Okay readers! This is the last Chapter of Hunter's story! Next Chapter, the story of Emma and Rose begins!
Hunter: Chapter 4
"You both know not to let him use his powers?"
"Yep!"
"Make sure to hand Joy to him?"
"Bunny-"
"And have him rest and ea-"
"Aster!" Jack glared at him, tapping his foot in annoyance, hands on his hips with Joy clinging to his other leg while Jamie rolled his eyes and Sophie smiled up at him. "We'll be fine. Relax, and go give the Egglets a lecture."
"I'll only be a few hours at the most." Said Aster. "You know how to call me." Aster obviously didn't want to leave, making Jamie and Jack groan. The egglets had somehow destroyed the paint storage, and Aster had to clean up the mess, and scold his googies. Of course, he was panicking. It was August thirtieth, three days before Jack's due date, and Jack was about ready to pop, fake contractions keeping him stationary and bed ridden. For once he felt up to walking, and true to Aster's nature, he couldn't help but worry.
"Jack will be FINE." Sighed Jamie. "If it comes down to it, we can get North. Chill out."
"Besides, what are the odds?" supplied Jack. "North said yesterday that there is little to no chance of the baby coming within the next week! Now, get your furry but out of here! The sooner YOU are done, the sooner they can get back home and I can KILL you for getting us babysitters."
"Bye, bye Daddy!" said Joy, waving. Once Aster was gone, Jack sighed.
"Stupid, paranoid, pain in the-" he took in a sharp breath, the faux contraction catching him by surprise. He waited a moment, and the pain stopped, releasing a breath he hadn't known he was holding.
"You okay?" asked Jamie, Sophie playing with Joy in the grass.
"Yeah." He sighed. "Happens every once in a while. You can keep an eye on Joy?"
"Sure." He said. "Are you SURE you're okay?"
"Just tired." Replied Jack weakly. "I think I need to go lie down for a while. If you need me, I'll be in the bedroom." Jamie nodded, reminding himself to check on his temporary ward later, but first he had a little sister and a baby Pooka to entertain. Grabbing a colorful ball he gently tossed it to Joy, who caught it easily in her little paws.
"Play, Jamie, play!" she squealed, bouncing up and down. Jack peeked out the window and smiled, watching the two children with his little girl. He frowned at his stomach, worry setting in. Usually the baby was kicking up a storm by now, but it was eerily still today. Dismissing the inactivity as a side effect of the fatigue he'd been plagued with lately, he slipped under the covers, willing himself into a blissful sleep.
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"Hello!" Jamie and Sophie turned, seeing Mother Nature sitting in a nearby tree, waving. "Wonderful autumn day, no? Then again, it IS always spring here…"
"Bunny isn't here right now." Said Jamie. "And Jack's sleeping. What's up?"
"The sky, silly." She snickered. "But really, I'm here to deliver a little present for Jack." Out of her ruby red hair, ivy took a book with a cute blue and green bow stuck to the corner made of leaves and petals.
"Home remedies?" read Sophie, stuttering on the last word.
"Handy thing for ANY Mother." She said. "And I would know. You have NO idea how handy those little books are. Besides, what's wrong with visiting the old grump anyway? That, and I do worry about Jack. Thought I'd drop off some pain killers that won't mess with him and the kit and herbal tea." Gracefully she slipped down the tree, bright flowers sprouting in her wake.
"Nature!" said Joy, waving. "SHHHH! Mama sleeping."
"And how long has he been sleeping?" she asked, picking up the kit gently with her vines.
"About three hours." Said Jamie, checking his watch. Mother Nature clapped.
"Oh, yay!" she said. "About time for a wakeup call then! Can't have him missing lunch!" Before either child could stop her, she disappeared into the burrow, a mischievous glint that rivaled even Jack in her eye.
"Uh oh." Said Jamie, handing Sophie the ball and running to prevent a potential disaster that ended with Jack turning Mother Nature into a giant ice cube. A sudden scream came from inside, followed by the crash of glass, making him run faster.
"When he's done with her, Bunny is going to KILL me." He groaned.
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Jack rose, rubbing his eyes groggily. His throat felt dry, and he reached out for the glass of water by the bed. His eyes narrowed at the egglet, laying in a small puddle of water, the glass overturned. Sighing, he forced himself out of bed, his hips and back aching. Yawning, he made his way to the kitchen. As he was reaching for the water jug, the snap of a twig behind him making him jump. Suddenly something green, red and white jumped at him, making him scream in shock and drop the glass, the baby thrashing in distress all at once while warmth pooled around his bare feet, searing pain accompanying the warmth, making him fall to his knees.
"Jack?!" squeaked Mother Nature. "MiM, are you okay?! I didn't meant scare you THAT badly!" Jack opened his mouth to yell at her, but all that came out was a strangled gasp of pain. Both of them stared down at the pool of liquid, both faces paling at the bluey tint. Jack screamed again, another wave of pain running through, while Mother Nature panicked.
"Oh MiM! Oh Sweet MiM!" she yelled, ivy in a tizzy while flowers bloomed and wilted at a breathtaking pace on and around her. "You're in labor! You're in labor! What do I do?!"
"Jack!" yelled Jamie, seeing Jack hunched over, shaking in pain, Mother Nature freaking out. It didn't take long for him to put two and two together, and he felt a chill of panic wash over him. Forcing his mind to stop racing he grabbed two pots. With a deafening crash, he had Mother Nature's attention, and tossed the pots aside.
"Okay, calm down!" demanded Jamie. "That pain medication stuff, get him to the bedroom and make up a batch. Hell, ANYTHING you can do to keep him comfortable while we get North and Bunny!" Mother Nature nodded, taking a deep breath and helping Jack to his feet. The ivy cleaned away the pool on the floor, Mother Nature leading Jack back to bed, mumbling something about pillows and hot water. Jamie grabbed the summoning device Bunny gave him and slammed it into the ground, Sophie and Joy waiting by the door.
"What's wrong?!" asked Sophie.
"Mother Nature accidentally induced labor." He groaned, not looking forward to the conniption Bunny would have when he explained it. "Keep playing, and keep Joy out of there. Wait for Bunny while I get North." He pulled out the emergency portal and smashed it into the ground, hopping through the vortex. As Aster came into sight, Jamie came through the portal with North and a few yetis, all carting equipment for a make-shift delivery room.
"What-" Another loud yell came from the house, making Joy's eyes water.
"Mama!" she cried, Aster picking her up.
"What happened?!" he demanded, looking half panicked and half pissed.
"It was an accident!" said Jamie. "Mother Nature had a gift for Jack, and I guess she decided to try and startle him, but Jack reacted too strongly and-" Aster cuffed him on the back of the head, looking directly into Jamie's brown eyes.
"Slow down." Said Aster. "Mother Nature took a joke to far. What's happening?"
"Baby." Said Sophie, hearing North bark muffled orders inside. Aster gently handed Joy back to them.
"Can you watch her a bit longer?" he asked. "She shouldn't be hearing any of this." Jamie nodded, and the two raced off to the flower fields to continue their game, Aster dashing inside. When he arrived, Jack was propped up against a pile of pillows, Mother Nature having him drink some kind of herbal tea, North and the yetis setting up the room and getting out any and all supplies that may be needed.
"That's right." Murmured Mother Nature. "This will take off the edge. Relax." Finally they all noticed Aster, save for Jack, wincing at the pain.
"I could feel it in my belly!" declared North. "Knew something would happen. We ready in five minutes flat."
"I'm so sorry." Squeaked Mother Nature. "I didn't mean to put him into labor!" Aster ignored them, instead settling himself next to Jack, taking his hand in his paw.
"How ya feeling Snowflake?" he asked softly.
"Damn BRILLIANT." Hissed Jack. "I am going to STRANGLE her when this is over!" Aster chuckled, knowing it was just the pain talking.
"Joy is with Jamie and Sophie, and Tooth and Sandy are on their way." He said soothingly. The yetis grabbed him and Nature, throwing them out.
"We call when kit arrives." Said North, nodding. "Too many people not good for Jack." With that, he shut the door in their faces, and the two resigned themselves to waiting in the living room, awaiting Tooth and Sandy.
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It was dimming out, so Jamie, Sophie and a sleeping Joy had come back to the Burrow, Joy sleeping on Tooth's lap while Sandy gave her good dreams. All were just waiting, nothing but the ticking of the clock and the occasional yeti racing back and forth with sheets or hot water.
"It's been six hours." Said Tooth, stroking Joy's fur.
"Gotta be soon." Said Jamie, tapping his fingers on his knee nervously. All flinched as a pained, forceful yell broke through the walls. Aster tapped his foot worriedly as all noise died, not even the sound of working yetis reaching his ears. Finally North came out, looking like he had just endured the cancellation of Christmas and outlaw of eggnog and cookies, blue blood on his smock and surgical gloves, though significantly less than any had anticipated. He had a sad expression as he looked at Bunny, making all their hearts stop.
"Don't tell me…" began Mother Nature. Suddenly North broke into a grin.
"It's a boy." He declared, chuckling. "A handsome, healthy baby boy. Look just like Bunny!" Mother Nature fainted in relief, slumping back into her chair. As Sandy attempted to wake her, Aster was led with the rest of the waiting to the bedroom. Jack was wrapped up in blankets, holding a blue bundle with ashen gray ears.
"Wow…" said Sophie, climbing on Bunny's lap to get a good look. The kit was Aster's spitting image, down to his dark gray markings and green eyes. He was quiet, calm, and merely looked about with curiosity at the new people.
"Wow." Said Jamie. "He DOES look like a mini Bunny!"
"I named him Hunter." Said Jack quietly while the others marveled at the kit. "Thought of Aster junior, but…"
"We wouldn't know who you're yelling at?" chuckled Aster. Jack nodded, Hunter waving his paws about. Silently Jack fell asleep against Aster's arm, North dragging them out so he could rest, promising to be back tomorrow. Aster gently took Hunter, and carried him to his bassinette, tucking him in gently. Hunter's green eyes flickered open for a moment, and Aster could have sworn his son smiled at him before he passed out again. Part of him, a large part of him, was downright giddy, unable to even think of sleep, just wanting to sit up and look at his newborn. Tooth fluttered from the nursery, peeking inside and joining Aster.
"He's really cute." She whispered. Jack mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, making both guardians chuckle. Tooth gently brushed the fur on his head, smiling as the kit subconsciously rubbed his head against her. "Let us know when Jack is up for a visit, okay?"
"Sure." Said Aster. "I'll let ya know."
"You better." She said. "Because none of us got a chance to hold him yet." Aster snorted while Tooth giggled, waving goodbye as she fluttered out. Taking one last look at his newborn, Aster rose, travelling back to bed. At the shift in the mattress, Jack cracked his eyes open and peeked at his mate.
"Hey, Sleeping beauty." He chuckled, snaking his arm under and around Jack, the winter spirit resting his head on Aster's chest. "Go back to sleep. We have somewhere we need to take the kits tomorrow." Jack furrowed his brow, giving Aster a tired look.
"Huh?" he yawned, snuggling up to the warm body of his mate. "Go where?"
"Somewhere important." Said Aster vaguely. Jack raised a brow, but was too tired to ponder Aster's words any further. Before long he was curled up in Aster's arms, fast asleep and softly snoring. Aster stared at his mate for about an hour, running his paw through Jack's silvery white hair.
Aster had no idea when he nodded off, but when he woke Jack wasn't in bed with him. Jumping up, he noticed the bedroom door was open, a light coming from the kitchen. Tiptoeing out, he saw the light of day streaming through the curtains, the sound of Joy laughing happily coming from the living room. Jack was sitting in the rocking chair, wearing nothing but his baggy blue penguin pajama bottoms and a long, pure white sweater with silver snowflakes, feeding Hunter a bottle while Joy munched on some fruit.
"Morning." Said Jack tiredly. He wasn't about to nod off, but it was obvious he was still a bit sleepy.
"Morning." Sighed Aster, ruffling Jack's hair. Aster waited until Hunter was fed and Jack ate a bit of plain toast before opening a hole in the living room.
"Aster!" squeaked Jack, not expecting to be grabbed by his mate, or clutched to his chest, Hunter squeaking between them. Joy hopped onto Aster's back as Jack grabbed his staff, knowing full well if her Mother was coming, so was she.
"Piggy!" she giggled, Aster dropping through the hole. Jack groused at Aster the entire trip, and by the time the minute long trip was over, he was in the middle of cursing the Pooka, when he saw where they were; standing in front of a stone arch half hidden by vines and stone.
"Come on." Said Aster, going through. Jack gripped Joy's paw, holding Hunter with his free arm. Inside was a similar scene to Tooth's mural at the Tooth Palace, the pond and the waterfall paired with the shiny gray stones making a beautiful scene. But, he sensed an energy about the place, something akin to the energy from the memory canisters; like the pool was alive.
"Where are we?" asked Jack.
"This was a sacred place." Said Aster. "Where the Pooka christened their newborns, and were able to speak to those who died. I thought it had been lost." Jack could see the place had been thoroughly cleaned, a pile of yet to be disposed of charred wood in the far corner.
"It this where you've been running too?" asked Jack, trying to take in the room.
"Yes." Said Aster. "I wanted our kits to be a part of our traditions, so they will never die out. I also wanted to bring ya here, but for a different reason."
"What reason?" Aster didn't answer, instead leading him into the water. The entire pool only went to about his knees. Joy was safely in Aster's arms, looking curiously at the water.
"This is kind of like one of the human's baptisms." He said, getting his paw thoroughly soaked and drizzling the drips on Joy's head, much to the kit's delight. Aster gestured for Jack to do the same, and cautiously he dipped his hand in the water, finding it would not even cool at his touch. Hunter squeaked as the drops hitting his head, not liking the weird sensation.
"The next part is going to be tricky." He said. Jack gave him a look.
"Next part?" asked Jack. Aster's expression fell, his face a mix of sorrow and apprehension.
"It wouldn't be a problem, normally." He said. "But that is why this pool has two qualities. A blessing from the kit's family." Jack jumped as the water began to ripple, the winter spirit inching closer to Aster. Even Aster jumped back, unsure of exactly what would happen as nine small glows began to bubble up. Aster, under normal circumstances, would have teased Jack for hiding behind him, but in all honesty he would have hid if he were Jack. He was about to pass him Joy, and ready his boomerangs when he heard familiar laughter.
"Aster!" Not solid, but still there in the water, a gray and white furred Pooka with light sky blue eyes looked at him, her ears up in happiness. With her was a large male with light brown fur and markings similar to his own with matching green eyes. With them was a graceful human woman with her graying hair in a bun, soft wrinkles around her mouth. A man with brown hair stood with her. Jack peeked out from behind Aster and gripped his arms.
"Mom…?" questioned Jack, a look of vague recognition on his face. "Dad…?"
"Jack…" sighed the woman, looking close to tears. "How are you…you drowned…"
"The Moon brought me back." Said Jack. "Apparently I wasn't done driving people insane."
"You got that right Frostbite." Snorted Aster.
"Shut up Easter Kangaroo." Retorted Jack, sending him a playful glare. Aster's Mother, the white and gray Pooka stepped forward, sniffing at Jack.
"You're the Mother of my son's kits." She said, smiling. She held her paws out for Hunter, and with a reassuring gaze from Aster, he let her transparent arms take the newborn kit. Jack's parents walked forward, clearly confused.
"Mother?" asked his Father. He didn't look much older than thirty, having died shortly before his daughter was born.
"I'm not human anymore." Said Jack. "The Moon brought me back as a spirit of winter, because I saved Rose from falling through the ice. Apparently it's possible for the immortal." Joy noticed the people talking to her Mother, and held her arms out.
"Mama!" she demanded, squirming to get to Jack, only to fall out of Aster's grasp. As her foot hit the water, Jack's Father caught her, and brought her up to eye level. After a moment he laughed.
"I never thought I'd ever meet my grandchildren." He said quietly. "At least before they died." Joy shook her foot, not liking the wet appendage, and held out her arms to Jack. Upon reaching her Mother, Joy clung to him like a baby Koala, staring at the strangers with bright blue eyes. Tentatively, Jack's Mother touched Joy's cheek, getting the kit's attention.
"No!" she said, shaking her head. "Mama!"
"Possessive little ankle biter." Joked the brown Pooka, clapping Aster on the back with force akin to North. Joy took one look at the big Pooka and buried her face in Jack's shoulder.
"Jack, this is my Mother and Father." Said Aster. "Elizabeth and Arthur Bunnymund."
"Did they die when Pitch-" Aster nodded. Jack shivered, especially when he realized Aster's Mother was looking at him like he was about to burst into flame. With a nod, she handed Hunter to her mate.
"You'll do." She said.
"You are married to a giant rabbit." Said Jack's Mother.
"Pretty much." Said Jack, shrugging. It looked as if she was about to argue, when she shut her mouth and smiled. Jack wasn't expecting the ghostly arms to wrap around him, the woman running her fingers through his hair.
"Who cares?" she sighed. "My Baby is alive. Well, somewhat." Aster perked up his ears, as did the other two Pooka. Hunter was handed to Jack, giving Joy to Aster.
"Our time is almost up." Said Aster's Father. "We're proud of you, fuzz ball." Aster snorted at the nickname, knowing Jack would bug him about it later. Jack looked at his Mother while they looked at their newborn grandson.
"What happened to Rose?" asked Jack quietly. "After I fell through the ice."
"She got over it in a few years." Said his Mother. "Got married, and named her firstborn after you. She never stopped missing you, and went to the pond every year, no matter the weather. She'll be happy when we tell her about you. She still misses you, even so long after she died."
"If I ever have another girl, I'll return the favor." Sad Jack, hugging his parents with one arm as their forms began to soften.
"Thanks for letting me have him." Said Aster, for once acknowledging Jack's own parents. Both ghosts blinked.
"Rabbit…" began Jack's Father menacingly. "If I ever find out you did something to hurt my boy, you'll WISH you were dead."
"Registered, Mr. and Mrs. Frost." Chuckled Aster.
"Lilly." Said the woman, the man following with a gruff call of Jefferson. "Be happy, Jackson. Promise us that." Jack nodded, leaning into Aster as his parents vanished.
"You too Aster." Sighed the Bunnymund's, smiling happily at their son as they faded into the waterfall mist.
"We will." He chuckled, nuzzling the top of Jack's head. The two merely stared into space a while before Jack broke the silence.
"I don't see where you get it." said Jack, making Aster's ears perk.
"Eh? What ya getting at mate?"
"How you turned out so high strung when your parents are so chill."
"Hey!" Jack snickered, tugging at Aster's paw.
"Come on." He said. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
"No more hot peppers?" snickered Aster.
"Hell no." As the two walked out of the pool, neither noticed the four sets of ghostly eyes watching them, Jack taking shots at Aster and Aster returning them with a wry grin.
We're always watching over you. The eyes disappeared, the souls returning to the beyond, until the next time they were summoned, already anticipating their next visit.