Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 4. (Hidden In Darkness)

~Hidden In Darkness: Chapter 2~

Russetfire had seen the tree Firpaw was talking about. She followed Whitestripe's, and apparently Ashpelt's, stale scents back to ThunderClan only to receive odd looks from the few Clanmates of hers that were awake.
Beeflower greeted her happily, but Swiftflight scoffed, ducking back into the nursery, while Windcaller gave a brief and unimpressed nod as she passed.
How long have I been gone? she wondered.
Russetfire padded up to Iris-Eye, who was picking through the fresh-kill pile.
Iris-Eye looked up as she approached, surprised. "You're back!"
"How long was I away?" Russetfire asked curiously. Iris-Eye looked confused, replying with, "The entirety of the night and last of the afternoon yesterday. You left with Whitestripe, didn't you?"
"I did," Russetfire said hesitantly, trying hard not to make it sound like a question. "Where is Whitestripe?"
"Out on the dawn patrol," Flameclaw explained, walking up behind her. "It's good to have you back," he said.
Russetfire nodded. "Do... Did Whitestripe tell either of you why I didn't return with her?"
"She said you'd attacked her," Iris-Eye whispered. "That's probably why some of our Clanmates are looking at you funny."
"It wasn't me," Russetfire whispered, looking around to make sure only Iris-Eye and Flameclaw. "At least, I don't think it was... I don't remember doing it."
"Maybe you were sleepwalking?" Flameclaw improvised hopefully. "You're probably just tired. You've had to deal with more than you should lately, having to deal with Ivykit and Fernstar and Stonestar."
"Maybe," Russetfire said uncertainly. She knew Flameclaw was a strangely caring warrior, but he was making her a bit uncomfortable.
"Hello, Russetfire," said Fernstar, making all three cats jump. "Whitestripe told us all what happened, but would you mind explaining it to me in private, without an audience?"
"Yes, Fernstar," Russetfire said, walking to the Medicine Den.
"I heard you'd attacked Whitestripe near the Winding River camp," Fernstar said. "What for?"
"It wasn't intentional and I have no memory of doing it," Russetfire said. "The last thing I remember is sitting in the camp to think and then waking up in a cave a few moments later."
Fernstar looked doubtful, but left without saying anymore.
Unnerved, Russetfire sat outside her den as Fernstar called a Clan meeting. She noticed Darkclaw a few tail lengths away from the main crowd, his gaze continuously straying to the camp entrance.
"Cats of ThunderClan," Fernstar announced, "we will prepare to leave the Lake once our kits and apprentices have grown old enough, and once we know for sure that there is a safe route to someplace else."
"After speaking with one of the refugees from WindClan," Tigerfur said, "and after the evidence that Whitestripe and Ashpelt found, we may have a way out of the Lake."
"But where does it lead?" Reedtail asked. "Has anyone checked it out yet?"
"We cannot say where it leads," Fernstar told the black she-cat. "Each Clan member will go through a series of tests, mainly consisting of questions, so we know who we can trust."
Many angered outbursts rose from the crowd like smoke from a flame.
"I know how you all must feel about this!" Fernstar yowled over the top of them all. "But we must take these precautions! We cannot risk the kits being hurt on our way to a new territory! And these tests will be necessary."
"Will you test Tigerfur?" Specklefern asked once everyone else was quiet. "Will you test the elders? The rest of the queens? Will you test Russetfire?"
Russetfire saw everyone briefly glance her way, mostly in anger, but she listened to her mother, waiting to hear what else she had to say.
"If these tests are necessary, test the warriors, and, while I don't appreciate it, test the apprentices. But you will not test me, Willowleaf or the elders. Leave us and Russetfire alone."
"What about Swiftflight?" Coldpaw asked the old queen. "She's expecting kits."
"I don't care what Fernstar and Tigerfur choose for her," Specklefern answered calmly. "They can leave her here as far as I care. But the elders, at least, are trustworthy."
Russetfire saw Swiftflight snarl, but was cut off by Fernstar. "In that case, the tests will begin shortly," she announced. "First, the apprentices, then the younger warriors. Afterwards, Swiftflight and the older warriors."
Fernstar glanced sideways at the deputy and added, "That includes you, Tigerfur."
Tigerfur nodded in agreement and Fernstar dismissed the meeting.
The rest of that day was spent mainly on small patrols and preparation. Fernstar herself finished with the apprentices and older warriors while Tigerfur, after being interrogated, finished with the younger warriors and Swiftflight.
Russetfire slept through the night until she heard a familiar voice say her name.
"Russetfire."