Balto strolled down the snowy streets one sunny afternoon. He passed by everyone without feeling the need to hide or protect himself like he used to. After he brought the medicine to the town, everyone saw him as a hero and not some filthy half-breed.

People greeted him, petted him, and some even gave him food now. He still wasn't used to the newfound fame, but he tried to be as polite as possible.

He continued his walk to Rosie's house where he knew Jenna would be. He was about to go around the home when he saw a dark figure looking through the window. It was a large black and white dog.

"Steele?" Balto asked as he walked closer.

The dog turned at the sound of his name to see him. His eyes widened before he turned to run away.

"Hey, wait!" Balto yelled. He chased the dog down an ally before pouncing on him.

"What do you want?" Steele yelled harshly. He pushed Balto off of him and stood up.

"What were you doing at Rosie's?" Balto asked.

"Can't I see how Jenna's doing or do I not even have that privilege anymore?" Steele asked.

Balto walked around to see Steele's face. His expression was one of grief and slight despair. "Why would you think that?"

Steele glared at Balto and sighed. "After you came back, I became the outcast while you were the town's hero. Our roles completely switched! It's so unfair!"

"Outcast?" the half-dog mumbled. The word rung in his head and he could understand how he felt right now. Balto spent his whole life living like a lesser being in the town while everyone praised Steele for being fast and heroic. Since Steele was deemed a coward and liar by people and animals alike, he became what Balto was.

No one could understand him or even try.

No one except for Balto.

"Hey, it's not so bad," Balto whispered.

"Oh like you'd kn-" Steele stopped himself after he realized who he was talking to. "Just forget about it, kid. It has nothing to do with you," he said before walking away.

"Actually, it has everything to do with me since it's because of me you're like this," Balto said.

Steele growled and Balto chuckled. The pure breed sighed and turned around again. "So what do you want?"

"I want to help you."

"How can someone like you help me?"

"We can be friends."

Steele laughed like he just told a joke. "Friends? You and me? You can't be serious!" he laughed.

"But I am. If you're my friend, everyone will like you again," Balto explained.

Steele laughed as Balto stared blankly at him. "That's the dumbest idea ever!"

"Oh really? Do you have any better ideas, wise guy?" Balto taunted.

Steele's laughing abruptly stopped. He thought to himself for a minute, but no ideas came to him. Balto knew that would be the response he'd get. "So?" Balto asked.

"So?" Steele repeated angrily.

Balto chuckled. "Let's be friends from now on!" He held out his paw to the dog.

Steele glared at it for a while. He sighed and tapped it with his own paw.

"Fine. I'll be you friend," he mumbled.

Although he looked angry about it, he was happy on the inside. Of course, he would never admit it in a million years.

Author's Note

My first Balto fic...yeah...I hope this came out well XD This was requested by vampygurl402 and it was fun to write! I hope you enjoyed it!

Until next time, sayonara~!