Chapter 6

Bunny was at a loss after nearly five minutes of straight up screaming from the girl before him. She'd also run up to her room and locked the door. Bunny tugged his ears in frustration and finally decided it was time to prove to her who he was.

"Emma Overland?" he yelled through the door.

She stopped screaming and actually opened the door to peek through nervously, "Y-you know m-my n-name?" she sniffled.

Bunny smiled, "Yeah. I'm the Easter Bunny. That's my job."

"You're the Easter Bunny?" she gasped, opening the door wider and staring down at the creature. She narrowed her eyes and he had a feeling the next part was coming, "How do I know you're really the Easter Bunny?"

"Well…gee I don't know…" he mumbled in annoyance, "It could be the fact that, I don't know, maybe I'm a bunny that can TALK!"

"True." She nodded, "But…I thought the Easter Bunny gave me eggs. And it's not even Easter yet." She commented.

He sighed, "You want an egg, here." He said, magically pulling one out of thin air.

She gasped as he handed her the pink and blue striped egg. He wasn't about to tell her that while she'd been screaming locked in her room he'd gone to the kitchen to paint that one quickly.

"There, see?" he smiled.

"You really are real." She whispered as she got down on her knees and looked at him, "I knew it!" she smiled.

"I know you believe in me, love. That's why you can see and hear me." He explained.

"So…why are you here?" she asked.

"Because you are one special little ankle biter, that's why." He said fondly, "You made a wish and it was heard by all of us."

"My wish?"

"Yeah. You asked the moon for a friend, didn't ya?"

"The moon? I thought I wished on a shooting star…"

"Oh that never works, the moon answers your prayers." He mumbled quickly, waving his hand impatiently, "But the point is, you are getting your wish."

"I wished for a friend…" she said sadly.

"Yeah, you did." He smiled, "That's a good wish and one you deserve to get."

"So…where is my new friend?" she asked.

"On their way, but for now, you just have to sit tight."

She nodded happily, "I will!"

"Good." He smiled, "Now let's get outta this gloomy spot, eh?"

She nodded and got up, "Where do you wanna go?" she asked.

"Anywhere you do." He smiled, "For the time being, I'm your guardian or in your case, your friend. I'm here for you and only you."

"Really? Like Jack?"

"Kind of." He shrugged as he hopped along beside her and both left the house.

"Jack takes care of me and plays with me and keeps me safe." She informed Bunny, "He's the reason I was able to buy you."

"I saw that." Bunny nodded.

"So…how did you get here?" she asked him.

"I flew in Santa's sleigh." He said simply.

"You mean he's real too?! I knew it!" she cried happily.

"Yep, so are the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman."

"I'm so telling Jack!" she said proudly, "He's gonna be real sorry he didn't believe me when I saw the Tooth Fairy!"

"Oh you probably saw one of her little fairies. She has helpers." Bunny explained, "But same difference."

"So…does this mean that you're gonna tell Jack that you're-"

"Hold on there ankle biter." He chuckled, "I can only talk to you. Only you can hear me."

"How come?"

"Cause you still believe." He explained, "Usually adults can't see me but for this case, when I'm cute and cuddly, they can hardly resist." He grinned maliciously, "Kind of a curse and a gift at the same time."

"You mean you aren't always so small?" she asked.

"No." he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

"How big are you?" she asked.

"Only as big as that car!" he boasted proudly.

"Wow." She breathed, "I can't believe I'm friends with the Easter Bunny!"

"Soak it up cause unfortunately no one else'll believe that." Bunny mumbled to himself.

They walked a ways in silence and Emma finally looked over at him, "Mr. Easter Bunny…"

"Just call me Bunny, love." He smiled.

"Bunny…can you…see the future at all?" she asked.

"Nah, I can't do that. Besides what'd be the fun in that, eh?"

"It's just…I think Jack is scared and…I just wanna know if something bad is gonna happen."

Bunny frowned and looked up at her, "What makes you think that?"

She sighed and found a picnic table under some palm trees with a quaint view of the beach, "I don't know…" she mumbled sadly as she climbed up to the table top to perch, Bunny hopping up alongside her, "He said something yesterday that kind of scared me."

"What'd he say?"

"He said-no-he yelled at me, asking if I wanted to be taken away."

Bunny looked at her sadly, knowing her situation all too well. He looked at the ground and waited for her to finish.

"Am I going to be…taken away?"

"No." Bunny told her firmly, "We aren't gonna let that happen. As long as I'm around, nothin' is gonna take you away." He smiled confidently.

She heaved a sigh of relief, "I guess you're right." She chuckled.

"Don't you fret, little one." He reiterated, "Ole Bunny's on the case!"

She giggled and looked around the beautiful scenery. Sure the town was fairly old and somewhat rundown, but it truly was beautiful with the foliage and ocean views with the mountains peaking in the distance.

"Ya know, this place kinda reminds me of home a little." Bunny smiled as he too looked around.

"I'd never wanna leave." She said firmly, "Jack said New York was amazing but when I went to visit him it was so cold and so busy. I like it here more." She nodded, "This is my home."

She heard the bell of some bikes and girls laughing. She looked up to see Taffeta and her friends smiling and laughing as they rode their bikes around the streets and parks. Emma looked up, feeling hopeful.

Bunny watched her; curious to see what would happen.

He noticed they looked over and spoke under their breath, laughing about something. He narrowed his eyes, having a feeling they were talking about Emma. And here she was, sitting nicely, smiling and hoping for them to come over and acknowledge her.

They did ride over, but Bunny didn't like the looks on their faces.

Emma looked excited as she sat up straighter and fixed her red dress, brushing some of her chestnut hair from her eyes.

They pulled up and stopped.

"Hi girls!" Emma smiled, waving, and then pointed to Bunny, "I got a new pet."

Taffeta stared with disdain at Bunny who retaliated in kind, "That has got to be the ugliest thing I have ever saw."

The girls behind her giggled maliciously.

Taffeta then looked up at Emma who frowned, looking shocked and disappointed, "When are you just going to disappear? No one likes you, you know."

"T-that's not true." Emma said sadly, looking down and rubbing her arm.

"Is so. I heard your brother's gonna lose you and you're gonna have to move away to a whole new family."

"Stop it, Taffeta!" Emma cried.

"It's because you're stupid and no one, not even your brother wants you."

Emma bit her lip and clenched her fists angrily, ready to beat her up again when Bunny laid a paw on her arm.

"Alright that's it!" Bunny yelled, jumping in front of Emma, staring up at the girls.

All the girls paused and stared at the bunny in shock.

"You wanna mess with her, you're gonna have to deal with me!" he threatened, putting his paws up.

The girls continued to stare, considering they'd never seen a bunny talk before.

"And you wanna know how I deal with bullies?" he smiled. He hopped forward and some of the girls scooted back in fear. He put his paw on Taffeta's bike and with hardly any effort, lifted the thing with her still on it and shook it around.

She shrieked in fear as he tossed the bike up and down and put her back down so she faced the opposite direction, "Now hightail it out of here you brats. And don't let me catch you messing with my girl again!"

The girls screamed as they peddled away in fear, all looking like complete maniacs. Emma stared at Bunny as he wiped his paws on his fur coat and turned around, smiling smugly at Emma, "Like I said, Bunny's on the job."

"That was…amazing!" she squealed happily, "No one has ever stood up for me before." She beamed.

"What are friends for?" he smiled back fondly.

"Emma!"

They turned to see Jack coming over carrying a carryout box of food.

"I can't wait to tell Jack-"

"Hold on now." Bunny mumbled to her, "It's best you not say anything right now."

"How come?"

"I'll explain later."

"You got here early!" Jack smiled as he came up to her, "I was able to get off extra early before I go back for the dinner shift. I got your favorite so-" He stopped when he saw the rabbit and stared at her, "You brought the creature?" he laughed.

"He…" Emma mumbled hoping to find a good excuse, "He wanted to go for a walk. He's really tame Jack." She smiled, "You got me the best rabbit!"

Jack smiled, "As long as he's not the one responsible for scaring Taffeta. She and her friends were screaming like maniacs. Apparently a magic rabbit hulked out." He laughed, shaking his head, "Here." He said as he opened the box, showing her a homemade fireball sub. She grinned happily as she took one half and he split the other. Bunny watched as both sat on top of the picnic table, eating together happily. Just watching them Bunny could see how happy Jack was to be with his sister. He obviously did a lot for her. He'd tickle her side to steal some fries from her or let her lean into him. He was feeling peaceful when he suddenly noticed something out the corner of his eye. He perked his ears up and sniffed, wondering what was wrong. It suddenly felt…different.

He looked around swore he saw something black and shadowy flit through the trees. He wasn't sure what to make of it when he looked down to see a distinct shadow figure on the ground, whizzing by so fast that only a rabbit could possibly keep up.

His eyes widened when it hit him, "Pitch…" he breathed, "Oh crikey…now we have a problem." He moaned.

"How about this weekend we go to the beach?" Jack asked Emma, "It's been a while since we've gone just us."

"You're only wanting to go cause Hiccup will be there." Emma teased.

Jack nudged her playfully, "Am not." He laughed.

"Am too."

"Am not!"

"AM TOO!"

Bunny hardly paid attention until he felt something scratch his head. He turned sharply and nervously, relieved it was just Jack giving him a farewell pat, "Be good you two. I'll see you at 6." He nodded.

"Bye Jack!" Emma waved as he took off.

Bunny nearly screamed at the bloke. Emma was in danger! If the Nightmare King was here there was no telling what he would do.

It suddenly bothered Bunny that Pitch was even here, in broad daylight like this. What did he want?

"What's wrong Bunny?" she asked.

"Uhh…" he fumbled with his words, "Let's ah…let's hit the town, eh?"

"Okay!" she smiled; completely unaware of anything that seemed off. For that he was actually grateful. As they walked, he couldn't help but keep his ears peeled.

"You lot better hurry." He mumbled under his breath, hoping the other Guardians would get back soon.

…

Hiccup wailed, the fire giving him a feeling of adrenaline. As he twirled each staff, the fire whizzed around, making round shapes and lighting up the night. People oohed and awed as they watched the fire dancer. He knew a lot of it was because it seemed like such a dangerous performance. Yeah it kind of was, but he was Hiccup Haddock III. He was known on the island for pulling crazy stunts and living to tell the tale with hardly a mark on him.

The heat was more intense when on stage, but he didn't mind it; if anything he loved it, earning him the nickname; Night Fury or to some tourists: The Dragon Tamer. He paused, getting ready for the grand finale as he picked up the water bottle and took a sip. He waited for the drum beat to get more suspenseful and then blew into the fire, causing a huge reaction from the audience, who cheered and clapped.

He bowed gracefully and proudly, ready to move on to the next act until it was cut short with half the stage falling down in flames. Apparently his aim was off again as the straw that covered the top of the stage had caught fire…again.

He panicked and tried stamping out the flames, his face red. He cursed a storm as people muttered nervously and screamed.

Emma and Bunny watched with raised eyebrows.

"I coulda done that with my eyes closed." Bunny huffed.

"You're a little small." Emma commented as she continued coloring her picture, she was used to Hiccup catching on fire at these things so this was nothing new for her.

Bunny glared at her and she giggled as she colored in the picture of Bunny turning into the Hulk with Taffeta screaming.

The stage fire was put out and Hiccup merely bowed again, looking embarrassed as he walked off, covered in soot.

He wiped himself off and made his way down.

"Emma! What is he doing on the table?!" Jack hissed as he came by carrying a tray of drinks.

"He's in the chair." She defended.

"He's technically on the table since his butt isn't even touching the chair!" Jack said back, "Just get him off before my boss sees you."

"Fine." She groaned, "When can I have dessert?"

Jack looked at her plate of food, "The minute you finish those sweet potatoes."

"Can we just have dessert please? Bunny wants a carrot cake."

"I know you like sweet potatoes. So no dessert until that plate's clean." He said firmly, pointing a finger at her, and then pointed at Bunny, "And you…OFF the table!"

Bunny grumbled and plopped back down in the seat, wiggling his nose in frustration.

Emma grabbed her plate and hurriedly finished her sweet potatoes before Jack came back to hound her about it again.

Hiccup walked by suddenly and noticed her, waving, "Aloha Emma!"

"Hi Hiccup! Look! I got a bunny!" she smiled.

"Auwe! A bunny in here?!" he laughed, "Boy he's cute."

Bunny gave him a look as he tried reaching up to touch the table again.

"So Emma, how are you and Jack doing?" Hiccup asked, his hands on his hips as he smiled at her warmly.

She shrugged, "We're adjusted." She answered in a monotone voice.

He chuckled and turned when Jack suddenly appeared, "I still see sweet potatoes." He warned.

"Oh come oooonnn!" she whined, "I ate half!"

"Aloha Jack." Hiccup waved.

Jack stared at his sooty body, "Did you catch fire again?!"

"Nah, just the stage." Hiccup shrugged, wiping himself off more, hoping he didn't look too much like a wreck in front of the cutest guy he knew.

Jack sighed and then relented with Emma, gathering her plate.

"Make sure you bring Bunny a carrot cake!" she informed him.

He rolled his eyes and was about to leave when Hiccup stopped him, "Hey uh, so Jack…I was thinking that maybe if you were free later we could-"

Jack looked sadly at him, but smiled nonetheless, "Thanks for the offer Hic." He said kindly, but feeling let down as he looked quickly at Emma, "But I've got a lot happening right now."

"Oh…" Hiccup frowned sadly, "Yeah okay."

"Some other time, okay?" Jack said, feeling hopeful.

Hiccup looked up and nodded, "Some other time."

Jack nodded and turned sharply when he heard a plate smash. He rolled his eyes and grumbled, "That kid at table three keeps throwing his parents margaritas. I think he's troubled."

Hiccup chuckled, but watched him leave sadly.

"Don't worry." Emma's voice interjected. He looked over at her as she colored her picture, "He likes your butt and your fancy hair."

Hiccup stared at her and she looked at him with a serious face, "I know. I read his diary."

"He thinks it's fancy?" Hiccup smiled as he played with his shaggy hair and tugged his side braid.

Bunny rolled his eyes as he finally made it to the table and tried reaching for a crayon, "Lover brains." He muttered.

Emma chuckled as Hiccup practically skipped away happily.

Jack came back with key lime pie for Emma and an actual carrot for Bunny, "They didn't have carrot cake tonight." He told her, and then quickly ran off to get to another table.

She grumbled, but handed Bunny the carrot nonetheless. He didn't care; hey a carrot was a carrot.

As Emma ate Bunny once again noticed the shadow whizzing around. It was much harder to see, but he'd been on alert all day so he noticed it much quicker this time. He narrowed his eyes as the shadow moved from table to table, past trees and torches decorating pillars.

It was getting dangerously close so Bunny hopped off the table quickly, ready to protect Emma at all costs. The shadow went under a table nearby so he hopped to a table opposite, hoping to catch it off guard. He crept slowly past people's legs, eyeballing it and hoping to get a better look until he felt someone kick him.

He grunted and felt like he was being kicked around. Crikey he hated being small!

He panted and hopped out quickly and jumped to another table only to a lady scream.

"A RAT!"

Everyone started panicking and getting up, throwing things and yelling.

He looked around and felt like he was about to get trampled when he felt hands pick him up quickly.

"Just a rabbit, folks! Nothing to see here!" Jack called nervously as he held Bunny, trying to laugh it off, "Just go back to your seats and-"

"Jack!"

Jack turned holding the rabbit. He quickly handed it to Emma who clutched Bunny close to her chest as she stood next to her brother.

"Jack." His boss rounded on him, "What's going on?"

Jack began sweating nervously. "Nothing, sir it's just…"

"Is that thing yours?!"

"Uh…I…" Jack stuttered.

"He's mine." Emma said, looking shyly up at Jack's boss, "I'm sorry. I should have watched him."

The boss softened his look but glared at Jack, "You know the rules Jack…and I've let you break far too many of them."

"What are you saying?" Jack gasped.

"I'm sorry but…this isn't going to work out." The man said, with a hint of regret in his tone.

"Are you-No!" Jack yelled, "No please, just-"

"I'm afraid I have to let you go Jack, this is the final straw. I'm sorry."

"It's not Jack's fault!" Emma cried.

His boss refused to look at her as he shook his head.

"Why won't you just give him a chance?" Emma cried even louder, "He's trying! He-"

"Emma." Jack said firmly as he put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, "It's okay."

He caught her eye and nodded in reassurance and then looked up at his boss, "Fine." He said, standing tall and straightening up, "We're leaving. This job was horrible anyways." He muttered as he walked past his boss holding on to Emma.

"Jack…" Emma mumbled.

"Let's go, Emma." Jack said sternly and kept his eyes ahead as he walked out of the restaurant with her.

The whole walk home was completely silent and even Bunny was feeling horrible. He was the reason Jack was fired. In his mind, he knew this wasn't good for Jack at all. He looked up at the moon and practically begged Manny to get the Guardians there pronto.

"Make it fast mate." He implored to himself, "These two need all the help they can get."

…

"Jack…" Emma asked him quietly once they'd reached their house, "Did me and Bunny get you fired?"

"Nah." Jack shrugged, "It was a sucky job. The manager was totally a vampire and he'd been recruiting me to join his legion of the undead for months. Got kinda annoying." He chuckled.

"I knew it." Emma whispered to Bunny.

Jack sighed as he opened the door and led them inside. Of all the rotten luck to have happened this week.

Emma put Bunny down and he watched as Jack found the couch and collapsed onto it, looking pretty defeated. And yet, the minute his sister walked over, he plastered a smile on his face and let her sit with him.

"I'm sorry Jack." She mumbled to him.

He ruffled her hair, "It's not your fault. Like I said, it was a stupid job. I'll get a better one anyways." He shrugged, "And hey! More time to spend with my favorite sister."

"I'm your only sister." She pointed out.

"That's what makes you my favorite!" he joked, poking her belly.

He heard the phone ring and reached over like an acrobat to reach it, "Hello?" he answered.

"Jack?"

"Hiccup?"

"Yeah, hey! I…I heard about what happened and I just wanted to call and say I'm pretty pissed they did that to you."

"You and me both." Jack groaned as he played with Emma's hair nonchalantly.

"Are you doing okay?"

Jack smiled softly, "I'm okay, Hic. Thanks."

"Well…did you need anything?"

Jack was about to say no until Emma grabbed the phone and began to fake cry, "Hiccup! He's so upset! Please come over!"

"EMMA!" Jack yelled, trying to get the phone from her, but she practically crawled off the sofa and ran into the kitchen, begging Hiccup to come over and comfort Jack. He was trying to catch her but every time he went one way around the table she went another, so they both just ended up standing there.

"Please?" she begged, sticking her tongue out at Jack who was glaring at her from across the table.

She could hear Hiccup laughing on the other end, "I'll come over if Jack says it's okay."

She covered the mouth piece and grinned at Jack, "Hiccup says he'll come over if you want him to."

Jack continued to glare at her. Damn it! He knew that if he said no that it would be a slap in the face to Hiccup. He sighed and nodded, "Fine."

"He says he wants you to come over and for you to bring some chips and dip!" she smiled triumphantly.

Jack stared at her, his mouth open in frustration.

"You will? Okay, we'll see you in ten minutes." She smiled happily as she hung up. She put the phone on the table and marched away proudly.

Jack would be mad at her, if he weren't actually slightly excited that Hiccup was coming over. He shook his head, grinning a little to himself, "You know I'm getting revenge for that later." He warned her.

"I'd like to see you try!" she teased as she hopped onto the couch.

He sighed and walked over, collapsing onto it again and nearly crushing her. She squealed and scooted away only for him to grab her and squeeze her tight.

"AAH!" she shrieked, "You're squishing me!"

"I'm hugging you violently." He corrected, chuckling.

"You rotten brother!" she grunted, "My lungs!"

"Fess up." He told her.

"To what?" she gasped.

"You read my diary again."

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"DID NOT!"

"Did too! And I'm not letting go until you confess you little sneak."

She laughed as he squeezed her and wiggled his fingers, tickling her sides, "Stop! I can't breathe!" she laughed, "Okay! Okay!"

He relaxed his grip but didn't let her go.

"You're still hugging me." She pointed out.

"I know." He smiled, rolling so he could sit up and hold her, "Okay Miss Cupid…" Jack teased as he smoothed her hair.

"Ich. Cupid. Total drongo." Bunny muttered, rolling his eyes. He'd been watching the scene but was more focused on taking watch to make sure no fearlings showed up again.

"You can stay up with me and Hiccup till 9:30 but no later." He told her.

"Aww, come on!"

"Nope." He shook his head, "It's that or bed now."

"Fine." She grumbled, relaxing into him.

"Why do you like Hiccup so much?" he asked her. To be honest, she took the whole gay thing well, but considering she was raised with two parents, it struck him as odd that she was okay with him being with another guy…even though they technically weren't together.

"Because he makes you happy. And I like it when you're happy." She said as though it were the most obvious thing on the planet.

Jack smiled, cocking his head to the side, "Have I told you lately that you're the best sister in the world?"

"No."

He laughed at her bluntness and hugged her again before getting up to make some popcorn, "I'll make sure I tell you that more often. Go get dressed for bed."

She nodded and ran upstairs quickly. As she did, Jack finally had a moment to frown about his situation. He hated to think like this, but that social worker was the real deal. He'd made one bad impression and he knew not having a job was bad news. The thought of losing Emma made him physically sick, but it kept him motivated to do everything in his power to keep her with him. He heaved an enormous sigh and held his eyes, hoping to keep everything inside. Bunny was the only one who was present to see this vulnerability in Jack. The kid was totally losing hope, something Bunny never wanted to see on anyone.

"Keep goin', mate. Keep goin' and you won't lose her." He thought strongly towards Jack, hoping some of his magic rubbed off on him.

Jack took one final breath and bit his lip. There was a knock at the door and Jack looked up, wiping his face quickly before answering it. Bunny was surprised to see all the despair and worry leave the boy's face the minute the door opened and the boy on the other side smiled widely.

"You're pretty early." Jack chuckled, hoping any evidence of practically crying left his face.

"Emma sounded desperate." Hiccup laughed, walking in. The look of concern as well as admiration was all over Hiccup's face as he watched Jack, like nothing got past those eyes.

Bunny smiled and shook his head; as much as he couldn't stand Cupid. He had to admit, there was always something hopeful seeing two people in love give one another encouragement to keep going.