Hey, what's up all! I got a story here I started about 2, almost 3 years ago. I never finished it, or touched for about a year. Skimmed through it the other day and saw it was awful. I laughed through about half of it unable to believe I once thought this story was good. Then I thought this is too funny to keep to myself, why not share it. So here ya go. Don't feel bad for making fun of it, you won't hurt my feelings or anything, I don't think I'll ever continue it.
So yeah, disclaimer-I think you all will be able to tell who is Universals characters, Tricksy belongs to Cyberwolf, Kane and Clover are names that have been used before. These two though I hate to admit it belong to me. I haven't edited it so there will be mistakes, if you see your character in here, and I forgot to mention you tell me.
One more thing, I never gave it a title. So have a good laugh
“Almost got it, there we go.” Kane thought to himself, “Hee, hee, I knew it wouldn’t be so hard. Now, time to ditch this ****-hole.”
Kane took off running into the woods. He was unafraid of anything but, that is how you get when you spent the first three entire years of your life being forced to fight, kill and beaten none stop. Kane was a special dog, as he was not all dog, but half wolf as well. However, his wolfish looking blood red fur that covered his back with a dark gray underside was not the first thing anyone notices about Kane, but rather the strange weapon that the humans put on him to never come off again.
This weapon was made of a very hard medal. A ring went around his neck like a collar. Attached to the ring were two metal bands that came at and angel around his jaw and one more that came up around the top of his head. The three bands met in front of his nose. Along them were inch long surraided knife blades angled forward. Two blades were connected to form a plus were the bands connected at the front of his face.
No matter how hard he tried Kane could not break the inch and a half wide, and inch thick ring that was specially welded onto his neck. The metal was so hard that it had been put through a year of intense abuse and showed no sighs of wear. So Kale learned to live with the awful thing.
Despite the weapon Kane was an excellent fighter. In fact he rarely used the thing to attack. He only used it when his life depended on it, or when his anger got the best of him.
For a day Kane walked through the never-ending forest until he came upon a small-secluded village known as Nome Alaska.
“Huh, maybe there’s food.” he thought hopefully.
He entered the town on a dark night and searched. He caught the stench of meat and followed it to the source, a trashcan behind the butcher. Disappointed to find only a few scraps, not enough to call a meal, he ate the pieces quickly. Suddenly foot steps caught his attention. Kane hid, ready to pounce, to see a female husky walk by the entrance to the alley with a stern and angry look upon her face. Then he noticed another husky run by to catch up to her.
Kane ran out from his hiding place and, with the help of some stacked logs, made it to the top of a building. He began jumping from rooftop to rooftop following the two dogs. This was perhaps one of his weaknesses. He was curious about different things. The two dogs stopped near the outskirts of Nome and Kane strained to hear the conversation.
“I can’t believe you’d ask something like that!” said the female.
“What, I think we’ve known each other for long enough now.” the orange and white male husky said in a sly voice.
“WE’VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR ONE WEEK!” the female screamed.
“Well, that’s long enough in my book.” He said moving closer.
“You know what, WE”RE THROUGH!” yelled the female and began to walk away.
“WHAT! NO ONE, I MEAN NO ONE LEAVES ME!” yelled the male.
The female husky started to become afraid of her new ex-boyfriend.
He smiled and smacked her across the face. She fell unprepared for the sudden attack. She didn’t have to look to see what he was planning on doing to her and it made her sick to her stomach.
“Ahhh!” the male screamed as he was tossed. He got up and looked at his opponent.
The other husky closed and, kept closed her eyes when she was hit. She only heard.
“Wha, who are you and, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” he yelled a little nervous.
The new dog started as if he didn’t hear his opponents comment.
“I can’t stand those who attack a female, especially one who did not expect it and is out muscled.”
“Go away you freak, this does not concern you!”
“It concerns me when I see innocents getting attacked.”
The female then heard the sounds of battle and one dog run away whimpering. She couldn’t keep her eyes closed any longer. She opened them to see the outline of a dog looking at her fleeing ex-boyfriend. Then he turned and walked closer to her and into some light shining from a nearby lantern.
“Are you okay?” Kane asked.
She only gasped at the strange metallic weapon that hugged his face.
“Please, do not run away. I’m not going to harm you.” he pleaded quickly.
She didn’t say anything.
“Can I know your name?”
The female finally regained her speech and nodded toward him in a shaky voice. “I-its C-C-Clover.”
“Clover huh, wel…” Kane started but stopped when some other voices were heard.
“I think it came from over here.” said one voice.
Clover turned to see an old St. Bernard come around the corner followed by two other dogs. She turned to talk to Kane but he was gone without a trace.
“Are you serious!” exclaimed Dusty excitedly the next morning. “I always thought that Joff was such a kind hearted dog.”
Dusty was Clover’s best friend but Clover didn’t run on a team like Dusty. She was more of a house pet to an owner and had only come to Nome a few months ago with his father.
“There’s something else but I should tell everyone. This news is important.”
Dusty nodded and the two friends walked to the boiler room. They were really going to warm up but were surprised to find almost every dog in Nome there talking. The Old St. Bernard told most of the news that others should hear and was just on the missing of Joff when he spotted Clover.
“I’m sorry to hear about you your loss Clover, but we found the blood of Joff with no body. Be advised we are searching for him.”
Clover snorted “Hmp, I don’t care if he ever comes back that sick-minded, filthy, low-life.”
Many of the dogs gasped at the remark.
“Excuse me, but weren’t the two of you…”
“Yeah, that is until he tried to take advantage of me. And when I refused he hit me.”
This again made many of the dogs gasp.
“So are you telling us that you attacked him and made him loose that much blood?” said one of the dogs from the crowd.
Clover shook her head. “No, but just before he…” she stopped noticing some pups, “…did something to me, he was attacked by another dog. I don’t know what he did to Joff but he made him run.”
“What was his name?” asked another dog.
“I don’t know, he left before I could ask him but made sure I was alright first. However, I was more scared of what he wore on his head.”
The dogs perked up to this including Dusty. Clover hadn’t told Dusty about the thing yet.
“This thing he had on his head was, I don’t know what to call it. I can only explain it.”
She quickly did.
“Hmmm, I suggest for everyone to look out for this dog. Even if he seems to be nice he could still be dangerous.” stated the Bernard, “What did he look like?”
“Well, I didn’t get a good look but I think his fur was dark red with some gray.” she said with an almost dreamy expression on her face.
“Okay, well I think that’s it. This meeting is over.” He put his foot down in confirmation.
Kane walked across the buildings not wanting to be spotted. He stood atop the butchers building and jumped onto a shed behind it. Little did he know that the shed hadn’t been touched in years and broke through the rotting roof. He hit the floor with a loud thud.
“Ow, ah, son of a…” he said as pieces of wood landed on him.
Kane tried to stand but discovered that one of the knife lined bands wedged its way into the floor.
He pulled up breaking the wood.
“Ah, there we go, what the!” he noticed that a large board held firmly to the side of his face.
Kane placed two paws on either side of the wood plank and pushed hard. It snapped off and hit the door. He started walking to the door himself when it opened.
Kane was about to run when he saw it was Clover. He finally got a good look at her and discovered she was very attractive. She had light brown fur on her back and a white underside.
Clover as well was taking notice of Kane’s decently noticeable muscles and ruffed up fur. The two quickly noticed they were blushing and looked away.
After a moment Clover tried to start a conversation, “Um, I a, just wanted to thank you for saving me yesterday.”
“Oh, a, your welcome.”
They both seemed to be at a loss of words.
“So a, I didn’t get your name?” asked Clover shyly.
“Oh, my name, heh, my names Kane.”
Another moment passed.
“Hey, I got an idea, why don’t I introduce you to the others.”
Kane was surprised by the remark, “Ah, I’m…not good around people or dogs. You’d actually be better if you didn’t get too involved with me.”
“Oh, is your master here temporarily?” asked Clover downheartedly.
“No, I’m a stray but…”
“Oh, well then you should meet some of the others, they’re nice and I’m sure they won’t make much fuss about…that thing if you don’t want to take it off.” Clover said cutting him off.
“WHAT! This thing, you kiddin’, what I’d give to remove it.”
“huh, you mean…”
“Yeah, unless a human can cut the thing it’s stuck on me.”
“Just how did you get it on you?”
“Well…”
“Clover! There you…are.” Dusty said when she spotted Kane.
She cautiously walked up beside her friend never taking her eyes of Kane.
“So you must be the unidentified hero.” Dusty said sarcastically. “Thanks for saving Clover.”
“No problem.” replied Kane.
“So your name is…” Dusty asked.
“…Kane.” he stated.
“So um, what exactly is that thing?” Dusty asked looking away.
“Why don’t you tell everyone at once.” Clover said quickly.
“Yeah, come on to the boiler room tonight. There’s going to be another meeting.” Dusty said.
“Look, I really appreciate it, by I’d rather not.”
Suddenly Kane heard a human walking around the corner to the shed. He jumped over the two girls and was gone in a flash just as the human rounded the corner.
Clover and Dusty looked at each other in confusion.
Later that night Clover and Dusty sat near the back of the room whispering and Doc., the St. Bernard, talked at the front of the group.
Just as Doc. was about to conclude the meeting a dog crashed through the door. It was Joff. He got up and ran back out as if nothing happened. The rest followed to the door to see four dogs fighting. It was dark but three of the dogs, Joff being one of them, were teaming up on the fourth. The strange thing was they were loosing. The fight was almost comical as the three dogs tried and tried to hurt the fourth but their attacks were in vain. Finally two of the three decided they had enough and began to crawl away. Joff realized he was alone and glared at his opponent before chasing after his friends.
Kane turned to a wide-eyed crowd at the doorway to the boiler room.
“You there, come here.” called Doc.
Kane looked for a way of escape but found none. He stood ready to attack the first one that made a move to him.
“Kane.” called Clover as she weaved herself through the crowd.
Kane looked at her a little relieved.
“Come on Kane. No ones going to do anything to you.” she pleaded as some of the dogs began looking at her.
Kane gave up and walked to the crowd of dogs. As he started up the steps into the light dogs gasped at the weapon he wore. They made room for him to get through and walked into the room. All eyes were on him as he sat down. Clover walked over next to him and introduced him.
“So, Kane, tell us about yourself.” Doc. said friendly.
“Well, I don’t know where to start.” Kane said.
“How about where you’re from.” said one of the other dogs.
Kane thought for a moment. “I don’t really have a place to call home. You see, I was taken from my mother and have traveled the United States. I’ve been in all kinds of weather and regions you wouldn’t believe existed. I was born here in Alaska and decided to escape from that awful life when I recognized the land.”
“Awful life? Traveling doesn’t sound so bad to me.” Stated another dog.
Kane flashed a quick smile, “No, traveling was the best part. I was taken from my mother and was raised for one purpose…to fight. You see, for the past three years I’ve lived with a man who pits dogs, some wolves, and half-breeds such as myself, against each other to fight to the death. If mercy was shown then both dogs die. I endured daily beatings, and killing.”
A lot of the dogs gasped and mumbled something to on another.
“So how did you get that thing on your face?”
“Well, only the dogs that fight the best and survive the longest are forced to wear modified weapons. So one night I was taken and they put this ring around my neck. It’s so close to my skin about the most you can fit in-between it is a nail. Now believe me I’ve tried to remove it but it’s on for good.”
“I heard you mention you were a half-breed.” piped up another dog.
“This is true, I am half wolf half dog, and I have taken a beating because of it. This isn’t a problem is it?” Kane said taking a little more of a defensive stance.
“I thought so.” came a feminine voice.
Kane turned to see a dog that looked a little more like a wolf lying with another dog next to her.
“Hi, my name is Tricksy. Don’t worry about becoming an outcast or anything. You’re the third half-breed to come here. I myself am one and the other is out of town right now. His name is Balto.”
“So, what was that fight about?” asked Doc.
“Oh, that, well I was walking looking for a place to stay when those three attacked me. The one said something like, you’re gonna to pay for budding in with my fun.”
The night pressed on and dogs began to leave. Kane answered individual questions and soon, only he and Clover remained in the room.
“Well, I guess I should head home.” Clover said at last.
“Do you, do you want me to walk you home?” Kane asked shyly.
Clover smiled, “Sure.”
The couple walked out the door headed to her home. They were happily chatting away when Joff came around the corner with a grin on his face. Soon a human walked around panting and holding a 45 revolver. Joff always had a special way of getting his master to do what he wanted.
Clover turned to Kane in an attempt to get him to go the other way. However when she looked into his eyes she saw nothing but anger and hatred. Kane barred his teeth and growled, not at Joff, but at his master.
Joff’s master cocked the gun ready to defend himself from an out of control dog. The man raised the pistol at Kane and that’s when he made his move.
Kane jumped at the man and knocked him to the ground growling and snarling. He wrenched the pistol out of the man’s grasp, but not before he squeezed off a shot accidentally. The bullet ricocheted off of the ring around Kane’s neck and hit a nearby building.
As soon as the man released the weapon Kane ran passed Clover saying “RUN” as he did.
Clover didn’t hesitate. She followed him and they ran to the edge of town. When Kane finally stopped Clover walked up beside him.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“I don’t trust humans and I don’t think I ever will. The weapon he held in his hand has killed many dogs. I’ve been shot in my side with it before.”
“Oh.” Clover said in sympathy. “But what are you to do now? You’ve attacked a human. They may come after you.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll leave and find another town. Or live in the wild if I must.” Kane said trying to sound cheerful.
“I’m tellen ya, it attacked me.” Joff’s owner Jim said angrily the next day to one of his friends.
“So yer tellen me tha yer dog told ya to foller em. So ya did and were attacked by a mutt wit weapon on es ead. An all ya ave to prove it es a scratch.” Jim’s friend replied sarcastically. “Sound’s mer like one o yer drinkin steries.”
Jim mumbled something to himself but had no way to prove it. He had recovered his pistol. The two friends walked down a path as a sled team ran past.
“I’m not sure what I’m gonna do.” Kane explained to Clover as they walked away from people.
“A, Kane.”
“I think it would be best if we went our separate ways.”
“Kane,”
“Don’t try to…”
Just then a sled team ran around the corner quickly. Kane realized he walked right into their path. The lead dog smashed into Kane and soon the rest of the sled followed.
Kane laid at the bottom of a mass of dogs. Something warm dripped onto his face. Kane immediately knew what it was.
“Blood.” he thought to himself. He looked up to see that the lead dog ran himself straight into the blades and was bleeding badly from the chest.
The musher was quickly getting dogs back in line when he made it to Kane and saw his lead dog.
He pulled a club from his belt and smack Kane hard over the head with it. Kane saw the ground coming fast and soon he saw nothing at all.
He awoke a few hours later in a cage. Voices could be heard near him. It was hard but Kane managed to make out the conversation.
“So how will he be doctor?” asked one man.
“Don’t worry he’ll be fine. Just let Balto rest for a few days and he’ll be fine.”
Kane could feel the tension the first man showed relax.
“Now what about that other dog?” asked the first man.
“Well, I found nothing that showed any sign of any sickness, but the thing he wore tells me he came from one a them illegal dog fighen things.” began the second man, “So he’s probably unsafe. I’ll have to put him down.”
“Wait doctor. What if I find him a home? I’m sure my good buddy Charlie would like to have him.”
“Well, alright but just so’s ya know, he’s part wolf.”
Kane heard some footsteps and then all was quiet. Nothing else happened for the rest of the day. The next day however Kane could do nothing as his cage was walked through the streets of Nome. Some people looked some didn’t. His cage was taken into a tool shed and the first thing Kane noticed was four men waiting for him.
His cage was set down and the door was opened.
“Well, this is my only chance.” he thought.
Kane ran out but was quickly held down by the four men. A fifth man came over holding a saw. He felt around Kane’s neck.
“Hey, this is too close to his neck. I’ll kill him if I cut it here.” he said
“Then cut off everything but the ring.” said the man holding Kane’s head.
The man holding the saw nodded and began cutting one of the bands. Kane, though surprised, understood what they were doing and stopped struggling.
As the better part of three hours passed Kane now only wore a ring around his neck. The weapon he was forced to wear for the duration of his life was no more. Kane had no time to be happy and he was put back in the cage and walked into a house. Four of the five men left and the fifth opened the door.
Kane walked out a little more cautiously this time and saw that the man held food in his hand. He walked over carefully and ate it.
He walked away but as he did he heard a cling. Kane realized that it was a tag.
“Amazing.” he thought. “This man tagged me and I didn’t even feel it. Looks like I have an owner.”
The thought made Kane wonder. What would this life be like? Would this man make him fight? Should he escape? So many questions went through Kane’s mind.
As the day progressed Kane got to know the man named Charlie who was now his owner. However it would take weeks before Kane fully trusted him. He still would not let Charlie touch him.
“Well boy, I’m goin’ out fer a while so you stay here and be good.” Charlie said.
As soon as he opened the door Kane darted out. He walked in the alleys when he came upon a certain rust and cream-colored husky that he hadn’t seen before. She was looking through a window when she heard him and quickly turned to see Kane.
She became angry and yelled at Kane.
“You! What is wrong with you!”
Kane immediately took the defensive. “What are you talking about?”
“WHY WOULD YOU JUST ATTACK BALTO! WHAT HAS HE DONE TO YOU!”
“What do you mean? I didn’t attack anyone.”
Just then three more dogs appeared in the alleyway all growling and looking at Kane.
The biggest of the dogs began talking “You attack a friend, we attack you!”
The one that stood in the middle of the three new dogs started. “Looks like you don’t have your weapon anymore, now what are ya gonna do.”
“Listen, I have no idea what any of you are talking about but I…” Kane stopped when two of the three dogs lunged at him.
He easily sidestepped and realized these guys had almost no fighting experience. They kept attacking and Kane kept dodging.
“Hold still why don’t cha.” said the biggest dog.
Kane got tired of dodging and rammed the second dog. Then he jumped over the biggest one and kicked him with his hind legs. The last and smallest dog jumped onto Kane’s back and bit down onto his ear. Kane threw him off and placed a paw on his throat and then replaced his paw with his jaws.
“STOP!” yelled a feminine voice and a voice Kane couldn’t have been happier to hear.
He released his loose grip around the dog’s neck and turned to see Clover standing in the alleyway, as did the three dogs and the female husky.
“Kane attacked no one.” Clover stated.
She quickly explained how he accidentally walked into Balto’s path and that Balto was cut up on the weapon.
“So Nikky, Kaltag, and Star,” she said addressing the three dogs, “you can stop this foolishness at once.”
Right after that Kane walked up next to Clover and the two left. As soon as they were out of earshot Clover confronted him.
“Oh, Kane I’m so glad you’re okay. I thought they did something terrible to you. I was so worried.”
Kane took advantage of this moment. “You were, why?” he asked playfully.
Clover blushed, “Because, because,”
Kane didn’t even know what hit him. One minute Clover is stuttering for words. The next, she has her lips pressed tightly against his. He was totally unprepared for it.
Clover pulled away and looked into his eyes, “Because, I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Kane was speechless. It was something for her to kiss him, but it was quite another for her to tell him that she ‘loved’ him.
After this he let instinct take over. “Ironically I’ve fallen in love with you.” he said then nuzzled her.
Kane was everything Clover could have wished for. He was kind, willing to express himself, able to stand up for himself and protect her, and could be a good father.
She blushed at the last thought and tried to hide it but to no avail.
“What are you thinking about?” asked Kane.
“Oh, nothing just that…”
Clover surprised Kane yet again by thrusting her front legs around his larger body as far as they would go and resting her head on his chest. Kane, after a moment of recovering his bearings placed his paws around her smaller body and laying his chin atop her head.
The two sat in the deserted street loving the others presents unaware of the eyes that bore down on them. Joff stood atop a small building not far away and flourished with anger. He had always been the pretty-boy and was angered when Clover left him. No one has ever left him. But seeing her this happy with the one who humiliated him enraged him all the more.
“Oh, Clover. Enjoy yourself now while you can.” he softly said to himself. Then he left with a hundred different plains to get back at them.
“What! You mean Clover, the on who moved here no more than a month ago.” Dixie, a small hyperactive dog, said with shock in her eyes.
“That’s right. She was seen yesterday with that new half-breed that had the thing on his head kissing him.” Silivie, an afghan hound, said again as she Dixie and Balto’s mate, Jenna, the beautiful rust and cream colored husky, walked down the busy sidewalk together.
Jenna only rolled her eyes at the remark. Although she considered Silivie and Dixie friends, she had almost nothing in common with them. She already felt bad for shouting and accusing Kane for something he didn’t do. She didn’t want him and Clover to be ridiculed because they liked each other.
“If you’ll excuse me girls, Balto is being released from the hospital today so I better go.” Jenna said anxious to get away from her friends.
“So tomorrow morning.” Clover said as she stood on her owners deck talking to Kane later that day.
“That’s right. I’ll be here at sunrise then we can go for a walk far from here. Just the two of us.”
Clover smiled, “Okay.” she said then kissed him before disappearing into her home.
Kane, after that reluctantly walked to his new master’s home.
Clover looked out the window very early the next morning. She waited impatiently to see a familiar form walking toward her house. Suddenly a scratch at her door was heard.
“I’ll have to congratulate him for getting past my watchful eye.” She thought to herself and went to the door.
Clover put her head through the installed dog door and saw no one.
“Must be planning to pounce on me.” she nearly laughed to herself and walked out onto the porch. “Okay, you got me, come on out.” Clover said.
There was no answer and Clover was starting to sense something wrong
“Hello Clover.” came a gruff voice.
She whirled around to see Joff standing in-between her and her door to safety. Then she heard some snickering and turned to see Joff’s two friends cutting off all routs of escape.
She growled, “What do you want Joff.”
He grinned and started pacing. “Clover, Clover, Clover. I’m about to show you why no one leaves me. How no one disagrees with me. And how NO ONE GETS AWAY FROM ME!”
He smacked Clover hard in the side of the muzzle drawing blood. Clover retaliated and smacked him back but soon realized that was a bad idea.
Joff began laughing and looked straight into her eyes. “Bad move.”
His friends jumped onto her scratching, biting and kicking. After a moment of relentless attacking they got off leaving her broken, bruised and unconscious in the snow.
Joff grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and began dragging her to the outskirts of Nome.
Kane walked up to the house and knew something was wrong. He scratched at the door but no one came. He turned and saw some blood in the snow. Now he became very worried. He walked over to it and sniffed it and jumped back uttering something.
“Clover.”
He noticed drag marks headed toward the forest and followed.
Clover slowly opened her eyes. The dark blue sky of the early morning showed through the cave entrance.
“Cave entrance!” Clover thought to herself.
She lifted her head and immediately set it back down. She was in terrible pain and very weak.
“Ha Ha Haa. Look who’s finally awake.”
Clover slowly moved her head to see Joff staring down at her. He wore a grin on his face and looked to be planning something awful.
“Your boyfriend is a good fighter. I doubt I could beat him I’m afraid to admit. But now, we’ll see just how much he loves you.”
Just then one of Joff’s friends ran into the cave.
“He’s here.” was all he said.
Joff nodded and left. His friend grabbed Clover and drug her outside.
Kane walked up to the cave to the three awaiting dogs and Clover. He could tell she was hurt bad and this only intensified his anger. Joff began talking.
“So, look who’s here. Clover’s knight in shining armor. I suppose you want her back eh. Well that’s simple. Beat me in a fight and you can have her.”
Kane would’ve laughed had the moment not been desperate. “Fine.”
Without warning Joff jumped at Kane but Kane, as skilled a fighter as he was, dodged effortlessly. Soon the fight was over and Kane pinned Joff. However instead of a remark or anything Kane would have expected, Joff only laughed.
“You are blind aren’t you.” he said.
Kane looked to see one of Joff’s friends place his mouth around Clover’s neck.
“You *******.” was all Kane could say and got off Joff.
“There now that’s better isn’t it.” Joff said mockingly. “What cha say we have a rematch.”
Kane only glared at him.
“Good, I knew you’d agree.” then he lunged at Kane.
Again Kane dodged but when he went to attack Joff, he glanced and saw the fatal jaws around Clovers neck. He stopped his attack only to be hit himself.
“Now that we’re evenly matched don’t you think this will be fun!” Joff yelled to him as he tried to hit.
Any time Kane tried to hit Joff back he had to stop if he wanted Clover to live.
“How bout you stop moving Joff yelled.”
Kane took the hint and stopped. He closed his eyes and lowered his head.
“That’s better.”
Joff raised his paw and struck Kane so hard in the head that it even made him dizzy. He stood his ground however. Joff did another hit to his head. Soon after he rammed Kane sending him into the rock side of the entrance to the cave. Kane got up and took his previous stance. Joff walked over and started beating Kane all over his body. His unoccupied friend joined and the two beat Kane into a state that was hard to believe he was still alive let alone standing. Clover winced, not at her pain, but at Kane’s condition. Tears came to her eyes as the two dogs beat him.
After another minute they let up and backed away. Kane still stood. He was actually amazed himself that he could still be standing after the abuse he just endured.
Joff became angry and yelled, “Why do you just stand there! You show no signs of pain. You do not even fall!”
He rammed Kane again and this time Kane did go down and not come up.
“Ha ha. That’s better, now DIE!”
Joff put his teeth around Kane’s neck and was about to end his life. Suddenly Joff was thrown from his spot and soon his friend followed him. They got up quickly to see a new dog standing before them. He was about the same size as Kane and his entire coat was black.
However the three dogs were more interested in what he wore on his head. It was almost identical to the weapon Kane once had except instead of the bands having many blades on them each band was a blade. An inch long blade that followed his head to the ring on his neck.
“No one is allowed to take Kane’s life but me.” he said in a voice that would send a shiver down the back of even the bravest of beings.
Kane’s eyes opened wide at the voice.
“Joey, Turner,” Joff said addressing his friends, “Kill him.”
The two friends obeyed and attacked. The new dog sidestepped both attacks.
“You wouldn’t last one minute in the fights.” he said then trust his body at Turner.
The blades sliced through his chest but they weren’t long enough to kill him. The black dog soon took care of that. He placed a paw onto Turner’s muzzle and said, “Not even a challenge.” then pierced Turner’s neck with his teeth killing him.
Joey leaped at the dog but the dog threw his paw at Joey connecting with him in midair. Joey hit the ground and soon breathed no longer due to the jaws of the black dog.
“You bas…” was all Joff could say when the dog struck him. His vision when black when the teeth found their way around his neck as well.
Clover could not believe what she just witnessed. The black dog walked over to her.
“I’m surprised Kane would become friendly. I could never imagine him taking such a beating for someone as weak as you. I always thought his heart was too dead to choose a mate.”
“BLADE!” Kane yelled.
The black dog turned to see Kane struggle to his feet.
“What are you doing here! Where is the master!” Kane snarled.
“The master is at that pitiful town. I’m only here to retrieve you.” replied the dog.
“You see pretty girl,” Blade said turning to Clover, “Kane has…”
“She knows the story.”
“Oh, does she know how many dogs you’ve killed. How you’re the best fighter the master has ever had. How you laughed at each victory. How you enjoyed the taste of blood running through your mouth.”
“Shut up, Shut up, SHUT UP!” Kane yelled.
“Oh yes,” Blade said turning to a scared wide eyed Clover, “Kane has probably failed to mention how he once was and will be again. Yes he has killed but if he didn’t then he would die. But it was how he killed. Just killing wasn’t enough oh no, not for The Great Blood Luster.” he said looking at Kane. “No, any dog that went against him didn’t come back. That’s the reason I will be the one to kill him. But you see, he mutilated the bodies and did so enjoying every moment of it. He loved to rip into the neck and licked up all the blood that he could. Hee hee. So that was the story to fill in the blanks he may have left.”
Clover looked at Kane to see him with his head bowed in shame. Blade walked over next to Kane.
“Time to go.” he said and hit Kane in the back of the head.
Clover could see Kane’s eyes roll into up into his head and close as he fell. Blade bit his neck and started dragging him back to Nome.
Kane woke in a cage on a sled. He looked to see it heading away from Nome.
“Clover.” was all he could think.
It had now been three days. Not too long after Blade left with Kane, did Balto show up and take Clover back. Before he fell unconscious from blood loss after running into Kane, he saw Clover. So early that morning he went to make sure she was okay and if she knew where Kane was. Naturally he discovered the trails and followed.
Since then most of Clover’s wounds healed. As soon as she was in better health she would go after Kane. Not alone of course, Balto would accompany her.
It was almost noon by the fourth day and Clover decided it was time to leave.
“Are you sure?” Balto asked once more.
“Yes, the longer we wait the harder to find him.” replied Clover.
No too long after the two dogs set out after Kane. Almost two hours of hard running later, the two dogs came upon a small camp. There were four tents in the shape of a square and in the middle was an oval shaped wooden wall.
Balto and Clover snuck into the camp. There were humans everywhere. A voice caught them by surprise.
“Gentlemen I am glad that you all could come. Today we begin the fights. To start out we have Devil and Red.
Balto and Clover moved up a hill to get a better look at what was going on in the oval.
Two dogs jumped out of each end of the oval and went straight for each other. They were fast and the battle was fierce. Soon one dog lay in the dirt but not dead. The other walked back to his cage, but as he did he got whipped.
Right after two gunshots went off and both dogs were dead. That was when Balto noticed four men around the edges of the oval. Each held a rifle.
Three more battles went on like this only in these fights one dog lived.
“Now, for your viewing pleasure, a dog who has just been returned to me, I give you The Great Blood Luster!” the man from before shouted.
He pointed to one end of the arena and Clover’s heart jumped.
“Balto, it’s him, it’s Kane.”
However Clover noted something different about him. He didn’t seem himself. Another thing that made her angry was the fact that the humans reattached a new weapon to his head identical to the one he had before.
“And over here,” the man said gesturing to the other side, “I give you Rex.”
This other dog also wore a weapon like Kane’s. However it had only one blade that came out at the nose and it was about seven inches long.
“Open the gates!” yelled the man.
The doors to the cages that contained Kane and Rex were opened. The two dogs shot out at each other even faster than every fight before them. The battle was worse than Clover could have ever imagined.
Kane and the other dog were so fast with their attacks that it was hard to keep up. Kane landed his weapon into the side of the other dog and he screamed. Rex twisted his head and the edge of his knife slit Kane’s cheek. This seemed to aggravate Kane all the more. He smacked Rex in the face and he fell. Kane took advantage and thrust his face into his neck. Rex was now dead but Kane wasn’t finished. He ripped at the body. Licked the blood until some men ran in and beat him.
These actions scared Clover but what really frightened her was the low chuckle and grin he had as he killed his opponent.
Balto turned to look at her and saw the shock in her eyes followed by tears.
“Come on, lets go find him.” he said.
They went into the tent that they saw the men take Kane into. There were five other dogs in there but Kane was the only one that had any kind of a weapon.
Clover slowly walked to his cage with Balto close behind her.
“I wouldn’t get too close to him if I were you.” warned one of the few conscious dogs.
Clover ignored him and walked closer to Kane’s cage. He appeared to be asleep. She walked closer still and then…
“AHHHH!” Kane barked as he slammed against the side of his cage. His paws went through the bars in attempt to reach Clover.
“Ha, Ha, Haaa. I told you not to get so close.” the dog said.
Clover still ignored him and tried to talk to Kane.
“Kane, please. Listen to me, why are you acting like this?”
It was as though Kane didn’t hear her. He only looked at her with cold eyes and tried to reach her.
Clover could not stand to look at him any longer. She turned and walked past Balto headed for the exit. Balto stood shifting his view from Clover to Kane. Then,
“C-L-O-V-E-R.”
She turned. It did sound forced out and hard to understand, but non-the less it was her name.
“Kane.” Clover said as she ran back to his cage.
Kane shut his eyes and shook his head then looked at Clover again. He pulled his paws back through the bars and sat down looking at Clover.
For a moment Clover was happy to see Kane’s warm comforting look again then remembered what he did to that other dog earlier. And what he was trying to do to her just now.
“I should be furious with you. I should be telling you to never look at me again. Yet I can’t. Because I’m too much in love with you.” Clover said as tears welled up.
Kane looked away. “So now you know the truth.” he sighed. “I suspect you’ve seen how I act in the arena. When I’m in there I’m not myself. I don’t know what I am doing. When I wake up after a long sleep when the fight is over I have no memory of what I did. I’m afraid I’d even attack someone close to me when I am in that state. That is the main reason I told you not to get involved with me.”
Clover wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad at hearing this. She wasn’t even sure if she should believe it.
“You better leave before you’re caught here.” Kane said at last.
“I give you The Great Blood Luster.” called the man later the next day. “And over here, my personal dog, Blaaade. Make your final bets now.” he turned to the arena. “Open the gates.”
The two entrances into the arena flung open and both Kane and Blade walked out. They stared at each other waiting for someone to make the first move.
“Well, if you won’t attack then I suppose I will.”
Blade jumped at Kane with blinding speed that Kane wasn’t even fast enough to dodge it. The edge of Blade’s weapon caught Kane in the shoulder.
Clover and Balto stood in the same spot as before to watch the fight. If at all possible this fight was more brutal than the few that they had already seen. Kane and Blade jumped at each other so fast that only blurs could be seen. They hit each other, retreated back a few steps, and went at each other again.
The fight only got worse as blood was drawn from both. The two dogs were tired but showed no signs. Then, Blade made one lunge and Kane but his foot slid on some loose gravel. Kane saw this and threw his own body at Blade. His weapon sliced up the left side of Blade and he went down.
Kane walked over and placed his paw on Blade’s throat. He laughed as he was about to thrust his jaws into Blade’s life.
Blade uttered one sentence, “I accept my death.”
Kane attacked.
“NOOOO!”
He stopped only centimeters from taking another life to see Clover calling out to him. In an instant he came back to himself.
“KANE DON’T DO IT!” she pleaded.
Kane looked around at his surroundings and got an idea. Using Blades body as extra leverage and put all his strength into his legs and jumped over the tall wooden wall. He zig zagged and ran into the dark forest with bullets following close behind him.
The master cursed but wasn’t about to give chase. Balto and Clover went around the camp and into the forest after Kane. A few minutes of tracking him passed when he jumped out of some bushes facing them. He looked to have reverted back to his killing self and stared at Clover. His head was low to the ground and he was in a fighting stance.
“Kane, please, it’s me, Clover.”
He only stared at her and growled. Clover started walking closer. His growl became louder but she continued.
“Clover…” Balto said but knew she wouldn’t stop.
When she was about a foot away she raised her paw and slapped him. He was on top of her in an instant and his head at her neck. She exposed it and almost dared him to. Balto started to run at him but Clover yelled to him to stop. He did but was ready to jump into action if need be.
Clover lay on the ground and Kane stood over her looking to be at conflict with himself. He put his jaws around her neck but didn’t bite…yet.
Clover closed her eyes, “Kane, I will love you no matter what you do.”
It took all of Balto’s effort not to run to Clover’s aid.
A droplet of water landed on Clover’s muzzle. She opened her eyes and quickly realized Kane’s mouth was no longer on her throat. He still stood over her but he was…
“Crying.” Clover thought.
Kane backed up off of her, sat down and looked at the ground.
“Kane!” Clover yelled as tears of joy overwhelmed her.
She hugged him and he returned the hug. It was the same scene as long before. She had her head on his chest and his chin on her head. Balto walked away to give them some privacy.
“Come on. Lets go home.” Kane whispered into her ear.
Kane turned to Balto. “I guess you’ve been looking out for Clover?”
Balto shook his head. “No, I only helped her find you. I also wanted to make sure you were alright.” he chuckled, “I’m the dog that ran into you.”
“Well I should be the one making sure you’re okay. My blades did a lot of damage to you.”
“Yeah but I’ve always been a fast healer.”
Luckily Nome wasn’t far from the fights so the return trip was quick. Clover and Kane walked together ahead of Balto. They walked into the empty streets. Balto bid them farewell and left. Kane walked Clover to her home and went to his new home with Charlie.
Two days later Kane no longer wore the weapon but would always have the ring on his neck. He walked down the sidewalk and over heard a conversation between two people.
“That’s right. Yesterday, they followed those dog tracks and found one a them awful dog fighten places.”
This news made Kane even happier. Now there was no chance he would ever return to the master. He went to Clover’s home to tell her. The two dogs walked about Nome. Some dogs stared most didn’t care. They walked into an alley trying to get away from the rest of the town.
The two couldn’t get enough of the other. Clover and Kane were for the first time truly happy. Clover no longer had to fear any part of Kane. Instead she felt safety and comfort with him. Kane on the other hand was happy he would no longer have to fight, no longer have to kill, and best of all he had a reason to live.
“Clover, lets go out tonight. When the moon is showing brightest.” Kane suggested.
“Sure, I’d like that.” Clover said enthusiastic about the idea.
“Well what do we have here?” came a mocking voice.
Both Kane and Clover looked to see a dirty collarless dog standing in the alleyway. Kane placed himself between Clover and the impending danger.
“Hey guys, come here.” called the dog.
Kane soon stood before five untidy strays.
“Check her out.” “What a beauty.” “I wouldn’t mine bein’ on top a dhat.” the five dogs said to each other all looking at Clover and ignoring Kane as though he wasn’t even there. Then the first dog started talking to him.
“Hey, half-breed, we’ll make a deal with you.”
“What do they want do deal? I certainly don’t want anything from them.” Kane thought to himself. He was curious as to what the dog had to say so kept quiet.
“We’ll pretend you were never trespassin’ on our turf if ya leave the bitch with us.”
Kane without missing a beat, “Or we leave in peace, no one gets hurt, and we all go on living our lives.”
“Nice try. But there’s only two ways out of this for you. In peace or in pieces. Either why I’m taken the bitch.”
Clover had heard enough. “HEY! LISTEN, I’M NOT JUST SOME PLAYTHING!” she screamed at them as she walked up next to Kane.
The five dogs looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Oh, girls always crack me up.” said the first dog and obvious leader of the gang. “Don’t worry baby you’ll be under me soon enough.”
Clover fumed and walked up to the dog fearlessly. The dog only grinned at her and looked to be about to make another crack when she slapped him. He tried to attack her but found himself begging for mercy as Kane held him to the ground in a painful position.
“Clover, why don’t you go home and I’ll meet up with you later.” Kane said calmly and still holding down the dog.
She smiled, gave Kane one last peck, and left for her home. As soon as Kane didn’t see her he looked at the four growling dogs and the one hurting dog.
“Now, where was I?”
The four free dogs growl got louder and they lunged simultaneously at Kane and their leader.
“A, yes…”
Just as he said, Kane showed up at Clover’s home when the moon was the brightest. She was on the porch waiting for him. When she spotted him they went off into the forest.
They walked a little ways until they came to a clearing. It was a ledge that had a perfect view. Below more forest flooded the ground while the sky was clear and illuminated by the moon’s light.
Clover rested her head against Kane’s shoulder while one of his paws went around her holding her close to him. It was a warm night, for being in the middle of Alaska, due to spring being just around the bend. No words were exchanged, only the silent pleasure of being with on another.
They returned back to town when the dark sky became and dark blue. Once in town they kissed one last time and reluctantly went their separate ways home. Kane walked up to the door a scratched it and waited. No one came, he scratched it again and still no one came. He barked and footsteps where not heard.
“Must be out.” Kane thought to himself.
He walked around to the back of the house knowing there was a crate under a window. He was going to take a quick peak inside the house. However when he got to the back of the house he found the window had been shattered. Kane jumped through it into the house and found Charlie sitting in a chair facing the broken window.
Kane felt about to puke when he saw Charlie. The front of his body was stained with blood from his neck being torn open. Kane got onto Charlie’s lap to inspect the wound. He didn’t know or trust Charlie well but still felt sad for his owner’s death. Charlie had been the only human Kane knew of to show him kindness.
“Who ever did this is very good at covering their tracks.” Kane thought as he searched for any evidence. He couldn’t find the smell, there were no footprints in the snow, and he didn’t recognize the mark on Charlie’s neck as being that of an individual he knew.
Suddenly the front door opened to reveal Charlie’s 20-year-old son. He walked over to his father and stared at him mouth open and speechless. Charlie’s son turned to Kane showing nothing but rage in his eyes. He pulled a large knife from a sheath he wore almost anywhere and raised it above Kane.
Before he struck the confused canine he noticed something that didn’t seem right. The boy quickly sheathed the knife and kneeled down to Kane while reaching his hand out. Kane backed away. Then, quicker than he thought humans could move, Charlie’s son grabbed Kane’s muzzle and pushed him to the floor hanging on tightly.
“You are not my father’s murderer. No, you have no blood on you. But you’re now once again homeless.” He released his hold and Kane and sat beside the wolf-dog. “My name is Danny, and you’re welcome to stay with me if you like.” Danny got up and walked out of the house.
A few days later Charlie was buried and Kane was once again a stray. As he walked about the town again he caught sight of Danny and followed. Danny walked all the way to what Kane believed was his house. He crept up to the door and saw that another dog must live here due to the fact that there was a dog door installed.
Kane poked his head through the door and to his astonishment, sleeping soundly by the fire, was his beautiful Clover. Kane pulled his head back through and scratched at the door.
Danny had been sitting in a chair reading the newspaper next to Clover. He got up and when to see what was making that noise.
“Ahh, so I see you wish to take me up on my offer.” Danny said when he opened the door. He then stepped aside and gestured for Kane to come in. “Well, come on, it’s cold out there.”
Kane walked inside the small house and walked straight for the still sleeping Clover. Kane sat down in front of her head and leaned his head close to hers.
“I love you.” He whispered into her ear making it twitch.
She came into a not quite asleep but not quite awake state. Kane moved his head further down her face and made their noses meet. He quickly kissed and this woke Clove immediately. She pulled away and looked at Kane surprised.
“Kane, what are…what are you…”
“Doing here.” Kane finished for her.
“So I see you two have met.” Danny said and walked into the other room.
Kane’s expression became really serious. Clover notice and nuzzled his cheek.
“What happened?” she asked.
