A/N : Hi :) I've had so much studying and reviewing for semester finals! But now I've finished this chapter! Finally! It took forever! Sorry for the huge wait you guys.

Chapter 17

The dining room was unique. It had rustic furniture, but also had an elegant fireplace and chandelier adorning much of the space. The huge window behind the table gave a panoramic view of the icy wonderland outside.

The long, wooden table was already set, and everyone except Jack and I were seated. We hurried over to the last two empty chairs, and Jack, being a perfect gentleman for once in his life, actually moved my chair and pushed it in for me. Only a moment ago he was threatening me with a snowball. I laughed inside my mind, and came to attention when North spoke up. He was seated at the head of the table.

"Lunch is served!"

Elves came trotting into the room with platters held high above their heads. They seemed to be working in teams, one holding the tray, while the other lifted the enormous lid. Plate after silver plate, each loaded with all kinds of food, was raised and left on the table. A thought crossed my mind as I looked at Tooth. Did the Guardians eat much? Like humans? I know I wasn't really hungry, and I hadn't eaten in days. But I'm an angel. Maybe Jack and I are different? Sandy surely didn't eat though. I decided to ask out of curiosity.

"Ah-hem. Um, I have a really weird question..."

Everyone paused their eating, and 5 pairs of expectant eyes looked at me.

"I'm just curious... I don't feel like I have to eat, but I will, because, hey? Who doesn't like food? I'm just wondering if any of you have to eat. Like to stay alive. Or does everyone have a choice? Like, Sandy, is it necessary for you to eat?"

Sandy shook his head no, but smiled and took a bite out of a turkey leg. Bunny spoke next.

"I eat because I have to. Bunny's use a lot of energy hoppin' around like we do. 'Specially in Australia. Gotta dodge them dingos."

Jack raised his eyebrows at that.

Tooth smiled at me.

"Me too. I have to fly, and my wings take up a lot of energy. Being part hummingbird requires a lot of calorie intake."

North was last.

"You know I eat cookies all the time, little one. I have to eat, just like any human."

Jack looked over at me.

"You already know about me. I'm like you."

I nodded.

There were so many foods to choose from. A large bowl of chocolate pudding sat several feet from me, and I wanted to try some.

"Hey, um, Jack? Could you pass me that pudding over there?"

He reached out, grabbing the silver bowl, and used the spoon inside to scoop out some pudding onto my plate.

"That enough?"

"Mhm. Thanks."

He smiled a little and put the bowl back down. I reached over to grab a croissant from the bread basket beside me, and tossed it onto my plate before putting some butter on it. What else should I get? I was craving something mustardy, and saw my salvation. Devilled eggs seeming to have descended from heaven were on a platter in front of me. I scooped three of them onto my plate, and started to eat. The pudding was rich, and reminded me of hot chocolate. Just creamier. The croissant was awesome, and so were the devilled eggs. They even had paprika sprinkled on top. Just like my mom used to make them. Then it hit me. Everything on my plate was something my parents had always made around the holidays. My dad made the croissants, and my mother also made the pudding besides the devilled eggs.

"Something wrong with the croissants, little one?"

I hadn't realized that I was staring at the last part of the croissant in my hand until North had spoken.

"Oh, no. It's delicious! It just reminds me of my dad. He always made them around Christmas every year. Who made them?"

"I did."

I held up the last bit at North, who was grinning.

"Well, they're delicious. Good job."

"Thank you. I'm glad you like them."

I ate the last part, and glanced over to Jack after he nudged me with his elbow.

"You sure you're ok?"

"Mhm. I'm fine."

"Ok."

He turned back to his plate, and continued eating his food. He had two turkey legs, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce in front of him. It was like a mini thanksgiving. I finished the chocolate pudding, and asked North another question.

"Do you always eat like this? It's like a feast."

"Once in awhile, we all get together and do this, when we're all around that is. Good food, and good company."

I nodded in understanding.

After lunch was over, the elves rushed in to clear the table, and carried off platters back to the kitchen.

Tooth had teeth to attend to, and North had a factory to oversee. Sandy left to go to the dark side of the world. And Bunny stood across from Jack and I.

"Ready for your lesson, love?"

"Yep."

Bunny started to walk off, leading Jack and I outside. While following him, Jack leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"This is the lesson I'm dreading the most."

I whispered back.

"Why? It's just stealth, right?"

"Ya, it's just that he's teaching it to you."

"I heard that, mate. Forget I was a bunny, with these huge ears, did you? You don't deserve the title Mate anyways."

Jack's face turned into one of dislike, and I laughed at it. Why couldn't these two just get along?

Once outside, Bunny turned around to face me, put his arm around me, thumped his foot on the ground, and spoke to Jack before a hole appeared below us.

"Try and keep up."

Then, Bunny jumped with me holding on, into the dark hole below us. I trusted him though. We rushed through the ground, speeding for a great distance in the dim light. Jack was flying right behind us, a look of disapproval on his face. He let his staff drag along the side of tunnel, and swung it around in a full circle several times, making a spiral of frost on the sides as we traveled. I smiled at him, and he lightly smiled back.

Finally, we arrived at Bunny's domain. If I were to describe it in one word, I would have to say green. The color was everywhere! The place even had a slight green tint to the sunlight. The sparkling grass must be reflecting the light back into the air. It was beautiful here, as grand as Tooth's palace in its own, natury way.

"Here we are, love."

Bunny let me down onto the grass, and I noticed my boots and jacket. I closed my eyes.

"Give me a second."

I heard Bunny ask Jack a question.

"Um, what's she doing, mate?"

"Just watch, you enormous kangaroo."

I heard someone get punched, but I concentrated on a memory of a dress I used to have. It was purple, and perfect for spring. I recalled the detail of the lace trim, and how the dress felt. I waited a moment, crossing my fingers, before opening my eyes. I looked down immediately at myself, and saw that my jacket had disappeared, along with my boots. I was barefoot, and had a white, lacier version of my springtime dress. Bunny had a look of admiration.

"Cool trick, love. How'd ya do that?"

"I concentrate on a memory of a piece of clothing I once wore, and I change. I can also make my bow and arrows appear."

Bunny had a look of contemplation as he considered my abilities, then motioned for me to follow him over to a garden. Jack came along, and Bunny looked back in disappointment, then sighed.

"Don't. Freeze. Anything. Got it?"

"Whatever."

"I mean it, mate. These flowers are one of a kind."

I continued to follow Bunny to the top of a hill, which overlooked an entire field of high grass. It reminded me of something from Jeepers Creepers, or Children of the Corn, or Signs. Except that everything was beautiful, and perfectly safe. Hopefully. Definitely. This is where the Easter Bunny lived.

"Alright. I'm gonna show you how to blend in with your surroundings. Take a look around you. Grass everywhere. Like the Outback."

Jack rolled his eyes.

"Hey! I saw that, you little twerp!"

I tapped him on the shoulder, trying to prevent a fight.

"You were saying, Bunny?"

"Grass everywhere. So I'm gonna send you out for a couple minutes to hide, and uh, Jack and I here, will try to find you. If we can't after 10 minutes... You win. It's like a game."

"Um, ok. Sounds good."

I looked at the two boys before taking off over the field, hoping that no one would lose any teeth, or get a black eye while I was gone. I glided over the grass, noticing that I was about 4 feet tall in most places. I would have to crouch down to hide my wings from view. And it was too bad that the only things I wore seemed to be a stark white. I felt like I was in some sort of cereal commercial as I stood in the grass in my white dress. I spotted the boys, their backs turned away, high up on the hill. I hated being in a low spot. I felt like it was a disadvantage. Oh well. Time to hide. I crouched down low, and only let my eyes peek through the grass at Jack and Bunny. Wonder what they're talking about. Probably nothing.

Seconds later, they split up without appearing to talk. They must have a plan already. Jack flew at me from the left, and Bunny bounded down the hill towards my right. They seemed to be checking the rough perimeter of the field. It wouldn't be long until they came across me though. I had chosen the middle right part of the field to hide in, and started to regret it. Bunny would find me any second. I heard the grass swish behind me, and turned to find nothing, and when I turned back to the front, Bunny was in my face with a triumphant smile.

"Found ya, love. That was a little too easy though."

I jumped back in surprise, memory driving my response. Someone else had done that to me before. Snuck up on me. Just like that. But who?

Pitch. It was him, that day in the forest. After Jack and I had argued. The day I had ran into the blizzard. The day I died. I cleared my mind of those fresh memories, and focused on the present.

I had been caught.

"Dangit, Bunny. How'd you find me so fast?"

"You don't make any noise, but you sure are easy to spot."

Jack showed up beside him moments later.

I frowned down at my clothing. The white was pretty, but not practical if I was hiding. A thought struck me.

"Let's go again. I have an idea."

The boys raised their eyebrows, shrugged, and took off for the top of the hill. I was left in the midst of the grass. I reached over to some blades, and ripped of the ends. My palms had tiny cuts where the edges had sliced, but they quickly sealed up. I looked at my hand a while longer, then began rolling the grass all over my white dress. The familiar smell of grass and spring filled my nose as I smeared the green over my arms and legs as well. It would also cover my smell. I looked down, pleased with the familiar stains on my clothes. I could always think up a new dress if I had to. I would need to.

I took to the air a second time, and positioned myself carefully in the exact middle of the field. I waited.

Jack and Bunny took off down the sides of the hill, heading for the edges of the field, like before. I hunkered down in the grass, and waited for them to close in on me. After moments, the grass began to swish, and I made my move. I noiselessly moved forward, away from the center of the field. I thought that I had the lead against Jack and Bunny, but it was Jack who sprung up over the grass and tackled me.