DISCLAIMER: I don't own Warriors or The 39 Clues.

Chapter 8

WindClan

Dan tried not to shy away from the gathering WindClan cats as Breezestar addressed the Clan. Dan's new friends, Wolfpaw, Tansypaw and Sunpaw were already in the front of the group. It was only dawn, but Breezestar wanted to have Dan training as soon as possible.

Dan also noticed another cat taking interest in him. A young warrior named Horizonblaze was always looking closely at Dan. When he asked Wolfpaw why Horizonblaze was watching him he said, "He probably wants to be your mentor! He's been asking Breezestar for one since before Tansypaw, Sunpaw and I were apprenticed. You'll be lucky if you get him! He's a great warrior."

Horizonblaze's eyes were gleaming as Breezestar waited for her Clan to gather. Dan stood still next to the other apprentices. Once every cat was there, Breezestar began the meeting; "A new cat arrived at our Clan one sunrise ago. Now he is ready to become an apprentice. Dan, please step forward." Dan slowly took a few steps towards Breezestar. "Until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be called Harepaw. Horizonblaze, you are ready for your first apprentice. You will mentor Harepaw. You are brave and I hope you will pass on everything you know to this apprentice." Horizonblaze walked up to Dan- well, Harepaw now- and leaned down to touch noses. Dan did the same. Wolfpaw had told Harepaw what to do before they went to sleep the night before.

When they were done, the Clan cheered, "Harepaw! Harepaw! Harepaw!"

Harepaw stood up proudly and followed Horizonblaze. Horizonblaze turned to Harepaw, "You may go and talk to the other apprentices. I need to ask Moonwhisker what patrols we could do today." He left and Harepaw went over to Wolfpaw, Tansypaw, and Sunpaw. Sunpaw was the first to congratulate him, "Oh, congratulations, Harepaw!" Tansypaw gleamed, "A new apprentice!" Sunpaw nuzzled Harepaw a little and his ears grew hot. Wolfpaw looked like he was trying to hold back laughter. Tansypaw looked as if nothing had happened. Sunpaw ran off to join her mentor, Cottonflower, and Tansypaw returned to the medicine cat den. Wolfpaw finally let out his purring.

"Sunpaw likes you!" Harepaw was confused, "Is that why she nuzzled me? But I don't like her like that! Tansypaw's a she-cat. How come she doesn't notice?" Wolfpaw looked at Harepaw in surprise, "She's a medicine cat. They're not allowed to have mates and kits. Tansypaw isn't used to being around cats in love."

"Love?" Harepaw squeaked. He was too young! Amy would freak! What about Natalie? Harepaw was really worried about Natalie. What would she think? Would she be happy for him? Would she be sad? Harepaw shivered at the thought of Natalie being angry. Luckily, she didn't have her dart gun. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to blow it as a cat.

Rocktail and Horizonblaze both walked up to Wolfpaw and Harepaw. "Moonwhisker said we could all go on the hunting patrol. That will give me a chance to teach you some hunting techniques, Harepaw." said Horizonblaze. Harepaw grinned. I'm going to hunt! Harepaw jumped along with the two mentors and Wolfpaw. Wolfpaw looked at Harepaw weirdly, "You know, it's just hunting." Harepaw stopped jumping, "Yeah, but I've never been hunting before." Wolfpaw just shrugged.

They walked far into the hills. Rocktail and Wolfpaw went a different direction and Horizonblaze started telling Harepaw how to hunt in WindClan territory. "Make sure you stay downwind from the prey, so that it can't smell you. Once you're close enough, pounce. Try to be as quiet as you can. A rabbit's hearing is very sensitive." Once he finished Harepaw saw a rabbit hop out from behind a bush. He dropped into the hunter's crouch that Horizonblaze showed him. Harepaw shifted so that he was downwind. The rabbit's scent blew into is face and his mouth began to water. Harepaw gently put his paws in front of him, so they made no sound. Harepaw stalked the rabbit behind the bush and once he could see the whites of its eyes, he pounced. The rabbit was too focused on sniffing for food that it was too slow to get away. Harepaw jumped on it and bit its neck. He carried the limp body back to Horizonblaze. Harepaw loved the proud and amazed look in his mentor's eyes.

"Wow! I've never seen an apprentice learn to hunt so quickly!" Horizonblaze said. Harepaw felt good. "The rabbit is huge! It could feed the queens!"

Harepaw knew his life in WindClan was off at a great start.