Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors!

Title: Red Pearls

Summary: Brightfur just wanted to be a medicine cat. Her mentor, Ravenwind, has very different ideas on what that means- for her and for ShadowClan. With Ravenwind controlling her every move and more than willing to kill to keep it that way, Brightfur will need more than just luck to live to tell the tale.

Chapter Title: Highstones

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Somerandomperson (July 10th)- Yeah, ShadowClan unknowingly has a pretty bad medicine cat. They don't even realize right now, tho it starts to sink in as Brightpaw gets older.

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"Brightpaw," Ravenwind hissed into the apprentices' den. "Brightpaw, get your tail out here. We need to talk."

Brightpaw bared her fangs in a yawn, ears flipping back. Something heavy shifted along her back as she sluggishly lifted her head, blinking away dreams of plentiful prey. Next came her legs, once tucked warmly under her, stretching out into the chilly air. A look to the side told her that the heavy thing on her back was actually Hawkpaw's arm, the gray tabby having fallen asleep pressed closely to her. Brightpaw purred as she bent down to lick his cheek, thankful to have a denmate willing to share body heat in the cold of Leaf-bare.

"Brightpaw!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

Brightpaw stumbled out of the den with another yawn, smacking her lips. The sun had only just started to rise; she doubted even the dawn patrols had gotten far into the territory yet. What kind of medicine cat gets up this early? She dipped her head to her mentor. "Good morning, Ravenwind."

"Good morning," she meowed back, nudging a small bundle closer. "Eat these. We have a busy day ahead of us."

Brightpaw bent down to sniff at it. "Traveling herbs?" she guessed.

She flicked her tail dismissively. "It's the night of the half-moon," Ravenwind reminded her. "It's time to meet the other medicine cats."

"Seriously?" Her ears pricked. "But I've been your 'paw for more than a moon now. Why now?"

"I didn't want to go to the Highstones with Duskspring sick, but I can't stay away forever."

"Oh."

The black molly nudged the bundle closer. "Eat."

She reluctantly swallowed them, cleaning the bitter flavor off her lips. Brightpaw glanced behind herself, wondering if she should tell one of the other 'paws where she was going, but Ravenwind persistently nudged her towards the entrance. I guess it makes sense that they'd take their journeys another day.

Brightpaw struggled to keep up with Ravenwind. The medicine cat, far more skilled at handling snow, made her way across the territory with neat little hops, leaving her to stumble behind her. Together, they made their way down to the Thunderpath, following it up towards Highstones. Monsters passed, spraying slush across their pelts. Brightpaw held back the urge to gag.

Ravenwind led her across the Thunderpath and into WindClan territory, following the ridge line once again. Brightpaw's heart quickened as she caught the peaty, wind-blown smells of the Clan that ended her father's life before she was even born. Due to snowstorms and clouds, she'd yet to go to any Gatherings, but she'd heard so much about the Clan it felt a little like she had every hill and blade of grass memorized.

"Ravenwind!" A joyful voice yowled. The ShadowClan medicine cats came to a halt. Brightpaw watched uncertainly as a tall, bushy-furred gray tom slowly came padding up to them. Beside him walked a sleek ginger tom. "How's the prey running?"

"Very well, Bristlepelt," Ravenwind meowed, but Brightpaw thought she caught something disdainful in her voice. "And you?"

"More of the same!" Bristlepelt laughed, then gestured to the ginger tom. "You remember Sparrowpaw?"

A thin black tail flicked across her shoulder. "This is Brightpaw. She's one of Birchpaw's kits."

"My mom is Smokestripe," Brightpaw added awkwardly, trying to deduce what Ravenwind got out of telling the WindClan medicine cat her father's name. Is she trying to guilt him? Why?

Sparrowpaw moved forward to bump noses with her in a friendly manner. "Nice to meet you, Brightpaw. My parents are both dead, but my brother is the deputy!"

Brightpaw's eyes got wide. "He is? But he must be an apprentice!"

"He's older than me," he explained, purring. "I'll introduce you at the next Gathering, if you'd like."

"We should get going," Ravenwind cut in, grimacing. Bristlepelt chattered on as they moved ever closer to Highstones. Sparrowpaw cheerfully kept pace beside Brightpaw, surprising the she-cat. She hadn't expected this much kindness from the Clan that had hurt her Clanmates so badly.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Sparrowpaw meowed suddenly.

Brightpaw tilted her head away slightly, alarmed. "I guess?"

"It's nothing bad, I promise." The tom's whiskers twitched with amusement. "But, between you and me? I don't want to be a medicine cat. I only asked Bristlepelt to be his apprentice so I could learn basic herbs. I figure I'll switch out in a few moons and become a warrior." He smiled at her, showing off an impressively white set of teeth. "I'll be the best warrior WindClan's ever seen, then. Even better than Sunbird!"

"Isn't that dishonest?" she asked, worried how his Clan would react when he brought this news to them. What if they kill him, like they did Birchpaw? "I mean, is that even allowed?"

"StarClan didn't seem opposed," he replied steadily, green eyes shining. "And this healing stuff isn't so bad. I actually kind of like it."

Understanding dawned on Brightpaw as Sparrowpaw caught up with Bristlepelt. Maybe StarClan had been fooled, but Bristlepelt hadn't. The gray medicine cat had simply decided to allow his 'paw to realize his love for the craft in his own time.

They crossed the Thunderpath one last time before arrived at Highstones. The gritty soil dug into Brightpaw's pads as they climbed, but she didn't dare mention it out loud, lest she break a rule of some kind. Farther ahead, they met up with a she-cat with milky yellow fur, waiting politely on a rock.

"Hiya, Creampaw!" Bristlepelt called up. "Where's Brownshade?"

"Ill," Creampaw meowed. She had a gentle, quiet voice. Brightpaw caught the odor of ThunderClan on her pelt as they grew closer. "I came in his stead."

Brightpaw pressed closer to Ravenwind. I can't imagine coming here all alone! But Creampaw seemed very calm and relaxed as she took up a spot by Bristlepelt, conversing with the older medicine cat as if this were an ordinary occurrence. Brownshade must get sick a lot.

"This is Mothermouth," Ravenwind meowed finally.

Brightpaw swallowed as she came up to the cave. The gaping chasm made her think of giant jaws. "I can see where it got its name."

"Wait up!" Another cat yelled. They all turned as two elderly cats came puffing up to them. The larger of the two was a fluffy brown molly, followed by a scrawny brown tom with darker brownish-black stripes. They both had frizzy gray muzzles.

Creampaw leaned in close to Brightpaw, seeming to sense her hesitance. "That's Houndface and Hollowtail. They're RiverClan."

"Aren't they both a bit... old?"

She shrugged. "Hollowtail was a warrior first, and Houndface is too stubborn to retire so he can train a 'paw of his own."

"Oooh, a new one!" Houndface said, flinging a paw around Brightpaw. The apprentice allowed her to plant a big lick across her forehead. The molly sighed. "It seems like just yesterday that Ravenwind was a 'paw herself."

Ravenwind's tail-tip flicked with agitation. "We should head inside."

Inside, Mothermouth was cold to the touch. The air was stale, with tinges of dust and stone. Sparrowpaw's breath warmed her hindquarters as she followed Ravenwind into the darkness. Panic fluttered in Brightpaw's chest, but she forced herself to keep padding on. How can I go back to ShadowClan if I don't? The cavern spread open suddenly, leaving Brightpaw scrambling not to fall on her face. Fresh air hit her like a wave as she groped around to find her mentor, crouching down beside her. The other medicine cats settled in to wait. The only noise she could make out was the occasional shuffle of paws.

Suddenly, the clouds above began to part. Moonlight struck the Moonstone. Brightpaw watched in awe as Mothermouth became as bright as the sun itself, squinting against the sudden light. It was like opening her eyes as a kit all over again.

"Ravenwind," Hollowtail meowed. "It's your time."

The black molly looked at him, confused, before standing and padding up to the Moonstone. She turned and sat down, tail wrapping around her paws. "Brightpaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?"

My ceremony! She'd completely forgotten. "I do!" she yelped, trembling with excitement.

"Then come forward," she replied. "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will." Ravenwind waved her tail towards the Moonstone. "Press your nose against it, Brightpaw."

She did so. The world turned dark almost immediately.

The warmth of Greenleaf sunk into Brightpaw's pelt as she opened her eyes. Above, the sky was beginning to grow dark and murky, flecked with fireflies. The clearing was empty, save for a dark brown tom she didn't recognize.

"Hello?" she meowed. He didn't respond. "Is this... a memory?"

"Sootstar!" A dark tabby tom meowed, jogging up from the warriors' den. "Have you heard from the patrols?"

Sootstar slowly shook his head. "No one's seen Nightclaw today," the dark brown tom rasped. "If what you said was true, Alderflame, then he might not return."

Alderflame sat next to his leader, not knowing that one day he would assume the role, and stared long and hard at the empty camp. "I don't like to gossip, Sootstar. Just because Nightclaw may have gone near the Twolegplace doesn't mean he'll stay, or that he even went there," he answered stiffly. "I went towards the Thunderpath to hunt today, but that doesn't mean I'm about to hang out with Twolegs and monsters."

Sootstar blinked at Brightpaw's grandfather affectionately. "You're a very loyal warrior, Alderflame. I appreciate that about you."

There was a rustling, and then dark shapes burst into the camp. Brightpaw yelped and stepped back. The formless creatures swarmed around Sootstar and Alderflame, whispering things she couldn't quite make out. Finally, last of all, a tall and lean black tom came padding into camp. In his jaws was an equally black kitten.

"Nightclaw," said Sootstar, surprised. "What is that?"

Nightclaw set the kitten down at his paws. It wailed, tiny paws lashing out, before falling almost deathly still. "Can't you tell, Sootstar?" he purred. "This is my daughter."

The whispering grew almost deafening. The forms- which Brightpaw was beginning to realize were actually cats- shifted, unsure if they should peer closer or move far, far away.

Alderflame stood, gathering everyone's attention. His voice was deadly quiet. "There are no expectant queens in ShadowClan right now, Nightclaw. And, even if there was, that kitten is too small to be of ShadowClan blood alone."

"Haven't you ever heard of runts?" Nightclaw answered, unimpressed. "I'm thinking of naming her Ravenkit. Isn't it a perfect name for her?"

Ravenkit? Brightpaw stared at the kitten, floored. Ravenkit sneezed, cracking her eyes open slightly. They were amber. It's her. It's Ravenwind.

"Answer the accusation, Nightclaw," Sootstar growled.

The black tom let out a long sigh. "Fine. If you must know." Nightclaw nudged Ravenkit closer. "She's half-kittypet. Her mother, Pearl, gave her to me, since she looked the most wild."

"A kittypet?" A yellow tabby she-cat pushed through the crowd. Her pelt was dappled with darker gold spots. Brightpaw stared at the molly as she padded up to them, mesmerized by her odd beauty. "I gave you a daughter, and this is what you give me back? A kittypet?"

"Leopardpoppy," Nightclaw greeted. "Ravenkit is not your burden to bear. But even you must agree that we're above leaving kits to starve, yes?"

Leopardpoppy's scruff rose at the condescending tone Nightclaw had taken, but otherwise she had taken on a thoughtful air. She looked out over the crowd, gauging reactions, before finally nodding to herself. "I will accept Ravenkit as my own," she meowed. "But you're dead to me, Nightclaw."

The black tom's ears fell. "You can't do that," he protested. "Ravenkit is my daughter."

"The daughter of a traitor and a kittypet?" she spat. "Somehow, I imagine it'll do her more good to be raised by me than you."

Nightclaw growled. His claws slid out threateningly. "Take it back."

Faster than the eye could follow, Leopardpoppy was on him, screeching with fury. Alderflame took a step towards them, only to be cut off by Sootstar, who looked fully aware of the molly's abilities. Brightpaw watched on, horrified, as Leopardpoppy sunk her teeth into Nightclaw's throat. The warrior thrashed, trying desperately to get away, but she held him down regardless of the blows to her shoulders and paws. He fell still with a gurgle.

"You... you killed him," Alderflame whispered as Leopardpoppy stepped back. "That's against the code!"

Leopardpoppy fixed him a cold glare, licking the blood from her lips. "He stopped being protected by the code the moment he decided to slip into the Twolegplace," she said. Sootstar watched without speaking as she collected Ravenkit. Cats parted like water as she walked into the nursery, as if afraid they'd be next. Brightpaw could just hear her whisper as she went. "Your father made a mistake when he had you, kit. But I'll make you a blessing from StarClan."

Shaking, Brightpaw sat down, watching as ShadowClan dispersed. Somehow, a warrior had gotten away with murder that day, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked the air.

"Because you need to know the truth." She startled, spinning around. ShadowClan fell away into darkness, and out of that darkness padded Flowerpaw, her pelt glowing with stars. "Now that you know the beginning, you also know the end."

Brightpaw jumped at the apprentice, sticking her nose in the molly's fur. "Oh, Flowerpaw. I'm so sorry."

Flowerpaw shrugged her off awkwardly. "Not much that can be done now," she grunted. "There's so much you have to learn, Brightpaw, and so much I can't tell you. Not yet. If you panicked here, all that would come out of it is disaster. They'd think you mad." She stepped forward, touching Brightpaw's forehead with her nose. "But know this. You face a greater monster than any dog or badger or fox."

The pale ginger 'paw pulled back. She knew she should press further, but she got the feeling that Flowerpaw sincerely couldn't say more. "Why didn't you tell me you wanted to be a medicine cat?"

Her eyes misted over. "I thought you'd be mad at me for taking your place," she admitted. "But Ravenwind seemed to ignore you for so long, I thought... I had a chance."

"I'm not mad," Brightpaw reassured her. "If you'd told me, I would have helped you."

Flowerpaw smiled a little. "You're a nice cat, Brightpaw. Try to stay nice, okay?" She nosed Brightpaw's ear. "I won't blame you if you can't, though. You're many, many things, Brightpaw, but lucky certainly isn't one of them."

Brightpaw startled awake with a wince. Her shoulders ached from sleeping in such an awkward position. Her jowls parted in a yawn as she stretched, sprawling on the cool stone. She looked up at the bright moon, then the Moonstone, and finally Ravenwind, still fast asleep.

She's half-kittypet. The knowledge sunk in as she studied her mentor; the small build, the strange kittypet word she'd known, the careful distance she had from her Clanmates- it all drew back to her heritage. That's why everyone talks about her so weirdly. They're ashamed of her. A deep, horrified guilt sunk into Brightpaw's belly at the thought. She deserves better than that!

"Mornin'," Sparrowpaw yawned as he sat up, rubbing at his gunky eyes. "I know we're not supposed to talk about what we see in StarClan, but StarClan's pretty neat, huh? It's so... peaceful."

"Yeah," Brightpaw meowed uncertainly, staring at her paws. She was yellow, like you, but she had spots instead of stripes. "Peaceful."

Author's Note: Hey, other medicine cats! About dang time lol.

Fun Fact- Hollowtail is actually a name from another Warriors OC story I'll probably never write. He had a brother and a sister- Burnstar and Huskfrost. But I always really liked the name, so here's an old RiverClan med cat with that name instead. I also really like the prefix of Hound. It was only used once (I believe?) for a leader in Goosefeather's Curse, but it's a weirdly epic name.

Sparrowpaw and his (later) warrior name is also a reference to an old Warriors OC story- it was about Shadowstar's first medicine cat, named Shadewhisker. Granted, it never got posted online, and there was only two chapters done before I lost interest, and Shadewhisker got forced into the role, but it was one of my first attempts at Warrior OCs, so.

Writing Ravenwind right now is complicated- we, the readers, know what she's up to, but no one around her is aware of the things she does. So it's working with this surrounding innocence but also making it obviously clear that Ravenwind isn't A GoodTM.

-Mandaree1