"Hetcha, please come up to the rock"

My heart was pounding fast. I was finally to become a warrior. I was still a bit too young, but I had trained really hard and proven myself to be a brilliant fighter. Therefore, I felt as if though was more than ready. I stepped up to where my leader was. I straitened myself up.

"Hetcha. I have seen the way you fought and strived to prove yourself worthy. I am proud to claim you as a warrior or Hawkclan"

I heard barks and howls of approval. I padded down and recieved my congratulations from my clan mates. I have lived in Hawk clan, for as long as I could remmeber. My whole life was here. I couldn't be anywhere happier.

"Hetcha come here"

My clan leader, Surgis, beckoned me over. I coudn't help but feel surprised. As I padded over I was trying to figure what I had  done wrong.

"Hetcha, he began, I know you were just promoted warrior now, but I have an imporatant task for you"

I immediately gave him my full attention.

"You're going to be given a Junior"

"What" I blurted out. I was only a warrior for about 5 minutes and I was already going to be a mentor. Juniors are the young ones that train to be warriors. I wasn't sure if I wanted that big of a responsibility. 

"You'll be teaching Gitsa"

That's even worse. Gitsa had a reputation for being very hyper and eccentric. Even worse, she wasn't of age to be trained.

"But she isn't old enough" I excliamed

"I know" he sighed " But times are getting tough. We need more fighters. you'll do fine. Of course, I could always assign this to another wolf if you're not up to it"

I seroiusly considered saying no. I was rather impatient and I wasn´t so sure if I could tolerate a younger wolf. But if I declined, it would show a weak side.

I took a deap breath " Allright, I'll mentor Gitsa"

Good, he grolwed "You´ll start tomorrow"

I nodded and exited the den. Surgis was my father. He wasn't nomally as patient as he was today. Maybe he's just geting old. I went over to get aquianted with my new student. As I got closer I could see about three young wolves, about 8 weeks old, wrestling each other. As I got closer they stopped and looked at me curiosly. I cleared my throat.

"Erm...which one of you is Gitsa"

"Thats me." said a hich pitched voice

A deep reddish female lurched forward. It was obvoius that she was excited. She rushed forward and as she raised her head, her nose touched my own. I instinctively drew back. Everyone new that a move like that, meant affection. I heard her two brothers behind her snicker. I can only imagine my expression. I gathered myself together. I looked down at her. I had to admit, she was rather cute. She looked at me expectantly.

"Tommorrow, you'll start your training. Wake up early."

"Okay!"

I turned to walk away. I think I stayed here long enough.

"What's your name?" I heard her call

"Hetcha " I responded over my shoulder.

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I woke up, then remmebered to my displeasure, my student. I padded out of the den and found her waiting outside. Her tail was wagging furiously and I noticed that the ground was treaded from her exciment.

"Great, your awake! What are we gonna do first" she asked as she trotted beside me " Hunting....fight a bear.....defending skills..."

I turned to her

"How about, a tour fo the territory"

I noticed the glimmer of disappiontment, then it vanished and she perked her ears.

"Allright"

"Besides, you don't have to worry about fighting bears"

She gave me a puzzled expression.

"But Diago and Tustin always talk about bear attacks.

"Who?"

"My brothers. They always say that they're gonna clobber a bears by themselves"

"That's very unlikely" I told her, " Bears are the nastiest things on two legs other that humans. They take one look at you, and it might be the last thing you'll see. It takes nearly the whole back to drag one down"

I glanced at her, she seemed nervous. 

"But we dont' see one very often."I reasured her " If one is spotted, then we evacute to safer grounds, or try to tackle it."

I gave her a proper tour, while trying to keep my patience. She asked several questions that was beginning to get on my nerves. 

She had devoloped a habit of running ahead a shouting things over her shoulder. By the end of the day I plopped down in my den, knocked out. I had a huge urge to go up to my father and say "Sorry, you've chosen the wrong wolf...." But I had several reasons not to do so. One, becuase it was too soon. Two, its embarrassing to be forced to quit by someone younger than me. Three, I woudln't dare face my father. He was rather sharp and stern. I was working hard to earn his approval. I  knew that deep down, my father loved me. But it always seemed that every step I took only made my father dissappionted. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep with my head rested in his arms.

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 "Sorry! Did I hurt you?" exclaimed Gitsa.

She had just rammed her back legs into my stomach when I had lunged at her. I was lying on my back trying to retreat back air. We were training and for a Junior, she defintly had skills.

 "Nah" I replied " That was a good move. Where'd you learn it?"

 "My brothers"

 I stood up. Several days had passed. I noticed several changes. She had grown up and I noticed that she was actually pretty. I was more than certain that she'll be a fantastic warrior. I felt pride swell up in my chest. If Gitsa became a warrior my father would be more than delighted.

"Earth to Hetcha!"

 "Huh"

 Gitsa stood a few cat lengths from my nose. Her gaze was ammused and expectant.

"Yeah...um" I began " You've done well today. Lets take a break"

 I began to lie down, Gitsa padded to my side and lied beside me.

 "Gee, for a mentor you're sure hopless" she teased.

 I nudged her. I chuckled. Gitsa and I had bonded in these last few months. She began to feel more likea little sister than a student. Suddenly, Gitsa lept up wagging her tail eagerly.

"Are we gonna wait around all day or are we gona start training?"

 I looked at her amused by her eagerness. I reluctanly stood up. Sometimes it felt more like I was the student and not the mentor.

"Fine" I said " But remmember, you asked for it"

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 Gitsa and returned with out meals firmly clenched in our jaws. I saw my father walk toward us. I dropped the food in my mouth and motioined Gitsa to give us some privacy. She left and my father stood in front of me.

"Gitsa has really imporoved hasnt' she" He began.

 "Yes. she shows great promise"

 "I came to assign you as nightgurad"

 My ears pricked up in interest. it was a fairly easy job. All I had to was to stay up all night and make sure nothing gets in.

I nodded. "allright. I accept"

 "Careful though" said my father." Bear scent has been scented nearby"

 I nodded in understandment

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 I felt my eyelids droop. Despite the fact that I had taken a long nap, I found myelf struggling to stay awake. Several more hours had passed. I closed my eyes. I highly doubted that such dangers were out there. I decided a short nap for a few minutes would do no harm....... My dream was somewhat unusual. Gitsa and I were tacklng each other. Her sweet oder fresh in my nostrils. Gitsa raised her head to look up at me. Then her expression turned to fear. She began to slip away, her voice crying out to me. my mind began to fill with fog. Her sweet scent tunred to the reacking stench on....bear! My eyes flew open. Several things were happening to all at once. I heard the roaring of a bear, cries and yelpings of fear. I was on my feet in a flash. I saw the entrance torn open and filled with bear scent. The answer was only too obvioius. I rushed to help my clanmates. Fear, horror, and desperation bit at me. I felt stupid and foolish. I sent a silent prayer of not having to face my father. I halted in my tracks. The monster stood several yards away. His powerful muscles rippled underneth his disgusting pelt. Several wolves atecked, bit, struck tore. But it hardly did any good at all. Then to my horror I saw a flash or red as Gitsa launched at the bears face.

"Gitsa, no!" I howled.

 She wasn't capable if such beast. Then I saw the scene unfold in slow motion. The bear slashed its daggered claws across my student. Gitsa flew and hit the ground, head first. My howls were silent. I padded furiously across the ground. Gitsa lay there, unmoving. I halted beside her

"Gitsa! Oh Spiritclan...Gitsa! Get up now!" I cried desperatly.

 I heard to reactions or responses.With my nose I turned her over. Her expression was screwed in pain. I pressed my ear to her chest. I heard no nothing. I refused to accept the truth.

 "Gitsa! Please get up!" I begged.

 I felt my throat choke up. I hung my head. I could feel myself tremble and heave with sorrow. I pressed my nose into her sweet smelling fur. I could feel her body grow colder. Sorrow and grief drowned me. I suddently turned to anger. I raised my head. I truned to the choas of the bear behind me. I swore with every breath in side me, that the bear would not survive to see sunlight. The rage gave me the energy to stand. I charged. The image of Gitsa's cold body gave me the determination. In a flash, my legs sprang and I felt my self crash in to the demon. my fangs sank in to its snout and my legscling on. He roared in pain and tried to shake me off. I only held in tighter. I raised my head and tore at his face. I felt his flesh tear off and blood ooze inot my