A/N: Goodness. I am so sorry for taking so long to update. I really am... Thank you so much for sticking with this story despite the wait.

I hope you guys like this chapter and I thought you should know that from now on, I will reply to every review I receive (unless it is anonymous in which case I can't). I have gotten pretty bad about showing my appreciation to you guys and I am trying to work on it. So please review! Constructive criticism is encouraged.

Note: This chapter is set early in Will's apprenticeship.

Warning: None...

Disclaimer: I don't own it.

33. Expectations

Will let the bow string slip from his fingers, a small puff of air escaping his lips as the arrow flew through the sky, arching above his head and thudding deeply into the target. The cold win blew the hair into his eyes as he lowered his bow, flexing his muscles a few times to release the tension built up in them.

He grinned triumphantly as he saw each of the arrows he released had hit the target, all close to the center. This was the first time he had gotten all ten arrows on the target from this distance.

He turned to his mentor, who was standing off to the side, eyes dark as he studied the target, a small white circle painted onto a large square of wood.

Halt noticed the expectant look in the apprentice's eyes and was quiet for a few moments. The only noise that could be heard was the rustling of the branches in the wind.

"Again," Halt grunted.

Will knew he shouldn't say anything, but he couldn't help himself, shock and hurt raging through his body.

"What do you mean again? I did what you asked! I hit the target all ten times!" With each word, his voice rose slightly in pitch. The rational part of his mind screamed at him to shut up, and he clamped his jaw shut, more words scalding his mouth with their need to be said.

Halt took a deep breath, his hand going up and pointing at the target. "How many of those arrows hit the dead center of the target?" Halt asked, not harshly, but with a bite to his words.

Will felt the anger bleed out of him, the hot fire replaced by cold shame. His jaw felt stiff as he answered. "None," he said softly.

"What?" Halt asked.

"None," Will said it with more confidence this time, his eyes drifting to his shoes and then down to the forest floor, watching as a small fire ant traveled across the dirt, a large bread crumb held in its mouth. The ant dropped the crumb, scrabbling across the ground to pick it back up again.

Will could feel Halt's eyes bore into him like a dagger, but he didn't look up.

"The task I asked you to complete was to hit the center of the target ten out of ten times. The center. Not a few inches from the center," Halt said.

Will couldn't stop himself. "I don't..." He glanced up at the bearded ranger. "I don't think I will ever be able to do that.

"Do you think I would ask you to do something impossible of you, only to watch you fail? I only expect this of you because I know you can do it," Halt said.

Will brought his eyes back up to meet the older ranger's. Halt was pleased to see a little bit of the sparkle had returned to the boy's eyes, a small half smile on his face.

"You won't get any better by just standing here gaping like a cow chewing on hay," Halt snapped after a moment. "Get back to work!"

Will grinned and lifted his bow, hand grabbing at another arrow in his quiver. He notched the arrow to the bow string, feeling the rough wood under his fingers. He pulled the bow into a draw, closing his eyes and letting the wind brush over his face.

He shifted a bit to the right, opening his eyes and releasing the string.

This time, the arrow thudded into the dead center of the target, quivering with the force of impact.

It was nice to be believed in.

A/N: I know we already got a Halt comforting Will about his skills chapter... But... I couldn't resist. This chapter was largely based on my violin skills. There was one day I played for my teacher and I thought I did great, but she proceeded to point out everything I did wrong. At first, I was furious... But after I cooled down a bit, I could recognize that she only told me what I was doing wrong because she wanted me to improve and knew I could meet her expectations.

Next chapter is 'Stars'. I do take requests, so if you have an idea, feel free to suggest it! I love hearing your creative ideas. XD

Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought!

-Dawn