Wow. I'm spoiling you guys rotten... Nah, I love you all- that and I don't want to go to bed yet...

Part 13

Daniel's black velvet jacket and feathered cap lay on a log as Tadashi paced back and forth, utterly annoyed with himself.

"You would think I would remember the way to my own castle!" He said, taking his anger out on the ground that had done him no wrong as he stomped along the log's length.

"Why is it you never stopped for directions?" Daniel's voice came from a skyward direction, "Ah! There it is! It's back that way!" and Tadashi swerved on his feet facing the way they had come... at least he thought it was the way they had come.

Pride already sore, Tadashi called out, "And I still can't believe that I'm down here while you're up there! And in your undergarments no less." the Prince gestured to the log.

"Well I couldn't very well climb up here in that get up now could I?" Daniel's face popped out from the foliage of the tree and Tadashi found himself almost calling out for the boy to be careful.

"And besides," Daniel continued, leaning further forward, "you might fall and break your royal neck and then where would we be?"

Tadashi raised his hands in caution to the little Lord but he was once again astounded by the boy, "You swim alone, climb trees, rescue servants. Is there anything you don't do?"

Daniel grinned and spread his arms wide, throwing his head to the heavens which earned a squeak of protest from Tadashi as he answered, "Fly!"

Still smiling widely at Tadashi's excessive protection instinct and, if Hiro was honest with himself, wanting to feel it a little more, Hiro leaned over a branch, his hair whisking in his face from the breeze, "Now get my jacket for when I come back down."

Tadashi smiled as well as he realized the little Lord was beginning to play with him. Turning to retrieve the jacket, Tadashi's world was suddenly sent spinning as he was punched square in between the eyes to the ground.

Echoing laughter and gruff calls could be heard surrounding him as Tadashi leapt up, his trained hands whipping out his sword and dagger. Tadashi almost smiled through his hazy eyes as he realized who it was, "Oh no. It's you again."

The gypsy he had chased for Leonardo only last week grinned at him with yellow and silver teeth, the rest of his band cheering him on.

"Stay where you are Daniel!" Tadashi called to the boy who was on his way down, "I'll take care of this."

Hiro turned his head to see Tadashi completely surrounded by gypsies. His heart skipped a beat as one with a sword and long dagger swung straight at Tadashi's head. The prince was quick and ducked with ease, meeting the sword with his own as they clashed together.

Swinging furiously, the gypsy found only air as Tadashi sidestepped and Tadashi the same as the gypsy leapt away as if made of feathers.

They both swung furiously and their swords clanged again, echoing the strength of both arms. As they continued the deadly dance, a scraggly old gypsy with grey through his beard and long hair made his way to the log where Hiro's clothes lay.

Hiro was almost able to jump down when the gypsy held his velvet jacket up with his sword, "My son thanks you for this jacket little man."

"You will give me back my jacket sir!" Hiro's voice sounded clear and proud through the foliage.

Up down up down went the swords, singing like deaf bells through the forest as Tadashi was backed into a corner against a rock face. Their blades locked, bringing the young gypsy to face his adversary. Tadashi kicked him in the stomach and he fell back with a cry.

Using the momentum, Tadashi pressed forward, breathing heavily and sweat dripping down his back. Finding himself again backed into a corner against a solid tree, Tadashi purposely locked blades again, bringing the grips down to his hip. The gypsy's face was brought close to his chest and Tadashi let go of his sword to punch the man away. The gypsy's own sword fell out of his grip and Tadashi used the momentum to tackle him to the ground. The air around them was thick with the entertained laughter of the gypsies.

The older gypsy, who had his head thrown back in maniac laughter was suddenly tackled from behind as Hiro launched himself from the lower tree branch.

They both fell to the ground and Hiro made a mad scramble for the old gypsy's sword that had fallen away. Before he could reach it he was grabbed and hauled off his feet from behind by the gypsy's compatriots.

Tadashi had just managed to punch his gypsy out when he looked up to see a dagger held against Daniel's throat.

"Let him go!" Tadashi called desperately, pushing sweat out of his face, "Your quarrel lies with me."

The older gypsy, who appeared to be their leader nodded to the man holding Hiro, "Release him."

No sooner had the man loosened his grip then Daniel scrambled out of it, pushing the gypsy away in anger. He then turned to the older gypsy, his face flushed and eyes blazing, "I insist you return my things at once." his voice was as hard as iron. The older gypsy blinked in surprise at the little Lord, but he was not finished: "And since you deprived me of my escort I demand a horse as well."

Tadashi opened his mouth to say something but closed it, cocking his head and trying to believe what he was seeing.

The older gypsy began to look amused, "Milord," he gestured with a slow voice, "you may have anything you can carry."

Daniel paused, his face no less somber, "May I have your word on that sir?"

Tadashi just kept trying to catch his breath.

The older gypsy considered the thought before answering, "On my honour as a gypsy: whatever you can carry."

Daniel walked forward as if to take the jacket, but suddenly turned. Taking an arm and lifting it around his neck then bending so the body leaned fully on his back, the little Lord lifted Tadashi clear off the ground.

Turning slowly but surely, Hiro faced the old gypsy whose jaw was on the ground and nodded thanks. To the laughter and astonished cries of the gypsy band, Hiro began to walk away, Tadashi slung over his back like a giant overgrown lamb.

The older gypsy suddenly burst out laughing, gesturing with his arms, "Hahawait- come back! Ihahai'll give you a horse! Hahah!"

A/N: You have no idea how much I have been looking forward to writing this scene and how much fun it was writing it!

seems-pretty-legit: I shall one day fully join you in the murder spree but unfortunately, I am not done with her quite yet so I shall have to fend you away with gummy bears.