After a long day of learning, playing, and having amazing adventures, the Critters had to turn in for the night as it was getting close to 9 pm, which was the curfew for Playcare. The Critters headed to Home Sweet Home to get ready for bed while Miss Delight stayed at school to grade the assignments from that day. She was always very proud of the Critters for doing such a good job. Meanwhile, at Home Sweet Home, the Critters were doing their bedtime routine, brushing their teeth, putting on their pajamas, and getting in bed. Bubba even read his fellow Critters a bedtime story. Afterward, everyone went to sleep. Everyone except Hoppy and Kickin, that is. Hoppy had a sudden burst of energy while Kickin was just experiencing insomnia. Hoppy looked around to see if anyone else was awake. “Pst, hey,” She whispered. “Is anyone else awake?” Kickin sighed and said, “I am. I can’t fall asleep.” “Dang, that sucks,” Hoppy responded. They laid there in silence for a minute. “Wanna go explore Playcare a bit?” Hoppy asked. “What is there to explore? We’ve been all over Playcare.” Kickin said. “Hmm, you’re right. What about we just… I dunno, play a game or something?” Hoppy said. Kickin shrugged and said, “Whatever you want. I'm game.” They got up and snuck out of Home Sweet Home. But what they didn’t know was that someone was following them. They were cautious so no one would notice them sneaking out. Once they made it to the main area of Playcare, they let out a sigh of relief. “Phew, we made it out. Do you think anyone saw us?” Kickin said. “If they did, someone would’ve said something,” Hoppy said. “Ah, true. So… what should we do?” Kickin asked. “Soccer practice?” Hoppy asked, smirking. “Sure. Soccer sounds good.” Kickin said, shrugging. “Great. But we’ll have to be very quiet.” Hoppy said. They went to a nearby soccer field that wasn’t as big as a normal soccer field but was big enough for the Critters to hold many games there. They could usually have full games with 3 Critters on either team trying to score while the remaining 2 acted as goalies but since it was just them, they decided to do free kicks. Kickin let Hoppy go first. He ran to the goal, kinda nervous about many things. “Alright, Hopper. Gimme your best shot.” He said, encouragingly. Hoppy took a deep breath, kicked the ball, and watched it sail into the goal. It was so fast that Kickin barely had time to react. “What the… jeez, you aren’t playing around, are you?” He asked, scratching the back of his head as he watched the ball roll to his feet. “Oh, I’m totally not just playing around, I’m playing to win,” Hoppy said, feeling proud of herself. “Whatever.” Kickin said, kicking the ball to Hoppy. “2 more, then I get to kick,” “Of course, that’s how we always do it.” Hoppy said, setting the ball in a good spot. She then stepped back and kicked the ball with all her might. “Ow, dang it.” She said, rubbing her foot. The ball shot toward Kickin, but this time he was prepared. He dived and caught the ball. “Ha, got it. You okay?” He asked, noticing Hoppy rubbing her foot. “Yeah, I’m fine. I think I just kicked the ball too hard. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Hoppy replied. She got up and dusted herself off. She grinned, satisfied with her effort. Kickin nodded, still slightly concerned, and they got ready for Hoppy’s last kick. Kickin kicked the ball over and Hoppy set in in the same spot as before. “Alright, last one. Ready?” Kickin gave her a thumbs up. “Go easy on it this time. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” “Why? Because we’ll get caught if I do?” Hoppy asked, giving Kickin a teasing smirk. “No! Well, that too, but mostly because you’re my best friend and I truly care about you.” Kickin said. “Wait, are you serious?” Hoppy asked, realizing he was, in fact, serious. “Does it look like I’m joking?” Kickin asked, crossing his arms. “Fine, I’ll take it easy,” Hoppy said, understanding the current situation. “Thank you,” Kickin said, smiling a bit. Hoppy stepped back a bit and kicked the ball with enough force to send it flying but not enough to hurt herself. Kickin dives to catch the ball, but misses, allowing the ball to hit the goal. “Heck yeah, I’m 2 for 3.” Hoppy said, jumping in triumph. “Heh, yeah. It would’ve been 3 for 3 if you didn’t hurt yourself.” Kickin teased. “Yeah, you’re right. Well, you’re up, dude.” Hoppy said, running to the goal while Kickin ran to where the ball was sitting. Kickin was ready to outdo Hoppy and get all three shots in the goal, but Hoppy was sure to not let that happen. Kickin stretched, warming up so he was able to kick the ball and come out on top. “Alright. Ready to see who the true soccer champion is, Fluff Butt?” Kickin taunted. “The better question is, can you handle the total embarrassment that’s to come after I mop the floor with you?” Hoppy chuckled. “We’ll see who’ll be embarrassed after this.” Kickin said, getting ready to kick the ball. He stepped back and kicked it, holding back a bit so he didn’t hurt himself. The ball shot past Hoppy and into the goal. “Yeah! Woo hoo!” Kickin quietly cheered.”Don’t celebrate too early. After all, you still have to make the next two shots to beat me.” Hoppy snickered. The figure that had been following them watched as they exchanged friendly trash talk. They were very entertained by the game, silently cheering both of them on. Meanwhile, at the schoolhouse, Miss Delight finished grading the papers and began making new ones for the next day. “I’m so proud of my students. They’re so smart and they can handle any question I give them.” She said, her heart filled with pride for the Critters. Back at the small soccer field, Hoppy kicked the ball back to Kickin, and he set it back in place. Without a word, Kickin kicked the ball again. Hoppy jumped up to catch it but the ball was too fast. “Alright, I’m 2 for 2 so far.” Kickin said, feeling proud of himself. Hoppy sighed and kicked the ball back over. “You still have one more shot left, so don’t get too cocky.” She said. “Right. Don’t worry, I got this.” He said, setting the ball down in place. He took a deep breath, stepped back, and kicked it again. This time, Hoppy dove for it and actually caught it. “I caught it?” She whispered. She stood up and saw the ball in her paws. “I caught it!” She cheered. “You caught it.” Kickin said, feeling proud of Hoppy. “I guess this means we’re tied since we both got 2 out of 3 shots.” Hoppy nodded. “Yeah, I guess we are.” She said. “Well, we’ve had our fun, so we should probably go back and get in bed before someone notices we’re gone.” Kickin said. “Good idea.” Hoppy said. She dropped the ball and kicked it, thinking it would just roll away. But instead, the ball went flying towards the schoolhouse. Kickin, Hoppy, and the figure that was watching them watched as the ball flew straight threw the window of the schoolhouse, breaking it instantly. “Uh oh.” Hoppy said. “Uh oh is right. Why did you do that?” Kickin asked, suddenly very nervous. “I didn’t mean to kick it that hard. Maybe we got lucky and Miss Delight is-” Suddenly, Miss Delight emerged from the schoolhouse, holding the soccer ball with a very displeased look on her face. “Right in the room where the ball ended up? Yes, she was.” Kickin said, now fearful. The figure ducked down, not wanting to be spotted. Miss Delight walked over to the frozen Critters. “I should’ve known.” She said, her voice filled not with anger or rage but disappointment. “Sorry, Miss Delight. We know it was wrong of us to stay up past curfew, but we couldn’t sleep and just wanted to play a game. We’ll go back to bed now though.” Hoppy said. Miss Delight shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t let you go that easily. Now, I try to be understanding, so if I had just caught you out past curfew, I would’ve just taken you back with a light scolding.” She said, setting the ball down. “But?” Kickin asked. “But since you two broke a window, this is a much bigger deal.” Miss Delight continued. “Um, actually… that was all me.” Hoppy said, her ears folded nervously. “Are you gonna spank us again?” Kickin asked. “I’m afraid so. Hoppy, since you broke the window, you’re going first.” Miss Delight said. “Fair enough,” Hoppy sighed, fighting back tears. “Miss Delight knelt down and pulled Hoppy over her knee. “I’ll make this quick because you two need to get back to bed.” That made them feel a little better, not a lot, but enough. “I’m really sorry, Miss Delight.” Hoppy said. Miss Delight put one hand on Hoppy’s back and with the other, delivered a firm swat to her backside. *slap* Hoppy flinched, instinctively throwing her paw over her rear. “Hoppy, sweetie, move your paw.” Miss Delight said calmly, not wanting to scare her. Hoppy nodded. “Yes ma’am.” She whimpered, moving her paw. She buried her face in her paws, feeling totally embarrassed after all. Miss Delight, feeling sympathy for the two Critters, decided to be more gentle with this punishment than the last. But she still needed to be firm, so she raised her hand and delivered a few more swats to Hoppy’s backside. *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* “Please stop, it hurts.” Hoppy whimpered, her eyes welling up with tears. The hidden figure watched with terror, not knowing what to do. Miss Delight finished Hoppy’s spanking with two more swats. *slap* *slap* She then helped the teary-eyed bunny up. “Kickin, it’s your turn.” Miss Delight said, her voice soft but stern. Kickin just nodded and walked over, positioning himself over Miss Delight’s lap. “Good job, Kickin.” Miss Delight said. “Now, let’s make this quick,” With that, she raised her hand and began delivering swats to Kickin’s backside. *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* Kickin began squirming and whimpering. “Don’t worry, we’re halfway done.” Miss Delight said, continuing the punishment. *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* *slap* She then helped the teary-eyed chicken up and held her arms out for a hug. Hoppy and Kcikn didn’t hesitate and jumped into her arms. “I’m so sorry I had to do that. I hope you two can forgive me.” Miss Delight said, her heart breaking for the poor Critters. “I-it’s okay, Miss Delight. I’m sorry I broke the window and for staying up past curfew.” “I’m sorry for staying out past curfew as well.” Kickin added. “Well, it’s now 9:08, so you two have plenty of time to get back to Home Sweet Home and get plenty of rest. I’m trusting the two of you to get back home and get in bed on your own.” Miss Delight said. Hoppy and Kickin agreed and headed back towards Home Sweet Home while Miss Delight headed back to the schoolhouse to finish making new assignments for the Critters. While they were heading back, Hoppy noticed a strange figure in the shadows. “Gah!! Who’s there? I’m warning you, you better not try anything funny or else I’ll-” Before she could finish her thought, the figure stepped forward into the light, allowing them to make out who it was. “Catnap? What are you doing here?” Kickin asked. Catnap sheepishly smiled. “I couldn’t sleep either. I noticed you two getting up and leaving, so I followed you to see what you were doing.” He said, fiddling with his tail. “Why didn’t you say anything then?” “I was too nervous. I saw you two playing soccer too. I wanted to ask you if I could join you but I couldn’t figure out how. Actually, I’m kinda glad that I stayed hidden.” Catnap said. “Oh, so you saw… that?” Hoppy said, rubbing her bottom. “Y-yeah, I did. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about it.” Catnap said. “Good. Thanks, Catnap.” Kickin said. So the three of them headed back to Home Sweet Home. “So, is that why she wanted us to leave the room when she found out you two were roughhousing the other day?” Catnap asked. “Yeah, but she was a little nicer this time around.” Hoppy said. “Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t make us clean up the broken glass.” Kickin said jokingly. “I doubt she would ever let any of us go near broken glass, let alone make us clean it up.” Catnap said. The three of them headed back to Home Sweet Home, where Dogday was standing there, looking worried. “Where did you three go?” He asked. “We just went for a quick walk to help us feel more… sleepy, that’s all.” Hoppy said. “Yeah. We let Catnap come because he couldn’t sleep either. And he can’t do that thing with the red gas anymore.” Kickin said. Catnap nodded. “Yeah. What they said.” Dogday just sighed. “Well, I’m glad you’re not hurt. Now, we should get some sleep so we aren’t tired in the morning.” He said. “Wait, why are YOU awake?” Kickin asked. “I was thirsty. And on my way to the kitchen for some water, I did a head count and only counted 5 Critters, including myself. Now I see you three were the ones I didn’t count.” Dogday responded. “You know, I could go for some water as well. That walk made me thirsty.” Catnap said. “Very well, let’s get some water then.” Dogday said. The four Critters that were awake got some water and got back in bed. Within a few minutes, they all fell asleep. Hoppy and Kickin both secretly rubbed their backsides, trying not to give away that they were spanked. In the morning, the Critters headed to the schoolhouse and Hoppy, Kickin and Catnap noticed the window was fixed, but neither of them could say anything, Hoppy and Kickin because the other Critters minus Catnap didn’t know, and Catnap because Miss Delight didn’t know that he knew. So they just continued on with their day, doing the assignments that Miss Delight prepared that night. What happens next time? We’ll have to wait and see, my friends.
