His thoughts kept him from sleep, his eyes glowing sadly through the dusk. AspenGlade sighed in wonder, resting his head on his paws.

A few tail-lengths away, Darth and GingerPaw had dozed off. They're flanks raising a falling softly, a mere shadowed movement in the dark.

'Why is life so dull?' He thought silently, blinking his eyes. He shifted his gaze away, glancing up.

Silver-pelt glistened above, the star-branded sky stretching far and wide, farther than his eyes could see.

AspenGlade stood up, careful not to wake the sleeping Apprentices'. His tail-tip flicked, as he silently stepped through the fog-enclosed forest.

Scents of the forest mingled with the scents of wild-life and many other things. Rain mixed in there somewhere, Making his nose-tremble.

AspenGlade sighed softly, plopping down beside the Small river. The water that tumbled over smooth stones glistening with the moons silver rays.

Rolling a small pebble beneath his paw, AspenGlade fell, hypnotized, watching the swirling water. His image wavered in the murky waters, and he cracked a sad smile.

'RainFlower...' He thought sadly, his sea-foam green eyes welling with the tears that he held back for so long.

He clenched his jaw, choking out a sob. What happened to his perfect life? He had a Clan, and a Mate!

It all vanished from him, Leaving him with nothing precious to hold onto.

Silvery tears stained his cheek fur, his claws sinking into the soft ground, fighting to keep his balance.

His vision was blurred, his heart-pounding like claps of thunder. He allowed himself to sink to the ground, his paws pressing into his muzzle as he fought to control his emotions.

Everything seemed so distant now.

Every collected thought, emotion..It all scattered, falling away like an escaping mouse.

Gathering himself, AspenGlade whipped his eyes with a paw, sniffing the air.

For once, the Strong tom was vulnerable, his vision strained.

'One paw in front of the other, MouseKit!' He smiled weakly, the images and thoughts swirling through his mind.

'Keep you're tail tucked, BadgerKit! Stay focused MouseKit!'

'SootKit, are you playing with StonePath's tail again?!'

AspenGlade curled up beneath a pine, smiling blankly. Every thought swallowed his mind, his eyes flicking shut.

'Dad! Dad! Look at me!' LeafKit tackled a leaf, her beady, blue eyes shining with that kit-hood happiness.

'Good job SootKit!' AspenGlade praised warmly, tail waving. SootKit smiled proudly, puffing out her chest.

His Daughter pounced about, her little haunches wriggling.

AspenGlade watched, purring deeply. His only daughter, strong and liable.

LeafKit paused, her eyes widening. A hawk screeched above, the large bird swooping.

'LeafKit!!! Watch out!' AspenGlade dove forward, eyes tearing up.

'Daddy!!' LeafKit wailed out, the hawk's talons curling around her small bodice. She reached out with a paw, her small amber eyes wide, tears dripping.

AspenGlade reached out a paw, lunging. His paw briefly brushed his Kits', before he fell to the dusty ground.

'LEAFKIT!!' He wailed harshly, staring after the hawk, hopelessly sprawled on the ground.

One last screech, and the Hawk vanished.

'LeafKit..' AspenGlade choked out, staring sadly up at the sky. The silver-furred Tom felt a pang in his chest, whimpering.

'My precious LeafKit..' He stared at a leaf, as it fluttered down in a spiraling motion. His sad green eyes watering with tears threatening to spill once more.

His only daughter, and he couldn't protect her. Just like SootLion and MouseRunner. He let BadgerBlood fall into the grasp of SharpStar.

'I'm a terrible father.' He shook his head dully, and rested his head back down onto his paws.

He eventually dozed off to the gentle sound of crickets, the trickle of the creek soothing his broken-thoughts.

"If only it could always be this peaceful..' A soft voice spoke up, making AspenGlade shift to his paws..

---

:D Here it is! I was listening to 'Tears Of An Angel' during the LeafKit scene! My favorite Scene by far!!

I cried, xD To be honest. I felt sad for AspenGlade.

Who do you think the Voice belonged to?!

Also, Congratulations to @Rainbowfut for winning my contest!!!