Last chapter. Ugh, wow. Been 95 pages of writing for this one XD. First off I want to thank all of you for the support through this and you're all such great readers. Plus, any ideas for a sequel are welcome in reviews or private messages. I'm alright with that. Otherwise I'm thinking of another Jackrabbit story, it'l be a human AU. But either way it shall be glorious :D and I'll try to get that underway. If any of you are attending Otakon, I should be there Saturday and Sunday and if time constraints permit, I'll be a female Jack Frost.

Otherwise, thanks so much guys :D

Pairings: Jackrabbit, Onesided!Blackice, Emma/Jamie, and other hinted pairings such as North/Tooth.

Warnings: Character death, heart breaking goodbyes, everything Jackrabbit entails as a pairing, fluff, and the ending of this story.

Jack was in an out of consciousness for a long time, but he was stable. Needless to say he was oddly optimistic when it was all said and done, and he'd been very happy when Bunny had gotten his 'revenge' towards Pitch. Though they both knew there wasn't much freedom there.

Seraphina had eventually left them with the advice that they return the area back to its normal state and give nature control of Burgess' prison once more. The people gave wary looks towards the large rabbit that spent its time near North's home. Inside, Jack was lying in the same bed he occupied for years, healing the worst of his wounds.

The closest of his family were the only people allowed to truly understand what had happened over the many years Pitch was in the area.

At first, North tried to keep Bunny away, (with threats), but Jack had promised to explain and soon the Pooka was allowed inside the home. Bunny often let off a few curses when Jack's previous caretaker was away but toned them down whenever Emma was in the room.

Of anyone, Emma seemed to handle it best. She knew, this was the time where she'd lose her brother. Not literally, but in the sense where he'd possibly never get to see her again. She seemed perfectly okay with the fact, aside from a few well hidden tears.

Jack was lying on his back in his bed two nights after Pitch had been frozen in his lair when he heard his sister crying in the bed across the room. Jack knew she'd been good at hiding her tears but he'd seen the red eyes and dry cheeks from rubbing away any evidence of crying.

He should have known she cried the most when she thought Jack was asleep. He held back a sigh, eyes narrowing as he stared up at the ceiling. He could barely sleep. Each time he managed to fall into a slumber or a doze, the memory of losing his parents came back to mind and if it wasn't them it was Emma's scared face as she was in the hands of Pitch or fabricated memories of the Pooka race being decimated.

He figured Bunny shared those nightmares.

Slowly Jack began to move, feeling the ache in his shoulder as he changed positions to go to her side. He didn't make it far. The first floor board he stepped on let out a loud creak as it always did. Jack could never understand why he always forgot about it.

"J-Jack?" Emma hiccupped, turning over on her bed and looking at him with wet, brown eyes. "Where are you going?" She asked with a little more confidence as she quickly fumbled to get out of her bed and help him.

Jack smiled slightly at her as she forced him back down onto his bed with little effort. "I was trying to talk to you but I guess I wouldn't have had to move for that." Jack said with a little sarcasm, having always been a smartass to adults. His sister always handled it well.

"You heard me crying then…" She said, ignoring his tone. She obviously seemed dejected. She hadn't been able to hide the fact she'd been crying all that well.

Jack nodded his head once but lifted a hand towards her face, cupping her cheek. "What's wrong?" He asked although he knew very well what was wrong. Her brother was lying half dead across the room and he'd already died once. Let alone the fact she'd probably never spend any significant time with him after he healed.

"You're going away…I know it." Emma said aloud, finally admitting her preconceived idea. Jack blinked and nodded. He was right.

His smile turned to a frown and he pushed some of Emma's hair behind her ear. "Just think, if Burgess wasn't plagued with the trouble it's had…I'd have probably been gone for a couple of years now. Hell, mom and dad would have me married." Jack reminded her. "You'd only have a few years before the same went for you."

Emma brushed a tear from her eye. "But…I won't see you." She muttered sadly.

Jack's frown deepened before he sat up slightly on his elbow, much to her displeasure. "Emma, the reasons I'm leaving…they're bigger than either of us could imagine. Don't worry about me returning because I'll always stop by to see you. Bunny and I sort of got designated to the area. It's not like we can leave."

"Bunny and you?" Emma asked. There was a knowing look in her eye, though reserved.

Jack smiled slightly at that. She always had to insinuate things. "He may seem like a big angry fluff ball but he's got a lot of history on him. Besides, you've got the other kids around here. You've got Jamie."

The reaction was instant. A bright red blush appeared on Emma's face and she backed up a step in embarrassment. "Jack!" She groaned in an annoyed tone. He always had to make fun of her. Jack only laughed lightly, trying to prevent he pain in his shoulder that came with it.

"I know, I know. But Jamie's a good kid and he'll take care of you. He helped me more in the past few days than I ever thought he could and he'll probably end up being the one keeping Burgess in line. Hell he could become mayor in a decade or two." Jack said, trying to comfort her. He was knowingly trying to change Emma's focus so it wasn't on him. Maybe it'd hurt less that way.

"Alright. You should sleep Jack." Emma advised, knowing her brother all too well. She then turned and went back to her own bed, leaving Jack to his own thoughts.

Jack couldn't believe his sister was growing up so fast.

-o-

For a few days, Jack was able to wander the village with assistance. The villagers were wary at first but soon blessed him and Bunny with smiles, practically thanking them for all they did for Burgess. Jack reunited with the children, showing them minor displays of winter magic and freezing over the lake completely so that they may ice skate without worry.

He waited with Bunny for Seraphina, who'd bring with them their new callings. Both had already discussed the fact they'd not be able to stay and the only few who seemed to understand or think something was going to happen were Jack's close family and friends.

While Jack spent time with his hodgepodge group of tag along kids, Bunny found himself a new admirer. Sophie Bennett apparently had a large obsession for rabbits that no one really stumbled upon until she was able to climb around on a giant six foot tall one.

Needless to say, Bunny had found himself a friend and while he tried to hide it, Jack could see those happy smiles and his love for children. Jack still couldn't move well without assistance but largely he was getting better.

One night, Jack had found Bunny staring out the window of North's home, looking directly up at the moon. Jack hadn't even been spoken to by 'Manny' but Jack had a feeling that one day he just might get to.

-o-

In the morning, Jack was able to move with less help from Bunny and the others and Seraphina had returned. North, Tooth, Sandy, Jamie, and Emma were all gathered in front of the fire place with Jack, Bunny, and Mother Nature herself.

It was an awkward meeting at first. The normal villagers of Burgess in the room were all sitting on one side while the spirits stood, or sat in Jack's situation, near the fireplace. After a short private chat with Seraphina, Bunny and Jack had convinced her to stay and help them explain.

"There's not much we are allowed to say. But you do deserve an explanation." Seraphina started, looking towards each and every person in the room. "We are protectors of both nature and human life and most of us are chosen to be this way when we die. Jack, died of hypothermia and a wolf bite caused by Kozmotis Pitchiner. In normal cases, you wouldn't have seen him after his death. But this changed when Pitchiner continued to torment your village."

She glanced towards Jack and Bunny once more. "As a result, you all became aware of Jack's prolonged presence. Since Pitchiner has been disposed of for the time being, Jack will be returning to the duties he was given at the time of his death. Typically, a spirit is only seen by their believers. Eventually, over time, some of you may never remember these events. It's not often mortals can hold onto the memories of spirits because of the nature of the events being so unnatural." She continued before Bunny took over.

"Fer safety reasons, we keep the elements o' nature in the dark, existin' only in myth. What happened here's gonna have ta become jus' that." Bunny finished, crossing his arms over his furred chest. He had finally gotten most of the black sand shaken out of his fur and looked his natural greyish blue and white.

The villagers seemed confused. Emma was frowning, her hand in Jamie's. "But what if others see you guys? What do we say when they ask?" She asked.

Seraphina frowned. "Say nothing, spread a myth. The reason for our secrecy isn't because we think mortals cannot handle the knowledge. It's because of the danger. If mortals were to turn on us, hunt us like animals, nature would fall into chaos. I hope you can understand, but some people like to think that humanity can control the forces of nature, which if practiced, could destroy the planet in the worst of situations. Pollution could spread. We cannot allow that." Seraphina replied, her tone soft as she tried to help them understand.

North nodded his head, looking to Tooth and Sandy. Tooth seemed more dejected than any of the three adults. "So, to protect humanity, we can't let them know what happened here? We can't let them know that Jack and Mr. Bunnymund saved Burgess?" She asked, unsure. She wanted Jack's name to be remembered for more than the kid who drowned in the lake.

"No." Seraphina responded, her voice displaying understanding. "We must remain a myth."

Jamie and Emma looked to each other, a shared thought on their minds before they looked to Jack. "Don't worry about being remembered Jack, we'll make sure it happens." Jamie smiled. Seraphina and Bunny shot him a worried look but Jack smiled. "I really don't care guys." Jack responded, having remained silent. It was obvious he wanted to visit his family and the people of Burgess but eventually they wouldn't be able to remember him as a person but instead a ghost.

Everyone gave Jack a knowing look but he didn't respond.

"So…when are you leaving?" Emma eventually asked, obviously trying to spend as much time with her brother as she could. Jack sighed, already knowing the answer. The sooner the better, considering he had to get out of Burgess before people started asking questions. "Tonight." He responded.

Instantly everyone was protesting. "But Jack, you're not nearly healed enough!" Emma shouted, Tooth saying a similar thing. North stood up, after remaining silent beside Sandy. "Not healthy to leave! Stay longer!" He said in his booming voice but that wouldn't change anything.

Jack knew he had to leave and the longer he spent there, the longer it'd take them to heal from losing him. "Just remember I'm still living, happy, enjoying myself and always warn the kids to test the ice on the lake." He responded to them in a solemn tone.

The looks he was given were both sad and some happy. Jack knew he couldn't stay with his family anymore. He didn't belong there anymore, and he'd outgrown them. Emma didn't need him to protect anymore, and North had already raised him to the best of his abilities.

The rest of the day was spent talking, reminiscing, and laughing. Jack spent his time sitting next to Bunny who was back to healing his wolf bite, with Emma and Jamie sitting in his lap.

They talked about the times when Jamie slipped on the ice at the lake and when Emma's bread exploded. They laughed about how Jack always used to have a weird fear of horses. Jack tried not to get embarrassed in front of Bunny when they said that but he already had blackmail regarding the rabbit's weird behavior while under slight control of fearlings and Pitch.

He still had yet to bring that up.

-o-

When it came time for Jack to leave, Jack gave his gentle hugs and goodbyes. Seraphina already left them to be. She had to go cover up the entrances to Pitch's prison with vegetation and plant life. Over the main entrance was now a large tree.

Jack and Bunny knew they wouldn't see her for a long time after that. She had other spirits and things to tend to.

Emma and Jamie were the first ones to cry when they were hugging Jack goodbye at the edge of the woods. The next was Tooth, who broke out in tears the moment she was within two feet of him. She hugged him a little tighter than he wanted but he was grateful. "Thanks…Ms. Tooth. I've only really got one piece of advice for you." Jack smiled, face going paler when he couldn't breathe.

The woman stepped back immediately, staring at him. "Really? What would that be?" She asked, blinking in confusion. Jack smirked. "You and North get married soon. You guys have been seeing each other behind everyone's backs for ages. I think it's time you build on that." Jack said as a matter of fact.

Both North and Tooth went red in the face when he said that. Tooth backed away then, blushing and saying small scolding things under her breath towards him so the kids wouldn't hear. Meanwhile, Bunny just laughed lightly behind them.

North then stepped forward, pulling Jack into a large bear hug. "Missing you already." He said in a warm voice that only North could manage. He was a burly, strong man that was always too affectionate, even if his appearance begged to differ.

Jack smiled up at his uncle. "Watch over Emma for me?" He asked, knowing he'd be watching as well. If anyone tried to touch Emma without her permission, Jack would send them running with a bit of ice magic. If his powers were in their dormant state during the spring and summer, hell he'd bully Bunny into doing it.

"Of course." North promised, nodding his head and ruffling Jack's hair. Jack made a noise of discontent, smacking his hand off like any discomforted child would. North only chuckled.

Sandy walked forward, holding out a hand for a handshake. Jack and Sandy always had a mutual understanding with each other. The two never got angry with each other and always held high respect for the other. Jack would normally remain quiet in his presence, and they'd have their own silent conversations. Sandy reminded Jack of his father sometimes and for that, Jack was grateful.

"See ya, Sandman." Jack smiled, shaking his hand once. The man grinned back and nodded his head.

Sandy then stepped away, leaving Jack to look back to his sister and Jamie. Jack had tried coming up with things to say to his sister over the hours he'd spent lying across the room from her, bleeding from open wounds. He didn't know if he could ever say goodbye to his sister.

"You know I can't really say goodbye." Jack said, crouching down to her level. Emma nodded her head slightly, tears already in her eyes. She rushed forward, hugging him once more. "I'll always see you and I'll always be there for you." Jack added, giving Jamie a glance. The boy was staring at him with tears in his eyes as well.

Emma nodded her head, holding back a sob. "I'll always remember you, Jack. Take care of yourself." She muttered through her tears, her breath hitching in several places. "You take care of yourself too." Jack responded, burying his nose in her hair.

They used to look just like each other with the same chocolate brown hair. Now Jack had stark white hair and they no longer were the same.

Jack looked back towards Jamie with a grin. "Take care of my sister, little guy." Jack said, walking over and ruffling Jamie's hair. The boy flailed slightly in protest. "I'm not little!" He shouted but Jack laughed otherwise. "Yeah, you kind of are."

Jamie frowned but played it off. "We're never going to forget you, Jack." He said, his tone more serious as he looked up at the teen he'd always seen as an older brother.

Jack nodded his head. "…thanks Jamie." Then with that, he turned around to find Bunny standing there with his staff in hand. Jack hadn't seen it since he'd handed it over to Bunny, and somehow he knew it was in the right hands, or paws really.

"See ya." Jack smiled, waving to his family and friends before taking his staff from Bunny. Without another word, Bunny opened a tunnel below them and they were both sent falling through the earth.

-o-

When they reappeared, they were up in the mountains near the burrow. Jack ended up leaning on his staff, staring out at the land. It was brighter than it had ever been in the time Jack had lived there. There was a light snow falling in the air, something Jack unknowingly created. It was like everywhere the snowflakes touched life seemed to breathe into the earth. Even with the fact that winter kills more than it gives life to.

"Ya know yer most likely not ta see most of them again, right?" Bunny asked, sitting low on his haunches. Jack nodded his head, trying not to feel the aching sadness in him. He knew Burgess would do better without him physically there.

Slowly he glanced towards the mountain pass. "They'll be able to leave now." He commented, frowning. He'd never thought that time would come.

Bunny nodded. "Some'll stay. Some'll go. Yer uncle will stay, and yer sister." He stated, giving Jack a comforting look. The boy nodded his head, shivering slightly from the cold. He'd gotten more clothes from his home in Burgess before he left and now had a newly patched up cloak. His torn shirt was replaced with another and Emma insisted he take his winter vest. Otherwise, he was generally the same.

Jack looked towards Bunny, his expression mostly blank aside from a few hidden emotions in his eyes. "What do you remember of when you were under the fearlings' control?" Jack asked, concerned. Bunny's green eyes widened before he looked away.

"Mostly being confused all the time. Fer a while ah didn' think you were a threat." He admitted and Jack smiled at that. "That was back in the Warren, before you dumped me in your old nest back there." Jack smirked.

Bunny looked startled, giving Jack a confused and slightly fearful look. "Ya saw that?" He asked, though a larger question was lying under the question. Jack had to suspect something about the actions Bunny took towards him. If the Pooka remembered correctly, he'd thought Jack was his mate because of the magical bond he had on him from healing the bite mark. Though normally that wouldn't mean much of anything, Bunny wasn't in his right mind.

"Yeah. I know about your parents too, and the mural. I didn't think you were that great of an artist." Jack grinned while fully aware that he was probably embarrassing Bunny.

Bunny scowled at that, his ears no longer pinned against the back of his head but raised in slight defense. "You were intrudin'." He accused and Jack shrugged. "You dropped me there, alone, and went off to do some random stuff. I might as well get to know the guy who thought I was his 'doe' or whatever you Pooka-people like to call it." Jack rambled, walking a few steps in the opposite direction and making a few gestures with his hands.

That was when Bunny's ears returned to being flat against the back of his head in humiliation. "The correct term is doe." Bunny replied defensively. "But who says I was treating you that way?"

Jack laughed. "You were awfully affectionate once you found the bond on the bite mark."

Bunny's frown deepened. "Oh shut up, Frostbite. Yer a lousy winter spirit and yer a lousy doe." Bunny responded with an obvious feeling of embarrassment but he was hiding it well. But Jack always knew his insults were almost always a defense mechanism.

"What makes you say that?" Jack prodded, pointing his staff at Bunny for a moment before resuming standing with it.

Bunny shot him a serious look. "Ya dun know how ta stay put or listen ta people." He said in a defiant tone and Jack instantly laughed. "I wasn't going to stick around while you went crazy if that's what you mean. I had to get your mind straight again."

To that, the Pooka rolled his eyes and looked back out at the mountain pass. What he didn't expect was for Jack to walk the few steps over to him and pull him into large hug. It was oddly similar to the hold Jack had on him when he brought them to the Warren, but also less concerned and kinder.

Not knowing what to do, Bunny drew up his arms and hugged him lightly back, mostly just staring at his closed eyes with confusion. "Thanks for taking care of me." Jack said, his voice slightly muffled by Bunny's fur.

"Jus' water under the bridge, Frostbite." Bunny responded, turning his gaze back out to the land they were meant to watch over. He knew that when winter ended and Bunny's magic would burst back into life and Jack's would diminish largely, the boy would still stick around rather than seek out colder climates.

Bunny was glad to say he'd do the same.

-o-

Burgess stayed mostly untouched by the worst of the winter, thanks to Jack, and when spring came along and some of the villagers went to plant their crops again, Bunny made sure they sprang to life with so much fervor that the plants would win awards in other villages.

Most of the people forgot the large Pooka and Jack but a rumor did arise that they were being watched over by some sort of spirits. They had never understood the whole story so they never knew how right they were.

Jamie made it his best effort to keep the myth of Jackson Overland Frost being the guardian angel for all children and all of Burgess. Needless to say, the younger generations picked up the story with such enthusiasm that the tale was constantly passed on as people got older.

When that winter had first ended and there were many villagers who sought to leave Burgess, North led them out through the mountain pass with care. There were no casualties, seeing as every time a carriage went out of control and nearly plummeted into the ravine or ran over a small child, vines would seem to grow from nowhere and stop the mess from occurring.

No one suffered from the cold still lingering in the nights, and with the joint effort of the spirits it stayed within the high sixties each night.

Soon enough, seasons passed into years, and years into decades. Jack had watched Emma and Jamie get married from the darkened rafters of the same church he'd fought Pitch in. He watched his sister's children carefully, and always felt a pang in his chest when he heard them rambling on about 'Jack Frost' and his Pooka friend.

Jack had meant to visit his sister at least once in those years but never found the courage to. He felt like he'd abandoned her, whether Bunny tried to convince him otherwise or not. Either way, Bunny was a great comfort, and was always there for Jack no matter the situation.

Many times when Jack would visit Emma and see if she was alright, no matter the age, he'd find folded clothes in the window and some other treat or pastry wrapped up in a small cloth for him. Jack never found a note but when trades began with other villages and Emma could tailor better clothes, he found mixtures of Blue and white jackets and shirts and vests.

Needless to say, he'd leave some form of ice sculpture or message in the snow for her.

It was an endless game of cat and mouse for them.

Then Emma got sick. She was much, much older and she was a grandmother. She'd outlived most of their friends from before and Jamie had passed away in the previous fall. It was winter, making Jack feel like he could have done more to prevent her illness.

But when he sat there, perched on her windowsill and stared at her sleeping form, he didn't expect for her to be awake. Emma had opened her eyes slightly as she lay there and seen Jack hiding from everyone else.

"Jack?" She muttered in an old and tired tone. Instantly her ageless brother flinched to life, scrambling towards the edge of her bed. He was wearing some of the clothes she'd made for him. "Emma?" he asked, worry filling his tone.

The woman smiled. It was hard to see her brother after so long but she was happy. "You haven't aged a bit…" She muttered and Jack nodded lightly. "I can't say the same about you." Jack responded, taking her hand into his.

When she winced at the cold, he instantly let go with an apology. He forgot he radiated cold like ice itself. "It's alright. I'm happy to see you." Emma said with more certainty and Jack nodded. "I've been watching over the kids…" Jack explained. He'd been keeping track of his nieces and nephews and their children over the years.

The only child that ever worried him was Emma's granddaughter. She'd been prone to accidents and often fell a lot. Every time Jack tried to help, he could barely remain out of sight. On more than one occasion, the girl talked about a ghost man that always appeared in the corner of her eye.

Jack only had to avoid her as well. He'd found over the years that only the people who believed in him could see him. Bunny had gotten the message from Seraphina and Manny but it was too late, Jack already had a child walk directly through him.

It was horrifying at first but he got used to it. It was nice Emma still believed. "I know. You've always been watching." She coughed for a moment, an ugly retched cough that made Jack feel sick to his stomach that his sister was dying. "I always will." Jack promised.

Emma nodded her head before looking towards the ceiling. "I guess I won't see you in the afterlife…so goodbyes are in order…" She partially muttered, partially whispered. Jack blinked, feeling tears gather in his eyes.

"I don't feel like saying goodbye though. I already did when you and Bunny disappeared that day in the forest…and that's the way it shall stay. No need being redundant…" Emma smiled, giving Jack a look before closing her eyes.

Jack didn't know it happened but she stopped breathing within moments. He was beside himself. He couldn't do anything. "…Emma?" He whispered, staring at her and checking her pulse but there was nothing there. "Emma!" He called slightly frantic.

He couldn't just lose his sister like this. They never had time to talk, catch up, or simply be siblings. "...don't go like this…" Jack muttered, burying his face in the blankets on her bed. "It's too soon."

After a little while, behind him he saw Bunny outside the window and knew his time was up. "I've got to go." He said, voice softer as he looked at his sister. It was devastating to see her go but he knew that was nature.

Thank you so much guys. This was a great story to write and you readers are wonderful. Feedback is much appreciated. :D