'Sport.'" She hesitated. "Or is it the other way around?" The others shrugged. "Oh, it doesn't matter. Anyway, we're all here because the Breeder - the Farmer's Daughter - is too soft and kind to kill a rabbit in her barn unless it benefits the animal."
"How could death benefit an animal?" Bambi inturrupted, confused.

"Ol' Tomato," inturrupted Loki. The four temporarily fell silent, as if giving respect. "There was only one incident - a buck called Tomato. His teeth were very bad - they didn't line up right and grew too long for him to eat. She tried her best to keep him from starving, but eventually gave up and put him down. He would've starved if she hadn't."

"Oh." Bambi frowned. He kind of regretted asking.
"But anyway," Birdwood continued, "she takes us out and releases us after she gets us conditioned to be outside. We call it The Drop. Loki was sent to get the last three." She looked at the buck, who seemed unimpressed by admiration.

"I see," Bambi told her, thinking on this. "That's interesting. Do you suppose," he added quickly, "That you'd be interested in helping us, then?"
"With what?" Loki snorted. "Your military problem? No way."
Bambi looked taken aback. "How did you..."
"Everyone knows, prince," he told Bambi. "It spread like wildfire. Everything  knows."

"But we need more help," Bambi insisted.

"And what could a rabbit do, little prince? Bite? believe me, we're no good."

"Or spy," Birdwood said quietly. "Find out the plans of the enemy... keep an eye on the herd."

"No," Loki repeated. "That's my final answer."

Bambi raised his head. "I see." He turned to leave, and threw back, "Well, it was nice meeting you."

           Nacht's forest  

"Now, Skander," Nacht began, turning his head lazily to his son as he lounged in the sunny glade. Skander was surprised - he never imagined the great enemy Nacht just laying about lazily. "How do you feel about the does? Anything you're interested in?"

"Well, I..." Skander blinked. "I hadn't thought much of it. I mean... Why?"

"Well, you are my son," Nacht informed him. "Thus, I have the ability to give you any doe in the herd. Any buck who stands in your way can be punished on the pain of death." Skander nodded.

"Well, I've no preferences... I'd have to think about it." Skander told him. At that, Nacht nodded and stood.

"Very good. I, however," Nacht added, "Have business to attend to." He stopped suddenly. "And Skander?"

"Yes?" Skander looked up.

"How did that Herd know we were coming?" Nacht looked at his son.

"A... a hawk, sir."
"A hawk." He growled. "I see... I will take care of that."

Slavia

"So... they were from the Farm?" asked Salvia, blinking.

"Yes," Bambi told her. "I learned a good deal about that farm. Salvia, if the daughter of the farmer had found you, you would've been fine! From what I've heard of her, she's very nice."
"Is that so?" Salvia sounded rueful. "What a concept. Man, doing anything good for a deer..."
"She can't even kill her rabbits," Bambi replied. "She sounded gentle enough."
"Nothing about Man is gentle," Salvia insisted. "But nevermind that. Let's go, then. The rut's waiting."
Bambi nodded and followed the doe. He couldn't help but recognise she was quite pretty, and healthy as he'd seen a doe. He considered taking her, but didn't know how she'd feel about having another fawn. He decided he'd later ask.

Kaiser and co.

Kaiser looked around, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He didn't know what to do with all these bucks, all at once - it was more chaotic than battle because it was all directed at only one other buck, one focus, and a spirit of mirth. He'd never been such a part of it.
"I'm going across with the other does," Noir told him. "I'll keep you in sight in case I need you. Maple and I want to go talk to Rosehip." He nodded and nosed Noir.

"Be safe!" he bleated. "I do hope Rosehip will be okay."
As the two bounded off, with Leaf following - Kaiser had to admit, he'd been different since the battle, and he had become more loyal to Maple, less demanding - probably to be on-site in case either of them needed a buck who would protect them in a moment. Kaiser felt relieved that he was there, really. "You going to fight for that doe of your's?" a voice sounded beside Kaiser. He turned to see Gobo.
"Oh. Ahh..." Kaiser flicked an ear and hesitated. "If she needs me to, I suppose."
"Come on, Kaiser," Gobo laughed. "She's wonderful. You two have something good, you know. You'd be excellent parents - you'd be an excellent father, Kaiser. Fawns love you." Kaiser shrugged passively.

"I suppose..." he mumbled. "I don't want to do anything stupid though. This isn't the time to raise a fawn in - if we can't end this war quickly and cleanly - and let's face it, there's nothing clean in ending a war - they'll grow up in fear."

Gobo nodded. "You're right, but we have to go on, Kaiser. We can't halt life until Nacht is dead, otherwise the herd will die and he will have won." Kaiser flicked an ear.

"Suppose you have a point."
"Yup," Gobo said proudly, bounding off. He called over his shoulder, "Now go get her, Kaiser!"