Ah, yes. This is the infamous Niju fic that I have been working on for the longest! Prepare to be wowed.
(Not really. IMO it's not that good, but if you have any questions with the fic, check my Q and A section after reading! Hopefully that will answer your ponderings!)
Fill free to comment, critque, and review! Thanks!
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Change of Heart
(started 2/14/06 – finished 8/9/06)
Summary: After the wolf pack has left with Aleu in the lead, Niju talks to his only companion, Nava, about his changing emotions and a secret love, all while the fate of his fellow kin-wolves lie in the balance. (told in Nava's POV)
Now with a Q and A section!
Note: This idea was thanks to the WQ thread (on Balto Source) that started the whole thought of Niju and Aleu as a couple . . . so, yeah. Thank you for the inspiration, you guys!
Rating: PG . . . for minor stuff, but nothing bad really.
Disclaimer: Characters from Balto and its first sequel, Wolf Quest, are the property of Universal Studios. The story idea is mine, of course. If there are any fan-made characters or names in this story, and they are mine as well.
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The winter was slow this year; it felt as if the spirits had sent a never-ending blizzard of hardships this season. Not to mention large amounts of snow and wind; they seemed to triumph over the cliffs and caves where I dwelled day and night, silently wondering about everyone I had once known as my own.
It had been only weeks since Aniu's prophecy had come to pass when the yearling Aleu, or should I say, "the one who is wolf and does not know," took my place as the leader of my clan, the Kawa or “River” clan, leading them across the Great Water on the bridges of ice. Then, I bid farewell to my new-found friend Balto, who I had originally thought was the next leader, but my theory was surprisingly incorrect.
After watching the half-wolf began his journey home, I slowly but surely trekked to my own rocky abode near the seaside. My body felt more weakened than it was when I stood on that iceberg, bidding silent adieus to my clan that was awaiting its true leader. My bones began to rattle when I stood for longer than a few minutes, and I knew, as did the part-wolves had figured also, that my body wouldn't stand the swim across the icy chilled water. When I sat on my side to rest, my body ached in my old age.
My worries of the Kawa and myself were far behind, but one other thing troubled my mind. A couple of nights after the clan began their new generation of leadership, I lay in the far back of my cave and silently prayed for the help of the almighty white wolf to help me find my rebellious companion.
Aniu, lend me your guidance . . . . Help me find Niju . . . .
I began to hear a calm voice as I fell into a deep sleep.
Nava, Niju is closer than you may think . . . He is looking for you as well . . . . Give him the advice that he needs from you, for your time is short . . . .
Ah? I asked the mystical voice.
You mean -?
Yes, this winter will be your last . . . . Then you will finally join me, at last . . . .
I knew my life's end was close. This news made the urgency to find Niju grow greater and greater.
Thank you, Great Aniu . . . . Bless my clan in their new home . . . . and the safety of Balto as he treks homeward as well . . . .
Suddenly, the majestic lupine appeared before my dreaming eyes, in all of her seriousness and beauty. I swore I saw a slight grin as she nodded and spoke before vanishing out of the vision.
Everything has been taken care of; you needn't worry anymore about your clan . . . . just care for young Niju and help him find what he seeks . . . . and all will be put in place . . . . farewell . . . . .
I woke up hours after the vision, strangely accepting the fact that I was heading closer to death. I had just realized why I was not able to follow my pack: After I would die, they would have no true leader and they, too, would be lost. Yes, not even the courageous strength of the half-wolf son of Aniu would have been enough for them to last the seasons to come. I let out a sigh, still surprised that my wisdom was still here after all of these years.
I began to continue my journey, searching for my younger rival, who I had remembered from only the change of the seasons, as the one who almost signed my death contract. I climbed over the painted rocks, flat and jagged. My daily search lasted from dawn until nearly dusk for the next couple of weeks, checking every nook and cranny of my homeland.
Finally, I let out a sigh as I returned alone to the edge of a freshwater pool, ready to take a drink of cool water to refresh myself before searching for food. Hunting usually took a long time, almost a day even, just to find something to last me for a couple of days at least. I leaned over the water, lapping up the quenching source of life. Then I stopped, noticing a dark reflection beside me. I thought it must be a ghost, a spirit . . .
I must be seeing things . . . . But no, I took a double-take as I saw that dark fur and eyes of blue, but no longer the scowling face that I had usually remembered.
"Niju?" I looked up from the water to the lupine that stood beside me, a small caribou calf carcass beside him. "Is it really you?"
I already knew it was him, but it didn't seem like the Niju that I had known since his birth. He was usually a proud wolf, yet his fearless posture and voice hid his true self: a cowardly young pup, still full of immaturity. Now, his posture was weak and lonesome: his tail and ears hung low, showing respect to me, still his elder; his shoulders were relaxed - I could tell he was growing up and becoming wiser due to being abandoned by his pack, his followers, and me (although I never really abandoned him; he left from me); and his pride seemed to have vanished.
"Nava . . . ?" the wolf's voice sounded calm at first, then he was filled with joy and surprise. "Nava! You're still here? But, I thought . . . you were . . . Why are you still here?"
"Ah, Niju. I could not make the trip across. My strength is fading. The clan has a new leader now: Balto's daughter, Aleu."
"What? Her?" A concerned look came over him suddenly. "I thought it was Balto . . . or you on that block of ice! It looked like you from my eyes, except it was all blurry to me when I watched the pack float away from the shoreline."
His eyesight has turned bad? Hmm . . . I thought to myself. That's why he's so surprised. That icy plunge into the water must have affected his eyesight. Ah, Aniu must have meant for this to happen to him, I suppose. I knew Aniu was quite the trickster.
"It's true. Balto has returned home and I have been looking for you ever since we parted ways so unexpectedly." I let out a groan as I moved forward. I placed my weight against his lowered shoulder for support. "Please forgive me, Niju. My legs . . ."
"Here," he said, using his neck and body to lead me to a rock to rest. "Let me help you there. I have something to talk to you about. That is . . ." I saw his expression change as he spoke with his new voice of yearning. "if you would forgive me for all that I have done wrong in the past."
I showed a gaze of surprise. "My, oh my, Niju. You have surely grown up over the weeks." I let out a slight chuckle, then continued to reply to his request. "Yes, I forgive you. Although it is impossible to change the events of the past, it is possible to change your future."
I could see Niju's eyes light up in delight, knowing that I had accepted him back. I had to, of course. He needed me as much as I needed him by winter's end.
"Oh, thank you so much, Nava!" Niju said happily, then he looked at my figure in disbelief. "Please, have something to eat. You look as if you haven't eaten much since the last I saw you." He motioned his head to his kill. "Please, I insist. I would be honored to share my meal with you, leader."
I smiled, knowing that his dramatic change had affected his manners as well. I stood up, with Niju's help of course, and joined my fellow clansman to the caribou. "Thank you, my brother."
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After our small dinner of meat, we took shelter in the cave that Niju had called home for the last month; Surprisingly, it was close to my own den. The air was filled with a bitter wind, as a soft flurry began to scatter in the dark-gray night. My young follower sat beside me as I leaned up against the rocky walls of the shelter, ready to hear his tale of change.
"Now, tell me what troubles your heart, Niju. You have many questions, I see." I started him off, curious to know what struck this sudden change in him. "What has happened to you all this time?"
"Well, you remember how I was back then. I was a mean, ruthless, power-hungry beast. I wanted to rule! I thought I was the destined leader of our clan and take your place! I was close to killing you!" I could feel the power through his voice grow as he spoke about his former self. Then he went calmer as the story continued. "But when I attacked the female, I froze. I couldn't do it . . . yet I was still angry. But my cowardice began to show itself." His head drooped as he spoke about what seemed to be the lowest points of his life.
"Then Balto showed up and gave me that invitation to lead. He gave it to me . . . that half-breed practically gave me the role of leader! And I grew scared . . . afraid of the unknown land far away from my home . . . our home. Then without any warning, I fell under the ice into the cold abyss, almost blinded by the stinging chill it gave me, but I was still able to make my way to land, left to live on . . . alone, clan-less. I looked back when I heard the howls of the clan, seeing that creature of light brown howling to the heavens. I swore it was you, so I figured even you had given up on me. That was when I decided to live for myself; it was almost a test, a self challenge to see if I could live for myself."
I saw tears streak down his light blue-grey face from his eyes. It must have been a true test of will for him to have strived through so much internal struggle after all this time.
"So, you were tested?" Of course, I knew the basic answer to this.
"Yes. I . . . I heard a voice . . . . a soft, calm voice that told me to do so. I didn't understand why a voice in my head wanted me to do something like this, but I thought it would be simple."
I had a feeling that she was behind all of this, but I thought it was quite odd for Niju to be able to hear her too. I had known that only certain wolves had the ability to reach Aniu, but to think that he could be reached by the spirits . . . it was a strange thing indeed. But I suppose Aniu could communicate with anyone. Is this the way she wanted things to go? "But you were wrong, weren't you, Niju?"
He nodded sadly. "It was difficult to survive. I felt alone, lost even. I tried my idea of stealing for food, but it didn't work because the other clans attacked me back. Thank goodness I found small bones to chew as a desperate substitute . . . but it wasn't as filling as what we hunted times ago. It took hours for me even to sleep because I had thoughts . . . thoughts about what I walked away from." I noticed a blush of pink on his cheek.
"I felt . . . my heart felt empty, as if I had lost something that was important. An opportunity? No, it wasn't that. More of a risky chance for something that I probably would never have . . . love."
"Love?" I stared at him, bewildered by his confession. "You fell in love? With who?"
Niju's face now burned a bright red. "With her . . . . that young, new leader . . . .
I fell in love with Aleu!"
We both paused after that. I found this to be quite amusing (although I didn't show it), especially by the fact that she was so headstrong, yet he was close to ripping her to shreds on that ice block. Even though Niju was only a couple of years older than she, it was obvious that Aleu's maturity was far greater than his own. But both of them still had a lot to learn.
"Ah, love knows no age," I advised the love-struck wolf. "And yet, love always tends to conquer all." I softly chuckled again before continuing to question him. "So you fell for her. What is it about Aleu makes you long for her?"
"Well, I never understood why she looks so much like us, yet she is a mix of the gentleness of a house-dog and the majestic spirit of a wild wolf. Her eyes are filled with passion and fire . . . almost like my own." He let out a sigh. "I wish I could tell her how I feel, but she's so far away from my sight." He continued to shed tears of loneliness and I comforted him with a nuzzle.
"I understand how you feel."
"You . . you do?"
"Of course." I reassured him. "Even I have had a first true love back in my day. I would think about her for minutes, hours, even days. Everything I looked at reminded me of her beautifully detailed face." I closed my eyes, again reminiscing about my love, decked in white, for about several moments.
"Ahem." Niju let out a cough, bringing me back to the here and now.
"Oh, sorry for that." I said bashfully with a laugh. "Ah, so it's true: You can never forget your first love. But that was so long ago."
"Now," he spoke after I jolted back into our conversation. "how can I make her love me?"
"Well, you cannot make or force a female to love you. They have a right to choose who they love, as do you, Niju." I let out a sigh. "Of course, the only way to tell Aleu how you feel is to find a path across the water and find her. This means . . ."
"I have to face my fears . . . learn to accept change," he gulped before completing his sentence. "and leave my homeland." He then turned his gaze to me. "And you, my one true comrade."
"Everyone moves on, young one." I told him wisely. "As does everything changes. Pups are born; they grow up, living their own lives by breeding and birthing pups of their own; and sooner or later, they pass on . . . . as will I, Niju."
The black wolflet gasped at the words that came from my mouth. "No . . . no . . . NO! You can't die! Can't you stay longer, Nava?" Showers of wet tears poured from his eyes, full of sadness.
I slowly nodded my head. "No one lives forever . . . . you know that, Niju. I only know that I have a while of life remaining, at least until winter's end. Until then, I must be your guide and leader until the time comes."
The grieving wolf placed his head on my shoulder, still sobbing as he spoke. "Nava . . . I just realized that . . . . while I was alone . . . . I knew that you were always there for me, . . . even when I was acting like a fool." He continued weeping as I patted him with my paw. He dried his eyes at last and cleared his throat, soon realizing what he must do.
"I'll stay here with you, Nava . . . until the very end." Niju told me. I was glad by that, except for one thing.
"But Niju," I asked. "What will you do when I am no longer here? You'll be all alone again."
The wolf let out a sigh. "I'll have to leave here, grow up, and complete my test. If she was able to do it, I believe I can too. Except she must have had it hard . . . born into the world of tame dogs with the wild spirit of the wolf. That's the spirit that was born within me. This is what I have to do, I'm sure of it." He walked towards the cave's opening, looking out into the night sky above us, shimmering with the beauty of the Northern Lights. He stood there, lifting his head high, just like Aleu had those few weeks ago.
"Ah, Niju. At this moment, you reminded me of her." I let out a yawn, for sleep was awaiting me and Niju too, as he also yawned. "Well, it is time for us both to get some rest. We only have little time for me to advise you before you head out on your quest."
"All right," he also yawned, even though I knew he wasn't tired after everything he'd heard today. "I'll try to enjoy my remaining company with you and learn whatever I need to know."
I slid down to sleep on the ground. I looked at the entrance where Niju still remained; now he was on his stomach, fast asleep and snoring. I smiled as my eyes began to slide closed, leading me into sleep.
Again, I saw Aniu in my dreams. She, of course, was as radiantly white as ever while she stood in front of me ever since the last time she visited me only weeks ago.
I have found Niju, Aniu . . . He has changed so much in only a few weeks time . . . .
And the seed of change has only just begun to grow in him, Nava . . . . I heard her beautiful voice reply to my own, yet it was difficult to decipher her true motives of testing Niju at all.
He has a destiny that awaits him . . . if only he completes his test, of course . . . .
Her response left me puzzled as I tried to figure this out, since I was to be Niju's adviser until my passing.
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't understand . . . Why is this change going through him now? What is his true destiny?
Oh, you already hold the answers that you seek . . . We shall meet again, when the season ends . . . farewell . . . . Her figure disappeared from my view, again fogging my mind's eye with her ghostly mist, and I suddenly returned to a sound sleep. Still, Aniu's questions remained spiraling around in my dream thoughts.
Aniu, why must you confuse an old soul like me in such a way? What do you mean when you say that I hold the answers to my own questions when I was asking them for you to answer?
Then my thoughts paused for a moment.
Wait a minute . . . Could it be that . . .? I remembered the things that Niju had told me just hours ago of the changes that overcame him and his newfound love for Aleu. That's when I figured it out.
Could this be what she means? Is that his true destiny?
I smiled in my sleep as the moonbeams shone throughout the night, now understanding what I was supposed to do for my young comrade.
Starting the next morning, I began to teach him about the many spirits that were all around us: the whales and seals - the guardians of the ocean currents; the eagles and ravens - masters of the air, wind, and sky; the trees and plants - protectors of the earth; and the other elements that we shared our homeland with. Of course, he was confused by why I was teaching him such strange things at first, but he began to understand everything that I had known for many, many years. To think, a young wolfling such as him, one that had hated my talk of spirits and becoming one with nature since puphood, was growing wiser in front of my own eyes; he began to accept the ways that he had once never understood. Such change was hard to believe at first, but I knew his future, as well as many others, would soon have to depend on his new knowledge.
The time of winter seemed to fly by like the soaring eagle as it carried the wind in its talons. It was, at last, time for the final lesson: Niju had to learn about Aniu, the one who had guided me for my time as the alpha of our clan, and the one who was secretly guiding him as well.
The sun was beginning to slowly rise that second-to-last day of the winter season. The birds chirped a wake-up call as I yawned and stretched my legs, knowing that the moon would set in less than 48 hours time. Niju was already awake, eager to learn more from me, his teacher. We sat on the cliff that looked out onto the water that he would soon cross a couple of days from now and watched the morning's glow cover the surface around us as I began the final lesson.
"Niju," I told him as the dark wolf looked at me with new eyes. "This is the last and most important thing that I must teach you."
"Already? But I want to learn more!" the wolf whined, still surprising me with his longing for more things to learn. Then he cleared his throat in embarrassment, blushing beet red. "I mean, I wish there was more I could learn from you, Nava. I never realized how interesting and important the spirits were to you."
"Well, I only wish there was more left to teach you, Niju." I smiled, still amazed by the changing wolflet beside me. "But there is one important spirit being that we have to discuss."
"What is it, Nava?"
"I'm sure you've heard of the white wolf, Aniu, right?"
"Of course I have. I remember how you would always talk about the many dreams and prophecies that she would send to you." He smirked a little as he let out a giggle. "I never believed those things back then. I thought they were so silly and total nonsense . . . . but times have changed."
"Yes, Niju, they have changed, and soon you will have the power to witness Aniu's magic as well . . ." I paused to sigh, knowing that his fate was to be revealed. "You have already begun to feel her, haven't you?"
"I have . . . ." The dark figure lowered his head. " I remember how it felt . . . a misty fog and a calm voice . . . It was a strange, almost warm feeling flowing through me. I had never felt anything like it before. It felt almost like that voice that I heard that told me to endure a test of survival!" His head slowly began to rise, his piercing eyes grew wide in surprise. "But I don't understand! Why does she want to communicate with a lowly wolf like me?"
I smiled at the navy-tinted wolflet, remembering myself as a youth. "I was about your age when I was asking myself the same question. I had often heard a female's voice in my thoughts and dreams ever since puphood, but all of my friends and companions all thought I was close to losing my mind. But soon, my clan's elder wolf realized the power that I was beginning to possess - the ability to hear and communicate with the spiritual beings . . . which soon led to my becoming of the alpha male of the Kawa."
I noticed that Niju's eyes were filled with tears of joy. "So, is that why I had to learn about the spirits? Because I am to be your successor?"
I nodded. "I had heard from my elders that one that can hear the soothing song of Aniu is destined to become a leader, whether it be a hometown hero or the alpha of a wolf clan. Balto, although he is only half wolf, heard her call and became a leader to our tame brothers of the Northern towns. Aleu heard her as well, but though she only has some wolf blood in her, she discovered her destiny was leading her into the wild world she had never known. Even I heard her calling out to me, telling me of my fate to be a shamanic alpha male of the Kawa Clan." I stared at my pupil with teaching eyes of wisdom until our gazes met. His eyes were no longer piercing blue, but now had suddenly taken on a fresh, golden glow, soaking in thoughts and images that he was now ready to understand. "And now, she has been calling to you. Your fate and the fates of our Kawa brothers and sisters across the water are intertwined. Can't you feel her presence as we speak?"
"What . . . what is this?" His eyes continued to shine brightly as he spoke of the transmissions that suddenly appeared in his mind. "I see . . . I see a path . . . across the Great Water!" The image of the frigid, dark waves hitting a newly-placed icy stepping path to a mountainous land that was about a couple of miles from where we were currently standing. "And . . . and the clan . . ." He paused as a tear fell down his cheek. I thought his tears were due to the sudden sight of seeing his clan brothers suffering due to near starvation and lack of leadership, but I figured that Niju was focused only on the safety of one light-brown female.
And I was correct.
"She needs me . . . Poor Aleu . . . They're all in bad shape, as if they need help!" He closed his eyes to dry his tears and opened them again as his eyes regained their original color. "Was that her visions that I saw, Nava?"
"No, I'm afraid those were my doing, Niju," I lowered my head sadly. "But they were images from her, indeed. She told me to send you those thoughts when the time was right, and now is the time for you to decide your fate."
"So this is what's happening over there? Why can't Aniu help them herself? She has the power to save them!" I could tell by looking at the wolflet's face that he was going through many emotions: the sadness of seeing his love and his clan suffer; the disappointment of not being able to do anything by standing here to save his fellow wolves; his sudden anger with Aniu not helping the clan sooner; and the longing hope that somehow, there was something within his power that he could do to change things for the better. "I don't want them to die!" I smiled, opposite of Niju's raging snarl of anger.
"The reason the clan is suffering is because their current alpha lacks the true connection with the master spirit. Aleu is a young soul, born with the natural ability to lead many. However, due to her stubbornness, she cannot truly lead without someone who can guide her through the darkness and into the light." I stood sternly in front of the male, hoping that he would figure it out before it was too late.
"You mean . . . me?"
"Yes, Niju. You are the only one that can help save them from possible demise." I placed my paw on his shoulder, still continuing to look the young male in the eye. "I have taught you in the ways of the spirits, all leading to the destiny that awaits you. Aniu . . . she was testing you to see if you were worthy enough to uphold the other half of the clan's alpha leadership. I can see that now . . . you are ready."
But something didn't feel right as I felt a pain in my chest. My paw fell from Niju's bluish-black shoulder as my strength began to fade, causing me to collapse onto the rocky ground below.
"Nava!" My pupil rushed to my side as my vision quickly blurred into pitch black.
Everything was dark. In my mind's eye, I couldn't even see myself through the dismal dark. The only sound that echoed in the blackness was the slowing pulse of my heart as it was beginning to make its final beat.
It is time, Nava . . .
I could faintly hear her voice calling to me through the darkness as I felt as though my life force was already being sucked into the bright light of the next world.
Aniu? Is that you? It is not the end of the season yet! She knew I was not ready to leave my apprentice alone, but I believed that spiritually, it was necessary for him to make his own decision. It was all up to him . . . the fate of the Kawa Clan depended on his self-judgment.
I know that very well, Nava, but it is time for you to give your final words to Niju. He must leave before the passageway across the water melts. I will allow you only five minutes . . . no more than that . . . before you leave this world behind . . . Use it well . . . .
I felt her voice echoing through my head as my soul returned to my body for a few final moments alone with Niju. When my eyes opened, my vision was blurred, but when it cleared up, I saw the dark wolf with his light blue-gray markings with a surprising look of joy.
"Nava! You're okay!" He nuzzled my head in relief, but I stopped him before I left him for good.
"Niju, my time is short. I have much to tell you before I pass on to the spirit world." I told him in a quiet voice, since that quiet voice was all I had left to speak with.
"No! Isn't it too early –“ Niju spoke up, but then I hushed him.
"I know, I know. Yes, you are upset, but your decision must be made quickly. The passageway won't last for much longer, and if you wish to save our clan and achieve your destiny, you must decide now."
"I understand what I must do," Niju declared, even through his sudden tears. "I must cross the water, find the Kawa Clan, reunite them together in order to survive, and . . ." He lifted his head and began to smile. "And declare my love for Aleu, hopefully making the Kawa stronger, both physically and spiritually. That is the only way to set things right for us all."
I nodded and also grinned as I gave him some parting advice. "Remember this well, Niju. Every leader has a different power in which they possess. Although alone, they may be strong; it is only when two can work together, their power will be able to overtake anything that stands in their way.” I could tell by the look on Niju’s face that he understood my advice while he still sobbed at seeing me looking so pitiful and ultimately close to death.
“Nava,” my pupil spoke. “I . . . I’m scared to be away from the land of my birth. Honestly, I don’t want to leave here, but . . . if this is what it takes for me to save what’s left of the Kawa, then so be it.” His tear-streaked face deeply showed his obvious fear of the unknown journey that he was soon to face.
“Have courage, my brother,” I gave him a reassuring smile. “Follow the spirit that lies in your heart, and you can achieve anything.” I at least had enough strength to return his nuzzling gesture from earlier before I again felt my soul escape from my body, causing my flesh and bones to become limp and unmoving.
Farewell, Niju . . . Tell the other Kawa of my wisdom, and lead them well . . . Make me proud, young son . . . . My final words resounded in his head as he looked upward, knowing that I was gone. Tears fell from his eyes once more as he began to move my body to the cave that we had so many memories over the past few weeks as I trained him in the ways of the shamanic alpha. After placing my physical body inside the cavern, the large, dark lupine blocked the entrance with nearby stones, creating a tomb for my body to rest. After a moment of silence when he completed the burial, my pupil headed for the edge of his homeland and the wild, rough sea where the ice flows awaited to take him to his new home.
I could hear his thoughts as he hesitated to move forward at that moment.
This is the worst day of my life . . . I’ve just lost the one friend that I could ever count on, I have to abandon the place that I have called home for many years, and now, I must save my fellow Kawa from certain destruction . . . .
Oh, Nava . . . no, Aniu . . . give me the strength to carry on your will . . . .
A couple of moments passed before he began to follow the icy bridge across the water; his face changed from worry and sorrow to confidence and the face of a true leader.
Yes, I am ready . . . to move onward . . . .
Destiny awaits me . . . and so does my beloved . . . .
I am coming for you, Aleu . . . Please wait for me, my love . . . .
END
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Q and A: Change of Heart
Here are some questions that I have a feeling that you readers want answers to about how I created some of the ideas for this story (so I might as well answer them before you ask 'em, okay?):
- Why did you make Aniu visit Niju as well?
Ah, yes. Well, I thought that Aniu would be able to communicate to any wolf (or part-wolf) that was destined to be a leader (whether to a wolf pack or a sled-dog team), so since Nava, Balto, and Aleu could hear her messages and receive her dream visions, why not Niju? And besides, Aleu needs an alpha male to help her lead, right? And since she is so new to the world of the wild, wouldn't it be nice for her to have someone older and more experienced to help her lead? Makes sense, don't it?
And to answer this obvious question: yes, I am (now) a huge supporter (and probably the only fan of it) of the possible pairing of Niju and Aleu (read "Lupine Call" for a good fic . . . no names are mentioned though, but someone caught on that Aleu's mate (the alpha male) was described like Niju. I didn't plan on that happening, but I like it.). And I know no one really likes Niju (because he was so mean to everyone and all . . . but hey, I believe everyone can change for the better!), but I hope that through this fic, Niju will get some new fans (and more fic love too, perhaps?).
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- How did you get the idea to write this fic?
Well, I thought WQ ended with many unanswered questions: What happened to Nava, Niju, and Aleu (now that she's in charge of the wolf clan, which I named the Kawa)? So I decided to let Aniu use her magic and help conclude this story of destiny and discovery. And also, I thought that since Aleu changed throughout WQ, perhaps it was time for Niju to change as well. And as I mentioned earlier, the "Niju and Aleu" thread on Balto Source Forums was the real inspiration for this story (Heck, the forums have always been part of my inspiration! Have you noticed that?). If it wasn't for that, this fic wouldn't exist . . . most likely.
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- What's next for Aleu and Niju? Another fic, perhaps?
I don't know really. "Lupine Call" leads to the conclusion of this (I mean, if you believe that Niju was the dark wolf that became Aleu's mate, then yes. Read the story, okay? I'm not giving away any more hints!), but other than that, there's no more scheduled at the moment. I have a list of other ideas that I want to work on (no Aleu/Niju ones though . . . mainly main character fics - Balto, Jenna, Kodi/Dusty, Aleu, etc. - those characters are my main focus nowadays), but if people (and Balto/WQ fans as well) enjoy this fic, a continued fic may be in the works.
- 7/16/06 - Update -
I have decided to write a continuation to this fic that could possibly lead to the events that occur in my fic, "Lupine Call." The working title at the moment is "Two Become One", but it is in the works . . . after a couple of my other fics are completed. Please look for it soon! ^___^
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- Why did this take so long to finish? We want more of your great fics! 
Well, read the previous response for this one. Also, I will admit it - I had a terrible case of writer's block (with this one and couple of other stories). Plus, being a college student with a part-time job does become quite a massive roadblock. But I am coming back with more of the awesome fics that you love, and more interesting situations for you to ponder on!
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- Why did you name the clan the "Kawa"? Does it mean something?
Yes, it does. Kawa means "river" in Japanese, and I got the name idea from Balto 2: Wolf Quest during the song "The Grand Design". Listen to the lyrics of this one part of the song, and you'll understand why I chose this name.
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Niju: "This has been our home forever
This is where the clan belongs!"
Chorus:" We were born beside this river
And we filled the night with songs."
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I think you got the connection, right? It seemed like their connection with the river was how their name came to be. I mean, lots of things get their names from where they started out at, so why not a wolf pack? I think it works, and besides, I don't want to take anyone else's clan names (like Rotramel's and anyone else who has written stories about Aleu's clan and whatnot. And if I've taken any of your clan names, then just tell me! Thanks!), so I might as well make my own.
BTW, there will be an opposing clan called the "Yama Clan" in the next fic (Yama means "mountain" - yep, they're the local clan on the other side of the water . . . in the mountains! This will be interesting, don't you think?).
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- Any other final thoughts?
To conclude this Q and A, I must send a fond "thank you" to all of my readers that call my fics "great" or "the best." I work really hard on them and try to maintain the same emotion and feel that the original films have had on many other Balto fans (But really, staying true to the characters is tough work . . . . . especially if you change them!), but I try to add something different to make readers interested in them: . . . . about certain characters and their external and internal conflicts (for example: Aleu, who is my favorite character to write about "currently", and her wolf heritage) . . . . putting other characters (both new and old) in difficult situations ("The Confession Saga" is a good example of this) . . . . and then just adding a couple of new characters that cause sudden events to happen in the world that Balto and the others live in.
Thank you for reading and I hope that you will enjoy my current and future works! ^___^
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Juuchan17
