The sun was a firey orange ball that dipped slowly towards the horizon. On a hill lay two dogs watching it.

"Isn't it beautiful?" One asked.

"Yeah, your right Dusty, it is," said the other.

Dusty turned to the other dog, "Kodi?" she asked

"What?" Kodi asked

"Do you think you could stick around awhile?"

"Sure, why?" Kodi asked.

"Well, I'm kind of worried about the whole Ralph thing," Dusty confided.

"Of course I'll stay, what happened with him anyways?" The moment Kodi said it, he wished he hadn't.

"He's just always so secretive, he won't ever tell me where he's going, but then he always has to know right where I am at all times, and he's never nice to me, always calling me his baby or his pretty little thing. I hate it!" She half said, half shouted, "I hate him!" Dusty layed her head on her paws, a few tears fell down her cheeks.

"Awe don't cry," Kodi said, trying to comfort her, "You're too good for him anyway." And too good for me he thought.

Dusty sniffled, "Thanks Kodi," she said, "You're a great friend."

Kodi tryed to smile, he had to get something big off his shoulders, " Can we be... more than friends, Dusty?" He asked.

Dusty's eyes widened, "I uh.. I don't know what to say Kodi. I mean uh-"

Kodi looked away, "I knew it," he said, "You'd never go out with me." Kodi started to get up, but Dusty stopped him.

"Wait Kodi, I- I have something to say," Dusty said.

Kodi looked back at her, "What?" he asked.

"I- I wanted to be more than friends too, it's just that, I never got up the courage to ask," Dusty explained.

"Really?" Kodi asked.

Dusty nodded and smiled. It was getting dark. "I'd better get home," Dusty said, then she walked away.

"Dusty!" Kodi called catching up to her. Dusty looked at him. "Are we like.. together then?" Kodi asked.

"I don't know, are we?" Dusty answered with a question, smiling.

"Will you go out with me?" Kodi asked.

"Yes," Dusty answered.

Kodi's heart filled with joy, he leaped into the air and bounded of towards his home. He lept and barked and howled with joy, all the way to his house.

Dust laughed and bounded off to her own house. As she neared her home, she became aware of pawsteps behind her. Dusty turned around and saw a petiet little dog who looked strangely familular.

"That's right," said the dog, "I moved to Nome."

Dusty was utterly confused, "Kira?" she asked.

"That's right," said Kira, "Now I suggest that you stay away from Kodi, he's all mine."

"What are you talking about?" asked Dusty. How could she know I am with him already? She thought. "Have you been watching us?" Dusty asked defencively.

"Possibly," said the little dog.

"Just stay away from us!" Dusty shouted at Kira, "You have no right to go around evesdropping."

Kira looked taken aback, "I can do what I want!" she exclaimed, "and that includes making Kodi mine."

Dusty laughed a little, "Kodi thinks you're a creep!"

Kira laughed and started to trot away, Dusty watched her go. Before turning into an alley, Kira looked back at Dusty and said, "We'll see about that."

*****************************************************************

Kodi woke up the next morning, he had had a good night's sleep, and was quite happy. Kodi hopped off of huis boy's bed and stretched. Padding out to the kitchen he lapped up some water, and ate a few mouthfuls of food. His boy's mother walked into the kitchen groggily, her slippers dragging over the floor. Kodi licked her hand and she patted him. Then Kodi slipped out of his dog door and out into the nieghborhood. He sniffed the crisp morning air and padded out onto Main Street. He hadabout an hour until the Mail Team had to leave, so he decided to go see Dusty.

Kodi trotted o Dusty's house and jumped up onto the porch. He scratched on the dog door, but the dog that came out,was definately not Dusty. It was her father, Butch. Butch was a bulky malamute, he was gray and white, and was very protective over his daughter.

"Hello mister uh.. Butch," Kodi began.

"Why are you here boy?" Butch asked.

"I uh..," Kodi chuckled a little uneasily, "I umm,"

Butch stared at him menacingly. In a window, Dusty's head popped up, her eyes widened and she hurried outside.

"Dad, It's fine," she said nuzzeling him, "Kodi's just here to see me."

"Exactly," Butch said through gritted teeth.

Dusty sighed, "Dad, I'm old enough to take care of myself, besides, Kodi's nice," she said.

Butch still looked uncertain.

"Dad, I'll be fine," Dusty insisted.

Butch gave Kodi one last warning look, then he turned around and went back inside. Kodi shuddered, "Your dad scares me," he said to Dusty.

Dusty laughed a little, "His bark is worse than his bite," she said trotting off. Kodi followed her into the main part of Nome. Up ahead, a few of the Mail Team dogs were already gathered, Kodi could see that Ralph was one of them. Both dogs strained their ears to hear thier conversation.

Kirby turned to say something to Ralph, "So where's Dusty?" He asked him.

Ralph sighed, his voice sounded dull and defeated, "Probably somewhere running around with Kodi," he said.

Kaltag's ears perked and Kirby's eyes widened, "Oh really?" he said.

Ralph nodded, "She's better off with him anyways," Ralph said. Silence met his words.

Kodi and Dusty padded up to the group. Nikki turned to them, "Hey hey hey!" He exclaimed, "Ralph speeks the truth!"

All of the team turned to stare at Kodi and Dusty. They all whispered comments to one another. Dusty looked uneasy.

"Don't listen to them," Kodi said, "It's just talk."

"But maybe they're right."

Kodi, Dusty, and the rest of the team turned to see Kira standing there.

"Kira?" Kodi asked bewildered, "Why are you here?"

Dusty sighed, "Could you please just stay out of my life?" she asked Kira.

Kodi was still confused, "Right about what?" He asked.

"Maybe you shouldn't be with someone, if all of Nome is going to talk about it nonstop," Kira said.

Dusty rolled her eyes, "Could you just leave us alone?"

Kira sniffed, "Fine," she said padding away, "But don't think this is the end of this!"

Kodi and Dusty looked at eachother, they both sighed. Inside Dusty was wondering if Kira was right. No! Don't think like that! Dusty told herself. After a few minutes, the Mail Team left Nome.

Meanwhile......

Kira stormed into her barn at the edge of Nome, she was on the verge of tears. "Nothing is working!" She shouted out to the empty barn. Kira paced around for a while, not hinking of anything, she stormed out of the barn. Not really caring where she was going, she accidentily ran into a black and white husky.

"Watch were you're going!" He shouted at her.

Kira looked up and saw a familular face she was happy to see. It was Steele.

"What a coincidence!" She said to him, "Just the dog I needed to see!"

Steele cocked an eyebrow, he wasn't surprised this dog knew who he was, most dogs did, but he didn't know her. "Who are you?" He asked interestedly.

"Oh I almost forgot to introduce myself," Kira said sweetly, "I'm Kira."

"Miss Kira," Steele asked politely, "May I ask why you needed to see me?"

"I need your help with something," Kira said.

Steele sighed, "Help with what?" He asked impatiantly.

"Now don't get all impatiant," Kira said, "Follow me."

Then Kira trotted towards her barn with Steele following her. When they were inside, Kira sat down on a small pile of hay. Steele sat down accross from her.

"So.." Steele implied.

"I need your help to break up Kodi and Dusty," Kira said.

A scinister grin spread accross Steele's face, "I'm listening," he said.

"You could be my dirty worker I guess," Kira said.

"What's in it for me?" Steele asked.

"Anything you want," Kira said.

Steele's smile widened, "Deal," he said.

********************************************************

Kodi led the Mail team back to Nome quickly. It was almost noon by the time they got back. The musher unharnassed them and praised them all with a pat on the head. Kodi was unaware that Kira was watching him a little ways away, hiding in a bush. Dusty walked to her house with Kodi, they chatted casualy.

"Come on, give me something I can work with!" Kira muttered under her breath.

When they got to Dusty's house, Kodi asked, "Uh, would you like to , I  don't know, uh, hang out with me tomorrow?"

"Sure," Dusty said bouncing up her porch steps, "It's a date."

Kodi smiled, "I'll come by around noon, okay?" He asked.

"Sure," Dusty said, then she dissapered through her dog door, into her house.

From her hiding spot, Kira smiled. She turned around and went in the direction of her barn. I'll have to tell Steele, she thought as she bounded away.

Kodi breathed a sigh of relief and bounded towards his house.

Dusty padded towards her food bowl and ate a few mouthfuls. Noon tomarrow she thought, I have about one day to get ready. Dusty hadn't been on a date before, she wondered what she would do. Maybe I should ask Mom, she thought. Dusty trotted out of her house and over to her mother, Tasha's house. Dusty stuck her head through the door, she scanned the room and saw her mother dozing on a blanket on the floor.

"Psst! Mom!" Dusty called.

Tasha sat up quickly and looked around, she spotted Dusty and said, "Oh, it's you, come on in."

Dusty padded over to her mother and sat down.

"Why are you here?" her mother asked.

"I'm... uh... I'm going on a date, and I need some advice," Dusty said

"A date with who?" Tasha asked.

"It's Kodi, but please don't tell Dad, he'd freak out," said Dusty.

"Don't worry," Tasha said, "I won't tell him."

"Do you know much about dates?" Dusty asked.

Tasha settled back down on her blanket bed, "I know a little," she said with a thoughtful look, "Mostly just be polite, and just be yourself."

Dusty nodded, "He said he's picking me up at noon tomarrow."

Tasha nodded, "Anything else you need to know?"

Dusty looked at her mother's collection of fancy collers and bandanas that her owners bought for her. "Could I borrow one of your colloers?"

Tasha smiled, "Sure," she said getting up, "Which one do you want?"

Dusty picked up a pretty leather one with diamond studs in it, "Are these real?" she asked in awe.

Tasha laughed, "No, they're fake, but they look real don't they?"

Dusty nodded, "Thanks for letting me borrow this Tash," she said. Dusty padded out of her mother's house and back to her own.

*****************************************************

Kodi layed down on his dog bed, he had some ideas of where he would take her. First, to the park, then to the Butcher's for dinner. Later they would watch the sunset, and before it got too dark, He would take her to the crystal cave that he had found when he was younger. To get to the cave you had to swim through an underwater tunnel. There was a hole in the roof of the cave, and when the moon was at the right angel, it hit a pile of crystals that shimmered a display that looked a lot like the Northerbn Lights, all around the cave. Then later maybe they could go to the boiler room and...

Kodi shook his head to clear it, "Don't think like that!" He told himself.

Then Kodi thought of something, maybe I should clean myself off a bit.

There was no way he would get another bath, he figured his owners would brush him though. Kodi sniffed himself, "Whew!" He exclaimed, "I stink!" Kodi got up and left his house, he considered going in the ocean,but then I would smell salty,he thought. Kodi spotted a pile of freshly fallen snow, and got an idea. He hopped into it and rolled around awile. He was not aware of approaching pawsteps.

"Kodi?" someone asked.

Kodi sat up and saw his father, Balto, looking at him in bewilderment, "What are you doing in there?"

Kodi hopped out of the snow and shook himself off, "I was just cleaning myself," he said.

"Why?" Balto asked shaking off the snow that Kodi had shaken on him.

"I uh, I'm going on a date," he said.

Balto smiled, "With Dusty?" He asked.

Kodi nodded, "I figured we could go to the park, then later we could go to this one cave."

Balto cocked his head, "What cave?" he asked.

Kodi brought down his voice to a hushed whisper, "I found this cave underwater when I was younger. You have to swim a little left of your boat, then there's this tunnel that you swim through and you go to a cave. The whole cave looks like the northern lights when the moon shines through this hole in the roof."

When Kodi finnished discribing the cave, Balto nodded, "Sounds like the perfect place for a dat," he said.

From her hiding spot behind a pile of firewood, Kira smiled, "More information for Opperation Kodi," she muttered darkley as she slipped away to her barn.

Balto's ears perked, "Did you hear something?" he asked his son looking around.

Kodi listened for a moment then shook his head, "No," he replied.

Balto shrugged, "My age must be getting to me," he said.

Kodi laughed a little to lighten the mood, "You're not that old Balto!" he said giving his father a nudge, "You're what, six years old?"

Balto smiled, "Yeah you're right," he said, "I've still got a long road ahead of me huh?" Kodi seemed to have brightened up his father, and when Jenna showed up a few moments later, her and Balto touched noses and bounded off together happily.

 Kodi shook himself off again, he needed to get brushed now. Bounding back into his house, Kodi nudged open the hall closet with his nose. Rumaging around, he found his brush. Kodi picked up the brush and padded up to his boy's room. He was there, reading a book, he looked up and saw Kodi, "You need a brushing, huh boy?" John asked.

Kodi dropped the brush in his lap and barked at him. John  laughed and began brushing Kodi. Kodi's fur looked neat and tidy by the time John was done grooming him. Looking out the window, Kodi saw that the sun was nearing the horizon. John looked too and said, "Time for dinner, come on Kodi!" Kodi bounded out of the room, down the stairs and into the kitchen. Whatever Mrs. Walker was cooking, it sure smelled good. Trotting over to his food bowl, Kodi noticed that they hadn't filled it for supper yet. Mr. Walker noticed too and filled it up, patting Kodi on the head. Kodi ate his dinner quickly, and finnished just as Mrs. Walker finnished cooking supper. Then Kodi got an idea. Maybe John will give me some of his food, then I can save it up for tomorrow, for dinner with Dusty! He thought.

Kodi nudged his empty food bowl over to John, who was sitting at the table. John looked down at Kodi and Kodi gave him his best beggy puppy face. John smiled slyly and reached for a piece of meat on his plate. He was just about to grab it when Mrs. Walker stopped him.

"Oh no you don't young man!" she said, "Not before we say grace."

John sighed, "Yes Mam," he said.

While John's father said grace, John reached his hand slowly, silently, towards his plate. He grabbed two pieces of meat and set them in Kodi's bowl. Then he grabbed a dinner roll off of the table and set it in Kodi's bowl. Last, John  grabbed three pieces of a potato and set them in Kodi's bowl. Kodi dissapeared with his bowl of people food, just as John's father finnished saying grace.

Meanwhile.....

Kira bounded into her barn and spotted Steele. She trotted up to him an said, "Good News!"

Steele perked his ears, sitting up.

"Kodi and Dusty are going on a date!" Kira exclaimed happily.

Steele looked confused, "That's not good news, that's bad news!" he said.

Kira shook her head, "But we can ruin it!" Kira declared.

Steele thought for a moment, then an evil grin spred across his face, "Do you know where they're going?" he asked.

Kira nodded, "First to the park, then to the Boiler Room for dinner, then they're going to this one cave or something and-"

"What cave?" Steele said cutting her off.

Kira grabbed a twig and started drawing a crude picture of Balto's boat in the dust.

"Well, he said it was to the left of Balto's boat," she said drawing a line left, "He said you have to swim through this underwater tunnel then you get to a cave." Kira drew a circle where she thought the cave should be.

Steeele looked at the picture for a moment, "Never seen it before," he said after a while.

Kira sighed, "Dangit!" she shouted, "Now we'll have to go look for it!" Kira and Steele padded out of the barn.

"We don't have much time until the sun sets, "Do you know when thier date is?"

Kira nodded, "Noon tomorrow," she said.

Both dogs were silent as the ran towards Balto's Boat.

Slipping out of her house, Dusty saw the two dogs side by side, running towards the ocean. Good She thought Maybe now Kira will leave me and Kodi alone!

Dusty padded onto the main street, she headed towards the boiler room. Trotting inside, Dusty spotted a brown and cream colored husky. She hadn't seen this dog before.

"Umm, Hello," Dusty said uncertainly.

The dog turned around, revieling stunning blue eyes, "H- hello," she stuttered looking from side to side nervously.

"Who are you?" Dusty asked curiously.

"I'm Lusa," she replied, "I'm from Nenana."

Dusty's eyebrows raised, "Where are your owners?"

Lusa looked down at her paws, "Uhh, I don't have any."

Dusty gasped, "You mean you traveled all that way, just to come here?" she asked astonishedly.

Lusa nodded, shuffeling her paws.

"Why?" Dusty said sitting down.

"Uhh," Lusa shuffeled her paws again, "Let's just say I didn't exactly have many friends in Nenana."

Dusty cocked her head, urging Lusa to say more.

"I'm uh, I'm part wolf," she said.

Dusty tried not to react, she didn't want to look mean. Then Dusty noticed how dirty Lusa's fur looked. Dusty grabbed a bucket from the corner of the room and boundedback outside. She came back in moments later with the bucket heaped ful of snow. She set the bucket by the boiler and watched as the snow melted quickly. Dusty picked up the bucket ful of water and trotted over to Lusa.

"What's that -" Lusa's voice was cut off by her own yelp of surprise as Dusty duped the water on her.

"What was that for?" Lusa asked crossley. She shook herself off, spraying water droplets everywhere.

Dusty laughed, "I was just cleaning you off a bit."

Lusa thought for a moment, then her cross expresion turned into one of gratefulness, "Thanks," she said.

Dusty nodded and grabbed a blanket, she pulled it over Lusa and they laied down, talking.

Outside Kodi trotted by the Boiler Room entrance, talking to Kaltag.

Lusa perked her ears and sniffed as they trotted by, "Who are they?" she asked.

Dusty looked to see who it was, "The tricolored one is Kaltag, and the red husky is Kodi," she said.

Lusa's eyes gleamed at Kodi's name, "Don't you think Kodi's cute?" she asked.

Dusty couldn't help but let a giggle escape.

"What?" Lusa asked.

"Sorry but a, Kodi's taken," Dusty said trying to hold back laughter.

Lusa's eyes widened, "Oh!" she said, her face burning up, "I'm sorry"

Dusty laughed, "It's alright, you didn't know," she said.

Lusa gave her a wobbly smile, then both dogs cracked up. They laughed for a while, then ended in big sighs.

*************************************************

The next morning Kodi woke up an John's bed. He hopped off and stretched, shaking out his fur. Kodi padded over to the window and looked out at the ground below. A dog was walking by, one he hadn't seen before. Kodi bounded out of John's room and down the steps. He slipped outside and bounded up to the dog, "Hello," he said, "Are you new to Nome?"

The dog turned around, it was Lusa. She half-way gasped when she saw who it was. Lusa gulped, No! she shouted at herself, don't get caught up now!

When Lusa didn't answer for a while Kodi asked her, "Uhh, what's your name?"

"My name?" Lusa stuttered, "My name's, uhh, my name's-" Dangit! I forgot my own name! she told herself.

Kodi chuckled a little, "You can't tell me you don't have a name," he said.

"My name's uhh..." then she remembered it, but got tounge tied trying to say it, "My name's Lisa!... Uhh, I mean Lusa!"

Kodi chuckled again, "I haven't seen you around before, where are you from?"

"I'm from Nenana," Lusa said.

Kodi nodded and looked around at the neat rows of houses, "So where do your owners live?"

Lusa shuffled her paws, "Um, I don't have owners," she said.

Kodi was shocked, "You traveled all the way here? Why?"

Lusa nodded, "I uh-"

Lusa stopped talking when Dusty came up to them.

"Hey guys!" she said cheerfuly, "So you met Lusa?" she asked Kodi trotting up to him.

Kodi nodded, "Yeah," he said.

"I met her last night, she just came here," Dusty said.

While Kodi and Dusty exchanged a few words, Lusa slipped off, she was too embarrased to stay there any longer, "I can't believe I forgot my own name!" she muttered as she padded into an alley.

As Dusty trotted away from Kodi, he said, "So I'll see you later!" Dusty nodded and trotted off into town. Kodi looked back to where Lusa had been. She was gone! Kodi looked around but didn't see her, he still didn't know why she had traveled all the why from Nenana to Nome, and he was curious, so he followed her scent trail into an alley.

Lusa scuffed her paw accross the ground, "I probably wouldn't have a chance with him even if he wasn't with Dusty," she said quietly.

Behind her Kodi stopped walking, Lusa likes me? he thought, puzzled, but she barely knows me!

Lusa thought she heard something behind her, she turned around slowly and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw it was Kodi, "How long have you been following me?" Lusa demanded.

Kodi's eyes widened in fear, "I uh, I was just wondering why you left so quickly, and I was curious, so I followed you," Kodi said. Now he felt like a creep, "I'm sorry, I'll go," he said turning around.

"Wait!" Lusa shouted bounding back up to him, "Did you hear what I said? Just a few seconds ago?"

Kodi nodded, "I'm a, I'm flattered, but uh, I'm in my own relationship, sorry."

"Of course!" Lusa said, "I didn't mean it like that, "I could never be with you if your with someone else, but, could we be friends?"

Kodi thought for a second, "Sure," he said.

Lusa gave him a lopsided smile, "I've vever really had a friend before," she said.

Kodi cocked his head to the side, "Really? Why not?" he asked.

"I'm part wolf," she said, "That's why I came from Nenana to Nome, everyone in Nenana hated me."

"That sounds horrible!" Kodi said. He looked up and saw that the sunwas almost directly above his head, "Sorry, I've gotta go, I have a date with Dusty." Then Kodi bounded out of the alley, as he did, Lusa tried to smile, you should be happy for him! she thought.

"Good luck!" she called after him as he bounded away.

Dusy padded over to her bed where she had placed the collar she had borrowed from her mother. She picked it up and padded over to Mariah, her owner.

Mariah looked slightly surprised when she saw the collar, "I don't remeber buying you a new collar," she said. Mariah just shrugged and put it on Dusty.

Dusty glanced quickly at her fur, it was ruffeled. She grabbed a brush and dropped it in /Mariah's lap.

"When did you get so demanding?" Mariah asked as she brushed out Dusty's fur.

Dusty heard a scratch at the door, that must be Kodi, she thought.

Dusty trotted towards the door, but her father, Butch, got their first.

Kodi's eyes widened when it wasn't Dusty who stepped out the door.

"Uh, hello Mister Butch Sir," Kodi said.

Butch sniffed, "Why are you here?" he asked, although he knew the answer.

"I'm here to pick up Dusty, she's here right?" Kodi asked hopefuly.

Butch sighed, "Yes, I'll get her," he said.

Dusty popped out before Butch even turned around, "Hi Kodi!" she said brightly, bouncing down the steps.  Dusty bounded away a few yards, and Kodi was about to follow her when Kodi heard Butch say

"I guess I should stop trying to keep her my little girl huh?"

Kodi turned around to see the hurt look on the father's face, "Don't worry," he said, "I'll take good care of her."

Butch nodded and padded up the steps to his house wih his tail dragging.

"You coming?" Dusty asked bounding back up to him.

Kodi nodded, smiling, and bounded off towards the park. Behind him, Kira and Steele slinked from bush to tree, always staying hidden.

Kodi and Dusty arrived at  the park and saw a bunch of other dogs there. Kaltag bounded up to them, "Hi guys!" he said, "A whole buch of the dogs are going to race from the big oak tree to the ocean, want to come?" Kodi looked at Dusty and she nodded eagerly. Kodi saw that the race wouldn't be too long, so he decided to join it. He lined up with the rest of the dogs beside the big oak tree and waited for the signal to start the race. A small, scruffy dog was the starter and referee, and it was obvious that he took his job very seriously. He was by the ocean, to see who would win, and at the top of his voice he said, "On your marks, get set, GO!!"

Kodi pushed off with his hind legs and bounded off towards the shore. He took a quick glance to his right and saw Kaltag, and a quick glance to his left saw Star. Kodi looked forward again and ran harder, behind him he heard Dusty cheering him on. This gave Kodi more strength and he began to pull ahead of the other dogs. The ocean neared, and he was sure he would win. On his far left, he saw a brown blur race ahead of him, the dog splashed into the water a few seconds before Kodi did. Kodi stopped and turned around to see who it was, it was Lusa. The small scruffy dog trotted up to Lusa with a bone so big, he was tripping over it. Lusa took it happily and trotted off towards the big oak tree.

Kodi got out of the water and shook himself off, then the scruffy dog handed him a medium sized bone and said, "Congratulations on second place, Kodi."

Kodi took the bone and padded over to where Dusty was.

"Isn't Lusa fast?" she asked in awe. Kodi nodded, he had to admit that he was amazed by her speed. She ran so fast, and effortlessly... Kodi shhok his head to clear it, "Want to shar this bone?" he asked nosing it towards Dusty.

Dusty wagged her tail, "Of Couse!" she said, delighted.

Kodi and Dusty found a sunny spot to knaw on the bone, when it was gone, they spent the afternoon playing tag games, and tug-of-war.

When the sun began sinking under the ocean, Kodi remebered his dinner plans, he turned to Dusty and sai, "You go to the boiler room, and I'll meet you there. Dusty nodded and trotted away. Kodi bounded to his house, picked up his bowl of leftovers, and went to the boiler room. He set the bowl bwesaide the boiler to warm up and layed down as Dusty padded in.

"So why are we here?" she asked.

"Dinner, what else?" Kodi said picking up the bowl, he set it down infront of Dusty.

Steele and Kira waited for the perfect moment to execute thier plan. Steele had gathered cobwebs all day and put them in a bag that would drop from the cieling of the boiler room onto Dusty.  Now Kira was getting impatiant.

"Wait for it," Steele whispererd, "wait for it, Now!" Kira lifted up her paw and let go a piee of string which flew in the air and let loose the bag. The bag opened and out tumbled hundreds of cobwebs, right onto Dusty's back.

Dusty flew into the air with surprise and began trying franticly to paw off the sticky cobwebs, "I hate spiders!" she said fearfully. Kodi came quickly to her aid and pawed off some of the cobwebs, "Where'd they all come from?" he pondered.

Kira and Steele slipped out of the boiler room snickering, "Bullseye!" Steele shouted gleefuly as they bounded away.

Inside the boiler rom, Kodi pawed the last of the cobwebs off of Dusty, "See, no spiders," he said.

Dusty nodded and shuddered, "I wonder how they all got there," she wondered aloud.

Kodi had an idea of who it was, "Maybe it was Kira," he suggested.

"What is your paroblem with her?" Dusty asked, turning to him.

"She pretty much stalks me, if you haven't noticed."

Dusty sniffed, "She's not that bad."

Kodi didn't say anything.

"I think your just overreacting," Dusty said, "I mean, there was one time where she was kind of odd, but ever since then, she's been fine. You should get to know her better, she's actually pretty nice."

Kodi rolled his eyes, like that will ever happen, he thought.  "Let's forget about her for a while," he said, "I have one last place to show you." Kodi padded out of the boiler room with Dusty behind him.

A little ways off, hiding behind a trash can, Kira sighed, "We'll have to get wet," she whispered to Steele.

Steele nodded, "Come on," he said taking off the opposite direction from Kodi and Dusty. They took the back alleys, hurrying towards the shore. Together, they splashed into the water. Kira took a deep breath and went under water. She swam through the tunnel, and resurfaced. Se let her breathing steadiy, then she crawled out of the water and shook herself off. Kira looked back and saw Steele behind her.

"What's the plan?" Steele asked

" See those crystals?" Kira asked, motioning with her tail towards a pile of crystals in the center of the cave.

Steele nodded.

"I was here last night, and when the moon shines on them, the reflect color on the walls, like a rainbow." Steele nodded, and Kira continued, "Kodi has been here before too, he expects a rainbow too,"

Steele nodded again, "Yes. yes, but what is your plan?" he asked.

"We turn their beautiful rainbow into a blood-red nightmare," Kira said intencely.

Steele raised an eyebrow,"How?" he asked.

Kira padded over to the crystals, "This one," she said, laying a claw on one of the crystals, "Is the one that reflects red, so I figured that if we tilted them all that way, they would all be red."

Steele padded up beside her, "Are you sure that it is that crystal?" he asked.

Kira paused for a moment, thinking. She wasn't sure, but there was no time to waste, Kodi and Dusty would be there any second. "Of course I'm sure!" she snapped at Steele. They his in the shadows just as Kodi and Dusty came into the cave. Kodi dragged himself out of the water and shook himself off and Kira sighed, "Soon you will be mine, my love," she whispered, "Soon."

************************************************

Kodi glanced up again, he could see the moon , it was almost covering the hole in the roof. He and Dusty had dried off, and layed down. "It should happen soon," Kodi said.

"What should happ-" Dusty was cut off when a rainbow of color flooded the room. She stood up and Kodi stood with her. She stared in awe at the wonderful display.

While the two dog's backs were turned. Kira crept out from the shadows. She silently slipped up to the crystals. In one movement, she swept all of the crystals till they pointed towards the red one. Kira dove back into the shadows as the rainbow turned to a blood-red color.

Dusty gasped, "W- what just happened?" She asked, fear in her voice.

"I don't know," Kodi said, "We should leave," he said, leading Dusty to the water tunnel. He dove in and Dusty followed. They shook themselves off on the shore and Kodi began leading Dusty home.

Behind them, Kira and Steele slipped out of the tunnel and followed them.

When Kodi reached Dusty's house he said, "It didn't really go as I planned but-"

"I had a great time," Dusty said, her eyes glowing, "Even though I wasn't too fond of the whole cobweb thing."

They both laughed, then Kodi said, "Well, goodbye."

He leaned forward and nuzzeled Dusty, then he padded away.

Kira stomped into her barn with Steele behind her. "Nothig is working!" She shouted.

Steele didn't say anything, but he had an idea. This idea wouldn't only get Kira together with Kodi, but it would give him a chance to have revenge on an old enemy.

"Maybe," Steele began, "We should get rid of Dusty altogether," he said.

Kira looked up, "You mean, make her dissappear?" she asked.

Steele nodded and Kira smiled, "I like the way you think Steele," she said. "How should we get rid of her?" she asked.

**************************************************

A month passed and Kodi and Dusty grew close. They were alomst always together, and they loved that. Meanwhile Kira and Steele planned and schemed, waiting for the moment to strike.

Kodi padded along Main Street after the morning mail run, Dusty at his side.

"What shall we do today?" Kodi asked.

Dusty shrugged, "How about the beach?" she asked.

Kodi nuzzled Dusty and bounded away towards the ocean shore. Her ran along the edge of the water and waited for Dusty to catch up. He swiped a paw down int the water and splashed her. Dusty giggled and pounced on Kodi. They rolled around in the sand for a while, then sat up, panting. The two dogs sat for a while in silence.

"This is great," Dusty said dreamily.

Kodi raised an eyebrow in a questioning look.

"Being with you," Dusty continued.

"Who wouldn't have a great time with me?" Kodi said.

Dusty laughed and pushed him down on the ground, "You know what I mean," she said.

Kodi smiled, "Yeah," he said hauling her off of him, "You're great to be around too."

"Ahh, young love," a familular Russian accent called.

Kodi turned and saw Boris waddeling up to them.

"Boris!" Kodi called happily trotting up to him, "I haven't see you in a while, how are you?"

"Oh only as good as a ruffled old goose can be," Boris said.

Kodi laughed light heartedly, "Is Balto around?" Kodi asked

"No," Boris said, "Out on the town again with Jenna."

Kodi nodded, "Well if you see him, tell him I said 'Hi,' okay?"

Boris nodded and waddled off.

Kodi turned back to Dusty and they trotted back to the town.

Later that evening, Kodi and Dusty slipped into the Boiler Room. They curled up beside eachother and fell asleep. In the middle of the night, Kodi woke up. He need to relieve himself so her got up. Dusty stirred and her eyes flitted open.

"I'll be back in a minute," Kodi promised.

Dusty nodded and closed her eyes as Kodi slipped outside. He relieved himself behind a bush and was padding back to the Boiler Room when something rammed into him. It was too dark out to see what it was, but Kodi could tell by smell that it was a dog. Kodi was confused as he was rammed into again, the breath knocked out of him. Fighting for breath, Kodi flaied helplessly as several dogs surrounded him and grabbed him.

"W- what do you want?" Kodi asked feebily as he got his breath back.

"I want you baby," said a scaredly familular voice.

Kira! Kodi thought as he was dragged away.

********************************************************

Dusty woke the next morning. She was alone. Where is Kodi? she thought. Dusty jumped up. He hadn't left her had he? Dusty shook her head, of course he hadn't! Dusty trotted outside and was hit by a mass of scents that made her gasp in surprise. Dusty knew that one of them was Kodi.

She followed the trail to the edge of town when she realized that if there were so many dogs, she wouldn't be able to help Kodi alone. She ran back into town and stumbled upon Ralph. "Than God!" Dusty gasped.

Ralph looked utterly confused.

"Ralph, it's Kodi!" Dusty explained quickly, "He's in trouble, can you help me?"

Ralph looked skeptical for a moment, but no matter what, Kodi was still his teamate. Ralph nodded.

Dusty took off towards Balto's baot. She was panting as she bounded up the pklank and burst into the cabin where Balto was sleeping. Balto shot up and looked around wildly.

"Dusty what is it?" Balto asked, his voice full of concern.

"It's Kodi!" Dusty said before bounding back out.

Balto followed her outside and saw Ralph, "What?" he asked.

"I- I think he got kidnapped, can you help me find him?"

Balto nodded immediatly. "Is there a trail to follow?"

Dusty took off to where the trail began. The three dogs began following it. Dusty heard the faint rumble of thunder in the distance, "Oh no!" she gasped. Rain began falling from the sky, it made the trail faint.

"Hurry!" Balto shouted. He took off, following the trail. It led them to a clearing with a large pine tree standing in the middle. Kodi was strapped to the tree, struggling to free himself.

"Kodi!" Dusty exclaimed, rushing up to him.

"NO!" Kodi yelled, but it was to late, Dusty had fallen for it. She was trapped, and now there was no escape.

Dogs swarmed around Dusty, Balto, and Ralph. Dusty was thrown on the ground by a huge malamute who she had never seen before. She fought the best she could, and managed to land a few good blows to his face. She knew she had no chance though, as blood spattered from a cut on her muzzle.

Balto picked out a dog his size, and charged at him. Growling and snarling, he tore into the poor dog. It ran away yelping. Balto was satisfied and began picking another dog. He was rushing at it when something knocked him over. Balto rolled over once and bounced up. He had never thought he'd see this dog again.

"That's right," The black and white husky said, "I'm back, and now it's time to finish what should have been finished long ago."

Ralph rammed into the malamute pining Dusty down. "Are you all right?" He asked.

Dusty nodded and jumped back up to fight.

Ralph was hit by a dog smaller than him, but it only unsteadied him. He turned on the dog and hit it with such force that it ran, yelping into the bushes. Ralph looked up, there were so many dogs, they were completely outnumbered. Ralph shook his head and swiped at a dog's muzzel. The dog swiped back and growled. Ralph dove and knocked the dog over and they tumbled biting and clawing at eachother.

Dusty wished she had brought more dogs with her. She fought as best she could, slowly making her way back to Kodi. She reached him, panting. She began clawing franticly at the rope holding him, but she couldn't get it loose. There was a flash of red and she was on the ground. Dusty looked up and saw a red and white faced dog with bright blue eyes. "Kira?" she wondered aloud.

Kira snickered and said, "Any last words?"

Steele ran at Balto, but Balto dodged him. Balto turned around and readied himself for Steele to attack again. Steele ran at him again and Balto dodged him again. Steele growled, he didn't have time for this! Balto turned around to face his enemy. Balto growled and tried to look fierce, but he knew he was no match for Steele. Steele laughed and lashed ut at Balto. Steele's paw hit Balto's cheek, and blood splashed from the cut. Balto swiped a paw at Steele's shoulder and managed to break the skin a little.

They fought evenly for a few minutes, until Steele was done playing games. Steele lunged at Balto and flipped him over. Steele gripped Balto's throat, but didn't bite. Through a mothful of fur, he said, "Let me have her, and I'll let you go."

"Who?" Balto asked.

"Jenna of cource," Steele said matter-of-factly.

"Like I would let that happen," Balto said, struggling to free himself.

Steele laughed, "You fool! Can't you see you're out numbered? You don't have a chance wolf-dog."

Balto looked Steele in the eye, " I will keep Jenna safe, or die trying," Balto said.

Steele shrugged, "Your choice," he said. Steel bit down and Balto's throat. The taste of blood on his tounge satisfied him. Balto struggled violently. He kicked up with his hind legs and hit Steele in the stomach. Steele let go of this throat and Balto scrambled to stand. Blood poored from the open gash in his neck, but he hardly noticed. Everything around him was blurry. Balto shook his head to clear it. He opened his eyes to see Steele say, "You give up yet wolf-dog?"

A wolf howled nearby.Balto knew that howl. A look of determination washed over Balto's face, "Never," he said.

Dusty heard a wolf howl. Oh great she thought, now I'm really going to die. Kira stood above Dusty. She looked slighly worried at the sound of the wolf. Dusty heaved upward and threw the smaller dog off of her.  Thunder crahsed and it began raining. Dusty peered through the rain at Kodi. Kodi looked very excited when he heard the howl.

"What is it?" She called.

"Its Alue!" Kodi said happily.

Alue led her pack into the clearing. The wolves started tearing apaert any dog other that Balto, Dusty, Ralph, or Kodi. Dogs ran yelping into the trees. Alue ran over to Kodi and began trying to untie him, and Dusty helped her. Ralph came over too, and together they untied Kodi. Kodi shook out his fur and smiled, "Thanks guys!" he said happily.

He nuzzeled Dusty and said, "I love you,"

Dusty was shocked, no one had ever told her that before. Her heart thudded as she said, "I love you too."

Balto watched as Alue and her pack streamed into the clearing. Steele watched too for a moment, then turned back to Balto. He lunged at him and Balto tried to dodge. But Balto had slowed down from exaustion, and Steele grapped ahold of his shoulder and flung him to the ground.

Balto tried to get up and fight, but he had a new gash in his shoulder and he stumbled. Steele was upon him then, lunging for his throat. Steele tore into him and didn;t stop until something rammed into him. It was Alue. She grabbed Steele's throat and killed himin an instant, then ran over to he father.

Balto was gasping for breath. Blood poored out of his neck and shoulder. He knew the end was near. Kodi, Dusty, Ralph, and Alue crowded around him. Alue's pack stood in the background, unsure of what was going on.

"Balto?" Kodi asked sniffing his father.

"Take care of Jenna, Son," Balto rasped.

"No!" Alue shouted, "Don't leave us!"

"And Alue," Balto said faintly, "You make a great leader."

Tears were streaming down Alue's face. You could hardley tell though, because of the pooring rain. Kod didn't want to admit it, but he too cried. Dusty buried her nose in Kodi's fur, she couldn't bare to see him so sad.

Balto looked up at his son and daughter, he was so proud of them. As Balto's vision faded into black, he was aware of a familular presence.

"Mother," he rasped, "I'm ready."

Balto's bady went limp, and all of the dogs and wolves sat silent for a moment. Alue let out a long, mournful howl. Kodi listened for a moment before he relized that not one wolf was howling, but two. Kodi looked up and saw a white wolf howling with his sister. Thier song told of sorrow and pain. Kodi and his sister did not loose only their father that day. They lost a friend, and a hero too.

Alue stopped howling abruptly when she heard the other wolf. Who was she? The white wolf gazed into her eyes for a moment, then gave her a tny nod. Alue understood. She lifted her head and howled into the rain, and the white wolf joined her. When she was finnished, Alue looked at the white wolf again. Then, just as fast as she had come, the white wolf was gone.