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Edam Aster Bunnymund: Thanks!

Chapter 10:

Making the decision was a lot easier than informing Hogs of her new status. Understandably, he was shocked, especially when she explained what had caused her newfound confidence. The memory now seemed embedded in her memory, the brightest among her childhood but definitely the most important.

Every now and then March would experience a paralyzing moment of claustrophobia, but it always passed quickly. As long as she reminded herself that she was out of that collapsing tunnel, she felt as though she was healing.

She had reassured Hogs that her job as the March Hare wouldn't be compromised. That had given him some small bit of relief among the paranoia that she would be hurt. When he had asked if she was going to fight, she wasn't sure how to answer. Obviously fighting as a teenager hadn't gone well, and even fighting against the night terror just the couple days before had been embarrassing at the least. She was ready to just stay in the shadows and let the others take over the battle strategy. They were built for it, body and soul, and she felt that only her heart was strong enough to warrant being a Guardian.

Now she sits on a roof, looking down at the children playing below. She smiles as she compares them to the carefree Pooka kits from so long ago. So oblivious to anything other than having fun with their friends. She prays that it stays that was as long as possible, her pen tapping her notepad idly. It was daytime, so very unlikely that Pitch would show up, but she remembers what North had told her about his just as dangerous creatures.

"The night terrors were following us? So what, they're invisible in the day time?" March's eyes widen as she stares at him, unbelieving.

"That's what we think. Pitch had said they were spying on us for months, and we never knew. We would have seen them before that night Jack and Sandy saw it, so it only makes sense that they were out during the day. And we didn't know of them, so…" North says, looking very uncomfortable. March can tell he feels somewhat incompetent, if not humiliated.

"We're lucky they didn't try to defeat us then." She points out, and North looks up. "I mean, he could have caught us off guard and taken us out before we even knew what was happening." It could have been much worse in her opinion. North's mouth twitches upward as he considers that.

"I suppose. Thanks." He smiles full on, and then shrugs, glancing out of his office window into the clouds. March wonders if Pitch has the night terrors out right now, but then decides that after spilling the beans about his spies, he wouldn't put them out quite so soon. He would want them to be off their game so even if they did appear, they would be too surprised and frightened to do anything. Right now while they were vigilant, he would try to stay in the shadows, pardon the pun. When she brings this up, North nods in agreement. "Doesn't change the fact that we will have to come up with a strategy.

"No." She says, glancing down at the floor as her mind begins to race. "It's obvious that the night terrors are stronger than we expected. As strong as you guys are, going after them head on won't bring them down. We'll have to forgo strength for cleverness, beat Pitch at his own sneaky game."

"Not my forte, but yes, it makes sense. Any ideas how to do that?" North asks, and March blushes underneath her fur, because she doesn't have any.

"Not yet. The only thing I'm good at is running away."

"Think of it as evasive tactics." North laughs, and she smiles back.

"Let me get back to you about that. We should be able to come up with something."

Running away was still in her instincts, but she knew that wouldn't help defeat Pitch. Unfortunately, it would also assist her in abandoning anyone who needed her help. If only she could guarantee that she would draw Pitch away from his targets like before. If he took the bait, they had a chance. If he let her run and ignored her, the children would be sitting ducks.

March sighs and glances down at her notepad, flipping the page over from her blank list of battle plans to the notes about how Spring is blossoming. Most of the flowers were now full, but the leaves on the trees were still lacking. She can even see some water dripping from the buds that were covered in a light layer of ice, even after a good week of higher temperatures. Jack, she shakes her head and makes a note against him.

"Aw come on, it's just a little frost!" She jumps and lets out a smalls scream before turning her head. Jack is hanging over her shoulder, watching her write. "Are you really going to put me on your naughty list too?"

"You deserve it." She mutters, trying to calm her racing heart. "What do you think you're doing, scaring me like that?"

"I didn't mean to. I said hi, but you were so focused you didn't notice."

"Someone has to be." March deadpans, closing her notebook.

"What were you doing?"

"Multitasking." She points her pen down at the group of children who are now playing a game of hide and seek. "I wanted to check on the kids and the plant life at the same time."

"And both are fine." Jack says, plopping down on the roof next to her. "You work too much."

"I work the perfect amount. You're the one who can't take anything seriously."

"Hey, I'll have you know that I've become much more responsible after taking the oath."

"Mhmm." March tucks her notepad and pen back into her belt and just sits there, her eyes finding the sun for probably the twentieth time that morning. "I never thought I'd like the sun more than the Moon."

"Right? The Moon used to be the one that comforted me. Now I get uneasy every time the sun goes down."

To know that's she wasn't the only one made her feel much better.

"It's weird, seeing you all take care of each other." That makes Jack look at her with confusion, and she shrugs. "I've always been a loner. Having someone to watch my back is… nice." That was an understatement, but she didn't want to lose her composure and do something embarrassing like start crying in relief. After losing her family, it was nice to find another one.

"See, this is what I'm talking about." Jack says flippantly, and she glances up to see that he's staring at her with equal kindness and mischievousness.

"What?"

"You're too serious." He says, and then looks down at his hand with purpose. She watches him flip it over, and there is a glowing blue flake nestled in his palm.

"Wow, pretty. What is it?" It obviously wasn't a normal snowflake, and she feels suddenly nervous when he smirks at her.

"It will make you more susceptible to fun." He blows it her way and she yelps, jumping up and hopping to the side to avoid it.

"I don't need any fun! And I definitely don't need to be hit by some creepy snow magic!"

"That's not the least bit insulting." Jack says with a false frown. "Now hold still!"

"No!" She runs away from him but can't keep from laughing as he follows, shooting flakes from his palms every chance he gets.

March does as she's always done, running away, though this time with a smile on her face. She can hear Jack flying above her laughing as well, and it makes her heart race, for once not out of fear. As they traverse the town, Jack suddenly stops at a certain house, and it peaks her interest enough to slow down and watch him curiously.

"March, come here for a minute!" She stops running and stands, shaking her head with a smirk.

"I don't think so." She wasn't going to fall for his trap.

"Really, come here." Jack grins and floats down to the window, tapping on it. Curiosity wins out, and March slowly makes her way to the house, hopping down off of the roof onto the grass. It is at that point that she recognizes the façade, and the yard and driveway where they had been cornered by the night terrors.

"This is Jamie's house." She says, and then looks up at the bedroom window as it opens. Jack immediately smiles and Jamie sticks his head out.

"Hey, Jack." March watches the two boys talk, sensing the trust and loyalty in their friendship. She could see why Pitch had targeted Jamie specifically. He hated seeing others happy, and it was clear that these two were best friends.

It makes her sad and angry, thinking about how he had no respect for anyone wanting to spread joy. But perhaps his reasoning for being so destructive was because he had no happiness. She wonders for a moment if that could change, or if they were destined to fight him for eternity.

"March… March!" She breaks out of her thoughts and looks up at Jack, who is once again grinning. "I want you to officially meet someone."

"She's the one who fought off the night terror?" She hears Jamie ask, and the boy leans further out the window. She can tell when he actually sees her, because his eyes widen. "She's like Bunny."

"A Pooka, yes." She says, and then clasps her paws together, suddenly shy. "It's very nice to meet you, Jamie. I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks to you guys." He smiles back. "So you're the March Hare, huh? How about making Summer longer so we don't have to go back to school so early?" That makes her laugh, and Jack glares at Jamie.

"You do realize that means less Winter?"

"Yeah well, we still have school in the Winter. And it's cold. Summer is awesome. So?" Jamie look back at March, and she bites her lip to hold back her grin.

"I'll see what I can do."

xxRISExx

He watches them closely as the new Guardian makes nice with the boy. His hoofs dig into the ground to keep himself from launching at all three of them, but his master had made himself clear. They were to wait until the right moment to strike. Take out the weakest link—the hare—and then the fairy, and then focus on the other four. They were the true threat. And then once they were all gone, darkness would reign again.

"Of course they don't suspect a thing." Pitch mutters to himself within the safety of his hide out. "Their arrogance deludes them into thinking they know what to expect of me. But I'm no coward." He says roughly. "I refuse to sit back and take their abuse any longer. I'll hit them when they least expect it, because it will be the most obvious. And they'll be too busy flailing for control to realize…" What? That I'm better than them? It wasn't enough. Their surrender would be sweet, but having them forever removed from his sight and memory would be much more satisfying.

I should kill them all while they can't fight back, he thinks to himself, but then feels sick sensation in the pit of his stomach. Something had kept him from doing so for a while now. Whether it was the desire to end their quarrel personally or his conscience merely telling him to be honorable, he wasn't sure.

"I've gotten into their heads at least." Pitch says with some relish. "They know I'm coming for them, and they know I'm stronger than ever." Now he starts to smile, and recalls the pure fear he had been able to provoke in just a few minutes outside of Jamie Bennet's house. "The teenagers all over the world will aid me in this, whether they know it or not. They're be the Guardians' undoing, keeping them close enough to feel my influence until there's nothing left… but me."

xxRISExx

Easter morning comes too quickly for Bunny. As usual, it seems to rush upon him, and he finds himself frantically trying to get all eggs and candy to the surface in time. But there's also the sensation of excitement and an eager expectation to spread hope and happiness.

When the last painted egg is through the tunnels, he follows, carrying a basket of extras just in case. The sun is barely rising, and he hops into a thick bush to watch the eggs settle themselves into the grass and behind rocks and trees. It makes it worth the hard work to see the final product. And to make sure that nothing happened to ruin Easter… again.

Bunny had to admit that after seeing Pitch come back in the flesh, he was terrified that the Boogeyman would ruin his holiday again. It had been the worst feeling in the world, and extremely painful to realize he had been rendered invisible.

It wasn't even the fact that they couldn't see him, or didn't believe. What bothered him most was the fact that he had let all of the children down that day. Not only did the Easter Bunny die, but everything he stood for along with him was destroyed.

But everything is okay, now, Bunny tells himself as he sits down behind the shrubbery. They had managed to gain their powers back, and the children believed again. But that didn't change the fact that they were all quite sensitive about their holidays and duties now. There was never a time that they took it for granted. They wanted to make sure everything went well, even when Pitch was still supposedly trapped underground.

But now that he had made it clear he would target them again, Bunny finds himself flinching at every strange sound from critters, and every shadow made by the tree branches swaying in the gentle breeze. It takes at least half an hour before he can relax his shoulders and become merely alert rather than expecting the worst.

His ears perk up when the excited voices of kids begin to echo across the park. He turns to peek through the leaves and can see them running toward the clearing, their baskets swinging. The parents stay further behind, smiling as they watch the children begin to hunt for the eggs and candy.

Bunny sees the grins on the kids' faces and listens to them ooh and ahh over the painted patterns on the eggs. He had made them extra special this year. It was a pain, but he had needed to reassure himself that he could make them happy despite the horrible fear Pitch was building in them. He wanted to show them that they still had something to look forward to, and that there was still beauty in the world despite their nightmares bringing them down.

The children run around the park happily, and Bunny can smile as another Easter begins on a good note. He knew there was still a long day ahead of him in different parts of the world, but this vision was what he needed to see that he could still do this. He could still keep hope alive.

Bunny moves into a crouch and begins to move from behind the bush when a nearby sound makes him jump. The children are all across the field nearly out of sight now, so he immediately is on guard, reaching for his boomerangs.

His eyes scan the bushes several feet away, and then he sees them rustle with movement. By the time he has one of his boomerangs aimed, a familiar chestnut brown pelt emerges, the figure ducking behind a tree.

"March?" She jumps as well, and her wide eyes meet his between the leaves. Then when she sees him, her face breaks into a smile and she waves. She doesn't even look at the children before hopping toward him, making Bunny cringe and check to make sure no one sees her.

And then he remembers that she's not one many believe in. Except for Jamie and his friends, she was invisible. He tries to hold in a sympathetic frown. At least she doesn't know what it felt like to be known before losing it completely, he thinks to himself. Though, it was a shame that she was now a Guardian no one knew. Maybe after she helps us, she'll somehow be able to be visible to all children and be able to feel their love.

"Hey, Bunny. You seem… happy." She says in a playfully shocked tone, and he laughs. He knew she would expect him to be stressed out and cranky like usual when Easter came.

"Very funny. I am happy. Everything's going really well." And he hoped it stayed that way. "What are you doing out here?"

"You're not the only one who enjoys seeing the kids enjoy Easter." March says, and he feels a warmth travel through him. She had the same gentle look in her eyes that he saw in North when he watched the kids enjoy Christmas. It was clear that she had a soft spot for them, and it made him want to get to know her even more. "And Hogs asked me to give him a report on the weather afterward. We have to keep it on record, you know."

"Right." Bunny nods, but honestly he didn't really care. He knew he would when next year came along and it would be used to plan the season, but at that moment he was high on the feeling of a job well done.

"You did well this year. The eggs are beautiful." She nods toward the basket sitting in between them, and before giving it a second thought, Bunny reaches in and picks one out.

"Here. I made this for you." He had actually made it for himself, but now that she was there he knew he wanted to give it to her. He couldn't help but notice that as he continued painting, her figure kept popping into his head. Though most Pooka had powers they couldn't explain, Bunny sometimes resented being the only one that had a connection to the Easter season. Having someone appreciate it as well made him feel not as alone.

He sets the egg gently into March's paw, and she carefully turns it around to admire the light pastel colors. Then she gasps a little. The main figure on the egg is a rabbit with brown and cream fur, almost identical to her own. She remembers the sketch she had drawn what seemed like so long ago, the two figures of her and Bunny that seemed to materialize without her permission, and blushes at the possibility that she is on his mind too.

"Thank you." She mumbles, staring at the egg and fighting the sudden urge to cry. It may have been something he did effortlessly, but the fact that he had taken the time to do it meant more to her than she expected.

It is a bit ironic. The two of them were loners for so long, having lost their family and friends centuries ago, and yet here they are creating a friendship that seemed to be healing them. Maybe our friendship can lead to more, March wonders, and then mentally shakes the thought away. The last thing she needed was to make expectations neither of them could ever meet.

If they were meant to be more, it would happen in time.

"It's beautiful. How long did it take you?"

"A few hours." Bunny says it nonchalantly, but her eyes widen.

"That's… wow." It looked like it could have taken much longer, the detail was so intricate. At the same time, she wondered if that meant he had spent some extra time on this one rather than the quick painting he did on the ones for the children. It was flattering to say the least. "Thank you. It's beautiful." Bunny smiles as she repeats herself, but doesn't bring attention to it, not wanting to embarrass her.

Seeing her enjoy the egg made him feel even better, and he promised himself that he'd never forget this Easter, no matter what happened. Tomorrow, maybe Pitch would show up and threaten them and the children again. But today, they were happy. They would enjoy this beauty to the fullest.

"You're welcome." He replies, smiling.

"It must be nice to live in such a bright place, surrounded by life." March mutters, and although she still has a peaceful expression on her face, Bunny wonders if there isn't some pain hiding within it.

"My Warren is my favorite place in the world." He says honestly. "If I had it my way I'd never leave. But it is worth it to see all of this." He gestures to the children now playing a game in the soft grass. "Can I ask you a question?"

March glances at him curiously, and he hopes he won't bring her mood down, but he was curious.

"After you woke up from your coma," he winces when her eyes cloud over a bit, "did you ever find a new home?" Now she frowns, and he feels a moment of regret, but before he can tell her she doesn't have to answer, she shrugs.

"No." She mutters. "My village was unrecognizable, and there was no one alive I could go to, so…" She shrugs again, and then her expression becomes a bit lighter. "I began wandering. After the incident I didn't really like staying in one spot for too long. And I'm used to running. Every time I got a little bit… uneasy, I just took off, starting working somewhere else. Luckily I could do my work anywhere in the world, so it wasn't too hard."

"How did you travel?" He noticed that every time she left, she did so on foot or more recently, by one of North's snow globes. As if she could read his thoughts, March smiles and nods.

"You've noticed I don't care too much for tunnels, even my own. After I was buried alive I couldn't stand being underground. Just the thought of it would send me into a near panic attack." She explains. "Even now it's hard. I only do it if absolutely necessary, like traveling between continents and going to the islands. If I can avoid it, I usually do, estimating weather patterns in the places I don't visit through the human news."

Bunny's eyes widen. He didn't expect that she'd be so terrified of her own transportation. He'd always trusted his own tunnels. But the idea of being trapped inside was unsettling to say the least. I don't know how I would react, he thinks. But to avoid her tunnels for so long, he wondered how she didn't tire herself out wandering that much.

She had a talent for endurance, he realized. She had endured losing her friends and family. She had endured being hurt. She had endured her own fear, and found a way to live through it.

"Sometimes it would be nice to have a place to stay." March says longingly. "But I like seeing the world change, anyway. And I wouldn't change my life for anything. I'm glad what happened to me helped me grow stronger, and that I can help all of you."

"Me too." Bunny says, and glances down at the egg in her paws. He was glad that she had been given a second chance. And he was glad he wasn't alone anymore. He glances up at the sun, seeing that it had moved substantially since the beginning of the egg hunt, and winces. "I should head to some other places and make sure everything's going well."

He didn't want to leave, but unfortunately he had an instinct to make sure his job was done as well as possible. He knew she would understand, because she shared the same desire. March instantly nods, and he's glad she isn't offended.

"It's nice to know someone else understands hard work." She smirks, making Bunny laugh. "Thanks again for the egg, and… talking. I like sharing time with you." He feels a strange pull toward her at that, and enjoys seeing her squirm as if she knew she had made a statement she couldn't take back.

"I enjoy it too. I'm glad you've decided to join us."

He only says "us" as not to scare her off. If he were honest, he was glad she'd decided to join him. He couldn't help feel as if the Moon had ulterior motives, and he definitely didn't want to fight them.

xxRISExx

Author's Note: Awwwww. Review please!