By sunhigh, Hawkeyes and Littlepaw had returned to the camp with enough prey to satisfy half the Clan. It took them three trips to get it all. As Hawkeyes deposited the last few pieces onto the fresh-kill pile, Greystar watched him. When he caught the leader's gaze, Greystar nodded at the prey.
"Good hunting?"
"Oh, yes. All the prey was out sunning itself. They practically leaped into our paws," Hawkeyes answered.
"Good to hear. Can I speak with you in my den?" Greystar's warm blue eyes seemed troubled. Hawkeyes' heart began to pound. What had he done wrong?
"Ye-sure, Greystar. I'll be right there."
Greystar nodded and padded off to his dugout. Hawkeyes noticed Littlepaw talking with Moonpaw over a plump squirrel. Taking a deep breath, he plodded over to Greystar's den. The grey tabby was inside, picking at a robin.
"Greystar?" Hawkeyes peered into the tunnel.
"Hawkeyes, come in," Greystar invited warmly. Hawkeyes slipped in through the brambles into a den pleasantly cool and dark den. Greystar nudged the robin towards Hawkeyes. The tom gratefully dug in; he had not eaten all day.
"You're probably wondering why I called you in," Greystar began. "I wanted to talk to you about Littlepaw."
Hawkeyes pricked his ears up and stopped eating, swiping his tongue across his jaws.
"I understand that he may not be the easiest apprentice to train," Greystar went on. "He is still a kit at heart, and I understand that he may be very frustrating at times, but please, I'm asking you, don't give up on him."
Don't give up on him? What does he mean by that? Hawkeyes wondered silently. The gray tabby's gaze flickered towards the tunnel entrance. When he looked back at Hawkeyes, his eyes seemed to be seeing things no other cat could.
"I had a dream," Greystar lowered his voice to a whisper. Hawkeyes' fur bristled.
"A dream? About what?" He knew it must be serious; a leader hardly ever shared his dreams or visions with a warrior.
"Littlepaw," Greystar murmured.
"Did you talk to Sunlight about it?"
"I discussed it with her this morning."
Hawkeyes twitched his tail and Greystar looked down at his paws.
"I was thinking of sending Littlepaw to the nursery for a few more moons...but now...Just train him as well as you can, alright?"
"Yes, Greystar. I will." Hawkeyes dipped his head respectfully.
"Thank you, Hawkeyes. And one more thing. I want Littlepaw and his littermates to come to the Gathering. Are you interested?"
Hawkeyes straightened. "I would be glad to come, Greystar."
"Very well. You may finish eating, if you like."
"Thank you." Hawkeyes felt like he hadn't eaten for a moon. Ravenously, he gulped down the robin in a few mouthfuls.
"You are dismissed," Greystar began to wash himself when the tom had finished.
"Thank you," Hawkeyes turned around to step out of the tunnel, but Greystar's voice interrupted him.
"And Hawkeyes, I expect to keep this conversation between us."
"Yes, Greystar, of course."
"Hawkeyes!"
The sound of his name awoke the black and white warrior. He turned his head to see Mapleshade bounding towards him. She slowed down and sat on her haunches in front of him.
"There you are. Where have you been all morning?"
Hawkeyes yawned. "I was training Littlepaw."
Mapleshade's whiskers quivered.
"I knew it."
"Well? What's going on?" Hawkeyes stretched.
"Something's wrong with RockClan," Mapleshade looked a little uneasy. Hawkeyes perked his ears up.
"What is it?"
"Well, I don't really know...when I was on patrol at sunrise, their border markings were unusually strong. Mistyfur and I din't recognize the scents, either. It was weird," Mapleshade licked her tail.
"Maybe they just got some new warriors..." Hawkeyes trailed off.
"Yeah, well Wolffrost wanted me to tell Elkheart to keep his eyes open, since he's taking the evening patrol. I can't find him though. Anyway, you hungry?" Mapleshade walked to the fresh kill pile. Hawkeyes shook his head.
"I ate with Greystar." Mapleshade returned with a sparrow.
"Are you going to the Gathering?" she asked between mouthfuls.
"Planning on it," Hawkeyes yawned. "Are you?"
"I'm taking Mosspaw," she replied when she had finished the last bits of sparrow. Hawkeyes nodded.
"It's so hot," he panted.
"Do you want to come and swim with me to cool off?"
"Let's go," Malpeshade swiped her tongue over her jaws and stood up. The two warriors padded out of the camp.
"Is every cat here?" Wolffrost asked, weaving through the cats gathered at the camp entrance. Hawkeyes glanced up at the darkening sky. Pale, wispy clouds spread out from the amber horizon, the full moon shining down on the evening.
"How long does it take to get ready?" Littlepaw grumbled from his spot beside Hawkeyes.
"Be quiet, Littlepaw. If you don't want to wait, you can stay behind," his mentor hissed. Littlepaw grew silent but continued to lash his tail. Hawkeyes looked about at the cats waiting to go to the Gathering. There were two senior warriors, Lemmingpelt and Runningwind. Sunlight and her apprentice, Deerpaw, and two elders, Jackalwind and Snowmuzzle. Littlepaw's littermates, Oakpaw and Mosspaw, were quivering in anticipation at the thought of going to their first Gathering. Their mentors, Mapleshade and Lemmingpelt were talking to each other. Icywind was standing beside Runningwind, evidently nervous about seeing the other Clans. Greystar emerged from his den and whispered something to Wolffrost.
"Right then. Let's get going," Greystar meowed, loud enough for all the waiting cats to hear. Moonpaw bounded out of the apprentices den.
"Bye, Littlepaw! Have fun!" she sat on her haunches and watched them leave.
A/N: Sorry if this one is a little short...I didn't really want to put the next part in here because it would be too spoiler-y and long. Thanks for reading!