note: let me know if anyone is interested in fanart of Audi and Steele!

" Balto! Will you listen to me for one second?" Boris, the large plump, and aging goose proclaimed, waddling quickly to the scraggly half wolf, half dog's side.

" What is it Boris?"

" The pups will be leaving soon, you know that, so why deny it? It'll only hurt you more in the end.."

" I can't see them leave Boris... it's too soon..."

" Did you listen at all to what Jenna told you?"

Balto wasn't listening. As they stood by the shore side, all he was paying attention to was the small group of tiny pups that scampered along, playing together.They were all so precious, children of himself and Jenna, Balto loved them more than anything else in the world.

It was a strange thing really, he never knew it would be this hard to give them up..

" Papa!" chimed a tiny voice from below.

Balto looked down to see the pitter patter of shuffling paws, and a tiny wagging tail. This belonged to his youngest pup, the 'runt' of the litter, he named Audi. She looked like Jenna, much like her other siblings, though most of her coat was a cream color, outlined at her ears and the back of her neck, all the way down to the back of her tail in rustic red. That color red also spotted the pads of her front paws.

Like her sister Aleu, her eyes were a dark blue. She was a beautiful pup, Balto knew he would have to keep a close eye on her when she got older.

" Hello Audi" he stated with a laugh, smiling as the pup playfully tugged at his fur.

Boris only gave Balto a stern gaze.

He watched as the older scraggly dog followed after his pups, allowing them to scamper and pile atop of him, he didn't seem to mind it at all. He knew their time was near, and would be leaving.

When that day did come, Balto stood with Jenna within Nome, on a side-road. Inside the box below them was their puppies. Humans had a soft spot for puppies; if they waited any longer, it would be harder for them to find homes.

Jenna and Balto watched one by one, as their puppies were taken to good homes. Jenna kept reminding Balto that the children were good, and pointed out all the ones she knew personally.

Even still, it tugged at both of their heart strings painfully to watch them go. Aleu was kept a little longer, since she didn't find a home right away.

Little Audi was the last to go. She was picked up by a small boy, with dark brown hair, wearing a large overcoat and hat,who was joyous and happy, just to be getting a puppy.

" See Balto? That one is a good, gentle boy; he'll be perfect for Audi. His father is the head of the sled dog team"

" Really?" questioned Balto in disbelief.

Jenna nodded. Although, neither of them realized, who the boy really was. His father was the head of the sled dog team, meaning, one of the dogs he owned himself, was in fact Steele!

Audi glanced back at her parents, giving them a light wave goodbye, and a tiny pipe of a bark. She then licked the boy's face, who squealed in delight. Audi's tale never stopped wagging; she was so excited! She had always wanted a human!

It comforted Balto to see her smile, as he bid his farewell. At least all of his children resided in Nome, and lived nearby. That way, he would always be able to visit them.

With a light sigh, he then turned to Jenna. " Ready to go home?" he asked.

Jenna nodded. " I am, Balto" she replied, in a soft, gentle tone.

" C'mon. I'll walk you there" he offered with a light grin. With that, he led Jenna back to her home with Rosie and her family. He headed back to his own home by the shore, with Aleu.

--

"Papa!"

The little boy came running in the small house, after a large , tall man in a coat. In his arms was a happy, exhuberant pup. The man turned, sour as he seemed, and revealed a light smile towards the pup.

" What's the name?" he asked, with a deep bellow of a chuckle.

" Audi. She's one of Jenna's puppies" he chirped.

Audi looked up at the man. He recognized him, he was all over town, with the sled team. A ver respected man, Papa had said.

The thought of her parents made Audi become a bit homesick, so she brushed the thoughts from her mind.

" Ah. So then, you'll have to train her to be a strong sled dog Bejamin. You think you can do it?"

" Of course Papa! We'll be the best team yet!"

At the boy's joy, the man couldn't help but grin. He patted his head, and shooed him along to play outside, watching him go, for he had to help ready supper. Though seeing the pup's size got him a bit discouraged, he knew that dog wouldn't grow to be any type of sled dog..

Though his son could dream couldn't he?

Audi scampered after Ben, as fast as her tiny body could carry her. Barking as she did, which was as soft as a bell of a bike, she played with the boy all day. He dragged around a sled, pretending to be in a race.

He allowed Audi to follow, seeing as she was much to small to be pulling anything. Though after some time, she stopped, starting to get tired. It was a good thing too! For not long after that, the man called the boy in for supper.

Eager Ben took Audi with him, allowing her to freely roam inside the house. It was small, yet cozy. She hadn't seen anything like it. There was a fireplace, that was warm against the winter's chill.

Seeing as her fur was wet and covered in snow, she trotted towards the fireplace, standing in front of it, to warm and dry herself at the same time.

With a tiny yawn, she sat there for a moment, trying to take in her surroundings.

Though, a stirring noise caught her attention. When she looked over to the left, there was a figure there. She was startled and surprised to see it was a large dog! With a smile, she became excited, wondering if the dog wanted to play with her.

However, when it appeared to be sleeping, she dissmissed those thoughts. He was a large black and white husky, like her Mother. He seemed content in his sleeping, and he was older too! Exactly how old? She wasn't sure, but not too old.

Quietly going over to him, Audi kept her distance, but lightly sniffed at the larger dog, observing his freely. What she didn't know is that this dog wouldn't be kindly to her or her prescence at all.

She yelped in surprise when she saw its orbs open wide to a cold, icy blue. With a loud snarl, he awoke abruptly, having no idea what was going on. Audi scampered back, quivering in fear.

Steele of course, looked at the pup in shock and awe. What in the hell was going on? One second, he laid down for a nap, the next, there was a animal in his house, disturbing him? Raising an eyebrow, he stared the pup down, who didn't utter a word.

After a few moments of sniffing at the pup, circling her once, he asked, in a harsh, calculating tone, not trusting her one bit.

" Why are you here?"

However, there was an interruption, as little Ben rushed to Audi's aid. He lightly slapped Steele upon the tip of the nose in anger, and scolded him harshly, causing the older dog to only growl under his breath.

Ben picked up the pup, and took her to his side at the table, as he ate his dinner, Audi sat there, dark blue eyes glancing back from the boy to Steele.

" Don't do that Benjamin!" the man bellowed, looking to his son, who was very confused, and very protective of his puppy. Steele was always Papa's dog, Ben now finally had a dog of his own!

Ben glanced up at his father, whom held a stern yet caring gaze. He wanted to teach his son something.

" Why not Papa?"

" They should be more acquainted if they will be living together don't you think?" his father proclaimed. It was then thathe took Audi from the boy's hands, and walked over to Steele.

With a grin upon his face, he was cheerful and calm. Knelling down, eye level to Steele, Audi was happy and exhuberant in his grasp, it only made the large husky grimace.

" Steele... this is Audi. She's Ben's pup, and will be staying with us from now on" he explained, looking down at Steele.

The blue eyed dog stared at the pup, with a look of sheer confusion and nearly disgust. It was made even worse when Audi squirmed enough out of the man's grip to lick him upon the cheek. That action alone made Steele scoff and take a few steps back.

" Maybe Steele can teach Audi Papa!" Ben chirped up in anticipation.

The man only laughed. " Maybe boy. After all, this pup is the offspring of one of the best bloodlines; Balto and Jenna"

At those last words, Steele's eyes went wide. He growled lightly in anger at this. So, this pup was the offspring of Jenna and that mangy wolf? Why did it bother him so? Was it because he wanted Jenna and lost her? Maybe because he wanted to be the one to father her offspring?

Audi only stared at Steele. He was very scary looking indeed. The massive hulking dog had eyes as icy as the snow, and a glare that could pierce any soul. Not to mention his toothy expressions that only made her quake.

For this, Steele slipped out of the room, he didn't want to risk himself attacking the pup in his anger, right then and there. He was already on thin ice with his owner; ever since that incident a few years ago, things had never been the same..

He was once loved and adored, respected... and due to that ridiculous mutt, now his name was in shams. It wasn't fair, and he had spent every moment of every day suffering, and wallowing in that resentment and envy.

" This is... madness!" he groaned in disappointment and rage, as he padded outside, along the snow, going out the slightly ajar front door.