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Thyme’s ear’s twitched as he sat up on his haunches and looked around him. Everyone seemed too busy chatting amongst themselves about something to notice him standing there. He saw their Chief was close by, along with Cocklebur, but he had completely missed the announcement about the diseased newcomers. “Hmm…I believe I may have missed something important somehow”, he mumbled softly to himself as he continued to survey the area.

Not too far off Thyme saw a small muddy brown kitten bumping into an unfamiliar doe, then without a second thought he rushed over to see if they were ok, “Here, steady on young fellow, are you alright?” he said to the seemingly startled kitten as he reached them.

There was an unusual smell coming from the female and those around her, and all Thyme’s senses were telling him to run back to the warren for safety. Casually covering his nose with one paw he managed a smile at the doe, “Hullo, I don’t believe we’ve met before, are you and your friends new to our warren?” he looked down at the frozen kitten and raised an eyebrow, “Are you alright there? Did you hurt yourself when you bumped into her?”

She hadn't noticed him. All Ivy could see in her mind were the promised burrows, actual rest, and some peace of mind. She finally felt safe, for the first time in what felt like so long. She'd stopped focusing, stopped paying attention.

And stopped moving the moment she felt another warm body bump into her. She looked into eyes she'd never seen before and froze. Her heart thrummed loudly as Ivy stared at the younger rabbit. She watched as his eyes grew large when he scented her, and she realized he was frightened. This wasn't good, didn't Bramblebur just tell Bracken-rah they'd stay safely away from his warren rabbits? Ears springing up as she heard another approach, expecting reprimand, Ivy shrunk against the grass; trying to back away and seem less threatening.

The dark buck spoke in nonchalant tones, addressing her as commonly as any other before turning his attention to the young male.

"You.. you shouldn't be here..."

She whispered, nervous and panicked. Her eyes darted up at the warning thump, mouth opened slightly in horror as she saw the spotted one that must have sounded it, starting down at them. This wasn't her fault! This wasn't... oh what would happen? Did this ruin everything? Would they chase them off now? Focusing on the two that were now in front of her, she looked at the younger and saw her own kitten. Saw him struggling for breath on the soft floor of the burrow. His eyes... the light leaving his eyes as his body stopped trying to run from the invisible Elil. She gasped in horror and finally sprung away from them, running towards the others that had come with her to this warren. She'd never forgive herself. If death followed as close as Ninebark always chanted, she'd best keep as far away as possible.

Bramblebur shifted his attention from shepherding his group in the available burrows. Upon spotting Ivy and the two bucks that had made their way over, it felt as though his fur stood on end. He darted over from where he had been sitting to stand between the fleeing Ivy and the males who had come too close. The younger of the pair looked as if it may have been an accident, but with their present state and with the way Ninebark kept speaking of the death that still breathed down their necks, an accident was the farthest thing that they needed presently. Particularly since Bracken-rah had just told them to keep their distance. If anything bad were to happen, Bramblebur would take all of the blame. He was in charge of the band and if anything happened involving them, he would take any punishment for any consequences that may arise from their actions, intentionally or no.

He kept his distance from the two, wary of any close interaction until their chief gave them the okay. "I respectfully ask that you two go on your way. My number were told to keep our distance for everyone's safety. So, if you would please go away. I don't want any trouble." His voice was steady and nonthreatening, even though his stance could well be described as tense or perhaps anxious. "We mean not to offend if we seem skittish at the offer of friendliness, but we are all weary and in need of rest. Perhaps some other time, when everything calms down and the okay is given for free interaction. If you need to have things explained better, seek out Bracken-rah. He'll let in on us. Good day."

The striped buck nodded a farwell to the two before backing away a few paces then turning around to catch up with Ivy. "Ivy, are you alright? What happened?" Bramblebur glanced back at the muddy kitten and the darker buck before returning his attention to the doe at his side.

Cowslip winced slightly at the shout that left Cocklebur. Though he was just as angry at the smaller rabbit for endangering the warren, he was also a bit worried about being caught in Cocklebur's wrath. Better to stay out of trouble, than to ask for it. That was what his ma' always said, back when he was naught but a kitten and living in the hutch. Those were fond memories, but worry was gnawing away at him and kept them from flooding back to his mind.

He fell from his haunches to all four paws and watched both the captain charge towards the smaller rabbit and his spotted fur bristled. What if that foolish youngster brought plague back with him?

"Bracken-rah, what shall we do?" He questioned as he kept his unwavering gaze on the trio that were further out, near the scrapes. If Mud came back... What if some of their own died, too?

Swift-claw paused in his trek to their designated area to watch the scene unfold. A smirk appearing on his face at the excitement. To him it seemed this warren was already condemned, fighting amongst the ranks would lead to disaster.

Sitting on his hunches, he gave a low chuckle finding this amusing. They would take themselves out and then his warren would take over the warren for themselves. His eyes danced with the thought of blood lust and a fight. Oh what he wouldn't give to be the one to take out Cocklebur.

Pepper turned and hopped towards the commotion. His eye bright with curiosity. However it dimmed to displeasure as Cocklebur began to yell at his warren mates. Frowning, Pepper hopped forward until he was right in front of Cocklebur. Glaring hard into the older rabbit's eyes. "Leave them along" Normally he wouldn't be that brazen when dealing with the larger rabbit, but this time he felt that he was being unfair.

Pausing for a second, he continued onward. Grabbing a hold of the courage that was raging through his small frame. "They did nothing wrong!, why do you feel you need to yell just because of an accident?" He finished in a huff, his glare remaining on Cocklebur.

"S'death..."

Ninebark was near the entrance of one of the scrapes and although his pale eyes were closed, he was certianly awake and listening to every word that passed from the muzzles of the rabbits. Poor Ivy, that youngster called Mud, Bramblebur, Cocklebur (who he had a distinct dislike for), Thyme. His voice was hardly above a whisper and his tone was slightly raspy, for he was exhausted and looking forward to a nice rest after such a long journey.

"S'death and more will follow. S'the way of things and it still dances. It is not your fault, Ivy. S'the Black Rabbit of Inle' and the curse we bear. Accidents are accidents, though some end in death. The death." He shuddered sligtly and parted his pink eyes. He thought his words might be comforting, telling her it wasn't her fault, but his tone and his message were haunting. Somehow he always seemed to do more harm than good, really.

There was a sort of amused look to him, though, as his long ears caught the sounds of a small kitten trying to tell off the formidable Cocklebur.

Cocklebur paid no attention to the half blind kitten who thought himself big enough to talk down to the warren's captain. Instead he continued to glare at Mud as he admitted his guilt. Although Cocklebur's fur stood on end as Mud tried to push away the other kitten. "Don't touch anyone!" he barked at Mud. "You could very well be diseased!"

Bracken was making his way over by this point, turning his blue gaze up to the captain. "Calm yourself, Cocklebur. Getting angry at Mud will not solve anything." However, the chief sighed deeply and looked to Cocklebur. "Did he touch her?"

The captain nodded. "That he did. I saw it with my own eyes."

Bracken grunted in displeasure before turning back to Mud. "I'm sorry young one, but you will have to go to the scrapes with those other rabbits. And anyone else that has touched them or you." The red chief looked to Thyme and Pepper questioningly. If they had touched Mud in any way then they would have to go as well.