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The feeling of moss under him didn't change the fact there was no one in the apprentice den with him. Aspenpaw turned, facing the back of the den. He was used to seeing Ravenspot or Cinderpetal with him. But now they are warriors, and, by extension, are in the warriors den. Aspenpaw, well he still had, like, 3 moons until he was a warrior! That's what he gets for being younger than the other two. As kits, he had Squirrelpaw as well, but she died in an accident as a med cat apprentice. Besides, she'd sleep in the med den, not the apprentices den.
The leaf-fall air was cooling, as leaf-bare was quickly approaching. It made the den feel colder, and it didn't help that Aspenpaw no longer had the warmth of his clanmates like before Ravenspot and Cinderpetal became warriors. But it's not Aspenpaw's fault, he is naturally three moons younger than them, and therefore, is going to naturally take three more moons before joining the warriors.
The moss under him was soft. It was fluffy, and was some of the better moss in the clan. Yet he found himself wondering what the moss in the warriors den felt like. Was it harsher, softer, or about the same? Was it warmer? Did the scent of the cats he cared so much cling to it, like the moss in the apprentice's den that reminded him just how alone he really was?
Aspenpaw tossed once again, trying to forget how alone he felt. Instead, he snagged a bit of the moss Ravenspot always slept on when he was an apprentice. The warrior's scent filled his nose, reminding him that there was no one with him. Aspenpaw loved to cuddle other cats, and Ravenspot had always let him cuddle. Now, there wasn't even an option to cuddle someone else in the empty apprentice den. It was just him and him alone.
Aspenpaw hated this. He just wanted someone to cuddle. Someone to be with him. Someone's warmth to accompany him. But he had to try to sleep. It's his duty to be ready for training tomorrow morning. It didn't matter how lonely he felt, or how much he wanted someone else with him. He knew his duties, he would try to sleep either way. Being in the apprentice den only made him feel more and more alone, but he was going to push it aside to get some rest. It would get easier the more time passed.
He eventually managed to drift off, but not before having a last thought on how much he missed his Clanmates, being alone in the apprentice den.