OK, now before I forget…I will answer the guest reviews…
Fennec Fox: Thanks! I'll try to update fairly frequently. :)
Unknown: Thanks! :) Well…for starters, he's evil…for another he's a jerkazoid. You'll see.
And now, without further adieu…the chapter:
Chapter Four: Guilty Unless Proven Innocent
Campion was, for once, completely stumped as to what action should be taken. The sienna-furred buck looked around his beloved home. Almost everyone had, by this time gone back inside the warren, save himself, Hazel, Pearl, and Blackberry.
"Hazel," he murmured, stepping over to the fawn-furred buck's side, "You should go inside."
"Why would Fiver do this?" Hazel whispered.
"Are you sure it was Fiver?" Campion stammered.
"Mallow saw him. Mallow wouldn't lie."
"No," Campion sighed, "But someone is lying…and Fiver doesn't lie."
"People change, Campion!" Hazel snapped, "You of all rabbits should know that!"
The Chief Rabbit stood up with an effort, and limped off toward the warren, leaving Campion staring after him in disbelief. It was completely unlike Hazel to make such an insensitive comment, especially to his close friends. Although…Hazel hadn't been the same since the war. None of them had.
"Don't be angry with him, Campion."
The sienna-furred buck sighed.
"I know, I know. I'd probably act the same way if my daughter died."
"Oh, you'd act like it," Phlox said knowingly, "Probably worse."
"What…Oh, that. Was I really that bad?"
"You terrified me."
"And that's hard to do since when?" Campion said with a smile. "Excuse me, Phlox. I've got some things to do."
The Watership Captain marched off, leaving Phlox to race off to wherever he was going. Blackberry and Pearl stayed behind, chatting as does will. Even in such solemn conditions, the two friends needed to talk.
"How could Fiver be to blame?" Blackberry said, "I've known him since we were kits. There's no way he would kill his own kin."
"You know that, and I know that," Pearl replied, "But who tells Hazel-rah that? Campion already tried, and Hazel snapped at him. He never snaps at anyone."
At that moment, the does were interrupted by the appearance of something very strange. It was a small dog. Oddly, it did not seem in the least aggressive, merely stared at them through large brown eyes.
"Is that elil, or isn't it?" Pearl whispered, "Why doesn't it attack?"
"It's definitely elil," Blackberry said, "I'm not sure what it's doing."
"I am not an it!" something said squeakily.
"What was that?" Pearl asked.
"That was the dog," Blackberry said, as if she were completely used to talking dogs. "Hello."
"Hello," answered the dog, "Why aren't you running?"
"What?"
"Most rabbits run when they see me. You didn't."
"You weren't attacking," Blackberry said, "Therefore, you did not appear to be a visible threat."
"You're smart," the dog said, "I'm Robbie."
"Is that a name?" Pearl asked.
"It's my name, so yes."
"All right…" Blackberry said, unsure what to make of this strange dog, "Why are you here?"
"Got lost," Robbie replied, "Just wandering around, having a good time, and trying to find someone who won't run away from me, that kind of thing."
Blackberry and Pearl exchanged glances. This was undoubtedly the strangest dog they had ever met. Under ordinary circumstances, Blackberry would have gone to find Campion and tell him about it, but today, she thought it best not to disturb him.
Meanwhile, Pipkin and his friends had arrived at their captors' destination. Efrafa, or what was left of it anyways.
"It's so quiet," Grapefruit whispered, "When I lived here, it wasn't loud, but it didn't sound dead…"
"It looks like a warren where all the rabbits are Owsla to me," Windy said.
"Not exactly."
The black Efrafan, Night Storm, had been walking near the young captives, and had overheard their conversation.
"We've got slaves, but they're kept below ground during the day. Most of us are, unless Cactus-rah wants us."
"Night Storm, quit talking to the prisoners," Vesper called from up ahead.
"Sorry," Night Storm murmured, adjusting his pace so that he dropped back next to the peachy-furred doe warrior.
"He's different," Windy observed.
"Everyone's different," Pipkin replied, "But I know what you're saying. He does seem different. I wonder where he comes from."
Once they had made it inside the burrows, Cactus began calling out orders.
"Vesper, pick a few fresh rabbits and go on a patrol. Report back if you find any sign of the Watershippers. Night Storm, Rue, you see to the prisoners. The rest of you, come with me."
Night Storm and the peach-furred doe nodded, and stepped forward to take charge of the young rabbits.
"So that's her name," Pipkin observed, "Rue."
Campion thought he had taken care of everything that he possibly could, but no sooner had he stepped outside to check on Blackberry, than he was met by TJ, Thorn, Juniper, and the rest of their patrol. TJ had a deep scratch on his front leg.
"Are you all right?" Campion exclaimed.
"Fine," TJ replied, "Just got a little scratch. Blackberry's going to come look at it in a bit."
Campion nodded, and stepped aside to allow the young rabbits to pass. However, Thorn halted, and turned to his father.
"Campion, do you really think Fiver would do something like that? I do not."
"I know, but you need to remember that sometimes rabbits change their ideals for the wrong reasons. It will all work out, I'm sure."
Thorn shook his head.
"I can tell you're afraid of what this could mean. You thought we were safe now?"
"Yes," Campion admitted, "Since Phlox's adventure last winter, nothing had gone wrong. I had thought I might be able to live the rest of my life in peace."
"They say there's no rest for the weary," Thorn replied, "We'll make it. We have before."
The blind rabbit turned away and loped off after his friends. Campion shook his head.
"Where do you get your faith, Thorn? I need to borrow some."
Well...this is useless. As for Robbie, let's say this is my sister's character, and he's more for comic relief than anything else. You will see...
