The day had come, the adoption day. It had been waited for with fear and excitement by the parents and the puppies. Now a box had been set out by the sidewalk and a red husky along with a grey wolfdog watched over the puppies playing in the box. It was hard to keep quiet although the red husky had often asked it from her puppies that they would be on their best behavior that day. The puppies bounced around happily fighting for the attention by the people that passed by. Many kids tried to drag their parents towards the box but most of the kids were dragged away themself.

Suddenly a loud howl broke from the box and the puppies tried to cover their ears from the noise.

“Aleu, honey” Said the red husky “please don’t howl like that”

“oh” Aleu stopped. “I’m sorry mama, it only happens when I’m excited”

“I’m excited too!” Saba said excited, jumping on top of Aleu. “I can’t wait to get a human and chew on their socks!” She giggled and attacked her other siblings

“Papa are you going to get a human too?” Boomer asked the grey wolfdog.

He looked at him and smiled “Nah, humans like cute little puppies like you. Not old grizzly grown-ups like me” He said and smiled.

A young woman caught interest when she heard all the noise from the box. She smiled and the puppies wagged their tails like their mom told them to do. There was one puppy that caught most of her attention, she looked very much like her mother but she had a red bridge on her nose. The woman lifted her up and Isha, wich was the puppies name wagged her tail even more.

„Hi there little one“ the woman said and smiled at Isha, the puppy licked her nose in a greeting.

„You want to come home with me?“ The woman asked and she was surprised but it looked like the puppie had nodded her head like saying yes and not before long the woman was holding the pup to her home.

Isha waved her siblings goodbye for now.  

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“This is your new home” The woman said and laid Isha down on the floor so she could have a look around. She ran across all the rooms trying to see all the new things that were now hers. After a while she found a small room with a fireplace in it and a small sofa. The room looked warm so she slowly walked in and sat down in front of the fireplace. This was her spot now, she knew it. Soon she was fast asleep.

“Wake up” A sweet voice rang in her ears she yawned and looked up with sleepy eyes seeing her new owner petting her as she sat next to her in front of the fireplace.

She lifted Isha up and held her infront of her face. Isha yawned and wagged her tail happily. The woman giggled

“I’m Alice” She said and smiled. Isha licked her noise liking her name.

“Hmm I will need to find a name for you... What about Tanana?” She asked as she laid Isha back on the floor because she had fallen asleep once more.

“I will call you Tanana” Alice said before walking out of the room to let Isha sleep in peace.

------------------------

Two years later

Isha had grown into a beautiful lady over the years and resembled her mother a lot. Alice kept her as a pet unlike most of her siblings so she didn’t get to explore the world as much as they did. Isha didn’t mind though, her world was her family and Alice.

Isha enjoyed spending her days going around town when Alice was at work. Alice worked at the butchers and would often bring home an amazing meal for Isha. Her live seemed perfect. Everyone was healthy and although two of her sisters had disappeared into the wild she believed that they had embraced their wolf side. 

“Isha where have you been? A dark red husky said running after her. Isha quickly turned around seeing her brother Boomer chasing after her. Isha stopped to great her brother.

“Hi Boomer I haven’t seen you for a while, is Josh training you so hard?” Isha giggled as Boomer caught up with her.

“No but I have got great news to tell you, Josh is going to take us on a few day trip north for hunting it will be a great time to practice the team better” Boomer said almost jumping around in excitement.

“Thats great, just promise me that you, Hope and the other members of the team will be safe” Isha said worried about her brothers safety. She ofcourse believed in him but that land had its dangerous mountains which had led to many deaths.

“Ofcourse, I mean what can go wrong when I’m the leader” Boomer said with a laugh “I will need to go back to meet with the team, I will see you after the trip” Boomer said and ran off.

Isha giggled as she saw Boomer run to the next person he knew to tell them the news. He sure was happy with his life as a sled dog. Isha shock her head while smiling, he was so much like their father.

“Tanana! Tanana come here girl!” A voice was heard in the distance and Isha knew it well. Alice, she thought to herself before quickly running to her owner.

“There you are!” Alice said and hugged her.

“There is someone I want you to meet Jake” Alice said to a man who stood next to her. Isha looked up at the man who gave her a weird look.

“You want me to meet your dog? Aww that’s so sweet” He said and sat down and started to scratch Isha’s ear hard so she whined and stepped back as the man stood up to and started to kiss Alice. Isha growled at him angrily.

“Whats wrong Tanana?” Alice asked stepping from Jake. Isha glanced angrily at Jake.

She knew that Alice had started to date someone, she had been home less past months. But what could she do, although she didn’t like the looks of this man she couldn’t do anything about Alices choose. Isha gave one quick glance at Alice with a hope of understanding before running off. That man would lead to some trouble, she knew it!

Isha headed in the direction of an old boat that lay on the shore. She had spent a lot of her childhood there.

“Dad, You there?” Isha called. After a short while a grey wolfdog stepped out and looked down.

“Isha, anything wrong?” He said and ran down to her worried.

“No nothing is wrong with me. It’s about Alice she has just started to date a guy in Nome and I haven’t seen her for a while, but few moments ago I met her boyfriend and I’m worried about her” Isha said and sat down hoping that her father would have some good advises.

“Isha honey, I think Alice can take care of herself, just be around and make sure he won’t hurt her” Balto said and smiled tiredly.

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” Isha said with a sight. She just had to make sure he wouldn’t hurt her.

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“ISHA? ISHA ARE YOU THERE?” A voice called for her from outside her house.

“Whats going on?” Isha asked tired as she yawned and looked outside to see who it was.

“Kodi what are you doing outside so early, the mail doesn’t go until 11” Isha whispered, making sure she wouldn’t wake Alice up.

“It’s Boomer...” Kodi said and Isha could hear the sadness in his voice. Isha looked around the room and saw an open window on the other side. She quickly ran towards it and jumped out.

“What happend Kodi?” Isha said running towards him.

“You should come and see” Kodi said and a tear slipped down his cheek.

A group of people stood in middle of Nome, Isha walked slowly, looking around her at the large group

“Whats going on?” She thought to herself. As she came closer to the group she could see her dad comforting her mom.

“Dad?” She asked but he didn’t say anything, the only thing she could see was the sadness in his eyes. Suddenly her eyes widened, in the middle of the group was a sled and lying on it were the bodies of Lisa, Shadow and... Boomer.

“No!” Isha whispered and looked away. She could feel the warm fur of her brother Kodi next to her as he nuzzled her.

“What happened?” Isha asked and looked up at him.

“The team fell of a cliff, Khaz, Copper and Raven survived along with their owner Josh... but Lisa, Shadow and Boomer weren’t as lucky” Kodi said and sighed sadly as a tears streamed down his cheeks.

“But what happend to Hope?” Isha asked as she felt the warm tears starting to fall again.

“She couldn’t handle Boomers death, She never came back” Kodi said and looked over at his parents.

The group around them slowly started to leave, one by one but Isha along with her family stayed there the rest of the night, mourning the loss. Saba had arrived shortly after Isha and the sisters were now with their parent’s along with Boomer.

But the time came that the vet came to remove the bodies.

Isha was the last of her siblings to leave. It felt like her life was ruined.

-------------------

More weeks pasted by quickly and Isha felt like she didn’t belong anywhere anymore. She spent most of her time alone since Alice and Jake were always together now leaving her no chance to spend some time with Alice. Ofcourse Alice didn‘t forget about her but everytime Alice was about to do something with her Jake would step in and take her attention away.

“Isha there you are honey” A soft voice said coming from behind her.

“Hi dad” Isha said not even looking at her father as he sat down next to her.

“You still here? It seemes this is the only place anyone can find you at” Balto sighed as he looked over the cliff that stood above the ocen. Isha loved the view here, it gave her a place to think.

“Me and your mother are really worried about you, you don’t seem to be enjoying life and no one sees you with Alice anymore”

“Dad? I can find there is something missing but I don’t know what, everytime I feel a bit of happiness it feels like it’s taken away from me! Alice is always with Jake now and all my friends have families now it seems.” A tear slipped down from Isha’s eye as she looked up at her father.

“I don’t know honey, life is hard but it’s also the most precious thing we have so make sure no one takes it away from you” Balto said as he nuzzled his daugther then walked away.

Isha watched as her father left then stood up and walked back into Nome. Dogs and people greeted each other but Isha felt like everything around her was blurrie.

“might as well go home” Isha thought and strolled home.

The door was open and Jack came running out.

“move it mutt!” He shouted and pushed Isha to the side as a doctor came out the door and Jack went to help him carry Alice. Isha watched terrified as she was taken away. She had known that Alice was pregnant but it was too soon for her to have her baby now.

“the hospital” The idea quickly came up in her head and she sprinted off towards the hospital. Isha ran around the hospital looking for a window.

Although Isha was extremly worried she could help it to be a little bit happy also. A little human pup running around the house, wanting to play and when something happened she could be around to help. Isha barked happily so people around her stopped and glanced at her, but she didn’t care what they thought.

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Time went past and Isha sat outside in the dark hoping to hear something, but nothing seemed to happen.

“where is Alice?” Isha thought tired and scratched the door hoping that someone would be so nice to let her in. Suddenly the door was opened and a nurse stood in the doorway.

“So you are the little trouble maker that has been barking outside?” the nurse asked. Isha realized this was probably her only chance to get inside so she pushed the nurse a bit and ran inside.

“where is she” She thougt worried and ran between rooms. As she was about to give up one of the rooms was opened and Jack came out looking worried and different. Isha hid behind a chair that was outside the room and as Jack had gone past she walked slowly into the room.

“where is the laughter of Alice and the new born baby” Thoughts went through her head so many at a time she almost couldn’t make out what was around her. After a minute of stress she walked to the bed. The doctor stood over it and sighed.

“So young” the doctor said and the nurse next to him nodded.

“YOUNG?” Isha’s eye widdend.

“how could the baby die, if it hadn’t even been a alive?” Isha didn’t care if the doctor would see her, she had to support Alice after what happened. When she came next to the bed she saw a hand lying out from the duvet. Isha licked it and pushed her head against it, but the hand didn’t respond.

“hey what is a dog doing in here? Shoo! Get away from the body!” The doctor shouted and Isha stepped back.

“Body?!?” She said and looked back at the hand.

“NO!!!!!” That was the only thing that came up in Isha’s mind as she ran through the hospital door. Running through town, feeling tears stream down her cheeks, she didn’t care what the other dogs thought, she didn’t care anymore.

“Isha?” Kodi asked as he saw her running by. There had to be something wrong so he ran after her hoping she wouldn’t do anything stupid.

Isha stopped on the cliff which she spent most of her time on and looked down. Taking a deep breath she gave out a big howl which cut through the night silence.

Kodi walked up besides her and sat down without a word. Isha didn’t look at him, she just sat down and looked into the distance.

After awhile Isha sighed “Alice is gone...She just died and I couldn’t do anything” Isha said in a low voice like she was talking to herself. Kodi looked down on her and laid his head on hers “These things happen, sadly, we just have to get through them together” Isha listened and after awhile she stood up and looked towards Nome “At least the baby was born and Jake can’t take care of it” Isha said growling a bit at the thought of Jake “I will need to help him” Isha said and started walking towards Nome. Kodi quickly stood up and followed her hoping it would get better for her from now on. Isha had to keep strong, she knew that it was what Alice wanted.

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Days went past and Isha watched carefully as Jake tried to take care of the baby, everytime he didn’t come while she cried Isha ran to her aid and tried to comfort her which worked.

One day when Isha came home she looked into the kitchen and heard the baby crying in the other room “Where is that stupid human” Isha thought but suddently saw him lying on the floor with beer bottles surrounding him. Isha ran shocked into the babies room and tried to comfort it, but she was hungry and cold. Isha ran into the kitchen and started barking and growling at Jake “Wake up stupid human” She thought and tried to drag him up but when he stood up he slapped her. Isha couldn’t believe what had happened but she didn’t give up, she ran into the babies bedroom with Jake following her hoping he would realise what he had done wrong. As Jake came into the room Isha barked more but he didn’t seem to care about the baby.

“will you just SHUT UP!” Jake screamed and Isha stopped barking but the baby kept crying. Isha knew he wasn’t himself so she started to growl at him, Jake was about to hit Isha but as the hand came close to her face her wolf sences came in and she attacked it. Jake was surprised at the suddent attack so he started to kick her and hit her more but Isha tried to fight back, trying to protect the baby. Jake walked out of the room but soon came back while Isha was lying on the floor infront of the baby’s bed licking her wounds but what Jake carried in his hand scared her. He was holding a glass bottle and he swung it at Isha’s hitting her in the head so she fell down uncouncious, the last thing she heard before that was the baby still crying while the man shouted angrily at her.

--------------------------------------

“Where am I?” the thought went slowly through Isha’s head as she shook her head to try to see something else than blur.

“A CAGE!!!” Isha yelped as she noticed the bars infront of her. A loud noise was suddently heard from under the cage. The cage was in a car and the car was moving. Isha started to scream for someone hopefully to hear her, but it looked like it was early in the morning and no one was awake. Isha thought of her family and the baby who would take care of it, but the thought that was above others was “where was she going?” As she sat in the cage she wondered if she would ever be able to see Nome or the ones she knewagain.

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Isha watched as the landscape changed around her, still worried sick about what would happen to her, Jake had never been so angry before. Though he hated her he still took care of her and gave her food and shelter after Alice’s death. But the thought of him hitting her with a glass bottle terrified her.

Isha lied down on the shaky surface underneath hoping to get some rest. Maybe it was all a dream but that idea seemed so far away.

Suddenly the car stopped moving and Isha woke up as she heard someone approaching. It was a tall man, he had a scar on his face and he looked angry compared to all the other people in Nome, but who was he? Isha didn’t get a change to think about it for to long because he opened the cage and dragged her out by the pelt. Isha tried to bite and fight back but it was pointless he was used to this judging by the scars on his hands. The man took up a chain from the ground and placed it around her neck.

Dragging her towards a large red barn, Isha tried to stop herself from being dragged by digging her claws deep into the ground and shaking her head violently to get the chain of her neck. “Spare that for later” The man said in a dark voice as he threw her into a bigger cage in the barn. Isha started barking but the man had already left the barn locking the door carefully behind himself..

“where am I?” Isha asked herself in a low voice.

“Hey Guys looks like we have a female amongst us, how long will she last?” A large bulldog in another cage said and laughed.

“What are you talking about? Where am I?” Isha asked seeing more and more dogs from the other cages looking at her.

“You are in hell, and the only way you’ll get out of here is in a coffin or as a champion” The bulldog said and the other dogs nodded in agreement. Suddenly the door was opened again and a man came in dragging a dog after him who seemed more dead than alive. Isha gasphed in horror, how could anyone treat a dog like that?

The dog was breathing heavily but didn’t do anything to escape the man‘s chain which hung around his neck. After being dragged harshly through the barn he was thrown into a cage in the corner, the man locked it before walking to another cage taking up a chain from his pocket and opening the door to place it around the neck of a red irish/english setter. He had a white mussel and his front feet were also white and the tip of his tail. He had a lot of scars over his body probably after fighting. But he didn’t fight back, he just followed the man quitley. The other dogs watched as they left the barn but soon there came another man into the room taking out a black border collie. The dog yelped and fought back like crazy but the man was stronger and was able to drag him out of the barn.

“Sadly he knew he was the next one to go” A golden German shepherd said to the bulldog in a deep voice.

“Yeah but no one want’s to believe it when they hear about it” The bulldog answered. Isha listened to their conversation carefully.

“what are you talking about, who knew?” She couldn’t help it, she had to know what was going on.

“Where exactly are we?” She asked as she looked towards the injured dogs cage.

“Isn’t it obvious girly! We are fighting dogs, most of us here have owners that need money and this is the only way they can think of to provide it. So they trained us, atleast most of us are trained” The bulldog gazed over at the injured dog then towards Isha.

“you mean...” Isha fell back in the cage her mouth open like she was preparing to call for help but she stopped herself.

“Sorry honey, but you don’t have much of a change here, No house pets ever does. And if you get in the ring with that guy.” He pointed towards the setters cage. “You will wish for death”

Isha gasphed and turned around not wanting to see the horrible things around her. How could this have happened? And why to her? Though she knew that she wanted to cry, she didn’t. It wouldn’t be very smart to seem even more weaker in a place like this.

A hour flew past and Isha had fallen asleep. The door was opened again and a man walked in holding a chain in his hand again. Isha turned around watching the man carefully. The man grinned and stopped in the middle of the barn. All the dogs watched him. Evil glares came from most of them but some of them were worried. The man started walking around the barn watching the dogs in the cages barking angrily around him. Trying to keep him away. But finally he stopped. Isha looked up and though she didn’t want to believe it she knew he was standing over her.

“Well, well the new dogs are always fun to watch.” He said and smiled showing that two of his teeth were missing. He opened the cage and took the chain up getting ready to place it around her neck. Isha yelped and cried but nothing seemed to work so she gave up. And followed the man slowly out with her head hung down. He closed the door behind them and started walking towards a large group of men standing on a field. Alot of shouting was coming from the group both cheering and angry shouting. Isha didn’t dare to look up. The thought of end nearing scared her and a chill went down her spine. She slowly closed her eyes and a tear slipped down her cheek. The man was now taking her through the crowde, people were pointing and laughing not believe she had much change in there. Isha tried to ignore all the noise and thought back to her home in Nome, Her mom and dad, Alice and the baby, her brothers and sisters. Suddenly she was lifted up and thrown in a large cage with the same red brownish dog from before. A loud gun shoot was heard probably meaning the fight was starting and all the people started to shout again. Isha was really confused the noise made her angry and she started to bark and growl angrily at all the people around her. Suddenly from the corner of her eye she relished the other dog was watching her. Well she was not going to give up without a fight. She turned around to face him and growled angrily showing her white fangs. The other dog seemed a bit surprised of her change of mind, but it faded away quickly with a growl. Isha could see some of the scars from previous fights were bleeding on him, he was rather skinny compared to most dogs and she felt sorry for him, but sorry wasn’t going to help her. The dog came running towards her and Isha got ready for the blow. The dogs claw hit her chin so it started to bleed. Isha hit the ground surprised how quickly it had happen. Isha hurried back up on her feet. Something boild inside her, why was this dog allowed to steal from her what she had? With a loud growl she ran at him. Her smallish figure was helpful so she ran under him and bit him in the rips. The dog was furious he stepped back hitting her angrily and throwing her off into the cage. Isha stood up and shock her head, but he was already there and bit her scruff throwing her into the middle of the cage.  Isha could hear his footsteps coming towards her. She closed her eyes not wanting to see how it would end, tears started to stream from her eyes, she didn’t see a reason to hide them anymore. The other dog stood above her, he was breathing heavily, it seemed he was tired from the fights. Minutes went past but everything seemed still, the shouting turned into whispering and people seemed to be angry. Isha forced herself to open her eyes. The thing she saw shocked her, The other dog just stood above her looking down on her. His eyes didn’t show hunger for victory or anger, they seemed sad and sorry. The time stood still for quite sometime, no one seemed to know what to do. Suddenly a rock flew through the air and hit the small space between Isha and the other dog. The both look towards the crowed and more and more people were picking up stones. The dog started to growl at the crowde angrily and stepped infront of Isha. Isha was surprised by his actions “He’s helping me?” She thought surprised and watched how people started to throw rocks at them.

“STOP!” A man shouted and entered the cage trying to stop the people from throwing.

“I’ll deal with these two.” He said and two other men came in with chains. “Bring out two other dogs!” He shouted to a man standing in the crowed who quickly disappear.

The brown dog looked towards the open cage door. His expression changed into a slight smile. He looked back at Isha and pointed towards it “when I say run, you run!” It wasn’t a request he was telling her what to do. Isha didn’t know what to think anymore few minutes before he had tried to kill her.

“RUN!” The brown dog sprint of towards the door and Isha who had just been lost in the thought shock her head quickly and followed as fast as she could. The people were still shouting at the man who had stopped the fight so when they had gotten through the door they first realised what had happen.

“Get those dogs.” A man shouted and everyone tried to jump at them. The other dog just bit and growled angrily making people take a step back.

“They have probably seen him fight badly” Isha thought and a small grin came across her face as she joined him in growling at the people. A man came with chains and they tried to throw them around their necks but it didn’t seem to work. Before anyone knew they had both sprinted off towards a wood near by.

“SHIT! We can’t let anyone find them, if anyone does they will maybe know about this place” one of the man said worried scratching his head.

“It’s okay they won’t last for more than two days. She is a pet and Aidan is a fighting dog that hasn’t eaten in few days.” 

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Isha kept running. She didn’t dare looking back, but she knew from the hard breathing that the other dog was a bit behind her. They were nearing the wood and Isha wasn’t going to stop until she had gotten inside it.

Finally coming into the wood Isha heard a branch break behind her she looked quickly behind herself though she knew it was the other dog she wanted to make sure he was okay. But before being able to avoid it the other dog came chrasing into her making them roll down a small hill.

Isha shook her head fustraited over all the things she had to go through and now this dog who’s name she didn’t know was lying on top of her.

The dog noticed Isha’s expression and stood up quickly. embarrassed he looked away. He wasn’t used to being so close to a female. He had been fighting all his life, probably killed someone accidentally but now he had finally escape with a gorgeous female. He shook the last thing out of his head and looked back towards Isha who had sat up.

“I’m sorry about that!” He said awkward in a deep yet a warm voice.

“About what? Killing other dogs, attacking me or almost killing me?” Isha snapped back.

The other dog stepped backwards over those comments, he didn’t know how to respond so he just stood up and walked around the small area there were on.

Isha watched him feeling bad what she had just said. He had saved her life and that was an important thing.

“I’m sorry” Those words came from them both. Both a bit taken back laughed at the sudden change of mind.

“I’m Isha by the way. What is your name?” Isha asked realising she hadn’t gotten his name yet.

“I’m Aidan..” He said and smiled.

“Well it seem it’s getting dark outside. We should look for a shelter in a cave. There should be atleast a small one close by.” Isha said looking around. Her father had taught her about the woods and told her about his heroic adventure. So her knowledge about the wolf side of her was okay.

Aidan agreed and the both walked deeper into the wood.

--------------------------------------------

It had taken them around an hour to find a small cave. It had probably belonged to young bear that had now gone somewhere else.

Isha lay down in the cave and Aidan at the other side both bid good night to each other before falling asleep.

Aidan looked up hearing some noise in the middle of the night. He looked worried over to Isha and saw her shaking badly because of the cold night. “She isn’t used to cold places” Aidan thought and slowly crawled over to her. Laying his head over hers and holding his body close. Hoping this would give her some warmth while they got through the night.

Isha’s eyes felt heavy that morning as she woke up. Blinking few times to get her surrounds right she felt something breathing on her back. She glanced over the shoulder and saw Aidan lying on top of her.

Isha hurried up and Aidan’s head hit the ground waking him up. Both of them didn’t know how to react. Isha looked at him embarrassed and he had the same expression on his face.

“I’m sorry for that, you looked cold tonight and I was hoping to keep you warm.” He slipped out.

“Well I guess I need to thank you then” Isha said after calming herself down. Aidan looked up and smiled.

Looking outside Isha noticed the sun bright in the air.

“Oh no...I need to get back to Nome” Isha said remembering what Jake had done and the baby. She had to save her.

Aidan was surprised over the change of mind she looked worried about something or someone. “No there can’t be another one.” He thought but the thought of that didn’t leave.

“I need to get back to someone” Isha said not wanting him to know about Jake and Alice.

“So there is someone else...” Aidan hadn’t expected for her to like him but now there was no chance.

“Please can you help me?” Isha asked gazing at him.

“Sure.” He said not wanting to sound depressed.

The both walked out of the cave they had spent the night in. Looking up at the sun Isha could make out what direction to head in.

They walked for few hours but the hunger drove them both crazy. So they hunted two rabbits. Thanks to Aidan’s got fighting skill and fast reaction he caught them easily. Aidan and Isha ate their fill before heading back to Nome.

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Few days had passed and Isha and Aidan had slept in caves they had found and eaten any small animals they could catch.

They had talked about lot and Isha had even told him about Alice and what happend to her. It had been hard on her bringing up the subject though.

Isha had also learned few things about Aidan. He had been owned by a young boy who’s family had to sell him and a man had adopted him and trained him as a fighting dog. Aidan’s only chance there was to fight and he had forgotten how it was just to be a pet but when he had seen Isha’s expression in the fight he had remembered the little boy.

Isha looked around the area as they just came out of a wood. They had been travelling for a week now or so she thought.

Passing by a cliff Isha realized where they were. This was the place she had spent so much time at. She looked at Aidan happily.

“We are almost in Nome!” She sprinted of towards the small town and Aidan followed close behind. She barked happily seeing so many things she recognized.

And as they came over a small hill the town stood in front of them.

Isha ran into it. Dogs and people stopped and watched as she passed by. And there he was walking through town. He looked different though older or worried. And then he heard someone approach he looked up and a big smile came across his face.

“ISHA!” He ran to her and nuzzled her.

“I’ve been so worried!” Balto said not wanting to let her go.

Aidan had been running behind her. But as he noticed her running towards another dog he stopped.

“So there is someone.” He said in a low voice and turned to walk back out of Nome.

“Good bye Isha” He whispered and walked away.

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Isha stepped back from her father smiling and a small tear fell down from her eye. She was so happy to be back at Nome she thought she would never see anyone there again but with Aidan’s help she had been able to get back to her true home.

“What’s wrong” Balto asked worried looking into his daughters eyes.

“Nothing I’m just so happy to be home” She sighed happily looking around the town and taking in the scent of air that covered it. She had missed everything even those little annoying cats that kept stealing food from dogs.

“Well dad I have to introduce you to someone” Isha announced looking back in the direction she had arrived from.

Balto followed her gaze but saw nothing. Isha had already started to walk in the direction but every time she looked around she didn’t see the one she wanted to.

“Who are you looking for?” Balto asked as he was standing next to her following her gaze in all directions.

Isha sighed deeply giving one last look but saw nothing like before.

“I guess he left.” She said and tried to smile but it was useless. Why did she even care about it. He had helped her escape and she was very grateful for that and wanted to thank him, but was there something more?

“Who ever it was he’ll probably be back.” Balto said trying to reassure his daughter with a nuzzel.

“You should go and meet your mom. She has been worried sick about you” Balto said pushing her teasingly in the direction to her mothers home. Isha didn’t want to be rude so she walked with her father there but deep down she wanted to keep on looking.

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“ISHA!” A red and tan husky the same colour as Isha came running over to her as she stood outside a house. Isha walked over and smiled.

“I’ve been so worried about you, where have you been? What happend?” The husky asked and nuzzeled her.

“Hi mom” Isha said allowing her mother to calm down a bit before saying anything else.

After a moment her mother had calmed down and sat now next to Balto. They both watched Isha carefully, they weren’t going to let her go until she told them what had happend.

“Before you tell us what happend me and your mother have something to tell you!” Balto said proudly and smiled to Jenna who got ready to tell.

“We are expecting another litter” Her mother told her with a big smile. Isha couldn’t believe it, the good things just kept on coming after she arrived home.

“Oh that’s the best thing that I’ve heard for a long time” Isha announced and ran over to nuzzel her parents.

Suddenly a thought flashed into Isha’s mind of three small puppies. But those puppies didn’t look anything like her parents. Two of them had floppy ears and where brown and red like her and Aidan. Isha thought about it dreamily but shook the picture out of her mind when she noticed her parents staring at her with a grin across their face.

“So who are you thinking about?” Asked her mother teasingly which made Isha blush. But her mom let go of that subject still watching Isha.

“What happend to you? Jack was arrested by the police and little Alice was taken to another home. But you had disappear.” Balto said. Isha was so relieved when she heard that Jack had been arrested and the little baby girl named after her mothers. She wondered where she lived now.

“I’m going to tell you about it later; it’s a no big deal!” Isha said, she really wanted to find Aidan again and she didn’t want to worry her parents. Her parents gave her a suspicious look but let her go.

As Isha walked on, she saw a lot of familiar faces. Some greeted her, others were too busy to notice. She didn’t really mind. She only wanted to find Aidan and thank him for what he had done for her.

--------------------------

Aidan didn’t want to leave her, but he had been afraid that she would try to introduce him to her boyfriend. He couldn’t handle it. He liked her a lot but he didn’t think she had the same feelings for him.

Anger was taking over him; he kicked rocks out of the way, as he walked and growled at cats or smaller dogs that came near.

Why didn’t he just go back and tell her what he felt? What was the worst thing that could happen? Those thoughts where running around in his head but every time he thought about going back, the image of Isha nuzzling the other dog came into his mind, which made his fur bristle.

After a long time fighting with himself, he decided to see what would happen next day, so he walked into an alley, which was between two stores. He walked behind a large box, which would shield him from the wind that went through the alley.

Lying down slowly, he stuck his nose under his tail and soon fell asleep.

----------------------

 Isha sighed. The day had been long and she had walked through the whole town without noticing any sign of Aidan.

“I guess he has gone to another town,” She said in a low whisper to herself, as she walked through one of the alleys she had been so afraid of when she had been younger. The wind blew through the alley making her shiver a bit.

The sun was setting in the distance. It was a very romantic scene to watch on the beach if you had someone to share with. Isha sat down, looking up at the stars appearing in the sky.

“Please, make him come back Boomer,” She prayed to her brother before standing up again, hoping her father was home at the boat, because she didn’t have a place to stay at.

“Hey there,” A voice came from the other end of the alley. It startled Isha, making her jump up.

“Who’s there? “ She asked trying to stare into the darkness but she didn’t see anyone. She wasn’t sure if she should walk towards the voice, it was a rather stupid idea. Stepping back quietly, she walked backwards towards the entrance of the alley, still keeping her eye if someone came out of the darkness.

“You look familiar,” The voice came again, Isha growled in warning, telling whoever it was to keep away.

“You remind me of your sister, Saba!” The voice came again. Isha got interrupted by her thoughts by the mention of her youngest sister Saba. Was she okay?

But when Isha had snapped out of the thoughts, the dog was already in front of her licking his lip, which Isha thought was disgusting.

The dog was dark grey and very scruffy. One of his ears was missing and his left eye was red like blood. Isha stepped back, but hit a pile of boxes. She looked around to see where to run away, but before she found the escape the dog had tripped her, making her fall flat to her stomach. She tried to stand up but the dog kept her down. Digging his claws into her back.

“Easy there girl,” He warned her as she fought like mad to get free.

 --------------------------------

 Aidan could hear murmuring in the alley. It was probably alley dogs. They lived in alleys and looked for scraps of food, which they could eat. Many alley dogs had been brought to the arena by random people that had found them, thinking they were skilled fighters, which was usually wrong.

Aidan tried to ignore it. He didn’t want to fight any random dogs anymore, he had just escaped.

He tried to stick his face under the tail, muffing out the sound.

A loud crash! Aidan looked up sleepily disturbed by the noise. He shook his fur and looked around the corner of the boxes.

A large grey dog was standing over something/someone. He could hear yelping and crying for help...He knew that voice.

“ISHA!” He realized what he was watching. The large dog was holding Isha on the ground and she was trying to fight him but her strength was leaving her.

Aidan ran at the strange dog and knocked him from her. But at the same time, his foot went into her face, smacking her against the wall, making her fall unconscious to the ground. 

“Oh no!” Aidan looked at her from the corner of the eyes, but while he was distracted, the other dog jumped at him, making him fall to the ground and the larger dog held him down.

“Oh thanks, you made the job much easier for me,” He said and once again, he licked his lip, which, like Isha, disgusted Aidan.

Aidan growled kicking the dog, making him fall on top of him. Their faces met and the stranger could see anger flashing in Aidan’s eyes.

And at the same moment Aidan pushed the dog to the side and stood on top of him snarling viciously.

The dog saw he was at great disadvantage and yelped. Only one bite from Aidan would kill him.

“Please, please let me go!” the dog begged.

“If you get out of this town, and never touch another female dog again!” Aidan snarled. He had killed too many already.

“Yes!” The dog cried and, as Aidan stepped of him, he ran away, but Aidan followed to the end of the alley to make sure he ran in the right direction, which he did.

A faint noise came from behind him and he realized Isha was still unconscious. He ran over to her and lifted up her head slowly with his nose.

“Isha?” He whispered, noticing a bleeding scar on her face.

“Oh please wake up!” he begged desperately. He could feel the warm tears welling in his eyes. They fell one by one to the ground, melting the snow at his feet.

He was too afraid to move her, but much more worried to leave her to get help.

“Isha?” Another voice came from the end of the alley. Aidan looked up seeing a dog walking into the shadow.

It was Isha’s boyfriend, the one he had seen her with before.

“What have you done!” Balto growled looking at his daughter and Aidan. He ran to his daughter’s side and gave a warning growl to Aidan to keep still.

Aidan was too afraid to move. What could he say? Deep down inside, he wanted to attack this dog. He was her boyfriend and had let her wander alone into the alley.

Balto examined his daughter worriedly. But he kept looking at Aidan who stood still.

“You disgusting dog! How could you attack an innocent girl like her?” Balto suddenly snarled at Aidan who was caught by a surprise. Did her boyfriend think he had done it?

“I was the one who saved her, you bastard! How could you let her wander into the alley all by herself?” Aidan growled and Balto stepped closer, his anger showing very clearly in his old face. What did Isha see in him?

“Don’t act innocently! You will pay for what you did to my daughter!” Balto said and jumped at Aidan whose eyes had widened at the word “daughter”. He was her father!

But Aidan hadn’t much time to think about it as Balto tried to bite him.

Balto had the upper paw. He was stronger than Aidan, even though he was old. Aidan tried to fight back but each of them had different thoughts in their mind. Aidan didn’t want to hurt Balto, since he was Isha’s father. But Balto wanted to hurt Aidan since he had attacked Isha.

“Please listen!” Aidan tried, but Balto didn’t give him time to explain. He wanted him gone.

Aidan was able to put his feet under Balto’s stomach and kicked, making Balto fall to the side.

Aidan glanced at Isha, feeling bad but he had had to do this.

And without a warning, Aidan ran off. He couldn’t fight Balto anymore, because he couldn’t hurt him. But Balto didn’t believe him.

Aidan kept running until he noticed a familiar sign, which stood for the hospital (or something like that). Barking loudly, Aidan caught people’s attention and a man who looked like a vet came out, thinking the dog was ill. Aidan tugged at his sleeve with his teeth gesturing to follow. 

Aidan dragged the poor vet through town and stopped at the stopped at the alley. There, Balto lay over his daughter, licking her head, trying to wake her up.

“Oh my!” The vet said as Aidan finally let go. The man brushed of some dirt on his clothes, which he had gotten after bending low to follow the dog.

He walked over to Isha, noticing Balto’s worries, he began by putting his hand out to let Balto sniff it, which he did and then stepped two steps back, letting the vet get a closer look.

Balto glanced over at Aidan who stood behind the vet as worried as he was. Who was he? Balto wondered to himself but most of his thoughts went to Isha.

--------------------

 Isha’s head felt like it was going to burst open. She tried to open her eyes, but it felt like they were glued together. Finally, she managed to open them and had to blink often because the light was to bright. When her eyes had recognized her surroundings, she gasped. She was lying in a cage. A small water bowl was next to her and the room was all white.

Where was she?

The other cages around her were mostly empty, aside from one containing an old male dog that was asleep.

Before she could ask him where she was, the door opened and a man wearing a white coat came in. Isha knew he was a doctor and recalled what had happened the other day.

She scratched the cage door, hinting the vet she wanted to get out. He smiled and opened the door leading her out his office.

Outside she could see three dogs. One was Aidan who stood up as soon as he saw the door opening and the other two were her parents. They were so relieved seeing her safe that they all ran to her and nuzzled her.

“I’m so sorry,” she could hear Aidan whispering over and over into her ear. He felt horrible. He had left her when she wanted to introduce him to her father and he was the one who had injured her.

Both Balto and Jenna had stepped aside, letting the two of them enjoy the reunion.

“I love you,” Isha whispered into Aidan’s ears making him blush.

“I love you too,” He said enjoying the warmth. He was finally able to tell her. Both Jenna and Balto had the same knowing expression on their face.

“Isha, Aidan told us about everything that happened to you while you were in the hospital,” Jenna said going over to her daughter.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” Balto asked remembering what she had said when she had arrived into the town.

“Because I didn’t want to worry you so soon” she said and realized she had done so already.

“Please be honest with us, we are your parents; we want to know what happens!” Balto said and nuzzled his daughter before walking off with Jenna, leaving the two lovers alone.

-----------------------------

 Few months later

Isha and Aidan had been adopted by an old friend and boss of Alice. They were extremely happy.

But now they sat on a familiar place with a box in front of them where six puppies were playing around. Aidan nuzzled Isha happily.

A little white pup looked at her mom. “Mom what will happen after we are adopted?” She asked curious.

Isha smiled “Your own adventure will begin!”