I've had such writer's block on this last chapter, but I think I finally know what to do with it! Enjoy!

-Riani

Chapter 21

"Fire!" someone yelled. Panic started to seep through the pack, Aleu's dreams started coming back to her.

The pack started to run in circles trying to find mates and pups, it was chaos. The Elders tried to round everyone together and calm everyone, but it was no use. Trees surrounded them on all sides of the meadow, and the fire was spreading fast through the woods and it was licking at the tall grass now.

Aleu looked around at her pack, someone had to pull them together, if they didn't move soon the fire would travel through the trees and trap them. It was taking longer to move through the grass because of all the patches of rock but it ate through trees like they were nothing.

Aleu jumped forward towards the small boulder in the center of the group, alarming her little family that had gathered around her. They tried to stay with her, set on keeping together.

Aleu lept on top of the boulder wincing as her sore body complained. The fire lit up her face as she shouted,"Everyone!"

The wolves still ran around her, panicked out of their minds.

"Listen. Listen!" Aleu growled loudly.

The wolves looked up at her, fear clear in their faces.

"Look, I know you're scared, but if we panic the fire will surround us and we'll be trapped!" Aleu yelled. The wolves all stared up at her waiting fr her guidance. Balto smiled as he watched his daughter, she really was born for this.

"We have to work together if we are going to make it out of this. Help those who can't move as well and move as a unit and we will be fine. Now we have to move fast." Aleu jumped down from her boulder and the wolves all looked to her for instruction. Pain shot through her as her paws struck the ground and she tried to hold back her gasp.

Tavo saw her grimace. Ima's treatment had healed her of any immediate danger, but she was obviously still hurt.

"Aleu, let me help you." He said nuzzling her.

"I'm ok, you take the lead, and I'll make sure everyone gets out. Head that way." Aleu nodded to the small patch of forest ahead of them that was still fire free. Tavo gave her a worried glance, but nodded and went to the front of the group.

They all started running towards the trees. They were racing against the flames. Aleu stayed towards the back of the pack making sure everyone was keeping up. Yak and Sumac were reluctant to leave the paralyzed Nuka, but Aleu convinced them that as long as he couldn't walk there was no way for them to help him and still get away.

But, if Aleu was honest with herself, she didn't want to help him. He hurt her and the one she loved, he was lower than dirt in her eyes.

That thought though, that she was fine with leaving someone to die, scared her more than anything.

"Aleu, you've got to speed up! We'll never beat the fire at this pace." Saba called to her frantically. Aleu realized how far she had fallen behind. Her father and sister ran with her, but the pack was several lengths ahead and the flames were surrounding them quickly.

Smoke was making it hard to see and even harder to breath. Their pace slowed as they entered the trees. Balto and Saba helped the Elders keep up with the pack. Some of the older wolves were having trouble.

Adrenaline coursed through Aleu and the throbbing pain she had felt now dissipated. She ran alongside her pack until she was next to Tavo . The trees around them were now aflame. She knew their only choice was push forward.

"We're ok, just keep heading this way, soon we'll reach the river. The other side of it should be safe." Aleu instructed before falling back to the middle of the pack. Sparks fell into their fur and smoke filled their lungs.

"Keep it up, not much further!" Aleu encouraged.

"I hope you know what you are doing, Alpha!" Iua shouted at her.

"Oh would you just shove it! I'm trying to save your sorry ass!" Aleu screamed at him as she sprinted next to him.

Iua stared at her with surprise, as did several of the wolves who ran beside them.

"How dare-"

"Oh shut up, will you? All I've seen since I've gotten here is you old flea-bags bossing my sister around. And all she's done is help this pack!" Saba yelled.

"Uh... I hate to interrupt, but maybe we should be more focused on the task at hand?" Balto called from behind them, reminding them of heat and flames that tried to swallow them.

Iua growled and pushed past Aleu and the others. There was a sharp crack and before Aleu knew what was happening a large tree was spiraling to the ground.

Spiraling down to hit her.

There was a shout and Aleu felt herself being shoved back into the wolves behind her. She looked up and could just make out Iua's face under the tree.

She ran forward and tried to push the tree off him and the two other wolves that it was crushing.

"Leave me Alpha, I'm old and dead anyway. You were...right. I am an ass." the old wolf choked out. He sighed and was gone, and from their stillness Aleu knew that the other two were lost as well.

"We're trapped!" One of the wolves behind her cried.

Aleu looked around her. Fire flanked them on all sides and covered the trunk of the fallen tree. If they were quick the could probably make it over the trunk, but it was large and as she looked around at the wolves around her she knew that some of them would not be able to make it. Three Elders, her sister, her father, and three Omegas. THe omegas would probably be okay for the jump, they were swift and agile enough, but the others Aleu feared would not make it. Saba had lived in the lap of luxury her whole life and the others, including her father, were just not strong enough.

The fire crackled loudly in her ears and the heat was beginning to become unbearable.

She could hear Tavo's frantic cries on the opposite side.

"Tavo, we're trapped. There's nothing I can do, you have to go on without me. Get everyone to safety!"

"No, I won't leave you behind."

"Go, please, I failed, but I won't let that kill the pack."

Aleu motioned for the Omega's to proceed over the trunk. They scrambled with some effort, but made it. Aleu turned to the others tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, I've failed."

"No, my dear, we failed you. We are old and our minds are clouded. It is hard for us to see the changes that are needed. You are one of those changes." Aiu said hoarsely.

Balto looked at both of his daughters and at the fire around them. This was not how he wanted to die.

"Aleu, you can't give up just yet. We can make it through this." Balto said.

"Papa, how?" Saba said frantically.

"I think if we're careful and with a little luck, we can make it through this fire."

Ima understood if Aleu and Saba did not.

"Alpha you were chosen by the spirits of the grand design to lead our pack, and are blessed with a connection to nature. You must lead us home once more." she said to Aleu.

Aleu nodded, hoping she understood, and closed her eyes. She opened them and allowed her instincts to lead the small group to the left. There were less trees in that direction and thus less flames.

It was as if someone were calling her name leading her in the right direction. They climbed over two thinner fallen trees until finally they found themselves looking through the branches of the great tree that had fallen in front of them before.

There was someone calling Aleu's name, Tavo was screaming in agony trying to get a response, the omegas tried to pull him away, but he would not budge.

"Brother, there is nothing we can do, the flames will have taken them!"

"They will take us too!"

"Go! I'm not leaving her!" Tavo screamed at them.

Saba helped Aleu break the trees branches and she crashed through them to get to Tavo.

He was overjoyed when she called his name. He held her to him as if he would never let go again. Balto broke them apart, "If we don't get moving we'll be kindling!"

They raced after the rest of the pack until they reached the river. The younger wolves assisted the older in crossing until they were all safe on the other side. There were very little trees on this side of the river and the fire was kept back by the water.

Several wolves were injured and they had lost four total to the fire, including one of the pups. Aleu nearly collapsed as her injuries caught up to her. She choked out a bit of blood as Tavo eased her to the ground. Saba rested beside her. Tavo had cuts all over him from the forest as well as the fight but he hid any pain he felt with concern for Aleu.

"You did it love, the pack is safe." Tavo nuzzled Aleu. Balto snarled as he watched Tavo, he finally realized what had set him on edge about the brown wolf.

"Get...away from her."

Tavo looked up in surprise at Balto's raised hackles and snarling teeth.

"Sir?" Tavo said

"Papa?" Saba and Aleu asked.

"You. You stay away from my family." Balto snarled.

"Papa, Tavo hasn't done anything, what are you doing?" Aleu pleaded.

Saba looked between Balto and the nervous wolf. The other wolves were gathering around, some looking ready to protect Tavo. Aleu also pushed herself up to stand between the two

"Move away from him. Murderer!" Balto yelled approaching Tavo.

Saba thought she understood now. "Papa, no, how could he be the wolf that killed your family? Think! That was so long ago! This wolf can't be more than a year older than Aleu and I!"

Balto's eyes cleared. He saw reason in this, but he knew that the wolf in front of him, had to be the same wolf.

Tavo stepped forward, "Sir, I'm not who you think I am, I think you are confusing me with my father. It's no secret among our people that he killed Aniu and her mate. Please I am not my father. I do not apologize for him, one cannot choose their family." He glanced at Aleu. "I would never hurt you or your daughter. I love her."

Balto was convinced that this wolf was not the same one that killed his family, but hatred clouded his thoughts.

"All the same, how could allow even one of his sons near my daughter?"

Aleu looked up at her father, "Papa, Tavo has taught me a lot about being a wolf, and one of the things he taught me is that who you are related to shouldn't matter. We are family, all of us, anyway. What matters is who you are, and Tavo has more than proved himself."

Tavo smiled with pride that she had finally learned.

"She's right Papa, I've spent all this time ashamed of my heritage. I thought being part wolf meant there was something wrong with me. I don't know...I thought it made me different...Strange. But, I was wrong, that is not what makes me who I am, only I can decide that. Also being part wolf isn't that bad, my relatives are...interesting." Saba said with a smile.

Balto looked back and forth between his daughters until a soft smile broke his scowl. "You're right...I'm sorry."

Tavo smiled and nuzzled Aleu, who settled herself back to the ground.

Thunder rolled overhead and the fire on the other side of the river cracked and sizzled. Some of the scouts went to search for some kind of shelter. Aiu approached Tavo and Aleu.

"Tavo you defeated your brother in the final trial, and thus are the final suitor left. Tradition states that you and the Alpha must duel to prove your compatibility, and Aleu would then relinquish her head wolf status to you, and she would become your second in command. " Aleu and Tavo looked at each other with worry, neither was in much shape to fight, and Tavo didn't want to have complete control over the pack. "But, the council has decided, in light of recent events, that you have both proven yourselves more than worthy leaders. You will lead side by side as equals, and from now on the council is only there to advise the Alpha pair no longer to give orders." Aiu finished.

Tavo and Aleu smiled brightly and thanked Aiu and the remaining Elders. Balto looked on as the pair kissed each other happily, his baby girl had grown up when he wasn't looking. He looked at Saba, they both had.

When the scouts came back the pack followed them to a large cave at the edge of the meadow, in the side of a small cliff face.

Rain started to pour as Tavo pulled Balto aside, "Look, I know you plan on trying to return home, but you are welcome to stay."

"No, thank you, but our place...my place at least... is in Nome. We've got to try to get back there."

"In that case there is something I'd been meaning to ask you."

"Where are they?"

"Calm down, Aleu."

"How long does it take to walk back from the river?"

"Dad is probably talking his ear off, give him a break."

"Here they come now."

"Oh thank goodness."

Tavo and Balto approached Aleu, Saba, and Ima slowly. Balto came to stand next to Saba and Tavo walked around to face Aleu. Ima stood between them.

The rest of the pack sat in a circle around the little group.

Ima spoke, "It is part of the grand design that this pair comes together as one. May they lead us with dignity and wisdom."

Tavo and Aleu nuzzled each other taking in each other's scent. They almost didn't need this part they knew each other's scents so well anyway.

Aleu smelled the sun and tall grass, and the ocean. Tavo breathed in the smell of the mountains, wind rushing through the trees, and the ripples in the river.

They opened their eyes and breathed deeply. Then they both started to howl together, and it was the most beautiful sound anyone in the pack had ever heard. No one spoke, no one moved.

The sound was joyous and triumphant like nothing they'd heard before. Slowly they all joined in. Balto felt his instinct well inside of him and he lifted his head joining the pack. Saba looked around at all the wolves, uncertainly before lifting her head as well and joining in.

Tavo and Aleu spent in the rest of the day building a den for themselves, and that night they slept seperately from rest of the pack.

The next morning they were inseparable. Balto watched his daughter and her new mate frolic he sighed with regret. He didn't want to leave, and Saba had made friends with several of the wolves in the pack. It was time for them to go back though.

He discussed it with Aleu and Tavo, and although Aleu didn't want them to leave they agreed to escort Balto and Saba back to Alek's store.

Several scouts and some of the other pack members joined them as they crossed the river. Some wanted to say goodbye, and others were curious as to what had become of their home. The flames had decimated the forest. They mourned when they found the bodies of their fallen pack mates.

Saba asked why they just left the dead wolves there, and Tavo explained that their bodies were now a part of the Earth, and their spirits would watch over the pack from beyond.

They searched for Nuka's body, but never found him. Tavo wondered if his brother had somehow survived the fire, even with his injuries.

The meadow was scorched and scarred, but it would heal one day, and maybe they would return. Humans seemed to fill the forest on the other side of the meadow. Humans in yellow suits with strange hats on. The wolves stayed as far away from them as they could manage, but they caught bits of their conversations.

"Funny that a little campfire could do all this..."

"Idiots, who does this?"

When they reached the edge of the forest the shop was in sight down the shore. All of the wolves stayed behind except for Aleu and Tavo. They approached the store from the back and scratched on the back door.

Alek opened the door and smiled at the sight of Saba and Balto.

"My friends, you've returned! We were quite worried about you, Balto, my old friend, but you seem to be walking around well enough now...incredible." Alec scratched his head at Balto's quick recovery.

"I see you and your friends made it out of the fire alright-"

As Alek spoke a booming voice called from the entrance of the shop, "Doggies! You are safe." Dimitri came stomping through to the back door.

Aleu and Tavo stood back from the humans. They made Tavo nervous and Aleu tried to comfort him.

Alek saw them, "Aw, old-timer you bring us some more of your friends? Wolves? I guess being part you would know a few." He smiled warmly at them, but was still cautious. He saw the strong resemblance between Aleu and Balto, and Tavo's nervous stance.

"Thank you for taking care of our friends, my dear." Alek said softly. Aleu wagged her tail happily and Tavo relaxed slightly.

Dimitri smiled wildly and grabbed some beef jerky from Alek's counter and tossed it to the canines. Tavo sniffed the dried meat for a second before tentatively nibbling a piece, and then taking the whole piece into his mouth in one bite.

The humans weren't as frightful as he'd once believed.

"I was about to head across to other shore, would you Doggies like a ride?" Dimitri said scratching Balto's ears. Balto barked happily, as much as he wanted to stay with Aleu he was ready to go home.

Dimitri and Alek left to get things prepared. Aleu rushed forward and nuzzled Balto.

"I'm glad you were here. Tell mom I love her and that she's got a new son-in-law." Aleu chuckled.

She turned to her sister, who was already in tears, "I think maybe when we came here I thought I could convince you to come home, but now I see you've made yourself a new home. I can't believe I have to leave already."

"You could stay." Aleu said softly.

Saba looked around for a moment and smiled, "No, I don't belong here. I have a family of my own to take care of, but maybe our new friends can help me come visit sometimes."

Aleu nodded and nuzzled her sister. Tavo said goodbye to his new family members as well and before long they heard Dimitri calling.

Aleu watched from the shore as the boat pulled away and from the woods a group howl arose.

"We'll see them again." Tavo said beside her as they watched the boat get smaller.

"Goodbye."

Alright well, this has been a lot of fun as a first fanfiction! I'll definitely be doing more. I know this ending was a long time coming and some questions are still left unanswered, but stay tuned and maybe there will be more with Balto/Aleu and friends.

I'm kinda sad it's finished.

I'm a little overwhelmed that people actually liked my writing as much as they seem to, unless you are all just feeling pity for me...and are just trying to be nice. Which is ok too. Anyway thank you all so much for reading! And stay tuned!

-Riani