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WARMTH ENVELOPED VIOLETPAW when she woke up. After being numbingly cold in that lake, and sleeping on the frozen, hard ground of SkyClan's prisoner den, sleeping on a comfy moss bed felt like a dream.

It took her a second to get her bearings. She was in the apprentices den, and - from what she could see from the opening - it was sunhigh. She could hear the voices of her Clanmates from outside, too far away for her to make out any distinctive words.

Last night had been a complete blur. After she saw Frostsky, who'd heard noises and gathered a patrol to investigate, it was like her mind completely tapped out. She was safe. She didn't have to worry or think anymore. 

Her dad was here.

What she could remember were bits and pieces. Snowbird put up a fight for a little while, but it really was no use. Oakbounce and Ferndust couldn't stop shivering, and the ThunderClan cats were fighting with such ferocity to protect their apprentices that the chances of SkyClan winning were low.

Violetpaw and Ravenpaw had already waded to the shallow areas once SkyClan had retreated, but still, Frostsky threw himself into the lake, desperation and relief glinting through his eyes.

"I thought you were dead," he'd choked in Violetpaw's ears, pressing his pelt against hers to try and warm her up as Icedust hurried to check over his apprentice. "Don't ever do that again."

The white she-cat just sighed tiredly, pressing herself deeper into her father. "I got catmint," she mumbled.

Then, she'd handed the herbs off to Leopardbounce. The last thing she remembered were the warriors setting her and Ravenpaw down in their nests, and Sweetpaw's worried face staring into hers.

Now, as she blinked around blearily at the den, she realized that she was all alone in there. Of course, it made sense that the other apprentices had to get up and train as usual, but she expected that Ravenpaw would be in here with her.

After spending the past few days constantly in the black tom's presence, it felt odd not seeing him as soon as she woke up.

Violetpaw yawned and stretched out her legs, feeling her sore muscles groan. Her fur was clean of the mud it'd accumulated - someone must've washed her - and was instead covered in a fresh coat of poultice. There was some on her cheek, too, where Sorrelpaw had scratched her.

After sitting there for a little while more, the white she-cat finally pushed herself to her paws. Her head spun and her vision blurred for a quick moment, before she blinked quickly to clear it out. Slowly - and albeit, a little shakily - she exited the den.

The chilly leafbare air caught her immediately, and with the sun up in the sky, its light reflecting off the fallen snow, it was bright. Violetpaw squinted against it, and as soon as her eyes adjusted, her mother was in front of her.

"Oh, Violetpaw." Swanfrost's voice was full of relief as she practically leapt onto her daughter, covering her in licks. "I'm so glad you're awake. Nightspirit said you would be okay, but you were trembling like crazy last night, and there was blood and dirt and grime all over your fur, and-"

"I'm okay, Mom," Violetpaw interrupted softly, pressing herself into her mother's warm pelt. It was like she was a kit again, safe and cozy. She never wanted to leave. "I'm sorry. I just-" She broke off, unsure of how to explain herself. "Well, how's Blossomsky?"

"Better," Swanfrost answered, her voice muffled by Violetpaw's fur. "The catmint's effects are obvious. Nightspirit said that this morning that she was looking much better. But"- she pulled away to give her daughter a very stern look -"that does not mean I encourage you to do anything like this ever again."

The white she-cat sighed. "I know. I just... couldn't let Blossomsky die."

Swanfrost stared at her for a few moments, before her scolding expression gentled. "You remind me of Violetdust every day," she mewed quietly at last. "She would've been very grateful."

Violetpaw gave her mother a meek smile. The name Violetdust drummed in her head again, only this time, it sounded louder. Like whatever had been hidden away in the back of her mind was becoming stronger, making its way to the front. She didn't quite understand that.

"So," she meowed, changing the subject instead, "where's Sweetpaw? And, er, everyone else?" 

It looked like she was the only apprentice in camp right now.

"They're all out training. Lilystar and Russetfrost were planning an attack on SkyClan after your and Ravenpaw's disappearance. We were just worried that if we made any sudden moves, SkyClan would kill you two." Swanfrost's voice cracked, and she had to take a pause before continuing. "Anyways, the attack called for heavier combat focused training than normal."

Violetpaw frowned. "Even Ravenpaw's out training?"

The pale gray she-cat nodded. "Yes. I think-" She broke off, shifting on her paws. "I think he just wants things to go back to normal. Pretend like it never happened."

"Oh. Okay, right." Violetpaw flicked her tail. "Then should I...?"

"No, no." Swanfrost shook her head immediately. "Your body's not ready for training yet. And I don't think Sunbounce is in the mental state, either. You both still need a couple of days." She touched her tail-tip to Violetpaw's shoulder. "Though, if you're up for it, Sunbounce is down by the Sky Oak. It might be nice to talk to him."

The white she-cat thought about that, then nodded. "Yeah, okay."

"Want me to walk you?" her mother offered.

Violetpaw shook her head. "No, that's alright. I want some time to think."

"Okay," Swanfrost murmured softly. "If you ever need anything - to talk, or anything - just come find me, okay? I'll always be here for you."

Violetpaw gave her a small smile. "Okay."

As she turned to pad to the camp's entrance, it suddenly occurred to her that several of her Clanmates were staring. Of course, they were all engaged in activities of their own, but they all seemed to be glancing at her from the corner of their eyes.

She couldn't take the attention anymore. Violetpaw broke into a quick trot that turned into a sprint as she bounded out of camp.

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sorry, filler chapter! but a transition was needed i think! hopefully the next chapter will be more interesting!!