once when i was little;; OPEN

[Paint]

I used to feel so strong
Even when they'd tell me, tell me I was wrong
That I can't live in a magic world
'Cause it's time for me to grow up
And I've got to live like the rest of them
Well, I know things have been lost

The swell of Rose's stomach would have once been unnerving, and she could still remember the shadows of memories of her uncertainty as he took each step slowly. The familiar feeling of fatigue and the kicking was enough to slow her down sufficiently as she plodded, still fairly gracefully, across the Moonlands. She wasn't sure how any female ever decided to leave a pack and raise pups alone, it was such hard work and she wasn't sure what she'd do without the other pregnant females and Raiden and Justyn around. The amount of times she'd wanted to break down crying had made her really quite co-dependant in the time she'd been pregnant so far. But it was all part of it, she supposed, and her heart gave a nervous flutter with every thought of the beautiful pups she'd soon have. Finally, her own little corner of happiness in life. She sighed contentedly and stopped in the shade of the trees, sinking down gently into the moss on the ground and ignoring the chill breeze.

Yeah, I could dream more then
I could believed more then
That the world could only get better

Duke hadn't seen Rose for weeks, and they hadn't spoken a word to each other all winter. He'd heard whispers, rumours, that Raiden was back. It had sent a stab of jealousy into his stone cold heart to realise that was why she'd never come running back. He didn't know why he'd ever been stupid enough to believe Rose wanted him around, needed her 'Daddy' there. She'd stopped loving him a long time ago. Having Myu by his side was completing for his soul, but he missed the contact he'd had with her daughter, even if it involved hatred and fury. Not this nothingness. So he followed her scent and found her facing the valley river, and he sat down a little way away. She hadn't heard him approach because of the roaring river, and he allowed himself a moment to watch her. He could still see her when she was barely a pup herself, barely the size of his paw and looking up at him with those dark, hugely intelligent eyes.

I could be free more then
I could pretend more then
That this life could only show me good times
Once when I was little

Her ear flickered back and she turned, catching sight of her father sitting further back in the shadows with the sunlight dappling on his duotone coat. There was a moment, when even the fiercest of leaders faltered, and his expression softened. It was the only apology Rose knew she'd receive, because Duke wasn't made for words. She smiled ever so slightly, the corners of her black lips turning up and it was signal enough for him to walk forward and lay down beside her.
"Rose," he nodded.
"Duke," she replied, and they waited. She sighed gently. "They'll be here soon."
"Will you let me see them?" Duke asked gruffly.
"Of course."
There was a moment of silence.
"I don't want to raise them in a hateful environment, okay? I know the effects of it," Rose said placidly enough, but there was the edge of a knowing growl in her tone. Duke didn't look at her, instead facing outwards to the river. He knew exactly what she meant, from her experience and his own. He brought hate with him wherever he went.
"So do I," he replied evenly.
"But I won't deny them their Grandfather," she finished, and they fell into the kind of silence which meant relationships were mending. Slowly, almost without notice, the bridge which had fallen so long ago was being rebuilt.

So here comes the next one, next in line
Stay as young you can, for the longest time
'Cause those days flew by
Like a breeze just passing through
Once when I was little