Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D Today's chapter marks the beginning of a new arc, and I'm honestly not sure how well I executed this one. XD I wasn't very confident in writing it, but I tried my best, and I think I did okay but...*sighhhh* I'm honestly not sure. ='D

Well, I hope you guys enjoy this arc regardless! Despite my difficulty in writing it, it's still one of my favorites, haha.


~ LXXI ~

Losing You, Part One

He was growing older

Between them, there was a rift

North wanted him to stay

Jack wanted to go beyond and wander

They had never argued like this before

They've always been intact

But now North was beginning to wonder

If he was losing Jack

...

It was lunch period at Big Root, and the village children were gathered in the classroom as usual. This is how it often went when lunch came around. They dedicated themselves to their studies, then fell into a well-deserved social hour. Sometimes there would be separate groups. Other times the children would gather for one big discussion. They were always entertaining, and everyone had fun talking with each other. It was nice to interact with others.

Today, everyone was talking about what they wanted to do after they graduated from Ombric school. The final year was approaching fast for the older students, and the younger students were figuring out what they wanted to do when they were older. Those who already had their plan ready gladly share what they were going to do after finishing school.

"I'm going to become the best inventor anyone's ever known," Sascha boasted. She popped a strawberry into her mouth and swallowed. "I"m already quite well-known here. Now, it's time to spread my wings and start a business."

Petter, Sascha's brother, rolled his eyes. "You're not that famous, Sascha."

The teenage girl glared at him. "I am so," she said. "And once I get out of here, I'll be even more so."

"You make it sound like Santof Claussen's a prison," Tall William remarked.

"It's not," said Sascha earnestly. "I really, really like it here. But…I want to get out into the world, you know? Start a new path."

"Well I'm staying," said Petter. "One, because I like it here, and two because I want to take over Ma and Pa's shop around the corner."

"Keeping the family business alive. Nice," Sascha complimented.

"I think I might end up staying," said Tall William with a small shrug. "But I'm not so sure. I hear there are a lot of job opportunities in Lunslruna Captial. I kind of want to move there and become an artist."

The oldest William usually kept art as a side hobby, but he became more passionate about it over the years. Jack remembered how he'd show his drawings in class when they were younger. In a way, he reminded him of Katherine, who was currently preparing to go to Lunsulruna Capitol to pursue work as an author.

"I want to go to the Capitol too!" Fog said.

"And me!" William the Almost Youngest cried.

Jack laughed. "Everyone wants to go to the capitol."

"Because it's the best place in all of Lunsulruna…after Santoff Claussen of course," said the Youngest William.

"What are you planning on doing for a career, Jack?" asked Sascha, tilting her head. "You haven't said much."

Jack shrugged. "To be honest…I have no idea."

And really, he didn't. Jack didn't know if he wanted to leave Santoff Claussen, or stay and build a life for himself there. He didn't know if he wanted to leave North and the Guardians, or set out into the world and find himself. As much as Jack loved his home and his family, he wanted to leave the village and find out what lay ahead of him. As Sascha had said…he wanted to pave a new path. He didn't want to stay in one place forever.

But if he left Santoff Claussen, Jack knew he'd be faced with some discrimination. He was a snow sprite, and he didn't know how accepting people would be to learn about his existence. And then there was Pitch, who was lurking around only the Moon knew where. What if he found out about his wandering, and decided to attack him?

Jack sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck, pulling away when he realized there were sandwich crumbs on his fingers. "I mean…I kind of want to leave, but at the same time, I want to stay. I don't really know what I want to do."

"Then how about you do a trial?" said Sascha. She slipped off her desk and stood in front of Jack. "You can come with us who are going to Lunslruna Capitol and see how you like it there. They have a lot of volunteering, so you could work jobs that you're interested in until you find what you like. Then you can come back here and make a concrete decision."

"But it isn't the end of the school year yet," said Jack.

Sascha scoffed. "Winter break's coming up, and Tall William, Fog, and I are heading there for three days to see what we can find. If you get permission from North, you could join us next week."

Jack's eyes widened. It sounded like a wonderful offer, but he was still unsure. But at the same time…this would be his first time leaving Santoff Claussen in a long time. Jack poked at his sandwich, debating whether to go or not.

"Come onnnn Jack. What harm could a little trip do?" said Sascha.

"You'll get the see the city," Fog said.

"And get out of the village for a few days," added Tall William.

"And they have some pretty good cakes,," Sasha drawled.

The two boys stared at her. Sascha blinked innocently.

"What? Everyone knows Lunslruna Capitol has amazing pastries."

Jack looked up at her and smirked. "I do like a good vanilla cake."

Sascha grinned. "I take that you're coming with us?"

Jack laughed. "I guess so."

The children cheered and Jack smiled. He was really looking forward to the trip. But there was only one thing that stood in his way…

North. He'd have to convince North to let him go. And if there was anything Jack knew, it was going to be more than difficult.

North knew that something was on Jack's mind the moment he returned home. He seemed excited about something, but also nervous…He had never known Jack to be nervous before.

Jack greeted North as he usually did when he returned home from school, then went upstairs to complete his homework for the day. North wrapped up things in the study and came out to back dinner around the same time Jack came downstairs. The snow sprite entered the kitchen to help make supper, and North could really tell that Jack was thinking about something.

North placed two bowls on the table and looked at Jack. "So, what are you thinking about?" he asked directly.

Jack looked surprised that the ex-Cossack had noticed. North nearly laughed; he'd been living with Jack for several years. He knew him better than anyone, including when he was thinking about something.

Jack smiled nervously. "Ah…nothing concerning," he said. The snow sprite scratched his head. "It's just…um…I was offered something today."

"What was it?" asked North.

Jack chewed his lip. "Well, uh…it's trip to Lunslruna Capitol."

North had gone to the stove to check on the soup he was making but paused when Jack finished his sentence. He turned around, and Jack smiled awkwardly. The boy shoved his nerves aside and explained what happened.

"We were talking about what we want to do once we graduate from Ombric's school, and Sascha, Fog, and Tall William are heading to Lunslruna Capitol next week to see what they have to offer. And…I want to go too."

North didn't say anything. Jack continued.

"They invited me to come along if I was interested. They have so many job opportunities there, and…I really think I might find something I like over there if I—"

"You want to leave?" North interrupted. It came out harsher than he wanted, and Jack faltered.

"No, I'm not leaving, it's only for three days," said Jack. "I'll make a final decision when I come back."

"But what if you find that you like it there? Many young people have gone to Lunslruna Capitol, saying that they'll come back to see their families, but then they never return. And who knows what will happen when you get there? How they'll treat you there."

Jack pursed his lips. "North, it's just a short trip—"

"You're not going," North said firmly, and he turned around to the stove.

Jack let out a sardonic laugh. "What? Why?"

"I don't want you getting hurt," North responded.

"But it's only for three days!" Jack exclaimed. "What could possibly happen to me in three days?!"

"Anything, Jack!" North said sharply. "It's too dangerous for you!"

Jack balled his fists. "Just because I'm a snow sprite, doesn't mean everyone will treat me badly! I can stand up for myself just fine!"

"I'm not taking that risk!" North snapped. Jack quieted. "You'll stay where it's safe."

There was a brief pause in the room. And then, Jack said, "I knew it. I knew you'd never let me go." The temperature in the room began to drop. "You never let me have any freedom or make my own choices!"

"You're too young to go by yourself," North restored. Icicles formed on the ceiling. "And it's better for you here."

"But it's MY life!" Jack shouted. Snow began to fall faster than light and the Wind began to wail. "You aren't going to be there with me for all of it!"

North snapped. "You're staying here, and that's final, Jack! You're not responsible enough to go out on your own, and I'm going to keep you safe!"

"WELL THEN MAYBE I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!" Jack screamed, louder than the blizzard that raged the room.

North's eyes widened, stunned. Silence took over, and the wind's died down. Jack stood in front of him, breathing heavily, and cheeks flushed blue.

The snow froze and hung midair.

The soup was as solid as ice.

Then swifter than a gale, Jack snatched his cloak and stormed at the door, slamming it so hard that the icicles in the room fell and shattered against the ground.

Just as North's heart had shattered when Jack had spoken those words.


Author's Note: ...Yeah, I honestly got nothing to say after this one. =') I don't know if the argument was realistic enough, but hey, I tried. ='D

Buuuuuut, to lighten the mood, I finished The Promised Neverland today! =D Oh my goodness, this manga was such a wild ride for me. I cried I laughed, I smiled...such a wonderful series, and I wish that they had done better when adapting it into its anime. =') I hope I'm able to create stories as impacting as TPN (as well as draw at the same level as the illustrator...I loved the detail and way they captured the eeriness of the Neverland =D).

Expect to see some Promised Neverland one-shots in the future! I'm currently working on my Camp NaNoWriMo Project, but once that's out of the way, I'll dive back into fanfiction. ^u^

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

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203