Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D Man, it feels like forever since I last updated this story, but I finally finished outlining it, and I'm eleven chapters ahead in this story! ^u^ I also hit over 304 pages, and 103,734 words in this collection. =O That's excluding author's notes, of course. X) I predict that this story will go over 200,000 words or so, but I could be wrong. We'll see how far "The Winter Child" will go, hehe. X)

Also, this story finally has an official cover! =D I had a little trouble getting the lighting right, but I think I did a decent job. X) Jackie looks so handsome. QwQ I think it could've come out a bit better, but eh, I tried mah best. XD

Anyway, that's all the updates I have to share regarding this story, so I hope you guys enjoy chapter number twenty! =D (I had a lot of fun writing this one- XD).


~ XX ~

Bath Time!

How it was difficult

To give Jack a bath

He'd do anything to avoid it

Whether it was hiding or extra math

Who knew he'd go so far

As to disappear completely

Leaving North and the Guardians

To track him down before the evening

...

Jack hated baths. No, really. He loathed them. Bathing him had always been a struggle, ever since the boy was young. One foot dipped in the tub and he'd cry as if he'd just been slapped. There were times when Jack would cooperate, but those moments were as rare as gold. And now that he was older and more aware, those times of begrudging agreeability had long vanished.

North hoped that, eventually, getting Jack in the bath wouldn't be so difficult. Soon he'd learn the importance of staying clean, though that seemed to be incredulous at the moment. Whenever it was time for a bath, Jack would be gone. And the only trace of him would be what toys he had been playing with prior. North would always find him, but the winter child never gave up on evading what he thought was a cursed wash.

It was morning in Santoff Claussen, and the birds were singing merrily. The sun was bright and grinning, and the sky was a bold shade of blue. No clouds roamed the sky today, but Jack wasn't at all disappointed. He was too busy playing with Wawa and the rest of his toys, adventuring the lost jungles of Xialai, in search of a hidden temple fabled to hold treasures of candy and gold.

The temple (which in this case was Jack's closet), was easily found thanks to Wawa's remarkable sense of smell. Jack smiled with pride, the lit torch in his hand flickering with excitement as he reached out to push open the large, temple doors. His fingers twitched in anticipation. Wawa watched, her button eyes gleaming. Jack was just about to throw open the door when…

"Jack! Is time for bath!"

Jack snapped out of his fantasy and looked at the door, filling with dread. No, no, no! Not here! Not now! The winter child quickly tossed aside his torch (a pencil) and explorer's hat (his fur hat that was meant for the winter), and dove under the bed, pulling Wawa with him. Jack forced himself to stay quiet. To not breathe too loudly, or think too loudly. For he feared that North would hear them if he thought too hard. Jack clamped a hand over his mouth to ensure that he didn't make a sound.

The bedroom door opened, as Jack expected, and North stepped into the room. He heaved a heavy sigh when he found Jack's toys haphazardly scattered against the floor, and no sign of the young snow sprite.

"Jack, I know you're in here," said North, searching through the bedroom. "You know there is no avoiding this."

That's what you think, thought Jack. He sunk deeper under the depths of his bed, making sure the bed skirts concealed him well. There was absolutely, positively, no way that North would find him down there. He was perfectly hidden! The ex-Cossack wasn't even checking anywhere near the—

"Da! Caught you!" North declared. Jack yelped as he was suddenly dragged out of his hiding place. The winter child squirmed out of his arms and ran to the other side of the bed.

"No, no, no!" cried Jack. "I don't wanna take a bath!"

"Why not?" asked North. Frankly, he wanted to know why the winter child hated baths so much. There was nothing wrong with a refreshing dip in the tub or shower. Jack crossed his arms.

"I just don't wanna!" he pouted. "I wanna stay here and play!"

"You can continue playing after bath," North said. He swiftly picked Jack up and carried him to the bathroom. Jack kicked and whined, but North kept a firm grip on him. He stripped off the boy's pajamas and plunked him into the tub. Jack crossed his arms and scowled as North began to wash him.

North didn't understand why Jack disliked baths so much. But what was it about them that he didn't like? "Why don't you like baths, moy mal'chik?" asked North.

Jack didn't respond for a few moments. North assumed that he was still upset. Then, Jack spoke up. "'Cause they always ruin my fun. I wanna play, but then I have to take a bath."

"But you do get to play afterwards, da?" said North.

Jack brushed his soapy bangs out of his eyes. "I guess…" he frowned and sloshed his foot in the water. "But I still don't like baths!"

North shook his head. "You need them to stay clean, my boy. Unless you find way to, you won't be avoiding any baths."

North directed the winter child to close his eyes as he rinsed out the shampoo. Jack did so, his mind racing as it replayed what North had just said. If he wasn't going to take a bath, he needed to find a better way to evade one…Jack smiled mischievously.

Yes, that was exactly what he was going to do.

North managed to get Jack bathed regardless of his protests, and the boy returned right to playing the instant he was dressed. North worked the rest of the day in his study; he had an important project to work on. It had been requested by Tsar Lunar himself, hoping that this invention would help defend the Tsardom against Pitch. North was still planning out the designs, and he had no idea how it was to be powered, but he knew he'd figure it out eventually. He wanted to do anything he could to protect Lunslruna against the Boogeyman and his Nightmares.

When North was innovating, he wasn't aware of things going on around him. He also lost track of time, something that often happens when you find yourself immersed in your work. North looked out the window, surprised to find that the sun was already beginning to set. His clock in the corner read seven-thirty. It was time for Jack to start getting ready for bed.

North set down his blueprints and walked out of the study. He frowned at the eerie silence that hovered throughout the house. One may think being upset at silence is a peculiar thing, but when it came to Jack, silence like this either meant that he was asleep…or he was up to something. North could feel that it was the latter.

Now that he thought about it, he hadn't heard anything from the winter child all day. Usually, Jack would drop into the study to see what North was working on, or offer his help, even though he knew he was too young to handle most of North's tools. Whenever he found himself trapped in a working mode, Jack was always there to pull him out of it. This time, however, the young snow sprite didn't appear at North. If North hadn't looked outside, he probably would've been locked in the study for an hour or two more.

North assumed that Jack was most likely upstairs, quietly playing with his toys so he wouldn't disturb him. "Jack, is time to take your bath!" North called, but he didn't receive a response. The ex-Cossack called again, but Jack didn't respond. North sighed; he had grown used to this by now.

North walked upstairs and opened the door to Jack's bedroom. He wasn't surprised to find him gone. He's probably hiding again… he thought. North searched the room. Jack wasn't there.

North's brow furrowed. How strange…Jack normally hid in the closet or under his bed whenever he tried to avoid his baths (the winter child could be quite predictable at times). So North was a little surprised that he didn't pick one of his usual hiding places. North checked against just to make sure. No…the young boy still wasn't there.

Jack's toys were scattered on the floor. North hadn't seen him leave his room since that morning…North remembered earlier that morning. "Unless if you find way to, you won't be avoiding any baths."

North groaned, rubbing his hand against his forehead. He had given Jack the idea to hide…Much better than he originally had! Jack must have realized that if he were to avoid bathing, he'd need to pick a hiding place earlier on. And one that North wouldn't think of checking first. North huffed; Jack was smart, and he gave him kudos for that. But he was still his son; he'd find him soon enough.

North walked downstairs, knowing that Jack wouldn't choose the bathroom or hallway closet to hide in. Those spots were too close to his room, and the winter child knew North would check them next upon realizing he wasn't in his bedroom. Heading downstairs, North glanced at the living room. There weren't any good hiding places there…Behind the armchair, perhaps, but Jack wouldn't have picked that spot.

The ex-Cossack proceeded to the kitchen, where it was seemingly untouched. Out of the corner of his eyes, North saw one of the lower cabinets move. Slowly, he approached it. He could hear faint movement from inside.

Jack.

Acting quickly, North threw open the cabinet door, readying to grab Jack when a cold, freezing substance was thrown at his face. North stumbled back, crying out in surprise. He heard Jack dash out of the cabinet. North rubbed the liquid out of his eyes and looked at his hands, finding the remains of a snowball lying in his palms.

North realized if he was going to catch Jack, he was going to need some help. Putting on his coat, North ran out of the house to grab reinforcements.

"Jack's hiding so he doesn't have to take a bath?"

"Now that's the most amusin' thing I've heard all day."

Sandy pointed at Aster, agreeing with his statement.

North crossed his arms. "Well, he has been doing it a lot recently. Usually, I'm able to find him, but now—"

"Ya lost him," said Aster bluntly. North frowned.

"I didn't lose him. He just…ran off!" North explained. "Anyway, I need your help finding him. I know I won't be able to catch him on my own. Jack is quicker than fox."

"That's why we're here," said Tooth kindly. "We just need to be strategic. We'll split up to cover more ground and increase our chances of cornering Jack."

"Sounds like a plan," said Aster. Sandy gave a nod of agreement. The Guardians spread out on the lower floor house. North didn't see which direction Jack had gone when he had bolted, but he had a feeling that he was somewhere downstairs.

"Come on, Jack! Baths aren't so bad," Tooth called.

"Ya can't hide forever, mate!" Aster hollered.

"Jack, moy mal'chik, it is getting late! You need to be bathed," North said. But no matter how many times the Guardians tried to cajole Jack out, the winter child refused to reveal himself.

Sandy tugged North's sleeve and pointed at Aster. His dreamsand created the image of a nose and Jack. The Pooka blinked. "Crikey, why didn't I think of that."

"So we just spent half of our time searching for Jack when Bunny could've just sniffed him out," said Tooth with a small frown.

"None of ya thought of that either, so I'm not the only one who forgot," Aster retorted. He stepped out of the living room. "C'mon. Frostbite's this way."

The Guardians followed Aster down the hall and into the study. The Guardians grew quiet and slowly entered the room. Aster pointed at the desk.

"He's under there," he whispered.

"Everyone, surround the desk," Tooth murmured. "It'll make it harder for him to escape."

The Guardians approached North's large study desk and circled it. North could see Jack's shadow move from underneath. The ex-Cossack looked at the other Guardians. They nodded.

"One, two…" North raised his hands, ready to grab Jack. "Three!"

North lunged under the desk, but Jack was too quick. He threw a snowball at his face—again!—and ran out from under the desk. Aster tried to grab him, but he slipped out of his paws. Tooth fluttered over to Jack and tried to lift him, but the winter child ducked out of her reach. Sandy fashioned a rope of dreamsand and spun it in the air like a rancher. He tossed the lasso at Jack, but the winter child dodged it. He ran out of the study, leaving a flurry of snowflakes behind him.

"After 'im!" Aster hollered. The Guardians tumbled out of the study and chased the six-year-old boy around the house. Jack cut through the living room, narrowly dodging Sandy's lasso once again. Tooth tried to get a hold of him, but the winter child was armed with snowballs, and he had quite a fantastic aim for his age too. As Tooth rubbed snow out of her feathers, Aster and North made a dive for Jack, but the young boy skidded out of the way, and the Pooka and ex-Cossack crashed to the ground.

Aster groaned. "That hurt…"

"Uh, guys, he's heading for the backdoor!" Tooth exclaimed.

"Wind!" Jack shouted. "Open the door!"

A gale shoved the back door open. Jack was out of the house and in the yard faster than one could blink a lash.

And, of course, the Guardians followed him. Because who let a six-year-old wander outside on their own?

The Guardians ran into the yard, finding Jack making a beeline for the fence. Again, he called on the Wind and she lifted him over. Jack disappeared over the wooden barricade. The Guardians were shocked.

"How much does this ankle-biter hate a bath?!" asked Aster as the Guardians hurried to the gate.

"More than you know," responded North. He fiddled with the gate lock and pushed it open. They spotted Jack running to the front of the house.

"Jack! Get back here!" shouted North. The winter child turned around for a nanosecond before dashing away. The Guardians pursued him around the house, running only Manny knew how many laps around until North came up with a better idea.

"Aster, Toothy, you run to other side. Sandy and I will keep going this way. We will trap Jack in middle," North said. The Pooka and Tooth Fairy nodded and turned in the other direction. Sandy continued to follow North.

Meanwhile, Jack was running as fast as he could, smiling to himself. Huzzah, so his plan had worked! Well, at least part way. Then, North called the Guardians to help find him, and Aster followed his scent to him. As Jack continued to run, he wondered where he was to hide next. The Guardians were right behind him. If he could just reach the fence and fly over again…perhaps he could duck in the reindeer stables until North gave up on finding him.

It sounded like the perfect plan in Jack's childish mind, but his thoughts were shattered when Aster and Tooth suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Ya aren't goin' anywhere, mate," Aster said.

Jack gasped and turned around, but North and Sandy were standing there. Jack looked left to right; he was surrounded! Before he could escape, North swiftly picked him up. Jack kicked and whined.

"No, no!" he cried. "North put me down! I don't wanna take a bath! Let go!"

North did anything but let Jack go. He kept a firm hold on the boy despite his fidgeting. North turned to Tooth, Sandy, and Aster. "Thank you for your help. Now, I should probably get this one bathed and changed into clean clothes."

Aster, Tooth, and Sandy nodded, and they left, giving North their farewells. As North turned to enter the house, Jack threw a tantrum on having to take a bath. He cried as North carried him inside. He squirmed and kicked as North took off his clothes. He screamed as North carried him into the bathroom and prepared the tub. By the time the ex-Cossack plunked him in the bath, Jack realized that crying wasn't going to stop North from bathing him. So, the winter child finally quieted. He sat in the bathtub with his arms crossed and a pout. He refused to speak with North when he addressed him.

The ex-Cossack sighed. "Jack…I know you are upset. But I am not trying to punish you when I tell you it's time for bath. If you do not stay clean, you can get sick or worse. Hygiene is important."

Jack sniffed as North scrubbed his hair. Dust, wood shavings, and other dirt had found their way into his white locks. "B-But baths always ruin my fun…" he complained. He sloshed his feet in the water. "They're boring, and I don't like them."

"Baths can be fun too," said North. Jack stared at him incredulously. From the cabinet, North pulled out a toy pirate ship. He placed it in front of Jack. The winter child stared at it.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked. North laughed.

"Play with it, of course!" replied North.

Jack frowned, not understanding how a toy pirate ship would make him suddenly love bathing. Still, he was rather bored just sitting there, so he skimmed the wooden boat through the soapy water. It was then Jack realized that this was a pirate ship…in the water. And the large mounds of soap were like an intricate labyrinth he had to navigate through. The winter child's imagination took hold, and soon, he was sailing his way through a maze of tunnels to reach the treasure before the opposing pirates could.

North joined in the game too, acting as the pirates who were also in pursuit of the treasure. Disguising the usual bathing routine as boobytraps, North managed to wash Jack's hair ("This waterfall of lava should make quick of your ship!") and rinse him down ("Beware our cannonballs!") Jack laughed and enjoyed the little game that been invented, and in the end, he managed to make his way through the bubbly maze and reach the treasure before North.

"Ah, you have beaten me, moy mal'chik!" said North dramatically. "I only wanted to use treasure to buy cookies."

"It's Captain Jack!" the winter child corrected. "And…I guess we can share. As long as I get some cookies too."

"You got it," said North, tapping the snow sprite's nose. Jack giggled. "Now, let's get you dried up."

Jack's cheery expression crumbled, and he blinked in surprise. "A-Already? But I wanna stay and keep playing!"

North chuckled. "We can continue tomorrow, my boy," he said. "It's late, and you need to get ready for bed."

Jack was hesitant, but he nodded. North pulled him out of the tub and dried him off. He carried him back to his room and helped the winter child put on his pajamas. As North slipped Jack's top on, the little snow sprite said, "M'sorry for hiding earlier. And for yelling."

North placed Jack in bed and tucked him in. "It's okay, moy mal'chik. You were upset, but, things are better now, da?"

Jack nodded and lay down. "Yeah…" He yawned. "And um…North?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"Could we have cookies tomorrow?"

North smiled.

"Da. We can have cookies tomorrow."

Jack smiled, satisfied, and he closed his eyes. And ever since that day, the winter child never refused a bath again.


Author's Note: Ah, happy ending for our dear Jackie Boy and Papa North. ='3

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one! =D

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203