Balto and Steele: The story of Steele

 
Balto, Steele (c) Universal

Sharp (c) Taka_PL

Connell, Flann, Ulf (c) Me >:B

Balto entered the boiler room leaving cold wind behind his back. He knew he would be here. And he was right. He smiled when he spotted large black and white husky lying in the middle of the room. Balto came near and lay down next to his step-brother.

“Nice to see you, bro.” Steele grinned.

Balto nodded. “Steele, to be honest… well, since I know you are my brother, I would want to hear something about your childhood… if you don‘t mind...“

“Whatever, Balto… but… it’s quite long story.” Steele sighed.

“I understand... if you don’t want to speak about it, then-“

“No,” Steele interrupted him, “I will tell you… maybe then you will understand my deeds and all I did few weeks ago…”

**********

Steele tried to grab ear of his mother and when he managed it, he yelped with excitement.

Mother looked at him and smiled. “That’s my little Steele…” and nuzzled her son.

“I love you, mommy…” he laughed as her nose met his cheek.

Mother smiled too and made few strokes with her tongue over his tummy. Steele squirmed in pleasure. “It tickles!” he tried to grab mum’s maw. She hugged him and whispered: “You are my one and only... I won’t give you to anybody, honey.”

Then door opened and two men came in. One was the owner of Steele and the second…

Well, he didn’t look like pleasant and outgoing one. Steele’s mother slightly growled, but then she realized what was going to happen.

“No…” she whispered in awe.

“Mum? Something wrong?” Steele wondered.

“… I think $100 is little bit too much for a pup like this.” The unknown one said.

“Trust me, he’s worth it. You will get really great sledge dog. His father-“

“I don’t care about his father…” Man kneeled and took a look at Steele. He scowled then and Steele hugged his mom. The look of man’s eyes was cold and unfriendly.

“Mum?” Steele whispered.

Man stood up and smirked. “I’ll give you $80. Not more.”

Steele’s owner thought about it for a while and then he smiled. “Deal! You won’t regret it mister Sorley!”

Steele’s mum knew what it meant. Her eyes were full of tears, but there was nothing she could do.

“Steele… promise me that you will… that you will make me proud of you. And don’t forget me and your dad…” She hugged his son as her tears were falling on his fur.

“Mum… why are you saying things like-“ But then cold and unknown hands grabbed him.

He yelped. “Mum! What are they doing? Where are they taking me? Mum!” He shouted, but his mum closed her eyes and cried quietly.

“My Steele… my Steele…”

Later that day, Steele’s father Sharp came home. He found his mate in tears and despair.

“Love, where is Steele?” He asked, but then he realized it. She looked at him with her tear- stained eyes and sobbed: “Sharp… Steele’s gone…”

He lay near her and hugged her. “It’s all right, love… he will be all right. Hush… he will make us proud…” And although he was considered to be strong as a lead dog, his eyes became wet too.

**********

“I’ve… I’ve never seen them again…” Steele whined. Balto laid comforting paw on his shoulder: “I am sorry, Steele.” And he didn’t know what else to say.

‘Steele, I know how you feel right now. I... I am so sorry for that.’ Those words echoed in his head, but his tongue refused to work. It was better to stay quiet.

Balto admitted he hadn’t known this side of Steele till now. Steele had been keeping all these feelings and memories and he hadn’t had anybody to share with.

Steele continued.

**********

His new owner lived in White Mountain. It wasn’t as far away from his old home, but Steele had never been so far from the place where he lived all his puppyhood. Man came inside and eight dogs surrounded him instantly. They were obviously happy their master came back. And they were eager and curious as they smelt new strange scent. Steele, hidden in old blanket, looked outside. It was ordinary wooden cabin and it was obvious his new master lived alone. But house was really tidy and well kept. There were furs on the walls and even fireplace in the living room. Second part of the house was for the dogs. Every one has it own bed, bowl and … that was funny … beloved toy.

Man’s behavior changed, as he met his dogs again. Eyes changed, now they were friendly and happy, voice went smoother and calmer and Steele knew this man loved his dogs more than people.

“Oh, oh… easy, you! Look, I brought a new one!” man laughed and he set Steele free.

Steele laid his ears back and was scared. Too many new and unknown dogs…

“So… meet Steele!” Man smiled and went to the kitchen to get some food.

Dogs stood aside as one of them came to Steele. It was gray and white husky, looking like his dad, but… his dad would never watch him with hostility and threats in his eyes. Dog sniffed and then he smirked. “Garbage…” Two or three dogs laughed, but they stopped as one female frowned and growled. “Connell, leave him be! He is just a scared pup! You were the same!”

Connell turned his head. “Ah, Flann, nice as always… shut up.” But Flann pushed Connell aside and sat in front of Steele. “Hi, Steele… I am Flann. I hope we will be friends.” She smiled and nuzzled him.

‘Like my mum…’ Steele thought as her nose met his chest. “Mum…” He whispered. He had been with her in the morning, but now… unknown dogs around him.

“You want your mum, don’t you?” Flann whispered in silent question. Of course he missed her so much. He nodded and heard Connell’s laugh. Flann turned and sent Connell look full of… well, Steele didn’t see it, but he was pretty sure it had to be look full of something dangerous because Connell shut up immediately. Flann gently picked Steele up by the scruff and laid him in her bed.

“It will be good. Don’t pay attention to Connell… he is big headed jerk.” She smiled. Steele whispered silent thanks and looked at her. Now, he had enough time to see her better. Her fur hadn’t the same colour as his mother’s or father’s was. It was the first time in his life he saw husky with reddish brown fur.

“I know you are frightened and lone…” Flann lay near him. “… and you miss your mum. But, I will be there for you, Steele. I’ll be your mum… hope you will accept it…” She nuzzled him softly and Steele nestled up near her, feeling her warm body, hearing her heartbeat.

‘Like my mum…’ he sobbed and he hid his head in her soft and dense fur.

Flann smiled. She was the only female in Connell’s team and although young, about one year, she wanted to have pups. And Steele… she accepted him like son of her own. “Don’t be afraid, Steele.

I will take a good care for you…”

“Ohhh… look who fell for that little brat!” It was Connell who was watching them all the time. He came near and smirked. 

“Connell, shut up...” Flann hissed as he smirked.

“Come on, Flann. What do you say about little-“ He brushed his tail agains her side, licking his muzzle lustfully. But Flann pushed him aside.

“I don’t want you. And I never will. I thought I made it clear long time ago!” Flann growled.

“Maybe you will change your mind after-“

“Get out! Even if you were the last dog in this goddamned world, I wouldn’t be your mate!” She shouted.

“It’s because of him, isn’t it?!” Connell shouted too, pointing at Steele.

“Ah, you are so paranoid, Connell! Just face it! I don’t want you!”

Connell just gave her a look full of sorrow. “This is mistake, Flann... you are making one of your worst mistakes.” He raised his eyebrows. And that was too much. Flann slapped him.

“GET OUT, YOU IDIOT!”

Connell scowled. “We will see... we will see...” he murmured and left the room.

Next few months were full of exciting and new events. At least for Steele. Flann adopted him completely, sharing with him her food, sleeping with him in one bed. He was still young, still puppy. And the other dogs accepted him apart from Connell. It wasn’t hate that Steele saw in Connell face every time he looked at him. It was pure hostility. And the reasons why Steele hadn’t been dead yet were Flann and master Sorley. She had great influence in the pack, and master... Well, you won’t bite hand that gives you food, will you?

**********

“I see,” Balto said when Steele stopped and went to nearby bowl of water. “So, Flann was like Jenna?”

“Hmmm...” Steele nodded with tongue in the bowl. “But...,” he raised his head again, “I’d prefer to talk about her in the present time. She IS. I believe she is.”

“So, Flann is something like mother for you?” Balto gave another question.

“Well,” Steele shook his head, “You will see...”

********** 

Almost one year passed. One year of news and experience. Lot of things changed. But there are things that are eternal, too… or just don’t change quickly enough… not as quickly as we would want to…

Steele yawned as Flann’s nose nudged him gently. Now, he was almost mature dog, he had his own bed right near Flann.

“Wake up, Steele, today is the great day for you.”

Steele murmured something like: It can wait a little bit longer..., but Flann kept nudging him until he opened his eyes. And his look met window and falling snow. In fact, snow was falling down for few days and it meant just one thing. Sledge and mushing. Sorley was really eager. He had been preparing harnesses and sledge for few days and now he was ready.

“Mu-... uh, Flann? Great day? Why?” Steele yelped. He almost called Flann mum again as he had done many times before.

She smiled and nuzzled him. But now, Steele wasn’t puppy anymore. He was young and strong dog and Flann knew the old times were gone. In fact, they became really good friends. Yes, she was almost year and a half older than he was, but... but... there was maybe something more than friendship...  

“Your first