Lullaby of the Lost and Gone - Chapter 10

Authors note: hey guys^^ actual real reason reason for this one being a bit late out is that literally started writing it an hour or two ago because I was just going to cut ahead with giving the guardians reactions but after reading one of yours reviews I thought I'd give it a go- this also explains why it's so short (sorry about that, but it's not bad for an hour or two right?) anyways hope you enjoy it as always! Please leave a review and I will be posting the actual last chapter tommorow^^ see you there!

Bunny looked like someone had just flicked him on the nose. Sandy smiling in an 'oohhhhh' sort of way. North looked back and forth between them mouthing a whole bunch of who, what, where and huhs; and Tooth's hands flew to her mouth as seemed to be having a minor breakdown of the 'AWWWWW- SO CUTE!' kind.

Bunny blinked and came back to himself.

"Wait, so hold on- sister? You mean like-?" He questioned, trailing off. Jack grinned.

"Yeah, from before I became Frost." Emma frowned, confused, at him as he said that, but was too nervous to say anything. "We used to do everything together- didn't we, Em." He told them, looking at her- his comforting smile slowly bringing out a small smile of her own.

"I never even knew you had a sister- let alone that she was also a spirit?!" North exclaimed, chuckling merrily at happy revelation. Bunny's eyebrows furrowed, as something suddenly occurred to him.

"Wait- so then why did she do all-?" He started, cutting himself off after a scorching glare from Jack.

Emma tucked in further behind him, as she lowered her head in shame. He gently stroked the back of her head comfortingly.

"Well, let's just say there was reason I couldn't remember who I was before I was chosen. I didn't become who I am the easy way, like you guys." He told them. Tooth was the only one who knew about his past- and only then because she'd insisted on hearing everything about his memories, and he'd reluctantly given in.

"Long story short, we got into a bit of trouble- I saved her life, but didn't make it myself." He explained. He said it quietly, putting a hand over the ear that wasn't buried in his side. All of them, bar Tooth, looked like they'd been slapped. None of them had died to become spirits- they'd all become what they were when they became Guardians. To think that he'd died, well... it was a pretty big shock for them- even if he was a spirit (actually, very few spirits had actually died- he was one of the rare few). He gave them a moment to let it sink in, and then continued.

"Obviously, when I came back, I had no idea of what happened. I didn't recognise her- and at some point during the time I spent branching out across the world she also became a spirit... But my death really affected her- and I guess when she couldn't find me, even when she was dead herself, she just lost it. Started losing herself in grief- taking kids like I'd been taken away from her... But it's over now." He finished, looking sadly at his little sister and putting his arm round her. There was more than one reason he'd covered her ears. Aside from him having to mention his death, he didn't want to hurt her with the knowledge that he'd forgotten her (he'd wait until she'd perked up and settled down a bit before he told her that story).

Tooth flew up to her- slowly, after a cautionary glance from her brother reminded the fairy not to do her usual 'dash into your face' thing- but she did something Emma could not have looked more stunned at. She hugged her.

"I'm so sorry." Tooth muttered. "About what happened... You know, you can talk to me whenever you want." She promised, smiling understandingly at her. Emma, who had expected them to scorn or scowl at her, was stunned at the sympathy and concern in her voice. Tooth pulled away from the hug. "Okay?" She asked, kindly. Emma took a moment to recover from shock, before nodding- her nerves starting to leave her as she began to relax. Jack smiled- that was his girl. He knew she'd learn to relax and be herself around them. What had he said earlier? They were going to love her. He knew he'd be right.

"So what does this mean?" Bunny thought. "Does this mean we finally have someone to keep Frostbite in line, or have we got double the trouble on our hands?" He asked, smirking slightly. Emma squirmed shyly as she looked at her brother.

"Little bit of both." He informed. North laughed a little at that.

"We must all get together for cookies and milk sometime." North thought aloud. Perhaps you could tell us more about yourself." He suggested.

"Or about Frostbite." Bunny muttered, a definite, broad smirk spreading across his face as he said it. Tooth gasped.

"You have to tell us all about Jack before he was chosen!" She begged excitably. Jack didn't like where this was heading.

"Nonono no- you does not 'have to'." He tried to deflect the subject (he'd done some pretty stupid stuff when he was still alive that he did not need Bunny hearing about).

Emma grinned slightly. "Has he told you about the time he tried to borrow Mom's dress?" She muttered.

Jack didn't know he could blush so red so quickly. The other Guardians burst into hysterics.

"Hey- that was just for you!" He reminded her, indignantly. "It was just for her- it was only to make her laugh!" He declared, but he didn't seem to be heard over the laughter that shook the clearing- even Emma was laughing hysterically at his bright, red face. Bunny grinned, gasping for breath.

"I think we're gonna get along just fine. You have to tell us mo-."

"No no no. That was the last one. Ever." He broke in. "Because I swear I will tell them all about your little stories too." He warned, pointing a finger at his sister as he reminded her two could play that game. She started to blush slightly at the thought of her own embarrassing tales being revealed.

A swishing noise drew their attention to Sandy, who was showing a familiar planet over his head.

"Right!" North remembered. "We should probably be getting back home now." He turned to Emma. "If we may?" He said, politely asking her to take them out of her forest. She nodded. Then Jack suddenly remembered something.

"Oh- and Emma, you might wanna be aware things have changed quite a bit since you've been out, so-." He said, but as he said it they all vanished into the shadow of a tree. He hoped she heard that. Only one way to find out he guessed- modern buildings were so much different to 18th century ones- this was going to be fun.

He finally stepped foot onto normal soil again, and he sighed: home sweet home. He heard Emma's incredulous shocked yell from behind him.

"IS THAT A HOUSE?!"