Disclaimer: I don't own the Warrior Cats series!
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: Fair Trade
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Wolvesoftnt (September 16th)- He is! Sorry, I haven't made that as clear as I thought. Grayfeather was born mute.
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Brightpaw whimpered as Ravenwind's claws carded through her fur, inching ever-so-close to her throat. She's going to kill me, and then she's going to kill Berrypaw. I've doomed both of us.
Berrypaw's fur had risen at the distressed noise her sister made, head lowering threateningly. "Let her go."
"Now, why would I do that?" Ravenwind asked. "I don't have a death wish. I don't think you do, either."
"I swear on the stars," Berrypaw snarled. "If you lay a claw on her, I'll rip you to shreds."
"Will you?"
"I will. I'll go for the eyes first. Then, when you can't see, I'll let you stumble into this and that. It'll hurt so bad you'll wish you'd never been born. Maybe then I'll finish the job."
"Nice strategy. I'll keep that idea on paw for another time." Ravenwind shifted slightly, settling on Brightpaw's chest so she couldn't use the distraction to flee. The apprentice felt like she was drowning all over again, gasping for air, but instead of water all she felt was the soft pricking of her mentor's claws. "You seem like a smart, capable cat, Berrypaw. A bit flighty, but smart. There's no reason why this has to end in bloodshed, is there?"
Berrypaw stared her down. Her green eyes hesitantly fluttered to Brightpaw's terrified features, then back up, resolute. "What do you suggest?"
"A test of loyalty. I want proof that you won't try this again." Ravenwind flicked her tail towards the bushes. "There's a bundle of leaves in there. Bring it to me."
"Don't!" Brightpaw squeaked, flinching when Ravenwind dug in.
"It's not deathberries," she quickly reassured Berrypaw. "I mean, there are deathberries inside, but you don't have to bring me those. I want the seeds."
She was almost afraid to ask. "Foxglove?"
"No, poppy."
Berrypaw didn't move. "How do I know you won't hurt Brightpaw the moment I turn my back?"
Ravenwind regarded her with something like appreciation. "Maybe you're not as much of a fluff-brain as I thought. Do you know how much of a struggle it was, finding a replacement I was satisfied with? I don't intend to let her go unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Follow-up. How do I know you won't hurt me when I turn my back?"
"I don't have any reason to. I have a simple but effective plan that'll keep all of us alive and well." She lashed her tail. "You're going to help me fix the problem between RiverClan and ShadowClan. That done, we can all go back to our lives."
"Are you... asking me to start a battle?"
"It's not a question, Berrypaw. I'm telling you. But, no. It won't be a battle. No one wants that- no one except Burnstar. Kill him, and all will be well. Brightpaw will be alive, you'll be alive, and we'll all have too much dirt on each other to go scuttling off to Alderstar. Sound like a deal?"
Brightpaw's heart turned to ice. She wants Berrypaw to kill Burnstar? But... She tilted her head back. The black 'paw's fur was still frizzled with horror, claws still unsheathed, but there was no hesitation in her eyes.
"You're asking for a miracle," she meowed finally.
"Are you getting me that bundle or not?"
Berrypaw flinched. She cautiously padded around the twisted up duo, steadfastly ignoring Ravenwind's piercing gaze. Plunging her muzzle into the bushes, she pulled out what had to be the neatest wrap Brightpaw had ever laid eyes on. If she wasn't in very real danger, she might have appreciated it more.
Ravenwind nodded her satisfaction. "Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to feed Brightpaw some poppy seeds. They'll knock her out cold. We'll plan more afterwards. But know this; if you disobey me, if you run away, if you tell anyone, your sister will die."
Brightpaw thrashed, terrified, but the medicine cat didn't even look at her. Berrypaw- and her reaction to her terms- was the only important thing in Ravenwind's mind.
"Is knocking her out really necessary?"
"I'm not giving you a say here. The nitty-gritty is between us."
Berrypaw looked more than ready to refuse. The fight slowly left her between heaved breaths. She slumped, small and vulnerable and scared, and reluctantly kicked the parcel over. "I'm sorry, Brightpaw. I'll get us out of this, okay?"
Ravenwind shoved the seeds into her jowl, firmly planting her paws onto her muzzle so Brightpaw couldn't spit them out. The medicine cat apprentice thrashed as her mouth filled with the same earthy flavor she had tasted as a kit, recalling with a sudden clarity the sickening way Puddle had fallen apart in front of her. Dirt was getting caught in her nails, ripped and bleeding, but she couldn't get away. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and all went dark.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey meet me at the Clanrock for a Clan meeting!"
Alderstar's voice startled Brightpaw awake. She lifted her head from her nest with a great yawn, smacking her lips. The yellow 'paw stretched, surprised when her hip gave a jolt of protest. She turned and found her right side covered in cobwebs, neatly placed and cared for.
Memories hit Brightpaw like the claws of a badger. She struggled to get to her paws, but found the muscles on her leg too weak to hold her weight properly just yet. Ravenwind had hit a nerve, that was for sure.
"Enough!" A gentle paw touched her back. Cold water rushed over her spine. "You're only going to make it worse."
"Ravenwind?"
The black she-cat didn't react to her perplexed meow, studying her hip with her usual intense look. "You should be okay for the ceremony, but you should lean on me."
"Did that... was it..."
"Not now," she said, and Brightpaw was too scared to reply. She numbly allowed Ravenwind to maneuver against her side. They walked out into the gathered cats without a word; she was shocked and thankful beyond words to see Berrypaw sitting in front of Briarspots. She twisted her head around, caught her eye, and nodded once. It hadn't been a dream.
"Hey, grandpa?" Brackenpaw called out above the noise. "I know it's not my place and all, but what d'ya say about giving Flamepaw his name first? He's earned it."
Flamepaw's head jerked up from his shoulders. "You mean it?"
"Do it, papa!" Tigerkit squeaked behind Rainblaze's paws. Lionkit shushed her.
"Addershine," Alderstar prompted, grinning from ear to ear. "Is Flamepaw ready to be a warrior?"
Addershine proudly lifted his chin. "He passed every test, sir."
"Fallingfeather?"
"I'm proud of Brackenpaw," she meowed. "He'll be a great asset to ShadowClan."
"Briarspots?"
"It was an honor to have Berrypaw as my first apprentice, sir," he answered. Berrypaw seemed to realize eyes were on her, then, straightening appropriately. Brightpaw could only imagine what was going on in her head. "She's ready."
"Very good. I won't bore you all with long speeches today; I'm too excited." Alderstar looked ready to bounce out of his fur. "Flamepaw, Brackenpaw, Berrypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Flamepaw glanced over his shoulder, smiling at his mate and kits. "I do."
"Of course I do," Brackenpaw meowed. "Where else would I want to be?"
Berrypaw didn't reply immediately. Briarspots stretched forward to nudge her gently. "O-oh. Right. Sorry. I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Flamepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Flametuft. StarClan honors your kindness and compassion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
Flametuft got to his paws with a little hop, bumping noses with Alderstar. He went and sat with Rainblaze, sharing a quick nuzzle with the blue molly.
"Brackenpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brackenclaw. StarClan honors your law-abiding nature and levelheadedness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
Brackenclaw went to their grandfather with a stiff posture, not wanting to seem silly, then went and sat firmly down by Fallingfeather.
"Berrypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Berryshade. StarClan honors your optimism and passion, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
Berryshade padded to Alderstar with no real relish- Brightpaw felt guilt tangle with her insides once again. I really did ruin her warrior ceremony. And now Ravenwind's going to ruin her life.
She must hate me.
Author's Note: A bit anticlimactic, but considering I didn't even originally intend for Berryshade to get a warrior name I'd say we're doing pretty good. No worries, though- I've actually been reworking her plotline a lot, so it won't be what it originally was lol.
-Mandaree1