Thank for all the lovely reviews, my darlings! If there's anything wrong with this chapter it's because I'm half asleep and I didn't bother editing it. I'll check over it soon, though (hopefully). Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN RISE OF THE GUARDIANS OR ITS CHARACTERS.

Everything was so hot. He could barely breathe, he needed fresh air, and every breath he heaved was muggy and scorched his lungs. Burning fingers caressed his hips and moved down his legs, making the innocent boy gasp and wriggle, only to be pulled back into place. He felt hot lips suck just above his collarbone and bite down harshly. He yelped and whimpered; letting tears of shame and pain finally streak his fevered flesh. Out of the corner of his eye he was his staff, just out of reach. It had been only a couple of weeks since he'd fixed it, and apparently Pitch wasn't going to bother breaking it again. If he could just reach it… Maybe he could escape; maybe he did have some hope of getting away. He stretched out his arm desperately, but it was wrenched behind his back threateningly. His staff… If only he had his staff…

"My staff!" Jack gasped, blue eyes snapping open. Arms shooting out, his fingers clenched the air, trying to find his shepherd's crook. He sprang up when he realized nothing was there. Bad idea. Blazing pain shot up and down his limbs. The colors of the room swam and swayed a bit, his head throbbing and his ears ringing. He collapsed to the floor and sniffled sadly. His staff was his main source of power, without it- especially in this state- he wasn't much more than helpless. He hated being helpless. For 300 years he had to work his hardest to not be helpless. The boy sighed forlornly, curling into a ball and laying his head on his knees.

Bunny was in the kitchen chopping carrots and celery when he heard the shout. He hadn't exactly understood what was said, but he knew it was Jack and he knew the boy was scared. In panic he dropped his knife, and it would've sliced his foot open had he not shot off like a bullet in the direction of the bedroom.

When the Pooka arrived he immediately strode over to Jack and put a paw on his shoulder. The winter spirit peeked up at him, hesitantly.

"Bunny…"

"No, it's the leprechaun", Aster smirked. He playfully ruffled the teen's hair; relieved to know the boy was unhurt (or, not hurt more). Jack offered a small chuckle before suddenly turning serious.

"Bunny, I need my staff", he informed him. Aster's brow furrowed. He'd completely forgotten about the staff, the only thing on his mind had been Jack's safety; he'd totally neglected looking for it.

"Do ya know where it is?"

"It's… at the lake, I think. U-unless Pitch…" Jack looked worried now, and frightened. Bunny quickly took both of Jack's hands in his paws massaged them affectionately. He shushed him sweetly before brainstorming briefly. He could just go get it, but that would leave Jack all alone. However, if Jack came with him the boy could reopen a wound or collapse or run a fever… The list went on. He very well couldn't leave the staff at the lake, because if Pitch new where it was he could take it, and that would make even more trouble for Jack. In the end, Aster decided it would be alright to leave Jack alone for just a few minutes while he retrieved the weapon.

"Alright Jackie, I'll go get your staff, okay?" He smiled encouragingly at the boy.

"You stay here and rest"

"NO!" Jack cried, suddenly flinging his arms around the Pooka and holding on for dear life. "P-pitch will know I told! He'll try to… t-to kill you!" It was then Bunny felt dampness on his fur and noticed Jack was crying. Sighing softly, he stroked the boy's hair and wiped away his tears.

"Aw, Jackie, you really think that old grump's fast enough for me?" He tilted Jack's chin up lightly to look him in the eyes. "I'll be right back, I promise. I'll be quick as a bunny."

Jack loosened his grip hesitantly. He glanced down at the floor in thought for a moment before lifting his head with a small smile. He trusted his Bunny.

"Okay." Something caught the boy's eye and he suddenly turned away from Aster. "Hey… Isn't that the Northern Lights…?" He felt oncoming anxiety and went back to clinging to Bunny. What if Pitch did know what he did? What if he was already attacking the other Guardians? 'No, no, no, no, no!' he thought, curling against the furry chest.

"Hey, hey, calm down", cooed Bunny. "North's probably just runnin' a little behind and needs some help. He does that sometimes. Now, stay here and try to get some sleep. I'll be back soon." Kissing the winter sprites head once more, he stood up and tapped his feet on the ground twice. Jack watched him go with a more than slightly worried face, but didn't protest.

After Jack had become a Guardian, North made it a routine to check weather patterns. He knew if jack was upset or hurt there'd be uncontrollable blizzards and heavy snow. When he was weak or resting the weather was warmer when it wasn't supposed to be. North made sure he tracked every snowstorm, observed every odd hail pattern, because cared for Jack. In fact, he was the boy as a son. So, it'd be rather easy to believe he was concerned when he didn't have time to check because of the elves and a toy-train accident setting the workshop back a few months. Eventually, though, he did get around to checking. Unfortunately, what he say sent shock and fear shooting through his veins.

The weather had been crazy with blizzards and hail storms. It'd been happening for months at random times before it just…Stopped. Completely. Even the temperature had gotten warmer, and in the middle of autumn, too! Needless to say, this was very, very bad.

That's what led Tooth, Sandy, and North to be in the globe room. Anxiety seemed to squeeze the room to a suffocating size. It'd been three whole hours since North had sent out his help signal. Right now said man was pacing back and forth quickly, muttering now and then in Russian. Tooth, between giving our orders to her minis, flittered around nervously. Even Sandy couldn't stay still, downing a rather unhealthy amount of eggnog (it probably didn't help that the drink was probably spiked). He was on his eighth cup when North finally spoke up.

"That's it. We can't wait. We are going to get Bunny and look for Jack."

When they got to the Warren, they were rather surprised to not see Bunny there. Usually he was knee deep in googies and dye, no doubt trying to out-do his own previous performances. Today it was oddly quiet. One or two eggs scuttled around, but for the most part it was empty and unproductive. The three decided to head over to the main part of Bunny's Warren where this was a little cottage he stayed in.

Jack suddenly woke to a hard rapping on the door. He gasped and shot up like a bullet. His first thought was that Pitch had found him. He was freaking out when a calm, rational thought said 'Pitch wouldn't knock, he'd go for the element of surprise and barge right in'. That settled him and figured Bunny was back and just knocking as to not scare him by just coming on in. So, he opened the door for who he thought would be Aster.

"JACK!?" The Tooth Fairy and North exclaimed in unison, and Sandy made a snowflake over his head. Startled, said boy jumped back, jostling his injuries and making him groan. The three immediately went to comfort him.

"There there, мой мальчик*" North soothed as he wrapped an arm around the boy to keep him from falling.

"Jack, what happened?!" Tooth asked.

"Did you and Bunny get in a fight? I swear-" North growled angrily, but Jack cut him off.

"No! T-that's not what happened…" He wriggled out of his elder's touch and backed up slightly, not enjoying the smothering feeling of these questions.

"Then what happened?"

"Please tell us, we need to know."

"Where is Bunny? Why'd he leave you here alone?" Tears gathering in his eyes, Jack pushed his way outside, away from the burning inquiries and rapid-moving dreamsand. Fresh air was gulped greedily by the white-haired teen. But his relief was short lived when he saw the others drawing nearer to him. His knees gave out on him and he dropped to the grassy ground and covered his ears, tears now streaming freely down his pale face. He wanted Bunny. He wanted to be safe and not hurt and not bombarded with questions. If only Aster were here…

"HEY!"

The sudden shout made the four Guardians jump, and they turned around to see a very pissed Bunny, ready to pounce on all fours with a staff lying by his side.

*My boy

Phew, done! Sorry to end it with a cliffhanger, but I'm exhausted. I kind of poked fun at North in this chapter, I mean, how many movies are there of some cartoon character helping Santa keep his sh*t together during Christmas (wow, I'm going on the naughty list for that one, sorry North!)? Anyway, I'm going to bed. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)