He then went up to her quickly and wrapped her in his arms. He sounded like he had never been happier to see her. Aleu had a light smile on with her eyes closed, feeling the same way. She put her paw on his left shoulder and held herself close to him. After a few seconds, Aleu got up quickly, pinned him down with her paws on his shoulders, and licked him on the face. Aleu lying right on top of him made Steven un-able to get up.   Aleu was licking him continuously.

Steven: Oh, c’mon girl, (Laughing) stop it. 

            Aleu put her head up and stared at him, with her gazing eyes again. Steven finally got a chance to look at her without being licked. 

Steven: (Quietly) Oh girl. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you. 

            Aleu lied back down, still being on top of him, and rested her head next to his on his shoulder, closing her eyes. 

Steven: (Whispering) I missed you… It’s so good to see you… And I’m so glad you came back. 

            Aleu got up and sat down on the bed and Steven sat up in front of her. He took his hand and held the right side of her face and lightly rubbed it. Aleu put her paw close to his hand, again closing her eyes with an open smile. 

Steven: Oh, look at you. You haven’t changed a bit, unless you’ve gotten more beautiful. 

            Aleu was touched and started to cry happy tears. He was so unbelievably sweet to her for a human. She had never know a single human like him. She tilted her head and licked his hand as he rubbed her cheek.   

            Aleu then jumped off the bed and faced towards the way outside. She moved her head in the direction leading out side as if she was signaling him to come with her. 

Steven: Alright girl. Let me get dressed and I’ll be right out.  

            Aleu started to walk out. But then Steven quickly caught her for a second. 

Steven: Hey wait! 

            Aleu then quickly turned her head to see what the mater was. She noticed Steven walking up to her and then she turned around. He got down on his knees and rubbed the sides of her face. Aleu started to wonder if anything was wrong.

Steven: (Smiling) Thanks for coming back. 

            Steven bent down to give her a hug.  

Steven: I really did miss you. 

            Steven backed up and rubbed her face again. 

Aleu: Now go ahead, I’ll be right out. 

            Aleu headed out side to wait for him to get ready. Not a thing wrong at all. She felt so lucky to have him as her best human friend. She had never been so happy with any other human.

            She waited as long as it took, being very patient. Steven then came out in his black pea coat and black hat like always, and they walked towards Balto’s home together with Balto, Jenna, Kodi, and the clan waiting for them.

Chapter 11

             Niju was looking for food and a place to stay for the night. He spent the whole day getting to know the area, finding his dinner and another cave to sleep in for the night. Aleu, her family, and her friends all slept at Balto’s home. He didn’t mind it at all. They stayed up late with the home made northern lights as their company.

By the time every one decided to go to sleep, so did Niju. After he ate, he slowly walked to the cave. The cave was near the end of the forest, so he could almost see the town. He could actually catch a glimpse of the lights that they made. It was pretty clear. Watching as he walked by, he headed toward the cave. 

 Once he got inside he lied right down on the cave floor, thinking about what Aleu said, although he still couldn’t think of her name. He was lonely. Although his thoughts were clear about what he knew he wanted to do, he still felt a little empty, he just couldn’t think of what was making him feel this way. 

What am I doing wrong? He thought. I tried to apologize to her and she won’t accept it. I don’t even know her.

            Niju took a deep breath.

 Niju: Now what am I going to do.   

_ 

            Every one was getting ready to go to sleep. They all picked their places and started to lie down. Aleu was planning on staying up a bit so she could finally talk to Farris about what was wrong with her that morning. So she took her time and thought how she was going to put it in words.

            Farris was lying down with the clan in one area to talk about how Aleu was feeling that morning. Farris, of course, started the conversation. 

Farris: I just don’t understand. I can’t think of which reason she would have been so upset today. 

Nuk: Did she tell you anything?  

Farris: Well… she did give me a clue. She told me it was bad memories. And she told me that she would tell me about it. But she said it wasn’t the right time.    

Sarah: Well in that case, don’t rush her then. She will get to it when she does. It would be wise to be patient.  

Farris: (Heavy breath) maybe your right. Maybe I’m pushing it too hard on her.

Sarah: No offence, but I agree with you.

Farris: You think so? 

            Sara nodded in honesty. 

Farris: Well… I’m going to go talk to her. 

Nuk: Why are you getting so worked up about her anyway? 

Farris: I don’t know… I’m just worried. 

            Farris got up to go to Aleu to talk to her. Sarah looked at Nuk with a little bit of an angry glance and hit him on the shoulder with her paw like he was being rude. 

Nuk: (A high whisper) Hey! What was that for?  

Sarah: You know what. What do you mean, “Why are you so worked up about her?”

Nuk: I was just curious.

Sarah: Well, next time try not to be rude being curious. He’s very worried about Aleu, and maybe you should be too. 

Nuk: Alright, alright. 

            Yak began to laugh at the sight of Nuk being hit. Nuk turned towards him and bopped him on the head with his heavy paw. Yak saw stars, as well as Sumac laughing at him as well.

Sumac: Ha ha. (snort) He went and hit you on the head-

            As soon as he finished his sentence, he was cut off by being hit in the head by Yak, and began to see stars too.

            When Farris got up to talk to Aleu, she thought about going up to him herself to tell him about what was wrong that morning.  Looking away for a while, they both bumped into each other by surprise.

Farris: Oh, hey.

Aleu: Hey. 

            They both talked at the same time, both saying: “I need to talk to you”. They both stopped and laughed a little. 

Aleu: Uh, you go first. 

Farris: Ok, well… listen, about this morning. When you looked depressed earlier, I just couldn’t get my mind off of it. And I kept bugging you.

Aleu: No, Farris you weren’t bugging me- 

Farris: No. I mean, it’s ok. Listen I don’t mean to rush you. And that was exactly what I was doing. You tell me what’s wrong when you think the time is right. From now on I’m not going to bug you about it. 

Aleu: Oh, Farris.

            She went up to him and gave him a hug and he hugged back. 

Aleu: Don’t worry. You’re not rushing me. It’s ok.

Farris: Well I’ll still wait. It’s your business.

Aleu: Thanks Farris. You’re very sweet

Farris: Good night. 

            Farris walked away towards the others and Aleu watched him as he went. Balto came up behind her to tell her good night.

Balto: Are you tired Aleu?

Aleu: A little bit. Are you going to bed?

Balto: Yeah, it’s late, and your mother went home.

Aleu: Ok. Good night.  

            They gave each other a hug and kiss good night.

Balto: Welcome home, Aleu. I love you. 

Aleu: I love you too, Papa.