Brothers

4

Ages

Hiro: 10

Tadashi: 14

Normal POV

Hiro Hamada's gift of intelligence was something that did his best not to take for granted or abuse. Until today that is. He didn't know what compelled him to do it, but here he was in a dark alley way, counting his money. A total of 400$ was in the palm of his hands. It was more money than most ten year olds could ever dream of having. And it was all his. He earned it all by himself, no help from Tadashi whatsoever. It was just one of the things he loved most about bot-fighting. It was the one thing he never ever needed help from Tadashi for.

Tadashi had warned him about the dangers of bot-fighting and how someone of his intellect shouldn't get caught up in it, but of course, Hiro got sucked in. Hiro didn't understand what bad could come out of something so great and money making. That was before he saw what happened next…. But let's start from this morning shall we?

Flash back!

"Alright Aunt Cass, we'll be safe, promise. We're only going to the mall after all." Tadashi assured, grabbing Hiro's hand and ushering him out the door with him to avoid any more safety talks with their aunt. "Alright boys, I trust you, just don't let Hiro out of your sight no matter WHAT." Aunt Cass said, waving goodbye.

When they were finally out the door, Tadashi took off his hat and sighed in relief. "Finally." He said stubbornly, checking himself out. Hiro cocked his head to the side in confusion. "I don't get it. We're only going to the mall. Why're you so excited and why are you trying to look really nice and why do you smell weird?" the younger boy asked. Tadashi waved it off. "You wouldn't understand." He said dismissively.

"Try me." Hiro pressed. Tadashi rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm excited because a few of my friends are gonna be there alright? And it's called cologne bone head." He said, ruffling Hiro's hair. Hiro backed up and gave Tadashi a glare. "Don't ruffle my hair Daaashi. And you didn't tell me why you're trying to look all nice and stuff yet." Hiro huffed.

"That's for me to know and you to NOT find out. And you know you love it little bro." Tadashi said with a chuckle, ruffling Hiro's hair once more.

Hiro fixed his hair back, agitated. "Crazy older brother." He mumbled, walking ahead of Tadashi. "Hey get back here bone head. Aunt Cass didn't just give me a 30 minute lecture on keeping you in my line of sight for nothing." The older of the two spoke, catching up to Hiro.

"So we can check out the place with the stuff right?" Hiro asked. Tadashi laughed. "Hiro, if I wasn't your brother I'd be so lost right now. Real descriptive. Yeah we can go to Bots and Stuff to get parts for robots." He said. Hiro smiled. "Well, that's why you're my brother bro. no one understands me like you do. Plus, you promised me you weren't going anywhere anytime soon. I remember that." Hiro said as they walked.

Tadashi rose an eyebrow at this statement. "You Know, it kinda sounds like you'd MISS me, aye baby bro?" Tadashi asked with a smirk.

"Whatever. You know you'd miss me way more." Hiro said with an eye roll.

"You wouldn't last a DAY without me to guide you little bro."

"Oh yeah daddy long legs? You wouldn't last an HOUR without me."

"Daddy long legs? Real creative Hiro. Really, how many brain cells of that genius mind did it take you to come up with that one?"

"Less than it took you to retaliate to said 'lame' insult."

"Ha ha. But seriously. You need me way more than I need you."

"Real funny Tadashi. You wouldn't be able to handle life without me to brighten up your day. You KNOW I make things more interesting."

"Hiro, don't make me laugh. Who was there when you had nightmares? When you wanted to hear a story? When you needed reassurance that I'd stay even though mom and dad left? Who was there you comfort you? To dry those tears?" Tadashi reminded him with a satisfied smirk.

Hiro frowned. "That's not fair. If I was older, it'd be the other way around. Look at the stuff I do for you. I've taken the blame for you several times before." Hiro countered.

Tadashi thought it over. Hiro smiled. Even though from a distance people might think they were actually fighting, it was simply sibling bantering and Hiro secretly enjoyed it.

"Well that's one point you made. I still have like 3 points hovering over you though." Tadashi said. Hiro was about to counter once more, but was interrupted in his thoughts when Tadashi unexpectedly grabbed his hand and rushed inside the mall they had finally reached.

Upset that he hadn't had a chance to retaliate, Hiro crossed his arms when Tadashi finally stopped running. Unaware of his brother's distasteful state, Tadashi broke into a grin when he met his friends. This was the first time Hiro was gonna see them and Tadashi was a bit excited to see what he'd think.

Hiro finally quit glaring at Tadashi long enough to see that they were no longer alone. Hiro wasn't good with meeting other people, so he hid behind Tadashi.

"C'mon baby bro, they won't bite. Well…Gogo might." Tadashi said, muttering the last part. Hiro didn't budge. Tadashi sighed and faced his friends who were all anxiously waiting to meet Hiro. "Sorry guys. He's a bit shy." Tadashi said apologetically.

Suddenly, the tallest of them all raced behind Tadashi and put her face real up close to Hiro's. "HEY THERE HIRO! It's so nice to finally meet you! Tadashi talks non-stop about you. Don't worry though, all good things. Bet the poor guy practically couldn't LIVE without you! Ohhhh you're even cuter than he described. DO that face! DO the FACE!" she said all bubbly and energetic. Hiro blinked, alarmed and confused and even a bit surprised. He didn't think Tadashi would talk much about him to other people, let alone his best friends.

"Wow there Honey, take it easy on the poor guy." Tadashi said with a chuckle. Hiro blinked again. Honey? Did Tadashi have a girlfriend? Why wouldn't he have at least told him?

"What face?" Hiro asked, crinkling his nose in confusion. "And I KNEW you couldn't live without me." Hiro whispered to Tadashi in secret. Tadashi rolled his eyes.

"OH, the face that Tadashi said make him do wha-"

"OKAY HONEY LEMON that's enough of that." Tadashi said, cutting the super tall girl off.

Honey Lemon? Hiro thought. And what was she gonna say anyway? The face that makes him do what? So many questions.

"Anyways Hiro, these are my friends. That's gogo." He said pointing at a black haired girl with purple highlights. "That's Wasabi." He said pointing to a guy in dreadlocks. "And that's Honey Lemon." He said pointing to the tall energetic girl. Though Hiro swore he could hear Tadashi's voice change a bit when he introduced Honey Lemon.

"No offense, but what kinda named are these?" Hiro asked. Tadashi elbowed him in the shoulder. "Ow!" Hiro cried, rubbing his arm.

"No harm done Tadashi! He's only curious after all!" Honey Lemon said, waving it off. Gogo simply popped a bubble. Wasabi waved in a friendly manner.

Honey Lemon turned to explain to Hiro. "Oh you see, Fred picks our nicknames." She said brightly. Hiro cocked his head to the side. "Fred?" he asked. Honey Lemon nodded eagerly.

Suddenly Hiro felt a tap behind him. He turned around to come face to face with a blonde guy in a blue beanie and goofy grin. He didn't look anything like the others. He seemed more….aloof to Hiro.

"I'm Fred." He said, holding his hand out for a fist bump. Hiro returned it half-heartedly.

Hiro look to Tadashi because he was still pretty nervous, but his older brother was too busy absorbed in a conversation with Honey Lemon, though it looked one-sided as Honey's hands were doing all sorts of gestures and her face constantly changed expressions. Tadashi seemed mesmerized by it all though.

He poked his older bro in the side to get his attention. No response, he was too into the conversation with Honey.

He saw Tadashi's other friends all share knowing looks. He gave a puzzled look to them. Fred leaned in and whispered to Hiro "Bro, your brother has got the major hots for Honey here." He said. Hiro looked shocked, not really believing what he just heard.

Gogo went to the ten year old to better explain it. "Listen Hiro, Tadashi has a crush on Honey Lemon. It's so obvious and everyone sees it, though we're not sure if Honey feels the same way since she's so unpredictable. So we should give them some 'alone' time." Gogo said with quotation marks. Hiro reluctantly accepted this bit of news and walked away with the others. In the span of twenty seconds, Wasabi and Fred disappeared from their vision.

"Where'd they go?" Hiro asked. Gogo popped her gum. "Dunno. But probably somewhere to waste their time for sure." Gogo said. She didn't have anything against Tadashi's younger brother, but she despised little kids with a passion. She tried to hide it in fear of hurting the younger boy's feelings, so she attempted to find something they have in common.

"Well Hiro, what kind of things do you like to do?" Gogo asked. Hiro brought a hand to his chin to think. "Hmm, I like spending time with Tadashi. Oh and robotics! I love robotics." Hiro said brightly. Gogo rolled her eyes. This was Tadashi's brother all right. Eyes lighting up at the word robotics. Must be a Hamada thing.

"Well, what else?" Gogo pressed on. "I like…video games." Hiro said after thinking. Gogo nodded. "There we go, let's hit the video game store." She said, ushering Hiro to follow her. Hiro followed close behind her.

Hiro gulped and debated whether he should speak or not. After a second thought, he decided to set things straight. "Look Gogo is it? I know you don't like me and that's okay. Maybe we could just split up? Don't worry, I remember where Tadashi is, so it's perfectly safe." Hiro suggested.

Gogo gulped. 'So much for acting nice.' She thought. The kid really WAS as smart as Tadashi had mentioned. He really wasn't exaggerating. Gogo thought over Hiro's offer.

"I don't know Hiro. Tadashi really cares about you. If he finds out I let you roam around on your own, he might show his dark side." Gogo said with a shudder.

This was news to the younger Hamada. Hiro had never in his entire life seen Tadashi's dark side. In fact, he'd never seen Tadashi truly angry in his entire 10 years of living.

"Well I won't tell if you don't." Hiro said with a shrug. Gogo smiled. The kid wasn't so bad after all.

"Alright Hiro, but meet me by this water fountain in exactly 30 minutes got it?" she said firmly. Hiro eagerly nodded and started to run, but was yanked back by Gogo. "Remember kid. THIRTY minutes. Don't be even a second late. If something happens to you, Tadashi will KILL me." Gogo said in dead seriousness. Hiro gulped and nodded. With that, Gogo nodded and headed to the video game store.

After she was gone from his line of sight, Hiro rushed to the robotics store. The bell chimed indicating that someone entered and the shopkeeper looked up from his book.

"Ah, Hiro Hamada. Back again I see. Where's that older brother of yours?" the shopkeeper asked. Hiro waved a hello. "Hey Mr. Ganado. He's over in the food court with a friend." Hiro said, glancing over at the spare parts and bolts.

Mr. Ganado loved it when the Hamada brothers came to his store. He loved seeing siblings get along and the Hamada brothers were really close. The fact that they shared a common interest in robotics added to that.

A few minutes later, Hiro went to the counter with a handful of parts.

"Wow Hiro. Must be some project." Mr. Ganado said, marveling over all the parts Hiro had brought to the register. Hiro nodded eagerly. The shopkeeper rung him up. "20 dollars." He said with a smile. Hiro pulled out the money Tadashi gave him to spend. It was all 20 dollars he had, but it was all he was going to buy anyway so he handed it to Mr. Ganado and headed outside with his parts.

Sitting down in a corner, Hiro pulled out his bot from his hoodie pocket and started working on it with the brand new parts he just bought. After a few more minutes, he had the ultimate bot ready to fight. He even painted a little smiley face on it for good measure. Hiro REALLY wanted to try this bot out as soon as possible so he rushed to where Tadashi was.

When he say his older bro, his mood dampened. He forgot that Tadashi was busy with Honey Lemon. Both teens were seated at a table, eating together and talking and laughing. Hiro really wanted to test out his bot so he went over to where they were and sat at the last chair at the table. Tadashi looked a bit irritated, but Honey was overjoyed.

"Hey there Hiro!" she greeted. Hiro smiled and waved in response. "Hey Tadashi, I gotta try this new bot out NOW!" he explained to his older brother. Tadashi shook his head seriously. "Not now Hiro, wait till we get home." His older brother replied.

Hiro's heart sunk. Was Tadashi really blowing him off for some girl? His OWN BROTHER? "Daaashi pleeeaaaase?" Hiro begged.

"AWWWW that's adorable!" Honey Lemon gushed in pure joy. Hiro blushed like a maniac and Tadashi looked agitated. Tadashi then handed Honey a 5 dollar bill. "Hey Honey, buy some dessert will ya?" He offered. Honey Lemon brightened up even more and rushed to the register.

Hiro gulped. Bracing himself for Tadashi's wrath he closed his eyes. Tadashi sighed. "Open your eyes baby bro." Tadashi said softly. Hiro reluctantly opened them. "Look Hiro, I know you really wanna do this, but please wait okay? I know it's hard for you to understand but-" "But you like Honey Lemon." Hiro finished. Tadashi blinked in surprise.

"Y-yeah. Okay maybe you DO understand." Tadashi said, scratching his head. Hiro's gaze sunk to the floor. His gaze turned harsh and a bit angry. "Hiro?" Tadashi asked.

"I can't believe you're choosing her over me. You said you'd always be there for me. Was that all just a lie to get rid of me? Was it fun? Taking advantage of your little brother?" Hiro asked harshly.

"Hiro c'mon that's ridiculous. I'm not choosing Honey over you." Tadashi reasoned. "Really? Because it sure feels like it." Hiro said, tears threatening to fall, but Hiro wouldn't allow them to. Tadashi sighed. "Hiro…" he began. "Save it. I'll just hang out with your other friends. They probably won't ditch me for some girl." Hiro said, saying the word 'girl' as if it were toxic.

Hiro left the food court and headed outside of the mall. His frustration was taking over him and he didn't pay attention to where he was going. Next thing he knew, he was in an alley. He heard some cheering going on and headed deeper to find out what the source of the noise was.

He found himself face to face with two bots. They seemed to be fighting each other. Bot fighting! Hiro thought.

Hiro POV (Still flashback)

Wait a minute, this must be that thing Tadashi warned me about a while ago. Bot fighting or something like that. It looks even cooler than Tadashi explained, given that Tadashi DID make it seem horrible. How could this be horrible or even illegal? Taking out my bot, I stared at it and then back to the circle of action.

Yeah I'm totally doing this. I stepped in as one of the current bots was sent out of the ring.

"Hi, I'd like to try please." I said nicely. The guy who won laughed. "HA. You? You're just a kid!" he exclaimed, pointing at me. "I have a bot though!" I cry, holding out mega bot. he shook his head at me.

"Go home kid." He said rudely. "I demand to fight. And when I win, I'll be sure to remind you that I'm just a KID." I fire back. The man raised his eyebrows. "Damn, feisty I see." I gulp. I'm usually only this snarky around Tadashi. This is already affecting my personality.

"Alright kid, but put in your wager." He said, throwing in a twenty. I gulped. I spent the twenty bucks that Tadashi gave me on parts. What was I supposed to do now?!
"What's wrong little boy? No money?" the man asked me tauntingly. I glared at him. Thinking fast, I remembered that Aunt Cass gave me a ten dollar bill in case of emergencies! I hid it in my shoe though. I pulled the ten out and dropped it in the pan. The man looked somewhat shocked.

I took out the controller and fired up mega bot. he fired his huge robot as well.

It took a while for me to get the hang of it, but once I did, it was a piece of cake. Not only did I beat that idiot, I beat 5 guys after him as well. I was making money in no time at all. After that, I lost count of how many people I fought, but I never lost ONCE. Not bad for my first try.

Present time

Hiro POV

I didn't understand what bad could come out of something so great and money making. Tadashi was such a worry wart. I might actually have Tadashi to thank for this. He's the reason I came here in the first place. As far as I could see, bot fighting was great. That's when it all went wrong though. I felt someone snaking up behind me and grab me by the collar. I gulped and shut my eyes closed.

Tadashi POV

OH god why didn't I go after him after that argument. I should've known better than to leave him that steamed. "HIRO! Where are you? This really isn't funny!" I yell through the streets of San Fransokyo. Since he got mad at me for the whole bot thing, none of my friends had seen him. Honey had to go home and Fred and Wasabi hadn't been heard from since that morning. It was just me and Gogo left to look for him.

"Look Tadashi, I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. I know this is all my fault." Gogo said solemnly. I crinkled my eyebrows in confusion. "Your fault? I'm the one who got into an argument with him. Gogo, don't beat yourself up, this is all MY fault. I just wanna find Hiro." I say desperately. Gogo stays silent but keeps helping me look.

"HIRO! Where are you bone head?!" I cry out. I fall to the floor in sadness.

Suddenly, Gogo slapped me. I rubbed my cheek, which was no doubt red by now. "YOUCH! What was that for?" I demand. "Get it together Tadashi. You'll never find Hiro sulking on the floor like that." She reasoned. I nodded. "Okay, split up. I'll go right, you go left." I say and we raced in opposite directions.

I'm about to give up and call the cops when I hear it. My baby brother!

"Please let me go!" I heard him cry. My ears perked up and I rushed to the source of the voice. I couldn't see him because it was kinda dark, but I could definitely hear my baby bro. that was definitely Hiro.

"Please! Lemme go! I didn't do anything to you!" Hiro cried. I felt my heart stop. Someone had him! Someone had my little brother! I'll kill them!

"Not until you hand over that robot and make me about 100 more little boy." A strange voice snarled.

I kept walking, hoping, praying to be able to see them somewhere.

"I'm just a kid! Please?!" Hiro begged, his voice laced with sheer fear. "Shut your whining and do as I say unless you wanna be punished!" the voice said deeply. Hiro whimpered and started crying.

"DAAASHI! DASHI HELP ME! PLEASE DASHI HELP ME!" he cried in agony. I heard a snap and that must've been that guy! He did something to HIRO!

I ran faster than ever and FINALLY found them.

"HIRO!" I scream. My brother was knocked out, eyes shut. The man saw me and smirked. "Great, there's two of them." He said maliciously. I glared at this harsher than I ever glared at anyone in my entire life. Little did this guy know that I was a black belt. Mentally thanking Aunt Cass for making me take those karate classes, I kicked the guy where it counts and rushed to my baby brother.

"Hiro! Hiro! Please wake up baby bro! Hiro c'mon! Don't do this to me!" I shout, shaking him left and right. He slowly comes to and opens his eyes, dried tears surrounding his face. "D-Dashi?" he asks. "Shh, you're okay." I assure him, rocking him between me.

I look up to see the creeper recovering. I get up and push Hiro away from me. I look at this creeper and get ready to fight. Ready to kill this guy if I have to.

He tries to throw a punch at me, but I block it with ease. I manage to get a few punched on him, but he manages a good kick in my side.

I heard hear whimper behind us and I felt my heart go out to him. None of this should've happened to him. He's only ten for crying out loud. I'm about to finish this guy off, when he finally realizes he's gonna lose. He hold his hands up in surrender. "Okay kid, you win." He says, backing away.

I sigh in relief. I turn to face Hiro when I see he isn't where I left him. "HIRO?!" I scream. "DASHI!" he screams. I turn around and see the ruthless cretin holding my brother hostage.

"Let him go!" I growl, coming towards them.

"Take one step closer and I cut his neck in half." He threatens, holding a knife to my baby brother. I feel my heart stop. "O-okay, just PLEASE let him go. I'll do whatever you want." I say, reduced to nothing.

"Take his place." The man demands. Tadashi nods. "NO DASHI! DON'T DO IT!" Hiro screeches. "SHUT UP YOU!" the man yells, pressing the knife into Hiro's neck. "STOP IT!" I beg, down on my knees. The man smirks evilly and lightly slices Hiro's neck right in front of me. "HIRO!" I cry in agony, ready to rush to his side, but before I can, the man slices deeper. "STOP COMING CLOSER OR ELSE HE WON'T HAVE A NECK LEFT!" He threatens. I stop dead in my tracks.

Hiro's whimpering and shivering, and crying in pain. He's so innocent and young and it's not fair. I can't help but cry as well. I already lost my parents, I just CAN'T lose Hiro too. "Hiro, please let me take your place. I can't sit here and watch you get hurt any longer. Go home!" I tell him. "And you think I can watch you leave me? Remember your promise Tadashi!" he reasons. I shake my head. "I can't Hiro. I can't just watch you get hurt." I beg. The man seems to be getting impatient. He pushed Hiro to the ground and grabs me.

"DASI!" he yells, running towards us. "Hiro no! Go home!" I beg him. Before he responds, I feel cool metal press against my neck. I can't help but feel rushes of fear go through me. "Move again squirt. I dare ya." The man says to Hiro. The table certainly have turned and for the worse.

Hiro gulps and backs up. I don't think the kid can handle my neck being sliced right after his own. Then, it happens. The miracle. Hiro gets his bot and orders it to attack. It starts beating the guy mercilessly and he lets me go in the process. I take this opportunity to grab Hiro and get away.

When we reach home, we rush to our rooms, thankful that we avoided Aunt Cass.

I lay Hiro down on my bed and tend to his neck wound. "You're gonna be just fine baby bro." I assure him. Hiro sniffs and nods lightly. "D-Dashi I'm so sorry." He says sadly. I shake my head. "Don't apologize Hiro, this is my fault." I say.

"NO dashi. It's all my fault. I over reacted and did exactly what you warned me not to do. I went bot fighting. I was making so much money, then that guy came and...h-he" Hiro trailed off, unable to finish. I widen my eyes. He went bot fighting?! I specifically told him NOT TO. I let it go though.

"No Hiro. I'm sorry if you thought I was choosing Honey over you. I could never choose anyone over you. Besides, Honey Lemon just wants to be friends for now anyway. God Hiro, I thought I was gonna lose you forever. You gave me a heart attack you did knuckle head!" I exclaim, hugging him close. Hiro hugged back for once.

We got dressed and headed to bed. Not 5 minutes passed when I heard Hiro's little footsteps coming toward my bed. I pulled my cover back and allowed him to climb in. no words were spoken. He just snuggled into me and I did to him. I held him as close as possible, not willing to let go. Not now, not ever. He's my baby bro. I'll never choose anyone else over him.

We started dozing off, but then I heard Hiro's soft voice say something I'll never forget. "Nii Chan, I definitely need you way more than you need Me." he whispered affectionately.

I love my baby bro so much. I don't think he understands how much we both need each other.