleu quietly tip toed over the clan members that were in her way. When she got to the other side, she looked to her left. She saw Balto and Jenna lying together, fast asleep. Balto was lying behind Jenna, facing the same direction, with his arm around her. They were cuddled together like a happy couple. And they looked happy as Aleu watched them. She was happy too, just to see that they were so close in their relationship. She couldn’t be more thankful to have such good looking parents, and caring at that.

            Aleu slowly walked down the plank to the ground. She took one last look at the boat, praying that they wouldn’t worry too much if the clan woke up to see Aleu gone again. She turned back to the woods, and ran to see Niju.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 43

 

 

 

 

     Niju was lying down in the entrance of the cave, the front of his body lying in the grass, wide awake. He began to think of the dream that he had earlier that day. Although he and Aleu were together, his dream haunted him.

            In his dream, he was with Aleu and the clan. Balto was there too. But they weren’t in favor of him being present. They were all surrounding him, angry looks on their faces. Farris was facing him about ten feet away, not looking too happy. He tried to look around for Aleu. He spotted her behind him. She had a sad look on her face. He tried to step toward her to cheer her up, but Nuk, Sumac and Yak blocked his path. He tried to look over them, calling her name. She saw a glimpse of her and she began to walk away, with tears and her eyes, Balto walking next to her with an upset look on his face. He begged and pleaded for them not to leave, until Aleu woke up that day.

            The more Niju thought of this dream, the more it haunted him. The clan’s faces, Aleu’s tears. It was too much. He tried to block it out of his head the best he could. But then he thought about how no one knew about him yet. Neither the clan nor Balto knew that they were together. He had forgotten all about them. He was too concerned about Aleu to even think about it. He hadn’t even apologized to them yet. What if they found out about his and Aleu’s relationship? It would be too late to even try to say anything.

            He decided that it had been too long. He had to talk to them, and soon. In fact, he planned that the minute the sun settled into the sky the next day, he was going to talk to Balto, and finally apologize to him.

            All of a sudden, Niju heard a faint whisper in the air, calling his name.

 

 

 

Aleu: Niju.

 

 

 

            Niju looked around to see if anyone was there. He looked to his left and saw nothing.

 

 

 

Aleu: Niju.

 

 

 

            Niju looked to his right, and saw Aleu’s head poking out from behind a tree.

 

 

 

Niju: Aleu?

 

 

 

            Aleu came out from behind the tree and approached Niju. He got up and walked towards Aleu with a smile on his face. He was glad to see her. She always had the ability to cheer him up whenever he felt down.

            They reached each other and hugged passionately. Niju pulled away after the long hug and looked at Aleu curiously.

 

 

 

Niju: What are you doing here?

 

 

 

Aleu: I need to talk to you.

 

 

 

Niju: About what?

 

 

 

Aleu: Let’s go inside.

 

 

 

Niju: Ok.

 

 

 

            Aleu walked toward the opening of the cave and Niju followed. Niju was pretty concerned about what Aleu had to say. A half a day together and there was already trouble.  What could it be about? He thought.

            The two of them stopped in the middle of the cave and faced each other.

 

 

 

Niju: What is it? What’s wrong?

 

 

 

Aleu: Nothing’s really wrong.

 

 

 

Niju: Well, what did you come here to tell me?

 

 

 

Aleu: Haven’t I been the only person you’ve talked to ever since you’ve been here?

 

 

 

Niju: Yes.

 

 

 

Aleu: So no one else knows you’re here?

 

 

 

Niju: Right.

 

 

 

Aleu: Well… I think it’s time to finally tell everyone that you’re here. It’s been over a week and neither my father nor the clan knows you’re here.

 

 

 

            Niju thought about it for a while. It was a little strange. He was just thinking the same thing about having to tell the others about him.

 

 

 

Niju: You’re right… I think we’ve hid this long enough.

 

 

 

Aleu: Listen, I’ll talk to my dad in the morning and we’ll settle this whole thing out.

 

 

 

Niju: No, Aleu… It has to be me. I’ll go.

 

 

 

Aleu: (with a worried look) what? No, you can’t. My father might still see you as a threat.

 

 

 

Niju: I know. But I need to show him, myself, that I’m not.

 

 

 

            Niju did have a good point. Aleu agreed with his suggestion but she was afraid what would happen. What if her father didn’t approve of him? What if he just shoved him off the minute he saw him? She tried not to think so negative but it just seemed way too possible for it to happen.

 

 

 

Niju: Aleu, listen to me. I appreciate you trying to protect me, but this is something I have to do on my own. The reason I came here in the first place was to right what was wrong…

 

 

 

            Aleu was silent for

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