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: Losing Faith

…

ShadowClan hovered around the edges of the clearing as Alderstar was painstakingly hauled out of the medicine den. Most vigils came later in the day or the start of night; it was rare that a cat was found dead before the first patrols went out, and it showed in how eerie the old tom looked in the bright sunlight, his tabby fur rustling in the breeze. One could almost mistake him for alive.

Smokestripe's voice broke the silence. Her mother stood up, staring stiffly ahead. "I'm going hunting."

Addershine paused to push his nose in Alderstar's fur, then looked up and nodded. "I'll join you. The Clan must be fed."

No one else offered. Newtfrost approached the body next, slumping down near his back. His eyes were wide with shock. Maplenose was at Badgerthroat's side, supporting her mother as he grieved, Antpaw and Willowpaw close by. Barkfall and Flametuft were sharing tongues in the corner, quietly contemplating to one another where they should sit. Grayfeather was diligently cleaning Lionpaw's fur, the yellow tom's face haunted. Tigerpaw sat by the elders, watching on curiously- she looked sad, but not nearly as hurt as her brother. Brackenclaw was by Alderstar's head, curled up in a little ball. Flametuft looked torn between his brother and his kits, choosing to be between them. Brightfur wasn't entirely sure where Briarspots was, but assumed he'd snuck out to hunt as well.

Ravenwind seemed to yearn to join them, tail flicking back and forth indecisively. She shook herself and raised her chin. "Slatestep."

The molly was at her side in an instant. "I know." Slatestep just looked guilty. "Can't it wait, though? It's so early."

"ShadowClan will feel safer if they know you're safe by the Moonstone," she meowed. "I'll go get some traveling herbs together."

Slatestep plopped down beside Brightfur. Ravenwind disappeared into the medicine den, prompting Brightfur to take her eyes off her mentor and look at Alderstar- she wished she could feel grief, but all she felt was numb. She wondered, belatedly, if she might try to sneak some bites of her raven. She hoped not. This was not the ideal time.

"I never thought I'd surpass him," Slatestep said, following her gaze. "I knew he was old, but Alderstar's been around longer than most anyone. He outlived his own son. Cats like that don't just die."

"Yeah, well..." Brightfur's tail lashed. "Grandpa did."

It was a bright day out. The snow gleamed under the sun's rays, blinding if you looked at it too long. Brightfur was almost relieved when they came upon the gray sludge that clung to the sides of the Thunderpath. Finally, something that fits the mood!

They continued their journey without stopping. The cold stone underpaw did nothing to help them relax as they hunkered down outside the cave that led to the Moonstone, soaking in the warmth while they could. Slatestep could hardly seem to sit still, jumping at every little noise. Her gray fur was bushed out and frizzy, as if expecting StarClan to leap at her with its collective teeth exposed. Ravenwind fell asleep around Sunhigh; and Brightfur, not wanting to talk, pretended to as well.

They entered the cave as the sky began to darken. The pitch black didn't frighten Brightfur anymore, though the smell of old air was no more appealing to her. Slatestep stumbled behind them; the warrior had surely taken her own pilgrimage there at some point, but it must've been many seasons ago now, and it was clear she recalled very little of it.

"What if they don't accept me as leader?" she asked, voice wavering.

"They will," Ravenwind grunted. "You're the only deputy we've got. For that alone, they will."

The night came much sooner than Brightfur expected. The sky was open and empty, giving the moon ample ability to shine down on the Moonstone, which lit up like the eyes of a monster. Once the sight had filled her with joy- now, she simply squinted at it. Some medicine cat I've turned out to be, she thought. This should mean something to me, but it doesn't.

Slatestep padded forward, touching her nose to the stone. Ravenwind gestured for Brightfur to do so as well, then followed.

The familiar smell of grass and cats filled Brightfur's nostrils as she opened her eyes, finding herself in a plain of stars. Up ahead was Slatestep, sharing an eager nuzzle with Mossyear and Alderstar, the latter looking younger and sleeker than Brightfur had ever seen him. Ravenwind looked on, emotionless, as even Leafleg joined in, greeting the new leader with begrudging respect.

"Why am I alone?" she asked the air.

Flowerpaw's scent wreathed around her as the molly appeared, sitting next to her. "Because we need to talk."

Brightfur squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to look at her. "I know that wasn't you. With the raven. It was all me."

"You're a medicine cat, Brightfur. Your place is to heal."

"You made Ravenwind medicine cat."

"Her mentor wasn't much better," Flowerpaw replied. "Ravenwind had a great connection to the stars. Even now, she does. But the world has twisted her, and losing Leopardpoppy broke that dam."

"So you defend her, then."

She flinched, nosing her side. "Brightfur, this isn't you. You know it's not. Life has been hard on you, but closing yourself off won't do anything."

Brightfur's ears fell flat. She stood and turned to meet Flowerpaw's eye. "My grandfather is dead," she growled. "My little brother died before he was old enough to walk. My sister is out in some alleyway in agony, possibly in the middle of kitting, and I probably won't ever see her again. My mentor has killed and ruined more cats' lives than I could count on one paw. I'm allowed to be bitter for how the world has treated me."

"Have faith, Brightfur," she pleaded. "The stars-"

"Have done what? Put Ravenwind into power? Been absolutely useless with helping me or ShadowClan?" She clawed at the ground, frustration from seasons of misfortune bubbling up. "How am I supposed to follow you if you hold all of the answers but never tell anyone about them?"

Flowerpaw jerked back as if physically wounded. "Brightfur, you can't... you can't be here. Not when you're like this."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means goodbye, Brightfur."

Brightfur jolted awake with a groan of agony, having had the pleasure of opening her eyes so close to a lit-up Moonstone. She pulled her head back, ears flat, and looked up at the sky. The moon hardly seemed to have moved. A glance at Ravenwind and Slatestep told her the same.

The ceremony was still going on.

And she wasn't invited.

StarClan... turned its back on me?

Brightfur leaned her forehead against the stone, feeling the grit dig into her skin. She clenched her teeth hard enough to hurt, a headache blooming under her skull. Somehow, the snub hurt far worse than her Alderstar's death, despite this being her own fault.

Her claws dragged painfully across the stone floor. Why am I banned, but Ravenwind isn't? She's a murderer! Brightfur looked at Ravenwind's blissful form without comprehension. Why would they side with her over me? I was rude, sure, but Ravenwind isn't a medicine cat at all!

Brightfur's mouth opened into a low, mournful yowl. Far above, the stars glittered on, cold and impartial to her pain.

"Slatestar! Slatestar! Slatestar!"

Slatestar bowed her head. "Thank you, ShadowClan. I know I'm not half the cat Alderstar was, but I hope to live up to his standards." The gray molly waited for the Clan to fall silent before lifting her tail. "I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ShadowClan is Smokestripe."

"Go mom!" Brackenclaw called.

Brightfur felt pride swell in her chest as Smokestripe stood and padded slowly to the front of the Clan. There was no denying that her mother had been through hell in a handbasket, and she deserved every honor she was given.

"I'm appreciate it, Slatestar," she meowed. "But I'm afraid I have to refuse."

A collective gasp shook the clearing as Slatestar blinked down at her. "I'm sorry?"

Smokestripe looked back, but didn't falter. "ShadowClan is my home, and I would never leave it, but that doesn't negate that my family has been hurt time and time again. I won't help a Clan that hurts its own."

"You could change it!" Slatestar pointed out.

She shook her head. "I've made up my mind. Choose someone else."

Brightfur watched on as her mother turned and slipped back into the crowd. Smokestripe had given up on ShadowClan, just as StarClan had given up on her. For that reason alone, she didn't chant as Briarspots went and took the place her mother might've had in another world.

Author's Note: This is more of a transition to the new leadership but HEY LOOK ANGST. Brightfur literally can't get a break.

-Mandaree1