Here's a story I hope is enjoyed! Please read and review, good or bad!

There was a small crack in the rock's surface, but it wasn't too small. Dapplekit could squeeze in easily. Once she was in, however, she felt trapped, like the cave walls were pressing against her, forcing air out of her lungs.

She spotted Creamkit dart past, her eyes narrowed. "I smell you, Dapplekit!" she meowed. She narrowed her eyes, then continued walking.

Dapplekit gasped for air and wished she was out of that cave. Immediately she started for the exit, unable to last another moment trapped. Her claws scrapped the stone as she yanked herself free, taking in the fresh air.

"Gotcha!"

Dapplekit yelped as her footing was taken from her by Creamkit. She scrambled to her paws, shaking out her fur. "Fine," she muttered, her tail flicking. "You win. But that's only because that cave is a death trap!" She looked at the small crack, shaking her head. "I dare you to squeeze in there!"

Creamkit shook her head, her eyes wide. "No! No way!"

Dapplekit rolled her eyes, but inwardly shivered and thought of the suffocating feeling of being trapped in that cave.

"You guys, I'm bored," Rainkit whined, her eyes glancing toward the camp entrance. "I wish we were apprentices now!" Her eyes flickered down in thought, then back up to Dapplekit. "Can we go out?" She was instantly excited, jumping to her paws.

Dapplekit fluffed up her fur. We'd get into so much trouble, she thought doubtfully. "Mmm..." Her mind drifted. That is...if we're caught. Her fur tingled with excitement. "Alright."

Rainpaw let out a small squeal of excitement. Dapplekit rolled her eyes as she watched her sister, but felt a surge of her own eagerness. Of course, they had to be smart about this. They could just walk out of camp, obviously. They needed a plan.

Dapplekit glanced around, realizing how little warriors were actually in camp. Before she could think where they could have gone, she spotted an exit. It was small and tight, but they would fit through.

"Come on!" she said. Dapplekit skidded to a halt beside the opening, It looked small and cramped, just like the crack in the boulder. "Er...you go first, Rainkit." Upon glancing at her sisters, she realized that she owed them an explanation. After all, she was their leader. "You wanted to go out. And it was your idea, so you go out."

Rainpaw nodded, shrugging. Dapplekit watched as Creamkit followed her, the she-kit quivering with excitement. Dapplekit took a deep breath, her lungs already grasping for air. Just go! She shut her eyes and dived through the opening, reappearing moments later.

"Easy," Dapplekit declared, her heart still pounding in her chest. She had felt a jolt of terror for the split moment she had been confined, but it was over now. As she calmed herself down, she glanced up at the forest, having never seen it before.

There were leaves covering the ground, not missing a spot. "Wow!" Rainpaw murmured. "It's so different than in camp." She pawed a leaf as it fell through the air, quietly settling on the ground in front of them.

"Well," Dapplekit said, ears up. "Let's start moving." She tasted the air, mostly to act cool. A strange, foul smell touched her nose. "This way!" Dapplekit gestured with her tail toward the scent. Whatever it was, they would find it and warn the camp somehow without being caught. They'd be heroes!

Dapplekit watched the scenery as they passed, thinking it was only two weeks until they were apprenticed. Not long, that was for sure. Then they would be the cats patrolling the area pretty soon.

"Uh...Dapplekit?" Rainkit whispered, shrinking back.

Dapplekit glanced back at her, shaking her head. "What? Having second thoughts?" She turned her head forward, her heart freezing right then and there. "Great StarClan...," she whispered.

A creature, not very tall but quite long, stood before them. It towered over them and looked extremely powerful, it's long claws scraping the ground. Dapplekit cringed as the bush shook, revealing another one.

"Run!" Creamkit shrieked, scrambling backwards.

Dapplekit did not question her. She started to move, her paws slipping on the leaves. She was a mess, leaves covering her pelt, as she ran the first direction her legs would carry her. Oh StarClan help! she pleaded, skidding on some leaves to make a turn. The debris flew up into the air after her.

The loud thumps on the ground assured her one of the creatures was following her, while the other must've chased Creamkit and Rainkit the other direction.

Dapplekit felt her paws tiring and her lungs screaming for more air. Of course, it was her luck that she had no place to go. She frantically scanned ahead, spotting a tree with some actual grip so that she could climb.

With her last burst of speed, Dapplekit flung herself on the tree, sinking her claws into the bark and pulling herself onto a higher branch, just out of the creature's reach.

It stared at her, black eyes on its target. Dapplekit pressed herself against the wood, trying to desperately catch her breath. She glanced down at it again, swallowing hard. "What even is it?" she managed to gasp out, but realized she was alone and talking to herself. How embarrassing.

"I think it's a badger. I honestly thought they were bigger," a voice commented.

Dapplekit whirled around, her ears flat on her head. "Who's there?" she hissed, managing to find her voice. She dug her claws into the bark and fluffed up her fur.

"Mmm...just me. I know, I know. Such a disappointment." A grey and black tabby tom made himself visible from the tree branch just above her. He was a kit, maybe just a quarter moon older than she was.

"Who are you?" Dapplekit snapped, her ears moving forward.

The grey kit shrugged, his amber eyes calm. "Is that really important with that badger offspring clawing at my tree? I come here frequently, actually, and I don't want the bark torn off." His eyes narrowed as he stared at the shredded bits on the ground. "Oh, look, now you've done it. It's ruined."

"Who cares? We're trapped up here, can't you see that?" Dapplekit meowed, trying to force the fear from her voice. Who is this cat? Why is he so...brave? No...fearless.

The grey kit frowned. "Oh, yeah, then there's that. I'm blaming that one on you, though."

"Who are you?" Dapplekit repeated in a growl, bunching her muscles and springing to the next branch. She barely made it, her claws scraping the bark. It took effort to finally pull herself up.

"So, not only do you ruin the base of this tree, but now you're determined to ruin the branches?" the grey kit meowed, sighing when looking at the claw marks. "I'm Ashkit, from SunClan."

"You said you came here a lot? How? You're just a kit!"

Ashkit blinked, shaking his head. "Just a kit? That's how. Nobody cares. Not with all this badger invasion and whatever." He jumped another branch higher, more perfected than Dapplekit. He had clearly had time to polish his skills here.

She narrowed her eyes, but clutched the limb she was on tightly. "When will it go away?" Of course, she didn't expect an answer. No cat could know for sure, or even have an answer, except maybe Ashkit.

"Well, here's the thing. You're close enough to be teasing it. Climb higher." Ashkit meowed, scooting over on his branch and patting it with his paw. "It's cozy up here."

Dapplekit stared at the spot, confused. Who was this cat? Ashkit, obviously, but he was different, strange. I cannot trust him. Not yet, anyway. He's done nothing to earn my trust. She shook her head to say 'no', glancing at the badger. It was losing interest anyway.

"Over here!"

Dapplekit's head shot up at the voice, a familiar one at that. Her clan had found her!

"Oh my...I'm dead!" she muttered, shaking her head. Every cat knew they snuck out and there would be a punishment waiting.

Ashkit cleared his throat. "If I might add my thoughts for this certain scenario. My personal opinion is that you look very much alive to me, and I quite honestly believed you'd be happy to see the rescue team coming to get you."

"I...I am in so much trouble!" Dapplekit found herself clinging to the tree again. She straightened her posture. "Oh, well. I'm not afraid of anything."

"Really? It looked to me you were scared of that badger, and just a moment ago you were frightened of your punishment. Quite frankly you had me fooled." Ashkit rolled his eyes.

Of course he has to win, Dapplekit thought flatly, her tail lashing. She didn't have time to think long, as the clan sped into the clearing.

Two warriors instantly leapt on the badger, while Foxstep ran to the base of the trunk, leaping up.

"Oh, here we go. Look at that, he's wrecking the bark too. I think it runs in the clan," Ashkit meowed before disappearing.

Dapplekit glanced up squinting and wishing she could spot him. However, he had silently slipped away, leaving Dapplekit alone. She let out a squeal as Foxstep grabbed her scruff. "Got her!" he called down, starting to slide down the tree.

"I can handle myself!" Dapplekit complained, wiggling as Foxstep still held her, even after he got to the ground. "Let me go!"

"Not a chance," the red warrior mumbled, making Dapplekit roll her eyes. He had been a warrior for a half moon and now he was the boss of her? She kicked in his grasp, but finally stopped.

Mintflower let out a hiss as the badger ran away. She lashed her tail, ears flat. "Nothing compared to their mother," she snarled. "Best to get them out before they grow up."

Daisynose nodded. "Are you okay, Dapplekit?" she meowed, concern flickering in her green eyes.

"I'm fine!" Dapplekit snapped, struggling again to get free from Foxstep. She finally managed it, hitting the ground on her paws. "What happened to Rainkit and Creamkit?"

"Well," Mintflower started, glancing at Daisynose. "They're okay. Let's get you back." She gently nudged Dapplekit, which made Dapplekit irritated. Mouse-brains! Can't they see I managed myself back there just fine?

She looked over her shoulder at the tree, then sighed. What was Ashkit doing? He was sure something.

Review please! Then I'll post chapter two!