Welcome to the sequel of Darkness. If you have not read that story you will not understand this one. I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks so much for reading.

It was the most horrendous situation Pitch had ever found himself in, breakfast. He was sitting at the end of the table, staring intently at his plate to try and avoid the other Guardians stares.

"You do not like the elves cooking?" North's voice was muffled as he stuffed a stack of pancakes in his mouth.

Pitch looked up quickly from the happy face on the pancake in front of him; "No it's not that…I'm just…" he was cut off by Tooth's excited voice

"Don't worry Pitch, we all understand what it's like to be a new Guardian." she placed a comforting hand on his left one.

Pitch startled at the contact, "I didn't…"

"I don't think he should be a Guardian." Bunnymund grumbled as he stabbed a carrot with his fork

Tooth turned and smiled at the fuming bunny next to her, "I seem to recall you said the same thing about Jack."

"Yeah, but that was completely different." Bunnymund sputtered

"We will just have to teach him."

Pitch looked at Tooth in horror; dear Moon the last thing he wanted was to spend any length of time with any of them.

The table shook as North slammed his hand on it, "That is an excellent idea Tooth!" he abandoned his plate of food, "Pitch, walk with me."Pitch glanced around for his brother, hoping he could bail him out, but the Dream Guardian was keeping watch over Jack. He sighed in defeat, the heavy oak chair moaned as he slid it back and followed an excited North.

(In the Infirmary)

Blue eyes opened slowly, they blinked rapidly at the morning light streaming in through the window. He moaned as he turned his head, everything on him seemed to be hurting.

A hand patted his shoulder as Sandman stared at him with concern.

"Where's Pitch?" Jack hated the way his voice trembled.

An image of the Nightmare King at a table, surrounded by the others appeared over his head.

"He's at breakfast with the other Guardians?" Jack started to laugh but stopped as pain erupted in his chest, "Don't make me laugh Sandy." his face twisted with pain.

Sandman smiled apologetically and sent a stream of dream sand into his eyes.

Jack smiled as he began to drift, "Thank Sandy."

The Guardian nodded to him as the boy fell into painless slumber.

(In North's shop)

"Now it's time for tax of brass."

Pitch jumped as the door slammed shut behind him, "Oh shit! He's going to kill me!" he thought as North towered over him.

"Who are you Pitch?"

"I don't have amnesia." Pitch thought, but to North he only gave a confused look

North sighed, "Here, look at this." he picked up a wooden nesting doll. "Look at this Pitch. This is how you see me, big, scary, intimidating…"

"No shit!"

"But if you get to know me." he tossed the doll to Pitch who caught it awkwardly.

Pitch just stared at it, not really comprehending

North sighed and took the first layer off, "I am jolly." when he didn't get a response he continued, "And also mysterious."

"The only mystery is how you haven't died from eating all those cookies."

"I am also fearsome."

"As if the two blades weren't a dead giveaway."

"Caring." North was enthusiastic even if his audience wasn't.

"I bet the deer thinks you're going to eat it."

"And at my center." North placed a tiny wooden baby forcible into Pitch's palm

"You ate a small child?"

"What do you see Pitch?" North asked with expectancy in his voice

"I see the child was surprised when you ate him."

North waited a second, when Pitch didn't say anything he sighed, "My eyes Pitch, they are full of wonder."

Pitch tuned him out as North went into his speech, "I wonder if this is Moon's punishment for all those centuries of evil. It is definitely cruel and unusual."

"And that is what I protect in the children Pitch it is my center."

"Umm… that is very interesting North. I will definitely be thinking about what you said."

"You haven't heard a thing I've said have you?"

"Ummmm…..yes?"

North put his palm to his face, "This actually worked with Jack, just go see how the boy is doing Pitch."

Pitch quickly left before North could launch into anything else.

(In Jack's Room)

"How is he?" Pitch whispered as he quietly entered the room

"He's sleeping still, but I think he should try and get something into his stomach." Tooth said as she smiled at Jack's serene face.

"I'll watch him if you want to go get him something to eat."

Tooth looked at him surprised, "Thank you Pitch."

"It's my turn to watch the child anyway."

Tooth rose from her chair as quietly as possible, "I'll be back as soon as I finish."

As soon as the door closed behind her Pitch sank into the chair that she had been in. His conversation with North was troubling him. What was his center? If he wasn't a being a fear, then what was he? "Damn it North."

"He get you with the wonder speech?" a pained voice asked from the bed

Pitch looked at the winter spirit, "Yeah, it was pure torture. I should have used it a long time ago."

Jack tried not laugh, "It was actually pretty good, once he got past the tiny baby."

Pitch nodded, "That was just creepy, and I know creepy."

Jack started to say something but was cut off by a wave of coughing that racked his body. The poor winter spirit cried out as his body writhed in pain, his face contorting. When the coughing subsided he lay gasping. "Broken ribs and coughing do not go good together." he tried to joke to take attention from the tears streaming down his face.

Pitch grabbed the glass of water from the night stand, he offered it to Jack.

"I can't lift my arms." Jack said sheepishly.

"Now you're pushing it." Pitch said sarcastically as he carefully held Jack's head and placed the glass to his lips.

Jack greedily drank the cool water, letting the ice liquid cool his burning throat, when he finished he sank back to the pillow that was propping him up, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Ever."

Jack smiled, "I won't." he was quiet for a bit, "Pitch, did you have a family?"

Pitch was taken aback by his question, "I…I did at one time."

"What were they like?" Jake asked curious

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden." he raised an eyebrow

Jack looked embarrassed, "I just… well I never knew I had a family for so long and I have just always enjoyed learning about them."

Golden eyes closed

"If you don't want to I understand." Jack's voice was quiet

"My family lived on a small farm just outside of a village. My father was a hard working man he was proud of our farm and would only visit the village if we were trading. His rule was that family watched out for each other, we protected each other." Pitch paused and smiled, "Boy did I have to stick up for Samuel. All the boys picked on him for being short and chubby; I beat the shit out of every boy in the village."

"What was Samuel like?" Jack asked excited

"Pretty much like he is now. Short, chubby, and easy going."

Jack looked confused, "That sounds just like…" his eyes widened with understanding, "Oh…my… Sandman is your brother!"

Pitch cringed, "I know, you don't have to shout it to the world."

"But he's so…different than you."

"Samuel is the oldest, his mother died when he was little. His father married my mother when he moved outside the village. She had me and then Gwendolyn, though she loved Samuel just as if he were her own."

"Wow, your family was complicated. Hey, who's Gwendolyn?"

Golden eyes dimmed slightly with sorrow

"I'm sorry Pitch I didn't mean…"

"No Jack, it's just that I haven't thought about her in centuries." his voice softened, "Gwendolyn was our younger sister. She was born during the springtime, and she was like the wind itself. Always dancing in the flowers, and always getting into trouble. I spent many days chasing her through the forest." he smiled at the memory

"She sounds like a handful."

Pitch nodded, "She was, like trying to calm a tornado. But I would not have changed her for the world. She was so kind that even the hardest of hearts melted at her smile. She always wanted to take care of others." his face fell slightly, "I suppose that's the reason she came out there that night."

"What happened?" Jack asked softly

Pitch smiled, "Let's not talk about the darker side of memories Jack."

The boy nodded, "Maybe some other time?"

Pitch nodded, "Maybe…"

Hi, I hope you enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. Your reviews fuel my creative mind. ;) I am looking forward to writing this story.