Snowflakes slowly drifted from the pale sky, creating a thin layer of snow across the ground. Miya watched, her head slightly cocked. Her deep blue eyes stared blindly into the darkness of night. She could hear nothing but the beating of her own heart. With a gental sigh, Miya turned from the sky and headed into the small den behind her. 

The next morning, Miya slowly inched her eyes open. She yawned then slapped her jaws together, making a muffled sound. Her legs were stiff as she tried to stand in the cramped den. Quickly crawling out into the open tundra, Miya streched then lifting her nose to the air. A new smell mingled in the air. She sniffed long and hard, thinking of what it could be. Finally, she followed the scent, paw after paw.

Seconeds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours, but yet Miya countinued to follow the growing scent. She paused, looking back to see her foot prints decending into the horizen. With a grunt, Miya countinued to follow the strange scent. How can a scent carry from so far away? She thought to herself as she moved forward, determind to find out what it was.

As night began to fall, Miya groaned with the hunger pains that haunted her. She had not eaten all day and was longing for a good meal. With hunger completely overcoming her, Miya plopped down on her haunches and whimpered. The scent, wich was very strong, raced through her nostrails. She growled at the effort it took to stand and walk. Her muscles practicly screamed, tensing up tight from the cold air and long travel. Miya winced but countinued on, into the darkness of night.

When Miya could travle no further, she toppled over. Why? Why did I have to follow this scent? Its stronger than ever but... but I can't take it! Miya squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight her hunger. She placed a paw over her nose and whinned, just wanting to be back at her den were she could sleep in peace. Miya curled up into a tight ball to protect herself from the freezing artict snow.

A bright light pressed against Miya's eyelids pleading for her to wake. She dug her face into her black and white fur, to turn away from it. Then a deep and long howl pireced the silent night. Miya shot awake her fur bristling, heart beating from the terrifying nosie. It took a few seconds for Miya to recuperate. She squinted as the bright light in the sky danced, jumping from color to color like a rainbow. "The Northen Lights," she whispered with the gental breeze. Her gaze followed the lights then landed on the lifeless body in the distance. Miya gasped as the scent filled her nostrils once more. She took full speed to the body.

As Miya approched the body closer and closer she noticed it was the body of a wolf. She skidded to a stop, her breath shakey. Miya stared at the it, her eyes searching for an answer. She noticed it was a young male. Blood stained his white fur giving off a foul smell.

"I followed the scent of a dead wolf!" she shouted out loud, "Why? Why, Nava, must you bring back these bad memories? I said my sorry, I punished myself, I left the others when I was only a pup!" Miya looked at the dead wolf, and glared at the wounds through blurry eyes. Her head throbbed painfully as the memmories flashed before her eyes. She saw blood and death. She heard the shrike of wolves taunt the air. She smelt the oder of dry blood and fear. She could feel the darkness rise withen her. Miya couldn't bare the pain that gripped her heart, she cried and sent out a long howl of sorrow, pain, and anger. Teares burned her eyes and rushed down her cheek as she dug her claws into the ground. Everything around her  became dark, then quite.

Mother: Miya? Come here sweety...)

Miya: Mamma! Here I come...)

 Miya: Daddy? Dont be gone for long...)

Brother: Hey Miya wanna play with us?)

Rex: Your worthless! You dont deserve a home! You dont even deserve a life!)

Brother: Whats happening? Whats wrong with Miya? Sissy... get Mother!)

Mother: Miya? Honey are you all right?)

Miya: Shut up!!! Leave... me... ALONE!!!)

Miya shot from her sleep and scrambled to her feet. Her breathing was labored as she stood wide eyed at the coarpse next to her. She took in a shakey breath as she looked around her.

"It was only a dream..." she thought, "No... it was my past. It was what got me here in the first place," she recalled. Her body began to shiver as the thought of her past haunted her dreames. Miya turned to the dead wolf next to her then cursed the Northen Lights that still lingered above her. Soon she plopped down next to the body and cryed. She couldn't control her emotions, they relesed themselves through her thoughts. Her face dug into the wolf's white fur as she cryed and cryed. She was afraid to back to sleep because of her dream and she was affraid to face the world with its crule punishment. All she could do was let it all out, wishing none of this happened. Everything around her seemed to become still, quite, unbareble. 

"Dont cry."

Miya slowly looked up to the speaking stranger. She met the eyes of black and white wolf who looked younger then she, but also strangly as she did when younger. "Huh?" Was all Miya could say, anything eals she feared she would choke on her words.

"Dont cry." The voice repeated.

Miya took in a deep breath and exhailed trying to calm her nerves. She wiped her paw across her eyes, drying her never ending tears. The younger mirro image of her watched Miya carefully. After Miya was calm, she returned the gaze to the little wolf. "Who...who are you?" she asked.

"I'm a memory."

Miya looked closer at the pup, "Why are you here? Who are you?" 

"Who I am dosn't matter. Why Im here matters..."

Miya grunted at the stupid response. She wasn't in the mood to talk to this pup... or whatever it was. "Look! I'm not in mood to play little puppy... cant you see Im having a..."

"Bad day? You left your family for a resone in which was not your fault." The pup inturupted. Miya stiffened as the pup revealed the words in her head. "You only remember so much... blood, kill, death. But its not your fault," Miya tryed to make the stranger stop talking but she couldn't inturupt it, "Why Im here? Im here to stop your suffering... to take you far away from this horred life.

"What! You mean..."

"Yes Miya, I mean your time is up in this world. Its time you stopped suffering," the little puppy said with a touch of evil. Miya walked backward her head slowly shaking back and forth. 

"No... no! I'm not ready to die... I still have a chance to move on... I'm to young... I haven't even found a mate yet!" Miya growled at the pup.

"This is your chance to stop suffering... unless you've forgotten the past?" The pup whispered, coacking his head. Miya began to shiver as she thought of her past. I can stop suffering... I can be free from the damage I caused. But I'm young... and still have many years ahead of me to recover the past.

"You said, that it wasn't entirely my fault that I became the way I am..." Miya repeated the pup's words.

"So."

"So... If I can find the thing resposible for this, I may be able to undo this curse... right?" The pup stared at her. A hard look on its face gave Miya the shiveres. Then the pup sat on its haunches, "You believe you can undo the past?" Miya looked to the ground, "You think that you can be accepted by another who will love you even if you tell about the curse upone you? You think that you'll be able to find the thing that caused this suffering, this eternal bliss upon you?" Miya opened her mouth in protest but nothing came out. She looked away without a word.

"Its settled then... Nava has delayed your death and says if you can find someone who will accept you no matter what, you can make others believe that you are innocent and clear your name for the hundreds of murders you have commited, and that you find the thing that shamed you. He will spare you in that case."

Miya looked at the pup, astonished by the mention of Nava. She thought to herself about why it changed its mind without a word from her. She slowly nodded her head. "How long do I have?" Miya asked, knowing by stories she's heard theres always a time limit.

"Listen carefully, you must not let your cursed heart to overcome you because you become in a state that is uncontrolable for you. You'll have no choice but to kill for that is the curse. Keep it low and you'll be fine, kill an innocent friend and you'll be sent elsewhere!"

"Elsewhere?" Miya whispered. She looked away from the pup, I just bargened my life! If I can find a willing mate, make others trust me, and destroy the one who shamed me I'll be spared... but I don't know how to control this curse and I may end up some were worse then were I'm right now... well i guess its worth a shot!

"Do you know where..." Miya turned to find she was talking to nobody. She looked down to see that the boy had disapeared, only a bloody outline could be seen. Miya shivered as a burst of wind rushed by her. 

"I have to be strong... I have to pretend that my cursed heart isn't there," for a momment Miya felt as her entire life had been nothing but trouble, she hated the idea that someone else had cursed her life, had caused this trouble. With that she lifted her head, opened her mouth and let a deep howl lift from her heart. She felt it rumble through her chest as it scurried to free itself.

"Nothing will stop me!"

1 week later:

Miya sat atop the small hill, peering down to a small village just North of her. She swiched her gaze to the dark clouds above, noticing they were growing darker by the minute. I guess a storms heading in... she shivered at the thought. I have to be strong now... theres nobody to help me through this one. She sighed and slowly aprroched the hushed village, Not that I had anyone help me through anything...

As she came closer to the town, she noticed its spooky features. She could just see the super sized spiderwebs hanging from broken windows. Chills raced down her spine as the ghost town grew in size. What is this place? Miya shivered just looking at it.

A burst of wind passed her and with that she headed into the abandoned townt to find shealter and even food. Slowly Miya approched the town, one paw after another. Her thoughts told her to go in, her heart said stay out... she knew the dameg her cursed heart had caused and ignored its quickened pace.

"Hey!"

Miya jumped at the surprising call. She whireled around to find a wolf... or a dog standing behind her. She felt her heart tightenat the sight of another live wolf/dog, after so long. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned away wincing at the pain that began to grow.

"Hey... whats wrong?" The stranger seemed to change his tone after seeing her in pain. Miya shook her head, "Its nothing..." she couldnt find the right words to end her sentence. The stranger cocked his head studing her carefully. "Maybe you should get some rest... there is a storm coming in." Miya took a deep breath and slowly turned her gaze to the kind stranger. When nothing happened she relaxed and nodded, then the two of them headed into the abandoned city.

"Im Bandit by the way," the stranger introduced himself as to break the silence. Miya didn't responed. "Whats your name?" Bandit asked, he wanted to hear her speak. Miya stopped to think for a momment, her mind shivered as she noticed Bandit staring at her.

"I'm... Miya," she said reluctenly. Bandit grinned his gold eyes sparkiling against his silver coat. "Thats a pretty name, Miya." Miya couldn't resist but smiled at the much needed compliment. She sighed then followed Bandit once more as he took off.

After about half an hour they finally reached a small abandoned shack. Miya stared at the shack in fear, as if she went in she would never come out. It was all she had though and she needed to rest if she were going to countinue her journey. Step after step she approched the frighting shack and stepped inside. With one glance back to Bandit and a small grin she entered the shack in silence.

It was dark inside the abandoned shack and deffinently spooky. Miya bit her lip and shrugged away the fear, I have to deal with this... as she ventured deeper inside Miya found a old box with something written on it. Miya squinted her eyes to read it and slowly pronounced the faded  paint.

"Free pup...puppies f...for...sale," Miya lifted her head and grunted. She noticed a large, neatly folded blanket next to it. She dug the blanket out of place and did 1...2...3 turns then layed down in the soft fabric. With sorrow seeming to overcome her Miya slowly closed her eyes and shortly fell asleep.

Miya; HA! I got you brother)

brother; Miya, that tickles hahahaha!)

mother; Miya? theirs someone her to meet you!)

Miya; Hello! I'm Miya! Whats your name?)

...................................................................

Rex; Your worthless! You dont deserve a home! You dont even deserve a life!)

Miya; Shut... up!) 

................................................................

Miya; hello? anybody there? Mother? Brother? Al...)

Miya shot from her dream. She shivered as the memory of her childhood returned to haunt her once more. She clenched her teeth as forgotten memories revealed themselve one dream at a time. Their all gone... My family... Mother, Brother... wait- who was the third? Miya shook her head when her memory betrayed her. She sighed and slowly walked to the entrance of the old shack.

As she squeezed through the door the thick scent of fallen rain swarmed in her nostrails, she coughed as it filled up in her throught but didn't go back inside the shack. With a small sigh Miya found stairs leading to the top of her temporary home. At first hesitant, she climbed the stairs, watching every step carefully. When at last she reached the top she got comfortable and satr down to admire the full moon that was barely visble behind the clouds.

"Miya?'

Miya whirled around startled by the sudden break of silence. She relaxed as Bandit approched her cautiosly.

"What are you doing up here?" Bandit asked softly.

"Admireing the moon," she lied.

Bandit frowned as he noticed the moon could barely be seen. Miya glanced over her shoulder and raised a brow, " Qustion is, why did you come here in the first place?" Bandit looked at her, shoked. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Miya rolled her eyes then returned her gaze to the sky. Bandit stood behind her in silence for a while then slowly placed himself next to her. Miya's ears perked as she saw him through the side of her eyes.

"Bandit? Tell me... what happend here?" Miya asked curiousely. Bandit hesitated. He sighed and faced her,"Well... about a year ago we were under attack by the shadow pack just west of us. Nome used to be a very peaceful town," Nome... why dose that seem familuar?, "but once under attack many of the people were killed, many dogs were killed. Together there are only 25 dogs left and 10 orphen humens, children..." Bandit paused and turned his head away from Miya, "Now we protect them like gurdians. We try and find food for them but it isn't easy, and plus we try and keep ourselves in top shape for if we were to come under attack once again we would be all thats left for the children..."

"You must really care about the kids," Miya couldn't help but let a tear roll down her cheek, "I... know whats it's like not to have a family." Banit gazed at her and grinned, "Maybe we should head home." Miya lifted her head, fear struck into her eyes. She slowly stepped backward, "No... I cant. I'll just h... lets just say I've done bad things in my past that I'm not proud of. If you bring me to all those children I wouldn't be able to forgive myself." Bandit looked away, hideing his disapointment.

"I'm really sorry its just..." Miya burst out crying. She couldn't fight back the tears any longer, couldn't fight back the pain. Bandit rushed to her side, without thinking snuggled up next to her. Miya opened her eyes, seeing nothing but blur. All of the sudden somthing inside of her tightened, but it wasn't that feeling she got when her evil side trys to break out, this was a diffrent feeling. She felt her heart beat slowly and warmth flushed her. She closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into Bandits fur. I dont understand... by now I would have hurt someone at least...

"Miya? I can understand if you dont want to come with me back to the children, but maybe you could tell me why?" Bandit inturrupted her thoughts. Miya propped herself upright and thought, I dont know... if he will accept me if I told him...

"I... I can't. At least not yet..." Bandit studied Miya closely then sighed.

"Well I need to head back home... I'll see you tomarrow." He turned and headed for the steps. Miya sat there, watching him descened from her sight then turned to look at the pitch black sky. She thought for a momment then retreated to her temporary sleeping place.

The next morning, Miya awoke to darkness. She yawned then stood up to strech. Turning her head to the entrance she saw the bright lights shine through the doors. With a small grin she approched the doors and stepped outside. A fresh and beautiful morning greeted her.

Miya scanned her surroundings. Nome looked so peaceful... seemed as if it were never deserted. Feeling refreashed Miya began to explore. The expidition was no thriller. Bunch of empty shacks and so on, but what really intrested Miya was when she reached the orphanage. Miya remembered bandit telling her about the kids here that he and his family cared for, along with the help of the two adults who lived in the abandoned church.

"Miya?" A voice arose behind her, it was Bandit, "What are you doing here? I thought you didn't want to see the kids..."

"I just went for a walk..." She turned to look at him. He looked even more impressive in the light. Bandit tillted his head and then sighed, "Well as long as your here, maybe you would like to meet my family?"

Miya thought... Maybe everything will be ok... I hope. Miya nodded her head, then let Bandit lead the way closer and closer to the seemingly abandon shack. Bandit glanced back at her once they were near the entrance of the old dump. He pushed his way through the door and into darkness.

"Kids...dad...mom...?" Bandit spoke loudly as no one could hear him. At first eveyrthing was silent then Miya could hear claws scratching against the ground in a trotting motion. She looked around trying to figure out were the sound was coming from. Suddenly, out of no where, four pups jummped onto Bandit, tackling him to the ground. Laughing and growling they played with him till he couldent take it anymore.

"Alright, alright! You guys win.... for the hundreth time," Bandit said breathlessly. He sat up straight and looked down to the pups, "All right! Masel, Pumpkin, Tumtum, and Autume I would like you to meet my new friend...." The pups turned to Miya, "Miya!" The pups all smiled, their little tounges flopping out of their mouths.

"Bandit is she your girlfriend?" The small Hazel and iron colored pup said. Miya looked away, as Bandit tried to answer the question, "Well... s...k..." then no answer came. The black pup with gray speckles leaned over and whispered something into the other ones ear. Miya watched them trying to figure out who was who, Lets see... I thing the smallest one is Masel and the one talking to her, the speckled fur is Pumpkin. As for the Brown one... that has to be Tumtum since he's the only boy. So that leaves Autume the one that almost lookes orange with a little white on the belly.

"Bandit?" A new calm and soothing voice came through the silence. Bandit turned.

"Who is this?" She asked, gazing at Miya.

"Oh, ummm... this is Miya."

"Miya?  

"Yeah, I told you about her yesterday?"

"Oh yes, yes, plesure to meet you," she nodded her head, "Kids, come along." The four puppies filed out of the room, their high pitched barking fadeing away.

"Aren't they great?" Bandit chuckled.

"Yeah,"

"Bandit? Did you find any food?" A new voice filled the air. Miya and Bandit looked up to the speaking voice.

"No, sorry dad..." Miya looked at the brown figure standing in the doorway. He looked so magnifecent, so strong.

"Who's this?"

"Oh this is Miya. Miy athis is my father, Balto," the last word echoed in Miya's head. Her head pulsed as sh etried to remember where she had heard that name befor. 

"Mi-ya... that name...  I've heard it befor. I don't no where but I've heard it..." he looked at her hrough stern eyes.

"Ok, well I'm going to introduce Miya to the other dogs, so we better go,"