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 Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:48 pm
The striped buck paused when his name was called from back at the scrapes. He half turned to find himself a little alarmed at how urgent Ninebark both looked and sounded.
"Of course, Ninebark. What's the matter? Something's happened with Dewberry, hasn't it?" He sat up and glanced around. "Perhaps we better hurry."
The wind had shifted and on it was the scent of freshly spilled blood. It was coming from the direction near the warren and it had a faint scent of Dewberry. Bramblebur bristled anxiously as he dropped to all four paws, looking to Ninebark. "Let's go." Nothing more was said before the large male sprinted against the wind, occasionally glancing back to see if Ninebark followed still. He had to find her. He needed to get to her and see if she was okay. She was his responsability.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:00 pm
Bramblebur seemed to understand Ninebark instantly, which was just fine by him, he didn't have to waste his breath trying to explain the chilling feeling that had suddenly washed over him and had caused his blood to run cold. It wasn't just Dewberry's predicament that had him all worried. Other things, deeper things seemed to be going on. Death still loomed in the form of a dark shadow over the survivors and their three new "members."
The lop eared rabbit sped as fast as he could after his leader, his long ears flopping as he went.
"Blood... Darkness... Bad things coming..." He muttered between huffed breaths as he ran.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:01 pm
Duskshadow's words caught his attention and the chief looked to the lop doe with a frown. "No, absolutely not. You are to stay here with the rest of us and that is final."
Bracken then sighed and paused at Thyme's proclaimed worry that Cocklebur might kill the entire diseased group. "No, I do not think so. He is one of them now and is outnumbered. Besides, do you think any of us would be able to stop him should he want to? That is, without putting the warren at further risk? I don't like it any more than you, Thyme, but some things are out of our control. Now... lets see to that eye of yours."
With that, Bracken moved into the burrow after the last of his rabbits had gone in. He would see to that Thyme's wound was cleaned up to prevent infection.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:12 pm
Dewberry slowly followed, doing her best to keep up, even at his slower pace. She could feel that he was, for whatever reason, taking his time so that she can keep hold of his scent. It may have been that he might have pitied her, just a little bit, or it could simply have been because if he went too far, She may just wander accidentally where she shouldn't. She was grateful, in any case. Truly grateful, for the first time in her life. Her ears drooped low and lifeless, her head hanging in a similar way as she dared not look up at the other warren rabbits who were now retreating to their burrows.
She suddenly felt incredibly homesick, craving a burrow of her own to snuggle up into, even if it wasn't filled with soft things that the bucks back home gifted her daily to sleep soundly at night. Right now she'd be lucky if she would survive the night, so why waste any precious things like that on her here?
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:17 pm
 Deep within the warren, tucked safely into the back of Cowslip's burrow, lay a curled up little red and brown kitten. She was nestled near the back of the burrow soundly sleeping, unaware of the drama and fighting that were going on above her. She didn't even know about the group of nine hlessil that had been allowed to stay in the scrapes. Things were quiet and comfortable where she was and that was all that mattered to her at present.
She stirred slightly, rolling onto her tan belly and stretching out a little bit. Wren didn't like going out in the rainy weather. It made her feel cold all over. The kit opted to stay underground for the time being. The burrow was warm and smelled of her foster father, a very comforting place to be indeed.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:34 pm
Cowslip followed the familiar runs with swift paws and determination. Fortunately, the little Wren hadn't left the warren in all of the hullabaloo, or at least not that he had seen. He still worried that she might of slipped through the cracks, but his mind was eased as soon as he slid into his burrow.
Her scent was still thick and there she was, resting fitfully inside. He could hardly smell the death from outside and was able to put in the back of his mind, at least for a little while, as he slid up beside the kitten and nestled down beside her, providing warmth and comfort with his fluffy bulk.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:37 pm
Still listening as he ran, Bramblebur mulled over what the red lop had to say. The Captain trusted him and agreed with the feeling that things weren't going to be perfect simply because they've arrived at a new warren.
"I guess... we'll just have... to keep on our toes... won't we?" He spoke inbetween bounds as he ran.
Dewberry's scent was getting stronger now, and what was this? As was the Down's own Captain of Owsla. Had there been a scuffle between the pampered doe and the seasoned brute? He highly doubted Dewberry would manage to sway his affections toward her, especially with their current status as rabbits that were to be kept at a bit of a distance.
"Ninebark, do you smell that? What do you think?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:40 pm
Sighing heavily, Thyme followed the others inside and stayed close to Bracken, “Does my eye look serious sir? I’ve tried opening it and so far have not had much success” despite the pain, he tried opening it as much as he could to show the Chief how difficult it was, “I believe I might lose my sight in that eye” He was trying to keep his mind off the newcomers, though the thought of Cocklebur being down there with them worried him no end.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:48 pm
The lop nearly stumbled as Cocklebur's scent mingled with the scent of Dewberry and fresh blood. It felt as though icy fangs had sunk into his flesh and his already wide eyes seemed to grow wider, if that was even possible. The weary rabbit was so tired, but he couldn't seem to stop and rest, not now.
"Hshhhhhhh" A strange exhaling sound left his maw, breezing between his teeth. It didn't take any sort of bad feeling or premonition for him to guess what had happened, and surely Bramblebur's thoughts were similar to his own.
"Another outcast. Out of the warren. Out, out, out, out to the vagabonds. Out to us!" He replied sharply, as if growling at the world itself. Oh, for Frith's sake! Would nothing turn in the favor of these poor, forsaken rabbits! He shuddered almost continuously as he followed the brave soul that had led he and the others thus far. If Dewberry was still alive, she would certainly need help and the shelter of the scrapes.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:07 pm
Blackwort flattened his ears as his Chief berated his Captain, conflicted. Here were two of his authority figures, arguing against each other. His loyalties lied with both, but moreso with his Captain than his Chief. He made a low huffing noise in his confusion, then shook his head.
"Sir," He began quickly. "The Captain of Owsla was just doing his job. Is it not our duty to protect this burrow? Are we not meant to see to it that all of our numbers stay healthy and prosperous? And if these hlessians bring a sickness into our warren, no matter what sickness, then it goes against what we're here for. He visibly stiffened as he watched the others go down the holes.
After they were down, he went down himself, blocking the entrance with his bulk, standing guard.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:07 pm
Wren was resting soundly enough to not be awakened when Cowslip came in. A tiny smile grew on her sleeping features as he slid in and nestled down besides her and her tossing and turning eased significantly. Even in her sleep she nestled closer to him, curling up against his side. He smelled of the outside, of the spring greens, and of the recent rains. There was something that was a little different. Something she couldn't place. Maybe there was something that carried on the wind and that's what his fur picked up.
The kitten rubbed her face against his fur and muttered softly in her sleep. "Daddy..." After a few moments, her grassy green eyes opened sleepily. "Did you have a nice silflay? Why does your fur smell a little different than normal? Did you find a new patch of greens or something?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:18 pm
"Which is precisely my point, Blackwort," Bracken said to the Owsla with a clearly annoyed ring to his voice. "It is Cocklebur's duty to see to the safety of the warren and he has violated that by putting himself in danger. Now we have one less rabbit to protect it and its captain of Owsla no less! He acted foolishly, and I think even he realizes that. What a mess this is. If that doe hadn't come close to the burrow this wouldn't have happened. Which is why we must make sure none of the others make the same mistake."
Bracken huffed indignantly and turned to Thyme, looking over his eye with scrutiny. "Hm, you may very well lose your sight indeed. But only time will tell for certain." What a pity... Cocklebur's anger and panic had caused far too much damage this evening. But Bracken knew that Cocklebur was not the only one responsible for this mess. No... the bulk of the burden lay on Bracken's own weary shoulders for he was the leader of these rabbits. And as their leader he had to see to them as best he could. Thus, he began licking the blood away from Thyme's wound to clean it.
---
Meanwhile Cocklebur was ambling along with Dewberry in tow when he thought he caught scent of others with that horrible smell. "Come back for your lost doe, have you?" he called out. "A little late I might add. You really should look after your own better."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:35 pm
A small smile softened the worried buck's features and he seemed to melt into the burrow as it offered comfort and the companionship of the young friend he had made not long ago. He nosed the small kitten with his white and black maw and his whiskers twitched.
"Oh yes, it was very tasty, Wren," He replied as he washed her forehead with his warm tongue. "No new patch of greens, though. If you can smell it, remember it well. You don't want to get close to this smell, okay?" He replied gently as he groomed the sleepy little one.
"There are some strange rabbits outside, so I don't want you to wander at all. They are sick and two youngsters are already in trouble with Bracken-rah and have to stay away from the warren." He certainly didn't expect such a young one to understand exactly what he was talking about, but he hoped dearly that she would follow his instructions.
He would hate to see her end up like Pepper or Mud.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:45 pm
The very idea of having Cocklebur staying with them with all they've been through so far and him wanting to have he and his group run off for maybe still carrying the diseased that plagued their previous warren, while unappealing, it meant that the other Captain had come into contact with either one of Bramblebur's group or with another rabbit which had gotten too close to them previously. As far as Bramblebur knew, those who had been sent off with Ivy were still down there. Dewberry's bloody scent didn't bode well for what he and Ninebark would find when they came upon them.
"I'll reserve my thoughts on him having to stay with us for another day. We must keep an eye on him though, since he is so ready to wound and chase away. I may have to have a word with him, Captain to Captain after most of us have gone to sleep."
The striped buck bristled slightly when Cocklebur called out to him and Ninebark. His pace slowed from a sprint. He stood up on his hind legs, his ears turning anxiously, and spotted them. Bramblebur was horrorstruck at the sight of Dewberry. "Oh Frith and Inle, Ninebark, she's been devastated..."
"Dewberry!" He called out to her, obvious shock and worry in his voice. Bramblebur ran to close the distance between them. He slowed as he drew near, offering a hard, warning glare towards Cocklebur.
"What happened?! Would either of you mind explaining to me?" He glowered at the dark Captain. "Gee, I really would, but it would help if you didn't see fit to tear into them like a maddened lendri." Bramblebur wasn't intimidated by Cocklebur. He was fairly certain that he could hold his own against him should it come down to a fight between himself and the other Captain. Now was not the time though. "I certainly hope you can control your temper at the scrapes, Cocklebur."
He lowered his voice and moved to walk slowly along the wounded doe's side. "Dew, I'm sorry I couldn't have been there. We'll take care of your wounds when we get to the burrows."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:01 pm
The remains of Dewberry's ears had pricked up at the tone of such a familiar voice. One that so far had only been tired, straining to keep his patience in check. It was now concerned and surprised. How terrible did she look, exactly? She was more shocked at how close they appeared to be from the warren. Unaware that the scrapes were much further, and that Bramblebur had come to seek her out, she thought that they were already there.
She continued her walking, however, as it was clear there was no burrow at her feet just yet. She would keep on walking until she either fell dead or someone told her it was safe to rest again, even though she could feel the warmth from Bramblebur's large bulk. She wanted to speak with him, but couldn't find the air to, using all of her resources to march wearily on at all costs. If she stopped now, it would be unlikely she'd get up again until either Inle came to her, or she gained the rest she badly needed.
She did however turn her head to acknowledge his presence beside her, though her eyes were coated in a thick layer of blood, so it was clear she couldn't actually see him. She shook lightly, managing to smile in a faint look of gratefulness. She wondered why it was rather quiet, even with the two Captain bickering between each other. Where were the others? Not even Ninebark could be heard yet, though as they drew closer, she could pick up his scent amongst the others.
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