Claire Young

"You missed the party. Princess theme. She made me wear a crown, and then Emily suggested they all try out her new play makeup on me."

Claire Young is the niece of Emily Young, the cousin of Seth and Leah Clearwater, and was imprinted upon by Quil Ateara in Eclipse. She is a member of the Makah tribe and lives on the Makah reservation.

History
In Eclipse, two-year-old Claire and her sister were down from the Makah reservation visiting their aunt Emily when she was imprinted upon by Quil. The explanation of "imprinting" in Eclipse ensures that Quil only wants what is best for Claire, and that he has absolutely no romantic feelings for her. Later in life, he will be like an older brother, and then, when she is old enough, if Quil is what she wants, they will form a romantic attachment, like Sam and Emily. Claire makes a brief appearance in Breaking Dawn with Quil, playing on First Beach, right after her birthday party. It is obvious that she and Quil enjoy each other's company.

Plot importance
The character of Claire and the controversy of Quil imprinting on her acts as foreshadowing to Jacob imprinting on Renesmee, the child of Bella and Edward Cullen, during the events of Breaking Dawn. Shape-shifters have previously imprinted on individuals of roughly their own age, and the relationships have assumed a romantic tone. Quil's imprinting on Claire demonstrates the fact that the imprinter becomes whatever his imprintee needs, including a protector, a friend, a confidant and so on.

Relationships
Claire is very close to her aunt, Emily Young. She also has a close relationship with Quil Ateara, her imprinter. In Breaking Dawn, Quil is in the more brother-like protective stage of his imprinting on Claire. Claire also becomes friends with Renesmee Cullen, who was almost the same age physically because of her rapid growth.

Appearances

 * Eclipse (mentioned only)
 * Breaking Dawn (first appearance)