Balto walked through the middle of Nome, unsure of where to go. He was new to this place, never seen any of the other animals that live around here. He walked past an alleyway that had an opening at both ends. A red and white female husky was walking his way, he stopped to watch. A big black and white male behind her. The male was trying to get the female’s attention but it wasn’t working. Balto growled slightly, he never liked it when males tried to get mates that way.

“Leave her alone,” he growled, walking into the alleyway. They both stopped and looked at Balto, “and you think I’ll listen to you? Ha ha, very funny.” The male walked past the female and stood in front of Balto, Balto was only up to his collar.

“My names Steele, and you, mutt?” Steele asked in a stern and ticked off voice. “Balto, my names Balto, and you leave that female alone, go bother someone else.” Balto heard Steele growl so he growled as well. The female walked forward and stood between them. “Steele, leave me alone, or I’ll kill myself.” She growled lightly. Steele was shocked at that and turned around, “find…you win; this time.” He trotted off the direction he came.

“I could of handled that myself you know,” Balto said, “ha ha, very funny.” The female said, facing Balto. “My names Jenna, and you?” She asked, tilting her head to the side a bit. Balto smiled, “nice to meet you, I’m Balto, I’m new around here…” he said, flicking his tail a bit. “Hmmm…let me show you around then, come on…” she walked past him, back onto the streets. Balto turned and followed, staying close by her, he never believed in love at first site but now he does. He swallowed and kept his shoulders low. * * * *

Jenna showed him her house, stores, libraries and everything else that was in town. Last thing she showed him was an old boat that got swept up to the shore. “No one has ever tried to move it, no one even comes here anymore.” She said, going through a hole in the side, climbing the stairs that led to the deck. “I like it here, as I said before, I’m new, I have no family, friends…no home…” he said slowly, looking out at the town. He sighed and sat down, watching the stars appear slowly. Jenna came and sat beside him, “well…maybe this can be your home from now on, I can bring a blanket that my girl never uses.” She said, wrapping her tail around her paws.

“Thanks…” Balto said after a moment, “and I can be your first friend.” She giggled slightly and smiled. He smiled as well but didn’t move, “Steele…needs a lesson he will never forget.” Jenna sighed, “don’t worry about it, it’s not like he would hurt me in any way, but all the other females around here fall for him.” She shrugged and looked down, Balto grunted slightly. “I can see why they would, he’s strong, brave, and big.” He swallowed and flicked his ear, “all I see in him is…” Jenna hesitated, Balto looked at her, “go on…” he said, staying quiet. “All I see in him is a glory hound, someone who wants attention, the best one to stay with forever and a big family, I don’t want that, so I don’t like him.”

She shivered slightly, “it’s late, why don’t I walk you back home and then see you around tomorrow.” Balto said standing up, he turned around and walked back down the stairs and out the hole, Jenna just a foot behind him. When they got past the beginning of the buildings they walked side by side, staying quiet they kept going, unsure of what to say. It was awkward but Balto liked spending time with Jenna. * * * *

Once they got to her home Jenna turned to look at him, “thanks for coming all this way, I’m sure Steele is too busy right now grooming himself to bother you, just don’t let him know where you live.” She smiled sweetly one last time at Balto, before turning and heading inside, leaving Balto in the dark. “Don’t worry, I can stand up for myself,” he said softly, turning, he trotted off, back to his new home, hoping to see Boris on the way.

Not meeting Boris he sighed and went upstairs in the small space that the humans used to drive the boat, Balto curled up and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep. It was troubling at times, Steele barging in and attacking him when he was asleep, or Jenna being chased and brought down to the ground. But sometimes Balto had nice dreams, of spending all the time with Jenna and being stronger than Steele.

* * * *

“Wake up! Wake! Up!” Someone shouted, waking Balto. “What? What is it?!” He asked, looking around fast, then relaxing when it was only Boris. “Sorry to wake you Balto, nice place you have here, but come on, its almost noon, about time you got up already.” Boris turned around and headed downstairs and out the hole. Balto followed, yawning a bit. “Where are you bringing me?” Balto asked, walking beside Boris. “To the water, you look thirsty,” Boris said in a calm tone, “aww…Boris…really? I was hoping you found some friends,” Balto said in an irritated tone.

“Come on…drink…then we will go find that friend of yours.” Boris said in a stern tone, “don’t look at me, I saw you two yesterday, you walking her home and then on the way back. You looked like you just came from a sweet dream filled with candy.” Boris chuckled and walked off again, Balto walking behind him once again, he was irritated even more that Boris had spied on him, but Boris was his guardian and Balto understood that, as he did everything else Boris did.