I pad into the medicine cat den, and tears spring to my eyes. Lying in a bed with smells that tickle your nose and leave you wanting to drift off to sleep, is my best friend. He was frail and thin, even more so now. It takes all that I have to stop myself from rushing over.

But if I did, then I would catch the infectious disease that is slowly and painfully killing Pantherkit.

He thinks that he is so strong. But even I, the small runt, can beat him in a fight. I slowly bow my head and give him my prayers.

That night, in my den, I listen. It isn't odd for me to listen because that is what I do. What I don't understand, is why Starclan has to steal Pantherkit from me. Why cant the world be filled with peace and no deaths? I lay my head down. If I could do that thing that two-legs do when water comes out of their eyes, I would.

I drift off into a hazy sleep, half-way between dreamworld and reality. A figure that looks like a cat is standing in front of me. I try to look at him more clearly, but he starts to fade. I get it. If you focus on him, he fades into the background. But if you look at him as part of the scenery, you can see him better.

I try this, and sure enough, I can see him quite well. This mysterious cat is a pale gray with amber eyes. He seems to have been a medicine cat. His tail flicks out, and guess that my eyes must have widened, because he giggles.

"Noticed my tail did you?"

I nod feebly. His tail is the same color as his body, and about the same length as it. As if that is all, the tail is fluffy, and swoops down like a giant feather.

"I am Featherwhisker. I know that you have a few problems. I can help."

I gasp.

"Yes. I will help you this one time because I am a nice cat. But you have to do me one favor. I will let you protect one cat, and then I will disappear."

I have to think. Do I really want to protect Pantherkit, or should I protect myself. Then I would never get hurt. Right?

I feel something crush inside of me. Do I really feel this way? Am I that selfish? I decide not.

"I want to protect Pantherkit."

"Hmm," Featherwhisker muses. "Done. Now for that favor."

I gulp. What possibly could he want?

"You need to be my eternal slave!"

I shriek as his claws reach for my throat and then fade into the darkness.

My eyes open. I realize that I must've screamed because everyone is crowding around me. I giggle and rush out. Immediately, I walk into the medicine cat den. Pantherkit looks even smaller. My chest heaves.

That night, I dream of Featherwhisker again. "I'll do it."

He looks confused. I tell him, "I'll be your eternal slave if you save Pantherkit."

"No you won't. You are just saying that so that I can save him and you can escape. I am not fox-brained!"

I cower in the corner, breathe in deeply, and say, "But I will."

To prove it, I find a sharp stick and raise it to my paw. I am about to slice it off when I hear, "No! Don't do it! Fine fine, you passed the test. I needed to see your loyalty." He pats my head and starts to fade. "Done." He whispers.

In the morning, I practically sprint to Pantherkit. "Swankit." He says. "It's strange. All of a sudden I feel as if I am not sick any more. Do you know why?"

I simply tell him that an Angel from Starclan saved his life. He rolls his eyes. "Yeah right."

I hear a whisper in my ear telling me to tell the whole story. So I did. When I am finished, I whisper into the air, "Done."

A/N this is a story written for a Warriors forum. I was given a cat, a problem, and an Angel. Please review!

-Shadepaw