It ended up being a far bigger home than Jack imagined it would be. It wasn't as grandiose as North's workshop, but it had two floors and plenty of open space for his animals to run free. The yetis had shown Jack many different designs, but it was the log cabin that won him over. He didn't need anything big and fancy, and a log cabin suited Jack's personality much more.

North did try to persuade Jack to go with the design of a mini ice castle, but he politely declined. The point of his new home was a place for his animals to roam happily in. He couldn't picture any of his creatures wanting to snuggle up in a giant ice cold throne...well, maybe Rime, she was a little vain. The owl had a habit of sitting on the tallest ledge to gaze down upon the rest of the 'peasants'.

Figuring out what furniture to have was also a bit tricky, however, Bunny and Sandy took over that role. Sandy gathered cushions he placed in various spots for the animals to curl up in, and a giant blue pillow big enough for them and Jack to sleep on together.

The Sandman knew Jack didn't feel comfortable sleeping in a normal bed. For the last few centuries, the boy had always used a nearby tree for a resting spot. Lately though, thanks to his new helpers, Jack had gotten into the habit of them all sleeping together in one big pile.

It seemed to make them feel more reassured they were safe to sleep, especially Gerda. Jack had to admit, it almost felt comforting to feel his back pressed against the large polar bear and to find a critter tucked against the knook of his knees and sides. Rime was the only one who didn't join in, but the owl seemed to take on the role of staying awake and acting as their watchmen while they slept.

Bunny's contributions had been to provide Jack with the basics he needed for a kitchen, which included many bowls of food for his animals. Bunny had silently dug a small tunnel in the floor for Gerda to make use for a burrow. This resulted in Jack teasing that Bunny was playing favorites, to which Bunny didn't seem to deny as he happily watch Gerda check out her new tunnel.

Yet, the Pooka wasn't alone in his favoritism. Tooth brought a couple of perches for Rime to sit on, and salt licks had mysteriously appeared for Snowflake after North had stopped by. Jack didn't mind though, it was like seeing grandparents spoil their grandkids.

It took a whole month, but finally they declared Jack's new home was finished. The winter spirit couldn't hide the happiness from his face. For 300 years, Jack had dealt and had been content with sleeping in trees and calling the pond his home. Now all of that had changed. Not only did he have a family, he had his own home. "

Thanks, guys," Jack said, as he walked around the main room and kept an eye on Vanilla as she tried to poke her nose into Gerda's burrow. "This is exactly what I needed."

North laughed as he patted Jack's shoulder. "No need to thank us, it is honor." Snowflake poked North's hand with his nose to ask for a pat and snorted happily when North did.

Tooth giggled as she looked the place over. "You should have plenty room here."

"I hope so," Jack replied as he scooped Vanilla up to stop bugging Gerda. "Although, if I keep getting more helpers, I'm going to need an ark."

Bunny's raised an eyebrow. "More helpers?"

"Well, yeah, I don't seem to have a choice if an animal decides to bond with me," Jack replied with a shrug.

Bunny snorted. "What do ya mean no choice? All ya have ta do is say 'no'."

"Oh, really?" Jack asked as he held Vanilla up to Bunny's face. "Can you possibly say 'no' to those big eyes." Vanilla seemed to choose that moment to neatly fold her paws together and innocently blink at him.

Bunny didn't seem to waver as he folded his arms and firmly said "No. See, not that hard."

Sandy rolled his eyes as he used his sand to point at Gerda.

Jack frowned and then nodded as he understood the meaning. "Yeah, you're right. I should've used Gerda instead."

North laughed as he ruffled Jack's hair. "Bah! You will be fine! Get as many animals as you need! Worse case we build extension!" North paused as he stroked his chin. "Well, suppose might be trouble if you bond with whale, but may be best to avoid the ocean."

Jack laughed as he happily stroked Vanilla's back. He hoped it wouldn't come to that, but surely at least he wouldn't be bonding with anymore animals for awhile.

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Jack knew he was doomed as soon as those big doe like eyes had landed upon him. He tried to pretend he didn't notice, but it was hard to ignore the creature as he continued to press his wet nose into Jack's palm.

It still was possible to ignore the dog, except he chose to whine and out of the corner of Jack's eye he caught the wagging of a tail. He sighed in defeat with a laugh.

"I'm really turning into a softie." He kneeled and gave the large white husky a pat on the hand, which seemed to make the dog's day as he leaned into Jack's hand.

"Bit touched starved, eh?" Jack asked with a half smile. "I know what that's like."

The winter spirit was only passing through New York to give it a gentle snowfall, and had stopped at a bench to catch his breath. He had spotted the dog rummaging through trash cans, and out of pity, Jack let it have the peanut butter cookie he had swipe earlier from North's. He should have known that would have perked the dog's interest in him.

He looked over husky, and could tell right away he was a stray. He was in dire need of a bath, and was too skinny to Jack's liking. There was no sign of a collar on him either. He checked his ears for any marking or tattoos that would indicate he did belonged to someone, but found nothing.

Jack chewed his bottom lip. He already did have enough animals, however he couldn't leave the poor fella on his own, especially when it started to lean into Jack for a cuddle.

"Real affectionate too, aren't you?" Jack replied, and ran a hand through his hair.

He could drop it off at an animal shelter, but he could feel the tingle of the magic that was binding the dog to him.

"Bunny's going to kill me, he hates dogs," Jack told the husky with a laugh as he gently held the husky by his muzzle to look into his eyes. "But you want to come with me?"

The husky barked, and enthusiastically wagged his tail.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." He folded his arms in thought. "So, for a name...how about Balto?" Balto was a famous husky that helped saved children in Nome, Alaska from a diphtheria epidemic by bringing them medicine. It seemed only fitting to name a dog, that was going to be a helper to a Guardian, after another dog that had protected children.

The husky barked, which Jack assumed meant he accepted the name.

"Then let's get you home," Jack said as he took to the air, "so I can give you a good bath and fatten you up a bit." Geez, he was starting to sound like North, wasn't he?

Balto remained still as he tilted his head, and for a moment the boy thought he would need to give his new pet a hand. He was proven wrong as Balto suddenly jumped into the air and joined him on the wind. Balto barked happily as it flew ahead of Jack, and beckoned for his new owner to follow.

"Hey, wait up!" Jack laughed as he flew to catch up. At the rate Jack was going, maybe he really did need at arc.

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"Sit!" Bunny instructed and pointed to the ground for the third time.

Marshmallow growled, and responded with a stubborn glare.

"Look, ya want the treat?" Bunny said as he held up the fish. "Ya got ta earn it! So SIT!"

Marshmallow looked to the fish as if debating it was worth the dignity. After a minute of deciding, Marshmallow sat with a hard thump to the ground.

"Good girl!" Bunny said as he tossed the fish to her. "I just wish CERTAIN other animals were as willing."

Vanilla glanced up from the rock she chose to perch on as she cleaned her paws and turned his back to him.

Bunny rolled his eyes and glanced over to ensure Gerda, Snowflake and Rime weren't getting into trouble. He was starting to wonder if training the animals in his Warren was a good idea.

Rime kept eyeing his googies like they were a meal on wheels, Marshmallow kept wandering off, and he didn't want to know the kind of trouble Vanilla was getting into with his back turned.

Nevertheless, the animals needed training, and Jack had to go to catch some towns up on much needed snowfalls. Given the choice of staying up in the cold, bone numbing North Pole or doing it in his warm Warren, Bunny chose the later.

"Just hope Frostbite gets back soon," Bunny muttered as he watched Snowflake nibbled at some plants. "Kind of pointless if he doesn't see how I'm training…" He trailed off as he suddenly noticed he had a missing member of the animal crew. "Wait a tic, where's Balto-"

BARK!

Bunny jumped as he whirled around. Balto greeted him as he wagged his tail and proudly showed off the stick he found to chew on.

The Pooka snarled. Why, out of all the animals, did Jack had to bond with a dog? Bunny didn't hate them, but didn't change the fact they had a habit of waiting to chase him. Balto hadn't shown any interest yet, still the pooch had a habit of sneaking up on him.

"I know ya do that on purpose," Bunny said as he pointed a finger at him.

Balto then rolled onto his back, hoping for a belly rub with the innocence of a newborn pup.

"That may suck Jack in, but it won't work on me," Bunny told it firmly.

"Bunny! I'm here!" Jack voiced echoed throughout the Warren.

"About time!" Bunny responded as he headed towards the voice. "I was wonderin' what took ya so long…" The words were left forgotten in Bunny's mouth. Jack was sitting on the grass as he dangled his staff at a snow leopard cub who was doing it's best to catch it.

"So," Jack started slowly and gestured to the cub. "This is Blizzard-"

"Jack, no," Bunny said, firmly and he stepped towards them.

"You don't even know what I'm going to say," Jack asked as he continued to dangle his staff in front of the cub.

"I do know and, no, ya can't have a snow leopard!" Bunny said. "Yer were already pushin' it with the polar bear, and the husky I might add."

Jack gave a wince. "I don't have much of a choice, he's already bonded to me." The cub then growled and pounced into Jack's lap.

"Besides," Jack said softly as he stroked the cub's head, "there's no one else to look after him."

Bunny's gaze softened. "His mother…"

"Poachers," Jack said in a dark tone, "I was flying by, and noticed them attacking her and Blizzard. So, I swooped in and had the wind scare them off, but I was too late to save her."

Blizzard purred happily and gave Jack an affectionate lick. "He won't survive on his own, and well, I suppose I could train him to go back into the wild, but I think that would break his heart. Besides, do you really want a flying snow leopard wandering around-"

"Alright, alright, I won't argue," Bunny said. Although, truthfully he knew it was a lost battle the minute the critter had bonded with Jack. "So, ya gonna ta name him Blizzard?"

"Yup," Jack confirmed, as Blizzard hopped out of his lap to explore, "and I promise he should be the last one for a while." He rubbed his neck. "Well, him and Crystal to be precise."

"Crystal?" Bunny said as he glanced around, fearing he was about to see an elephant or some other giant animal appear. "Who's Crystal-"

He was cut off as a group of eggs came running at top speed out of the bushes as if they were fearing their lives. A second later, a white blur darted between Bunny's legs, and successfully tackled one of the eggs to the ground. Bunny blinked as the white blur went still and saw it was an arctic ferret. The critter sniffed over it's prize as the egg instantly went limp and became a normal egg upon capture.

"There you are, Crystal," Jack said as he scooped the ferret up, along with it's prize into his lap. "Was wondering where you ran off to, girl."

Crystal hugged the egg to her chest, making it very clear it was her precious now, and no one could have it.

Bunny sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "And here I was worrying about the owl."