Chapter Fifty-Four: Aqua and Terra Don't Understand

Woundwort's Captains cowered as they watched the huge rabbit pace back and forth. Needless to say, the General was in a roaring temper.

"Are you incompetent? Or perhaps lacking in motivation?" Woundwort snarled.

"How many times has he said that now?" Vervain whispered to Cowslip.

The cream-colored buck shrugged.

"Silence!" Woundwort snarled, "You are all fools! Except for Appleseed and Cactus. I must say, they are quite obedient and intelligent. More so than you lot, anyways. Cactus, Appleseed, come forward."

The two Corporals exchanged glances, but came hesitantly forward.

The promotion of the two brothers came as no surprise to the other Captains, but what came next made Vervain and Vine consider desertion.

"And until you two have learned your duties, Cactus and Appleseed shall replace you as Captains of Owsla!"

"But, General!" Vervain protested.

"Get out!" Woundwort roared, "Now!"

The two demoted Captains wisely headed for the exit, leaving Cowslip and the two newest Captains.


Pearl had explained to Rowan about their kittens, and while the sandy-furred buck was deeply saddened, he agreed that nothing could have been done.

Meanwhile, Phlox finally got to meet his own kits.

Violet brought the kits outside for the first time, and Phlox pretended to silflay until the kits noticed him.

"Marli, who?" asked Aqua, her big aquamarine eyes questioning. It was obvious she had never seen an earless rabbit.

"Why zero zero?" asked Terra.

"Do what?" asked Violet.

"See!" said Aqua, pointing at Phlox's ears, "Zero zero. Why?"

I don't understand," Violet said, "What does zero zero mean?"

Terra toddled over to Violet and touched each of her ears in turn.

"One one."

He turned to Phlox, pointing at his ears. Well, okay, what was left of his ears.

"Zero zero. Why zero zero?"

"They're asking about why he has no ears," Blackavar said, "I think."

"Oh," said Phlox, "Well, um, let's just say I had a rather nasty accident."

"Okay," Aqua agreed. She pointed at Blackavar.

"Why?"

The gash Blackavar had been given by Woundwort had long since healed, but it had left behind a long scar in the middle of his face.

"I also had an accident. Mine being less violent."

"What meaning accident?" Terra asked.

"It was unplanned by anyone," Violet said.

"Oh, Frith-rah!" Terra squealed, so loudly that everyone jumped.

"Why?!" Aqua yelped.

"I'll just be going," Campion muttered, "Phlox, teach your kits some manners."

Violet glared at the assemblage.

"Who taught them to swear?"

"Uncle Bigwig," Aqua announced.

"BIGWIG!" Violet yelled, "They're barely a moon old!"

Bigwig blushed and unsuccessfully tried to hide behind Corydalis.

"I've been framed. Hawkbit did it."

Hawkbit, uncharacteristically, ignored him.

Bigwig's eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Oi, Hawkbit, you all right?"

"No," Hawkbit sad flatly, "No, I am not okay. Go mind your own business. I haven't been near those kits."

"Bigwig," Violet tapped her paw impatiently, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Um... I've been framed?"

Violet sighed.

"Bucks!"

"You're telling me?" Corydalis muttered, "Cue the annoying kittens!"

TJ, Truffle, and several other kits leaped onto Bigwig and knocked the astonished Captain flat.

"Cory, you traitor!" Bigwig laughed, "I'll have your tail for this!"

"I really believe you," Cory said noncommittally. "Hey! Bigwig!"

Her mate had freed himself from the kits and jumped on her instead.

"Oh, I don't think you do believe me! But now you will! Rarr!"

Everyone watched in amusement as the two rabbits wrestled through the grass. All but Hawkbit, who snuck quietly away to his hideout. For him, it was too soon to have fun again.


Meanwhile, Blackberry bustled around, reorganizing to make room for Thorn, who had decided to stay in the infirmary for a while.

"What do you look like?" Thorn asked, "I can't see you, you know."

"Hmm, what do I look like? Well, I am smaller than Campion, about Blackavar's size, my fur is silver-grey on top and white underneath, and I have blue eyes."

"You sound pretty," Thorn said, "When do you think I'll be able to see you?"

"Um…" Blackberry debated telling him the truth, but she felt bad having to break the news to the young buck, "Soon, I think."

"That's good," said Thorn, "Is it all right if I take a nap?"

"Sure, go ahead," Blackberry said quickly. She breathed a quiet sigh as Thorn curled into a ball and promptly fell asleep.

She scrutinized him closely. He was really quite an attractive young rabbit, she thought. Had it not been for his scars, he would have been quite handsome. It was almost painful how much he resembled Campion, but he was too young to be a sibling, and Ivy had had no kittens.

She sighed. It bothered her that such a young rabbit had been completely wasted by life in Efrafa, and then being blinded.

"He had talent. He would have done well in the Owsla."

Campion stood in the entrance to the burrow. Oddly, he seemed to be trying to hide his scarred face.

"What's wrong?" Blackberry asked, "Who's been staring now? I'll go bite them for you."

"How do you always know?"

"I'm your mate. And I'm a doe."

"True."

He sighed.

"It's Phlox's kits. They don't mean any harm, but they've never seen rabbits with scars before."

"Namely, you, Blackavar, and Phlox?"

"Yes."

She nuzzled him affectionately.

"You know I don't care what you look like, don't you?"

"Yes, but that doesn't make being stared at any pleasanter."

"You know, you're not the only one who provokes a second glance," Blackberry said, "Phlox, Blackavar…Thorn."

"Thorn," Campion said heavily, "He doesn't deserve this. But none of this is why I came. You haven't silflayed yet tonight. Go on and grab something before it gets dark."

"Thank you, Campion. I'll only be a minute."

Blackberry hopped outside, and discovered that all the other rabbits had disappeared inside the warren. As she ate, the grey doe noticed a strange smell. She sniffed.

"Smoke?"

She looked out, and to her surprise, she saw an ominous red glow on the horizon. In a few more minutes, she could distinguish flames amid the billowing clouds of smoke.

"Fire! Everyone, come quickly, the woods are on fire!"


OK, tomorrow, at around 10:45, I leave for camp. That's why I'm posting almost all the chapters I had in reserve. The Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday chapters, along with today's. I may get online before I leave, but just in case I don't...