Valentines and other holidays

By End of Grace

A/N: I forgot to mention in the last chapter that I used Inuyasha's fire rat outfit in the chapter as well as Yūko Ichihara from clamp's XXholic. Please forgive me.

Chapter 9

To the Moon and Back (North/Bunny) (North/Tsuki no Usagi)

Tsuki no Usagi was a renown herbalist and chemist. He was a master of potions, herbology, and even cooking. He was also a rabbit but no already one, as he stood at six and a half foot tall. His coat was mainly black save for his fount and his feet that was white. He also had white circles around his eyes that were the colour of chocolate. He was often seen wearing an apron, a large leather belt with bag and gold rim glasses on the perch of his nose. In ancient times the gods of the world used his services a great deal, now he simply aided various immortals with their problems or sold them ingredients for their own potions. He was also their doctor and his home also ran as a hospital should they need it. He lived on the moon and was the neighbour of Tsar Lunar, or as he was better known as Man in the Moon, just as he was better known as Moon rabbit in most west counties. Usagi had very little time for visitors or friends, except for one. Nicholas St. North. North had saved his life when one of his experiments had gone bad and had blown up with him almost with it. In exchanged for his heroism Usagi gave him a powder to put in to his reindeers feed to give them the ability to fly but also increase their strength and life span. That had been over six hundred years ago, and every year North has bought him a gift, book, plant, new equipment and sometimes some vantage wine. A few hundred years in to their friendship, North's wife left him for another. North had turned up at his place, rather drunk asking for a cure for his broken heart. Usagi allowed North to stay and even joined him in drinking, which led to them making drunken passes at each other as well as drunken kisses. North was deeply embarrassed by his actions but Usagi assured him, that he was neither offended or upset. In fact it was nice to wake up with someone for a change. After that every fifty to a hundred years or so Usagi and North got together, to fight away the loneliness that came with being an immortal. They were simply friends with benefits, except Usagi longed to be more. Every time he saw the man, in his large red coat his heart fluttered and he blushed under his fur. He watched as North's youthful looks changed with age, but he was forever wonderful in his eyes. The last he had seen North was about fifty years ago and he knew that his friend and lover had been too busy to visit just yet. Not with Jack Frost joining the guardians and Pitch's return and defeat. Halloween being boycotted and North's adopted daughter's death and rebirth. The Monkey King returning and Pitch joining forces with them. He had learn all this from Tsar or Manny as he insisted when they spoke. He could not wait to see his friend again soon, for some odd reason North did not wake him or stay for a bit as he usually would on Christmas eve, and had not done so for the last three years. Yet it did not matter as North would eventually come to him, as he always did.

It was the twenty seventh now, and Usagi was busy with an inventory, when a large yeti turned up carrying a large bag of envelopes. He bowed to Usagi and handed him an envelope before leaving quickly, muttering about to many people and such a short time. Usagi frowned at the envelope that had his name on it, in North's tied handwriting. Why would North send him a letter now? Couldn't he have left it on his night run? Unless it was an invitation to the New year party that he always held. North had tried to get him to go on numinous occasions but the moon rabbit always declined as he hated crowds and loud noise. Using one of his claws, he neatly tore the envelope and pulled out a card with gold writing and silver bells.

Dear Tsuki No Usagi

You are cordially invited to the wedding of

Nicholas St. North and Bunnymund

On 31st of December at 4 o'clock at the Warren.

Reception and Party will commence at the North Pole after.

You may bring a guest. Presents are optional but welcome.

Please respond back A.S.A.P to Sanderson ManSnoozie (The Sandman)

We hope to see you there.

Usagi felt his heart twist painfully as he read the card. There must be some mistake, some kind of terrible joke. Why would North be getting married again? And who was Bunnymund? Deciding he needed answers, Usagi hanged up his apron and matched over to Tsar's home and banged on the door. Manny as the short man preferred to be called open the door. He was a short man, almost bald save for one long stand that stood upright in the middle of his head. He wore a smart clean three piece suit that was white and smiled happily up at the Moon Rabbit.

"Hello Usagi, did you get your invitation? I just got mine, but of course I knew about it before hand since North had already asked me about performing the rights of the ceremony..."

"How long has North been with someone else Tsar? and why have you not thought to tell me about it?" demanded Usagi as he barrage in. Manny looked confused as he looked at one of his oldest friends. He had never seen Usagi like this, the Rabbit was truly upset.

"It's not my place to tell you about North's relationships and you never asked about them either. And to answer your second question, he and Bunnymund have been together almost four years come Easter"

Four years? What was four years to the hundreds of years he had given North? Usagi crumbled the invite in this paw as he trembled in rage and hurt. Why hadn't North come and told him that he had found someone else. Had this Bunnymund told him not too? Had she turned his head so much that she had North under her thumb?

"Who is Bunnymund Tsar? What is she like? Is she good for North?"

Manny sat down in his chair as he watched the moon rabbit pace the floor.

"Seat down Usagi, before you were a hole in my rug. That's better" he said a Usagi sat in the armchair next to him. "Usagi, what is this all really about now? I've never seen you like this, your usually so calm and reserved."

"I'm...I'm worried about North. I think he is making a terrible mistake" said Usagi calmly as he twisted his paws around. Manny offered his some refreshments, but he refused, his stomach still twisted in knots. Manny sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"If North is making a mistake then it's his to make, my friend. But in this case I do not believe he is. I've been watching them from my scope and I get my reports from Sandy, and I can honestly say North hasn't been happier. Bunnymund is a good guy, though he does have a bit of a temper thou..."

"What? Bunnymund is...male?" said Usagi in confusion, as he always thought that if North married anyone other than him, it would be a female.

"Really Usagi, you really should keep up with the spirits that are one Earth now. Bunnymund is one of the guardians and is the Easter Bunny. I'm sure I've told you about him" said Manny in an annoyed voice, but his tone quickly died when he show Usagi was close to tears. Usagi buried his face in his paws for a moment to try and hide his tears. North had fallen for another male rabbit? If it had been another female human like sprite he might have coped better but not this.

"I need to see him. I have to go and talk to him" he said as he stood up, Manny looking at him in shock.

"Go? To Earth? But you have never been down there. Do you even know how?"

The Moon rabbit shook his head and went down on his hunches in fount of Manny, his ears fully back as he pleaded with him.

"You could send me there couldn't you? You must have a way. Please Tsar, I need to speak with North before his wedding."

Seeing this meant a lot to Usagi, Manny pointed to his fire place and smiled.

"There on the mantle is one of North's snow globes. He gave it to me in case of an emergency. Take it and use it to get to the North pole, but make sure to ask North for a replacement one"

"I will, and thank you" said Usagi as he took the snow globe and ran back to his place. Manny watched him as he closed his door shut, thankful that he wasn't North, because between Usagi and Bunnymund North was going to be in a very tight spot.

Usagi wrapped his grey cloak around his shoulders and raised the hood up to cover his ears, as he knew it was cold in the north pole. He also picked up a large container of the powder he gives North for his reindeer, to use as a pretence for visiting. Once the workshop was locked up, he shook the globe before smashing it to the floor, the vortex swallowing him whole.

Meanwhile at the north pole, North and Bunnymund were sitting around a table going over the returns that Sandy had already received and were going through a seating plan.

"So there is us, the other guardians and Manny on the main table. Aphrodite, Cupid, Holly and Pitch are on one together. Who else do you think can put up with Pitch?" asked Bunnymund as he looked down the list.

"Best it be Jack Skellington and Sally" said North as he looked over the returns. "Did we really need to invite all these people?"

"You know what the other spirits are like Mate. We snub them for the wedding and we'll catch hell for it later"

"I suppose, but did we really need to invite the hare? I would rather him here on my wall to throw darts at." groused North tossing the hare's reply.

"Yes we did. You can't have me the bringer of spring, Jack Frost the bringer of winter without having Raymond the bringer of Summer there. The only bigger snub then that would be not to invite the Groundhog"

"So they will be sitting together right out the back?" smiled North knowing that was what Bunnymund had planned.

"Yep, along with old Man thanksgiving as well. That way they can moan all they like and I don't have to hear them." smirked Bunnymund as he scribbled down their names together. North laughed as he kissed Bunnymund on the cheek. Bunny purred and turned his head as North kissed him deeper, dropping the papers as he wrapped his arms around North's shoulders. North pulled Bunny out of his seat and dragged him in to his lap. North's lips slid down, kissing Bunny's neck, as his hands rubbed his sides.

"North, you better stop, otherwise we'll go too far" gasped Bunny gripping North's shoulders.

"I suppose I must but I know the wait will be worth it" moaned North as he kissed Bunny's cheek again. As Bunny slid off North's lap, A yeti came running in muttering about an important guest.

"Where you expecting anyone North?" asked Bunnymund as he followed the yeti and his Mate to the globe room. A tall figure in a cloak was standing there looking up at the globe.

"Welcome to the North pole and my workshop" said North "May I ask why you are here?"

"I'm hurt Tovarish, I expected a warmer welcome then that" said the figure as he removed the hood. Bunnymund gasped as he looked at the tall black rabbit, who stared quite firmly back. His dark eyes intensified by his glasses.

"Usagi? Usagi! Tovarish it has been too long" cried North as he embraced the rabbit tightly and kissed him on both cheeks. An act that the dark rabbit copied but who's lips were a lot closer to North's mouth, Bunnymund noticed. Just as he noticed that the dark rabbit was watching him quite intensely.

"Bunny let me introduce you to my great friend Tsuki no Usagi, the moon rabbit. Usagi this is my love and heart, Bunnymund, the Easter Bunny."

"Pleasure to met you mate" said Bunny raising his arm for him to sake.

"The honour is mine as well" returned Usagi as he shook Bunny's paw tightly, testing his strength. Bunny gripped back just as tight, and waited for Usagi to back off.

"Why are you here Usagi? You didn't have to come all this way to return your reply" asked North, oblivious to the silent fight between the two rabbits. Usagi broke away and smiled brightly at North, much to Bunnymund's annoyance.

"You forgot to pick this up my friend. I'm sure your running out, so I bought some down to you" said Usagi handing him the large container. North took it and looked it over.

"I didn't see this out when I stopped by the moon with yours and Manny's presents. But you are right I am in need of it, thank you"

"You must have simply over looked it Mate, after all you would have had your mind on other things that night" smirked Bunnymund as he wrapped his arm around North's waist, enjoying how uncomfortable it made the other rabbit.

"Indeed" said North as he kissed Bunny on the forehead as he turned back to Usagi "You see my friend I asked Bunnymund to marry me Christmas day, it was his present."

"I see, and all I got was a new case for my glasses, thank you for that Tovarish. The old one had to be thrown away due to being over used"

Both North and Bunny frowned at Usagi's tone, but then North's eyes widened and he paled.

"Usagi...I...I didn't..."

"Say what's going on you two?" asked Bunnymund noticing the upset look on his Mate's face. "Who the hell are you?"

"Bunny!" North snapped "Usagi is a nine hundred year old spirit, and is one of the oldest and wisest spirits left in the world. He is a doctor and chemist. He is also my..."

"Your what North..." asked Bunny a feeling of dread gathering in his gut as his eyes swept to both North and Usagi.

"I'm...his oldest friend next to Tsar or Manny as you call him. I knew North during his bandit days and I was there for him when his wife left him. We're simply old friends...nothing more" said Usagi thankfully he was wearing a long cloak, that hid his fists that were shaking. He had wanted to come and openly challenge Bunnymund for North's affections, but seeing how deeply the man was in love with the other bunny, he couldn't do it.

"Old friends...right" said Bunnymund looking at North for an explanation but the man would not look at him at the moment. Usagi stepped in to Bunny's line of sight almost as if he was protecting North from his questioning gaze.

"That is right. Old friends that have not seen each other for a long time. Fifty two years ago to be precise. I was rather taken back by the invitation as Tsar never mentioned your relationship to me. I thought to come down here and say a congratulations drink with you both as well as deliver North's powder to him."

"Is that so? Well thank you mate, that's very kind of you! but I'm sadly got to decline, I have to head back to the warren, If Tooth and Holly have their way everything will be covered in ribbons!" he walked around Usagi and took North's arm and kissed him gently on the lips. "When you're ready to talk Mate, I'll listen alright"

North simple nodded and kissed Bunny back as the he tapped his foot on the ground opening up a tunnel to the warren. He gave a sharp nod in Usagi's direction and jumped in, the hole closing behind him.

North turned to Usagi, who was now breathing heavy as if he was releasing all his pent up anger. North rubbed the back of his neck, and felt a deep shame for what he had done.

"Usagi, I am so sorry" he said sincerely "It was not my intent to hurt you"

"I know and I think that is what make this even worse Tovarish. You and I have been friends for over six hundred years or more and for at least five hundred of them I have been like a lover to you as well. The least you could have done is come to me in person and tell me you had moved on. Even a note would have been better than finding out like this" Usagi's voice was tight now as he pushed down the anger he felt. "I trusted you!"

"I know, and what I have done is terrible and immorally wrong to both you and Bunny"

"I guessed you hadn't told him about us though I don't understand is why?"

"To tell the truth because I did not think about it. When this first started Bunnymund was in heat and I had unknowingly performed the Pooka traditions for applying for a mate. We were lovers and then mates. Then Pitch came back, the Monkey king and Holly. It was one thing after another, I guess what I'm saying is that I just didn't have time to think about anything else, time simple past on quickly. It's a poor excuse, and I do not deserve your forgiveness..."

Usagi raised his paw to stop North speaking "You've said you're sorry North and I forgive you. After all we both agreed that it was for both our mutual needs. I would not want hard feelings to ruin your wedding day"

North smiled sadly as he placed his hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Thank you so much"

"Don't thank me yet! I told your husband to be that we were going to have a celebration drink, and that is what we're going to do. I know that you have a very good wine selection here, so why don't we devour a bottle. Call it your stag night"

North roared with laughter as Usagi took off his cloak and followed North in to the kitchen. They took some of North's strongest wines and opened them, drinking, laughing and joking. Usagi continued to fill North's glass without filling his own. He watched the man's face become red and his eyes hazed as the alcohol took effect.

"Do you know! Do you know what the cutest part of my Bunny is? I TELL YOU! It's his tail!" North laughed not seeing the hurt look on Usagi's face as he spoke about his love. "I can always tell how he is feeling by looking at it. It wags so cutely when he's excited"

"You must love him very much" said Usagi as he mixed a sleeping herb in to North's glass and refilled it with wine. North took the glass and drained it in one.

"Love him? Yes! I love him to the ends of the universe and back again. I love him...love him...zzz" North dropped his glass as he feel in to a deep sleep. Usagi sighed as he picked up the glass and placed it on the table, along with his glasses. He pushed North back in his chair so he could access the man's face better. He slowly climbed on to the man's lap and took North's face in to his paws. He kissed North's forehead and then his cheek. North stirred a little.

"Bunny? Nice..."

Usagi bit his lip and told himself not to cry or back down from what he was about to do. If he made love to North now, the wedding would not go though by Pooka law. He knew North would be angry with him, but he felt it was only fair if he couldn't have North there was no way that other rabbit should! He leant down to kiss North on the mouth when something hard pressed it's self against his throat.

"I wouldn't move any closer if I were you mate. Cause right now, I'm quite happily to spill your blood on the floor and let the yetis clean up the mess! Now get up!" hissed Bunnymund holding a boomerang to Usagi's throat.

Usagi sighed as he slowly got up and picked up his glasses as he did so. Bunnymund removed the boomerang allowing Usagi to turn and look at the Pooka. Bunny's eyes blazed brightly, his fur standing on end, boomerangs twisting in his paw, he was livid.

"You never went back to the warren did you?" stated Usagi as he put his glasses on.

"No, North is a trusting man and I knew I couldn't trust you with him. So I popped back up in the rooms nearest the globe's and listened in. I was shocked and a little hurt by what I heard. I don't blame you for being mad at North, it was a shitty thing to do but in his defence it has been a crazy couple of years. But still he should have told you!"

"Answer me this, do you love North? I mean really love him? Cause I do" said Usagi shaky "I've been with him the longest, I've been with him though all his hard time. It was me he came to!"

"But you never told him your feelings did ya? It was you that made the offer to be friends with benefits. You had your chance for hundreds of years and didn't take it! North's mine now, and we love each other, and we want to be together." snapped Bunnymund pointing his finger in Usagi's chest.

Usagi snorted and laughter nastily, the drink fuelling his bitterness. "And what about you? You been with North though three of your heat seasons and your still not pregnant? What a joke it would be if the bringer of spring and new life was barren"

Bunny gasped and punched Usagi hard in the face, but the black rabbit stayed on his feet. "You bloody bastard"

Usagi rubbed his jaw "My apologies that was uncalled for, but I do have a point. You do know North will want children don't you? don't you think your being selfish by taking him as a mate and then not giving him what he wants more than anything else?"

"I'm not barren! Neither me or North are in a rush to have kids, we're taking our time!"

"Of course you are" said Usagi as he sighed "Alright I give up, but should you ever hurt him..."

"That will be a cold day in hell when that happens mate, but I'll consider myself warned. You better be coming to the wedding, North will be hurt if you don't turn up"

Usagi nodded and started to walk away before turning back to Bunnymund "You won't tell him will you? About this?"

"No, like I said I wouldn't hurt him, unlike you"

Usagi nodded and walked away, tears falling from his eyes. He went back to the globe room to pick up his cloak and found two snow globes waiting for him, obviously Bunny wanted him to go really quick.

"Ah well, I have at least a few days to get over my heart before facing them again, I wonder if Tsar would be up for a drink or two"

Bunny placed a blanket over North's body and brushed a few rogue hairs away from his face. He placed a paw on his stomach and frowned. He didn't want to admit it, but Usagi made a very scary point about him not being pregnant yet. He could excuse the first two heats but the third? He shook away his negative thoughts as North opened his eyes slightly.

"Bunny?"

"Yeah Mate it's me, try and get some more shut eye. You'll feel better for it"

"I've done something bad...I'm so sorry"

"I know Mate, Usagi told me and I'm hurt but ok with it"

"You still love me? Cause I love you so much, I couldn't bare to lose you"

"You haven't lost me Mate, I'm still here and we're getting married in a few days time, so we need to rest up"

"Yes...so sleepy...I love you"

"I love you too Mate"

Giving North one final kiss he turned and went back to the warren. He had a few things to finish up himself, before the wedding. Namely his outfit and North's ring, and he wanted them to be perfect for the day.

to be continued in the next chapter "The Wedding"

If you have any ideas as to what you want Bunnymund to wear or any ideas for the wedding, please leave them in the review box.