Ok, I know this update took forever, but when you are like me and live on the road 24/7 in an RV, you don't always have time. Plus the fact I'm back into the full swing of fundraising for my next missionary trip overseas, and so I'm busy sewing hair bows to sell at churches.

If I do not update for a few days, it is because we are on the road in New Mexico and will be doing a series of church services on an Apache and Navajo Indian reservation. So I'm going to be extremely busy.

So this is CGryffindorGrimm's fanfiction request, which is basically a little fluff/angst piece…which of course you guys knows is my Kool-Aid MWAHAHAHAHA!

ENJOY!

Tooth sat on the couch, a copy of the magazine of Dentist Weekly on her lap, but glanced up to give a silent giggle at her friend the Easter Bunny. Aster was sound asleep, curled up in a snoring ball in front of the fireplace, his nose and sides quivering as one foot twitched in the midst of a dream. The fairy hissed at North, who looked up from his book, and pointed at the Pooka causing the large man to give a low chuckle. The rabbit in question suddenly began to fuss, his breath coming in short grunts as he shifted in his sleep, rolling to his other side, and then stretched as a low whine whispered from his lips. Sandy smiled gently, floating over to pat Bunny's nose, gently giving it comforting strokes as the rabbit calmed and drifted back into oblivion. Shaking his head fondly, North sat back into his chair, and straightened his glasses as he dove back into his book.

It was in that moment that the quiet bunch relaxing in the sitting room heard a door gently shut from upstairs, and floor boards creak as light footsteps tread across them. The steps went over to the railing, and tooth could see Jack lean over and give a smile wave "Uh…goodnight!" the winter spirit chirped.

Tooth cocked her head in confusion but shrugged her shoulders and twinkled her fingers in a small wave "Night Jack," she replied.

"Good night son," North grunted with a smile while Sandy waved.

The winter spirit's eyes widened with surprise at the affectionate term, but then narrowed as he caught his first look at Bunny, and Jack gave a small laugh at the adorable scene before disappearing back behind the railing. Tooth looked over at North, her eyes glittering with suspicious curiosity

"North," she said quietly "Jack doesn't normally tell us good night, he usually just goes to bed when he feels like it, or ends up falling asleep while drawing…Something's up."

"I know," North nodded still immersed in his book "Jack doesn't know this, but him checking to make sure we won't follow, and saying goodnight to 'put us off scent', is dead giveaway that he is up to something."

"How do you know?" the fairy asked.

"Because I have checked," the large man chuckled as he licked a finger and turned a page "every time he says goodnight, within twenty minutes he is gone from room, snuck out to who knows where."

Toothiana giggled "Think it's a girlfriend?"

"No way," a soft voice muttered from across the room accompanied by a yawn.

"Ah Bunny," North smiled as he took his reading glasses off and set them on a side table along with the book "you are awake, good. So why do you not think it is girlfriend?"

"Because I would know if'n there was, that's why," the rabbit grunted scrubbing the sleep from his eyes with both paws "the little blighter would've told me."

"Are you sure?" Tooth teased "He's only been a Guardian for six months, and he obviously doesn't tell you everything. Just because he hasn't said anything about having a girlfriend doesn't mean that it isn't a possibility."

"I'm not saying it isn't a possibility," Aster shrugged from his spot on the floor "but I just don't think it's a girlfriend. If it were, then he would be actin' like a typical lovesick teenager, not sneakin' around at night and lookin' depressed durin' the day."

Sandy nodded as he jerked a thumb in Bunny's direction indicating that he had agreed with the Pooka's sentiment. Toothiana shrugged, as she rolled her eyes and turned back to North "So, what do you think?"

"I don't know," The man sighed as he spread his hands apart helplessly "I just know that he sneaks out."

"Have ya asked where he goes?" Bunny remarked as he propped his head up on his paw.

"Well," the large man chuckled nervously as he dropped his gaze to the floor "not really, I mean he only came here during the summer and I do not want to drive him away. Besides, I am technically not his father, so…"

"So basically…" Aster said slowly with a teasing grin "yer too chicken ta ask him where he goes?"

"I am not chicken!" North spluttered "I respect his privacy…that is all! If I were parent, then I would have right to ask, and make sure that he is not going anywhere bad, but I am not."

"I guess that only leaves one option then," Toothiana smiled wickedly making Bunny chuckle at her.

"Oh, and what is that?" the large man huffed.

"We follow him," Bunny finished while Toothiana giggled in the background.

Sandy clapped his hands excitedly, using dream sand to weave together army fatigues across his plump form and wearing a military helmet with bits of branches and leaves sticking off of it. Slinking behind the furniture like a top secret operative, the odd little man popped up every now and again with a pair of dream sand binoculars, before collapsing into a round of silent chuckles. Aster grinned, and Toothiana bit her bottom lip excitedly as they all turned to North, waiting for what he would say. The large man sighed, and rubbed his eyes with one hand as he considered the idea, and possible repercussions should they get caught.

"Alright," North moaned "we will follow…BUT…if we get caught I am not the one who thought of this."

"Sure mate," Bunny chuckled "whatever you say."

"Let's GO!" Tooth cheered as the group made their way to the sleigh.

Sandy sat down excitedly, his face decorated with a large grin as Bunny grumbled all the way to his seat, hunching his shoulders in discomfort at what he knew was inevitably going to happen. Tooth flitted to her spot, and North took his place at the front of the sleigh, gripping the reins in powerful hands. Within moments the group was in the air, following the beacon on North's world globe that indicated Jack's location, each one wondering just what said winter spirit was up to. They were not surprised to land in Burgess, nor were they very surprised that they ended up near his lake, but the real surprise was the actual destination that Jack was walking to in slow measured steps.

The cemetery…

Bunny felt his ears drop to the back of his head as a distinct feeling of unease burst in his stomach "Uh…Guys," the rabbit said softly "I'm not thinkin' this is such a good idea anymore."

"Too late, we are already here," North whispered back "we might as well see what he's doing in a place like this."

Aster gave a heavy gulp of apprehension, and then nodded, shuffling forward as the group followed Jack in his somber march between the tombstones.

Jack walked past the newer graves, back to the stones blackened with age, and worn by time. His fingers grazed each tombstone with caresses light as a feather, his face blank as he walked down the path in a way that suggested he had come here often enough to know where every stone or root was that could trip him and where to direct his steps gracefully weaving between the grave markers. Finally he came to a stop in front of a plot of land with four stones standing in silence, the winter child bent his knees, resting on the balls of his feet as he turned sober eyes to the gravestones in front of him.

"Uh…He-Hey," he choked out his voice hoarse and constricted "I'm back…ya know…to talk. Well, at least I'll be the one talking, and you guys listen…because you can't…you know…talk."

Bunny bit his bottom lip as he watched the boy let out a frustrated groan as he ran a hand through his hair "Look," Jack practically whispered "I've been coming here for about a little over a month and I've been avoiding this subject for a while now."

"I have…I have a new…family," Jack struggled "and I almost wish I could remember you better, you know? I remember you Pippa, but I don't really remember you mom, or you dad. I wish I could…but I can't. I'm so, SO sorry."

Jack's shoulders convulsed as he let out a strangled sob, causing him to have to give pause long enough to regain his composure "But I think," he continued softly "that you guys would probably like my new family."

The Guardians leaned in closer so to hear his words, each straining to catch the quiet voice lilting into the wind "North is like a dad," Jack chuckled causing the large man to give a small jump of surprise, a sudden warm grin lighting his face at the words spoken about him "I mean, he's always trying to take care of me, and make sure I have a place to go. He even scolds me like a dad, and when I do something really bad, he gets this look on his face where his eyebrows scrunch together, and he just stares at me because he can't even decide what to start yelling about first. But there are other times where I do something, and he disciplines me because he needs to, but I know he doesn't mean it, and sometimes he even laughs about it because he just can't get mad. I really like that about him, it makes me feel like I have my dad back, even though I don't remember him."

North wiped a tear from his eye, sniffing back his emotion as Tooth laid a soft hand on his shoulder, her smile tender before she too jumped to attention at the sound of Jack's voice "Then there's Tooth," the fairy gave a silent squeal of glee as she leaned in her eyes wide with expectation "she is definitely like my mom. She is always worrying about me, and trying to make sure I'm happy. I don't think I've made her mad yet, but I bet it will interesting when it does happen, because I've seen her mad and it is NOT pretty. She is really kind, and compassionate, and I always feel safe, she was one of the first Guardians that I got used to having them hug me. I'm still not used to it, but…I'm getting there."

"Sandy's pretty cool too," the sandman did a small flip with a punch to the air as the winter spirit continued "he is like some kind of eccentric Uncle or Grandpa. He always sneaks me candy and different toys, and then he sticks around to play with me. Even though he can't talk, the guy is hilarious, and you never know what his imagination will cook up next. He nags me a lot about getting enough sleep, but I think it's mostly because he is the Sandman, and I'm a rebellious teenager who likes staying up late watching MTV through the windows of people's homes, so we sometimes have different ideas on what a good night's sleep actually entails. But on the whole, he is pretty cool…someone I like being around."

Flopping onto his rear, Jack curled up, hugging his knees to his chest, his voice fading away, and Bunny felt keen disappointment fill him that Jack was leaving him out only to perk up when the sprite began to speak again "There is also Bunny," he said hesitantly "at first I thought that he hated me…thought that he couldn't stand me or snow, or anything that had to do with what I am or do, but…"

Aster sat perfectly still, heart hammering in his chest as he waited "Bunny…is…" Jack began slowly, his words creeping into the night tentatively as if he feared the rabbit would jump out of the shadows and beat him upside the head for what he was about to confess "Bunny is like a big brother…the one person out of all the Guardians that I want to impress and…be like. It's weird, because I've seen hundreds of younger siblings do crazy stuff to get the attention of their older brother or sister, I've seen pranks and wacky tricks to get them to acknowledge their existence, and somehow before I knew it I was doing the exact same thing. I just wanted him to look at me, to help me get the hang of my abilities since he's a spirit that has elemental powers like me. But he never did, so I started acting like him, trying to impress him by being tough, and sarcastic, and stubborn…but that just made things worse. So I pretended that our fights were conversations…that we were brothers, and I was just being the annoying younger sibling that the older brother secretly cared about…I'm still not sure how that's working."

Aster grit his teeth and sunk onto the grass as his ears drooped in guilt, of all of them, he was the one who got more complaints than compliments, and it cut him all the way to the heart. "…But…"

The rabbit shot back up, his sides quivering as he hoped against hope that Jack would have something better, some sign that he could salvage their relationship and make the sprite see that they truly were brothers.

"Bunny," Jack paused as he searched for the right words "he is the one that I…trust…most."

Aster's heart exploded with joy and an indescribable emotion that made him want to whoop in victory and sob in relief.

"It's like," the boy continued unaware of the reactions behind him "three months ago he caught me talking to an ice person…something I had been doing for about two centuries…and he didn't get mad, he just…gave me a hug. And I think, I think that I can trust him, and I think that we can be brothers. He acts like a tough guy, but he's pretty much an overgrown teddy bear, and so I know that I shouldn't take his insults seriously because he doesn't mean them…which is cool. He is tough though, don't get me wrong. Despite the fact that he's terrified of heights, he is pretty wicked with his stick thingies that he fights with. He's really cool and he knows all kinds of martial arts, and he always has the best reactions to my pranks, not to mention he knows how to get revenge which is awesome because not everyone can get me back and he does pranks as good as me. He's crazy fast, and I like having races with him, plus his Warren is really huge and has so many trees and places to hide."

Jack suddenly became a fountain of words, as he chirped about how cool Bunny was, how fun Sandy was, and how loving North and Tooth were and how they made him feel safe, talking like this for well over two hours until the fountain trickled to a stop and Jack heaved a forlorn sigh.

"I know it's wrong," he whispered "but I need to say goodbye, and start my life with my new family. I know I'm being so selfish, and a brat, but I want…I need them…so much. So, tonight's the last time I sneak out, I'll still visit every once in a while, but I needed to come back and say good bye…for real…I want to step into my new life as a Guardian without any regrets. I love you, so much, and I hope…" suddenly Jack's voice became choked with uncontrollable sobs and he struggled to finish what he was going to say through his tears "I hope that…you can be happy…for me. I love you…Bye."

Standing up the boy softly began to sing, his voice quavering with emotion before slowly strengthening as the song continued.

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

I pray we'll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Remind us where you are

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Need to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

The Guardians listened to his light tenor, each standing in awe at the beauty resounding through each note, and Jack sang with all his heart unaware that the snow began to glow, and the wind rustled in the trees creating a tornado of snow flurries arcing around him as if the snow itself was dancing and responding to the feelings behind the words. And as the last night faded, Jack gave a weak smile and placed a rose carved from ice on each tombstone, including his own.

Standing in front of the grave marker that declared Jackson Overland the boy heaved a sigh and then nodded in determination "That life is dead," he said "I'm going to live my new life now, and I won't look back."

With that last comment, the boy flew away leaving the Guardians standing in the snow, each lost in their own thoughts.

…..

The next day Jack woke from a deep sleep, his nose perking at the smell of pancakes, and he sat up quickly as the memories of the night before flitted through his mind. Part of him felt a sense of loss that he had finally said goodbye to his past, but another part felt weightless, relieved that he finally had a future to look forward to, something ahead of him that made him excited and not depressed. Scooting to the edge of his bed, the boy flung his legs over the side and stood up to grab his staff from its spot next to the side table. Running to the door, he pulled it open, and burst through sprinting towards the smell of breakfast where people would inevitably be. What he found in the less formal dining room connected to the kitchen were the Guardians sitting around eating pancakes.

Bunny was eating carrot pancakes loaded with maple syrup, peanut butter, and almonds with a glass of orange juice on the side, and a small bowl of fruit. North was eating a stack of chocolate chip pancakes almost as tall as Sandy, which were covered in melting butter and syrup. Sandy sat with his waffles, happily pouring his maple syrup on top while eyeing the strawberries with great interest as the garnish. Tooth however sat with a distinct frown on her face.

"Seriously guys," she grumped "eating breakfast as a family is one thing, but do you have to mock me by eating foods that will induce cavities?!"

"I have fruit," Bunny said in a snarky tone as he picked up his bowl and wiggled it under her nose "besides, everyone knows that a real family breakfast includes pancakes…it's practically an unwritten law!"

"Bunny is right," North huffed indignantly "and you have been telling us same thing since we first met, but I have been eating cookies since that time and I have not had a single cavity, so stop picking on food choices!"

"You say that now," Tooth hissed in a spooky voice "but one day you're going to wake up with a tooth ache from a century old cavity that just decided to make itself known, and then…THEN you will come crying to me."

North and Bunny exchanged sarcastic looks of amusement before turning back to the fuming fairy and shrugging their shoulders "…Maybe…"

"ARRRGH!" Tooth growled as she grabbed a bowl of fruit and began to shovel it into her mouth, chewing it viciously.

"Oh Tooth," North paused, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"WHAT?!"

"That is canned fruit…" the large man shrugged apologetically.

"But…" Tooth felt her heart skip a beat "But canned fruit has an even higher sugar count than some candies due to the fruit syrup…"

"Yeah," Bunny snickered "none of us felt like flyin' ta the tropics ta pick some fresh."

Tooth slowly gave an unconscious chew to her mouthful before her hands flew up to her mouth and she gave a squeak of terror "My TEETH!" she shrieked as she shot out of her chair and zipped at full speed towards the nearest bathroom "I can already feel the cavities setting in! NOOOOOO!"

Bunny lasted exactly two seconds after she left before he melted into a round of uncontrollable giggles "Tha-That was great!" he guffawed.

Jack floated into the room, a grin on his face as he dipped a finger in the juice of the fruit in Tooth's bowl and sent a playful glare towards the rabbit "Bunny," he said slowly in an almost scolding tone.

Bunny stopped laughing long enough to look sheepish and send an innocent smile up at the trickster "Yes, Jack?"

"This isn't canned fruit," Jack said as he fought to hold back the laughs crawling up his throat "you tricked Tooth into thinking it was."

"Yes," Bunny nodded as his eyes glittered with tears of mirth as he bit his lips so to prevent more chortles "Yes I did."

"That is just plain cruel," the sprite sighed as he crossed his arms.

"What, like you wouldn't have done the same thing?" Bunny defended.

"That's what's cruel," Jack burst as his face took on an indignant pout that was ruined by the smile tugging at his lips "it IS something I would do…how dare you steal my job by tricking Tooth with a hilarious prank like that?! Now people are gonna think that I'm losing my touch and have to rely on bunnies to do my dirty work!"

Jack and Bunny glared at each other before a small snort of laughter broke through the winter spirit's lips, which was quickly followed by a giggle that was held firmly in the base of his throat by Bunny. Soon the duo couldn't hold them in any longer, and both were cracking up laughing. Tooth came in during the middle of all this and sent a glare to both Jack and Bunny.

"Oh that's it," she hissed "I heard every word, and now you both are getting what's coming to you."

"But…BUT…" Jack spluttered "I wasn't involved!"

"You were laughing about it," the fairy growled "and therefore you are guilty by association!"

"Oooh Crikey," Bunny murmured.

"Yikes," Jack agreed.

The two looked at each other, and then flashed a smile "RUN!" the cried in unison.

"Get back here you scamps!" Tooth shrieked as she chased after them from the dining room.

North burst into laughter as he happily dug back into his breakfast, but pausing long enough to look at Sandy and comment "You know, now we truly are family. Jack is perfect fit, and just what we needed to bring a much needed element to this team."

Sandy nodded and then tucked back into breakfast, he knew he would need as much energy as possible of he was going to go hunt down a rabid fairy and stop her from strangling their two favorite trouble makers.

I know it took forever guys, and I.F.T.S. I am working on yours, but your idea is a tad hard, so if it takes a bit, I apologize, but I AM writing it!

Hope you enjoyed this and don't forget to REVIEW!