The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves. - Steven Spielberg

Hawkpaw sighed as she entered the apprentices' den for the first time as a ShadowClan apprentice. She couldn't complain- it was pure luck that she was still alive. It seemed that Nightsky and Dawnleap were much nicer than crazy ol' Snowstar. The apprentices' rumors of her becoming crazy with the worry of losing her last life on her back still clung to her ears.

With Owlpaw, Hawkpaw's future-former mother, things weren't going as well. The tortoiseshell apprentice had already pranked Hawkpaw twice. Even though Lavenderpaw had told her that Owlpaw always did that when a new apprentice entered the den, Hawkpaw wasn't still used to the pranks. At least she had stopped.

''Good morning, Hawkpaw,'' Lavenderpaw, who was a long-haired pale gray she-cat, greeted. ''Did Owlpaw prank you again? I told her I'd claw her ears off if she'd do it again.''

''She hasn't,'' Hawkpaw sighed, flicking her tail. After a few moments of silence and hesitation, she shrugged. ''Owlpaw isn't that bad. She helped me fit in after Snowstar decided my fate, remember? Anyways, I'm waiting for Swiftfoot to come.''

Lavenderpaw nodded. ''Your new mentor?'' she guessed. ''He's very intriguing and fierce, some even say he's the most feared tom in all the Clans!'' Her eyes shone. ''I wish to be like that when I become a warrior.''

Hawkpaw stretched as she yawned. ''And have all the attention?'' she asked enthusiastically, though her voice cracked in sorrow. ''Nah, that's not for me. I'd prefer becoming a deputy who is respected. Respect is more important than being all fearsome and strong, well, for me, at least.''

''I bet Owlpaw doesn't think that,'' the pale she-cat purred.

Owlpaw was complaining about why she had to do the elders' den and not the 'newbie', which was obviously Hawkpaw who she was talking about. Redfern just shook his head in disappointment. ''That 'newbie' will do this, just not right now. You're the older apprentice, be an example for the rest,'' Redfern said. He usually repeated that to Owlpaw when she didn't want to do something. At least the tortoiseshell apprentice had finally shut her mouth and began padding to the medicine cat den for mousebile.

A pair of amber eyes showed at the exit of the den. ''Stop goofing around, Hawkpaw, and lets go quickly!'' a powerful, deep voice yowled. Hawkpaw winced at the first command of her mentor. My first order and it's already something bad.

Outside waited Swiftfoot, a tom who was at least twice as big as her with a white pelt, black spots and scorching amber eyes. His face had a disapproving scowl, and Hawkpaw quickly ducked her head in embarrassment. Her first failure. Great.

Swiftfoot quickly padded to the camp's exit. ''You're too slow,'' he commented, while Hawkpaw followed him out from the camp. ''You need warrior blood in you. But, let's see what I can make with you.'' He quickly climbed a tree and disappeared into the foliage.

Hawkpaw stared mouth-opened. ThunderClan were the tree-climbers, not ShadowClan- or DarkClan! She had never been taught tree-climbing in DarkClan, and she had only been two moons from becoming a warrior. Suddenly, something clicked on her mind.

She stared at Heatherpaw, a light ginger tabby she-cat with sapphire blue eyes, who smiled comfortingly at her. The ginger tabby was small, and lived in ThunderClan, for that matter, but still she was nice enough. Heatherpaw had proposed a tree-climbing challenge for that Gathering for all the apprentices; the only problem was that Hawkpaw didn't know how.

''Oh, it's alright if you don't want to,'' she meowed, blinking her blue eyes. ''I can give you some tips if you ever need to climb trees. One, never look at the ground. It may make you dizzy and confuse you, and you may fall this way. Two, move quickly between branch and branch. If you're sure the branches can support you, then go quickly so that you reach your goal faster.''

''And if I fall down?''

Heatherpaw shook her head. ''That won't happen if you follow the two main things I just told you. But, if you do, then it's vital not to panic. You shouldn't hit the ground so soon, try reaching for the trunk, or a branch if it's nearer. If you hit the ground from a high altitude you could get injuries, true, but if you manage to slow down then nothing will happen to you.''

Hawkpaw snapped out from the memory. She quickly climbed her way up the trunk tightening close her eyes for a few seconds from time to time to make sure she wouldn't look down. She finally reached the part of the tree where branches connected with other branches. She ran through them until she could barely see Swiftfoot's white pelt in the distance.

She ran even faster, panting. Her feet skidded over the branches until she finally caught up to Swiftfoot, who had stopped and was now licking his puffed chest. He stared in surprised at her and let out a chuckle.

''I've got a show-off, huh?'' he asked, and, for a moment, Hawkpaw was confused. ''I've got to say I'm quite impressed with you, kit. I've never seen a rogue climb trees.'' Hawkpaw puffed her chest. ''Don't get so proud, kit, training's over when I say so.''

And so, the day continued with Swiftfoot's strange method of mentoring.

I'm announcing I'll make a Q&A in the next chapter! Everybody, send in your questions and I'll gladly answer them.

Meanwhile, I made a poll (which is in my profile) about Hawkpaw's warrior name. I've voted for Hawkflight, but it's the majority who really counts. You can happily vote for two choices for her warrior name!

Reply to Reviews:

Poppyflower of StormClan - For now, they're staying as frenemies. I'll make that relationship later, though.

Bobbie1776 - The past it is!

Bobbie1776 - It's good that you find this confusing. As it's good that you lose your sanity. :D

Potatotheumbreon - Thanks for Darkpaw (who was accepted) but I can't do that about getting kicked out of the den by his... deceased sister. It just doesn't make any sense (but then, I don't have any sense at all). ... Let's say I want the realistic Warriors touch.

Ravenwing of ThunderClan - Ravenpaw (who was accepted) can't become Hawkpaw's future mate. To make it clear, it's 'cause Hawkpaw's a she as well.

Grasswing of WingClan - Yeah, I do understand that second paragraph. I've accepted all the OCs.

Stream That Flows Around Rock - I'm not promising anything yet to happen between Owlpaw and Hawkpaw.

Potatotheumbreon - Thank for the OC!

Bobbie1776 - Thanks for the OC! I couldn't put all the description in the Allegiances because it was just too big :P

QOTD:

What do you think of Swiftfoot?