Chapter Two

"Where am I?" Reason's own voice filled her thoughts as she opened her eyes, only to find herself desperately searching in the empty void of solid, unwavering black. It seeped into her veins, penetrating her system like venom, making her steps to nowhere seem slow, endless, and strangely painful.

"Those cats – who were they again? Bramblethorn and," she stopped herself. She knew the first name was wrong already. She cursed herself for having such a horrible memory. She needed to sit down, her mind was reeling. But how could she even be sure that she was even sitting in this blinding darkness? The shadows seemed to be closing in, making things even darker, as if they were swallowing her. She felt like she was falling – no – now she was choking. The air was heavy and suddenly very thick. She couldn't breathe – she was going to die, and she didn't even know where she was.

Brilliant white lights leaped before her eyes, splotches of absolutely nothing. They had no shape. She opened her mouth, as if to scream, but no sound came out. She started shaking violently until the point that she retched.

"Get up," a rough, slightly familiar voice broke Reason's horrible nightmare. Frantic, she scrambled to her feet. It was only as she caught a glimpse of her surroundings that she remembered her misfortune in the woods. It didn't help she was flanked by her captors, one of which had the audacity to knock her out and drag her – she grimaced – all this way.

"Move," the voice came again, more persistent this time. Reason raised her nose defiantly, giving a quiet protest that she would do no such thing. She was rewarded by a sharp set of claws digging into her side. Reason jumped, spinning around, hissing at her attacker – Bramblethorn – no – Brambleclaw. His name suited him well. She smiled to herself with a sense of sickeningly sweet demure.

Brambleclaw hissed back at her, baring his teeth, sneering a series of curses at her. Reason stared at him blankly until her face lit up with a radiant smile. Immediately his joyous expression fell, and with it his pride as the she-cat turned tail and, quite clearly making up her mind, marched forward with an air of open arrogance.

"Who died and made you leader?" It was the first time Reason became aware that there was still another cat with her – the one who knocked her out – the one whose name she knew not. Reason sniffed snottily, rolling her eyes at the pair of them. At the moment, she wasn't afraid – she had no need to be. Hell, she barely knew them, and soon she'd be home with – Oh no. Missy. How could she have forgotten? Forgotten Missy and her promise?

Reason stopped, ignoring the quite obvious yowls of protest from the two toms behind her. "I have to go," she burst out suddenly, panicking. "I need to get home." As if this just dawned on me, Reason thought moodily to herself. How did she manage to stay so calm? To no completely flip out? Again, she didn't even know these cats – except Brambleclaw – hardly – if that's even his name. The other was a complete mystery – yet she already knew he had a flaring temper. Did it help that her anger flared, as well? No, Reason thought again, I suppose not.

Behind her, Reason became vaguely aware at the mounting laughter. "And what home would that be?" Brambleclaw sputtered, "Is it the one in the sewers? Or perhaps the one in the stables, just behind the rather large mound of horse manure?" More uproarious laughter. Reason felt her face grow hot with slight embarrassment; hear the blood pounding relentlessly in her ears. Perhaps she truly was afraid…

"No," she meowed quietly, thinking that they wouldn't be able to hear her. "I live with one other… In an abandoned two-leg nest. I told her I'd be right back – but I got mad at her, and I forgot about Missy. Forgot about my stupid anger." She was talking to herself.

"Never mind, then," Brambleclaw says, now acting serious. "We'd best get back to camp. We need to show Firestar what an interesting prize we've brought home to the Clan." Was it Reason, or did all these cats have weird names?

"Yes," Darkwing agreed, eyes coming alight with alertness that wasn't there before. "He will be pleased to see what fine warriors we are – bringing home a trespasser that has wondered so far into our boundaries. It'll be for him to decide your punishment," he added lightly with a devious grin pointed to Reason. "I was wondering," he went on, "if you're one of the warriors from the new ShadowClan…"

"Yes," Brambleclaw joined in, "do tell us. I'm sure the information will prove useful in the future. Am I the only one who suspects it, or is ShadowClan waging war on us again? Or is it the entire forest this time?"

Reason stared blankly at them, unblinking.

"Ah. A trespasser – but not a traitor," Brambleclaw said, raising one eyebrow. Something flashed across his eyes, betraying his emotions. Reason caught them before they faded. Pride, respect – and envy? Reason shook her head, staring up at them with not the slightest idea to as what he was rambling on about.

Both of the cats' eyes narrowed. "You have no clue about ShadowClan – or any of the Clans for that matter, do you?" Darkwing asked. When she still said nothing, he let loose a slow hiss, spitting at Reason's paws. She jumped back, baring her teeth.

"No," Reason replied dutifully, taking on that pious personality again. "I don't. And truth be told, I don't really care for your little 'ShadowClan.' It sounds demonic." Raising her eyebrows, she went on, "Perhaps it is. Perhaps your part of those demons that haunt my dreams. Lionheart and," she paused, "Nightstar? I wouldn't think the world of it if you really are apart of some cult, trying to get at me and make me go insane."

Brambleclaw stared. "I think you already are."

But you're coming back with us, anyway. So I suggest you move," Darkwing growled.

"Whatever. As far as I'm, concerned, I'm asleep, and both of you are just apart of some hellish nightmare." Reason smiled sweetly, turning around. She took a few steps forward, and then stopped. "Where are we –"

"This way," Brambleclaw cut in, taking the lead. Darkwing joined him, leaving Reason to take up the rear. It was a wonder that they were so ready to trust her – and amazing that Reason didn't try to run away. Instead, she smiled to herself, jumping after them with a skip in her step. Ahead, she could see both cats deep in a quiet conversation. Every now and again turning back to look at her, then each other, shaking their heads. But Reason couldn't worry about what they thought of her…

Feelings meant nothing…