“We can load all the guns and set up traps,” Kale suggested, “The weapons are still under the stairs…”

“Alright, let’s do that…” Balto agreed, “Kale, make sure we have caches all over the house, ammo and guns fully loaded.”

Kale nodded and quickly rose to his feet. He walked down the front hallway until he came to a door in the side of the stairs. Pulling it open, he stepped into a room illuminated by an oil lamp. Crates lined the walls and guns and boxes of ammo were strewn about on the crates and on the shelves on the walls. Kale began loading the many various rifles and distributing in corners of rooms and near windows.

Balto and Kaltag grabbed some wooden planks, nails, and hammers and began to board up the back door. Kale placed boxes of pistol and rifle ammo next to the rifles, making sure they all had a good look-out spot for the oncoming fight. He then went back to the kitchen and helped his friends board up the back door. Jenna and Kira simply watched, unsure of what to do.

“There… That should do…” Balto said, tossing his hammer to the table and inspecting the back door, “No one will be able to kick that down…”

“Now all we have to do is wait…” Kale stated, looking back toward the front of the house.

            Back in the town of Silent Spring, everyone had gathered at the town hall. Sheriff Steele stood at the front, looking over everyone. As soon as everyone had quieted down, Steele began to speak.

“Attention, citizens of Silent Spring,” Steele began, “I’d like to thank you all for coming. First off, I’d like to inform you that we have confirmed the location of the outlaws’ hide-out. We know exactly where they are…”

Steele paused for a moment to let that information sink in. A few murmurs ran through the townsfolk. Obviously they hadn’t expected the sheriff to find out so soon, seeing as it was already only just turning 1PM.

“I’d now like to call for any volunteers to assist me and my deputies in bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing the two hostages: Jenna McMahn and Kira Thesher,” Steele declared, looking around at everyone, “Is there anyone here who would like to volunteer in this mission?”

Amazingly enough, about half the men of Silent Spring stood up. Steele was a little surprised by the amount; he’d only expected a few volunteers. Grinning widely, he carried on.

“Excellent! All those who are volunteering shall need to bring their own weapons and horses. Ammo will be provided however,” Steele informed them, “As soon as we’re all prepared to move out, meet in front of my office. Meeting dismissed.”

Steele, Nikki, and Star walked outside, looking around at the men walking home to prepare. The sheriff smirked, knowing they easily had them outnumbered. He was about to turn for his office when a crimson and cream male husky approached him.

“Excuse me, but did you say Jenna McMahn was kidnapped by these three outlaws?” he asked coolly.

“Yes I did sir…” Steele replied, “Are you gonna help us out then?”

“Yes… But only if we can rescue my daughter successfully…” the dog said, grinning widely, “The name’s Samuel McMahn and I’m more than ready to bring a few outlaws to the dust…”

            Nightfall seemed to arrive all too quickly. As the clock struck 8, Steele looked over his forces. An army of roughly 30 dogs strong… We should have the upper-hand in this fight… the sheriff thought wickedly to himself, I’m gonna enjoy smoking those three…

“Alright men!” Steele called out to them, “It’s a two hour ride south of here! We should arrive at 10PM, but we won’t attack until dawn. We’ll catch them by surprise just as the sun comes up. Remember, these dogs assaulted our fair town and kidnapped two innocents. Show them no mercy once the shooting starts!”

The many various breeds of armed dogs shouted out. Amongst the men were his five remaining deputies and Frederic Thesher and Samuel McMahn. Steele grinned evilly and raised his fist in the air.

“To the south we ride! Move out!” he shouted, spurring his horse and leading the small force out of the town and south toward the valley, his eyes burning with a cruel, evil fire.

Kira slowly walked outside and into the cool night air. She sighed softly, fearing the sunrise tomorrow. She knew what it would bring and what it would take with it. She slowly closed her orange eyes and shivered with fear and worry. Suddenly, the soft strumming of a guitar reached her ears and she looked around.

“Hello?” Kira called out into the darkness, stepping off the porch and looking around.

“Hello beautiful,” came the voice of Kale from above. Kira gasped softly and turned around, grinning at the young husky sitting on the roof with a guitar.

“Why are you on the roof playing a guitar?” she asked, “Or better yet, how did you get on the roof with a guitar?”

“Magic,” Kale replied, grinning slyly, then chuckling at the look Kira gave him, “Alright, I climbed up from my bedroom window. You wanna join me?”

Kira smirked and walked back into the house. A few minutes later, Kale heard his bedroom window open and heard someone climbing up onto the roof. He glanced and saw the black wolfdog he loved so much. He grinned at her and turned back to his guitar, strumming it lightly. Kira walked over and sat beside him.

“So what are you playing?” Kira asked, intrigued by his music. Kale shrugged slightly and continued playing.

“Just a song Balto, Kaltag, and I came up with…” he answered, “We just started making up the lyrics and music after we saw our first wanted poster of us…”

I’m a cowboy,
I’m wanted dead or alive
I’m a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I’m wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive.

Kale grinned at Kira as he finished the verse. She smiled back, then slapped him across the face. Kale was, of course, surprised and shook his head to clear the slight daze in his mind.

“What the hell was that for?” he asked, staring back at her.

“For not telling me you were an outlaw,” Kira answered, then kissed him gently, “And that’s for welcoming Jenna and I into your house…”

“No problem Kira… But if you keep slapping me, I dunno how long that welcome will last…” Kale responded, grinning playfully. Kira giggled slightly and playfully pushed him sideways.

“So have you gotten captured before? I mean, before Silent Spring?” Kira asked.

“Nope. Never. We were the most elusive outlaws to try and follow, let alone capture!” Kale said, smirking inwardly. Kira gave him a smirk.

“Then why did you get captured at Silent Spring?” she inquired. Kale blushed slightly and chuckled.

“Two reasons: One, the sheriff’s as crooked as they come…” Kale answered, getting another chuckle out of Kira, “Two, I fell in love…” Kira slowly dropped her smile and stared into Kale’s icy-blue eyes. “I love you, Kira…”

“I love you too, Kale…” Kira replied. Kale set his guitar off to the side and took Kira in his arms, leaning closer until their muzzles touched and their lips met. The two kissed passionately for a few minutes before finally pulling apart. A second later, the two were kissing again, lying across the roof as their lips locked once more. After roughly fifteen minutes, they pulled apart again and grinned at one another, Kira gently fingering his black bandanna.

“Well, I’d better get to bed…” Kale said, sitting upright, “Gonna be an eventful day tomorrow…”

“Kale, wait!” Kira called after him as he began to walk back toward the side of his house his window was on, “Do me a favor please? If my Dad comes, please don’t kill him… Please…”

“Sure thing, Kira… I won’t kill your Daddy…” Kale replied, giving her a warm, loving smile before climbing back down into his bedroom and shutting the window. Kira walked to the same side and slipped into the open window of her bedroom.

Downstairs, Balto and Jenna sat on the couch in front of the fireplace. The two stared into the orangey-red glow of the fire, putting them in a near trance. Jenna had changed into a white cotton robe for relaxing as she cuddled up to Balto. Kaltag roamed about the house, checking to make sure everything was set up for tomorrow. After that, he walked upstairs and into his bedroom. Jenna looked up at Balto and kissed his cheek.

“You know what, Balto? I don’t care what my father says or thinks anymore…” Jenna whispered, “I love you Balto, and nothing’s going to change that…”

“I love you too, Jenna…” Balto responded, gently stroking her cheek, then her red bandanna, “Your bandanna goes really well with your fur… Like Kale’s does…”

“Why don’t you wear a bandanna?” Jenna asked softly, “I’m sure you’d look even tougher than you do now…”

“Nah, bandanna’s and I never really got along well…” Balto answered, chuckling softly before looking back down at Jenna, “But is that what you really wanna talk about right now?” Jenna laughed and shook her head.

“No, I’d rather not talk at all… I’d rather just do this…” Jenna stated and kissed Balto, the two sharing their love. The couple stayed locked in their romantic moment for several minutes before they finally parted and Balto stood up.

“Well, I’d better hit the hay…” said Balto, “Big day tomorrow, you know… G’night, Jenna…” Balto kissed her hand politely before walking up the stairs and into his room. He slipped out of his clothes and placed his bandolier on the post of his bed before climbing in and covering his eyes with his hat. He heard someone enter and lifted his hat, spotting Jenna.

“Jenna? What is it?” Balto