And when they continued on, they found more of the same claw markings. It was a trail, almost as if to point in Balto's direction.

Eventually, the two travelers same to an opening in the trees.  It was the great water that Achak only heard about. It was so big and spectacular. Both of them wished they could admire it longer, but the search for Balto had to continue. The second the the two noticed, much to Achak's disappointment, was the human town next to the sea.

"Are we going to the humans, Achak?"

"Of course not." he sneered and began to walk again. "Come on. We'll look around. Balto's got to be around here somewhere."

The two of them climbed a small mountain just north of the town. Balto's scent seemed to be getting stronger in that direction, so that's where they went. Treading up the mountain was a quiet hike. Hokee trailed a bit behind, getting tired from the journey, but Achak walked slow enough so they didn't get separated.

Our of no where came a loud growling noise, that was louder than a wild-eyed grizzly. It scared Hokee half to death and it caused him to run under Achak for protection. The sound was so different to Achak too, but he didn't dare show any signs of fear in case he had to fight. The loudness hurt his ears immensely, but it eventually went away. And as soon as the growling disappeared a smaller brown wolf raced through the same wooded area Achak and Hokee were.

The black and silver wolf watched the brown wolf run in the direction of the growling, as if it was hunting it. He sniffed the air and was blasted by the scent he had been pursuing. It was indeed Balto.

"Come on, Hokee!" Achak started running after Kiona's father, Hokee struggling to keep up. Achak was having a difficult time himself keeping up with the small, swift brown wolf, but eventually he stopped to catch his breath.

Balto looked back, feeling himself being watched and seen the massive black and silver wolf approaching him.

The older hybrid's first thought was why this huge wolf was, possibly, after him? He had never seen the other in his life. But then seeing the pup with the other, relaxed slightly, as well as the fact the wolf didn't seem to be acting aggressively towards him. There was a strange sharpness in his blue eyes though that made Balto a bit wary. He backed up slightly as the other walked up a bit close.

"Uh..." he smiled a bit nervously. The other was pretty intimidating. "Can I help you?" His maroon eyes shifted to the blonde pup beside the wolf, who had plopped down on his rear to catch his breath. Who was he and why was he with the large wolf? They looked nothing alike. Were they even related?

Achak eyed the smaller intently. This was the one he was looking for? This skinny... Sniffing, the alpha couldn't help his lip from twitching slightly in distaste. Hybrid. His bright blue eyes shifted to lock to the other's.

"Are you Balto?" It seemed Hokee's presence had momentarily taken a back seat, though the silver streaked wolf could hear him beside him. Right now this was business.

The wolf knew him? Well, his name at least. But why? How? The hybrid didn't know many wolves. And of the ones he had met, they were long gone. But as he just stared at the large wolf, thinking to himself, Balto could see the other didn't have much patience for him as his blue eyes narrowed after a moment of silence. Clearing his throat, finally he spoke up. Angering the other was not something he wanted.

"Yes, I am, sorry. I was just wondering if I could possibly know you som--"

"No, you don't know me." Balto was even more confused now, one dark brown ear tilting down and his mouth hung open a bit. The black and silver wolf sighed a bit, closing his eyes.

"So, how do you know my name then?" He was rather curious now. Achak opened his eyes again, and they seemed to be calmer, softer. The hybrid could see what appeared to be passion, caring in the blue depths as well, which took him aback slightly. What was this about?

"I knew your daughter."

Balto shifted his eyes around then back to the black wolf. "Which one?" he asked, narrowing it down to two possibilities.

"Kiona." Achak replied.

The brown hybrid blinked, lost in thought for a moment or two. It had been a long time since he heard that name, and he was so glad he finally did. He didn't know of the whereabouts of his daughter since she left and her human returned. Balto figured it was because she had been sold, but apparently she's made it with wolves like her sister Aleu and was doing quite well for herself.

"You know Kiona?" Balto smiled. "How is she? How do you know her?" He wanted to know everything that's happened to her all this time. He was certain her adventures were going to be fascinating.

"...thats why I came to find you." Achak explained. "Come with me." Achak led Balto around the territory, especially near the ocean, where Hokee took the time to play. The wolf explained how he met Kiona, his relationship with her, and how she died. Balto seemed very surprised about it all, and sad that his daughter had to give up her life. He decided that after a few moments of silence that he could lighten the mood a bit between the two of them.

"So, I'm a grandfather, huh?"

Achak nodded, watching Hokee try to catch a fish. "It would seem so."

"And Hokee here? He isn't yours?"

"No, he isn't." He smiled once Hokee caught the fish, then lost it again. "Kiona found him when he was very small and weak. And we've been taking care of him. We guessed his mother more than likely abandoned him."

Balto stared long and hard at the pup. "What about his father?"

Achak shook his head. He didn't have any idea about Hokee's father. Since the pup made it through a few months of life before he was found again, he was certain that the mother was taking care of him up till that point. The father must have run out on them like the cowardly servant of man they've always been.

"I was wondering.... because I know a dog that looks just like him."

"Alot of dogs look the same." Achak scoffed.

Judging by the wolf's reply, Balto guessed dogs weren't high on his list of animals he liked. He'd better be careful then perhaps, being half dog himself. Thinking a moment, eying Hokee again, who wagged his tail a bit, shyly but in a friendly way. He wondered... Clearing his throat, he took a breath before speaking.

"If you don't mind, just to find out for sure, I'd like to go ask him. Maybe they're related? In the mean time you're welcome to come and stay where I live just down the shore here." Hopefully it wouldn't take too long, not wanting to ware on the huge wolf's patience.

Achak glanced down the shore line, his blue eyes locking onto a structure in the distance. Perhaps there was what the hybrid meant?

"There?" Hokee's ears perked, glancing over himself, squinting his eyes, but curious to see. Balto nodded.

"Yeah, it isn't much, but it's home for me. I don't live in town." Well that was a relief for Achak. For any other shelter, they would have to travel into the woods, into perhaps unknown territory. An while staying this close to the town didn't thrill the wolf, they didn't really have a choice. Perhaps the dog was right about his friend being related? The alpha had always been curious as to who the father was after all. Sighing briefly, thinking it over, eventually the black and silver wolf came to his decision, turning back to the hybrid.

"Very well, we'll follow you there and wait while you find out." Beside him, Hokee was also relieved to hear they were taking a rest. All the traveling had made him rather tired. His brown tipped tail wagged as he stood. Balto smiled some.

"This way then." Even if Achak had already seen the way. The brown wolf dog started walking down the shore, hearing the two behind him.

Upon nearing the structure, the old worn down wooden boat that Balto stayed in, the dog paused, hearing voices. Familiar ones at that, coming from the boat. His friends Boris the goose, as well as Muk and Luk, the two polar bears. They must have gotten back from the little day trip Balto had convinced Boris to take the two bears on. Glancing back at his two guests, he grew a little nervous. How would they all get along?

"There a problem?" The alpha asked as they passed the hybrid. Balto smiled apologetically at them.

"Um, no, just that my friends that also live here are back." The silver streaked wolf snorted slightly, but didn't stop walking, going past the wolfdog the rest of the way to the boat, Hokee obediently following still beside him. Balto hoped things would play along smoothly. For the safety of his friends atleast.

On the boat, on deck, Boris was currently cleaning, mop in his grip. Under his breath he was muttering a mixture of English and his own native Russian. Hearing heavy pawfalls up the boat ramp, the snow goose assumed it to be Balto returning from town, and didn't even think twice about it being anyone else. He continued his cleaning, his back currently to the opening where the alpha wolf and pup were currently climbing.

"Finally! you get to go off and visit in town and relax, while I was stuck with those two furry schmucks all day in the forest." He was just teasing of course, in his own affectionate, grumpy way. Just now seeming to notice that the pawfalls were quite heavy, the goose wondered if that meant something. "What's with the heavy paws, too much excitement in town?" he chuckled, beginning to turn around. But his eyes caught sight of the two polar bears as he did, pausing. "What's wrong with you two, no annoying jabber?" The two were actually currently clinging to each other in terror, Muk whimpering and pointing to something behind the bird. "What? Spit it out, bears!" Finally he turned and was in for the surprise of his life. The huge black and silver wolf was shadowing him, looking down at him with sharp blue eyes. "Ahh! who are you?!" he whipped the mop around in his grip to point at the huge alpha, backing away. A wolf! A wolf was here! Why?! But finally who he was expecting to be there walked up, coming around the wolf.

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