Disclaimer: I don't own the Warriors 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: -mama I'm in love with a criminal plays-

...

"Thank you, Grayfeather," Brightfur meowed around the wad of fresh moss in her maw. The nursery warrior's tail flicked in acknowledgement as he carefully nudged the old nests out the nursery.

Hawkflower rolled onto his back, studying her with a playful gleam in his eyes. "Slatestar must be really pissed at you if she's making you do apprentice tasks at our age."

"Don't be frog-brained," she sniffed. "I'm still an apprentice; gonna be for a long time now, with how stubborn Ravenwind is. I just can't shove it off on Antpaw like I normally do."

"Lazy bones!"

Brightfur let go of her moss. It fell on his face. Grayfeather shook with silent laughter and grabbed a mouthful of grass, laying it on top like some flowers on a grave. Hawkflower squirmed but ultimately accepted his fate, legs sticking up into the air.

"Hey, don't bury him yet!" Maplenose gave the limp form of her mate a good shove. "I've still got a couple seasons worth of hunting patrols to send him on in my honor first."

Hawkflower started to wiggle again. "Bury me faster! Hurry, hurry!"

"Should I give you my blessing?"

"Yessss, I'm dead, bless me, bless me."

Brightfur melodramatically waved her tail over him. "Swift eating, indigestion, yadda yadda. You may now haunt the skies."

Maplenose unburied him with a gentle tutting, looking on the verge of laughter herself. "I didn't realize I was such terrible company, dear."

Hawkflower stretched his neck out to bump their noses together. "Never," he promised.

"You won't have the same tune when you realize how dirty we've gotten the moss," bemoaned Brightfur, ignoring the twinge in her belly. She didn't think she was in love with Hawkflower anymore, but he was still very dear to her, and seeing the way he and Maplenose interacted was yet another reminder of just how much time had passed since they were apprentices.

When was the last time we all got to hang out like this? She thought as she collected the disheveled moss. I've been so busy stressing over this and that, I never realized how much I missed it.

As if sensing her enjoyment, Slatestar padded up to the three of them with a small frown on her face. "Brightfur, shouldn't you be going?"

"Ma'am?"

"It's the half-moon."

"I didn't think you'd want me going. Not so soon."

Slatestar's ear twitched dismissively. "StarClan's guidance is always welcome. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to ask the other medicine cats for tips with Hazelkit and Dewkit. None of us have ever raised blind kittens before, and we wouldn't want that cough getting worse."

"Alright." Brightfur reluctantly dipped her head. "I'll head off, then."

"Aww, boo." Maplenose blew a raspberry. "I was gonna pawn storytime off on you."

"Next time," she promised, risking a glance at Slatestar. The molly seemed unbothered by their close proximity. I guess she's starting to realize she can't keep a medicine cat secluded. Brightfur bumped noses with the queen and shoved the ruffled moss onto Grayfeather, who rolled his eyes pointedly at Slatestar.

The leader noticed. "If you have a problem with me, feel free to telegraph it."

"You used to be so much more fun as a deputy," Hawkflower retorted, rolling onto his stomach. "At least, you weren't demanding all the time."

"Yeah, well..." she hesitated, clearly taken aback. "It's been a stressful season."

Brightfur set off immediately, wary of provoking Slatestar's ire. Ravenwind watched from her den as she left, tail tip twitching rhythmically. The look on her face was reminiscent of a kit forced to give its favorite kind of fresh-kill away.

It was a chilly afternoon when she arrived at the Thunderpath. The end of Newleaf was putting up a fight, lashing cold breezes through unassuming pelts. Brightfur bushed out her coat and kept moving, trying to stifle the sudden bout of nervousness she felt. I haven't seen any of the other medicine cats in ages. What all did Ravenwind tell them?

A distant orange flash on the moor gave her pause. Sparrowfang came at the monster's pathway with quick, bounding strides, hardly sparing the flat thing a sniff. Close behind was Bristlepelt; who, at the very least, had the sense to stop and look both ways.

"Beat you!" crowed Sparrowfang, with an imperious flick of his tail.

Bristlepelt came up beside him with a hoarse laugh. "Better to be second place than to be dead, mush-brain." He paused, staring at the golden tabby at the edge of the bushes. "Brightfur?"

Brightfur swallowed and took a tiny step closer. "Present."

Sparrowfang's eyes lit up with glee. Before she could even blink his pelt was pressed against hers, noses bumping affectionately. "It's been ages! We were starting to think you'd ran away!"

He's not wrong. She huffed out an awkward laugh. "Just had some medicine cat business. Nothing special."

The gray tom stared hopefully over Brightfur's shoulder, deflating when no one else appeared. "Is Ravenwind…"

"She's not coming this moon," Brightfur meowed, not entirely certain what all she was allowed to say on the matter. "But she's okay, Bristlepelt. I promise."

The WindClan cat accepted this with a solemn nod. "We should probably get going, then."

That's it? Brightfur wondered, surprised. No one's going to ask? She heaved a relieved sigh and gestured for them to lead.

Creamstep was the first to join them. The molly had been waiting alone by the rocks, dutifully early as always, and when she saw Brightfur she pointedly wrapped her tail around her side and greeted her. The thin layer of gray around her muzzle told Brightfur that Brownshade was sick again- perhaps worse than ever before- and she knew better than to ask.

Hollowtail looked ancient as he met up with the group, and quietly explained that Houndface had gone to StarClan in her sleep. Brightfur felt a bit of sadness; she barely known the RiverClan molly, but she'd always been friendly, even on Ravenwind's prickly days. Beside him was a tiny ginger and white molly he introduced as Specklepaw.

"My brother's," he explained, looking pointedly at Brightfur. She winced.

Specklepaw looked just as displeased, however, tail flicking dismissively. "Who cares about that? We're here to see StarClan!"

Oh, right, thought Brightfur. The entire purpose of the half-moon had slipped her mind. She had no real interest in speaking to StarClan right then, nor subjecting herself to the unnecessary glare of the Moonstone. But it's not like I can tell them that. "Since we're all here, do you mind if I pick your brains a bit?"

"I'm game," Sparrowfang replied almost instantly. His eyes twinkled merrily. "It's not often high and mighty ShadowClan asks others for help."

Ignoring that little jibe, Brightfur explained the situation as best she could. "A queen in my Clan has recently adopted two kittens, both near apprentice age. But they had a run-in with a fire not long ago, and I'm not sure how best to get them acclimated."

Hollowtail shuddered from tail-tip to ears. "I was born in a fire," he rasped. "My mother had so many burns, she hardly looked like a cat anymore. And that horrible cough..."

"One of them has a cough," Brightfur supplied. "It seems to be triggered by lots of exorcise or a sharp wind. And the other is practically blind. I was hoping you all might have some suggestions."

She let that sink in as they climbed the final little hill up to Mothermouth. Brightfur craned her neck to see how far they went- it looked like forever. Is there anything beyond those hills? Or are they the teeth of this giant maw?

"Blind cats do pretty alright for themselves," Bristlepelt piped up, surprising her. "Their noses and ears are better than most. Just give them time to get used to their surroundings and they'll be fine. A big disaster or battle might be tricky, so it's best to teach them to be quick-witted."

"And Dewkit?" she pressed.

His nose wrinkled. "Sounds like wet-lung to me. It happens to lots of cats- some are even born with it. He might not be great for battles or running, but he oughta be alright with hunting and patrolling if he paces himself."

Brightfur let out a quiet sigh of relief. She'd been half-terrified one of them would suggest forcing one or both into the medicine cat den, and she could never disrespect them like that. They should get to choose what they want to do with their lives- just like everyone else. "I'm really glad to hear that."

Bristlepelt nodded and awkwardly shoved himself into the cave. His long, scraggly fur drug along the rocks as he disappeared into the darkness. Creamstep went next, per Sparrowfang's request, with Hollowtail close behind the ginger tom. That left Specklepaw and Brightfur.

The ginger and white molly glanced furtively at her. "I think they'll be okay. StarClan would say so if they weren't, right?"

"Right," Brightfur lied.

"I'm sorry about Hollowtail. He gets bitter about old stuff, sometimes." Specklepaw shook her fur out with a roll of her eyes. "But that's stupid! And I'm not gonna let RiverClan be like that anymore."

"You're gonna change the entire Clan? By yourself?"

"Yup!"

"Sounds like a lot of work."

Specklepaw's enthusiasm faded a little. "Well, maybe some help."

Brightfur laughed and nudged her bottom with her nose. Specklepaw vanished inside. Looking into the deep darkness, the medicine cat took a long, steadying breath, claws digging into the dirt, before reluctantly following.

It's surprisingly easy to pretend to meet StarClan. Brightfur presses the rock to her upper lip, just under her nose, and stays still. No sleep comes. Brightfur honestly isn't sure if StarClan has to come in through the nose, or if they've simply given up on her.

She waits for the room to fill with snoring before pulling away. The dead air felt insidious on her whiskers as she pushed her way back out into Highstones, content to tell the others StarClan simply had nothing to say that moon. They'd probably take it as a good sign.

Brightfur sat, her tail curled around her paws, and waited. The chilly night air buffeted her fur as she looked at the sky, trying to count the stars. It didn't seem possible that so many cats had died in four Clans in the middle of nowhere.

The crunch of stone made her ears flick backwards as Bristlepelt appeared. The WindClan tom didn't question why she was out so soon as he sat beside her. "Sky's pretty in Newleaf," he meowed. "Leaf-bare, too."

"Yeah."

"Helps me remember there's good in the bad stuff, too."

"Yeah," she repeated, softer this time.

Bristlepelt sighed. "Give it to me straight, Brightfur. What's wrong with Ravenwind?"

Brightfur's tail lashed. Everything. Nothing. I don't know. "She's alive and well," she meowed. "Slatestar just thinks it's time I take on more medicine cat duties."

"Hmm," he said, and nodded.

The ShadowClan molly stared at him. Bristlepelt had been around for a long time now, and there was little of his pelt that wasn't silvery-gray with age. "How long have you known Ravenwind?" she asked, curious in spite of herself.

Bristlepelt cracked a smile. "Always. We were apprentices at the same time, and we grew up together."

"Oh." Brightfur considered her next words. There wasn't a very polite way of saying what came next. "Was she always..."

"Like that?" He made so-so noises. "Things escalated with her mother died. It was a WindClan warrior who did it. Don't gimme that look- he's long dead now. Fell into the gorge."

Brightfur's stomach dropped. "Oh."

He watched her reaction with interest. "That's why she got named Ravenwind. Her mentor... well, he wasn't a good guy."

"Did he..."

"Drown? No. He got run over." Something somber was in his features now, like he'd lost a game of bobstones. "I know what you're wondering, Brightfur; the answer is yes. I know about the things she's done."

"I thought you were friends."

"We are."

"How can you be friends with someone who- someone like her?"

To her shock, he laughed at the unspoken accusation in her tone. "Lots of cats have gone over in the gorge, Brightfur. Maybe someday you'll understand why most of them weren't accidents."

"That's horrible."

"Probably," he agreed. "But when I needed her, Ravenwind was always there for me. And, honestly? Even after all she's done, and knowing she'll never have that kind of feeling for anyone, I'm still in love with her." Bristlepelt sighed wistfully, as if this were all a fond recollection. "And if that means I'll become the dirt for other StarClan cats to fly above, then so be it."

Author's Note: I'm really sorry for such a long pause! I promise I haven't forgotten about these cats, nor have I lost interest in writing them- it's mostly me trying to shore up what comes immediately next and what comes later, you know?

Anyway, a bit of insight into Bristlepelt! He's a side character in this story, but he's a key player in the novella I hope to write for Ravenwind some day, and is an all-around interesting guy. Super sweet, super soft, SUPER morally gray.

-Mandaree1