Chapter 7!

Finally got it up, sorry if anyone was waiting for it.

I am continuing the story but work and other personal stuff keeps getting in the way. Anywho I plan on continuing but i can't guarantee when i'll post updates just please bear with me.

Thank you to those who are following and reading the story. Group hug :)

Also, i do not own the Rise of the Guardians.


"Well now what mate?" Bunnymund asked his companions. North, Sandy, and Bunnymund had been staring at the giant sequoia tree for a couple of minutes trying to figure if Cupid wanted to meet them at the top of the tree, where all the birds were flocking to, or down at the base. The tree itself was about 30 feet in diameter and about 300 feet tall, at least. So the two flightless guards secretly hoped there would be a elevator somewhere to take them up if that had to, but that didn't seem likely.

Sandy smirked at his question and pointed up.

"Well that's all and good but how exactly are we supposed to get up there?" Bunnymund between the other two before looking straight up. He'll be damned if he had to climb that thing.

"Use the door." a strange voice answered.

The three guardians turned to see Tooth, Jack, and Steve flying towards them, but of course Bunnymund had no idea who the bird was and tilted his head in confusion.

"Did that bird just talk?" He said pointing a finger at the blue macaw.

Steve circled around the guardians as Tooth and Jack landed besides the sequoia both looking up. "I do more than that rabbit. Like I said just use the door."

North slapped his forehead, "Of course!" He smiled for a second before looking at Steve in genuine confusion , "And where would that be?"

Steve flew around the base of the tree, the guardians followed for about 10 feet around the base were there was an open door way that revealed a stair case.

Bunny's ears dropped, "What no elevator?"

Steve looked at him and responded, "Nope now you can either walk up the stairs or fly up either way I'll see you at the top." He then flapped his wings to make his own way to the top of the tree.

Sandy and Tooth smiled before waving at the others and followed the bird straight up.

Jack couldn't help but smile at the situation, he looked at the two flightless guardians "Well... at least you two will get a good cardo exercise out of it." He jumped straight up, letting the wind blow him to the top "... see you at the top!"

North cracked his knuckles, "Ah! Might as well get started, eh Bunny?"

Bunny sighed, "Ay mate." but he smirked, "Last one to the top is getting coal for Christmas." He then took off up the stairs.

"I haven't done that in years!" North shouted as he quickly followed Bunny up, running as fast as he could.

Bunny smirked as he climbed the stairs taking nearly 10 at a time by hoping on all fours. he tried to not think about it, but as we all know the more you tried to not think about something the more your brain pushes for the memories to arise.

Flashback to 1968

Bunnymund was checking up on some of his goodies to make sure they were well... good. He only had a few more locations in this particular area before the ankle biters would begin their Easter egg hunt and he could call this year another success. It was still early morning and a bit chilly but he figured it would warm up in a few hours. Besides, the cold would keep the eggs from spoiling. He had to remind himself to thank Jack Frost. He hadn't personally met the spirit but the Man in the Moon did mention him from time to time over the years. Sure, Bunny would get a little chilly now and then, but the spirit was doing his job so he really couldn't blame the guy. As long as he didn't get to carried away.

He noticed a young couple sitting on a bench a few feet away, he dodged behind some bushes to avoid being caught. Just because they were adults didn't mean he had to be sloppy.

"Aren't you supposed to be hiding eggs Aster and not hiding yourself?" A soft voice said from above.

He felt his heart stop. He looked up were Angel was sitting in the tree next to his bushes. She smiled, "it's good to see you again."She hopped down and landed in front of him. It had been some time since he last saw her. She now had her hair tied into a braid and wore a more... warrior like outfit. She had a metal chest piece that was heart shaped along with metal arm and leg protectors. She had her bow and arrows on her back and a small pouch tied to her waist. Cupid looked liked she was ready for battle.

After the incident on the Isle the other Guardians had convinced him that it was all an accident. North in particular convinced him that it was their duty to help Cupid in whatever way they could. considering that she was still getting her bearings. Even though he was still a little convinced that it was a trick he felt that he had to make it up to her for blowing up like he did and so after many years of making short trips to the Ile to help trees and new plant life grow, his heart had soften and his mind had started to understand that maybe she really didn't mean to make him look like a fool.

Even though he helped out now and then, he didn't ever really see her. That is to say, Angel gave him instructions once and that was simply to come whenever he had the time to add new plant life to her Ile. The only request was to make it as green as possible. After that, Bunny never physically saw Angel face to face... not that he was looking for her or anything.

"I've been meaning to thank you with all the help in making my Ile nice and green." Angel said, she pushed back a loose strand of hair back.

Bunny swallowed and looked away rubbing his head. "It's no problem shiela..."

"Oh but it is, the isl is so beautiful and the trees have grown so much since the last time you were there." She too looked down, "Sorry by the way."

He snapped his head to look at her, a little confused by the apology, "Sorry for what?"

She dropped her wings and looked at the ground, "I'm sorry that I wasn't present the last time you were there. It was a very busy time for me. "

His nose twitched, "It's perfectly understandable..."

It had been some 50 years since his last visit. After planting another cherry tree he had took a look around at the now thick forest and decided that it would be fine for a time. He hadn't gone back since.

They stood in silence, until Bunny coughed, "So ... um how has it been? You finally mastered it yet?"

His question was rewarded with a smile,"Yes, but that's what 100 some years does to you."

He grinned, he felt his heart beginning to pick up some speed at her smile, " I know what you mean. ... So ummm what are you doing here anyway?"

She nodded behind him, "See that couple over there? They had a little misunderstanding and I'm trying to help them."

"You can do that?"He raised a brow, "I thought all you could do was make people fall in love?"

"Well yes and no... First I can't MAKE people fall in love remember? And...you see... they are a rarity in this world now." Angel's eyes soften and she crossed her arms over her chest, "They are soul mates. They contain a very powerful, very special kind of love... True love. It's hard to find that nowadays and it would be devastating if it dies because of a little misunderstanding." She said peeking out of the corner of her eye at Bunnymund, "It is my responsibility that they keep it alive. So that it can help others love in return."

He looked at her, trying to understand what she was saying and at the same time trying to calm his beating heart, "... I'm sure whatever misunderstanding it was... you'll be able to handle it."

Suddenly a cold gust of air blew and Angel shivered, "Brrrrrr. is it supposed to be this cold?" She rubbed her arms to warm them up.

Bunny smiled, it was a little chilly for his taste but he resisted the urge to rub his arms, he had an appearance to keep up, "Well it is just the BEGINNING of spring, but you know how the weather is unpredictable."

She shivered again and made to turn away, "Well I'm done here and I shouldn't keep you... it being easter and .all ..."

"WAIT!"

They both froze at his out burst, "Uhhhhhh..." He felt his face begin to heat up, "...most of the eggs are already hidden and you did say that you took care of the couple ... soo uh... if your not busy maybe you can... help me?" Even he was surprised by the request.

"... I would love to. Consider it repayment for helping me." She walked towards him, "So Aster, where do we begin?"

"Please... just call me Bunnymund." He said as he felt his heart skip a beat.

Flash forward to the present

North was breathing heavily as they climbed the stairs, "I ... Should... have... brought... snowglobes..."

Bunnymund had stopped hopping some time ago but was still ahead of the old man, even though he was just a few steps ahead of him, "Don't... you ... have... some?" As much as he tried he couldn't hide his own breathlessness. Sure they could easily run long distances but when was the last time either of them actually had to climb this many stairs?

North shook his head and stopped, he place his hands on his knees, "Left... them... in...Sleigh."

Bunny looked over his shoulder, "Whadya...say... about a ...little... break?"

"Ay!." North promptly sat down on a step, trying to catch his breath.

Bunny simply fell forward so that he was laying down on the steps, sure it was awkward but seriously how much farther did they have to climb?

As he too tried to catch his breath, his brain kept pulling forth old memories.

Flashback 1968

"So what I just hid it anywhere?"

"Well the trick is to hid it just right. It has to hidden enough to give the ankle biters a nice challenge but not hidden so well that they can't find it at all."

Angel nodded her head, "Okay. That makes sense."

Bunny held out an egg, "Here you try."

He shivered as her fingers brushed his paw. She gave a good once over and thought about it for a few minutes before walking to a bush and trying to place it in its branches

"Like this?"

"No no." Bunny walked over to her, "You have to be gentle about it.. they are eggs after all." he grabbed an her hand without giving it a second thought and he guided her hand with his paw. They both reached down to the bottom of the bush, "You see... like this."

She looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a smile that melted him like a chocolate egg.

Bunny looked at her and thought about how for having such massive wings they didn't make much of a barrier between the two. He could look straight into her eyes and smell her perfume which made her smell like the flowers in his warren. He realized that he was holding onto her and gently let go.. as much as he hated the absence of her warmth.

"So... " He coughed, "you think you got the jest of it?"

She smirked, "I'm sure if you can do it love then I can do it just as well... maybe even better."

He tried to quiet his heart, did she just call him love? He shook it off, "Wanna bet?"

"A wager does sound ... exciting." She placed her hand on her hip.

"Okay, " He crossed his arms, "If i hide more eggs than you, which i will because I'm the Easter bunny. Than you have to help me with Easter next year.'

"Fine. But if i win..." She walked closer to Bunny, a raised eyebrow and a sly smile on her lips, "then I want a kiss."

Bunnymund's heart stopped and then started to beat at rapid fire, he tried not to hyperventilate ... "w-wh-what?"

"A kiss. " She said before turning her back to him and shrugged her shoulders, " i am the caretaker of love so a kiss as a prize is fitting." She looked over her shoulders at him, "Do we have a deal?"

He gulped and thought about it for a second. Technically, it was a win-win situation (at least that's what he told himself) so of course he agreed.

They both agreed to keep the contest in the small park and that the first to hide 100 eggs before an "ankle biter" showed up would be declared the winner. Bunny set up 200 eggs behind a bush in two piles one was Angels and the other was his. They both decided that they could only hide one egg at a time, making it more interesting.

Angel shivered it was getting a little bit colder but she kept her mouth shut and instead looked up at the clouds. They were gray and a little ominous.

Bunnymund on the other hand rubbed his paws together for a little heat. He took a quick look around, he thought it was odd that no one had came to the park besides the couple from earlier but he pushed it away from his mind. Maybe everyone was waiting for the clouds to clear and the weather to warm up a bit.

He glanced over at Cupid, "You ready sheila?"

She nodded, "On three?"

He took a egg in hand, "One..." He noticed she also took an egg, "Two..." Angel's wings opened some and Bunny took a running stance, "...THREE!"

They both took off and the contest began. Bunnymund was faster since Angel's wings seemed to be dragging her down. Normally she might have flown around but considering she would have to land to hide the eggs she opted out on using her own two legs.

After a few minutes of running back and forth Bunnymund's mind keep thinking about that kiss from all those years ago. Sure he made a mistake of kissing her but it was just the magic. He had convinced himself that he really didn't have feelings for Cupid, but now with her request of a kiss for a prize he couldn't help but wonder. Try as he might he was never able to fully erase the memory of her lips on his, they way she felt in his arms, or the way she made his heart race faster everytime he would just think of her.

He looked at her pile of eggs which were much larger than his own. He looked over his shoulder and noticed that she wasn't around. The wind was starting to pick up a bit, but he simply did his best to ignore the coldness that he felt and walked over to Angel's pile. He had to know if it was just some kind of trick... he just had to.

Quickly and with determination he grabbed a handful of eggs and ran off doing his best to hide them from both the ankle bitters and from Angel. They continued like that with Angel taking one egg at a time and Bunnymund taking one egg from his pile and then taking 3 sometimes 4 eggs from Angel's pile.

Bunny was hiding his second to last egg when he heard it. He heard Angel's squeal of delight at noticing that she had only one egg left to hide. He stood there for a moment and took a deep breath, "It's now or never." He muttered under his breath. As he made his way back to the beginning he couldn't help but notice that still no one was out in the park and that it was getting alot more chilly by the minute. Bunnymund frowned as he rubbed his arms to keep warm.

"HA!" Angel flew towards him, "I did it! I won!" She landed in front of him, "I hid all my eggs and you still have 1."

Bunny smiled, "Beginner's luck. Just remember something shelia..." She raised an eyebrow at him as he made his way over to her. They were so close to each other that Angel could see his breath as he spoke, " No one messes with the Easter Bunny."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and grabbed her head to pull her in for her reward when suddenly a blast of icy wind stopped them.

Angel crouched down a little, the wind knocked her back, "What is going on?"

"I don't know." Bunnymund replied as another icy gust blasted towards them. Then suddenly they both noticed frost started to form on the bushes and trees. "What in the name of...!"

Before he could finish his sentence they heard a laugh and they both looked up to see a boy in a blue hoodie flying over head. He didn't seem to notice the two below him trying to stay warm.

"That must be Jack Frost." Angel commented.

Bunny's ears went flat and he growled, "He's gonna freeze all the eggs."

Angel looked at him with sympathy, "Now I'm sure he's just..." Another blast of icy wind stopped her short.

"HEY FROST!" Bunny yelled. He took after the winter spirit, leaving Angel behind to teach the newer spirit a lesson in respecting Easter.

Flash forward to the present

North and Bunny were almost to the top now. Sure they were a little exhausted but at least they made it. As they walked though the door they both fell forward in a heap of exhaustion.

North rolled over onto his back, "Someone... get... a doctor... and milk..."

Bunny stayed on his stomach taking in the nice cool floor. He heard laughter, no doubt from the ones who could fly, "Go ahead... laugh... you try... taking... the stairs..."

He felt a gentle hand lift his chin up, and suddenly he was looking into the most beautiful brown eyes he has ever seen.

"Surely the Easter Bunny isn't tried?" Cupid said, giving him an amused smile, "Do you need time to catch your breath love?"

Too tired to care Bunny just let himself enjoy the moment and replied, "Why bother when you're just going to take it away again?"


I hoped you enjoyed it

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