Rosie was awake early to the birds outside the small warren we dug. She scratched her ear with her foot and saw her sister sleeping against Daffodil's flank. She had a dream reflecting to yesterday about how Cynthia nearly got killed by the wolves all because off that buck she was now sleeping with.

"Firmness results maturity, dear."

Rosie turned to see Tiger Lily in the entrance to her chamber.

"That's the issue, Tiger Lily," replied Rosie hopping up to her friend. "I hate to think myself being harsh on Cynthia."

Tiger Lily nodded helpfully.

"I know it's difficult. I have to be firm with Zinnia sometimes but it hurts me more than it hurts her. Does Cynthia have a future?"

"Lots of potential," said Rosie confidentially, "my three older cousins have fortunes of their own. I see Cynthia practice signing almost every hour of the day and I fear her throwing it all away for this."

"Exactly," said Tiger Lily. "You must be firm because you love her. He is not the right rabbit for her. Think about it."

She hopped away leaving Rosie in unanswerable questions which only she could answer herself.

We were finally getting up, eating breakfast and making our way through a clean, glad with larks sining in tune to present the sun rising. The glade was rather peaceful and strongly green and no sense of danger at all.

As we came to a slope path going down, we noticed a brown rabbit emerging form a burrow and scratching his back against a stump. I was lost for words when I identified the then-thought stranger:

"Michael!"

He turned and looked is amazement.

"Leo!"

We aran to each other in a strong embrace and tackling one another to the ground.

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

"I'm glad you are too!"

Everyone ran to see what the fuss!

"Leo Barning from Above!" gasped Butterfly and Dragonfly.

I turned to see the callers of my name. Two adorable little bunnies were bowing down paying homage to me along with a plum, scarlet rabbit which I assumed was their mother and the next one to appear was a brown, strapping rabbit who would have resembled if it wasn't for young adolescent build.

"Our humble respects, Leo Barning from Above," he greeted.

"Thank you," I said shyly. "Are you the father of this family?"

"Son," he corrected. "My name is Thorn. This is my mother Cherry and these are my siblings Dragonfly and Butterfly."

"Ah!"

Another rabbit emerged from them. He was exactly like Thorn only a a tad smaller and a paler brown. A very nasty looking buck as well.

"Leo Banring from Above I see," he said. "I'm amazed you survived. A bigger wonder how your brother survived without you."

I leaned over the group and saw Jason standing plainly with Pipkin's group.

"How are you, Jason?" I asked, happy to see he was right as rain.

"Fine," he replied plainly.

Everyone introduced each other this vile young rabbit continued.

"Name's Burdock by the way," he introduced. "Your Dawn-Rah friend proved his use with the weasel who attacked us and now he hold a necklace just like your one."

I looked down at the still white trinket.

"Changed to a white colour too I see," he remarked. "Just be sure you don't enjoy this work or you'll pay the price when your kittens are born."

"I'd prefer to be a dad when feel like one, thanks," I remarked at him.

We all reunited happily. Michael himself had so much to tell me such as the weapon he found with the ability to summon those who were lost. Then he told me of the run-in with the weasel and how he defeated her as well some rabbits' reactions.

"You've should have seen Burdock!" he snorted with laughter, "he was so scared he looked like that fat guy on YouTube who punched a hole through his computer when the Exorcist popped up!"

I laughed heartily at that.

"He must have made that guy look like Richard the Lionheart."

"Do stop your human language!" snapped Burdock who was grooming himself.

"You state an oxymoron," I replied. "Considering you rabbits speak the way we humans do."

I myself grew to dislike Burdock immediately. The way he assumed I was an amateur hero. I didn't even think myself a hero, I just somehow end up in these ordeals of fighting foes without asking.

"So what did you come across?" asked Michael immediately.

I told Michael of the caverns Daffodil had idiotically led Cynthia to, making her slip in and almost getting eaten by a wolf.

"Lord Frith, pal!" explained Michael. "You're lucky you've reached tomorrow - all of you."

"Luckily only Fiver can tell when its on the cards," I remarked. "And that reminds me, when I was in the caverns with the others looking for Cynthia, I found this message on a rabbit sceptre saying something about a young one learning magic - that's all I recall."

"And before I was fighting the weasel, the cave I ventured in had a message form this necklace saying the answer lies in here but not in here."

"A different cave?" I shrugged.

"Logical enough," responded Michael. "No clue for Chestnut then?"

"No," I said sadly.

"So when can I swap then, Mike?"

We turned to see Jason wearing the bottle top over him and a scowl on his face.

"When it's not needed anymore," Michael responded intelligently.

"I never get the exciting stuff!" Jason whined.

"You have an important position, Jase," I pointed out. "Calling for lost rabbits if any."

"While you suckers hold the hero stuff," he argued.

"We don't act like heroes," I defended. "Michael is confident and knows how to fight and I'm two years experienced than you. Besides you're too young to carry this stuff out."

"I told you I'm nearly seventeen!" Jason remarked.

"Hence the temper," replied Michael.

"Mike," I warned telling him to stay out of it.

"I'm sorry Jason but as your older brother I demand you toe the line."

Jason snorted and said "Only Pipkin understands me. You didn't even see me fight,"

He charged and walloped my face with foot kicking me to the floor.

"That - was pretty unexpected," I reacted rubbing the side of my face where he struck.

"Now do you trust me?" asked Jason dramatically dusting his chest.

"I don't doubt you, Jason," I sighed as I got back up. "I'm being a big brother. Suppose something happened to you? What would I tell Mam and Dad?"

I suddenly forgot that there was no way getting home since Jason lost the acorn.

"Exactly," said Jason smirking.

"Jason," said Pipkin hopping up. He had been listening to the whole thing. "I agree with Leo. He is more experienced than you and he does not want you getting hurt."

"Others allow you," said Jason crossly.

"Only because I always immature and daring," said Pipkin defensively.

"You're parents must have had fun then!" Jason snorted.

I gasped.

"Jason Malcolm Barning!" I said angrily.

I turned to see Pipkin with a sour expression, as though a worm got into his mouth and was holding it in without chewing.

"You ever mention my parents again and I'll bite your tail off! Get my meaning you spoiled little frog?"

"Well you did say they got eaten by -"

"Shut up, Jason! Frith dammit!" I demanded as I saw tears streaming from Pipkin's eyes.

I hugged onto Pipkin and I said to Jason. "I'll deal with you later now get out of here."

Jason, with a look of anger - and perhaps a twinge of guilt, hopped away.

I turned to Michael and said "Why don't you and Thorn look for a path we should take, okay?"

"Sure," Michael agreed and he set to work.

I hugged Pipkin to squeeze the hurt that my stupid little sibling had stuffed down his throat.

"Why are people still cruel no matter how kind you are?" he sobbed.

"That's the way of life," I said gently. "But I value your kindness and responsibility for looking after him."

"Then he tells me that to thank me," sobbed Pipkin. "I wish there was a way to watch the scene to know the truth! Oh, Leo! I want Bigwig! I want him so I can learn the truth now."

I didn't know what to say. I just remained at my position and comforted this little rabbit. It was horrible to grow up like he was now and if I could swap places with him I could for I went through all of it already and he could live his teen years in a bliss.

"And now I threatened to kill him," Pipkin said. "And I make peace at the warren. I must be an Efrafan."

"Don't you dare say that," I said lifting his face gently with my paws, "don't you dare even think that. Anger is a common emotion in rabbit, in man. We forget what we are doing or saying when angry."

"So much is going on in my mind right now," Pipkin sobbed. "It's too much for me to bear."

"What's going on, Pipkin?" I asked patiently. "You can tell me."

"Bigwig expects me to do as well as the Owsla, I'm constantly depressed, I keep feelings like it's the end of the world and - Oh, I miss Kehaar!"

"I think I heard of him," I responded. "A seagull?"

"Yes," sniffed Pipkin. "He left with his mate. He was a special friend to me and I could tell all my problems to him! With him absent I don't know who to turn to for advice! It even seems certain does don't want me as they prefer better looking rabbits like him over there!"

Pipkin still cried into me as I thought of wise choices for words.

"You have everyone to turn to, Pipkin. Even Hazel. As leader of Watership down it's his job to make sure everybody is happy. It's even my job take care of my friends. Nothing hurts you forever, Pipkin. It will fade away. You'll see, the sky will be blue again one day - no matter how cold the winter or how deep the snow, you will be warm again and the grass will grow, I promise."

Pipkin looked up and me, his eyes soaked from his tears.

"Did you hear the tael of Frith's Promise?"

I shook my head.

"You said exactly how the story ended - and you're right."

"Growing up is painful for a young kit like you. But don't worry, I will look after you. Me, Michael, Fiver, we all will."

Pipkin hugged me gratefully. This was the Pipkin I wanted to see. Two years since I had known him, he was sweet, lively little rabbit which he still is - he just needed to get through his teens maintaining it. And we would work together to find him someone to love like we did for Fiver - but my thoughts suddenly turned to that group. I wondered how they were faring this very moment and hoped they were okay. Knowing that they had Campion, Hazel and Bigwig, they were bound to be okay. And plus Fiver's vision said they would all die if they traveled as a group so maybe they will have survived whatever they have encountered - though I hated to think what it might have been.

"And anyway," I said. "We are two groups reunited. It should be a matter of time before we find the third and we will get together to find Chestnut and bring him home."

"But what Jason said to me there," said Pipkin in pain.

"I'll speak to him," I said. "Or if you want, I'll give him good kick on the backside. Your choice."

Pipkin smiled and replied "Both."

We suddenly found ourselves laughing.

Rosie was watching Daffodil lick Cynthia in a manner that not even Mother would improve of. She wished there was a chance for her to talk to Cynthia but it seemed to have been granted because Daffodil was hopping away.

Rosie hopped over to Cynthia who was humming some loves songs.

"Where's Daffodil going?" asked Rosie.

"To see where we can be alone," said Cynthia. "You know Rosie having some is so much fun I never knew it would be this enjoyable. I simply now know how you feel when it comes to Leo."

"Yes," said Rosie patiently, "but it's rather different with me and Lolly. You see, we have a lot in common and we know our love with each other is safe and unconditional. But you and Daffodil, what do you see him, Cynthia? You to me."

"He's handsome," said Cynthia. "Strong, funny and he is has charisma."

"Handsome, yes," said Rosie, "but he isn't any of those other things. Look what he did yesterday. He nearly got you killed and he did nothing while the others did - even Pipkin."

"He was just testing me to see how brave I was," Cynthia defended.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," replied Rosie trying to stand her ground. "But I disagree with him being your mate."

Cynthia looked angry.

"I'm only thirteen!" she snapped. "Why are you controlling me?"

"I'm doing this playing the role of your big sister," said Rosie. "Trust me. I've seen men like him. Elliott Edderdeen for one. They only wants pretty girls like you for just the one thing but there are much more tidy boys who appreciate girls and care about them."

"Daffodil being one of them," debated Cynthia. "He ventured into the chambers eventually to find me."

"By force," explained Rosie seriously. "As God as my witness, he tried backing away. He was willing to leave you to the wolf."

"You're just making it up so I will break up with him."

"Didn't I just swear before the lord himself?" Rosie remarked crossly.

"Daffodil is my mate!" Cynthia snapped standing up and getting ready to hop away. "Adapt to it!"

And she left her older sister in anguish but more concern. Had Mother kwon of this she would want to her to put an end to this relationship with Daffodil. Father on the other hand would not say anything for he wanted both her and Cynthia to find a boy asap to remain in wealth. He disapproved of Leo but Mother was completely open to it despite Father's protests. How would she protect Cynthia from this buck?

Jason paced in his private area by some bushes fuming with rage; his egotistical brother always got on the stage earning applause and now this universe makes him think he is king and can achieve anything all be chase he was experienced for two years. He would give anything to knock his brother off his paws as well as that show-off Dawnrah.

"And you can."

Leo turned to see a tall, maroon buck standing straight and looking smug but smiling at Jason in a somewhat friendly manner.

"Can what?"

"Better your brother. Want to prove yourself tonight?"

"Would I ever," said Jason contentedly but in a tone of frustration. "Who are you?"

"Cornstalk."

For some reason Fiver woke early. He stirred out of Hazel's grasps and stretched his hind legs. He just suddenly remembered the dream he had. He found Chestnut in the middle of the woods sobbing. They reunited warmly and they were promptly in pursuit of a group of young kittens. Being a runt, Fiver couldn't take on such a group. They climbed not a nearby board through ha stormy river and Frith calmed it down so they escaped tighter, away from the grasp from those enemies. The dream reminded him deeply of the time Blackberry helped them escape from Efrafa after they had rescued Primrose and Blackavar. While only capable of reading visions, Fiver could only hope the dream could also be a sign.

"You're up early," Hazel yawned.

"You as well evidently," replied Fiver with a smile.

"Don't be so smart," Hazel chuckled softly. "Oooh, I'm itching on the back."

"I'll help," said Fiver as he hopped onto his brother's back and began scratching it.

"Aaah," sighed Hazel contentedly. "Thank you, Fiver."

"My pleasure," said Fiver. He climbed off his back and hopped to Hazel's face.

"I'm just going out of the warren for some air," he told him.

"Okay," said Hazel yawning again. "I know your tickle tricks by heart now so don't try any new ones."

"You know you're only jinxing it right?" Fiver laughed.

"Just stay close to the burrow," Hazel lectured.

"I will," said Fiver, nuzzling Hazel's face and hopping out to the air of summer morning. For such a weather and a breeze, he only wondered if Chestnut would be coping okay whoever he was. He knew he was safe. He he not been, he would have had a vision a long time ago. Plus, he wanted to how the other groups were faring.