We're almost done! Just one more chapter and we shall be finished this story! I had so much fun writing this part, though it took so long- The majority of it was different from the Ever After script so I was a little nervous about going off on my own but I think it turned out rather splendid :D Please, enjoy friends!

Part 24

King Robert moved as fast as kingly respectable to the library. His entire family was going insane. Not only was Tadashi suddenly showing Kingly potential- that alone was enough to make Robert question his very existence but now his wife was claiming that the servant boy from the ball was the lost Prince Hiro. Deep down, Robert had already admitted that the Daniel- servant- perhaps- Hiro boy was the best thing to happen to his son. However, it did little to change the fact that Tadashi was now disregarding caution and care to carefully aligned treaties to save one boy. He had never seen Cassandra so insistent, and he had seen her insistent rest assured. But there was something new, some new kind of desperation which made him pause before completely disregarding her actions as just another argument. He had swallowed his pride and listened to her and what she had said, by all logical standpoints had made sense. Hiro's body was never recovered, the boy was the same age Hiro would be, the boy had similar features to the younger version of the prince and, above all, he had said his name was Hiro. The points did match up. But why now? Why disregard so many years of grief? Was this not just a desperate attempt to believe that the boy was alive? Robert massaged his temples as he walked. Hiro's death was such a sensitive topic and not one of the royals ever talked about it because it had hit each of them so incredibly hard. Not only had Hiro died that day, but his beloved daughter Abigail as well. Her body, at least, had been recovered from the earth at the back wall. Robert sighed and swallowed. He had to admit to himself that he was also righteously indignant to the idea of Prince Hiro's survival. Why does the boy get to survive while his little girl must stay in the grave?

Reaching the library, Robert burst in, ready to open up the entire discussion once again with his son but was forced to stop and look about him in astonishment. Every inch of space, including the floor, was covered in documents and books and scrolls- some of them quite ancient. And there, popping up right in the middle of it all was his son, Tadashi. Robert walked towards him, watching where he stepped. His son was a figure to behold, bags under his eyes and hair sticking up in every direction possible, it looked like he hadn't slept for days. There was a worry to his mouth and a glare in his eyes that made Tadashi look older, more beaten down than he ever had before. There was also a gleam in his eye that Robert had never seen before. A determination that echoed that of Cassandra's.

Tadashi finally heard King Robert and looked up from a book he was glancing through. Though surprised, he did not stop his work as he put the book on the table and picked up another, "What are you doing here Father?" he asked. It wasn't snarky or annoyed as usual, but tired and quick, like he was willing to help out but wanted it over as fast as possible so he could return to the task at hand.

Robert took another moment to admire his son's new determination, "I heard that you and your mother believe the Daniel boy is Hiro." Tadashi looked up from his book, not denying the claim, "Also that you are determined to save him from Lord Yama." Tadashi's eyebrows rose a hair at that- he hadn't told anyone his plan but Robert assured him, "I have eyes everywhere and ears everywhere else."

As if satisfied with the answer for the moment, Tadashi returned to the book he had picked up, "What of it Father, I'm not stopping my search."

And with that, Robert made up his mind, "I'm not here to stop you." Tadashi looked up again, this time, clearly focused enough to wait for an explanation, "If you like, I would offer some advice."

Tadashi closed the book and set it down, "But why- I mean, thank you I-I suppose... but... why?"

Robert just smiled softly and moved forward, putting his hand on Tadashi's shoulder. Tadashi blinked at the loving gesture, not remembering the last time his father had shown him physical affection, "Because I'm finally seeing the Tadashi I first met. The one with a fire behind his eyes. Though that fire never went away, it changed colour after Hiro, erm, disappeared. It changed to a dangerous spark that would burn any who got too close. Now, it's back to the warm light I remember. Determined, protective, kind and smart. So smart. Tadashi, I know I haven't been the father you've needed, but I do not want to see this light die; it suits you too well. And if that means I have to help in the rescue of a servant boy, so be it."

Tadashi blinked slowly through wet eyes and suddenly burst forward and hugged his father. Robert was surprised to say the least but he wrapped his arms around his son in an enormous embrace.

After a pause, Robert pulled away, clearing his throat, "Ahem, yes, well now, do you want my advice or not?"

Tadashi straightened himself and sniffed, "Of course! What is it?"

Robert folded his hands, "If you want to take down Yama, you have to be almost as willing as he is to fold the law to your bidding- almost." He added, upon seeing Tadashi's eyes, "Yama is a shrewd Lord and he is also smart. Digging through law scrolls will help you with the background, but what you really need to do is catch him in something illegal, that will give you right to legally claim through the law a king's right to compensation. If he broke our laws, he has to pay up with whatever the king sees fit. Now," Robert began to move about, Tadashi following his every step. Robert stopped in front of a large sheet of paper, "I see you found that he was involved with the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent?"

Tadashi pulled the thick contract out from under a few smaller sheets of paper, "Yes, he has rights to her land- in fact he almost owns it the amount he trades to support the farm."

Robert took the contract and nodded, "I see. And she is the previous mistress to the servant boy?"

Tadashi nodded, jaw tensing at the mention of Hiro as a servant- owned by someone.

Robert studied the contract closely, "Do you have the numbers for this contract- the amount each side owed?"

"I believe so... yes, it's right here." Tadashi handed a smaller, thinner sheet of less important paper to Robert. Robert took it, impressed by Tadashi's thoroughness.

Tadashi moved around so he was looking at the paper from over Robert's shoulder. As he studied it, he began to squint, his mind working furiously. Robert seemed to do the same. Suddenly both men exclaimed and pointed, "There!"

"Oh I do so hate to see you in irons." Yama sighed from his chair at the head of the table filled with invasion plans.

Hiro did not look up nor show acknowledgement of any kind as he shuffled into the room carrying wood for the fireplace, his hands raw and splintered. This was the twelfth time Yama had made him fetch the heavy logs.

"I would remove them," Yama continued, "If you would promise not to run again."

Hiro put the logs on the enormous pile beside the fireplace, "I have no reason to stay." He said flatly, his voice low from a sore, bruised throat.

"You belong to me now." Yama was suddenly in front of Hiro, yanking the boy's head back by the hair.

Hiro, for all he was worth, stared back at Yama through a black eye. He licked his split lip and breathed, "I belong to no one. Least of all you."

Yama tightened his hold on Hiro's hair and the boy sucked air through his teeth but refused to make any noise. Hiro had made up his mind days ago that any existence is better than that of a slave, so he was determined to do what he perhaps always should have done. Run. Run as far and as fast as he could. No matter the consequences. Not even if it cost him his life. He was done answering to cruelty. He was done serving those who would use him. He was done. And he certainly would not plan an invasion for this disgusting man. He would never do that to Tadashi. Ever. No matter what.

"I had a horse like you once," Yama said evenly, "magnificent creature. Stubborn, just like you, willful to a fault. It too just needed to be broken." At that, Yama shoved Hiro towards the table. The boy stumbled over his chains and jarred his head on the side of the wooden edge.

Yama just laughed and moved towards the boy again. Suddenly, Hiro sprang up and sliced Yama's foot with the dagger he had pulled from Yama's belt. The large man howled and crashed to the ground, clutching his bleeding foot and cursing the boy, "What have you done! I could hang you for this!"

Hiro pressed the dagger to one of the man's many chins, his eyes burning cold, "Not if you are dead."

Yama, for the first time in his life, felt completely helpless as he stared up the blade to the hard face of the small servant boy, "My Master Auguste was an expert swordsman. He taught me well." Hiro whispered. Yama swallowed, blade tickling his neck as he did so. He would do it. The boy would actually do it if Yama didn't comply.

"Now hand me the key or I swear on his grave I will slit you from navel to nose." Hiro pointed the dagger to the man's enormous belly and moved it up again to his face and Yama flinched at the blade point no more than an inch from his eye. Hand slightly shaking, Yama reached into his pocket and pulled out the key,

"Your freedom then sir."

Tadashi burst through the front gate of Yama's castle, galloping up the roadway with Captain Gogo and a dozen guards at his heels. Dismounting, Tadashi threw the reigns up at Gogo who had pulled up beside and looked around, wondering where to go now.

Movement from the corner of the castle caught the Prince's eye and he almost felt his legs give way as a small, skinny black haired figure walked out the door.

Hiro blinked in the daylight and looked back at the castle towering above him, his heart bursting with relief. Unable to contain himself he weakly smiled as he turned and began to try to put as much distance between him and the castle as possible. As he looked up, he saw none other than Prince Tadashi running towards him. Hiro's breath caught in his throat and his legs buckled, but he licked his sore lips and walked forward, readying himself for whatever may come.

Tadashi couldn't help himself. He ran up to Hiro- his Hiro!- and skidded to a stop in front of him, seeing 'Daniel' with wonderful new eyes. Tadashi knelt down and cupped the boy's face in his hands, looking him over. Hiro looked terrible. He had an awful black eye, his lip was swollen and cut and he was absurdly skinny. Tadashi moved Hiro's long hair out of his face, noticing bruising on the boy's neckline. Tadashi set his jaw, anger beginning to bubble hot in his blood.

Hiro took Tadashi's hands in his own, trying to say something but Tadashi took Hiro's hands instead and looked at them; blistered, awfully red and puffy and filled with horrid, long splinters. Tadashi blinked, rage pounding in his ears. Turning to Gogo, Tadashi barked out orders in a firm, clear voice none dare question, "Gogo, take the guard and search for Yama. Arrest him and bring him back to the castle for justice."

Gogo had been watching from a distance and she could see clear enough the damage the boy had gone through. Her mouth set in a grim line she nodded and led the men into the castle. Heaven help her but Yama might be missing a few fingers when she was done with him.

Tadashi and Hiro watched the guards disappear into the castle. When they were gone, an awkward silence hung between the two.

Finally Hiro scrunched his face, voice barely above a whisper and cracking with pressure, squeezing Tadashi's heart tighter than it already was, "What are you doing here?"

"I... um..." Tadashi shrugged and flopped his hands, realizing he didn't actually get to do what he came here to do, "I came to rescue you."

"Rescue me?" Hiro's voice was weak but clear now, "A servant." Hiro turned and began walking towards a crumbled wall, not knowing what to do with himself.

Tadashi held his head up, as if that would give him more sincerity, not following the boy. Not feeling worthy to be near him. "Actually, I came to beg your forgiveness." He said, hoping with every fiber of his being he sounded as sincere as he felt, "I-I offered you the world and at the first test of honour I betrayed your trust."

Hiro stopped at the crumbled wall, not saying nor responding in any way.

"Please Hiro." Tadashi's voice shook.

The boy turned slowly, his lips trembling, "Say it again."

Tadashi rushed towards Hiro and knelt on one knee before him, a tear escaping his eye, "I'm sorry."

"No," the boy laughed through his tears, "the part where you said my name."

Tadashi giggled like a child in relief and whispered through a choked sob, "Hiro." Tadashi then reached for something behind his back and presented it to Hiro, "Perhaps you could help me find the owner of this rather remarkable shoe?"

Hiro gasped at the black scaled boot held before him, completely fixed and shining as of completely made new, "I-" Hiro turned to the wall and sat down in despare, voice low and crackling, "It belongs to a servant your highness who only wore it to save a man's life."

"I know." Tadashi said, smiling softly, "And the name is Tadashi if you don't mind."

Hiro allowed himself a weak smile up at the Prince and Tadashi continued, "I cannot be a King without a friend Hiro, not without someone by my side to help me, guide me, be there for me always, as I would them. Would you be my brother? My best friend?"

Hiro blinked once and suddenly launched himself at Tadashi, hugging the man's shoulders as he sobbed into them, letting it all go.

Tadashi hugged back with all his might and rose up, carrying the boy and spinning them both around in circles until they were one big giggling mess, their cheery voices echoing to the birds in the air above.

A/N: Never fear, all the mystery about what Tadashi and Robert found shall be revealed in the next chapter as well as what shall happen to Yama and the Baroness now :D Hope you enjoyed the brotherly fluffy fluff! Please tell me what you think and anything you are wondering about in case I left something open that should be closed off in the next chapter- I don't want to leave lose threads! Thank you all so much, I LOVE everything you all say and a HUGE thank you to those who recently followed and favourited- I know there's a few of you out there! Thank you all!

Guest Reviews:

seems-pretty-legit: Don't worry, Tadashi used that big brain of his, never fear!

Athena MonaLisa: I'm so sorry it took so long but I hope this meets your expectations :D

Sweet Jolly: Hehe, yup- I always loved Yama as a villain because, unlike Robert, there's very little wiggle room for him- he's a bad guy through and through as far as we know

*OH and have you all heard? BH6 IS GETTING A TV SHOW! I KNOW RIGHT I CAN'T BELIEVE IT ITS JUST WHAT THE CHARACTERS NEED ITS COMING OUT IN 2017 AND DIRECTED BY THE SAME WHO MADE KIM POSSIBLE THIS IS THE MOST FANTASTIC THING I CANT EVEN!*