Disclaimer: I do not own the story, or characters from Watership Down. Watership Down: The Next Chapter

The war with Efrafa was over and life settled to peace on Watership down. The warren had grown to a large size. It's power and numbers could rival that of Efrafa's. Hazel was chief and he solved all problems direct and as quickly as he could. With Fiver, Dandelion, and Blackberry as his advisors. Bigwig was Captain of Owsla, with Silver, Holly, Strawberry, and Bluebell as his officers as well as other rabbits on the down. The warren was a steady size that it only required one Owsla captain. But like all other warren's they had their problems. They had to deal with the possibility of other violent warrens out there, elil, and man. With General Woundwort's defeat life seemed perfect, like nothing could touch the rabbits. Little did they know that a new enemy was lurking and would reveal itself soon.

It was a warms spring day, the air smelt of roses and a calm breeze was in the air. The rabbits on Watership Down were busy grazing on the hill. Hazel emerged from the burrows with Fiver at his side. They looked around at how peaceful the other rabbits were.

Dandelion and Blackberry were eating the grass. Hawkbit, Acorn, and Speedwell were laying in the sun. Buckhorn was laying on the ground with his mate clover as their kittens ran about. The kittens ran around chasing after Pipkin.

"What a beautiful morning." said Hazel as he sniffed the air. He turned to his brother."What do you think Fiver?"

"It's anything any rabbit could ever dream of." replied Fiver.

"No, bad vision today?" asked Hazel.

"No." replied Fiver."And I hope I shall never have another again."

"C'mon then." said Hazel as he moved forward."Let's go join Dandelion and Blackberry." Then Hazel ran over to meet the two, with Fiver right behind him. They ran past all the other rabbits in their warren, they were easy and at peace. Blackberry and Dandelion had been grazing on the farthest patch of grass on the tip of the down. An owsla officer stood on watch not to far off, another was on the exact opposite side of the down. "Good morning fellas." said Hazel as he greeted the two.

"Morning, Hazel-rah." They replied. Fiver joined Hazel at his side." Join us, please." said Blackberry as he turned his attention back to the grass. Hazel lowered himself down to eat. Just then Pipkin sprang in between all of them. Then he quickly dashed off with the kittens following behind.

"Sorry, Hazel-rah." called back Pipkin with a laugh as he ran off.

"This couldn't get any better." said Dandelion." Nice Sun, no clouds in the sky, we're completely save her."

"Speaking of save." Said Hazel." Have any of you seen Bigwig?"

"He took some of his officers on patrol." Told Blackberry." Went out a while ago, but they should be back soon."

Then just at that time Bigwig and his owsla came running up the down.

"Speak of the devil." said Fiver as they all looked over. The owsla came running up the hill. Bigwig leading the way, Silver right behind him. Then Holly and Bluebell with Strawberry bringing up the rear. The five rabbits bounded up the hill and just stood there.

Bigwig looked around and saw Hazel.

"That'll be all" He said addressing his patrol." Bluebell and Silver relieve the officers on watch duty." The rest of you, dismissed." Bluebell and Silver went to relieve the officers on watch, while Holly and Strawberry took off elsewhere. Bigwig ran over to where Hazel and the others were.

"Hazel-rah." Said the big rabbit addressing his chief. Dandelion and Blackberry snickered at this for one time before Bigwig said he'd never call Hazel the chief. But that had changed.

"Bigwig." replied Hazel.

"I've completed a patrol down to the farm and back. We went around the whole down and there was nothing to be found."

"That's good news to hear." Said Hazel."Do keep me informed if anything should come up."

"Yes, sir." said Bigwig. Then he took off to continue his duties. Bigwig ran to the other side of the warren to join Silver in his watch duty.

Silver turned to see Bigwig coming towards him, and then sat down next to Silver.

"Bigwig." said Silver addressing his Captain.

"Silver." greeted Bigwig. Then the two began to look into the valley and the woods below, for any signs of danger.

"So what did Hazel say?" asked Silver.

"The usual." replied Bigwig." He said to inform him if anything should come up."

"Well nothing has happened recently, nor will it very soon I think." said Silver. Bigwig signed. Silver turned to Bigwig and noticed the expression on his face. It was the look of boredom. " Don't worry Bigwig." He said." Something will happen."

"I've got an idea." said Bigwig with a happier expression on his face.

"What is it?" asked Silver.

"We could split up the Owsla and have a battle." told Bigwig.

"What?" asked Silver confused.

"It could be you, Strawberry, and I leading one side. And Holly and Bluebell leading the other." continued Bigwig. He had a much happier feel around him now.

"I don't see the point in that Bigwig." replied Silver. Bigwig's expression feel back to boredom.

"Silver we're warriors.' told Bigwig." We need to fight."

"There is always someone to fight." told Silver." They just haven't appeared yet." Bigwig then turned and left, leaving Silver on his watch alone. Since general Woundwort's defeat Bigwig had looked for excitement and danger. But it hadn't appeared yet.