Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 1

((^^Cat above is Shadowkit^^))

"Shadowkit! Shadowkit, wake up!" Squeaked a voice from behind him.

Shadowkit held back a groan, since he was pretending to be asleep. He swiveled his small ear around, but refused to answer to his annoying big sister.

"Shadowkit! Don't you want to play?" She whined.

Not with you.... especially since yesterday went so badly... he thought to himself. Yesterday was the first day that Thrushpelt had let them go explore together, even though they had been in the nursery for a whole moon. Shadowkit was having a great time despite his sister's continously irritating comments, until he had tripped and stepped on a thorn. Thrushpelt had freaked out and rushed him immediately to the medicine cat. After the thorn had been pulled out, his mother had made him go straight back to the nursery to rest it. He didn't even get to finish exploring!

"Shadowkit is probably still sore from yesterday," Thrushpelt mewed softly to Larkkit, "why don't you go explore with Snowkit and Oakkit?"

Shadowkit squinted one eye open, wishing he could say that his stupid paw pad didn't even hurt anymore, but he still pretended to be asleep. His short fur bristled and he felt hot with embarrassment.

"Uggh, okay. I guess I'll let him rest his paw." She sighed in dissapointment and scampered off to look for Snowkit.

He exhaled in relief and opened his eyes. Finally, she's gone! He smiled, stretching his paws, "Hey Thrushpelt, could I go explore?"

Thrushpelt looked amused, "I thought you were asleep!" She purred.

"I was!" He lied, "But I just woke up. So can I explore? By myself?"

She chuckled, "Don't you want to explore with Larkkit? She knows the camp a little better."

He narrowed his eyes, "No, I don't need her! I want to see the camp for myself."

"Alright then, why don't you go explore?" She purred.

He let out an excited squeak and he hopped to his paws, "Yes!" He immediately bounded towards the entrance.

"Watch out for thorns!" She called worriedly.

"I will!" He rolled his eyes. Why is she always so overprotective? Oh well... atleast she actually let me go. He was surprised that she had even considered letting him go by himself, but he wasn't going to stay and question it.

He smiled happily and let the morning sunlight bathe his dark, tabby fur. It felt so great to be out of the nursery! The camp looked so huge, and he couldn't wait to explore. "I know where I'm going to go first..." he whispered excitedly to himself. He looked up at the large stone at the other end of camp in awe. The highrock!

He ran as fast as his tiny legs could carry him, until a large cat stood in his way and he skidded to a halt to avoid crashing into him. He hissed under his breath, but then he looked up and saw that this cat was no ordinary warrior, but Birchstar, the clan leader.

"Woah! Where are you going in such a hurry?" The brown and white tabby purred in amusement.

"I'm going to the highrock!" Shadowkit stated boldy, looking at him straight in the eyes.

Birchstar looked slightly surprised at the kit's brave reply, "You're not shy, are you?" He chuckled.

"Nope! Why would I be shy?" He squeaked.

He smiled, immediately liking this kit, "You're Shadowkit, right?"

"Yup. And are you Birchstar?" He mewed.