Once upon a time there lived a lovely little prince named Kurapika. His vain and wicked stepfather the king feared that someday Kurapika's beauty would surpass his own. So he dressed the little prince in rags and forced him to work as a scullery maid. Each day the vain king consulted his magic mirror, "magic mirror on the wall who is the fairest one of all?"..and as long as the mirror answered, "You are the fairest one of all," Kurapika was saved from the king's cruel jealousy.

One day, the king, who was named Chrollo, approached the mirror as he did each and every day. He waved his hand a little and said as always, "Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?" But this time, the mirror said something much different than usual. It described a boy with long blond hair and dazzling gray eyes, skin as pale as snow. This enraged Chrollo, not just because of the fact that he was no longer the fairest, but because the description fit no other than one boy - Kurapika.

Kurapika scrubbed the stone stairs as the doves flew past to say hello. Swinging the water bucket back and forth, he walked past the pink and white flowers. Sighing to himself, he turned around to see Prince Leorio riding his horse. Leorio was a tall, handsome man, with black hair and small glasses. The doves flew away at the sight of the huge white horse.

"Hello sunshine, what are you up to on this fine morning?" Leorio said with his usual smile.

Kurapika sat the bucket down as he crossed his arms, leaning against the wishing well. "I'm fine, busy cleaning. As always." He replied, blowing a piece of hair out of his face.

Leorio walked over and leaned in closer to the blond flirtatiously, Kurapika leaned back awkwardly, almost falling into the well.

"Hey Sunshine, don't you go falling into the well on me, I might just have to catch you." Leorio said, leaning closer like his intent was to make Kurapika fall in.

Kurapika pushed the tall man away a little, sighing. Leorio was always trying to make a move on him, probably because of how feminine he looked. Truly, was this the man who was going to rule one day? Kurapika felt bad. He picked up the bucket again and went to leave the prince behind, but Leorio followed him like a puppy, he could never leave Kurapika alone.

"Oh c'mon, talk to me Pika!" Leorio exclaimed.

"Oh but Prince," Kurapika said sarcastically, looking back at Leorio, "You have your duties."

Leorio caught up to the blond, grabbing Kurapika's arm, "You're just trying to avoid me."

"Wow, you figured it out."

The two stared at each other for a long time, the bucket in Kurapika's hand almost seemed to grow heavier and as he stared longer at the prince's face, the more handsome Leorio seemed to get. Gah, no! Kurapika couldn't think that way. Soon, the blond walked away again and once again, Leorio followed. When Kurapika set the bucket down, he glared at the man again.

"You do know this is technically harassment, stop flirting with me." Kurapika said.

Leorio's face flushed, "Uh- I wasn't gonna do that! I was just gonna ask if you needed help."

Kurapika shook his head, "I do this everyday."

With a sigh, Leorio waved and left. Kurapika watched the man mount his horse and ride off and then turned in the direction of home, but his heart dropped when he noticed something. Standing from the side, just in ear-shot and in a place where he could see everything, was his stepfather Chrollo. Kurapika just rushed into his room, quickly locking the door behind him.

Chrollo was mad that the mirror said he wasn't the fairest anymore. So, he called in one of his most trusted knights, Nobunaga. "I want you to kill the prince." Chrollo said, in an intimidating voice. Nobunaga was shocked and confused, "If i may ask, Why would you want the prince to die?" He asked concern lacing in his voice. "That is none of your concern." Chrollo said, getting more and more impatient. "I want you to lead the prince deep into the dark forest, say you're taking him flower picking, and when you're alone. Kill him." He continued. Knowing the punishment Nobunaga would get if he argued against it, he stayed quiet. Chrollo pulled out a red box with golden accents. "And to make sure you have actually killed him, I want you to bring me his eyes in this box. Do you understand?" Chrollo asked. "Yes, your majesty." was all that Nobunaga could muster up.

Kurapika followed Nobunaga into the forest, leaves crunching under his feet. Something was off about the knight today, his entire mood had seemed to shift, like something terrible was going to happen. This frightened the young prince, who was made to wear his nicest clothes, though he had no clue why.

Suddenly, Nobunaga pulled out a dagger, its blade reflecting in the light. His eyes flashed murderously for a second before he noticed Kurapika cowering. Nobunaga just couldn't kill a child. So instead of stabbing him like the king had told him to, he pointed in the other direction with his weapon, off into the dark woods.

"GO! Leave before I kill you on the king's orders!" He yelled.

Kurapika didn't understand why Chrollo would want him dead, but he still listened to the knight, who was the most trustworthy of them all, and raced into the woods. It was cold and his fancy jacket didn't help much, but for now he just had to escape. The farther into the woods, the darker it seemed to get, and eventually he crashed to the ground, too tired to run any longer.

Animals gathered around Kurapika's body thinking he was dead. When he opened his eyes again the animals ran away, hiding behind bushes and tree logs. Kurapika sat up trying to reassure them that he meant no harm, later thinking he was stupid for believing the animals could even understand what he was saying. He sat there for a few more minutes still trying to process what just happened. Kurapika then stood up and walked over to some trees, pushing past them to try to find a place to sleep for the night. Looking past the trees, Kurapika saw a bridge over a water stream. And a small house that looked like it would be for dolls. He hurried over thinking that this would be where he would sleep tonight. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. "How strange." Kurapika thought to himself. The door was unlocked though, so since no one was home, there was no one to stop him from going inside.

When Kurapika walked inside, he was honestly impressed at how messy the place was. Even his whole entire palace was cleaner than this place. There were cobwebs and dust everywhere, stacks of dirty dishes, and unwashed clothing scattered throughout the house. Considering how messy this place was, Kurapika thought that if he cleaned the house, whoever lived here would let him stay for a few. He walked over and picked up the broom, which looked like it hadn't been touched in years, and started sweeping the ground. Kurapika kept cleaning as he started humming an old song Leorio taught him. Finishing up, he walked over to the stairs and went up to the second floor. When Kurapika got up the stairs he saw seven beds with a name on each one. The names were Killua, Gon, Retz, Zushi, Komugi, Pike, and Alluka. (Killua =Grumpy, Gon =Happy, Retz =Doc, Zushi =Bashful, Komugi =Sneezy, Pike =Dopey, Alluka =Sleepy) Kurapika eventually grew to be tired and fell asleep on three of the beds pushed next to each other.

Killua slammed his pickaxe into the stone, sweat beading on his pale skin and his anger growing. When was he going to reach gems. Beside him, Gon hummed happily as he mined, eventually reaching red jewels that reflected in Retz's torchlight.

"Ah dammit!" He exclaimed, tossing his pickaxe aside, everyone had much better luck than him.

As his pickaxe fell to the floor, Pike pushed Zushi towards the angry silver haired boy to calm him down. As soon as the smaller boy was inches away from Killua, he turned and ran, sweating. He never was much of a confrontational person. Komugi sneezed for like the eighth time in a row, then after a few more hits, pulled out a shining gem. No one knew how she did it so well, being blind and all. Alluka yawned and soon passed out, dropping a box of jewels to the ground.

Killua immediately went to help his sister, pushing people out of the way. He was already sick and tired of the day and just needed to make sure Alluka was alright. As everything happened, Gon wiped sweat from his forehead, staring at his haul in the bucket he had. One, five, thirteen! He quickly counted and did the math in his head and jumped up in joy. Retz appeared beside him, handing him her jewels, her blue eyes sparkling.

"W-wow!" She stumbled on her words, "H-h-how do you a-always get- er, find so many gems a-all the time?"

Gon shrugged, a grin on his face, "Luck, I guess."

Zushi didn't have any luck, unfortunately. Komugi had gone to dump out Zushi's finds and had asked him what was wrong - in between sniffling - when she didn't hear any fall out to learn that Zushi just couldn't find any. The poor kid could hardly tell her he was stuttering so much and he whispered so quietly.

That's when Komugi said, "How about we head home!"

Everyone cheered, they had had fun mining but they were excited to head home and eat all voted that Pike should put away the Jewels into the vault. Pike threw in the bags of Jewels carelessly into the vault, closed and locked the door, and put the key next to the door. The seven of them walked on the path in a line to go home. When they arrived in the vicinity of their house, Killua stopped them all in their tracks, noticing that all of the lights were on in the house. "Didn't we turn off all of the lights in the house before we left?" Gon asked curiously. "We did.." Killua replied, eyeing the house cautiously. Alluka was half asleep, so she had no clue what in the world was going on. "What if it's a ghost! Or a dragon.." Pike said as Retz screeched at the thought. "Come on guys! I'm sure it can't be that bad." Gon said walking towards the house. Killua whispered about how much of an idiot Gon was and walked towards the house dragging Alluka along with him. The rest of the group hesitantly followed. When they all got to the door Retz signaled to the rest of them to follow her in. Everyone cautiously crept into the house, Killua already in attack mode. Pike slammed the door shut and the others yelled at him to be more quiet. "Be careful everyone, make sure to check every cook and nanny..hook and granny.. uh- crooked fan no- just search everywhere!" Retz said fumbling with her words. Killua sighed as they all went separate ways. "The floor has been swept?" Gon said almost like he was asking a question. "And our windows have been washed." Alluka commented. "Our Cob-webs are missing.." Zushi said and they went around saying everything that was different about the house since they left. "Why don't we check upstairs?" Pike said already at the top of the staircase. Everyone walked into the room and were all surprised when they saw a blond… girl? Boy? They couldn't tell.

Someone explained the situation to the confused Komugi.

And that's when the blond person awoke.

Kurapika knew that whoever lived there would come back eventually, he just never expected so early… or maybe he had just slept for a while. Standing there in the doorway was a group of seven, all looking at him in awe and confusion. The ones who caught his attention first were the white haired kid holding the little girl in his arms and the brown haired boy beside them. So of course, that's who he asked the names of first.

"Killua.." Grumbled the pale kid and the girl in his arms informed Kurapika that her name was Alluka.

The smaller boy said he was Zushi and soon enough, after many questions of why he was there and who he was, Kurapika managed to learn everyone's names. Finally the least awaited question came up, the one that oh so annoyed the blond prince.

"Are you a girl or a boy?" Pike asked.

Kurapika sat straight up and in a sarcastic tone said, "I'm a girl."

"Told you!" Pike exclaimed.

Killua smacked the guy over his head, "MORON! Have you ever heard of sarcasm!?"

That got a laugh out of Kurapika, who wasn't much or a laugher or a smiler.

Retz then said, "Well, uh uh, you're g-gonna have to stay - no, ugh, leave. I'm sorry, b-b-but we can't have a-anyone else here, especially s-someone so big!"

Kurapika looked sadly at the floor. He didn't have anywhere to go, especially after he learned that his stepfather had planned to kill him. But then he had remembered the mess of the house and came up with a solution.

"When I got here, your little cabin was a disaster," He eyed the group, "So how about you guys let me stay here for the price of me being your personal maid!"

The seven started talking in hushed tones and Kurapika became very worried, maybe they would say no….

Gon turned towards Kurapika, a smile on his face, "It's settled, you can stay with us!"

He smiled back and stood up to check if the food he had put in the pot was done. Kurapika told the others to go wash their hands before they ate. Everyone happily did so, except for Killua who had whispered something under his breath about not wanting to be told what to do and that he wasn't his mom. When they came back inside they all had food together.

Chrollo walked up to the mirror, holding the red box in hand. "Magic mirror on the wall, who now is the fairest one of all?" He asked, fully expecting the mirror to say it was him. "Through the dark forest, past the glooming trees, in the cottage of the 7 dwarfs, dwells Kurapika. The fairest of them all" The mirror replied. Chrollo frowned and said, "Kurapika lies dead in the forest. The huntsman Nobunaga has brought me proof." He said opening the small box with the pair of eyes out on display. "Behold, His eyes." Chrollo said, bringing the eyes closer to the mirror for it to see. "Kurapika still lives, fairest in the land. 'Tis the eyes of a vulture,you hold in your hand" The mirror said, it's voice a void of emotion. "The eyes of a vulture? I have been tricked!" The king said as he ran down the spiral stairs. Chrollo opened the door to a small room, there stood a crow on its perch. "The eyes of a vulture! Can you believe that! I can't believe it myself. I'll just go to the dwarfs house on my own. In a disguise so complete no one shall ever suspect.." He said grabbing a specific red book. "Now a spell to transform my beauty into ugliness. Mummy dust..to make me old, to shroud my clothes the black of night.." Chrollo began mixing potions together, continuing to talk to nobody but himself. "To shroud my voice, to an old cackle," As he said that one of the potions mimicked a loud scratchy cackle that was poured into the black liquid turning it red. "To whiten my hair, a scream of fright." When Chrollo said that a white liquid was poured into the concoction turning the main potion green as a scream came from it. "A blast of wind, to fan my hate." A strong gust of wind blew past the king and he raised the glass. "A thunderbolt to mix it well." Lightning struck down and the green potion began bubbling. "Now, begin my magic spell.." Chrollo carefully brought the glass down to his lips and drank the magic potion, he immediately dropped the glass and it shattered against the ground. Breathing became hard for the king and the world started spinning. His hair grew long crusty and grey, and his skin shriveled up like a raisin. He shrank in size and his voice became raspy. "The perfect disguise." Chrollo said as he started cackling. "A special death for one so fair. A poisoned apple." He chuckled to himself as he read from the book, "One taste from the poisoned apple and the victim's eyes will close forever in the sleeping death.."

Kurapika fell onto the couch exhausted, he needed a break. Gon appeared, smiling and asked him to tell a story, to which the blond obliged.

Kurapika leaned towards the boy and everyone began to gather around, "Once there was a prince…"

"Was that prince you?"Alluka cocked her head in curiosity.

Kurapika laughed, "I mean, no, but I think I'd make a better one. He's so annoying and has no common sense…. Anyways. This prince lived in a large kingdom, where a lonely stepson of another kingdom's king was made to work. However, that oh so annoying prince would always visit the stepson and-"

Gon's eyes widened, "Is the stepson you?"

"Yes. Now everyday, the prince, Leorio would come and annoy me and all, but… he's so handsome. And he can be kind… even though he is so dumb!" Kurapika blushed to the point his face was a tomato, "As I said, he'd help me sometimes, he was kind and would talk to me when I was alone… and I-I might be in love."

Everyone simultaneously said, "Awwww!" Except for the sleeping Alluka and Zushi, who never talked much, but his face brightened when he heard those words.

"But he's stupid!" Kurapika exclaimed, "And I shouldn't be in love with him and- ugh, but he is so handsome… NO!" He looked at the ground, wringing his hands.

Suddenly, a clock sounded, it was time for bed. Kurapika stood and motioned for everyone to move it and get in their pajamas. He then put away that night's dinner and helped the younger dwarves fall asleep. Then he laid in his own bed, embarrassed by what he had done, ready to sleep the memories of that night away

Chrollo dipped the apple into the bubbling green liquid. As the poison dripped from the apple a skull appeared on the apple, but what quickly washed away. "Look! On the skin, a symbol of what lies within. Now, turn red, to tempt Kurapika." As those words left Chrollo's mouth, the apple turned a scarlet red. "A hypnotic spell, which will draw Kurapika to eat the apple." The King cackled to himself, "Wait.. What if there's an antidote? I must not overlook anything!" Chrollo ran over to his book and read, "The victim of the sleeping death can be revived only by love's first kiss." He scrunched his nose and laughed a little. "I have no fear of that. The dwarfs will think he's dead, and bury him alive!" Placing the apple carefully at the top of the basket, Chrollo went down into a small bunker. The place was full of cobwebs and human skeletons.

He walked into a small boat carrying the basket of apples with him. The king took the paddle and started moving the boat down the water stream.

It was dark and fog filled his vision. But he had to keep going to make it to the dwarfs house and kill Kurapika. He made it to land so he decided to walk the rest of the way there.

Kurapika stood outside the house, rolling his eyes as Killua informed him to stay safe and keep away from strangers. He already knew this and probably yawned more than he had ever seen Alluka yawn. Killua looked like he was about to get angry when Gon patted his shoulder and walked over to the blond prince.

"He's just a little worried, we know you know what to do, just a reminder."

Kurapika nodded and promised them he would not go near anyone.

"B-b-be stay- er safe." Retz said, "The King h-has lots of magicians- tricks I m-mean, up h-h -his s-sleeves."

Kurapika hugged the little girl and promised he would stay safe, he was smart and knew what he was doing. The dwarves didn't have to worry a bit. So with that, he sent the seven along their way, straight to the mines where they would mine for jewels.

Kurapika walked inside and began baking with only the sounds of birds chirping in the back. Until suddenly, an old man wearing a black cloak came up to the open window and stuck his head in. "All alone, my dear?" He said in a raspy worn out voice. "I am, but-" Kurapika began talking until the man had cut him off, "The little people, they aren't with you?" He said. Kurapika just stayed quiet, silently shaking his head from side to side. He just chuckled and sniffed the air "making pies?" Kurapika, wanting to be polite, said "Yes, gooseberry pies."

"Apple pies are much better, apple pies with apples like these." The man had pulled out a shiny red apple from the basket. Kurapika was very suspicious of this person, but it was like the apple was luring in Kurapika. Almost like there was a spell on it. "They do look like pretty good apples," The prince replied without thinking. "Ah yes, Why don't you taste one dearie?" He said waving the apple in Kurapika's face. "Go on, have a bite." Suddenly Chrollo had an idea "I'm rather thirsty from my walk, mind letting me in to have a drink?" Kurapika felt that if he didn't do what the man had said, it would make him look rude and only anger the poor old man. So he hesitantly opened the door for the other to walk in. "Oh and since you've been so kind to poor old me, I'll let you in on a secret. This is no ordinary apple, It's a wishing apple." Chrollo had said with a small condescending smirk. "A wishing apple?" Kurapika asked not believing him one bit "Yes, take a bite and all your wishes will come true, so make a wish and take a bite."

"Ow! Tell these birds to stop trying to eat me!" Komugi said, getting a little annoyed. Animals that were usually surrounding the house were now trying to attack them and drag them somewhere. "Well I'm kinda getting pushed by a deer right now!" Killua exclaimed, trying to pry himself off of the deer. "They have to be here for a reason," Gon said talking to the animals trying to get them to stop. "Maybe the old king's got Kurapika," Alluka suggested yawning into her words. "The king?! We have to save him!" Killua grabbed Alluka's hand and started walking off to the house. Retz jumped on one of the deer to get there faster. It was all panic so Komugi had no clue what was going on. Gon quickly informed her and dragged her along to the house.

"Come on there has to be something you desire, maybe you have someone you love?" Chrollo said walking closer to kurapika with the apple in hand. Kurapika just stepped backwards, regretting letting the old man inside. "Well, take the apple dear, and make a wish"

Kurapika didn't know what exactly made him do it, he was smarter than this, but he stepped forward and cupped the apple in his hands. The apple was so shiny that his face could be seen in it like a mirror. Then he held it up and took a bite, it was sweet and crunchy and oh God, what was he doing!? He promised the dwarves he would keep himself safe.

The old man's lips curled into an evil grin and he said something incomprehensible, probably because Kurapika could feel his head begin to spin. Something was wrong with the apple, but it was too late.

He fell to the ground, eyes closing and the apple rolled out of his hand onto the floor.

The dwarfs reached the house, breathing hard. Zushi pointed wordlessly at the door where an old man opened the door, creeping out. Behind him, Kurapika laid on the floor, not moving. Killua cursed something awful and all the dwarves yelled, catching the attention of the old man - no, this was Chrollo.

With Killua in the front, the group of seven chased after the cloaked man. They ran and ran for some time until they reached a cliff, but the seven weren't fast enough. Standing above them was Chrollo. He stood beside a large boulder and he grabbed a long stick, ready to push it down towards the dwarves. Alluka hugged Killua, Komugi was confused and Gon shielded her, Zushi, Pike, and Retz piled together, scared that this was the end.

Chrollo smirked evilly, but before he could crush the dwarves, a lightning bolt crashed where he was standing and he fell down the cliff. The dwarves stood there in shock, watching as the boulder fell after the old king, the smell of ozone taking over their senses.

Everyone started crying out of fear, but Retz was like the leader. She ordered everyone to go straight back to the house where Kurapika still was, probably hurt. So everyone followed her lead and they found their way back to the small house. The first people to race over and check on the blond were Zushi, Killua, and Komugi.

When they stood and confirmed that Kurapika was dead, the tense silence was broken by sobs.

"No…" Mumbled Zushi, "Why…"

Killua cried for the first time anyone had ever seen him cry. It was too much for all of the seven.

Finally, Retz said something that none of them had thought of yet, "Let's allow- no, g-give him a funeral. I-I'll find a w-way to make a-a coffin."

They all nodded in unison.

...So beautiful, even in death, that the dwarfs could not find it in their hearts to bury him...

They fashioned a coffin of glass and gold, and kept eternal vigil at her side... The prince, who had searched far and wide, heard of the maiden who slept in a glass coffin.

Everyone gathered around the coffin, even the animal. They were all crying and one by one putting flowers around him. Kurapika. Killua tried comforting Alluka but that just ended in both of them hugging each other crying. The flowers matched perfectly in the blond's locks and he looked as if he were simply taking a nap, which made it so much harder for the young Zushi, who had to be comforted by Komugi and Gon.

Retz closed the coffin, the glass reflecting in the sunlight. She ran her hand across the bronze edge of the coffin, tears trickling down her face. Kurapika had become a part of the family and now he was gone….

But everyone's heads turned when they heard the sound of hooves clopping on the ground. Sitting upon a horse was a man in royal clothes with brown hair and glasses. They immediately recognized him from the descriptions that Kurapika had given them of Prince Leorio. His eyes fell upon the coffin and they widened. He hopped off the white horse that he had been riding and raced over to Kurapika.

The prince's tears fell onto the coffin, rolling down the curves of the glass. He opened the coffin and held the blond's face in his hands.

"Oh God Kurapika… what happened to you?" He mumbled, "Why'd you leave… I loved you."

And Leorio planted a kiss on the blond's lips, a final gift before Kurapika left into the next world. He didn't quite know what he would do without the beautiful prince, who always carried buckets of water, in his life. He had never truly been able to tell Kurapika how he felt.

As Leorio turned to mount his horse once again, someone's hand grabbed his wrist and he turned to see Kurapika, lying there, his eyes open and sparkling. The blond grabbed Leorio by the collar of his shirt and kissed him for a bit. It felt right for both of them. When Kurapika let go, he said something that made the prince's heart flutter.

"I love you Leorio."

Shock covered everyone's face which was quickly covered by loud cheers of joy. Leorio just stood there stunned, still trying to process everything that just happened. When he finally realized what was happening he quickly responded, "I love you too." Kurapika laughed as he shot up and hugged Leorio. Kurapika looked back at the other 7 and gave them an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry but I'm afraid I won't be staying with you guys any longer. But, I promise to visit." They all had sad faces on but they all said it was okay. Killua tried to pretend that he didn't care, but it was pretty obvious that he did. "As long as you visit!" gon said enthusiastically. "Don't worry I will," Kurapika then went over and sat on the back of Leorio's horse as they rode into the distance… and they lived happily ever after.

The End