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: IT'S TOO LATE TO 'POLOGIZE

...

"I don't see why not," Brightfur meowed, running her paw down Antkit's spine to check for any developmental concerns. The kitten was one of the few well-fed and healthy cats in the Clan right now. "The age difference between this litter and my brother's is certainly small enough to justify it."

"So we can do it?" Willowkit burst in eagerly, bouncing on her paws. "We can be apprentices too?"

Brightfur looked at Slatestep. The deputy hesitated, then gave a minute nod. "That's up to Badgerthroat."

Antkit slipped out from her, squirming into the black and white molly's arms. "Can we, mama? Can we?"

Badgerthroat looked stricken as she studied her kits. "Why not wait that little bit? Won't it feel more special to have your own ceremony?"

"But Lionkit and Tigerkit get to be apprentices now," Willowkit whined. "We'll never hear the end of it if we don't too!"

The queen sighed. "What do you think, Slatestep?"

"I think ShadowClan would be honored to take them on, but it's your choice. You've just lost Mossyear- no one will think less of you for wanting to keep Antkit and Willowkit close."

Mossyear's name made Badgerthroat flinch. Her claws dug into the moss as she weighed her options.

Antkit cocked her head to the side. "Mama?"

"They'll be safer knowing how to defend themselves," she meowed gruffly. "You have my permission."

Slatestep dipped her head. "You should get ready, you two. Won't be long now."

"We get to be apprentices!" Willowkit yelled, sprinting out of the den, Antkit close behind. It was rare to see the sisters so excited for the same thing.

The deputy padded forward to touch noses with Badgerthroat. "I won't let harm come their way. I'll die first."

Her good eye met Slatestep's. "Don't make me regret this."

"I won't." Slatestep pulled away. "I miss her too, you know."

"I know. But she was my mate, not my sister. It's a different kind of grief."

Brightfur stood and left the nursery, recognizing the need for space. The sun was a bright yellow disk in the sky, which was devoid of clouds. There no warmth from it, but the snowbanks glittered like the Moonstone in its light. It never ceased to amaze Brightfur that even the scariest time of the season could look so beautiful.

Smokestripe and Briarspots were padding into camp, the former carrying a scrawny bird for the pile. Fallingfeather, the newest elder, was sprawling out beside Flowerstrike, Stonebreeze pleading with them to get moving to grab a spot. Skyberry had passed away less than a moon prior, leaving the trio lacking. Addershine and Hawkflower were sharing tongues near the Clanrock. Newtfrost chewed on a bone on his lonesome, looking like he'd slept terribly. Maplenose and Barkfall were chatting pleasantly. Grayfeather pulled Badgerthroat's nest out of the nursery, only for the molly to stop him with a shake of the head. It looked like she planned on staying.

"Dad!" Tigerkit squeaked, drawing her attention. Flametuft had his daughter in one paw, cleaning her pelt with brisk strokes of the tongue. "Mom, make him stop!"

Rainblaze cracked open an eye from where she lounged nearby. "You'll be thanking him when you stand in front of the Clan."

Brackenclaw gestured for her to come closer with his tail. "Y'mind getting between my shoulders? I wanna look my best."

Brightfur settled in with a purr. "Excited for Lionkit and Tigerkit?"

"You bet!" her brother paused, rocking back and forth, before finally blurting out, "Alderstar's giving me Willowkit!"

The medicine cat startled, bumping foreheads with her brother. "Your first apprentice! I'm so happy for you!"

Brackenclaw blinked at her affectionately. "It feels like I'm an actual warrior, now. I mean, I've had my name for ages, but real warriors train apprentices." He looked over his shoulder. "Speaking of; have you seen Berryshade? I didn't notice her anywhere yesterday."

Brightfur swallowed a ball of guilt and concern, reaching out to lick his cheek. "You know Berryshade likes her space."

"But her scent in the den is faded, and-"

"Brackenclaw," she interrupted, and he fell silent. "You'll be giving Willowkit her tour today, and we can look for her then. This is as much your day as it is hers."

He reluctantly nodded. "You're right."

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey meet me at the Clanrock for a Clan meeting!"

Brightfur nudged Brackenclaw to his paws. "Knock 'em dead, bro."

Alderstar said very little during the ceremony, but Brightfur got the feeling he was hoping to instill a sense of responsibility into the youngest warriors in the Clan with his choices. Barkfall was given Lionpaw and Maplenose proudly accepted Tigerpaw. Rainblaze's belly still hung low from her kitting as she strode over to Antpaw, eyes glinting proudly. Last was Brackenclaw, his chest puffed up while bumping noses with Willowpaw. Maybe we're not as formal as the older bunch, but we're plenty responsible! Growing up during the tension with WindClan had made sure of that.

"Mind if I join you?" she meowed, tail whisking across Lionpaw's side. "I want to watch my kin learn their home."

"Absolutely," reassured Barkfall. "So, whattaya say, everyone? All together or split into groups?"

"We split when we had our tour," Rainblaze mused. "It was fun, meeting in the middle and telling each other what we saw."

Willowpaw's fur bushed out with excitement. "Can we take the side with the Carrionplace first?" she asked Brackenclaw. "I hear there's rogues there."

Brightfur blanched. Did she overhear us? Of all the ways to find out about her potential father, that was one the worst. But Willowpaw didn't acknowledge her at all, staring at her mentor with unbridled curiosity.

Brackenclaw laughed. "I don't think even the toughest of rogues could live in that rat-infested place, but I don't see why not. Just keep by me, okay?"

Alderstar padded out of the slowly dispersing crowd, eyes warm. "I'll walk with my great-grandkits to the Thunderpath, if it's all the same to you."

"Honored to have you, sir," Maplenose promised.

The day proved to still be clear by afternoon. Every breath escaped their muzzles in a puff of steam as they strolled through the pine trees. Lionpaw clung close to Maplenose's side, frightened of disobeying on his first day, while Tigerpaw ran a few pawsteps ahead, jumping and rolling in the snow.

Alderstar trailed at the back. Brightfur kept pace beside the older tom, checking for signs of exhaustion as they walked. It occurred to her that despite being a full medicine cat, she had no idea how many lives he had left.

"Grandpa," she said. "How old are you?"

The dark tabby tom chuckled. "Pretty old, kiddo. Pretty old." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I know what you're thinking. You're right. I've only got one."

Brightpaw leaned on his side, seeking out comfort. "Is that why you were so stubborn about Duskspring being deputy?"

He nodded, eyes misting over. "I never thought I'd outlive him."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Slatestep is a good cat. ShadowClan will be in good paws." Alderstar looked up at Tigerpaw, who had managed to drag Lionpaw in on her fun. "Y'know, the thing they never tell you about getting old is that everyone else does too. The ShadowClan I've led is very different from the ShadowClan I was born into. One day, you'll look out into the clearing and realize the warriors you've known all your life are getting aches and fuzzy eyes. It's a great feeling. Sad, but great."

Brightfur didn't respond. What could she say? It would be seasons yet before she was old enough to know how her grandfather felt. All she knew now was that she couldn't imagine ShadowClan without Alderstar watching over it and keeping them safe.

"Tigerpaw!" Barkfall hissed. "Get over here, now!"

Brightfur startled at the venom in the usual gentle warrior's voice. The group had gone ahead while they spoke. Alderstar ran through the dead bushes after them, fur standing on end. Brightfur was on his heels, praying that she wasn't about to see Tigerpaw squished under the paws of a monster.

They burst in to find Barkfall and Maplenose shielding the two young 'paws, teeth bared and heads lowered. The Thunderpath was deadly silent behind the dark red pelt of Burnstar, flanked by Huskfrost. Between them was Berryshade, a deep clawmark across her eye.

"Oh, quit it," Burnstar growled. "I'm no coward. I'd never hurt an apprentice." He raised his chin as Alderstar approached. "I never took you as the type to send queens to do your dirty work. Perhaps I was wrong."

"For the last time, Burnstar, ShadowClan has no plot to spy on RiverClan."

"Then how do you explain her?" He waved his tail at Berryshade. She stared dejectedly at her paws. "You're lucky Houndface smelled the milk in her before things got worse."

"I don't know what Berryshade was doing over your borders," Alderstar meowed evenly. "But it was not on my orders."

Burnstar snorted derisively. "Sure."

Alderstar shifted his gaze to Huskfrost. "Don't tell me you believe this nonsense?"

The tip of her tail twitched. "I don't know what I believe," she stated. "But Burnstar is leader. He's my brother. I will always back him up."

Berryshade flinched and looked away, claws kneading the frozen ground.

"This will be brought up at the next Gathering," Burnstar warned. "ShadowClan hasn't exactly been making friends lately. I'd watch your backs."

"Is that a threat?" Alderstar asked.

"It's a declaration of war." Burnstar shoved Berryshade. "Get moving, fox-breath."

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Tell someone who cares. Sorry catches no prey."

"Leave her alone!" Lionpaw snarled, pushing past Barkfall.

Burnstar turned to him. Lionpaw began to shake, but he didn't back down. "You look a lot alike. Mother and son? Aunt and nephew?" He cocked his head to the side. "Ah, got it in two. I can see it in your eyes. Don't worry, kit. It takes time, but you'll learn to accept that some family members just aren't worth it." His tail brushed Berryshade's cheek. "Isn't that right?"

"That's not why I'm sorry," she said.

"Oh?" Burnstar said.

Berryshade let go of the tension in her limbs, whirling around faster than Brightfur has ever seen someone move. Her black muzzle parted, revealing gleaming white teeth that promptly sunk into Burnstar's throat.

Author's Note: This is a very serious chapter with serious stuff going on but I'll be damned if I'll miss a chance to meme while I'm at it akddcod,cscs.

-Mandaree1