Into the Wild by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

Tigerclaw.”
    Tigerclaw’s eyes flashed at the little tortoiseshell’s words. “I wouldn’t dare argue with you , dear Spottedleaf,” he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Graypaw and Firepaw. “Who’s this?” he asked Graypaw, towering above them.
    â€œHe’s the new apprentice,” Graypaw mewed.
    â€œHe smells like a kittypet!” snorted the warrior.
    â€œI was a house cat,” Firepaw meowed boldly, “but I am going to train to be a warrior.”
    Tigerclaw looked at him with sudden interest. “Ah, yes. Now I remember. Bluestar mentioned that she had stumbled across some stray kittypet. So she’s actually going to try you out, is she?”
    Firepaw sat up very straight, anxious to impress this distinguished Clan warrior. “That’s right,” he mewed respectfully.
    Tigerclaw eyed him thoughtfully. “Then I shall watch your progress with interest.”
    Firepaw puffed his chest out proudly as Tigerclaw stalked away. “Do you think he liked me?”
    â€œI don’t think Tigerclaw likes any apprentices!” whispered Graypaw.
    Just then Ravenpaw stirred and twitched his ears. “Has he gone?” he mumbled.
    â€œWho? Tigerclaw?” replied Graypaw, trotting toward him. “Yep, he’s gone.”
    â€œHi, there,” Firepaw began, about to introduce himself.
    â€œGo away, both of you!” Spottedleaf protested. “How am I meant to help this cat with all these interruptions!” She impatiently flicked her tail at Graypaw and Firepaw and pushed her way between them and her patient.
    Firepaw realized she was serious, despite the lively glimmer in her warm amber eyes.
    â€œCome on then, Firepaw,” mewed Graypaw. “I’ll show you around. See you later, Ravenpaw.”
    The two cats left Spottedleaf with Ravenpaw and walked across the clearing.
    Graypaw looked thoughtful. He was clearly taking his duties as a guide very seriously. “You know the Highrockalready,” he began, flicking his tail toward the big, smooth rock. “Bluestar always addresses the Clan from there. Her den is down there.” He lifted his nose toward a hollow in the side of the Highrock. “Her den was carved out many moons ago by an ancient stream.” Hanging lichen draped the entrance, sheltering the leader’s nest from wind and rain.
    â€œThe warriors sleep over here,” Graypaw went on.
    Firepaw followed him to a large bush a few paces away from the Highrock. There was a clear view from here right down to the gorse entrance into the camp. The branches of the bush hung low, but Firepaw could see a sheltered space inside where the warriors made their nests.
    â€œThe senior warriors sleep nearest the center, where it’s warmest,” explained Graypaw. “They usually share their fresh-kill together over by that clump of nettles. The younger warriors eat nearby. Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor.”
    â€œWhat about the other Clan cats?” Firepaw asked, fascinated but feeling rather overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals of Clan life.
    â€œWell, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in a nest near the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I’ll show you.”
    Firepaw trotted after Graypaw, across the clearing, and past the shadowy corner where Spottedleaf had her den. They stopped beside a fallen tree that sheltered a patch of lush grass.Crouched among the soft greenery were four elderly cats tucking into a plump young rabbit.
    â€œDustpaw and Sandpaw would have brought them that,” whispered Graypaw. “One of the apprentices’ duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders.”
    â€œHello, youngster,” one of the elders greeted Graypaw.
    â€œHello,