• This story takes place in the early west, and contains most (if not all) of the characters from Balto. It also has my alter ego, Nathan in here, and I own him. Everyone else belongs to Universall Studios.

    WARNING!!! This fanfic story thing contains romance between two males (hence the title), so only read if you're brave.


    CHAPTER 1 – 1896

    The blazing yellow sun baked the already blistering sand to a boil, and there was no cloud in the sky to give relief to its torturous heat. No wind blew, and yet dust could be seen in a small cloud on the horizon. Sand and small rocks were being kicked up by the powerful hooves of four horses, running as fast as they could in the sweltering heat. Atop each of these horses was a rider, urging the horses on. One of them looked back behind them.

    “Okay,” said a young, brownish gray husky/wolf crossbreed of about twenty-five. “Okay, I think we lost him. For the moment, anyway.”

    He steadied his horse, and the four of them slowed down to a walk. They rode in silence for a while, occasionally looking behind them to make sure that they weren’t still being followed. Steadily, the hours passed, and the yellow sun slowly turned a deep orange, then a dark red, before settling right on the horizon.

    “Look, guys,” said the wolfdog who had spoken earlier.

    “Oh, Balto, you do this every time we see the sunset! I swear, if you say ‘It’s beautiful,’ I’m gonna hit you in the back of the head!” exclaimed a tan husky, sitting on the horse next to Balto’s.

    But Balto didn’t seem to hear him. Almost as if in a trance, he said softly, “It’s so beautiful.” Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in the back on of head, and he yipped slightly, “Ow! Kaltag, what the hell was that for?”

    The tan husky only shrugged. “I warned ya,” he said with a grin.

    Balto rubbed the back of his head, and grinned too. “Yeah, well, maybe it’s just the wolf in me. You know, my ‘wild side’.”

    The other two dogs suddenly started chuckling quietly. Balto’s ears immediately picked up the sound and perked up.

    “Shut the hell up you guys.”

    “It’s just funny, Balto. But also a little creepy,” said a dog with dark brown fur.

    “Oh, come on guys,” Balto said. “Cut me some slack. So, I like the sunset. No big deal.”

    “Yeah, Nikki,” said the last husky, skinny with gray fur. “So, Balto’s just more effeminate than we thought, so what?” he said with a wide grin.

    Balto rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right Star,” he said with a laugh.

    They all laughed and kept up their pace. Then, after about a mile or so, they stopped for the night. It got surprisingly cold at night, so they all put out extra blankets around the campfire that they had made. They didn’t bother taking anything off except their guns and hats, which they put over their eyes when they went to sleep. But it was still kinda early, so they just talked amongst themselves for a while.

    “Balto?” said Star.

    “Yeah, Star?”

    “Why does Steele hate you so much? He’s been chasing us for weeks now.”

    “It’s because I’m part wo-”

    “I know you’re part wolf. But that can’t be all. It’s gotta be something deeper that makes him actually want to kill you.”

    “I – I really don’t know. All I know is is that we can’t keep this up forever. He’s gonna catch us eventually, and we’ll have to fight him.”

    “That’s another thing,” popped off Nikki. “It’s four on one. Why don’t we just turn around and take him down whenever we want?”

    “It’s not that easy,” said Kaltag. “He’s a really good fighter, in more ways than one. I’ve never seen anybody but Balto here shoot as good as him. And unless you want a broken face, I would steer clear of his fists.”

    “So… he’s pretty bad right?” said Star.

    “Oh yeah,” said Balto. “Really bad.”
    They all fell silent as this sentence hung in the air like a foul stench.

    “But,” said Balto suddenly, “let’s not let this get our hopes down. Like Nikki said, it is four on one, and as long as we stick together, we’ll stand a much better chance against him.”

    “Right!” the other three sad in unison.

    “But for now,” Balto yawned, “it’s late, and I suggest that we all get some sleep. We’re getting close to Silent Spring, and we should be arriving there tomorrow. There, we can get all rested up and get our strength back.”

    “Agreed!” the others said.

    With that, they all turned over and fell asleep, one by one, under the moon and stars. About fifteen miles away, a black and white husky with an evil look in his eyes did the same thing, counting down the moments until he could finally get his paws on that half-breed, and end this once and for all.

    ***

    The drum-like sound of horses’ hooves beating the ground filled the air, as the four riders say a large cluster of buildings on the horizon.

    “Yes!” shouted Nikki. “We’re almost there!”

    “We should be there in about an hour,” Balto said. “Won’t be long now!”

    They all whooped and spurred their horses onward, eager to get to civilization. As Balto had said, about an hour or so later, they came upon a sign that read:

    “WELCOME TO SILENT SPRING.”

    They all smiled and looked into the town. It was small and peaceful, which was just what they wanted and needed right then. However, it wasn’t tiny, about a hundred so. And it had the only three things that really mattered, anyway: an inn, a gun shop, and a bar. So they were happy.

    “We’re finally here!” shouted Kaltag. “So, what should we do first?”

    “I think we should go ahead and get our rooms booked for the few days that we’ll be staying here.”

    “Okay,” said Star. “But then, I want to check out that gun shop. We need ammo, and I could use another handgun or two.”
    Balto nodded, and they started riding towards the inn. They tied up their horses and walked inside. The first floor, as it was with many inns, was the saloon of the town, and the upper floors were where the rooms were. Balto walked up to the bar.

    “Hey, barkeep!” he shouted.

    A German Shepherd appeared through a door, wiping his hands on his shirt. “Can I help you boys?”

    “Give me a beer, would you please?” Balto asked. The barkeep handed him the bottle of beer.

    Balto paid him for the drink, and turned around.

    “Hey, where’s Star?”

    “He couldn’t wait that long. He said to tell you that he’d be at the shop,” Nikki said.

    Balto sighed. Star always was the most impatient in their group. But, at least the store was keeping him occupied.

    “Well, I’ll go ahead there too. You guys go ahead and do whatever you want. But let’s all meet back here at, oh, say, 8:30. Deal?”

    “Deal,” the other two said.

    They walked up to the bar counter, while Balto headed out the door. Down the street was the shop. As he neared it, Balto could see Star inside, holding what looked like a brand new pistol. He opened the door grinning.

    “Hey Star, what kept you?” he said, still smiling.

    Star looked up, and then laughed.

    “Sorry, Balto. But you know what a sap I am for new guns.”

    Balto laughed too.

    “How much is that?” he asked, gesturing with his paw towards the gun that Star was holding.

    “Fifty dollars,” said a bulldog behind the store counter. Both of the dogs looked up, shocked.

    “Sorry to scare ya,” the clerk said truthfully. “I was in the back room when I heard you boys talkin’.”

    “S’okay,” Balto said.

    “That’s a mighty fine gun you got there,” the clerk said, gesturing towards the gun in Star’s paws. “A Colt Peacemaker. Probably one of the best guns out there.”

    “Well, that explains the price…” Balto muttered.

    “Mind if I see how it handles?” Star asked.

    Te clerk gestured towards the targets out behind the store, and led Star through the back door. Star shot a few rounds with it before turning around, grinning.

    “Damn! I love this gun!”

    “Then get it,” Balto said, grinning as well.

    Star walked up to the counter and laid down five ten dollar bills. The bulldog took them and nodded to him. Balto bought a couple boxes of ammo and walked out of the store with Star.

    The rest of the day went in that pattern: all of them looking all over town, going into shops, purchasing goods, and having fun. It was easy without the thought that Steele was hot on their trail.

    ***

    At about 8:45, they all met up in the saloon again, which was almost full at this hour. They each got a beer and talked about all of the stuff that they had done. Kaltag had met a cute golden husky named Sabrina, and was going to spend the next day with her. The others tried hard not to laugh.

    “What?” he demanded. “What’s so funny?”

    “Oh, nothing,” Balto said, taking another swig from his bottle.

    They all continued talking, their voices almost lost in the hustle and noise of the nearly full bar. Balto looked around at those in the saloon out of curiosity. Then he saw him.

    It was a single husky, sitting at the back of the bar, reading a book. He was completely white, all over, it seemed. He had hair the same color as his fur that fell down to his shoulders. He was slight of build. He was wearing a dark green long-sleeved shirt, with the top two buttons undone, showing a bit of his white chest fur, and a pair of jeans that looked a little tight around the thighs. He had a glass of water to drink, and kept all of his attention on the book in front of him.

    The husky was the only one who was alone, and people seemed to avoid sitting near him. This made Balto a little curious. He looked at his friends, but they were talking amongst themselves and hadn’t noticed him. Balto touched the barkeep’s arm to get his attention.

    “Hey, who is that, the white husky sitting by himself?” Balto asked, not taking his eyes off him.

    The barkeep looked and sneered a bit. “Oh, that there’s Nathaniel McMahn. He doesn’t talk much, but I’d stay away from him. He’s a tailraiser, that one, and no one in this here town likes them qu eer folk.”

    Balto raised his eyebrows. “I think I’ll take my chances,” he said, getting up. The German Shepherd walked away, shaking his head.

    “Hey, Balto, where ya goin’?” Star asked, but Balto ignored him. He walked across the bar and up to the table where Nathaniel sat.

    The husky looked up when Balto approached, and Balto tipped his hat to him. “Evening, sir. May I sit down?” He gestured towards the empty seat across the table.

    Nathaniel nodded and took a drink of his water. Balto pulled up the chair and sat down. Now that he was closer, he could see that he had bright blue eyes that sparkled a bit. He’s kind of cute. Balto thought, and then he shook his head, and looked around as if people had heard his thought. Where the hell did THAT come from?

    “I’m Nathan,” the young husky said.

    “I’m Balto,” Balto said, sticking out his paw. Nathan shook it, and looked at him.

    “You’re not from around here, are you?”

    “No, I’m not. My friends and I just arrived today. How did you know?”

    He smiled a bit. “Well, first, I’ve never seen you around town before, and second… you’re talking to me… No one here ever talks to me.”

    “So, it's true then? Are you…g ay?”

    Nathan’s smile vanished immediately. He went silent and looked intently at his glass. “It’s not just something I can turn off. I would, if I could. My whole life would be so much easier. But…” he trailed off, his paw tightly clenching his drink.

    Balto looked down. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t my place to say.”

    Nathan looked up. “So, you’re not going to get up and leave? You don’t hate me?”

    “Why would I hate you?”

    Nathan blinked. “Everyone else does. Why would you be any different?”

    “Because I’m not everybody else. I don’t care if you’re . You seem okay to me.”

    Nathan smiled. His face turned a light shade of pink, easily distinguished by his white fur. “Thank you. You’re the first person to talk to me like this since I came to this town.”

    “Came to this town? You haven’t always lived here?”

    Nathan shook his head. “I moved here when I was seventeen.”

    “How old are you? You seem kinda young.”

    “I’m twenty, now. I moved here because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I live by myself now. My parents had kicked me out of my house and hometown when they found out I was… you know…”

    Balto nodded without saying anything.

    “I’ve been here ever since.” Nathan smiled sheepishly.

    Balto shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry.” Then he looked up. “The barkeep said you don’t talk much. You seem to talk enough to me.”

    Nathan shrugged. “I never had anyone to talk to. People here try to avoid me. But I would rather be avoided than kicked out.”

    A minute of silence passed between them, before Balto got up and smiled. “I better be getting back to my friends. They’re probably wondering what the hell I’m doing.”

    He was about to leave when Nathan stopped him. “Hey, Balto.”

    Balto turned around. “Yeah?”

    Nathan looked up at him. “Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

    Balto shook his head. “No, why?”

    “Well,” Nathan said, blushing a little. “I was… wondering if… you’d like to come over to my house for dinner tomorrow…You seem really nice…I’d like to get to know you a little better…If that’s okay…” Nathan blushed a little more.

    Balto hesitated. The small husky was nice, but he didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. On the other hand, he’d be able to talk to him more and get to know more about him. He nodded and smiled. “Sure. Is 7:30 okay?”

    Nathan nodded too. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

    Nathan smiled, and Balto returned to his table.

    “What was all that about?” Kaltag asked him. Balto merely shook his head and drank the rest of his beer. Then he got up and walked to the barkeeper.

    “Four rooms, please,” Balto said. The German Shepherd put the four keys on the table without looking at him. Balto thanked him, took the keys, and put the money on the table. He turned around in time to see Nathan smiling at him before he walked out the door.

    He got back to his table and gave his friends the keys to their rooms.

    “Balto, what’s up? Who was that?” Nikki asked.

    “His name is Nathan. I’m going to his house for dinner tomorrow.”

    “Can we come?” Star asked.

    Balto grinned. “You guys can eat here. He invited me, not you guys. If we do it again, I’ll ask him.”

    “Okay, but who is he?” pressed Kaltag.

    “Just a guy I was talking to,” Balto said, shrugging. He headed up the stairs that led to the rooms after that.

    His room was on the west side, which meant that he would be able to see the sunset perfectly. He opened the door to his room and walked to the window. He looked down and saw Nathan walking down the street, towards what Balto guessed was his house. Balto looked up at the horizon and watched the sun until it was hidden from view by the earth.

    He slowly stripped out of his clothes and got into the bed, thinking. He slowly drifted off to sleep, and dreamed of his new friend…

    He was smiling at Balto, looking more like an angel than anything he had ever seen. Nathan stood there, clothed in white robes that reached the ground. He slowly undid the knot in front of it, and let the clothes fall to the ground. He was wearing nothing underneath. His entire body was covered in pure white fur that seemed to glow. He stepped one step towards Balto, his arms outstretched, the gentle smile on his muzzle, his eyes sparkling serenely.

    Balto could see his blush again, and could only think about how truly beautiful he was. He took Balto’s paws in his own, and looked deep into Balto’s eyes. He slowly brought his muzzle closer and closer until-

    Balto jerked awake. What the hell was that? he thought. He looked at his window. It was already morning. He looked down at his own paws. That was by far, the freakiest dream he had ever had.

    ***

    (Nathan’s POV)

    Nathan left the saloon, and started walking towards his house. When he got in, he immediately fell on his couch and let the tears begin to flow. He had never told anyone why he had moved to Silent Spring. Doing so had brought up painful memories that he wanted to forget.

    He didn’t make any noise, he just cried, and let the tears run down his face. They matted the fur under his eyes. Why did he tell Balto all of that? What was it about him that made him so comfortable around him?

    … He was gorgeous. And so sweet. No!! I must not think like that! That’s what got me here in the first place.

    Nathan headed up to his room on the second floor. Once inside, he walked across the room to his window, and looked out to see the sunset. He stood there, transfixed by its beauty until it sank completely.

    He undressed and got into his bed. He didn’t sleep well. His dreams were full of bad memories…

    A large black and white husky with cold, piercing blue eyes stood over Nathan, who cowered in fear. The husky growled, and Nathan whimpered softly, wishing Balto were here.

    The big husky sneered, looking as though he were in the presence of something foul. “You’re nothing. You don’t belong here. You don’t deserve to live! I should kill you, right now!” His voice was dripping with menace and anger. Nathan whimpered a little louder.

    The large husky reached a paw towards his neck, looking as though to strangle him.

    “No, no please…you can’t…NO!”

    Nathan shot straight up, drenched in sweat, and panting as though he had run a mile. As he calmed down, and realized it was only a dream, his breathing leveled out. Then he collapsed on his pillow and cried again, and his tears stained the sheets.





    Should I continue this story? or not? This is also in my journal, so look there for this and other future chapters in this and other stories.