I wake up to see that no one else is anywhere to be seen. The air is misty, holding a certain mystery to it. It's begging for me to come explore it, to delve into it's endlessness. So I do. In the back of the camp, a ringing in my ears tells me something awful has happened. I ignore it. Tragedy is at the back of my mind today.

The bushes at the edge of the camp catch on my fur for moments before allowing me to pass by. My paws follow the mist, which leads me gently onwards, never looking back. My bright blue eyes become dull and glassy, staring ahead at nothing.

That's when I take off, smelling something. I can't resist. I run through the forest, the wind at my paws.

Finally, my search leads me to a small pool in the forest. I hear the echo of something between a mewl and a yowl. My ears prick as my heart beats faster. Fight or flight begins to kick in. Should I run?

Out of the mist emerges a small kit. I almost chuckle at myself for being so scared. I walk up to him, and he tries to scramble backwards. "Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Uhhh. Yes." He squeaks, tripping over a log. I try to look unthreatening. I slacken my shoulders. Smile.

It seems to work. He looks up at me and whispers, "It's really cold."

I nod. "I know a warm place."

His eyes widen. "Really?!"

"Yeah. Nice and warm. But you'll need a name."

Above us, the mist is clearing. I hear a hawk overhead, it's victorious screech as it catches it's prey in one fell swoop. "Hawkkit."

He looks up, seeing it too. His gold eyes look like hawk eyes, golden with big black pupils. I can almost imagine his fluffy fur as wings.

I hold him close to me. He's mine. He's perfect. I breath in his kitten scent, and drag him back to camp by the scruff.

He looks around in awe. The clouds are still out, but the camp is radiant. He jumps around happily, springing around like a little toad. I purr in delight.

"Who's this?" asks Wolfstar, amused.

"I found him in the forest, Wolfstar." I say dignantly.

He nods. "He will need a mother."

I want so badly to call out, "Me! I'll be the mother." But I'm just an apprentice. I could never be enough for this kit. Which is why I feel guilty.

That's when she walks over, her smooth purr evident. "I'll do it." Ravenwing says.

That's good. Ravenwing's a good mother. Then my heart pangs when I realize what this means. Ravenwing's mate is Tigerfang.

Tigerfang is going to father this kit.

"No..." I mutter, but then Tigerfang walks over. He licks the kit between the ears, and says, "I think you'll like it here."

Hawkkit's eyes are full of adoration for this fake. This illusion.

Tears silently fill my eyes. I can't help it. I want to be with Hawkkit! Why would they be so cruel as to take him away?

Mothflight runs to me, and scolds, "Aren't we going to go train some? I've been looking for you all morning!"

I take one last look back and slowly, leave the camp for the second time.