said after Nataki's eyes shone with panic.

"Oh....okay. Um...sorry. Yeah, well, I just-- it's just-- I--I really want you to get better!!!" she stammered, blurting the last part out, embarassed. She silently cursed at herself as she abruptly decided to leave.

Streak was grateful for her words, and he understood her concern, but still there was something else he had hoped she would say. But he kept his hopes up as he remembered her embarassed stuttering.

That night, Nataki finally went home. Her owners were relived to have her back. But, of copurse, they knew why she was late-- Streak's owners had gave Nataki's a visit.

Now, curled up by the warm fireplace, Nataki was deep in thought. So many things were on her mind, she didn't even hear the rattle of food being poured in her dish.

Why? Why didn't I tell hime! Rrrrrrrr..... I hate myself! And-- ugh! How could I be so stupid?!!! she thought.

The truth was, Nataki like Streak. A lot. And ever since the attack, they had grown even closer, closer than thier usual relationship as jsut friends. If only she could muster the courage to tell him......

The next day, Steele had fully recovered. When his trio of followers ( Nikki, Kaltag, and Star) had heard about Steele's sucess, they hadn't been so amazed as they usually would.

"Good job, boss, but, eh, ya think ya was a little, I dunno, too harsh on the little one?" Nikki cautiously said. Kaltag followed with, " Yeah! You were hard, unessacery, you were--" he was cut off by Star. " You shouldn't have done that!" Star exclaimed, and for once, Kaltag didn't bang him on his head.

Steele, however, felt like he had been hit in the head. How could his companions say this? They "dissaproved" of him attacking Streak? Why?

Steele growled and moved closer, angry. " Hey,boss, what're you doin'? Uh... guys? We better RUN!!!!!!" Nikki shouted, and the three dogs bolted out of the alleyway. Steele lept after them. He, again, would attack. As he was chasing the trio, a brown and scruffy canine jumped into Steele's path. " Steele! What do you think you are doing?!" he said.

It was Balto, a spunky wolf hybrid that was known as a hero in Nome. He had carried life-saving diptheria and saved a sled team ( that, coincidentaly, was Steele's lost team) to bring the medicine to Jenna, a beutiful red-and-white husky's,  owner , Rosy. Soon after that, Jenna was expecting puppies, Nataki being one of them.

Steele had hated Balto ever since he laid eyes on him. " Get out of may way, wolfdog!" he shouted.

" No! Not if you're chasing them!" Balto replied bravley, pointing his paw to the three dogs taht had stopped running, and were now panting hard. They stared down the street ar thir pursuer and Balto.

"Hey, Balto! Yeah, he was chasing us! All we did was tell him he shouldn't have been mean to Streak!" Star called to Balto.

Balto then just stared Steele down. " Leave them alone", he said slowly. After hearing this, Steele just gave up. What was the use? Ever since "the hero" had returned, the town's dogs had turned against Steele. The only ones who even went near Steele were Nikki, Kaltag, Star, and Streak. But those dogs had steered their days further and further away from him and towards the more positive influence of Balto.

"You won this time..... but I'll make sure you lose.... you mangy MUTT!!!" Steele thought darkly. He'd make Balto suffer for all the times he turned the dogs turn on him, and that was a promise.

Steele didn't break promises.