Chapter 4

Jack enjoys messing with people. Not quite to the extent that some people would claim, but more than is the average, to be sure. Though she doesn't call what she's doing right now 'messing', really. After all, it's perfectly normal to keep tabs on the Groundhog; she doesn't want to be caught off guard in case six more weeks of winter are necessary! (Though that doesn't mean she can't have one last hurrah of a snowstorm if it isn't.) In any case, it's a good way of practicing her stealth; she still hasn't managed to sneak up on Pitch and startle him.

The tree she's sitting in suddenly shakes, and Jack barely manages to keep from falling off.

"Hey!" she shouts. "What's the big idea?"

"I should be th' one askin' you that!" a cross and grumpy voice replies.

"Oh, you," Jack grumbles at the sight of the Easter Rabbit standing at the bottom of the tree, his arms crossed. "What do you want now? Come to scold me for doing my job again?"

"If by 'doing your job' y'mean ruining people's holidays, then yes."

"Oh, c'mon - news flash kangaroo, but I'm not the one in charge! You do know who Mother Nature is, right?"

The rabbit scowls. "Stop callin' me that, y'little ass. An' so much snow is not needed that late in the year!"

"Ooh, the mighty kangaroo knows all," Jack mocks. She hangs from the branch by her knees and smirks. "Lemme guess, next you'll be doing my job."

"Like I expected any different from someone who's friends with the Bogeyman," the rabbit sneers. "You best stay away from th' Groundhog, y'got it? Whatever scheme you two've cooked up, you leave him alone."

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Jack demands.

"Y'leave him alone, an' stop following him!"

"Okay, I take offense to that!" Jack floats down to just above the ground, making her eye level with the rabbit. "You know the whole thing about the groundhog seeing his shadow? Well, I'm the one who's gotta bring six weeks of winter just in case! Course, I couldn't expect a kangaroo to know that; not like Australia gets much snow."

"Right, so you an' Pitch aren't all buddy buddy an' plotting stuff," the rabbit scoffed.

"I really don't get what everyone has against him," Jack says as she hooks her staff over her shoulders. "I mean, I get that he's the Bogeyman, bringer of fear and all that, but that's his job; not like he can really help it." She scowls at the disbelieving look she's given.

"You should stay away from him, kid. While you still got your health and sanity intact."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jack splutters. "Seriously, all I hear about him is doom and gloom, but he's not that bad a guy! Sure he's a bit of a jerk, but if that's all, you're worse than him in that department!"

"You've seriously got no idea?"

Jack's frown deepens. "It would help if you'd be a bit less cryptic, kangaroo."

"It's Bunnymund. If you're going to insult me, you should at least know my name."

"The Easter Rabbit is named Bunnymund," Jack deadpans. "What a shocker. Mind if I call you Bunny?"

"Look," Bunnymund growls exasperatedly. "If y'really don't know about Pitch, he's done some terrible things. You shouldn't be mixed up with him."

"Funny, considering he's the only one who's ever treated me halfway decent," Jack retorts with a glare.

"He's just playin' you," Bunnymund insists. "He doesn't have an ounce of compassion in whatever's left of his heart, and that mess he calls a brain is-" He yelps as a bolt of ice nearly hits him.

"Thanks for the advice, kangaroo, Jack spits, "but I think I can choose my friends well enough based on their actions and not hearsay." With one last glare directed at the rabbit, she flies off, too annoyed to stakeout the Groundhog any longer.

"Wait!" Bunnymund shouts after the winter spirit, who is either too far away, or ignoring him. "Dammit," he curses. "Stupid l'il galah; gonna get 'imself killed or worse!" Bad enough that Pitch is out and about, not his usual skulking, but he'd somehow swayed a winter spirit to his side... "Dammit."

He's just glad he'd decided to visit the Groundhog, or they could've been ignorant of this until it was far too late. Bunnymund's frown deepens as he considers what to do next. It's been so long since Pitch has been active, it seems only logical for the bastard to be gathering his strength for his next grab at power. But will the other Guardians listen to his warning? Tooth and Sandy are so busy, and North hardly ever takes anyone, let alone Bunny's thoughts seriously...

His planned visit to the Groundhog forgotten for now, he absentmindedly opens a tunnel below himself. The forest is quiet, the only signs remaining of the spirits' interaction being a haphazard dash of frost on the otherwise barren ground, and a small blue flower where Bunnymund's tunnel had been just a moment ago.

A/N: Hello again everyone! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Jack and Bunny don't get along very well, mainly cause they're opposites in quite a few ways. Also, I am not in any way excusing any of Pitch's behavior. JUST A REMINDER CAUSE FROM HERE ON OUT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE VERY CREEPMANTIC (CREEPY/ROMANTIC) DEPENDING ON HOW YOU VIEW THINGS. THE DUB-CON TAG IS THERE FOR VALID REASONS. It's not going to be Twilight creepmantic, but it'll be up there.

Remember, reviews and con. crit are welcomed most heartily! :) *nudge nudge*