Heartpaw rested on the ground, tired and panting. He had had an intense fighting training with Pinestar but he had managed to pin and bite Pinestar a few times and he felt pretty good about his fighting now. He knew he was improving. He would see it in Pinestar's face. He looked up at the bare trees. One moon till leaf-bare. And tonight it was the Gathering. He felt excited to be able to see Ivypaw once more. He grinned to himself at the thought of her. Finally, he heaved himself up and dragged his tired body back to camp. Pinestar spotted him, his eyes were tired but he didn't act it. 

               "Good job today. Tomorrow, we will focus more on your hunting techniques. Your fighting has improved much," Pinestar said Heartpaw nodded gratefully. They hadn't had hunting lessons in a while now and he missed it slightly. Pinestar would finally get to see how good he was at hunting. Then Pinestar went to the Tall Stump and leapt upon it. 

              "Tonight is the Gathering," announced Pinestar to all the cats around. They turned to him. "The cats which are going, include myself, Eagleflight, Lionbreeze and Cindertail. I will also be taking Nightcloud, Shadefern, Duskblaze, Flamefrost, Birchstep, Honeypaw and Oakfall." Heartpaw frowned. Was he going? He hadn't heard his name. Maybe he had missed it. He padded up to Pinestar. Who looked like he wanted to talk to Heartpaw as well. 

              "Am I going to the Gathering tonight?" asked Heartpaw. "I didn't hear my name." 

              "No," replied Pinestar. "I was going to talk to you about it. Missing this Gathering will be a punishment for going to the Carrionplace. Don't think I forgot. I know you might think it unfair and I know I didn't tell you but I know you knew better." Heartpaw sighed. There was no arguing with Pinestar. He hung his head. Ivypaw. No Ivypaw. He sighed. He had waited a moon to see her and he wouldn't be able to just because of Pinestar's stupid punishment. 

             "I'll do anything," Heartpaw suddenly said. "I'll clean the ticks of the elders. I'll hunt for them. I'll do anything. But please can I go to the Gathering?" Pinestar shook his head firmly. Cincerpelt called for him and he excused himself. Heartpaw huffed in anger and stormed into the apprentice den. Honeypaw looked up. 

              "What's wrong?" she asked. 

              "Nothing...," muttered Heartpaw. Honeypaw padded to his side. 

             "Don't say nothing. We both know something's the matter," she said. 

            "I can't go to the Gathering. A punishment for going to the Carrionplace apparently," sighed Heartpaw. 

            "Don't worry, I'll tell you what happens," assured Honeypaw. Heartpaw sighed. He didn't care what happened at the Gathering. He cared about Ivypaw. He frowned. Ugh, why were his thought always about her? Why did he want to see her so much? He sighed. She was funny. Not many cats in his Clan were funny. 

             "Thanks Honeypaw," smiled Heartpaw. "I appreciate it." Honeypaw smiled and nodded. Heartpaw returned to his nest in dismay and slight anger. Pinestar hadn't even told him about the Carrionplace, it wasn't fair. He sighed, there was nothing he could do now. So he closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep, hopefully so he could miss the departing cats as they went to the Gathering. He didn't want to feel the disappointment of seeing them go without him.