Spring was close at hand. Soon the last of the snows would disappear from the midrange of the mountains, though often times more than not the peaks remained capped with white well into spring. But by the time the caps had given way to their gray and brown roots, Sleekwing would be a father once more. A father, and this time a father that would get to witness and play part in every milestone of his children as they grew. He could still hardly believe that it was true, so overjoyed that Malina had agreed to make this dream of his come true. For so long he had envisioned himself as a family man; a man who would stand by his mate and look after his children. And while he had begun to let go of the visions of experiencing a boundless love with a female who chose to be with him always, he had never lost sight of his hopes to raise children of his own. He treasured his first three children, but they had been Malina and Rogue's to raise. Now he would get a second chance. Perhaps his last.

Steadily Sleekwing worked his way up the mountain, his gait as strong and powerful as ever. There was a wolf whom he had not seen all winter, one he desperately wanted to share this good news with. A close friend, one who without he certainly would not be alive today. Kiyomi had saved his life in those darkest months of winter when illness had threatened to claim his life. The last time he had visited her she seemed so distressed, and though his words had calmed her she had become reclusive again over the course of the winter. Her scent was hardly present within the lower reaches of the range, and he worried for her. So today he would go to her, without bidding or warning, and draw her out of her den with is good news and tempts to hunt together or perhaps just go for a walk within the mountain's heights.

He made his way to the den she had last inhabited, high within the peaks of the mountains. Snow still clung to the ground around its entrance, and he moved towards the opening. But as he grew closer something felt...strange. It was a feeling in the air, one he could not describe, but it made him pause. Suddenly a rush of wishing that he had come sooner washed over him. "Kiyomi?" He called out tentatively, hoping she was here, and more than anything - hoping she was ok.