When the ginger molly awoke, she was nestled in a dry moss bed in the medicine cat den. The pool of water gurgled quietly next to her, and she got up to take a drink, clearing away some of the soot from her throat.

"Squirrelflight, you're awake!" Leafpool bounded towards her from the back of the medicine cat den, brushing up against her sister.

"Yes... What happened?" She wondered. Leafpool cuffed her around the ear with a sheathed paw, her nose crinkled.

"You were a fool and refused to let me check up on you! That fire did a number on you. You're lucky." Her face quickly relaxed and she purred again. "But you're okay now, that's what's important. Plus, you had that sleep you were talking about." She let out a small mrrow of laughter. Then, her face became more solemn. "Ashfur is gone. Brackenfur and Thornclaw came back not long after you passed out."

"What about Cloudtail?" Squirrelflight wondered, settling back into her nest to rest.

"He stayed out longer, but he's back now, too. I guess he was grieving..." Leafpool murmured, mostly to herself, fixing the moss around Squirrelflight's belly. "Can I get you anything? How is your throat?"

"Fine, fine, I'm fine, Leafpool." Squirrelflight assured her. "Honestly, this time." She cracked a small smile with Leafpool returned, though not after a gusty roll of her eyes.

"Leafpool?" Jayfeather padded into the medicine cat den. "It seems like everyone has been taken care of." His paw was still wrapped, but he was not walking so gingerly on it any more. "Squirrelflight? You're awake, that's good." Jayfeather bent his head to sniff at Squirrelflight's cheek and lick it gently. "We were worried about you."

"You don't need to worry about me. It's my job to worry." Squirrelflight purred, wrapping her paws around Jayfeather's neck and pulling him down to lick his head. He grunted and squirmed indignantly but eventually relaxed, even letting out a quiet purr.

"Mother!" Squirrelflight looked up at Hollyleaf's voice and the small black cat rushed into the den, her green eyes gleaming. "You're awake!" She immediately settled next to Squirrelflight, despite Leafpool's squawk of disapproval, something about there not being enough room for healthy cats in the den. Lionblaze followed quickly behind his sister, silent but familiar amber eyes glowing.

"We were so worried!" Hollyleaf admitted sheepishly. Squirrelflight let out a gentle chuckle.

"There's nothing to worry about now." Squirrelflight assured them all, wrapping her tail around Lionblaze and licking Hollyleaf's forhead. "Everything is going to be just fine. I have my kits with me."