Chapter Two

Months passed. Inlé grew, as did Moss. Spring came. Both were grazing on their own now, and Inlé looked at Moss as he grazed. The buck had grown, and his color had changed. He had brown spots on his nose, in his tail, and in short columns below his paws. The rest of his fur was tan. Inlé was still black, the green in his eyes deepening over time. A small lock of silver fur had grown between his ears, clashing with it and making him very noticeable. A while ago a wandering doe had been accepted into the warren, and soon after had given birth to another doe. Her name was Primrose and she had been immediately befriended by Moss and Inlé. She was grazing with them now, her dark brown eyes watching them both. Her fawn-colored fur reflected the light, making her seem radiant. Tussock walked by, watching them for a moment. Inlé nodded, and his father nodded back, continuing on his way on his inspection of the Owsla. Inlé returned to grazing for a moment, then sat up and began combing his ears.

Moss stood up. "What's the matter?"

Inlé shook his head. "Nothing. I just…" he looked around. "Felt something."

Primrose looked up. "What did it feel like?"

Inlé shrugged. "I don't know. Just something…foreboding."

The three continued grazing for a short time then went to a favorite spot of theirs. It was a large oak tree, many years old that they stood by to watch the sun set. Inlé sighed, then spoke.

"I've been thinking of leaving."

Moss looked at him. "What?"

"I'm leaving the warren. I feel like I'm supposed to do something, but I don't know what."

Primrose laid her head on his shoulder. "I'll go with you. We both will."

Moss nodded. "Yeah. What kind of friends would we be if we let you go out into the world by yourself?"

Inlé smiled.

Foxfire was not as pleased. "You can't leave!"

"But Mother…"

"No, Inlé. You're still too young. You're not even a year old and you want to turn into a hlessi! You know they always come to bad ends!"

"Who tells you that, Mother? The Chief Rabbit's mate? She can't even silflay without thinking up a rumor!"

"Inlé! I am shocked! Your father wouldn't want you to say this!"

"Which father, Mother? Tussock, or the father that you never told me I had?"

Foxfire swung a cuff at him. Inlé moved aside, and his eyes narrowed. "I'm leaving, Mother. Nothing you say can stop me." And he hopped out of the burrow without a backward glance.

Moss and Primrose met him outside, by their tree. Moss cocked his head. "She didn't want you to go?"

Inlé shook his head. "What about you?"

Moss shrugged. "Dad said go for it, Mother was too wracked to say anything."

Inlé turned to Primrose. "What about you?"

"Mother said that I could go if I want to."

Inlé's ears pricked up. "Someone's coming."

Tussock hopped up onto the hill. "I thought I would find you here."

"What do you want, Father?"

"Your mother wanted me to stop you. I'm going to."

Inlé turned to him. "You can't stop me. I'm not helpless."

"You'll be safe in the warren. The Owsla are already on the way."

"You can't stop us." Inlé repeated.

"I will if I have to."

"I'm not a kitten!" Inlé barked angrily.

"You would think of yourself among your own mother's feelings?"

"You weren't my father originally, Tussock. I'm leaving, and neither you, nor the Owsla, nor even the Chief Rabbit can stop me!"

Tussock sighed. "I see that I cannot change your mind. I can only tell you this, my son. Be careful."

Inlé, breathing heavily, nodded. "I will, Father. Tell mother that I'm sorry."

He tossed his head, and he, Moss, and Primrose ran into the night, leaving their warren far behind them.