A/N: Hey guys! I'mmmmmm back! So one, I know how last chapter left off and how this one starts are a little different. I wanted this chapter to be about Tooth and Jack's relationship. A happy chapter. Yeah! This leads me to two, I'm sorry for the ending and the next chapter. It will be a while till the next chapter but I can promise it might be a tear jerker. Anyway, thank you to all that follow and favorited! To those that reviewed:
AyameKitsune: I know! They needed this chapter. And here you go!
Davan33: Sorry! But here's some fluff to give you a cavity!
Guest: I want to thank you because you do bring up a good point about the Guardians,
while they weren't the closest bunch in the world they still knew they had each other. This chapter was inspired by that so thank you!
You guys are awesome! Well enough of me, please read, REVIEW, and ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't own ROTG. But I do have the amazing Art of Book!
Jack
I watched Tooth command her fairies. Directing them everywhere, with a comment about the receiving tooth thrown in. It was chaotic and loud, but beautiful. Like a blizzard. Yet, Tooth was always in control, unlike me. Even though she was constantly talking and focused on directing her mini-fairies, her smile was bright. Passion made her eyes blaze. I heard her cry herself to sleep yesterday but now, I barely saw any trace of sadness. A content sigh escaped my mouth. It was peaceful to watch her. It allowed me to think without going into dark places in my head. A high pitched chirp interrupted the peace. I didn't mind though. Baby Tooth had kept coming up to check up on me. Whether it was Tooth's order, or her own doing I didn't know. I was just glad to know that I wasn't forgotten and that everything was going to be okay. Bunny had left a few hours ago and I was worried that things between Tooth and I would become awkward. It didn't, but then again we haven't really spoken to each other either. A nudge reminded me of my little company. I chuckle at her worried expression.
"Sorry Baby Tooth. But I'm fine, really." Her eyes went up and down. I think she was trying to see if I really was fine. For once I wasn't lying. I was fine. Actually, I was worried about Tooth. I knew that I hated to remember certain, things. I couldn't imagine how she felt remembering her life. To lose your entire family like that, I don't know how she was able to manage that, but then again she wasn't the only one. Bunny told me how in a winter long before I was created, he lost his whole family, his whole race. That's why he didn't like winter, why he was wary of me. I still think he should be but he didn't want me to focus on that though. He just wanted to let me know that he was reminded how fun winter was, because of me. He wanted to let me know that I wasn't alone. They all had lost someone. North and Sandy lost a friend. Tooth, lost her family. That's how they all connected. They lost a part of themselves. They connected through those missing pieces. Their work of bring the kids what they needed filled up the holes. They lost a lot, we're beaten down, but they weren't alone.
"Jack." I jumped when Tooth called. She was hovering right next to me, her violet eyes shining with concern. "Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." She tried to reach out to me but I straightened myself out before she could. I made an involuntary step back hitting the rail behind me. I tried to ignore the flash of hurt in her eyes.
"No worries Tooth. My bad. Who knew that getting lost in your thoughts was so dangerous?" I joked. She giggled and her eyes became their usual light pink purple color they were.
"I know the feeling." She said somberly. We grew quiet again. So I turned to watch her mini-fairies. They still ran in the chaotic system they had before. Just now there wasn't any center.
"How do they do that?" I wondered aloud.
"What?" I felt Tooth focus on me but I still didn't look at her.
"Your fairies. How do they run without you?" I watched as the little fairies zoomed in the palace and zoom back out. Almost like they knew where to go. The only time they went to Tooth was to show her a tooth that was well taken care of. She smiled and cooed at each one. I could see though that she still had my question in her mind.
"It's a type of telepathy." She started out slowly. "They were a part of the magic that the Sisters of Flight, the woman that collected memories before me, granted me before they," Tooth paused. I saw tears gather in her eyes. My heart squeezed in pain at seeing her tears.
"They died." I said bluntly. I flinched at how empty and cold my voice sounded but I couldn't help it. That was death.
"Yeah." Tooth swallowed her pain and nodded. "They granted me magic to create mini-fairies any way I saw fit. This made a deep connection between them and I. I don't really have to tell them what I want them to do, it just became a habit." Baby Tooth came up to us just as Tooth finished. She was chittering excitedly about a tooth in her hand. She proudly showed it to Tooth, who cooed and awed with her. It was obvious that they were close. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous that she had someone that was a part of her. Someone that understood her. My eyes caught the little burns that turned into scars, on her wrist. I shook the feeling away. There was a time she didn't have anyone.
"So why are they so similar yet different?" I asked, drawing her back into conversation. Baby Tooth smiled at me and nuzzled my cheek before flying away.
"I couldn't help but model some after my family. Baby Tooth, which I'll have to thank you for the name. She really loves it and takes to it really well! She looks after the other fairies like I do and is like my second in command. My partner in crime." Tooth said fondly. I shook my head fondly at Tooth's ability to get off track. "Just like my sister." I looked at Tooth in surprise. She had a distant look in her eyes and a fond smile on her face, "We use to pretend to fly all other the world, I would collect the memories and she left gifts. It was her idea to leave the kids something in return. She would also see who was faster. We were always racing and getting into sticky situations." Tooth giggled and I sat on the rail. I saw how she needed this it made me uncomfortable but she needed this. Plus it was nice to know that she was comfortable with me to say this. "One time we flew into a spider's web, We didn't know that the spider was on it. When Vanish saw the spider on her wing she freaked and began to fly in circles making a small whirlwind. By the time she was done the spider was off of her but there were leaves, twigs, and a bunch of other things. But she was so happy to have the spider off her, So happy." Tears began to pool at her eyes. I froze. I can deal with a lot of things. But to see a Guardian cry was something that scared me. Hearing her cry broke my heart but to see it unnerved me. I didn't know what to do. Then a memory came to me.
"When I was human, I had a little sister." I paused. It felt good to remember. To have something that was before Jack Frost. I noticed Tooth's sad smile. It reminded me what I was doing. "Anyway, this one time we were playing at the edge of the forest. It was in the springtime, everything was so full of life and everyone was outside. We were playing tag with some of the other kids on this hill. While we were playing, I saw this huge oak tree. I just had to climb it. My sister saw me staring at the tree, and she knew exactly what I was thinking. She told me not to. Said I was going to get hurt. Guess I was the wild sibling." Tooth chuckled. It was working.
"You climbed the tree and hurt yourself didn't you?" Tooth accused. I put my hand over my heart and leaned back dramatically.
"Oh, Tooth! Do you really doubt my grace?" For effect I stood up and did a backflip on the rail perfectly. This time she giggled. She's getting closer to her usual cheeriness. "No I didn't fall, but I did climb the tree. I even hung upside down from a branch to show my sister how safe I was." This time she busted out laughing.
"I can see you doing that." She laughed as I smirked.
"That's not even the best part." Her laughing died down but there was a gleam in her eye. "I jumped out of the tree with absolute grace. They all laughed and clap for me. So as a proper boy I began to bow to them. Somehow during all my stunts, I didn't see the rock in front of me." Tooth was now stifling her laughter the best she could. "I stepped on it and twisted my ankle which led to me rolling down the hill. By the time I stopped, I was covered in grass and bruised beyond belief. And do you know what my sister told me when she saw me?"
"What?" Tooth gasped, barely containing her laughter..
"I told you not to climb that tree." I said in a nasally high pitched voice. At that Tooth released a joyful laugh. It almost sounded like tinkling bells. Her eyes were now brimming with tears of joy and she was gliding in the air as she held her stomach. I laughed with her happy that she was back to her normal cheery self.
"That, that is so you!" She gasped out. "I can see it happening as if it was yesterday!" She laughed harder and I couldn't help but smile. She was finally having fun. Baby Tooth came back but when she saw Tooth she stopped. She gawked at the laughing Tooth. She looked at me but I gave an innocent smile and shrugged. Baby Tooth rolled her eyes at me. In that moment I felt something. I began to see her, my sister doing that eye roll. I can't remember how many times she did that but I know she did it it alot. Yet, she smiled afterward every time. I tried to grasp more of the memories but they left as soon as they came. "Jack?" Tooth called she was looking at me curiously.
"Huh?" I said dumbly. Tooth chuckled.
"Lost down memory lane?" She asked knowingly. I chuckled and nodded in response. "Do you mind if I ask-"
"I don't know what happened to her." I said quickly. I knew what she was going to ask because the question had ran through my mind countless times after I remember her. But at the same time I couldn't even remember her name.
"Oh." She said dejectedly. I held in a groan. I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Shouldn't you get back to work?" I say, nodding towards Baby Tooth. She turned around and her feathers ruffled in surprise.
"OH! Baby Tooth how long have you been there?" Baby Tooth chirped back in a frantic tone. "Ohhhh nooooo! Not again!" Tooth exclaimed in frustration.
"What is it?" I chuckled. It was hilarious to see Tooth frustrated.
"Fauna!" She yelled. I bristled at the name. "She's always trying to take the fairies! She loves to 'play with them because they're soooo pretty'!" Tooth mocked Spring's high pitched and airy tone. It did help take some of my edge off. "I'll just have to send more fairies out to," Tooth looked at Baby Tooth. She chirped something and Tooth snapped her fingers. "38.8339° N, 104.8214° W. Got it, I'll send you and-"
"Me." I didn't know where the sudden courage came from but as I looked at Baby Tooth I knew I didn't want her or any of the other fairies going to see Spring.
"Jack, that's too much trouble and you're my guest. It's just Spring. She's always been a nuisance. Once she sees the other fairies she'll let them go like she usually does." Tooth said kindly. I smiled but my ribs gave an intense throb, reminding me how Spring's been not so usual lately. I couldn't let Baby Tooth or the other fairies near her.
"I know, but I need a little stretch plus, wherever," I wave my hand aimlessly trying to remember the numbers.
"38.8339° N, 104.8214° W. Colorado Springs." Tooth said instantly.
"Colorado! That's even better! That like my second home!" I said enthusiastically. Her being in Colorado would be easier for me. If I get into trouble I'll just go into the mountains with the fairies. Baby Tooth did good in Antarctica. "I'll just go, get the fairies and make sure Spring stays out of your way. Shouldn't be too hard." Hopefully it wouldn't hurt too much either.
"Well, if you insist." Tooth said unsure.
"Which I do." I smirked at her. She smiled again.
"Okay. At least take Baby Tooth." I began to protest but Baby Tooth shot towards me and hugged my cheek. I sighed.
"Sure." I said reluctantly. I didn't want her to come, just in case I got hurt but I couldn't say no to her either. "Lead the way Baby Tooth!" She nodded and chirped in excitement.
"See you two later!" Tooth yelled happily. I just gave a mock salute back. Honestly, I couldn't promise that she would see me later.