Prologue
A young, gray she-cat walked over to a group of cats with stars in their pelts. A black tom, whose fur was bristling with anger, stormed over to her.
"What did you do?" He demanded. "You weren't suppoed to stop that kit from dying. It's the way of life."
The she-cat dipped her head, "I am sorry, Ashstar, but I had to. She's needed in Stormclan. You may not have seen it, but I have."
Ashstar's fur began to lie flat. "She's the smallest cat I've ever seen. She's weak too, and blind. She'll never be strong enough to become a warrior." He paused, "How did you save her?"
The gray she-cat shrugged. "I don't know. I gave up my life to save my brother's. I guess I was granted to do this because of that. He-" She cut off and whipped around when she heard rustling in the bushes.
A dark gray tom with white feet had been listening to their conversation. "I am grateful for what you did, Shadepaw," He mewed. "I was brought up in our mother's clan, Dustclan, so I never treated you right, and I'm sorry. I wish I had known we were siblings, and I'm sorry you never got to become a full medicine cat. I'll never be able to repay you."
Shadepaw pushed her nose into his shoulder fur. "There was nothing you could have done," She murmured. "It would have been worse if I told you. Our Clans came before our kin. I forgive you, Darkpelt." She pressed her flank to her brother's. "I will look after Rainkit and give her strength," She mewed, turning to Ashstar. "Her clan will accept her."
Ashstar nodded, "Good luck."
Shadepaw touched noses with Darkpelt before departing.
Rainkit fell asleep next to her brothers and began to dream. Only in her dreams could she see what was around her, but, this time, she was in darkness. She looked ahead and saw a strange cat walking towards her. She was light gray and had stars in her pelt. "Wh-who are you?" She mewed. "Why do you have stars in your fur?"
Shadepaw purred, "I am Shadepaw of Starclan." Rainkit's eyes widened. "I trained as a Stormclan medicine cat apprentice, but I died saving my brother's life before I could finish my training."
"Why are you here?" Rainkit asked.
"I am here to help you show your clan that you are stronger than they think," Shadepaw mewed. "You are needed." She saw the kit's uncertainty. "Don't worry, I'll be with you all the time. No one will ever see me. They didn't when I saved you from dying on your way into this world." Rainkit's eyes grew wider.
She looked up at the Starclan cat. "Thank you, but how will I become a warrior is I'm blind and am weaker than any other kit?"
"You'll get stronger," Shadepaw assured her. "And don't worry about being blind. We'll work around that. You don't need to see to hunt and fight. Only working paws. You will have struggles, but you'll show your clan what you're capable of. Now, come. I will help you get stronger."
Rainkit hesitated but walked over to her, and they touched noses. "I will never leave you," Shadepaw whispered.
5 moons later
A black tom walked to the edge of a pool of water. "Shadepaw, how is Rainpaw?" He asked a small, gray she-cat.
Shadepaw dipped her head respectively. "Ashstar. She's doing fine. Her brothers protect her well, but Silverstar won't agree that she should become a warrior. They're talking about having her become Darkflower's apprentice. It is something for Rainpaw to do, but it's not wise if she isn't supposed to be a medicine cat. Besides, Rainpaw has declined the offer, so she's now living in the elders' den."
"What do you think?" Ashstar mewed.
Shadepaw shook her head, "It's not clear, but she will need to know a lot about herbs in her future. I guess it couldn't hurt. She shouldn't be reduced to an elder. Not this soon. She'll find out soon enough if it isn't her calling."
Ashstar nodded. "We should know her calling, but, yes, it isn't clear enough." He sighed. "You have playfully fought with her in her dreams ever since you saved her from that terrible fate. Now, you must teach her your fighting skills. In time, she will get strong, and, hopefully with the new battle training you will have with her, she will be able to become a warrior."
"She will," Shadepaw mewed firmly. "The day draws nearer each day. Soon the four clan techniques will be needed for the trouble ahead."
Ashstar nodded. "If they can work together, there will be no blood shed, unless they realize too late. You mustn't tell Rainpaw anything. She doesn't need to know just yet."
The she-cat nodded. "I will train her and help her realize that Riverclan needs her, no matter what her disabilities."
"You will tell her when the time is right," Ashstar mewed. "The three other chosen cats are needed to work together, along with her, for peace to come."
Shadepaw's eyes sparkled. "If they work together on their journey, then they can't fail us."