Since Larka's death, Catori has felt more alone than she has ever felt in her life. She was grateful for father's return and with him, the return of her numerous brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles. But even still, the gap that had seperated her parents never healed. If anything, the silver mare's death only made it seem to grow.

Silver blue eyes gave over the horizon, lingering here and there on the familiar and unfamiliar horses that grazed peacefully through the prairie's grassy fields. Autumn was quickly giving way to winter. It's cold clutches felt in the icy chill of the breeze at it blew over the ocean of grass. Dark lashes blink away the salty tang of tears that gathered against the cold wind. Soon, the snows would find their fields of grass and once more her world would be bent to snow. Only this time, mother was not here to show her the joy beneath the blanket of white.

A heavy sigh escapes her lips, sending a plume of smoke into the morning haze. Though dark gray clouds dotted the distant sky, the bright sun was still warm on her back, a comfort against the cold. Yes life might be the same, but it was still very very different for the golden girl. Fluted ears drift back amid the tangled ends of her thick, dark mane as Catori drops her muzzle once more to the tasteless yellowing hay.

CATORI

If I only had wings, I could finally reach the sun;