It's been a while huh? Things just got really insane over the past few weeks…but hey least there's no need to fret that the world has come to an end anymore. To guest who suggested Jack getting amnesia and there being a Mrs. Clause….I'm toying with the amnesia one, but will not do the Mrs. N….Unless other people want it as well…Only because someone has written it already and I like their version far better than what I had thought up.

Also….I was wondering is anyone interested in me continuing from chapter 2? The story of Jack an his sister? Or even chapter 3. Please post in the comments if you're interested. Thanks! And please don't forget to R&R (read and review). I'm also debating on changing the story's title to something a little more appealing….

4: Facing Ones Fear

Chocolate brown eyes bore into nervous grass green ones. There was silence between the two except for the rhythmic swish of a swiftly wagging tail that brushed against the woven basket the smaller of the two sat in. A tiny yip broke the staring contest and Bunnymund looked incredulously from the creature in the basket to the person who brought the tiny bundle of fur in the first place.

"A puppy?! North, mate….Why are you giving me a puppy?" The Guardian of Wonder chuckled, taking in Bunnymund's unamused look.

"Figured the easiest way to lessen your nervousness around dogs we'd start off small." He gestured to the tiny puppy that began to knaw on chew toy. "And a puppy was best choice."

Bunnymund rolled his eyes.

"North I appreciate the concern but I don't have time to be baby sitting the fluff ball. It-"

"She." Interrupted North. The rabbit stared at him.

"What?"

"It is a she." He replied calmly, arms now folded over his chest.

"She. It. Whatever. Mate my point is that I can't risk having a puppy loose in the warren. With Sophie here it was fine, but a puppy needs training and I don't have the time to-wait where are you going?" Bunnymund followed North as he began to walk away.

"Back to Pole. Christmas is only a few weeks away, lots of work still needs to be done." North reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a snowglobe. He mentioned his destination and threw it onto the ground cause a bright portal of light spring up and hovered infront of him. Bunnymund took a few more steps towards North.

"North wait you can't be serious." The guardian of wonder only smiled and placed a large hand on Bunnymund's shoulder.

"Think of it as a training exercise." The rabbit was about to protest further but North interrupted him. "I'll return in a week and if it doesn't work out I'll take puppy back." Without waiting for a response North patted Bunnymund on the shoulder and stepped into the portal, disappearing in a flash of light.

For a second or so Bunnymund stared at the spot North left and slowly looked back at the puppy. A tiny head with large chocolate brown eyes stared curiously at him over the edge of the basket. Tail wagging furiously. With a groan the rabbit man made his way towards the tiny creature.

Hesitantly he reached out to pick up the basket and lifted it into his arms. The unfamiliar weight of the basket's content shifted towards him. Bunnymund felt his pulse quicken and the basket was held a little less than arms length away from his body.

"Well sheila….Looks like this is going to be a long week…" The puppy only panted in responses, leaning forward in hopes of showing her affection to the person infront of her.

"I guess you'll be needing a name then. Can't be calling you sheila all the time now can we?" Bunnymund thought for a moment before a name came to mind.

"How about Flora." The puppy yipped in response, looking almost proud of the name. Bunnymund couldn't help but smile a little. "Well then Flora it is."

RISEOFTHEGUARDIANSLINEBREAK

The day had gone by with out much of a problem. Puppy proofing wasn't needed in his living areas since it was fairly tidy to begin with. Bunnymund managed to get most of the daily work done and at the same time keep Flora pre-occupied by playing a few games of fetch every now an then. However as he settled down for bed with Flora in her own make shift bed of soft grass and a blanket her distressed whines and whimpers quickly brought him out of his slumber.

Rolling over to his right he looked down at the puppy who was crying miserably. Bunnymund groaned. He should have known this would happen. The pup was at least a little over eight weeks old and was going through separation anxiety from her mother and litter mates. For a moment he chose to ignore the pitiful noise, but a twinge of guilt pulled at his heart. One he knew he'd regret later.

With a sigh he leaned over and scooped the puppy up with one hand and placed her onto the bed next to him. Flora happily wagged her tail and gave Bunnymund a few licks on the nose before circling and plopping into a curled up ball next to his head.

"This is only for tonight. You hear me sheila? Tomorrow you'll be sleeping with a warm bottle and alarm clock." Bunnymund yawned, watching the puppy next time when he too fell asleep.

RISEOFTHEGUARDIANSLINEBREAK

Bunnymund was a woken the next morning by a lick on the nose. With a start he short up and looked around and then down at Flora. Large brown eyes looking up at him affectionately. He sighed softly, his heart still pounding in his chest. Bunnymund was about to say something when his paw brushed against something wet. Gritting his teeth he looked down and noticed a small section of the bed had a large yellow stain. He looked at the pup and again sighed. Besides obedience the next step was housebreaking.

RISEOFTHEGUARDIANSLINEBREAK

A week went by quickly and North, true to his word returned. However to his shock and mild amusement Bunnymund decided to keep the puppy. A week alone with a rambunctious puppy seemed to have made it's way into his heart and change his view slightly on dogs. With that settled Bunnymund went on with life as normally as possible except with a companion following him almost everywhere he went.

Eventually the others met Bunnymund's newest companion, including Sophie. The puppy took an immediate shining to the little girl and like she did with Bunnymund followed her where ever she went.