Proud of Your Boy 

(started 6/11/06 – finished /07)

Summary: When Balto suddenly dies while returning home from the wilderness, his family - mainly his son, Kodi - grieves his death. Meanwhile, Kodi remembers the times he spent with his father, but also deals with the fact that the one he had always looked up to for strength and guidance won't be beside him – Can Kodi learn to move on, with the help of a divine intervention? 

Note: This is an alternate storyline that takes place in between the end of WQ (when Balto is about to return home after seeing his mother) and the events of WoC . . . but since Balto dies, things go a bit differently. And yes, this is supposed to be a (very late) father-son fic for Father's Day.

Note #2: While writing this fic, I tried something that I had never done before. I hope you can figure it out while you read the story!

Rating: Uh . . . PG-13 for drama, teen angst, major character death (duh?), and other stuff. Just be careful, okay? That's a good enough warning, yes? 

Disclaimer:Balto, Balto: Wolf Quest,Balto: Wings of Change, and all other official Balto characters are the property of Universal Studios. The fan-names of Yukon and Denali are the property of Juuchan17 (me).

=========================================================

=========================================================

PART ONE

The weather was changing for the worse as the snow began to whip around the chilly wind. The air became quite frigid as the early winter's frost spread throughout the wilderness. To think it had only been a few days since the brownish-gray hybrid had bid his own daughter farewell as she had become succumbed into the world of the wolves, and the effect of the cold Alaskan wintertime that he had predicted was at last striking landfall. 

I knew it was coming soon, he thought to himself as he slowly continued to tread the dangerous mountain path onward to Nome. I just hope I can make it home before this storm gets worse . . . and be able to see my family again . . . I have missed them so much . . . . His head was filled with the images of those that he held close to his heart: his purebred husky mate, his remaining three sons and two daughters, his Russian fowl companion and his two polar bear comrades, and of course, the people that lived in the town that he had called his own ever since he was left there by his father as a young pup. He let out a sigh as his journey led him closer, closer to home. As he put one paw after another, he trekked on, panting harder and traveling slower and slower than usual while on the rocky summits.

Perhaps it was old age that finally kicked inside the grizzly half-wolf that caused him to not notice the slippery patch of ice on the rocky surface in front of him.  

Maybe it was his previous injuries from protecting his daughter from harm's way that caused him to suddenly slip from his rocky perch and into the not-quite frozen rapids below.

Or maybe . . . .  

Just maybe . . . .

It was his destined fate, at last catching up with him. 

It is time to come home, my son . . . .

----------------------------- 

The sleepy town awoke to a thick covering of misty fog that hid the sunrise. However that didn't stop a red yearling pup from his usual routine: a lively morning run on the beachside. He then stood out there after about ten minutes, looking out at the Alaskan forestscape, awaiting the sound of the wild from within . . . . hoping that today was the day that his father would arrive from . . . wherever he was. All he had heard from his mother was that he had gone after his eldest sister, Aleu, who had angrily run away from home into the depths of the wilderness.

Typical, he had thought. She always got herself into mischief, even when we were little. Oh, Dad . . . . he let out a sigh as he closed his brown eyes. We were your main priority, the focus of your attention. You always made sure we were okay, even a little runt like me . . . . 

= - = - = - = - = - =

It was over a year ago when they first raced on the shoreline. The six young puppies had only been born about four or five weeks ago, but from the looks of things, they had all inherited their father's speed and strength and their mother's beauty and breed-line. But there was one pup that was not the most perfect in the bunch. He was running on the beach's golden, sandy path; however the red and white runt of his mother’s looks was the last of the six to reach the goal of his father's boat. He was panting hard, but still managed to smile out of the joy and happiness of crossing the finish line. However, his expression turned upside-down as he realized how far behind he was.  

I can't do it . . . I'll never be as fast as they are . . . .

The pup held back tears, knowing that he would be teased for being a sissy, a wuss, a weakling crybaby that cries over losing a race, but he couldn't take it anymore. A thin stream of tiny tears had just formed underneath his eyelids as a towering shadow engulfed him. He looked back, fearful that it was an unknown dog, but his fears dispersed at the sight of his father. He was surprised by the fact that he was smiling on him . . . . only encouraging him to keep trying. 

"Come on, son. I'll help you." The hybrid held out his paw to the runty pup, still with a grin on his face.

The runt returned the two gestures and followed behind the large half-breed as they rejoined the other pups; he was eager to receive his father's wisdom and advice on improving his natural ability to run, and he hoped and prayed that he would use those learned skills well.  

It was that day that he made his life-long goal.

One day, Dad . . . I'm going to be a lead dog on a sled . . . just like you were . . . . 

And that his father would be beside him, smiling as his young son followed in his large wolf paw-prints.

And then, I'll make you proud of me . . . and you'll be there to watch me, right? 

Won’t you?

= - = - = - = - = - = 

However, this would not be the case.

A dark shadow suddenly crept closer through the fog. It had the body of a dog . . . . Could it be . . . . Dad? The husky's soft ears pricked up as he let out a small call and then paused, listening for a return howl of confirmation . . . .  

But there was none. Instead, there wasn’t just one, but two dogs, slowly walking towards him, side by side. There was no howl, no sound at all. Only the sound of their soft padded paws hitting the snowy grass beneath them in a quiet unison, and soon started to gradually increase as they sound got closer to the fog's edge.

The couple of canines soon emerged from the fog, followed by parallel lines of other dogs, who the pup could tell they were all local dogs. They marched solemnly; one behind the other, as the red yearling looked back and forth between them all, hoping that one of them was that father figure that he had been awaiting. Most of them never returned his curious gaze, but a couple of them gave him a quick glance that had a powerful look of sorrow and then returned their attention forward. They continued to slowly move forward towards a barn and cabin-like house near the edge of town; when the husky child noticed this, he knew something was not right. 

Why would they march to Mom's house? First, this thick fog, then the lines of slow-moving dogs into town . . . . That was more of a funeral march than a welcome home . . . . . No . . . that can't be . . . .

The husky's legs gave way as he saw the ultimate climax of the march. Two huskies, Nikki and Kaltag, pulled a sled that carried a canine corpse. The gray-brown dog's wet body was covered in dried blood and dirt, but the sight was too gruesome and sudden for the young son to handle. He turned away, putting his paws over his face until they were washed in tears. 

DAD!

The two dogs made eye contact with the young pup as he sadly lifted his head from his mourning, while also they too were, unsuccessfully, holding back tears, and continued to complete their journey to Jenna's to offer their condolences. After the dogs had passed by, the tears wouldn't stop and it seemed like the spirit of his wild ancestors were beginning to merge with his emotions. 

"Aahhhhhhhh-wooooooooooooooooooooo . . . . "

The lamenting cry echoed through the foggy town that was now beginning to awaken from their midnight slumber. At the young mother's house, she had just received the terrible news and was in tears when her son's howl sounded in her lowered ears as she viewed the body of her beloved. She knew what emotions were going through her son right now . . . since she was feeling the same as well. 

"Aahhhhhhhh-wooooooooooooooooooooo . . . . "

From the old, wooden boat, three figures emerged from within the large abode, wondering what all of the noise was about. A large ball of fluff, followed by his smaller brother and a thin-necked Russian bird looked out at the sudden solemn gathering of canines, and when they saw the lifeless corpse in the sled, they had a sudden sense that their best friend was never returning home. The snow goose and two polar bears hugged each other in sadness as they sobbed together while also listening to the husky's howl of mourning. 

"Aahhhhhhhh-wooooooooooooooooooooo . . . . "

The red husky yearling ran straight to his mother's house and they spent the remainder of the morning grieving over the sudden loss of their hero. Other dogs visited them, including the four other children - Dingo, Saba, Yukon, and Denali - and shared their good memories of the wolf-dog through their condolences. Everyone, even the townspeople of Nome, shared Jenna's pain and loss. Rosy was there too, crying as she hugged her pet husky, knowing that a special part of themselves had died along with him. 

But no matter how much everyone else felt, no creature was as saddened as the young son of red. As he fell asleep that night, he couldn't stop thinking about what he had seen that early morning. And he refused to believe that his great father, the famous wolf-dog of Nome, was gone forever.

He wasn't ready to say goodbye to him. He couldn't say those words to him . . . not so soon. That night, a comforting sleep was hard for him to achieve. 

No . . . no, he's not dead . . . I can't . . . I won't accept that . . . .

But I saw him . . . his body . . . he's not coming back to us . . . to me . . . . 

No one else would ever understand how much he meant to me . . . .

He was my role model . . . my hero . . . my dad . . . . 

Now that . . . he's gone . . . the one I could always turn to for help, how can I go on to be like him?

How can I make him proud of me now, now that he's no longer here? 

Dad . . . Dad . . . I never got to say how much I love you . . . .

I really miss you . . . . 

With tears still streaming down in his face, the young, now fatherless yearling closed his eyes and attempted to sleep.

= - = - = - = - = - = 

It was one of those days when it was just the two of them. Father and Son. They were going to go somewhere special. The pup was almost eight weeks old, and earlier in the day, Jenna had told the entire litter that it was almost time for them to live out their lives with a human of their own, just like she was chosen by Rosy when she was their age.

"Humans like little puppies, so it will be a nice chance for you to live with one of your own," his husky mother had told the little runt and his five other siblings.  

But today, the father wanted to spend some quality time with the littlest one before the time came to let him go. The father knew that after that day, most likely his attention would be focused on the eldest pup, since she had received her father's wolf-like personality and appearance, but now . . . only one pup showed more importance to the recently-new father.

"Come on, Kodi," the grizzly half-breed told his young son. "I want to show you something that will just be between you and me, okay?" 

"Okay, Dad," the pup replied as they began to walk, but he was curious about his father's intentions. "But I wonder, why just me? Why not Aleu? I mean, she's stronger and the oldest. Wouldn't you want to spend more time with her instead of a little pup like me?"

The grayish dog smirked. "Well, I spend enough time with her and your other brothers and sisters already, son. Today, I want to hang out with you and only you." 

"But why, Daddy?" The red pup whined. "I'm not special like they are. Aleu's a natural leader, Den-Den's playful, Yukon's really, really fast, Dingo's smart, and Saba's gentle and beautiful. But me," The runty husky's brown eyes began to swell with tears. "I don't have anything special!" He sat with his head down as the waterworks fell like a waterfall down his white cheeks. "What sets me apart from the others that makes me special to you?"

His father sighed as he lowered himself to his son's eye level. "You're my son, that's why. Sure, you're not fast or strong or powerful like the others, but you try, putting your whole heart in whatever you do. Also," he saw his son's raised head and spoke into his ear quietly. "You kind of remind me of myself when I was your age." 

"Really?" the pup beamed with surprise. "You were like me?"

"Yeah, it's hard to believe, but it's true." the father blushed. "I was the youngest of my two other siblings, and I wasn't the fastest or the strongest at the time either.” He began to chuckle. “Heh. Actually, I was the most different one of my litter.” Then he looked at his son, who also giggled. “But when I grew up, I began to change. I got faster, stronger, and saved the day when everyone else gave up hope. If you're anything like me at your age, I have a feeling you'll be something great in the next couple of years." 

"Wow," the pup was shocked to hear this from his own father. He no longer cried, but stood up with his head held high. "I understand now! So, where are we headed to, Dad?"

"Up to the top of this mountain," the pup's patriarch stopped and pointed his tan forepaw towards a large mountain peak near town. 

"Up that?" he gulped as his father nodded. "But that'll take all day to climb!" the small child complained. "Plus, it's too high. I won't be able to make it!"

"Nonsense," the wolf-dog began to stretch his legs, preparing for the long climb. "If you're anything like me, you'll be able to make it. Think positive, and you'll be able to do anything." He winked at his young son and began to make his way to the first rocky path. "Trust me, this will all be worth it in the end!" 

"Okay, I'll give it a try," The red and white pup giggled, and with a bit of newfound confidence, he scampered to where his father was waiting for him and they both started to climb. Rock after rock, Father and Son made their way up the peak. About three-quarters of the way there, the grayish mutt looked up at the reddish-violet sky with a gasp.

"It's almost time," he announced to the pup beside him. "Come on! We're almost at the peak!" He charged up the last stretch of rock to the ledge that awaited the duo at the pinnacle of the mountain. The large half-breed and the tiny husky-looking puppy ran as fast as they could until they slowed to a halt at the amazing sight that was awaiting them. 

"Wow . . . ." The pup was speechless as he looked out at the glorious sunset in front of him. The reds and oranges mixed together as they seemed to dance around the large setting star. The sky's dark and cool canvas caused the sun's golden rays to glow brightly through the tips of the great pines outside of town, allowing every object around it to have a slight tint of sunset hue just for a few moments in time.

"Beautiful, isn't it, Kodi?" the father said, still gazing at the marvelous sight. 

"Yeah," The pup sat down in exhaustion and amazement. "I've never seen anything as beautiful as this before!"

"I guess this was worth the trip, huh?" The father turned to his son. 

"Yep!" The son grinned, turning to his father and then back to the horizon again, still gazing with awe as a flock of small birds flew past them and westward, almost like they were soaring on a translucent pathway into the sun.

"You know, this was one of my favorite spots to come to when I needed time to myself. I thought that you might like it here too." 

"Oh, yes, Daddy! I love it here!" The pup hopped up and down in excitement.

"Maybe one day, you'll pass this secret spot to one of your sons, and then you'll understand how I feel right now," The father lowered his head, nuzzling and calming down his son. "I love you so much, and I will always be here for you, no matter when you need me." 

"I do too . . ." the pup let out a tiny yawn as he collapsed into his father's front paws. The father smiled and let out a giggle as his sleeping son murmured into the ending sunset.

"I love you too, Daddy . . . ." 

=================================================

=================================================

PART TWO 

It was now the year 1927. Over a year had passed since the town buried their half-breed hero. His battle-scarred body was cleaned and placed into a wooden coffin made especially in his honor, where it was buried somewhere that he himself would want to lay in eternal rest: the land-driven old boat that he had called home for much of his life. His gander and almost father-like companion (as did the polar bear brothers) continued to live near the hybrid’s final resting place, making sure that the site would remain forever so that his children, grandchildren, admiring humans, and other wild and tame creatures could reflect on the short, yet heroic life that he had lived there. The kaleidoscope of vividly colorful flowers surrounded the medium-sized engraved wooden cross that stood over the dirt and garnished the top of his grave while they budded and blossomed in the spring, flourished in the warm summer rays, and began to wilt and pass on in the chill of autumn and winter, only to begin the process anew in nature’s continuing circle of life. It seemed like although he was gone, life would be just like it had always been.

Meanwhile for the half-breed’s close family, life was slowly returning to normal. Jenna told herself that she would never love another dog as much as her beloved mate again, living out the remainder of her life as a widow, only devoted to the well-being of her five remaining children that continued to live in Nome.  

Her older five children were on their way to living out their dreams, which led to some unexpected events and stunning revelations:

The eldest child Aleu, . . . Well, all Jenna and the others knew was that she had run away from home into the wild. The young widowed husky soon had to tell the other siblings why she ran away in the first place: Aleu, like the other five, had inherited their father’s wolf heritage, but it was her looks that caused her to not be adopted into a human’s loving arms. When she was targeted by a hunter’s aim, their father had to confess to her the truth about why she was so different than her younger siblings, and in anger, she escaped into the wilderness, never to be seen by her husky family again and not knowing what fate had thrown her way. However, to the husky’s surprise, the other children seemed to accept their wolf side much easier than their elder sibling did. 

Yukon and Denali, both were powerful runners since day one, had made it onto a sled team that was used for racing competitions. They were successfully the top team in the area, even outrunning their father’s old yet powerful rival, Steele and his team. Denali was no longer a bachelor - he had fallen for a mysterious young female that lived in a nearby town, so he said to his friends and sled-mates. Of course, he was quite secretive, so no one really knew who the female was, but all of the available local females still adored and idolized the white-nosed Denali. Yukon, however, was still single, still awaiting the day when someone would beat her in a challenge race, but also was weeks away from being sent to a new team as lead dog.

Dingo was a part-time sled dog, but had surprised every dog in town when he had gotten his own little sister, Saba, pregnant with a litter of four puppies. Saba was busy raising her quadruple litter, and although she was in an incestuous relationship with her brother, she had no regrets; she admitted that she was in love with her older brother since they were children, and no matter what the future held, she was willing to accept her fate by staying with him forever. 

However, Kodiak, the runty young pup, had never been to same since his father's death. His dream to be a lead dog had faded away the moment he saw his father's limp body. Day after day though, he continued to run on the beach like he had always done before, usually for no real reason at all; it was mainly to loosen up his legs. His human owner knew that he had a special dog – the son of a hometown hero - and soon loaned him out to a small mail team that was in need of one last dog to complete their team. Kodi tried to resist, but to no avail. The wild, racing spirit in him was starting to reawaken inside . . . although there was still a part of him that didn't want to enjoy the thrills of running on a team. After the first day of work, he felt unchanged about his dream of working for a sled team.

Maybe I don't want to do this . . . . 

The other dogs on my team are nice to me and all, but I’m afraid . . .

I fear that behind my back, they’ll only compare me to him . . . only because I’m his son . . . . 

Dad's not here to see me run . . . and tell me how proud he is of me . . . .

Sure, it feels good to run on a team . . . really good . . . but it's not the same . . . . 

Nothing has ever been the same since he left us . . . .

The two-year old went, as usual, to his mother's for advice. He had no one else to turn to, and he had enjoyed being with his mom, especially since she used to be so close to his father. 

"Mom?" He called out as he went into the back section of the house. He knew his mother would most likely be in the barn, either sleeping or talking with someone. "Mom? Are you in here?"

"Kodi?" She poked her head from behind a small bale of hay to see her son looking at her. Her white face markings were covered in a slight cover of blush, her bandanna of orange was unusually off-angled as she moved out into the open. "My, this is a surprise to see you here!"  

"Yeah, but I really need to talk to you, Mom," the husky sat down, but his mother moved him away to the doorway.

"Sorry, dear. Now's really not a good time . . ." Her face grew to a deeper shade of pink. "I'm kind of busy right now. Do you think that maybe later in a couple of hours perhaps?" 

"Yeah, sure." Kodi said disappointingly, although he began having a bad feeling that something was up with his mother. "Later."

"Bye." his mother returned his farewell and then went back to the hay-bale where a husky of the color of wheat got her into a submissive position and began to mount her. She unwillingly gave in without a struggle, as if it was what she wanted, letting out a slight moaning cry of ecstasy when the other dog continued to thrust against her hind end. The barn’s lantern flame started to flicker as the two giggled and continued their passionate roll in the yellow hay. 

Little did they know, young Kodi was watching, dying inside, quietly gasping in horror, but he ran away with tears in his eyes before the two dogs could notice his presence.

I can't believe this . . . Mom's broken her promise, so I can't trust her anymore . . . I thought she would stay loyal and true to her vow . . . . 

Oh, Dad . . . I don't know what to do anymore . . . Why are things going so wrong?

The twilight sky had begun to cover the setting sun as he ran past his father's old boat and gravesite where the goose waved a hello from the main deck. Kodi, still angry and emotionally-confused by the scene he just saw, just turned away from the gander and continued to run. He needed time to himself at a place he hadn't been to in so long. 

The peak was as high as it ever was as it faced the mount for the first time since he was seven weeks old. But now, he was taller, stronger, and faster than he was as a young pup. The quarter-wolf panted as he walked to a nearby pool of water to get a quick drink to prepare for the long hike, but he took a quick moment to look at what he had become over the past couple of years.

He was about as tall as his father was (from what he remembered of his father’s height), all with the markings of his purebred dam. His body physique was trademark husky: strong, broad shoulders for enduring heavy sled loads; a slender yet muscular mid-area; four long, powerful legs that were bred for running long distances; and a bushy yet clean, two-toned tail, curled up in the traditional style. The one mark that made him stand out was the dark lined markings down his nose to his dark-brown eyes; its zigzagged marks made his face look like he was rugged like a wild animal. 

Well, at least Dad was right about that part . . . about me growing . . . Mom and some others have mentioned that I have grown over the past year . . . .

One foot after the other, he gathered his courage while taking deep breaths, dried his tears, and started to scale the peak one more time. 

Yes, I have changed . . . physically . . .

But my emotional scars since that day have never been able to heal . . . . 

I can’t move on from that day, the day I saw my father’s unmoving flesh with my very own eyes . . . .

He paused from his trek and stared down a nearby cliff, about halfway up the peak. The dark forest pines below him were covered in a navy tint from the horizon as they appeared like sharp pointed arrows and spiky thorns to the red and white quarter-wolf, as if they were luring him to join them. 

Maybe . . . I have no reason to be here anymore . . .

There’s no real purpose for me to stay here and continue to suffer on your memory, Dad . . . 

Maybe I should just end it now . . .

So that at least I’d be with you again . . . . 

After a couple of moments of drifting off into his thoughts, the pup suddenly woke up from his point of serious depression, shaking his head, trying to get the idea of suicide out of his brainwaves.

No, no . . . NO! . . . 

I shouldn’t think like that . . . .

Dad would . . . . 

He stopped his thoughts and continued to climb upward, knowing he was close to the mountain’s apex. He only ran the rest of the way, not thinking about anything else but running – not even about how his father would react if he had learned about him almost killing himself only a few moments ago.

At last, he had arrived at the peak, panting hard from the strain of the rocky road, and slowly moving towards the edge of the peak’s precipice. The burgundy and ivory canine looked over upon the edge at the twilight beauty that was now darkened a shade of navy as millions of glittering speckles of starlight scattered about its nightly cloth. The trees began to sway in the mountain’s valley as the young son sat himself down and gazed at the twinkling lights above him. 

The stars . . . I never noticed there were so many that lit the night’s horizon . . . .

Suddenly, he caught sight of a streaking point of light with the corner of his eye. 

Is . . . is that a shooting star?

Wow . . . How beautiful it flies . . . . 

I wish . . .

Oh, I wish Dad were here watching this sight with me . . . . 

Another shooting star flashed through the sky as an unexpected crackle broke the calm air while the star suddenly started to fall. The husky gasped in fear, afraid of the unknown whereabouts of the sudden noise and the landing of the meteorite.

What was that? Thunder . . . on such a clear night? 

The male heard the sound again – this time, he covered his eyes with his white front paws and began to shake, hoping that whatever caused the now-louder clattering of thunder would avoid him. But something calmed the young pup only seconds later . . . a slightly cold touch on the shoulder that was followed by a warm, familiar voice . . . .

“It’s okay . . . I’m here . . . .” 

It was a voice that he had been missing in so long.

Could it be . . . ? 

Dad?

The burgundy and ivory dog opened his eyes and turned his head. His facial expression turned from fear to surprising joy. 

“Dad?” He managed to get the words out of his mouth. “Is it really you? Are you really here?”

The translucent sight of the grayish-brown wolf-dog smiling in all his glory caused the son to sit up in pure gladness.  

“Let’s sit here and watch the stars, shall we, Son?” The hybrid motioned to the young husky as his almost ghostly form walked to the edge of the pinnacle and sat down; the son did the same, with an urge of excitement in his step and a slight smile on his face.

There they were: Father and Son once again reunited, this time gazing at the starry sky above them. The air was tranquil and serene, with the occasional breeze breathing softly against their fur of red, white, and lucid gray-brown and tan. For a few minutes, all they did was sit there on the slab of rock, without even making a sound or comment. 

But the reflective silence was soon broken by the tears of the son, who was so glad to be with his role model once again.

“Kodi?” The wolf-dog asked his child. “What’s wrong, Son?” 

“Dad . . . I’ve missed you . . . so much . . .” He turned towards the image of his father and tried to lay his head onto the patriarch’s shoulder. But when his head passed through the hybrid’s body, the young son sniffed and gasped in horror, and his weeping intensified.

No . . . .  

He’s not my father . . . He’s dead . . . A ghost . . .

But . . . he’s here! I can see him!  

But . . . but I can’t even lay my head on him to cry . . .

“Son?” 

“Dad . . . why are you here?” Kodi, still in tears, asked his father. “Why did you have to die? Didn’t you know that I needed your strength? Your guidance? Your love?” He paused as he sniffled back some tears. “I am nothing without you by my side, Dad. Why did you have to go away from us and Mom?”

“Kodi . . .” The hybrid placed his paw underneath his son’s drooped head and lifted it up until they were eye-to-eye. “I didn’t choose to leave you, your siblings, and Jenna, you know. Life only lasts for a limited time, but no one knows when the end comes. It was just my time.” He let out a slight laugh. “I suppose the spirits had a higher purpose for me.” 

“But why, Dad?” The quarter-wolf’s tears scattered from his eyes and were hurled to the ground like shattered glass shards. “I . . . I . . .” He turned to the cliff and walked closer, stopping close to the edge. “Just a few moments ago . . .  while I climbed up here, I almost ended it all.” His voice began to rise as each sentence emerged from his lips. “I was about to commit suicide just so I could be with you, Dad! I missed you that much! There’s no reason for me to carry on if you’re not here! Don’t you even care about that?”

“Son . . . My Kodiak,” The hybrid tried to calm him down. “Killing yourself won’t solve anything; it would only cause more heartache to everyone who loves you and cares about you.” 

“But . . . but . . . I wanted to be with you again . . .”

“I’m here now, Kodi.” 

The burgundy son stopped crying for a moment, realizing the truth in his father’s words.

“You’re right . . . you are here . . .” He quietly sniffed as he raised his head, turning to his father’s ghostly form. “But you’re here now. What about tomorrow? The day after that? Next week? Will you be there then?” 

“Of course I will,” The father gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m your father, and even though physically I may not be beside you, I have and will always by your side . . . I’m always a part of you: always inside your heart.”

“But Dad . . .” The son was quickly interrupted by the patriarch’s next words that soon caused the quarter wolf to break down more than he ever had before in his life. 

“Kodi, I’m your father, and I love you more than anything in the world. You are my son, and I don’t want you to give up on living your dream of running on a sled team. Every time I see you run, I feel so proud that you are my son, carrying on my legacy with every powerful stride. I hope you always remember that . . .”

The father let out a gasp. To his surprise, the hybrid’s already diaphanous body was beginning to fade away from his son’s sight. 

“Oh dear, it looks like I can’t stay much longer, Kodi,” It can’t be time to leave yet! Can’t I stay for a while longer and see my Jenna and my other children? Please, Aniu, don’t take me back yet . . .

“No!” Kodi stood up, the tears still streaming down his cheeks. “Dad, you can’t leave me again! I . . . I still have so much to tell you!” 

A warm, motherly voice filled the air around Father and Son, causing them both to turn their heads around the sky. The source of the soothing sound was unknown to the burgundy quarter-wolf, but to the father – he could recognize that voice anywhere.

“My Son, it’s time . . . Come home . . .” 

“I have to go back now, Son,” the father closed his eyes, trying to blink back his tears. Not yet, Mother. I don’t want to go yet . . . “Just remember that I will always be your father and role model, and I love you so much.” Never forget me . . . His disappearing figure began to run down the pinnacle and started to make his way back up to the edge to return back to the next world.

“Wait, Dad! I . . . I . . .” The husky shouted out with tears still in his eyes as he watched his half-wolf father charge from behind him and leap off of the edge of the peak. “I love you too . . . I’m really glad that you’re my dad!” 

The grayish-brown hybrid took one last look at his son while in mid-air when he heard those words and as he faded into the darkening evening sky, his face twinkled like the shining stars as he smiled proudly as his last words echoing through the air before he let out a howl:

“Be brave, Kodi. Make me proud . . . always . . .”