Child's Play 12

A cool empty space next to him greeted Bunny when he awoke. For a moment his mind was in a fog, thinking Jack should be there then remembering they had broken up weeks ago and that Bunny was once again alone. It took several more long seconds before he remember that yes his Jack was gone but that another far younger one should be asleep in his nest. He woke up completely then, his mind a whirlwind of panic as he hopped out of bed. "Jack?" he called out. "Jackie, where are you, mate?"

When he got no response his heart began to race. He tried to tell himself to calm down, that the child was most like just exploring his burrow but when a search revealed no winter sprite his panic grew. Where could one child get to without him noticing? He sniffed the air trying to pick up Jack's wintery scent then followed it out into the Warren. The scent was faint, as if days old and he knew for a fact that he had not slept that long. It was just one night and Jack had been so sleepy that it was unlikely the boy would've just gotten up and left. Yet Jack was no where to be found and his scent was fading with the wind, almost as if he had flown. Bunny heart stopped. If Jack had flown then tracking him was going to be next to impossible. He followed what little of Jack's scent was left toward the tunnels but there it faded and all trace of winter magic was gone. One thing was clear though, Jack had wandered off into one of the tunnels but which one? It was the height of summer for the Northern hemisphere and with Jack so little he was in danger of not just the elements but any rival spirits that may wish Jack Frost harm.

Despite his great speed, Bunny needed help. He only prayed the child had returned to the North Pole but something deep within him highly doubted that. North was going to skin him alive for losing Jack.

. . .

Fear consumed Pitch's mind, drawing him from a much needed rest. He had spent the better part of two days spreading fear where it was needed and helping youngsters overcome the ones that in his opinion were foolish and needed conquering so that children can grow. A healthy dose of fear was always needed but silly things that were too grown up for child or simply unreasonable. They made great pets. Children had so many worries and fears these days; exams, style, whether or not they were cool or if someone liked them. Silly little things that Pitch simply couldn't understand. The worse thing these fears grew as they did and needed to be snuffed out as soon as possible. Seriously, what ever happened to people being afraid of spiders and snakes and other creepy crawlies?

The fear that suddenly assaulted his mind were none of these things. In fact it came from a number of sources, as clustered together but one...the one who was frightened most. It pulled him out of his sleep, calling to him for help. Pitch ran a hand over his face and held back a yawn. Of course when he needed a healthy dose of fear there was never any around but when he'd had his fill and needed to sleep that was when it slammed into him. Clearing his mind he tried to focus and sort out who's fear was who's. He nearly did a double take when he realized that the vast majority of it came from his fellow Guardians all clustered at Santoff Claussen. All but one.

Jack.

Jack wasn't with them.

He felt his own fear grow for a split second before reaching out to find the child. His fear was the strongest. He was the one calling out for help. He was the one who needed Pitch the most.

Ignoring the Auroras filling the night sky Pitch dove into the shadows to find his grandson.

. . .

It was still dark where Jack lay under a willow tree. Dark storm clouds blanketed the sky as a summer storm slowly moved in. The first clap of thunder woke the small child out of his pleasant dreams and then several moments later the first drop of rain landed on his nose. Bright blue eyes gazed up at the dark sky in confusion.

"Manny?" he whispered to the sky but the Moon was no longer in sight. Jack sat up and pressed himself into the tree, trying to seek shelter as the rain grew in intensity. "Manny?" he called louder but nothing changed.

He looked about in fright. It was still early morning where he was, still very dark despite the thick cloud cover. Jack pulled his knees to his chest and peered over them. Where under the moonlight everything looked safe and magical now it was very scary. He wanted his Bunny and Daddy. He wanted to go home where he was safe and sound. Hiding his face against his knees he tried to pretend he anywhere but where he was. He didn't like the rain, he didn't like being wet. The weather was too warm and he felt as if he was melting under the increasing rain.

"I want to go home!" he cried to the clouds but he did not get the answer he wanted.

A clap of thunder caused he boy to slap his hands over his ears in fright and tears to stream down his cheeks.

"No, not scared," he told himself as he rocked on his bum. He was soaked through and through now and his white fringe hung over his eyes. "Not scared. Grandpa don't want me scared of silly things. AHH!"

A flash of lightning lit up the sky.

That did it. Jack wanted to go home right now. It was silly to listen to Moonbeams and sleep under the Moon without a grownup. Manny should not have asked him to come here. It was silly and now Mother Nature was upset with him and this was his punishment for wandering away from Bunny. His child like mind raced with growing fear as he got to his feet and began searching for the rabbit hole that had taken him there. It was close to the tree he remembered but in the darkness he couldn't find it. He was lost, alone, wet and very, very frightened. He wanted his Daddy, he wanted his Bunny, he wanted his grandpa.

Another clap of thunder sent him running into the forest, desperately seeking shelter. "Pitch!" he cried to the darkness. "PITCH! Umph!" He ran into something and fell back on his bottom, now crying openly, not caring if anyone saw. He was a little boy and he was scared and all he wanted was his family.

"Oh little one," a gentle voice said as he was lifted up into warm arms. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

Sniffling, Jack looked up, revealed when his blue gaze met golden-silver. "Pitch!" he cried, throwing his tiny arms around his grandfather's neck. "Grandpa, I'm scared."

"I know, Snowflake, but a little storm is nothing to fear," Pitch said soothingly, noting that Jack had called him by his name rather than grandpa as he had been the last few weeks. "But your mother needs to water the ground. The plants need this to survive."

Jack shook his little head. "Sera not my mama, Tooth is."

Pitch cradled him close as he brushed back Jack's wet bangs. "Seraphina will always be your mother even if Tooth is your mama. If it weren't for her and Lunaroff you wouldn't be here."

A small frown creased Jack's lips and he gave the same stubborn look his teenage self often did. It made Pitch grin. The child's stubbornness would always out weigh his fear.

"And look," the Guardian of Courage said as he pointed to the sky.

Jack turned to follow Pitch's gaze. The rain slowed as the clouds began to break up but the Moon was no longer overhead. It was beginning to set and in its place was the sunrise and a beautiful rainbow. "Pretty," Jack said softly.

"Yes, Sera made it just for you."

The child giggled, his eyes bright as he watched the bright colors dancing in the sky.

"Jack," Pitch said seriously, turning the child's face toward him. The boy gave him a questioning look. "How much longer do you plan to play this game? I know you're still in there, Jackson. Whatever you're playing at has to stop before you hurt those you love."

The smile on Jack's face fell and he glanced back at the now fading rainbow. "I did something bad," he said in that child like voice but now there was an undertone of the older Jack. He turned back to Pitch and buried his face against the man's slim shoulder. "Don't be mad. Promise not to tell."

Pitch shook his head as he found a suitable place for them to sit together. "I promise to listen. We'll see about the rest."