A/N: I wanted to post this chapter for a guest who recently reviewed. I can't PM you so sorry about that but I hope that you still keep in contact with me and I would love to talk to you. Quick shout to: Guest, EmotionalDreamer101, crazylilgrace, Brenne, July Storm, Just-Gold, and AyameKitsune. Thank you guys for reviewing! And all of you who favorite and followed thank you too! I love to get emails with these awesome names saying that someone followed me. It's like getting cool stalkers! Now back to the story. This chapter is LONG! So, sorry about that. But please R&R (I'm probably saying this more out of obligation now) and ENJOY!
Disclaimer: DON'T own Rise of the Guardians or their characters, Except Fauna.
The next day was better in my avoidance plan. I would simply tell Bunny I didn't know how to get to his place, if I see him. I stayed in the sky mostly, giving kid's winter storms to officially end winter. But in my plan of avoiding Bunny I ran into Spring. Now, of all the seasonal spirits I'm glad it's Spring. She's usually less physical than the other two. Today wasn't a usual day.
"I heard about Easter, Frostbite." Spring seethed. I knew I had to get out and now.
"Yeah, look sorry about that. I-" She didn't even let me finish. She used a branch from a nearby tree to pull and hold me near her as she punched me in the stomach. The sickening crack gave her a smile.
"I'm glad to see that you are properly punished. I hope a screw-up like you isn't still a Guardian." She scoffed as the tree threw me to the ground. Luckily we were near my lake but the warm Spring weather was not helping my pain lessen. I lay there trying to catch my breath, holding my staff like a lifeline. I focused on my injuries, refusing to think on what Spring had said. I crawled to a nearby tree. It still had a bit of snow left at the base. I almost cried in relief. It took a lot to crawl towards the base of the tree that I didn't hear the tunnel opening up or Bunny walking towards me till it was too late.
"Jack." I froze. Panic rose in me. I tried to think of anything to make him leave. "What happened?" Bunny gasped. I closed my eyes shut willing him to leave. "Jack?" He asked again his voice laced with concern.
"Oh, hey Bunny!" I said with as much cheer as I could. "What are you doing here?" I asked nervously. I got up slowly, taking deep breaths. I only made it to my knees and decided to sit by the tree instead. It could support me while we talked. But before I turned around I put my hood up. Bunny looked down on me, his face showing worry. "Aw, you do care!" I joked, instead of calling me names or yelling at me his eyes grew dark.
"Warren. Now." He ordered. I gulped. I was too worn out and hurt to fight but I didn't want to go. I didn't know what would happen. I started to tremble.
"Look Bunny I can take care of myself. I'm a teenager, not a baby." I explained. I was proud of myself for holding back the panic.
"You're hurt and you gave me your word. So you a liar now?" I know he didn't mean to but all I could think of was when I told them I would be as quick as I bunny. I wasn't and because of that I failed Easter. I looked at my staff in my right hand.
"I'm a teenager, we always lie." I mumbled. "Look, I know what I said yesterday but right now I'm not feeling up to it. So for the last time, leave me alone." I gritted out in anger. When I looked up Bunny was kneeling in front of me. I couldn't help but gasp in shock. He looked at me liked he looked at Sophie. I wanted to run but I couldn't I was at his mercy. That should've scared me but it didn't. And the fact that it didn't made me terrified. "Wh-what are you doing?" I asked fear laced in my voice. His eyes became soft and his smile disappeared.
"Look, we're gonna get to the Warren. I'm goin' carry ya'-"
"But-"
"Not a word showpony." Bunny smirked as he put a paw over my mouth. I rolled my eyes at him, but I was glad for the common banter. He removed it and continued. "I'm gonna treat your injuries. And you're not gonna bail got it?" He looked at me challenging me to say no. Part of me knew this was a bad idea. I would be vulnerable and I wouldn't be able to run. But a bigger part of me was tired of running. It also did sound nice to have someone else treat my injuries instead of myself. But Bunny's eyes sold it. He was actually hoping I would say yes. The part of me that wanted to run disagree and said that Bunny hoped for me to decline, but I know Bunny. Especially after what I did to him, he's offering some sort of olive branch. I looked down in defeat.
"Yeah. But I can walk myself." I looked up at Bunny. I wasn't Sophie. I was Jack Frost. I needed freedom. Bunny just nodded and stood up, his hand held out towards me. I stared at his hand. I knew what he wanted me to do, but I couldn't trust him yet. I looked at my staff, using it as an anchor. Every muscle either groaned and cried in pain. But I wasn't going to be carried. If I was carried I couldn't run. I needed to be able to run. I tried to pull myself up twice but my arms stumbled and couldn't do it. Finally after the third try though I finally stood up on wobbly legs. "Ready." I gave my best smile to Bunny, but judging by his raised eyebrow it wasn't very convincing. "Well, are we going or not Peter Cottontail?" I asked stubbornly. The faster I get this done the faster I can leave. Bunny sighed and came towards me. I took an involuntary and painful step back.
"Relax you gumby!" Bunny snapped. "We're gonna fall and slide through the tunnels. Just wanna help ya through them." His tone was harsh but calm. I knew that I needed the help so I didn't complain as Bunny slid an arm through my arms, carrying my shoulders. His foot tapped the ground opening the tunnel. "You ready?" I nodded in excitement. Then we jumped, more like Bunny jumped and I was carried, into the tunnel. The ride wasn't as fun as last time. Every bump made my body rattle and the only thing I was certain about when it was done was that three ribs were definitely more than bruised.
"Oh Jack!" I looked up as Tooth grabbed my face. When I looked at Bunny, he was as surprised as I was. "What happened? Are you ok? Bunny! I can't believe you took him through the tunnels! Just look at him, you're paler than-"
"Shelia, what are you doing here?" Bunny stood up effectively stopping Tooth's ramble.
"Oh," Tooth flew away from me, fluttering nervously with her hands. Bunny helped me from the ground roughly, but I guess it was help. I huffed at him and he just rolled his eyes. "Well I remember he was going to be here today and I wanted to check up on him." She said sheepishly. Confusion pounced on my again.
"Aren't you busy? Like all the time." I asked. Her eyes dulled with guilt at that question. Before, her eyes shined with pride when people recognized her as one of the busiest Guardians. I never took Tooth as complicated, but then again I never thought the Guardians cared, about things other than their jobs.
"Well, the whole thing with Pitch showed me that I may have let my work over take me and I forgot how to care and live." She said with a sad smile directed at me.
"But you were fine before. Why change?" I didn't realize I said that out loud till Tooth came and caressed my face lightly. I tensed and took a tentative step back. But she followed.
"Because I need to change for someone I care for." My breath hitched as her eyes looked into mine with, with care. My mind was warring with itself. On one hand this is what I wanted, for someone to really see me. On the other I all kept thinking was why. Why now? Why not before? Why me? Tears sprang to my eyes. I had to run but I couldn't. So I just pushed. I pushed her hand away from my face and I brushed past her.
"Bunny, we needed to do things right? Well let's go." I said brusquely. "See you later Tooth." I raised my hand to her but I didn't look back. I just walked forward not knowing where I was going, except away. There eyes bore into my back but I ignored them. I had to get away, that was safe. I didn't know if, if people cared for me if I would be safe, but I did want that. I wanted Tooth to always look at me that way. Tears started to fall. I stopped in some tunnel and slid down on some root. I wiped away at the tears. The Warren was always so full of rich earth tones. It was nice to see all the different colors. White always reminded me of, me. Vast, shiny, cold, and alone. I chuckled. The irony in my color choice and the other Guardians' colors shows how Spring was right. I don't belong with them. Their colors are bright, lively, full of hope, wonder, and majesty. I'm surrounded by cold, desolate, lonely colors. I laughed again. How anyone thought I could be a Guardian was beyond me. Just because of one act in my past. I would do it again, but still, if one child can make anyone a Guardian why me?
"Jack." Bunny's voice is deep and loud, but not scary. It was like he just wanted to wake me up. "You ok?" Bunny asked his eyes curious but laced with concern.
"I'm fine." I looked down. Bunny was someone I had admired ever since I first meet him. I've heard a little about how he was the last one of his kind, him and Tooth, but Tooth had helpers now. Bunny didn't, he was alone, but he still spread hope to kids. I didn't know anyone as strong as him. I couldn't lie to his face. I knew I wasn't fine but maybe just maybe, I could be.
"Let's go ya showpony. You were close to the infirmary actually." He smirked as he came to help me up.
"I'm good." I stood up using the wall for help. I was leaning on my staff but I mentally cheered that I could still walk after my show with Tooth. Bunny just nodded and walked ahead of me. We were walking in silence and it was unnerving me. "Um, is Tooth ok?" I still remember the hurt on her face when I came back from Pitch's lair. I never wanted her to wear that expression ever again. I needed to know if I hurt her, again. Bunny didn't answer me till he turned right and had stopped at a tunnel opening.
"She may be a woman, but she's a warrior too. She understands a lot more than we think." Bunny smiled sadly. I realized that I didn't even know the Guardians. I've heard things, but I haven't heard the story from themselves. It would be nice to know. We would be like a family. "Come on. Let's getch' ya' patched up." Bunny's head inclined to the tunnel and I followed. The tunnel was a rich dark brown with a tree root covered in forest green moss serving as a bed. There were light brown wooden cabinets most likely holding the medical supplies. I went and sat on the tree root bed. It was surprisingly comfortable. Bunny came in grabbing some bandages, creams, and other medical supplies. "So you gonna tell me what happened?" He gestured to me eyebrow raised in challenge.
"I fell." It was the closest thing to the truth that I could manage. If he knew what happened he would-
"Look. I'm not gonna ask too many questions Jack, but I do need to know the truth. I can't help ya if I don't know the truth." Bunny interrupted my thoughts and held my face to look at his eyes. The determination in his eyes to help me scared me. I didn't think people would ever look at me like that. I simply nodded and he let me go. "So again, what happened?" I gulped and tightened my grip on my staff.
"I ran into Spring." I said quietly, but I knew he could hear me. His ears never miss a thing. They were stupid like that.
"You mean Fauna?" Bunny asked.
"Yeah, didn't know that was her name." More like I quote 'I don't deserve to know their names.' I ignore Bunny's curious gaze and continue explaining. "Anyway, she wanted some payback. So she punched me and threw me to the ground where you found me." I said. Bunny's expectant stare told me he knew I left some things out. I stared back blankly. "That's all." We stood there staring at each other in the tense silence.
"Alright." Bunny held up his paws. "That's all. Well then, I need ya to take off your jacket." My eyes widen. I self-consciously pulled my sleeves down.
"Wh-why?" I asked clearing my throat. I was terrified. My hoodie was safety blanket two. I couldn't take it off, especially not Bunnymund. I didn't want to see the disappointment on his face. I was use to anger, hurt, distrust, but never disappointment. I almost killed myself over Tooth and North's. His would definitely be unbearable.
"I need to examine you to see if there was lasting damage." He said arms crossed again. He sat right in front of me, blocking my exit. "You do understand that, that's the only way I can help ya?" He asked bluntly. I forgot. I was so focused on getting help I forgot what I would have to do.
"There isn't another way." I asked timidly. My voice was practically begging. I couldn't let him see.
"No." It was blunt but soft. I looked up at him.
"Please." My voice held the fear I had. I knew it when Bunny's eyes soften. He put a warm paw on my shoulder.
"How about this, I examine you and I'll just ask medical questions? Just the simple does this hurt and how long. No judgements." He said sincerely. I stared at Bunny. I knew he was a, warrior of his word. That's what all the spirits said about all the Guardians. But did I trust him? My open hand grabbed my hoodie.
"Promise?" I asked quietly. I think it was more of a mumbled. I knew it was ridiculous to be afraid to take off my hoodie. I was ashamed, scared, but most of all I was hopeful. I was hopeful that maybe I could finally trust someone.
"Promise." Bunny's eyes showed as much sincerity as I heard. I nodded slowly blinking, looking down I took a deep breath, laid my staff beside me, grabbed my hoodie, and, and I froze. My heart was pounding, my breath labored. What if he gave up on me? What if he thought I really wasn't cut out to be a Guardian? What if he told the others? Would they think the same thing? "Jack." I looked up at Bunny. His eyes were steady and all he did was nod his head to encourage me. He understood that this was hard for me. He was hoping that I would trust him with this, and that would be enough. He would keep his word. I closed my eyes and relaxed, barely. I hastily lifted up my hoodie. I gasped in pain. I freaked out so much about this stupid hoodie I forgot about my ribs. Clenching my teeth, I finished taking my hoodie off. When it was off I looked at my legs, breathing deeply. I had accidentally started to frost the moss and making the room cooler, but it felt good. I felt Bunny's eyes observing me. I knew I looked like a bruised mess. There were cuts, and some burns adorning my whole torso. There were at least two ribs sticking out, I think. The bruises might've hid those. A couple of burns on my chest. But my arms were probably the worst. Scars were littered throughout them. Some recently fresh. We stayed like that, me freaking out about his reaction as every second ticked by and him observing. The minutes that passed were thick with dread. I had to end it.
"Look if you're not going to do the exam, I'll just go." I began to get up but Bunny's paw held me down. I looked up and instantly regretted it. Bunny's eyes were full of sorrow and grief. He looked broken. "I-I-I'm sorry." I don't know why I said that but I felt like this whole situation was my fault. Maybe it really was. I looked down refusing to let the tears that I felt to come down.
"Wh-wh-what? What are YOU sorry for Jack? You have nothing to be sorry about. Blimey!" I lifted my gaze and saw Bunny run a paw across his face. He looked, overwhelmed. But when he looked at me there was no judgement like he said. He opened his mouth but I really wanted to get this whole thing over with so I beat him to it.
"Are you?" I gestured to my torso, looking at Bunny hoping my eyes conveyed that whatever we were talking about is going beyond a medical exam. Bunny stared at me for a while as if waiting for me to crack. But he soon realized I wasn't. He shook his head and when he looked up his eyes were hard and blank.
"Alright you gumby. Let's see what we got. When I go over an area that's too painful to touch tell me, got it?" I nodded. Bunny started moving his paws over my shoulders. His paws were warm against my skin. But even Tooth's fairies were warm to me. I only grimaced as he moved through my torso and shoulders. Then he started to go to my arms.
"Those are ok." I said quickly. Bunny just nodded.
"I'm still wrapping them." He stated. "Now arms up. Can you do that?" Bunny asked. My eyes rolled but I put my arms up slowly. I withheld a gasp of pain. Bunny pressed against my sides. I was fine, just wincing here and there. Every time I did Bunny would look up at me. I just encouraged him on.
"OW!" I cried out in pain when he reached around my middle.
"Relax Jack." Bunny's voice was soft helping to relax. He continued down but when his paw touched my right side I cried out again. But this time I automatically relaxed afterwards. Bunny finished with my ribs after two more audible winces. "What was all over your ribs?" Bunny asked me as he rubbed his hands against his fur.
"Sorry, I forgot about my frost wrap." I moved my left hand slowly down my ribs calling the frost back.
"Your frost what?" Bunny asked incredulously.
"My frost wrap." I grimaced as I put my arm back up. Bunny came over with some of his medical smelling cream and bandages. His raised eyebrows asked for a better explanation. "Like how people wrap things in bandages, I cover my injuries in frost. It keeps the injury from jostling around and helps relieve some pain."
"How long were they frosted?" Bunny asked as he rubbed the cream into my skin lightly. I sighed.
"After the battle with Pitch." Bunny paused.
"Jack." His voice was cautious. I really hoped he didn't ask what I think he would ask. "What did you think your injuries were after that battle?" I flinched. The caution in his voice scared me. I knew he wouldn't like my answer.
"At least one broken rib and I thought some were bruised." I mumbled. But by the way he sighed in frustration and rubbed his paw through his face told me he heard me. He came closer to me, his ear on my chest and one of his paws on my back. "What are you doing?"
"Just do as I say got it." His tone was rough and commanding. I was utterly confused, I knew he would be angry but why so much? "Breathe deeply." I did as he told me. It hurt a bit but like a sore hurt. "Now breathe in and hold." I rolled my eyes. "Now." Bunny's harsh tone made me stiffen. I did as I was told. It was hurting badly but I didn't want to get in trouble by Bunny. His other paw moved up and down lightly against my right side. When he got near the bottom I almost lost my breath at the sudden pain. "Let it out." I let it out in one breath my body relaxing from the release of pain. Bunny finally moved away from me. "Thank goodness." He sighed in relief.
"I'm glad that you're relieved but do you-" Bunny smacked me on the back of my head. "Ow! What was that for?" I yelled.
"What was that for? That was to knock some sense into that stubborn head of yours you drongo!" Bunny lectured. I just lifted my eyebrows in confusion. In turn Bunny groaned. He looked so disgruntled. "You're lucky ya bloody show pony! Ya got two fractured ribs, one on each side and a completely broken rib that is sticking out rather than in." Bunny was yelling and pacing, his paws moving everywhere. Honestly it was freaking me out. "But all of your ribs are bruised and a few are about ready to snap too. Uh! Jack you should've told us right after the stupid battle. You've could've died!"
"So?" Bunny finally stopped and slowly looked at me.
"What did you say?" I gulped. Bunny's voice was quiet and serious. His eyes bore into mine.
"S-so? So, what if I died? There could always be someone else. Plus, I wouldn't be hard to forget. But I didn't so we're good." I tried to explain myself as nonchalantly as I could. Tears began to fill my eyes but I refused to cry over the truth. We stood in silence for a few minutes, him looking at me breathing deeply and me looking anywhere else. Finally Bunny's eyes looked away from me and to the ground.
"Jack." The tone that Bunny whispered my name was full of sorrow. I was shocked. Again Bunny looked absolutely broken. "Jack." This time his voice was stronger but it sounded like something was stuck in his throat. "Jack, I, I." Bunny stopped again, shuddering this time.
"Look I don't need anything, ok? I'm fine now and I was before. So thank you for the exam but if you excuse me." I put my arms down and grabbed my staff and hoodie. Bunny was freaking me out. So I was going to run. But I paused when I felt Bunny's paw on my chest.
"I-I need to reset the rib and wrap it. Then you can go to one of the guest rooms and rest." My eyes narrowed at Bunny. He still wasn't looking at me.
"I don't need a babysitter." I growled. This time he did look at me his eyes blank. It was a scary look to see the Guardian of Hope's eyes blank.
"It's either my place or we go to North's and you stay there. And you will stay. I'll make sure of that." Bunny ordered in a tone that left no room for argument. I examined Bunny.
"Um, North's then." Bunny just nodded. He resumed to rub the medical cream into my skin. It did soothe my bruises but I couldn't relax. Bunny was quiet and focused, like he was on some sort of mission. "Did I miss something Kangaroo? You're acting so unbunny like." I joked. My nervous laughter was the only thing filling the awkward silence. Bunny finished putting on the cream and went back to the medicine cabinet. I thought I heard him mumbled something. "Hey look Bunny, I'm human. I don't have super senses." I joked again. Instead of being mad or annoyed he came out of the cabinet looking at me curiously.
"How can you do that?" He came towards me but he seemed ashamed. The cream he had this time was a dark brown and almost looked like gel.
"Do what?" Bunny was usually straight forward. Today really wasn't a usual day.
"Joke, all the time." He said nervously. He cleared his throat. "Anyway this gel should numb the area around the rib I have to reset." He wasn't looking at me so he just started. I flinched at first. The gel kind of burned. "Sorry about that mate." Bunny apologized quietly. I looked at Bunny and thought about his question.
"Well I am the Guardian of fun." I said sarcastically. I knew Bunny's question was a serious answer but I was kind of serious too. Bunny stopped at my answer.
"Mate, just because I'm the Guardian of Hope doesn't mean sometimes it's not hard for me to hope." Bunny said solemnly. He looked like he was remembering those times. It reminded me of the times where having fun wasn't enough to forget anything.
"But we don't do it for ourselves. We protect wonder, dreams, memories, hope, and fun for the kids." I thought about how every time I played with kids they would laugh and smile like there wasn't a care in the world. There smiles were what made me forget my own loneliness. I gave a gasp as I felt something push my right side, really feeling the soreness but I continued on. "Before I became a Guardian that's not exactly why I did it. I always had fun or found the fun in things to see people smile. If I enjoyed it too, well that was just a bonus benefit." It sucked to be walked through at the end but I wouldn't have given up the kids' smiles just to be seen. Now that I don't have to with just a few kids, that meant the world to me. But for some reason it didn't stop the loneliness. Bunny gave a tiny chuckle.
"Ya know, you're really something Frostbite." Bunny gave me a small smile and I could feel whatever was bothering him before disappear just a bit. I gave a small smile of my own back. From him Frostbite wasn't so bad a nickname. "Well I guess I can wrap you up now."
"Wait. You already reset the rib?" He couldn't have. Every time I had to reset a rib it felt like someone punched me in my stomach and I lost my breath.
"Yeah. My stuff could make a broken bone seem like any other bruise." He said proudly. "It still don't mean that you can do everything like normal so my order still stands." He looked at me sternly and I just rolled my eyes.
"Yes sir!" I gave him a mock salute. He just rolled his eyes and continue to wrap me.
"Don't move ya show pony." I chuckled. This wasn't as bad as I thought it was. It was actually kind of nice. "There. I still haven't lost my touch." Bunny said admiring his work. I had to agree. The wrap wasn't too tight but it did support me enough. And my body did feel less sore as I put my hoodie on.
"Yeah, yeah. Doctor Kangaroo did another fabulous job." I mocked.
"I'm not a kangaroo mate." I smirked. This was normal I could handle this.
"Prove it. Race you to the Pole?" After all the deep talk I felt like some fun was extremely overdue.
"Your sides are jacked up. I ain't gonna race you mate." Bunny made a tunnel and we both hopped down.
"Sounds like an excuse Kangaroo." I knew that would make him take the bait.
"Alright. You want to race a rabbit mate, well let's go. And don't cry if ya lose." We raced to North's. And for the first time in a long time running was fun.