Author's Notes: What follows in this story is my take of S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders from both the novel and film that I read and watched the film in 8th grade. However, featuring the setting in Watership Down Miniseries Canon.
When I stepped out into the brightness of Frith's light, from the darkness of a warren. I only have two things in my mind: El-Ahrairah and a hop for home. Ever since I was kitten, I have always wanted to look like El-Ahrairah, Cunning and a trickster. However, I'm not. Retrospect, I'd to say my appearance isn't too bad: light-brown fur, along with the same fur color and red on my tuft hair, and greenish-gray eyes. Although, I prefer to go with the gray color, than green. From what I heard at times, some elil have green eyes, such as silisis, pfeffas, and some weasels too. For Frith's sake, I'll have to accept the blessings that he created me for what I am. My tuft may even be close to Bigwig's and everyone else of my part of the down. Yes, where I live is not Watership Down Warren, but live around and nearby to learn.
After my days of learning at Watership Down, I would have a long walks for home with no company. Not sure why, but at times I prefer to be alone whenever I visit Watership Down. It's perhaps when I visit the warren, I didn't want to be disturbed, so I could enjoy learning some of the great rabbits of that warren. Whenever I visit the warren with someone, at times it's uncomfortable, like you're bringing a stranger to a warren or if someone I bring would fall asleep on my shoulder whenever hearing Bluebell's El-Ahrairah tales that involves tricks. I'm just different that way. For one of my older brothers, Flay-Pop, young buck going on to an adult buck, who never heard of any El-Ahrairah stories. My eldest brother, Darry, works around our home too hard that he hardly had any time for story or even a simple game of Bobstones. To summarize it all up, I'm not like my brothers at all. As if I was the only rabbit of my parts of our home were like that.
At times, Flay-Pop would understand at most times, while Darry doesn't. Such as at moments that my eldest brother would shout at me, as if I was still a young kitten. I loved Flay more than anyone, even our parents. He's always at times the most grinning rabbit, while Darry has more of Bigwig's personality, but more firm and hardly grins at all. It was probably that Darry grew up quickly that he eventually became a grown adult buck. Unlike our eldest brother, Flay would still the young buck, even after he becomes a matured buck.
By the time I was heading for home from Watership Down, I wished I've had company. Hlessis can't walk alone too much or they'll get jumped by elil or an Owsla buck that was from an enemy warren. At times whenever we get jumped by an Owsla from a warren, especially from Efrafa are often referred to as Owslafas. The Hlessis are often called the poorest of the poor rabbits, unlike organized warrens. We're often called "The Lost Wanders"; we would at times steal flayrah from warrens, may encounter humans. At times, hlessis rabbits would fight once in awhile. It doesn't mean though that I do these things. If I was caught stealing flayrah from another warren, Darry would kill me if I get to any sorts of trouble. Since our parents were killed in a hrududu accident, the three of us stayed together as much as we can, without getting into trouble, meaning me and Flay-Pop.
Perhaps I should have waited for one of my brothers to take me to Watership Down, when they finished their search for flayrah and searching for a warren. The three of us could have gone together, but Flay-Pop wouldn't be able to last of Bluebell's stories, even Darry would be the same. Or maybe I should have asked one of the hlessis to take me, such as Two-Tuft. And again, I hardly use my head to think. It would make my eldest brother go hraka. Other than that, I prefer to hop alone, until one day...
As I was away from the warren, I was started to be followed by a small band of Owsla bucks. They didn't appear to be from Efrafa or even from Watership Down. They were perhaps from another warren that would despise hlessis. It wasn't until a few minutes later, they continued to stalk me that had me hop quicker than before. As I got close, the five bucks pulled me over. They began to encircle around me. I never thought I would be stopped by an Owsla. I was slightly frightened, unlike my best friend, Johnny-roo. I remembered his experience when he was encountered by the Efrafa Owsla. It was not a pleasant encounter, when we found him, he cried terribly from his cuff marks around his cheeks.
"Why hello, hlessi." one of the encircled bucks greeted. When they got close to me, he became more intimidating. "We're going to give you a favor for you, hlessi... we're going to give you a tuft-cut."
"No." I refused, as I swiped his paw, as he was rubbing my tuft hair. They began to tackle me down. As I struggled, the buck was able to claw a small bit of my tuft fur. I wasn't very strong, although I could make it up for moderate speed that I was able to escape from a tackle. However, it didn't sit well with me, when they pounced me onto the ground. This time, I was subdued and they even held my paws and feet tightly. The buck that spoke to me, sharpen his claw and than pressed it on my neck.
"How about having a fur-cut here... or over here... or maybe over here." At one point, his claw gave me a cut on my throat. I began to scream and shout for my brothers. The Owsla continued to restrain me, as one of the bucks began to stuff me with grass and dirt, from the scoops they used their paws to scoop up. I could hear them bucks cursing at me, as they were telling me to "shut up". I could began to taste the dirt, blood from the grass and dirt ground. Nearly losing my breath, I almost began to pass out. At some point, the bucks began to flee away from me. I slightly began to see some other bucks that were chasing after the Owsla bucks. It was until seconds later, someone was nudging at me to get on my feet. It was Darry.
"Ponybuck, are you alright?" Darry asked me, as he was shaking me a bit.
I started to cough up some dirt and blood grass from earlier. "I'm okay, just stop shaking me."
"I'm sorry." he stopped right away. "They didn't hurt you too bad, did they?"
"No." I answered as I held back from tears. Darry was a strong built buck for an Owsla. He has dark brown fur, with black tuft as like to Bigwig's. No surprising they're just alike. He was only just emerging as a grown buck, when our father died, who was mid-aged buck. Most of other rabbits that seen him, described Darry that he's more like his father than Bigwig. Although he as the mixed of each eyes mix of Hazel's green eyes and one of Fiver's eyes that one of them were blue (Darry also has.) and another was brown.
Flay-Pop came to us. "Hey, Ponybuck." he spoke to me with worry. He than spotted the claw marks on my neck. "Did those bucks put a mark on you?!"
I turned away to hide my tears. "Yeah."
He gently cleaned my wound, so elil wouldn't attract my blood. Even though mark is still there, but the bleeding stopped. "Don't worry, little brother. They ain't going to hurt you no more." he softly spoke to me as he helped me on my feet.
"By Frith, Pony, you going off by yourself. You never think." Darry reprimanded me.
"All I did was heading for home from listening to Bluebell's stories and learning some tricks from their Owsla." I explained to my elder brother.
"Stories and tricks. Stories and tricks! You know I wish you could concentrate on something else once in a while."
"Perhaps you concentrate on does and sow thistles. It works for me." Flay-Pop tries to give me a little advice.
It still wouldn't stop my elder brother giving me more important safe advices whenever I journey on my own. "Look, if you had to visit that warren, perhaps they teach you a thing or two of self-defense."
"Yeah. That would've been a great excuse for those Owslafas to cut his neck little more there." Flay cut in.
This time, Darry had his elder brother moment when he turned again towards Flay. "If I want my rusati tell me what to do with my other rusati, I'll ask you, alright? Buck rusati." He swiped his paw on a stick and he began to hop towards our scrap.
The both of us watched him hopped away. "Gee, Flay. Why does he always have to be like that?" I asked him.
He came over to me and whispered. "He's just worried about you, brother. He's got more worries than he used to, after mother and father died."
"How's the kid?" one of our hlessi bucks asked. It was Dally.
"I'm fine." I answered.
Dalthineung is his full name, but we call him Dally or Dal for short. He was the real buck of our group. Being slightly plump, but maintains bulkiness in strength, sharp teeth, that he could tear up a rabbit or even a corvil. His tuft is becoming more white than any of us have. His eyes are more dangerously blue, as he despises most whoever gets in his way. He was the most troublesome buck we've ever known in our band. He came from another warren, before he was exiled for causing too much trouble. Even at one point, he was than arrested from another warren that was far from Efrafa and Watership Down. He was caught in trouble for trespassing the warren and eventually arrested. He even gets more into trouble than Two-Fur and every other hlessis we know.
"Say, what you're doing out from prison, Dal?"
"What about you?" another buck cut in and questioned me. His name was Stev-roo. Flay-Pop's friend and they go scout together for flayrah and does. He usually finds the best flayrah, because he has the best nose to detect a flayrah is fresh or not. At sometimes I go along with them, which Stev-roo doesn't like it. He probably doesn't like me, because I'm a young buck, silflaying with the adult bucks. We just have differences: I like him, but he doesn't like me. "What are you doing, hopping around these parts by yourself, uh?"
"None of your business, you smarty nose." I talked back.
"What do you talking about my nose?! It is my business! Just look at my nose they cuffed!" he shouted, as I noticed his nose was bit marked from one of the Owsla bucks that cuffed him.
"It's huge, but I'm sure you could still smell for the best flayrah. You always have."
He shook his head, as if I said the right words. "You smart hraka. You're one piece of a smart hraka, buck." He than turned towards Dally. "How are you doing, Dal?"
"I'm doing alright." Dally answered.
"Surprised to see you again, I thought the warren near the humans are keeping you there for three nInle'." I spoke to him.
"Yeah, but they left me out on the second nInle'. You know, good behavior." he told us, as he started to chew on some grass and than he spotted Johnny-roo. "Hey, Johnny-roo!" He hopped over to him and nuzzled him. "Long time no see. How are you doing?"
Johnny-roo was mere older and younger than I'm. He has big black eyes, nearly all black fur, but has some grayness that keeps him from having the same fur as The Black Rabbit of Inle'. However, he's always timid at times or to say quiet among our band. Now he's always jumpy or a bit paranoid when it comes to hostile Owsla bucks, even elil. I would never forget the day, when we found him near Ceaser's Belt. He was scarred almost around his face, just like Captain Holly. However, Johnny-roo cried when we found him. It was a frightening experience he had with any of the Owslafas. He was simply going around the belt to relax, until some Owslafas from Efrafa jumped on him. He could easily tell they were from Efrafa, because not much of the Owslafas would do much damage than any other Owsla bucks. However, he could only remember two of the bucks were brothers, as they were companied by another captain. Even the saddest part for Johnny-roo is that he's more hlessi than any of us. His parents are hlessis, his father was a disgraced Owsla seregant and his mother eats too much of flayrah. Whenever they get into a terrible fight, he would often not return back to his kin. At times, if he does, he would often be ignored by his mother and/or even struck. Mostly the striking comes from his father.
"Things be whole lot better if those Owslas from other parts of hostile warrens stay within their territory." Johnny-roo replied back, as he joined us for a short walk.
"Eh, don't you worry about it, Johnny-roo. We'll have them out sooner or later." Stev-roo assured him.
"Yeah, however they sure are keep coming into parts of our territory." Flay-pop added.
"Damn those Owslafas." Stev-roo cursed.
Dally looked over at Johnny-roo's scars and began to wonder if it was them. "Were those bucks the same ones that jumped you?"
"I'm afraid not, brother. They were just other bucks causing harm to us." he shook his head.
"Now that I'm out, I'll be on a look out for the those damned Owslafa bucks, whom have done this to you."
"How about I become your personal bodyguard, lad?" Two-Tuft suggested to me.
I slightly smiled. "I don't think it's too hot of an idea."
Two-Tuft. The eldest member of our band. He's tall, stocky in build, and very proud of his tuft sideburns, and gray eyes. Like Bluebell, he would never stop at times with his funny remarks or jokes to save his hind. He's even well known in some parts of warrens for stealing from other warrens, his black paws that has the sharpest claws, as well he would make smart-gull remarks at any Owsla sergeant or captain, even Bigwig. At those times, he couldn't help himself because he would even try to brighten up their dull lives as well, besides his own. Just like Flay-Pop's age, he's becoming a grown buck and still haven't learned a thing from training in the Owsla, except fights. He likes fights. He likes fighting at times with other bucks. Besides fighting, he enjoys beautiful furred does and the Owsla he's being trained under.
"Say Dal, how about you and Blossom come over for a game of Bobstones tomorrow night?" Stev-roo offered Dally. Whenever it comes of Stev-roo inviting Flay-Pop, I never ask to come along. Mostly because Flay-Pop would often have me tag along with him, which annoys Stev-roo.
"I wanted to join a match or two?" I asked.
"Oh, Ponybuck we would, but we're bringing Blossom and Daisy along." Flay-Pop told me.
"Which means no kits allowed." Stev-roo insulted.
"Big deal." I rebuttal.
Dally shook his head. "That's alright. I'm going to go hunt some action. Little kits allowed."
"Yeah, sure we'll go with you." Johnny-roo spoke and thought I should join too. "Won't we, Pony?"
I always knew Dal is bet of a loose cannon, whenever he looks for action. He would often at times led into trouble. "I don't know, brother. I just can't get in any trouble with Owsla from Watership Down. If they spotted me in trouble, according to Darry, the warren would separate me and my brothers."
One of the bucks of the warren, apparently a Captain of their Owsla, Holly has always been watching me, whenever I visit and/or leave the warren. Not that it was a bad thing, but he knows I'm underage of going off by myself at times. He wanted what was best of me. Even, if it means that I become part of their warren, I would never see my brothers again. I can't live without my brothers, mostly Flay-Pop especially. We're the only family we have. Holly knew I wouldn't take it easy because he notices that my brothers do cared and they wanted what was the best of me, as well. His Chief Rabbit, Hazel suggested that I would be put on over watch until a hearing is being made to discuss over what you say somewhat of a "kit custody".
"Hey, brother, who says we're looking for Owsla trouble? I just wanna hear a stories of El-Ahrairah from Bluebell. Just like the old days, right Johnny?" Dally assured me.
"Yeah, brother. Let's do." Johnny-roo encouraged me to come along. With that, I decided to tag along with them.
"I might be joining you lots too, as long I don't get too much stuffed and drunk from them berries, I'll join you." Two-Tuft spoke with the three of us, before he departed his way. Flay-Pop and Stev-roo agreed to their plans before they go separate for home. Even Stev-roo would try to do a flip off from a boulder to get a perfect landing on his feet. Often at times, he would miss the perfect land.
"Say Dal, about Blossom, you two part your ways again?" Johnny-roo asked Dally.
Dally somewhat cringed when he heard that doe's name. He probably got that when Flay-Pop mentioned her name. Dally scratched his ear quickly before stomp his paws on the ground. "Yeah... but this time it's for good. She was two-timing me, when I was imprisoned. However, besides the point, I'm over her really. I'll see you two tomorrow."
He hopped on his way, as it was just me and Johnny-roo. It was just until Darry called me for flayrah. "Say, Johnny are you wanting to join us for some flayrah?"
Johnny shocked his head for assurance. "Nah, that's alright."
"You going home?" I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I'll probably around nearby."
I nodded my head, as I know that he'll be on his own, the moment after I depart from him. "Oh okay, I'll see you around and stay safe, brother."
"Yeah, you too." he smiled back, before he hopped on his way.
It was in the evening, after flayrah and my elder brother tending me with my wounds with some herbs he found during his last silflay for the day. When I was ready for bed, I was wanting to touch to see if I had scar or any remnants of blood on my throat. Luckily, the scar still shows so it could perhaps make me tough. The night is somewhat cool, but no wind. The crickets chirped in the night that we were able to hear them. Where we live, my elder brother manages to build two scraps. One for me and Flay-Pop, and another is for himself. It was separated so we could have our privacy.
"Ponybuck, are you still up?" Flay-Pop asked me. "We need to get some sleep, I have to go on a round of scouting in the morning."
"We leave them alone." I refer to possible to possible Owslafas scouting in the night.
"I know. Who could figure?" he said, as he shuts eyes tries to fall asleep. I lay beside him, as I was still wide awake. It wasn't cold, but it was probably because of what happened today. "Cold, brother?"
"A little." I lied.
He turned over and lay his arms around me and kept me close to keep me warm. "Listen here, Pony. If Darry yells at you like that... he don't mean nothing." he whispers to me, regarding about Darry today. "It's just that he has lots of responsibilities. He's not use to them. He really loves you very much."
"Sure." I said. "Flay?"
"Hmm?"
"Why did you leave the Owsla training?" I asked about why he left. For a short time, he was in the Owsla for Watership Down. However, he decided to leave, not because of strength, but his wits are not up to part. Darry didn't said anything about his departure, however he would say lot to me if I did.
"Because I'm a silflay hraka, what Bigwig tells me." he answered. "The only things I was passing was combat and searching for flayrah."
"You're not hraka." I disagreed.
"Yes, I am." he admits. I slightly sighed quietly over his pity, as I watched the stars. "If you keep your mouth shut, I'll tell you something important." I turned over to him. "You also have to promise me that you won't tell Darry."
"You know I won't." I promised.
He sighed a bit, but knows that I could keep his secrets. "I think Daisy and I are going to be mates. I'll probably wait, until you're finished in your training though. So, I can help Darry find and build a warren for all of us."
"And Flay? Flay, are you in love with Daisy?" I gently shook him. He slightly made a "mm-mmm" sound. "What's it like?"
He slightly turned towards me "Most of the time... it's really nice." I than lie back down and faced back at the stars once again. The worlds look very beautiful tonight. I could count them, before falling asleep, but after today, my tiredness helped me sleep for tonight.