Having been a soldier most of his life Akito has a good understanding of the things that can be done to a human body to inflict pain and death. His mind races through all of them, unable to even consider that he's not in deep trouble from his actions, too much of his childhood spent hearing horror storied of angered royalty. Though many of his fellows did it mostly to tease him, they never told him that they were teasing and if there was anyone he would take at face value, it would be the men in his unit. His breathing is harsh from the panic, the run and climb not even a minor exertion for the youth, but it still sounds like he's just finished running ten miles.

Feeling pricks in the corners of his eyes he presses his palms over them, desperate to not start crying at the very least. [i]'I messed up, I seriously messed up, but. . .I could explain, if he's willing, and, he doesn't seem like an unreasonable man, even if he hates war. . .It was just my instincts, did his father do the same thing? I overreact to things, I know I do, but, I just. . . .'[/i] His body trembles lightly, his arms wrapped around his knees. He can feel the rough bark against his back even through the two layers of cloth, almost like the forest is reaching out to touch him. For one wild moment he thinks of fleeing, dropping his name and title and just leaving the country. However that wild thought passes quickly and as soon as it does he can feel himself calming down slightly.

[i]'No, no. . . .I will take responsibility for this. . .I will talk to him and explain, and the emperor and empress if the servant has already reported this. I am no coward, I will not flee. Life has handed this to me, and. . .'[/i] He pauses in his thoughts, faint non foresty sounds from below catching his attention. Taking his hands off his eyes he rubs them gently, the slight moister drying quickly as he blinks rapidly. However his eyes go a little wide when the odd appearance of a light below causes him to stare. It doesn't take a firework engineer to realize what that light must be.

Quite as could be he climbs a little lower, watching the light carefully and letting his eyes adjust. The prince doesn't spot him and after a moment Akito freezes as the man calls out. [i]'Not get in any trouble? He's more worried about being late to the meal?'[/i] His heart skips lightly, thinking that maybe he really will be forgiven for slipping up. He knows he will have to tell his father which will earn him a clout, but at least he may have some advice on avoiding his natural instincts like the one that got him in trouble this time, even if it was only with his own conscience.

Dropping silently to the ground some distance behind Hiro he follows slowly, wondering where the prince is heading. He moves along silently. His specialty in his unit required him to be able to stalk like this, though at this point he's not quite sure why he's doing it. He is no coward, and he's already decided to talk to the man, but for some reason he can not bring himself to approach him. Just as he begins to think he'll never build up the nerve he spots the prince about to step into a rabbit hole and quick as a fox he darts forward and gently takes his arms, stopping him mid step and pulling him back slightly.

Not needing to be mistaken for a bandit he lets go quickly and drops to a knee. An instant later the words come tumbling out. “I am so sorry highness, I did not mean for that to happen I pray it did not hurt to much and does not pain you still. My training has lead to many responses I have little control over, and when the servant knocked, then the door moved, then you laid a hand on me. . .My nerves are so frayed right now, but I never imagined I would do that. I know you say I am not in trouble, but I still beg your forgiveness for my action.” His breathing has picked up again and it takes him a moment to realize he's rambling. When he does however he falls silent so Hiro can get a words in edgewise but not before murmuring, "Also, please be more careful. You almost stepped in a rabbit hole."