That night. Jess and Kila asked every dog in town where a golden husky lives. There weren’t very many golden huskies in Nome, so it was pretty easy to find his house. They went up to him and asked him if he could come. He was delighted and showed up at the party at Kila’s house.

Saba, on the other hand was already at the party with a lot of other dogs, waiting for her friends to arrive with Nao. And as soon as they did, Saba pretended not to see him. She wanted to take it really slow this time. So Jess bumped Nao into Saba for a little conversation to happen. It worked.

“I’m so sorry Saba. Someone just bumped me.”

“Oh it’s fine. You came!”

“Yeah I did. Your friends invited me, and I had to come. I love parties”

“Me too. Sooooo….Do you think you can show me any of that dogsled stuff you promised.”

“Sure, but it’ll have to be somewhere big and full of space.”

Saba pondered for a bit. Then she had an idea. “Follow me. I know the perfect place.”

Saba and Nao snuck out of Kila’s house and Nao followed her to the beach. There, the only sound was the water against the rock shore. Nao smiled.

“It IS perfect. So, what do you want to know?”

“Maybe just…how you DO it.”

“Ok…Something more specific.”

“umm…how you run so long?”

“Sure. Well it’s not as easy as it looks. You have to keep the same pace the entire time, matching with the other dogs. So no one goes any faster nor slower than anyone else. Here, try this. Whenever you’re running, count the beat that your front feet touch the ground and keep doing it. That’s what I do. I just count: one, two, three, four. And start all over.”

“Wow. That sounds like a lot.”

“Don’t worry. It’s a bit easier than that. Still, it takes patience. It’s not a race. You have to work together as a team, as one dog. It’s a difficult task to learn, but eventually you’ll get the hang of it. I remember my first team. I was the worst one, I was always tired because I was always going faster than all the dogs. And then I ended up being slower because I was so wiped out. Eventually, a wise dog on my team showed me all the right stuff. And that’s what got me my silver collar.”

“Cool. It’s nice to know this stuff. Do you think I’ll mess up?”

“Stick with me kid! And I’ll teach you everything I know.”

“I wonder how many times THAT line was used.”

“Oh just let me have my moment.” Nao kidded.

“Do you want to run?”

“Ok. I haven’t practiced in a while so I need to get in shape anyway.”

“Alright. You say it.”

“Ready…set…GOAT!”

Saba stood absolutely still. “I’m not falling for that. I have siblings, you know. I get tricked like this, a LOT.”

“Darn it! Ok. GO!!!!

And off they went. Saba remembered what Nao taught her and tried to keep her pace with him.

“Saba?”

“Yes?”

“You know THIS is a race.”

“Oh…whoops.”

Then Saba shot off like a torpedo, with Nao close in front of her. Saba just loved being with him. He was a really nice guy, and very funny. Not anything like Aitu.

But still, Aitu only wanted what every other boy dog wanted, to be with her. And she just yelled at him for trying to help. She knew she should’ve been nicer to him, but he was just so annoying! Actually, come to think of it, all the boy dogs were. Nao was the only dog who barely knew her name, the only boy dog who hasn’t asked her to marry him, or go on a date or anything like that. Saba actually liked it for once. Now Saba knows Nao likes Saba for who she is, and not just because of her beauty or the fact that she’s Balto’s daughter.

After the race, the two went back to the party and talked the whole night. Saba kept hugging her two best friends in honor of their special day. Then everyone had to go home for the night. One by one, the dogs said their thanks and got on their way. Soon in was just Jess, Kila, Saba, and Nao. Jess’s owner showed up and took Jess away. She was in big trouble now. Then Kila went upstairs to her room. Then Nao was getting ready to leave. Saba followed him.

“Do you need someone to show you the way?” she asked.

“No, it’s fine. My house isn’t that far from here.”

“Okay. Thanks again for the lesson. Do you think you can teach me more before our first practice.”

“Sure, Saba. You know, I’m glad I decided to get to know you. You’re nothing like anyone I’ve ever met.”

“Really?”

“I bet a lot of people say that don’t they? Since you’re popular and stuff.”

“Yes, but…I like it when you say it.” Saba smiled at him. She couldn’t help but stare into his lavender eyes. But by that time Nao said goodbye and left. Saba waved to him even after he was gone from sight. Then she decided it was time for HER to go home.

As she walked home, she wondered. Where was Aitu? He hasn’t shown up once since she yelled at him yesterday. Saba hoped he didn’t leave town because of that. But she was sure he didn’t. He wasn’t the type of dog that gives up. But still, she was getting worried. He usually shows up about five times a day, sometimes more, and especially when she’s all alone, like now. But whatever. Saba should be grateful. She got what she wanted, right?

As Saba came through the door, Carla was just getting ready for bed. And soon she was at rest in Carla’s comfy bed. She dreamed of running on a dogsled team, with Nao by her side. Nao was the lead dog and Saba followed close behind, just like last night. After their run they nuzzled each other, and Nao told Saba he loved her and wanted to be with her forever. Now Saba knew it was a dream, and woke up. Saba didn’t want that to happen yet. She kept telling herself she was going to take it slow.

A few weeks went by and fall eventually turned into winter, the longest season of the year. During those weeks, Nao taught Saba all that he knew to help her get ready. Finally, it was time for Saba to start practicing with her team. Early that first winter morning, Balto came to Saba’s house and woke her up.

“Dad?...”

“No time to ask questions my dear. It’s time for your first practice. C’mon, out of bed!”

Saba groaned but did as her father told her. She went to the beach, where they would be having the practice. Unfortunately, she was the last one to show up. Balto decided to take her, since the beach was on the way to his boat anyway. When they arrived, everyone gasped, even Nao, who was already there.

“B-B-Balto?!” All the dogs stammered.

“No need to grovel over me. I just came to drop my daughter at practice before I head home.”

“Daughter?!” Nao shrieked.

Saba groaned again. “Okay dad, I’m here now, you can go home.”

“Aw c’mon hero! Don’t leave.” Luke, the coach pleaded. “Maybe you can teach these youngsters a thing or two about dog sledding. What’ya say?”

“Yeah c’mon Balto”

“Please?”

“You’re the best.”

“Hero!”

“Oh alright! Just for a little while.” Balto said.

“Yay!!!”

Balto, for most of the practice, showed all the teammates how to do it right. Saba just didn’t want to practice. She just wanted her dad to leave. Nao was still astounded to find out Saba’s “secret.” And now always asked questions about her life with him. Saba thought this was all just a nightmare, and wanted it to end so badly! She knew it was real, though, and you can’t just wake up from it.

At the end of practice, everybody, even Nao, asked Balto about what he did back in ’25, even though they’ve heard it a thousand times! Now It’s 1928, and they still want to know! Finally, the coach barked three times to indicate that practice was officially over. Saba was so relieved, and just took off for home without one thanks to her dad. Nao watched her leave and decided to catch up with her. Nao first said one more thanks to Balto and sprinted after Saba. Once Saba looked back and saw Nao, she slowed down so he would catch up.

“Hey Saba! Awesome practice, huh?”

“I guess so.”

“I still can’t believe that the dog that saved many children’s lives, and the town is your own father!”

“Nao, you said that exact sentence three times already. Believe it.”

“But where do you get the red fur from?”

“My mom. She’s a purebred husky.” She always annunciated the word purebred because she didn’t really like her wolf heritage.

“Oh yeah. Jenna, isn’t it?”

Saba nodded.

“But anyway, you didn’t seem so happy when he was at practice today.”

“Well, I don’t mean to be so unhappy. I love my dad but…I was just a little tired of hearing about how he saved Nome. He’s told it a million times. Don’t you get bored of it?”

“No. It’s an amazing story about a true hero. Who wouldn’t be bored?”

“I guess there is a reason why you would still want to hear it, but I just wished we would be getting to the actual practice, instead of listening to my dad the whole time.”

“But he was teaching us about it. He even told me something I didn’t even know.”

“Okay, I’ll admit it was pretty interesting. But he’s my dad, and you tend to look at him from a very different perspective than most dogs here. I usually think of him as one thing, ‘dad’ not ‘hero.’ Do you get what I’m saying?”

“Yeah. But still, it must be great, right? Is that why you’re so popular?”

“Part of the reason.”

“What’s the other part?”

Boys, they don’t get anything, Saba thought. “Well, some of the boy dogs around here find me, I guess, attractive.”

“Really? Oh…” Nao looked into Saba’s deep blue eyes. He was getting a bit nervous. So was Saba; she might have led him into something he was uncomfortable about.

“Well…” Nao hesitated, but baled from it. “I gotta go. See you around, Saba.” Then he quickly took off for home.

After Saba waved goodbye, she slapped herself in the face. Why did she tell him everybody thought she was attractive?! But she decided he might forget it, and headed home. But guess who was waiting at the door when she came up the porch steps? It wasn’t Nao. It was Balto.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

“I came to talk with you. You didn’t seem to like practice when I arrived. But everyone else did even more so.”

“Dad, I’m your daughter. When your dad is the teacher, the kid gets embarrassed and doesn’t want to do anything. It’s perfectly natural for me at this age.”

“But Saba, there’s got to be more than that. I understand that I can get carried away with me being famous.”

“Even after three years?”

“A lot doesn’t happen in this town. Anyway, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. I just wanted you to be comfortable with dog sledding by me being the teacher.”

“It’s fine dad. I guess I should apologize for not getting into the lesson more. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

“It’s okay. Is there anything else that’s bothering you?”

“No.”

“What about that husky you were talking to?”

Saba froze for a second. “What husky?”

“That golden one. He seems like he knows what he’s doing, but he asks so many questions.”

“Well, he’s apparently a Balto fan. Just like everyone else.”

“That would make sense. So, he talks about me a lot doesn’t he?”

“Now he does. When I met him, he barely knew who I was. I never met anybody like that. But today, when he DID figure it out, he was just like everyone else, always asking questions and always talking about you.”

“And did you like that?”

“Well, I don’t know. I usually like that kind of attention, but now…I just…don’t know what to think.”

“Just remember Saba, you’ll always be my daughter, not just another fan. I care about you and how you feel, so if you want to talk to me, my boat is always in dock.” A little joke he made up a while ago.

Saba nodded. “Thanks dad.” And she went into the house for breakfast.

During the day, Saba thought about the conversations that took place that morning, the one with Nao and the one with her father. Everything was clouding her mind and just about when she was going to explode, Jess and Kila burst through the door. Saba breathed a sigh of relief. At least her friends would take her mind off of all that thinking.

“Hey Saba! We forgot to ask you how practice was.” Jess said.

“Fine.”

“Seriously, nothing happened?”

“Okay fine. My dad just showed up and ruined everything! All my teammates just listened to my dad the whole time and didn’t give a hoot about the lesson.”

“Really?”

“Well, he taught us a little, but mostly he was just telling his story over and over again.”

“Yikes.”

“And the worst part was…Nao was a true Balto fan and the moment he realized Balto was my dad…He was never the same.”

“So what? Isn’t that a good thing? Aren’t your friends the ones you tell everything too?” Kila asked.

“I guess, but I actually liked him when he didn’t know. It was a new experience for me and…I actually kind of liked it.”

“So…What about us?” Jess asked.

“What about you?”

“Do you not like us now because you don’t want anyone knowing that Balto is you dad?”

“No of course not! It’s just that Nao is a true Balto fan, and you’re more cool about it, and that’s what I like about you guys.”

“Aww thanks!”

“But…I still don’t know. Somehow I still like the attention everyone gives me. It makes me feel like a queen!”

“Yeah.” Kila agreed. “Especially the attention Aitu gives you. What happened to him anyway?”

“I don’t know. Last time I saw him, I finally put my foot down and told him to leave. And that was like two days ago.”

“Weird. Well, I hope you and Nao find a compromise, and we’ll keep you posted. Bye Saba!” Jess started for the door, and so did Kila.

“Be strong, grasshopper.”

“Kila, I’m not a bug. You can go now.”

“Right. Bye.” Kila closed the door behind her. Saba now had nothing else to do but to start thinking again.

Do I like the constant attention everyone gives me?

Do I still like Nao now that he knows who I really am?

“Whatever happened to Aitu?”

Saba then decided it was time for her to breathe some fresh air and to go outside. Saba did so and started strolling around town. A group of male dogs said hi to her in unison. She said hi back as usual, and thought nothing of it. But then as time went by, less dogs were passing her, saying her name. That’s because she was heading into a part of town where she wasn’t really used to. How long had she been walking? Then Saba noticed her feet were beginning to hurt, but still kept walking. That was a bad mistake for Saba. Now almost no dogs were around here, especially around a particular alley. Saba was a curious little puppy, so she looked inside the alley. Only she couldn’t see anything because it was so dark in there, pitch black. Her curiosity only increased as step by step, she went into the dark and spooky alley that apparently no one goes into. Her eyes finally adjusted after some time, and looked around. Suddenly, she felt something soft, yet, hard as a rock. It was a dog, a big one, but very poorly groomed. She looked around some more and found two other dogs in the same condition. Don’t worry, they were sleeping. But not for long.