"Dumped?" asked Pipkin confused.

"Dumped," said Cynthia impatiently. "It's when someone you love leaves you, no longer loves you."

She still clung on for support.

"Why did he leave you?" asked Pipkin, secretly happy since he may have a chance to have this pretty doe. Though at the same time he felt bad for feeling jealous.

"Only this afternoon," she began, "he took me to this tree. He said this was where we were to get started. He told me to lay down while he - while he -tried to."

"You didnt let him do that?" Pipkin cried.

Cynthia shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"I told him 'No'. Then he got mad and screamed at me for being ungrateful and that I threw away the opportunity to be a real woman - but I'm only thirteen and too young for that! He then hopped away, leaving me like this!"

She pressed into Pipkin's chest again as she wailed loudly like this was the biggest piece of pain she was yearning to dislodge.

Pipkin put his paws over and stroked her.

"It's okay," he said softly. "Shh, shh, now. Shh. I'm here now. I wont let him come towards you."

She looked up at Pipkin and smiled softly. There was something about Pipkin's voice that made her feel calm and feeling his heartbeat against his chest made her feel protected.

"I'm afraid there are rabbits like that," said Pipkin. "Fiver should know. Even Snowflake. I knew Daffodil was not right for you. He only wanted you to massage him and make him feel great but I on the other hand have plenty to say about you. You're beautiful and sweet and any nice rabbit deserves you. I mean, I am rather fat and short and you might not want me for it but there are many rabbits in the warren who are perfect for you. They'd many things to say about you. Like your name. It makes me think of beautiful snowy meadows. And night wise, your name makes me think of the moon."

Cytnhia listened to these words. "That's what Rosie said to me."

Pipkin smiled. He looked into her blue eyes and - unable to hold himself any logner - licked her head.

"I'm sorry," he gasped. "I didnt mean -"

Cynthia leaned up and kissed his mouth.

"That ... felt ... wonderful," said Pipkin. "What's that?"

"A kiss," said Cynthia.

"May I have another?" asked Pipkin.

Soon they linked their mouths to each other as their kissed seemed to last through the morning.

Pipkin nuzzled her face and said "I will look after you from now on. I promise."

"I love you, Pipkin," said Cynthia. "I never realised it until now."

"And I love you too, Cynthia," said Pipkin. "Ever since you appeared on the down."

For the briefest of moments, they were the only rabbits on this Earth. Looking into Cynthia's eyes, Pipkin could see spring flowers blooming for his heart warmed in the way whenever he would see them and looking into Pipkin's eyes, Cynthia felt the heat of summer engulfing her as though he was the sun come to protect her forever.

"Come on," said Pipkin after a nice while together. "We'll go back together."

"But Rosie," Cynthia worried as she backed back to her spot and crouching like hedgehog. "What will she say? She warned me and I didn't listen to her."

"We've all made mistakes, Cynthia," Pipkin assured her and he told her the very same tale he told Jason involving the orchard being off-limits and going against the rules bringing Fiver with him and thinking he got him killed.

"But I didn't see how it solves what I will have to face," said Cynthia worriedly.

"You should learn to forgive yourself and that you will never make the same mistake," said Pipkin. "We've all made really stupid mistakes as children. Even me."

His memories began to haunt him once again and his joy for getting the doe he wanted was replaced by condemnation.

"I..." he began. "I, erm ..."

"What, Pipkin?" asked Cynthia edging near to him and nuzzling his chest. "You can tell me anything."

"I got my parents killed," said Pipkin rather quickly.

Cynthia looked up at him, a shocked expression on her face.

"I was a baby. I remember being out at night and the weasel attacked me when my parents gave their lives for me. I'm a murderer you see, Cynthia."

Cynthia then looked sad.

"No you're not," said Cynthia. "It was a huge mistake but you were a baby at the time. You didn't know better. You must find self-frogivness inside yourself too if I am to face Rosie."

"Of course," said Pipkin quietly. "I guess that's one thing we both have in common; the need to forgive ourselves. But I will help you in some way; why don't I explain what happened? You've already been punished enough with learning the hard way."

"Thank you," sniffed Cynthia as she licked Pipkin on the mouth. She did a second time and then a third to which he did it back to her. She could not decide which was the best method of kissing. But at the moment it seemed both, she found her real rabbit and with her newfound love for him, nothing could take it away from her.

They arrived back to the group where they were all waiting.

"Thank Heavens," expressed Rosie with a hand over her chest. "We were almost planning to go up to make sure Daffodil wasn't doing anything."

"And where is he I asked."

Cynthia looked down in despair, unable to eye anyone.

"Cynthia?" asked Michael in a tone of concern. "Where is Daffodil?"

"He dumped me," said Cynthia shamefully.

"WHOPEEE!" screamed Hawkbit and Dandelion together, but they were the only ones to have reacted. They blushed as everyone stared at them.

Everyone clearly felt relief but didn't say anything because of the state Cynthia was in. To me cheering was not the appropriate time for such an emotion she was in.

"Why?" asked Rosie. "Cynthia, why did he break up with you?"

Cynthia looked at Rosie looking expectant, Leo and Michael looking concerned, Cherry looking assuring, Jason seeming to think to himself and Thorn looking serious - but then, he always was.

"Be honest with me, darling," said Rosie gently. "What happened?"

"I ... he," began Cynthia beginning worry about how to tell the story but Pipkin came to the rescue.

"He tried to mate her but she refused which angered him."

"An adult buck trying to mate a thirteen-year-old?" I reacted incredulously.

"Filthy pig!" snapped Hawkbit. "I'll rip his ears off! I'll bite his tail and I'll ... I'll,"

"Wind him with my feet until the brawn stored in his body jumps out from his throat!" said Huckers pounding his foot heavily on the ground, making a mole jump up and squeak at him angrily making the hare apologise.

"Disgraceful!" said Dandelion sternly. "I knew he was trouble the day he arrived at the warren!"

"Some bucks are undeserving of pretty little does like your sister, dear," Cherry said to Rosie.

"If you ask me," said Michael, "Daffodil and Edderdeen are alike, they both have the confident pair of -"

"Children present!" I cut off as I looked at the small twins Butterfly and Dragonfly.

"I didn't mean to!" Cynthia wailed, tears streaming out form her eyes again and crouching down. "I didn't know he was everything you said! I didn't want to believe! I'm really sorry!"

Rosie came close to her sobbing sister and nuzzled her, eventually encouraging the teen kitten to come into her paws and sob into her breast.

"I'm sorry for everything I said to you this morning," she cried.

"It's okay, sweetheart," said Rosie as she kissed the top of her head. "It's common for teenagers to think they are right. I've been there a fair few times with girls in my classes. The main thing is you said no. For that you are a very smart girl. Mother and Father would have been furious."

"The way he shouted at me," Cynthia sobbed, "he said I was ungrateful and I would never be a real doe. He said he only loved me because he was tired of other does."

"Ela-Rah's Tail!" Huckers reacted. "A liar, a coward and a philanderer."

"What's a philanderer, Tiger-Lily?" asked Zinnia.

"I'll tell you when you're older," replied her sister patting her head.

Dandelion hopped up to Cynthia still hugging onto her older sister and he nuzzled her.

"It's okay, poppet," he consoled. "Uncle Dandelion knows a thing or do about naughty bunnies. Next time he sees that monster, he'll give him a good wallop in the teeth."

Cynthia turned to face Dandelion and Rosie allowed her to be held on his paws so she could hug him.

"You're far too good for him, Cinny," said Dandelion. "There's someone out there for everyone."

"Like Pipkin," she smiled.

Everyone looked at Pipkin.

"Love is quick," responded Thumper. "I don't understand why."

Cynthia physically gestured for Dandelion to put her down as she went to Pipkin as nuzzled him.

"If you're okay with it, Rosie?" Pipkin checked.

"Rosie smiled."

"Of course, Pippin," she accepted. "I know you are right for her after you rescued her yesterday."

"Oh brother," complained Jason. "Why are we watching Shakespeare when we should be following a new path?"

"Zip it, you!" I lectured. It was nice to see Pipkin smiling for once and I would not have him ruining everything, considering the fact he dissed his late parents.

Pipkin hopped up to Cynthia as Dandelion settled her back down to the ground.

"The plan is to wait until nightfall to see this new path on the ground nearly," Pipkin explained. "It'll strain out eyes if we follow it now."

"That's fine with me," smiled Cynthia as she nuzzled Pipkin gratefully.

We all sat around amusing ourselves in the best way we could; for a while me and Michael were playing a match with the new Rock, Paper Scissors version we improvised, Rosie was napping peacefully, Butterfly and Dragonfly were tumbling over each other blissfully, Thorn and Blackavar were fight practicing, Dandelion was scratching like mad against a tree (I was wondering why he was itching so much) while Hawkbit lay in a patch of sun smiling at a really rare time and Cynthia and Pipkin did fine; Cynthia leaning against Pipkin who was lying on his front and she was stroking his ears as he purred contentedly and smiling in the same way the old Pipkin did. It wonderful to see him back to normal, for it was Pipkin who made this bleak world seem brighter than it would be. As for Jason he seemed to be deep in thought and looking suspiciously confident. Considering what he did two years ago, giving Mr. Gorwood my whereabouts, I wondered what more he could do. But as a rabbit for just a few days I ought to convince myself there was nothing to worry about for his antics are nothing short of weak and hammy. At the same time I wanted to know what he was up to and yet he would probably not tell me knowing him.

"You needn't worry about SpongeBob No-Pants," assured Michael when we finished playing. "He's only a sixteen-year-old punk with no brains for plans to make you look like a git."

"It's more than that, Mike," I replied. "He's been acting suspicious ever since that incident about Pipkin's parents. Perhaps he's only just reflecting."

"Really?" reacted Michael at my thought. "I'm happy for him. The modern cave boy finally knows how to use his brain."

But then his face fell.

"Sorry, Leo. I sometimes carry banter too far. I didn't mean that."

"Apology accepted, man," I forgave. "Besides, you're worse off - you got a modern day cave man for a uncle who can't use his brain."

"Don't jeopardise my reputation, Barning," he smiled as he took me down. We both enjoyed a few moneys of tackling each other, me impersonating his uncle threatening to smack some respect into his face with Michael responding to find some manure to dunk my head in. Soon we both lay on the ground looking at each other.

"You know," I began, "I don't remember us hanging out together alone this much."

"Yeah," Michael agreed. "Growing up hurts, but then there's always the memories to look at and treasures and share to your grandchildren."

"Totally," I resounded. "They'd admire your detention history; pulling the fire alarm, sticking fliers of Miss Gnasher and Miss Holla exposed, chucking eggs at Edderdeen, smearing the substitute's car with mud, the glue in the Maths teacher's shoes, tripping your uncle and sending him into a heap of mud during PE, endless."

"School," sighed Michael longingly, "the funnest days of my life. Do you ever wish to go back to childhood, Leo? Just to relive childhood."

"That's a controversial question," I replied. "Life holds many wonders such as what the future brings, but there is a feeling I had for childhood, a warm feeling of safety, a cold breeze in the sunshine which you would actually love. Then the feeling of freedom while in school - probably;y the fact that we were still kids. Yes, I do feel it's all fading. Fiver is a brilliant friend and now he's a dad. It seems to have gone by so quick."

The mention of Fiver made me wonder how he was doing now. The whole group for that matter. Maybe they found Chestnut already? I was hoping so, only so we know Chestnut would be rescued from the dangers of the universe and live a happy life as a kitten. But with Larkpsur on this Earth it seems that innocence would end every early for him.

Fiver stood in thought as the sun was setting being the trees in the distance. Could Chestnut be behind the trees? The very end of the path that was now being show more visibly? Or would lead to Leo or Michael's group? In any case his questions would be answered very soon.

He snapped out of his thoughts and went to look for Hazel. He wasn't in his chamber when Fiver arrived but his sent was still there.

"Hazel?" Fiver called. "Bigwig? Campion? Spartina? Anyone?"

Their scents were there too. Where could they be?

Fiver hopped outside as the sky darkened and the white trinket starting beam as brightly as the path.

"Hazel?" Fiver was now shouting. "Where a - AAAAGGGGGGHHH!"

A black face with beak shot into his face and that was all he remembered before blacking out.