Ixi
by Kiche

Chapter the First

A black wolf stood on the outskirts of a small town. He mumbled to himself as he stared at Nome with hateful grey eyes. He bared his teeth angrily as gobs of white spit fell to earth. His big clear claws dug into the snow, then sank into the dirt under the wolf's weight.Suddenly, a movement caught his eye. He spotted a black and white canine figure walking in the distance, down a street in town. The wolf ears perked up his eyes still shining, his mouth still growling, and his expression still vicious. The fur on his back bristled intensely as he began to approach, staying low to the ground.His paws carried him silently across the field of snow.He was then right behind Steele. The malamute was still oblivious of the attack.

Steele turned his head, and, almost instantly, the wolf sprang, attempting to slash his deadly fangs into the dog's skin. He bit into the back of Steele's muscley neck. The dog squirmed and struggled as he yipped in pain. But the wolf stayed attatched to the dog, kicking with his claws as he bit down hard with his teeth.

"Get off me! Get off me!" Steele managed to sputter. All he could do was try to resist and try to bite the wolf's paws. But as much as he tried, he couldn't win.

Finally, the wolf kicked Steele one more time, very hard, let go of his death-grip, and sent the malamute skidding onto the icy road and into the hard brick wall of a building."You human-loving canines are nothing but...but...but...low-life mongrels! How dare you even call yourself a dog! A real dog runs free and follows his instincts, not humans orders!" The wolf shouted at the banged-up Steele.

"Ohhh....I don't care if I'm soap scum right now...you've practically killed me....ohhh...." Steele groaned.

"Yes, I would've killed you, but you need to tell your little friends my message. If they let another human anywhere out of this...this...this...human civilization, I'll tear them and everyone else in this dirt bag place apart!" The wolf snarled and bared his teeth. His ruff rose making him seem bigger than normal.

"Why should I do that?!" Steele said starting to get up. His legs were shaky and his face had a little bit of blood from scratches. As he spoke, his voice had an extra airy sound because a couple of his teeth were knocked out and laying invisible in the cloudy white snow.

"Because I said so and I really will kill you if you don't! Does this face look like a joke?"

"Well, I can't tell if your face is a joke, cause you seem like your trying to be serious but you also look really funny," Steele chuckled. He moved his shoulders in a circular motion, making them crack and snap.

"SHUT YOUR #$%&*@! MOUTH, YOU CUR!!!" The wolf's mind exploded and Steele fell back down in surprise. The wolf strided over to him and slashed at Steele's face in anger. Another gash appeared on the dog's face as drops of blood fell to the snow.

"You...don't have to yell..." he said hoarsely. The wolf smiled like he was proud of himself, but his eyes stayed angry slits.

"Then I've made myself clear. And tell your little puppy friends that if they know what's good for anyone, everyone will stay out of Massacre's way. Clear?"

"Yes, Massacre. I understand," Steele confirmed.

"Good boy! Run along now and have fun with your humans. I have to go back now, but remember, one human into my territory and--" He made a killing motion moving his paw across his neck. "For the whole lot of you." He turned around and trotted back with his wolf head held high. Steele just looked at Massacre with his electric blue eyes. Then he stood on his wobbily legs and limped down the road.

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That night, the stars seemed very dull. There was an extra chill in the air as dogs walked into the wooden shelter known as a Boiler Room. Inside was nice and toasty warm because of the big furnace, or boiler, in the corner.

The dogs of Nome usually held their meetings here, and if not at the Old Mill, though it was not as warm.When everyone was inside and seated, a shaggy grey-brown dog stood up. His name was Balto.

"May I please have everyone's attention?" He asked sounding very orderly and proper. When everyone settled down and stopped talking, the wolf-dog continued. "Now, we don't exactly have a planned agenda, but we were due for a meeting, so, here we are. I guess we'll start off with a roll-call. I, of course, am here. Jenna?"

"Here."

"Nikki?"

"Herez."

"Kaltag?"

"Present."

"Star?"

"Over here."

"Sage?"

"Here."

Balto went down the list until he came to the last name; Steele.

"Steele?"

Silence. Nobody had an explanation.

"Ok, I guess Steele isn't here or coming? Ok, so now I guess we'll--"Suddenly the door burst open. A cut, bruised, blood covered dog dragged himself inside. He collapsed on the pine floor and panted heavily. His fur was black and white which could only mean that this beat up dog was...

"Steele! What happened?" Balto gasped. Many voices chimed in bombarding the malamute with questions.

"Who did it?'

"When did it happen?"

"Are you okay?"

"Did you have to fight?"

"How many were there?"

Everyone silenced as Steele started speaking in a quavery voice. "A wolf named, um, let me think...oh yeah, Massacre. He came up behind me, attacked, and before I knew it I was in a fight with one of them wolves. When he was done, he told me to tell you this," His voice changed to imitate Massacre. "If you let one more human out of this town and into my territory, I'll tear them and every other dirt bag here apart!!!"

"Oh my God!" Jenna yelped.

"Steele, do you remember what this wolf looked like?" Balto asked tilting his headf slightly. His eyes flashed deep concern even though he hated Steele.

"Yes, all black. Eyes were grey, and he mostly talked all growl-ish."

"Never seen him before..." Balto said softly. Then he turned to everyone else. "We'd better do as this wolf says, for now at least. Until then I'll try to think of a plan. Ixi?" He looked over to a fawn colored German Shepherd with a black face, black paws, and a black back.

"Yes?" He answered.

"You say you've had experiance with tracking and hiding and stuff like that. Am I right?"

"Yes. Way over in Iraq with the American soldiers. Why do you ask?" He replied. "Are you thinking that I should...?"

"Yup. I need you to go out and spy on this wolf. You'd be perfect for it."

"But it's too dangerous all alone with a possibly rabid and definately blood-thirsty wolf."

"But think about it; if you are serious about it and keep a sharp eye out, then you'll come back with the information we need. You could be considered a hero by all the dogs of Nome."

"I'm not about fame and fortune, Balto. I do my work because it's important to others."

"Exactly! You're doing it for us! Please?"

"Oh, but I...look what I meant....oh, fine. Do I at least get a partner to work with?"

"Hmm..." Balto looked around the room searching for someone. He finally looked at Ixi again. "How about me?"

"You? Well, sure, um, ok. When will we go?"

"Tonight. Meet me back here at about 10:00."

"Ok. I reluctantly obey, but I will go."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it. Back to the meeting. I mean, erm, meeting ajourned!"

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Chapter the Second

Late that night, when the sky was pitch-dark and the only light was the snow, a German Shepherd and a wolf-dog mix stood talking in the Boiler Room."So, remind me, how are we supposed to do this?" The wolf-dog asked."I told you a million times! And you should know, it was your idea to come."

"I'm sorry, but I'm new to this whole sneaking around at night thing."

"Ugh, ok, we stay low to the ground, don't talk, step lightly, when we find him, we sit behind a bush or soimething and listen. When the show's over, we come back here as fast as we can. Got it?"

"Yes. Thank you for your cooperation."

They stepped outside the building and started on their way. The snow crunched slightly as paws stepped upon it. The two shadowy forms stayed on short legs, walking close to the ground like a Border Collie would. As they reached the outkirts of town, Balto looked back at all the little houses. I saved Nome before and I can do it again, Balto thought. As long as I don't die first. He swallowed nervously not really wanting to be there.

Suddenly the two heard a twig snap. "What was that?" Balto whispered frantically.

"Shh!" Ixi scolded as he dragged Balto behind a bush with him.

They peered out from the thick green branches. A big black wolf was heading in their direction.Ixi's heart started to beat fast as a lump formed in his throat.

"That's him, isn't it?" he whispered.

"Yes, I think it is..." Balto said quietly.

"Who's there?" The wolf said sharply. The dogs jumped and nearly revealed themselves.

"I know someone's there!" Massacre snapped.

"We have to get moving! Now!" Ixi ordered.

"Right!" Balto agreed. They had no choice but to stay there, or take a big risk and run. And they weren't going to stay. They darted out from their hiding spot, straight for Nome. Instantly, Massacre shot after them. Soon he was right at their heels, snapping fiercely.

"Keep...going...!" Balto panted. He and Ixi were getting tired, completely out of breath. They both wondered how much longer they could last. Nome was not far off now, but Massacre didn't slow down or even show a sign of tiredness.

"Almost..got you!" He dove for Balto's tail, attempting to drag him back. fortunately, he missed and fell face-first into a pile of snow. When he got up his face was covered, and Balto and Ixi had entered town.

To be continued.....