Vervain's new life Part 8

"Red Oak! Get over here! NOW!" Vervain shouted.

Because of the angry tone of his father, Oak submitted without a word and hopped to Vervain.

"You. Who are you and what are you doing with my son!?" Vervain hissed at the red-coated buck, still standing tall infront of him.

The buck didn't show much emotion on his face. He looked at Vervain from claws to ears, finally talking with a deep, stern voice.

"No need to be alarmed. I was looking for the warren of Weeping Willows. The kit told me I'm already here."

"Yes. You are." Vervain said, still standing ready to jump at the buck in case it made even one wrong move.

"Why were you looking for us?"

"My cousin lives here. I need to meet him about a fox-problem we have in the east." the red buck said.

"Foxes?" a voice behind Vervain said. Vervain didn't fret. He recognized the voice as Pinecone's. Now that he had a big buck beside him, Vervain moved in to take Oak in his teeth and took some steps back, away from the red coat.

"What is goin' on 'ere?" Pinecone asked, jumping between Vervain and the buck.

"There is a band of foxes in east that are over-hunting rabbits." the buck said. "But... foxes don't hunt in groups? And they usually eat mice and other smaller pray!" Vervain said between his teeth, while still holding Oak.

"That is why our chief told me to come here and warn everyone! Do you know a buck names "Pinecone"?" red fur said.

"Righ 'ere, what do ya need me for?" Cone asked.

"Ah, so you are..." the buck said, looking at Pine Cone from claws to ears like Vervain before.

"My name is Phlox. I'm son of Petunia." the buck finally introduced himself.

"Cousin Petunia?" Pine Cone gasped.

"Who?" Vervain asked.

"One of Unca-Rhizome's two daughters." Cone explained fast.

"Welcome home, Phlox my lad. Sorry you havta come for a thing like dis..."

Phlox shook his head calmly. "I always wanted to meet my grandfather, I quess this just gave me an excuse to do so..."

"Can we trust him?" Vervain asked, looking at Pine Cone for answer.

"According to Unca, Petunia was red-coated and had a diamond shape on her head, just like Phlox 'ere does! I think we can trust 'im!" Cone said.

"Fine..." Vervain sighed. He was nervious of letting an unknown buck just hop in, especially with young kits there. Oak looked up to his father, but didn't dare to say anything. He had never seen dad so mad before...

Little did the rabbits know that things would get ugly sooner than later...