Bonjour guys! Alright so I know I should be working on posting the next chapter of Sing Me To Sleep but I just couldn't help myself! The plot bunnies begged me to right this! They just kept breeding and breeding and I was going insane! Eventually I have up and began writhing this~

I admit, I wasn't awesome enough to actually think and plot all this out by myself ;(

I had help from a very good friend of mine, Poxy Kirkman, who inspired me to write this! She's an amazing person for putting up with my childishness and she is an even better author! Check out her RotG stories, they're really good!

Here's a little secret, I like calling her Mama Bunny and as such the mother Pooka, Rebbecca, in this story is based off her XP Just a little tidbit of information I thought you should know :D

Thank you Mama Bunny and all my wonderful reviewers for encouraging me!

Without further ado~~

Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians or any of its characters! Otherwise I would hog all the characters to myself, never to see the light again! They'd be mine! Lol, just joking~ (Maybe...)

The Pooka massacre happened in the year 600. The day had been a sunny one, clear skies and crisp summer air. Birds had been happily singing in the trees and wild deer grazed happily in the empty fields near the Pooka village.

It was July 13, 600 to be exact. The recently assigned tribe leader, a Pooka going by the name of Aster Bunnymund, had been given the tribe leader's tattoos that day. The fur was shaved off where the tattoos would be and then the ink had been implanted into the cells that made up a Aster's fur so that when the fur would grow back it wouldn't be the same light grey but a darker blue. The procedure was long and painful and Aster had passed out mid-way. By midday the procedure, being done by the most trusted of the royal family, was finished and Aster had been placed in his warm burrow in the middle of the village, as most of the royal family's home was placed in the center, to rest.

That very night, the minute the shadows had come out and the new moon came out, deadly Nightmares full of ill intent burned down the entire village to a crisp. The peaceful valley where the Pooka had once resided in was charred black and splattered red with the blood of innocents. The birds had long since flown away in panic and some of the peaceful deer had been caught in the crossfire. Pooka weapons and nightmare sand littered the once green grass and cackling laughter filled the empty silence.

Miles away, a small figure ran through the forest. Sobs escaped her mouth. A trail of still warm blood followed after her limping form. Only after a substantial amount of distance had been placed between the village an herself did the figure finally rest her exhausted form in a small cave. The figure was a beautiful female Pooka. Her slightly singed fur was an overall light brown with patches of light gold and a darker brown, tinged red, placed randomly throughout her body. The same reddish, dark brown fur covered her front paws and her feet along with the tips of her long ears. Her eyes, at the moment wide and filled with fear, were a light hazel with green edges and a silver ring around the pupil.

She leaned against the cave wall, growing in pain and sadness, tears falling from her whiskers as she trembled. Her bloody leg, where a Nightmare's sharp teeth had bitten into, was stretched out in front of her. She was the tribe leader's mate. Or had been. She'd also been with his kits. She clutched her stomach as she watched with despair as blood flowed down between her legs, matting the fur there even further.

That night Rebbecca Bunnymund had nine kits. By morning only one was still breathing. She buried the eight that had been born quiet and still as best as she could with her damaged right leg. She cradled the little kit, premature and smaller than a Pooka kit should be, to her chest as she once again leaned against the cave wall. She studied her and Aster's kit. She was only a bundle of black fur. Upon closer inspection the little female had silver swirls of fur on her hips. Her chest was silver, the same color fur growing in a 'v' shape, stopping as it reached her belly button. Silver covered her front paws, feet, and the tips of her ears. Said ears were plastered against her back as she tried to stay warm.

Rebbecca just held the kit gently as she watched the sun set once more. How could she hope to raise a kit? Pookas aged differently than humans and other animals. Fifty human years was but one Pooka year. This being the main reason why Pooka kits were raised surrounded by other Pooka parents as well as their own. It truly took a village to raise a Pooka kit. How could she, the last Pooka, even think of being able to raise a kit? Without even a mate to help her?

Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of her mate. He'd been sleeping when the attack happened. He was dead. When she saw their burrow had been reduced to ashes, she'd run to the forest, trying to forget the shouts of fear and pain around her. She'd been a coward. She gripped the bundle of fluff closer to her, barely registering when the kit began to breast feed. Poor little ankle biter. She'd grow up without a family. Without a father.

She glanced down once more, gasping slightly as the kit finally opened her eyes. Her kits eyes... They were a a dark green, darker than her fathers but the resemblance was there. A silver circle surrounded her pupil. Joyce. Aster had wanted a little girl named Joyce. With a determined look Becca stood and walked deeper into the forest. July 14, 600. "Your kit was born July 14, 600..." Her whisper was carried by the winds.

By nightfall she had arrived at her destination. A small hut near the ocean. She trudged up to it, feeling weary as she knocked. She glanced down at Joyce who stared back up at her. Her kit was almost unnaturally quiet. The only noise she had made was when she had been born. Becca was starting to worry. She didn't get to worry long however when the door was opened and the being who opened it gasped.

"Becca! What happened? Oh my, hurry in! I just set the bath, lets get you cleaned up!" The worried voice belonged to a tall woman, reaching Becca's own height of 5"8. She looked human with pure colored golden hair, the color of the sun, reaching her waist. She was shapely with doe like brown green eyes resembling the lush forests and skin bronzed from exposure to the sun. She wore a silk light green dress with darker green leaves sewn on. A crown made of thin vines and flowers rested on her golden locks and her feet were bare. She ushered Becca inside, mindful of her leg, and guided her towards her bathroom. Once the door was shut behind them did Becca begin to protest.

"Molly! Hold on, I can't get Joyce wet!" Becca indicated to the little ball of fluff that was her kit, Molly finally noticing the small Pooka. She raised her hands to her mouth in surprise. She gently took Joyce, cradling her as she helped Becca into the warm water. Becca kept an eye on Joyce as she sat in the water, watching it slowly turn pink from the blood coating her. Molly, better known as Mother Nature, sat near the tub with Joyce in her arms. She seemed completely surprised with the little kit.

"I thought you weren't due for another few weeks..." She spoke quietly as she stared at Becca who clenched her eyes shut.

"The village was attacked." Becca ignored Molly's horrified gasp as she scrubbed at the blood clinging to her fur, wincing as she reached her leg. The Nightmare had gotten her good. Three jagged gashes reaching from her knee and winding around her calf only to end near the top of her foot stared back at her.

"Nightmares burned down the buildings and attacked the others. No one survived." Becca didn't say anything else as she continued scrubbing away the blood and grime that had collected in her fur. She washed her face with the soap placed nearby before standing up. She hated getting her fur wet, she grabbed the towel handed to her by Molly and dried herself off as best as she could. She glared at the once clean water as she sat down next to Molly. She glanced at her long time friend. Molly was crying silently, petting the fluffy fur on Joyce's head.

By nightfall Molly had bandaged her leg nice and tight and Becca had been forced into one of Mother Nature's guest rooms and into the bed. Personally Becca preferred nests but as she held the newly washed Joyce, who hadn't taken to water at all, she felt comforted to be surrounded by the warm sheets. Molly scurried into the room with a tray in her hands. Her usually happy and bright eyes were puffy an red from crying but she smiled nonetheless as she sat down in a chair near the bed. She placed the tray on Becca's lap, taking the sleeping Joyce into her arms. Becca stared down at the warm carrot soup in front of her. Aster had loved carrot soup the most. She jerked when she felt a warm hand on her fur. She stared at the sympathetic eyes of Molly and returned her attention to the soup, taking a careful sip.

"She has Aster's eyes" Becca didn't respond as she sipped the soup once more, eyes watering. "She has his attitude as well. All quiet and tough." Becca pretended not to notice how Molly's voice wavered. "I wonder if she'll have his love for your art skills. Remember those sentinels you built him? He had them placed in front of the village, telling everyone about how amazing you were at carving. He was so good to you. He would've been a great father." Silence reigned as they both let tears fall from their faces.

"You sure about this?" Molly asked Becca who smiled at her friends concern in return. She and Joyce had stayed at Molly's for over a month, healing her leg and just resting from the whole ordeal. Molly had been a real sweetheart, caring for both her and Joyce. She's even begun calling herself Joyce's Aunt. Rebbecca didn't argue whenever Molly told the little kit to call her Auntie, she would just watch on with a smile. After all Molly and her had been friends for centuries, who else would be the Aunt of her precious little ankle biter?

"'Course! A change of scenery would do me good, I'm goin' to give it a burl at the very least" Rebbecca had been thinking about this decision since Joyce had been born. Australia was wonderful, she loved it and all but... So had Aster and all the other Pookas. Friends and family alike. The continent just across the ocean didn't seem too bad and she needed to start building a burrow for the winter months. She glanced down at Joyce who held a little plush toy, which was almost bigger than she was, tightly to her chest. Molly had hand made it the first week they had stayed with her. The cloth used was handmade and stuffed with cotton from Molly's own cotton fields. It was in the shape of a black bunny with green buttons for eyes. Joyce simply adored it.

Molly bit her worried her lip before wrapping a soft green scarf around Becca's neck and placing a smaller and fluffier white one around Joyce's neck. She then picked up the small sack next to her and placed it in Becca's arms, careful that Joyce would still be comfortable. Becca blinked at her in curiosity, eyes flickering from the bag to Molly. The blonde haired woman just smiled brightly.

"I packed you guys a blanket to keep you warm, vegetable seeds to start a garden in the summer, and a jar of recently cut up carrots." Becca rolled her eyes as Molly reached up and tugged gently at her fur covered ear affectionately. "I'm leaving you in North Wind's arms, alright? She'll make sure to carry you and my darling little niece across the ocean safely. By the way, I'm stopping by next summer to see how you guys are!" Molly ended up yelling out the rest as the North Wind swept Becca and Joyce up. Becca waved goodbye as she was carried away, eyes wide with happiness as Joyce shared her sentiments. Aster would have had a heart attack at being so high up...

Becca sobered up at the thought immediately as she stared down at Joyce. She allowed a small smile To worm its way onto her face when the little kit tugged on her mother's whiskers gently. Becca looked up at the bright blue sky with a soft look on her face. "Aster, your little ankle biter loves heights more than you ever did. She's so adorable. I wish you could've been able to see her, she's a real beaut..."

The chilly air caused her to shiver slightly, making her glad for her thick fur, as her feet touched the soft grass. North Wind had dropped her and Joyce off in a small field. The grass was a foot tall with colorful wild flowers hidden within. Nearby was a large lake and surrounding that was miles and miles of forest. With her superior, compared to humans and other animals, hearing Becca could hear the feral animals that lingered in the forestry around them. "That was one hell of a ride, eh Joyce?" Becca sent a wide grin down at the little kit who looked up at her, curiosity shining in her green eyes as she hugged the little plush toy even closer to her chest.

Becca headed towards the strongest looking tree nearest the field; a very tall and very old looking oak tree. She sniffed the air around the tree, making sure no other animal had come by recently and smiled when the answer was a negative. She placed Joyce, who didn't seem to mind the cold as much as her mother, against the tree with her bunny toy and the bag with their supplies. After making sure Joyce would be entertained she scurried around for some dry grass and sticks to start a nice, warm fire.

Joyce watched, calm and silent, as Becca placed a small log on the fire she had made a few feet away from the base of the tree. With a tired sigh Becca scrutinized the oak Joyce was leaning against. It looked sturdy enough to build a burrow under it. She glanced at her leg. It was completely healed, though the gashes would forever be scars. Her fur refused to grow where the gashes once were. With another sigh Becca opened the bag with their supplies, pushing aside a few bags of seeds and the jar of carrots. She moved the blanket Molly had mentioned into the shape of a small nest inside the bag and placed a sleeping Joyce in it. She placed the bag near enough to the bush telly to feel the warmth but far away enough so that Joyce wouldn't get burned. She stretched and then crouched, claws ready to tear the dirt out and make their burrow.

It took a whole week to complete their burrow. The entrance was at the base of the old oak tree. Becca had to crawl a few feet before the tunnel opened up to about six feet tall and twenty feet wide. In the corner Becca had made a large nest for her and Joyce to sleep in. It was mostly made of a few soft feeling vines, random amounts of dry grass, colorful bird feathers Joyce loved playing with, random pieces of cloth, and a fair amount of soft brown fur to keep it soft and warm. The blanket Molly had supplied them with was a large brown blanket, thick and extremely fuzzy. The blanket now covered their nest, a small, black plush toy rabbit laying on top, waiting to be of use during the cold winter nights that would follow.

A small tunnel, almost unnoticeable, was off to the side. It continued for a few feet before opening up to a small room where Becca had begun, and would continue to over the years, to store large amounts of food away for the Winter months. She'd found a few non-poisonous berry bushes that she'd picked completely clean near the burrow. Among the many berries Becca had collected, she'd also gathered tasty wild flowers, a pile of dry grass, a few handfuls of twigs, edible roots, and small pieces of bark. While it wasn't much, it would be plenty enough to keep both her and Joyce fed throughout the cold months that followed.

It was 1619 when it happened. Joyce had just recently turned 1019. In Pooka years, Joyce was still pretty young. Just a little over ten years old. The once little ball of fluff had grown to the size of a young 4"2 doe. She was still small for a Pooka kit but Becca loved her all the same.

Yes, she'd seen a few humans passing by near her home but the humans that had begun building their homes just mere miles from where her and Joyce's burrow were different. The difference with the native humans and the humans that came off of the ships to settle nearby was the fact that the native humans actually respected the forest. They took care of the animals and the plants, the humans that had begun chopping down trees to build homes however were the complete opposite. They made so much noise, the chopping of axes and the cries of their young bothered her sensitive hearing.

Upon realizing the humans were building a settlement, Becca had been forced to cover her small garden and the entrance of her burrow with vines and shrubbery. She didn't want any of the loud humans to find her burrow and try to eat her, or Joyce. The little kit was so curious of the humans, Becca found it both endearing and frustrating. Joyce had tried to sneak out of the burrow to see the humans on more than one occasion and Becca would just not have it.

To keep her kit occupied she made her help her pick all the vegetables for the fast nearing winter. Becca paused in plucking the carrot from the ground, Joyce sneakily munching on a piece of lettuce. She turned her gaze in the direction of the settlement. Why would they try to settle down when winter was so fast approaching? Becca shook her head sadly as she carried Joyce and the last of the vegetables underground, no doubt that many of those humans would die with the coming snow.

At first it was subtle, just little things. Becca didn't even realize it at first. After a few years she finally understood. Joyce had managed to sneak out and watch the humans. How did she know? Joyce's change in speech. The Pooka were native to Australia and as such had an Australian accent. Joyce, however, didn't have much of an accent. In her early years she did, but now? The adorable little accent was barely there. She spoke like the English humans. Becca didn't know why she wasn't upset. Shouldn't she? Joyce was watching humans! What if she got caught, or even worse, hurt? She glanced at Joyce who was curled up in her own nest, only a foot away from her own, and shook her head. If Joyce wanted to study the mannerisms of humans than who was Becca to stop her? Joyce found happiness in learning from the settlers, if Joyce was content, then Becca would allow her to continue sneaking off. With a silent sigh, Becca turned over and curled up tight, letting herself fall into unconsciousness.

Joyce slipped out of the burrow in the morning. She stretched her paws over her tall ears and grinned. It was 1700. The summer air around her made her happy. One thousand, one hundred years old today. She was officially eleven years old. Since her last birthday, her tenth birthday being in 1600, she'd grown three inches. She was now 4"5 and extremely proud of the fact.

Her Ma had given her a black piece of surprisingly strong cloth to tie around her waist and matching pieces to tie around her biceps for her birthday. Her Ma had managed to get Aunt Molly to use some of her nature magic so that the cloth would never age or break. She wore that now. As an extra birthday present, her mother had given her permission to hang out near the human village today. As long as Joyce brought a small silver dagger, which she hung on the strap of leather around her left bicep, 'just in case'. Joyce had gone along with it, surprised at actually being able to visit the human village without having to sneak out and even more surprise that her Ma had given her a dagger. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, her aunt Molly always said and as such Joyce had just thanked her Ma and scurried off into the woods at daybreak.

She was in the outskirts of town, chewing on a carrot she had found when the noise had reached her ears. Blinking, she paused and swiveled her ears in the direction in which the sound had first come from. There! There it was again! A sad and almost painful sound it was. The sound only a child could make. Joyce glanced towards the direction of the village before sighing as she dropped down on all fours and began hopping towards the noise.

She stilled, hidden behind a tree, as she eyed the child nearby. A small boy, around the age of six measly human years, standing at around 3"2. He was leaning against a tree, his small hands fisted and rubbing away at his eyes. He had scruffy looking brown hair, not fur, a fact that always made her curious. His skin was tanned and he wore a pair of brown breeches, a button up brown shirt that had dirt smudges in it, and a dark brown coat with matching leather shoes. He was upset, that much was certain, his sobs filled the otherwise quiet forest. She could smell the sadness rolling off him in ways, the saltiness of his tears filled the air and all she could do was stare at him silently. She had never revealed herself to a human, they'd most likely be frightened at seeing her and she didn't want to risk endangering her or her Ma.

But, he just seemed so sad and Joyce never liked to see anyone sad or even worse, crying. It was a weakness of hers. Said weakness usually made her feel like a sook. With a sigh of defeat she gave a small hop forwards, revealing herself to the boy. A few minutes passed, her awkwardly shuffling her large feet and the boy still crying. At last he seemed to notice her and his tears slowed as he looked at her with wide brown eyes, as warm and colorful as chocolate, his mouth slack jawed. Joyce lowered her ears, feeling slightly self conscious or rather bodgy as her Ma would say.

"A-are you the Easter Bunny?" The question caught her off guard as the boy stood up silently, a wide smile on his face as he rubbed at the remaining years on his cheeks. Joyce stayed quiet. Who was the Easter Bunny? At last she just shook her head negative. The boy seemed a bit saddened before brightening up once more. "I'm Jack. Jack Overland. Who are you?" Joyce sat back on her hunches surprised at how at ease the boy seemed. She smiled softly, nose twitching in humor.

"I'm Joyce. Joyce Bunnymund." She tilted her head slightly when the bow gave a clumsy bow.

"My Ma says its polite to bow to a lady." He explained scratching the back o his neck nervously. She giggled at him. Humans were so cute! She stood and copied the movements she'd seen the females in the village do, curtsied it was called, before settling back once more on her hunches. He just smiled brightly. "Are you really a bunny?" He seemed so excited and Joyce didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise so she just nodded.

"Cool! Can I pet your ears?!" He was like a ball of energy, this boy was! She giggled again as she gave a soft nod. He practically bounded towards her, eyes twinkling with happiness as he raised a small hand to touch her ear. The movement was clumsy and awkward but he soon got the hang of it. Joyce closed her eyes in contentment at the feel of the boy's hands running over the fur on her head and ears. She eventually let out a low purr of contentment that spurred the boy on further. It was pure heaven.

A while after found Jack sitting against the same tree he had been before with Joyce, who just couldn't seem to say no to the boy's puppy dog eyes, laying down with her head on the smaller boy's lap. His hands continued to play with her fur and after a while Joyce looked up, meeting his delighted gaze. "Why were you crying before?" The question had been bothering her since she had heard him crying. At he question his hands stilled and he looked away.

"I have a little sis. Jill. She always cries and she doesn't do anything! My mama and papa love her more than me. They always pay attention to her and when she does something wrong all they do is smile but if I do something wrong I get punished! It's not fair!" At some point the boy's, no, Jack's eyes ha begun to water one more and Joyce momentarily panicked before remembering what her Ma did when she was upset.

She leaned upwards until her wet, pink colored nose touched Jack's temple and she snuffled the side of his face and the part of hair she could reach from the awkward angle she was in. Jack's cries immediately turned to gleeful giggles as her whiskers tickled his face.

"Don't worry. I bet your parents love you just the same as your sis. You'll be apples, alright? And if it helps I'll be your friend!" While her mother believed she lost her Aussie accent, it was still there. She tended to speak more in Aussie terms when passionate about something. Jack gave a quiet sniff, looking down at her as she once again settled in his lap.

"You really think so?" He asked curiously, hands returning to petting her fur. She gave a small hum in acknowledgment. She opened her green eyes and winked.

"I don't think so ya lil' Brumby. I know so." Her answer seemed to satisfy him as he gave a swift nod before scrunching his brow in concentration.

"What's a brumby?" He finally asked, giving up on apparently figuring it out by himself. Joyce blinked, oh right, Jack was a Seppo not an Aussie.

"A brumby is a wild horse Jackie." She answered as she crossed her arms in front of her. "You're a little wild horse, my little wild horse. You're one of my friends now Jackie." Jack blinked, eyes wide with happiness.

"You're my friend?" He seemed so excited at the mere thought and she rolled her eyes, nodding as he smiled brightly.

"I'm your best friend." She smiled, closing her eyes as she breathed in his scent, doing her best to remember it. After all he was her corker now. Her best friend.

"Hey Joyce." She opened her eyes, meeting his brown eyes that had watered slightly. She almost panicked once more had it not been for the smile on the others face. "You're my best friend..."

By the time noon had rolled in, sun peaking high above in the blue sky, she had led him back to the village, promising to see him soon while still making sure not to be seen by any other human. She headed home after that. Her Ma would worry if she didn't get back soon.

Alright, before anyone rips their hair out in frustration, if you don't understand certain terms or words in this chapter it's because the sterns and certain words are Australian. XP Im trying my hand in Australian sayings since Pooka, at least in my story, come from Australia. If anyone is curious on what they mean then just send me a PM with what you don't understand and I'll tell you. :)

If some people believe I should loosen up in all the Aussie words then just tell me alright? No flames, if you don't like it then don't read it!

So... What do you guys think? Was it good? Was it bad? Should I even bother continuing it? Ahhh! XD

Leave a review and tell me what you think!

Oh and tell me who you think Joyce should end up with! Becca is obviously ending up with Aster but Joyce on the other hand I'm kinda torn. Choices you have are:

Jack Frost

Pitch Black

Another OC

Other RotG character?

Love you all!

Edit;; I fixed most of the Aussie sayings and editted a few things ^_^ I think it is much easier to read and under stand now.

HerHiddenSecret~~~