He only has a few moments to simply stare about at his surroundings before the prince is once again on the move. His hands slide behind his back as he walks and despite the lovely setting for their little stroll Akito can feels his nervousness building. [i]'Something about being in a garden with someone I am to marry soon. It makes me feel like I should do something, say something. I've always had something to do, my time off spent either alone or with Father. Something like this. . .It's new. . .It's. . . .'[/i] He lets out a soft sigh, alternating between gazing at the landscape and keeping an eye on his soon to be husband.

Aki pauses, staring a bit as at first the prince flops on to the ground, then simply lays back like he has not a care in the world. For several long minutes the soldier is at a loss, staring down at the man and wondering seriously if there's something wrong with him. [i]'Is he having a fit? Is he ill? Should I call someone?'[/i] Before panic can set in however he spots a few servants in the distance. He watches as they spot the prince on the ground, then continue about their evening. [i]'They don't seem worried, so, is this normal for him? The only time I ever felt safe doing something like this is when there were fifty or so warriors not a hundred yards away. But then again, the prince knows nothing of the fears of a soldier. . . .'[/i]

Letting out a faint sigh Akito kneels at the taller male's side. Settling in comfortably on one knee he simply waits, his eyes scanning the trees. He can not help but feel protective of the other male. Making himself so vulnerable, relaxing despite all the possible dangers. True, the war is over, but that does not mean those defeated will not try something to uproot the country, and killing the prince before his younger sibling is born, and before marrying the war hero, would definitely send some serious ripples through the kingdom.

As soon as the prince's eyes open Akito is on his feet, snapping instinctively to attention and following close behind the other man as they make their way inside. It feels oddly familiar when the prince poses a thought to no one and promptly receives an answer. [i]'Reminds me of those under the general. He would speak and someone always seemed to be there to deliver the information he needed. It was always quite impressive. . . .'[/i] The rest of the tour is uneventful save for a few moments where Hiro has to peel his betrothed away from a particularly enchanting piece of art or a fairly entertaining device.

His stomach drops a bit at the thought of once again dining with his soon to be in-laws but the feeling does not show as he dutifully follows along behind Hiro as he picks up the pace. Much of the prince's side comments about what he normally does have the soldier a bit curious about why he's not just being himself. After all, they are suppose to be learning to live together, and acting in a way you would not normally creates a false front and is normally meant to mislead the other person. [i]'But by flat out telling me that what he's doing is abnormal, and telling me what he normally does, he's destroying the illusion. . . .But if he's not trying to make an illusion, then why act differently to begin with, other than to “Be polite”. But he doesn't really have to do that since, if the emperor and empress are any indication, being honest is alright in this family'[/i]

The confusion continues to tumble through his mind as they approach the dinning hall. However once those doors swing wide his insides plummet a few more feet and his focus is brought to the present. The empress smiles and waves, one hand settled upon her belly protectively. It is not her smile that catches Akito's attention first though. It is clear from the emperor's face that he is displease by something, and as he glances at his wife it's easy to deduce that he thinks she should not be there. [i]'Likely worried for her health, even though she looks fine. A little paler than before, but more pregnant women get like that at night'[/i]

He forces his eyes away from the irritated protective man, knowing that if he doesn't he'll just get more and more nervous, and instead turns his attention on to the feast laid out across the table. [i]'More food than even fifty people could eat in one sitting. . . .I suppose the staff get to eat the leftovers. . . .They can't be letting all this go to waste. . . .'[/i] The scent of one of his favorite meats wafts through the air and draws a faint smile to his lips. Though rare when on the go as a soldier, Akito had managed to snag this particular meat more often than the others in his team due to the simple fact that it also happens to be his pet's favorite food, and audrat happen to be good at catching soribird.

The smile is more for the fact that it's normally considered the common man's pheasant and seeing it on the royal table is more than a little amusing. [i]'I bet the servants cook it and put it on the table because [b]they[/b] like eating it'[/i] He knows he's being a little judgmental, and after thinking about it for a moment he realizes that the king likely grew up snagging it off the side roads as a soldier too, but for his own amusement Akito continues  imagining the servants in the kitchen reveling over the savory little bird, making it to [b]their[/b] liking. With this thought still at the forefront of his mind he takes the seat he's grown accustom to and nods towards the happy woman on his left.

The empress smiles and pats his arm before turning to Hiro and asking about their day. While they are busy talking Aki coaxes Hoko out. The little beast seems far more awake now, chittering happily and standing up tall, trying to find the source of the scent of soribird. The little reptile bird is half way down the table and once the servants begin making up the plates Aki asks politely for two portions of neck meat. He feels a little bad, if his imaginings are correct, but as he listens to Hoko chatter on in anticipation the feeling fades and he pets the creature's back gently. “Good boy, just wait a little bit.” There is a fond look in his eye as he gazes at the little rodent.