Shanook was happy for Jack, he really was. But he was also a bit sad. He knew his brother was going to have to leave the pack in order to complete all of his duties, new and old. However he was determined not to be a cause of sadness to the one who had been by his side since before his eyes were open. So he smiled, encouraged, and congratulated Jack alone with everyone else.
When the sleigh appeared and the group gathered by it, he followed. Though Kozmotis' voice meet his ears he didn't truly register what he said, nor what the big four answered. His mind was caught in the ideas of the future to come. He'd return to the pack alone. Work with the others to keep nature, in there territory, in balance.
Things would return to normal, but not because Jack would not be there. They'd visit him, and he them, but never for long. At night Shanook would sleep next to fury bodies, not wrapped around a cool and comforting form. On hunts he'd work with efficiency but not the for sure instinct he'd shared with his brother.
All this and more ran through his head as he portrayed calm outside appearance. So when he was tackled from behind it took longer than normal to truly get into the swing of their favorite pass time, play wrestling. The pure joy of play washed away the sadness, as the brothers rolled and griped at each other. As per-usual the game ended in a tie.
"Trues!" They said at the same time and released each other. Though still slightly winded the two laughed with all they had.
"So," Jack spook first. "What do you think of my domain?"
Shanook was silent then decided the best course of action was playful banter. "Keep the mood light." He thought. "Not bad!" he said aloud. "Spacious, plenty of people. Perfect for human spirits, though a few too many buildings compared to what I'm used to." He'd thought he'd said it playfully but Jack's face lost some of its happy light.
"Oh." Was all he said.
"So…you going to stay or head back with me to the pack? You know to…say good bye." Shanook saw a tear freeze on Jack's cheek. "Oh, no! Come on think happy. If I know them, there'll be a congratulations hunt ready to go! I bet with your new strength we can bring back a deer or maybe a moose!" Nothing, Jack continued to look depressed. "Not that I'm suggestion you'd ever use your abilities to…you know we only kill what we need…we've had congratulation hunts before and we have been able to…you know keep the meat so we can…so we don't…waste…. Boy! I'm just saying all the right things huh?"
"Ha, ha." His brothers' laugh lightened the mood, if only a bit. "You know…I'd really like to if…you…maybe…wanted to…stay with me?" Jack's question caught Shanook off guard. But his look of shock was miss interpreted, because Jack hurried on. "I know you'll miss the pack, probably more than I would, it was a stupid idea. Forget I mentioned—"
"Are you kidding? I'D LOVE TO!" Shanook exclaimed.
"But before you said—"
"I was kidding!"
"Oh, you…Grrraw!" Jack launched himself and a second wrestling match took form.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" The laugh caused the two to notice they were being watched.
"Don't stop on our account mate." Stated Bunny with a cheeky grin.
As the sun started to rise in the east North walked over to Sandy, who was still signing with Monty, and taped him on the shoulder. "Time to go." He said quietly, if not a little sad.
Sandy nodded understandingly then, signing: "I'll be back." To Monty, gathered his sand and shot it into the air. Golden fireworks created a beautiful display and the sand then slowly began to drift down.
Producing snow globes, all but a handful of, the yetis and elves returned to the Pole with loud: "Wa-wa-wa's" or good buy. Except for a few dozen, the Tooth fairies began to leave splitting up on the way to collect the teeth. Meanwhile the dream sand creatures returned to streams and headed out as well.
"Our work is never done. Not all of us work only one night a year! Am I right Sandy? Jack? Shanook?" Tooth's question remained unanswered, as Jack and Shanook were watching the fireworks and Sandy had returned to Monty.
"I have something for you." Sandy signed, and then proceeded to mold a handful of sand. Monty gasped at the intricate dream catcher he was offered. "If you'd ever like to "talk", you can call me with it. It's kind of nice not having to play charades all the time."
Holding the dream catcher gently, Monty signed: "Thank you." While a tear quietly slid down his cheek.
A little ways form them Bunny's stone golems were leaping into tunnels, on their way back to the warren. A flock of Easter eggs surrounding them, Bunny held out his hand to Sophie. A little googie, one of the surviving eggs Sophie had helped paint, hoped into her waiting hands. "Happy Easter you little ankle bitter. I'm going to miss you." Then he leaned down and whispered, "Come visit some time."
"Ha, ha. By, by Bunny." Sophie giggled placing a hand on his nose.
As his sister's words registered Jamie looked towards Jack. Shanook seemed to since what the boy wanted and left the two alone. "You're leaving!?" Jack looked at Jamie with a bit of a sad smile. "But what if something else comes? What if we stop believing again? If I can't see you…."
"Hay, slow down, slow down." Jack placed a calming hand on the boy's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Are you telling me you stop believing in the Moon when the sun comes up?"
"Well no."
"Ok, do you stop believing in the sun when clouds block it out?"
"He, he, No." Jamie smiled, as he followed where Jack was heading.
"We'll always be there Jamie. And now, we'll always be here." A finger was lovingly placed right above Jamie's heart. "This kind of makes you a Guardian to." Jack then leaned in close and whispered. "This is my home now; all you have to do is look closely. We'll see each other again as long as you guard us with your belief!"
Smiles were shared and then Jack rose and headed to the sleigh where his fellow Guardians, Shanook, and Kozmotis were waiting. "Jack!" Turning the winter spirit was caught in a tackling hug. The first, human hug, he'd reserved since he became a spirit. At first he could only stand in shock, but soon he knelt down and returned the embrace.
North patted the seat of the sleigh as Jack leaped in, and with a slap of the rains the reindeer took off. The remaining yetis, fairies, elves, and eggs took the kids home. Phil even signed Jamie's book on mythical creatures, right next to the picture of a Yeti.
Up in the clouds Jack looked at all his friends and had to smile. To himself he quietly thought back on all the questions he'd had rattling around in his head since he was first walked through three hundred years ago. He finally had some answers.
"My name is jack Frost. And I'm a Guardian. How do I know that? The Moon told me so, and when The Moon tells you something! BELIEVE IT!"