Unknown: Yeah, Vesper wonderful for weirdness like that. XD Thanks! :)

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Flood

It had been raining, and Vine was worried. Outcast Down was not located on high ground like Watership Down. To make matters worse, it was right next to a river.

Vine hated the fact that he rarely slept, but, on this particular night, he was grateful. He had been sitting at the entrance of his burrow, dozing a little as he wondered whether Inle and Marsh were all right, when he suddenly realized that his paws were wet.

"What the…?"

Vine looked down, and, to his shock, he found that his feet were indeed wet.

"The burrows are…flooding."

"Geranium!" he yelled, "Thyme! Get up, get the others, and get them outside! The burrows are flooding!"

Geranium was instantly on her feet, for once, completely alert. Thyme took a bit more rousing, but, with some coaxing, the little doe was soon awake. As Geranium and Thyme dashed off into the burrows, Vine headed toward Phlox and Violet's burrow.

"Might as well be sure they don't get left behind if they try to help Cactus and Raven."

When Vine reached Phlox's burrow, he found that this section had not flooded yet, much to his relief.

"Phlox! Wake up!"

"What's going…?" Phlox mumbled sleepily.

"The burrows are flooding," Vine explained hurriedly, "We need to get them all out."

"Quite efficient when it's your warren that's in trouble, I see," Violet said.

Vine ignored her.

"I thought, being the overly noble rabbit that you are, you would probably waste your time helping Cactus and Raven get out, so I came to help."

"Admit it, Vine, you did it because you really do feel sorry for Cactus," Phlox said.

"The day I feel sorry for Cactus, I will offer myself up as a fox's dinner," Vine said angrily, "Now hurry!"

The three rabbits hurried out of the burrow, and into the adjoining one, where they found Raven already awake. The black buck had been awakened by all the commotion, and had been just about to come out and see what all the fuss was about.

"What's going on?" the dark rabbit asked.

"The warren's flooding," Phlox said, "We need to get out."

"I can carry Cactus," Raven said, "I've done it before."

"It's not far to high ground, but there's a stretch close to the river…it's probably already flooding, so we need to hurry!" Vine said.

Raven hoisted Cactus onto his back. Luckily, the white rabbit was a heavy sleeper. If Cactus had been awake, he would surely have protested.

Vine had secretly hoped he would protest, since if he did, they would have to knock him out, but he had no such luck.

When they got outside, they found the others waiting. Even Terra was there already.

Vine looked over them quickly. They all looked frightened, and he wasn't sure he could keep them together if things got much worse.

"Let's go," Vine said, pulling himself together with an effort. "Keep your kits close. If it's flooding too badly in the meadow, we may have to swim."

He glanced at Thyme, and the worry in his eyes was evident. His daughter was the smallest rabbit there.

"She'll be all right," Phlox said reassuringly, "We'll both help her."

The group started off with Vine in front and Phlox in the very back. The two fell into this position without any discussion, Phlox taking it for granted that he would bring up the rear, Vine, as the Chief, sure he had to lead.

Everything went well, until they came to the low ground Vine had spoken of.

"It doesn't look too bad," Griffin said, "Do you think we can get across?"

"We have to," Vine replied, "Help the kits. Make sure they don't get swept away."

As the others passed, Vine pulled Greenweed aside.

"Make sure Corydalis gets across. She might not be able to swim on her own."

The silver rabbit nodded.

"I wouldn't leave her behind."

"I know," Vine said. "Go on, and keep her close."

Greenweed nodded, then, he moved over to Cory, and the two rabbits entered the water together.

Phlox was surprised. He had never seen Vine act this way before. In the face of danger to his warren, Vine seemed like a completely different rabbit. It was startling, the deadly intensity in Vine's eyes and voice. Not for the first time, Phlox found himself being just a little bit afraid of Vine. But more than that; he was almost in awe of his friend's new leadership skills.

"I'd never be able to do that…"

Vine looked around. Only Phlox, Silverweed, and he were left.

"Come on," he said, splashing into the water. He knew the others were following a short distance behind him. When he reached the far side of the water, he turned to look back. Phlox and Silverweed were nearly there, but Vine was sure he could see the water rising.

"Hurry," Vine yelled, trying not to panic, and struggling to keep his voice level. "We don't have all night!"

His words were drowned out by a sudden roar of water.

"Vine!" Griffin shouted, "What is that?"

"The river can't be rising that fast…" Poppy murmured.

But the river was indeed rising, having finally burst its banks.

"Come on," Vine whispered, "Come on, Phlox. You can still make it."

And then, he was being pulled away from the water, as the river rushed down…

Sorry this chapter is so short. I'm kinda lacking motivation for this story.