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OOC: Adding one of my own chars, k? ^^ BTW, his name's pronounced Kin-gee or Kin-ji i. Either way. But he himself pronounces it the first way.

Star followed him, his tail held low. "I'm sorry,' he muttered. He looked up at Balto, and then back at the ground. He felt like it was his fault, even though it wasn't. He just hadn't gotten there in time. He could have possibly saved at least one wolf, but he was too late.

A wolf, Kinjii, followed their every move in the trees, walking with them, but not in sight of them. He walked silently, avoiding every branch and leaf in his wake.The black and grey wolf's auds were pinned forward, listening to the conversation. How odd, he thought to himself, a dog and a wolf, friends? I thought dogs were afraid of us... He shook his head. WAS this Balto a wolf? He did a double take. Definitely a wolf. Strange, that was a purebred husky on his back, and a mix following him, not at all wolves. He stepped out of the trees, just behind Star, making sure they didn't notice him. Being black and silver was a pretty good advantage sometimes. He tripped over a rock suddenly. "Aww, crap," he said as he thudded noisily to the ground. He was caught.

Star ignored it, thinking it was Kalgorn. He didn't even turn around, he just kept walking.

Balto, however, had heard the subtle whump of someone falling behind him. Half-expecting it to be Star, he turned his head back toward his friend and started to say,
"Star. are you..." Just then, he saw a black and silver wolf lying in a pile of snow.

Kinjii looked up and grinned sheepishly. "Uh... hi," the blue-eyed wolf said as he stood and shook the snow off. "Just... wandering around. Don't mind me." He slipped back into the shadows where they couldn't really see him because of his coloring. He sat there, just oout of sight, watching them and cursing himself under his breath for his clumsiness.

Star turned, too, but saw nothing. Kinjii had already gone. Or so it seemed. "What, Balto?" he asked, looking at Balto.

"There's a wolf just out of sight in those trees," Balto replied, nodding in Kinjii's direction, "I may not be able to see him, but I can smell him." He looked toward where Kinjii had disappeared, and gave a look that said: "You can't hide from me."

"I don't care if you know where I'm at," Kinjii muttered. "Who are you? I've never seen any wolf that has YOUR scent around. And hanging with dogs? Unthinkable." He shook his head sadly. The tip of his tail flashed silver before he went back to being unseen again. "And by the way..." He studied Balto for a moment. "It isn't wise for a wolf to wander in others' territory. Not that I care, but there's other wolves besides me, such as Keso." He paused for a moment. "You might want to watch out."

At the mention of Keso's name, Balto flinched. He turned and set Jenna down gently in the snow, and turned to look at Kinjii's vanishing form.
"You'll think twice before interfeering with my family, whoever you are. They mean the world to me and I won't hesitate to kill you if you harm them." He paused, then continued. "And don't lecture me on territory. That crazed wolf, Keso, is more dangerous than I'll ever be. It's you who should watch your back."

Without another word, he picked up Jenna, turned, and walked away.

"Wait a minute..." Kinjii peered through the darkness. "Aren't you Aniu's son?" He was distantly relatedto both Aniu and Balto's father, from Balto's siblings mating, and their children mating, and so on. His silver-tipped tail flashed from side to side. He stepped again out of the darkness.

Star stumbled backwards a bit as the large wolf came to stand in front of him, his side pressed against Star's muzzle.

"Balto?" Kinjii asked, still staring intently at him. "I've heard about you." He sat, ignoring Star, and continued. "In fact, I saw you. When you made the journey to the wilderness with Aleu to lead the pack across. I didn't go, though. I became a loner after that. I mean no harm. Sorry for startling you." He cleared his throat. "My name is Kinjii."

OOC: We have switched back. This is just after the first movie ended.

Balto stopped and half turned his head. "Kinjii? That name sounds familiar. But you say you're a loner? Well, if you need a place to stay, I've got an old fishing trawler not too far out of Nome. You're welcome to stay for a while if you want. C'mon, I'll take you there."

"All right, but don't tell the dogs I'm with you," Kinjii said. "I'm sorry I mistook you for a wolf at first." He wagged his tail in apology. "Would you like help with that dog?" He gestured toward Jenna with his muzzle.

"Her name's Jenna," Star interrupted. "And I'm Star."

"All right, that's nice..." Kinjii muttered, obviously annoyed by Star. "And what, may I ask, breed havy you got, that makes you so small?"

"I don't know. I'm a runt, I guess." Star looked thoughtful for a moment. "Malamute and Husky," he then added.

"Well... You, runt, definitely shouldn't be wandering in wolf territory. You could easily get killed. It's a death wish. In fact, I could end your puny life right now." He flashed his teeth in an evil grin. "But I won't," he added.

"I'd fight to the death," Star said proudly, although he was trembling slightly as he was overshadowed by the wolf.

"Really," Kinjii said thoughtfully. "Well then... Are you sure you want to die?" He flashed that wolfish smile again.

"No, I'm not," Star said matter-of-factly.

"Good. I don't like to murder; I only help dogs and wolves commit suicide." He laughed. It was true. He had killed many a wolf or dog wanting to die. They never fought back. Easy kills, but he only did them if he had to.

Balto nodded.
"Sure thing. I won't say a word. And no, I can carry Jenna, but thanks for your offer."

OOC: Dingowolf, feel free to join back in whenever, just have Jenna wake up or something of the sort.

Cale had made it back to the large, crowded den and had gotten to one of the back corners which was unoccupied, and fallen sound asleep along with some of the others in the pack. He had talked to Keso and decided he'd be fine out on his own exploring the new territory the pack had just taken, and he needed his beauty sleep anyway. Every now and then his ears would flicker back and forth to the sound of a few of the wolves fighting over a fresh kill, or gossiping over their recent victory in battle, but nothing seemed to disturb Cale as he slept right though all the distractions as if he was out like a rock, someone sure was tired!

The next day, Balto lay sleeping in the boiler room while Jenna was in the hospital. The doctor had assured Rosie that Jenna's injuries were none too serious, and that all she really needed was rest and good company. Maybe we'll go for a walk in the woods when she gets out, Balto thought. Suddenly, images flashed through his mind and he growled in his sleep as he relived seeing the mangled bodies of more than a hundred wolves.

He would be sure that Keso paid for what he had done.