The soldier plods on, the spat in the castle playing no part in his life as he has fled it, fled it all. He just wants to feel safe and at home, even if it's only for a short while. Deep inside he knows that even this affront to the royal family will not allow him to avoid the inevitable marriage, but he does not think on that now. Right now his only cares lay ahead, the world behind him fading to dark as he moves into the growing sunlight on the other side of the forest. In the distance he can see the village, still a mile away, and off to the left of it a small sea of pointy white waves dotting the landscape. His home, a sea of tents on grassy plain.

As soon as he can he kicks the horse into a fast gallop and descends the small hill leading into the valley. It's only about 12 feet down from the hilltop but from the top the view spread out before him was spectacular. He hardly noticed it's beauty however, too intent on making to to camp before the palace sends guards after him. The wind whips past, rushing over his body like a refreshing splash of cool water and he can feel his body actually relaxing for the first time in almost twenty four hours. His bearing, the one that garnered the respect of his fellow soldiers and inspired confidence from his elders. He once more looks like the assassin that snuck into the enemy's royal palace and. . . .

He shakes his head. No time to think on that now. He is what he is, but that does not mean he enjoys thinking about all the killing he's done. The tents come closer and closer, the outer guard – still active even though the war is over – calls him to a halt for a few seconds until they get a look at who he is. The three men look very, very curious – likely wondering why the war hero that was dropped off in the lap of luxury has returned – but as his face [b]is[/b] well known they wave him on and he enters the camp proper without a fuss. Many are just waking, enjoying the ability to sleep in overmuch, but for the most part the men in camp are up and about, and spot him soon after he enters.

Several call out to him, and he spares them a wave, but he refuses to answer any questions. Not just yet. His stressed expression returns as his father's tent, the only one with any color on it, comes into view. The weight of what he's done begins to press down on his shoulders and as his horse slows the other solders around him stop calling out as curious men, and now call out in worry for their former comrade. They'd never been friends, but if something happened to him, they want to know what and who they can behead to make it better. He waves them off with half smiles, saying over and over that it's nothing, he's fine, he'll deal with it himself, but still they look less than pleased with whoever put the youth in such a state. He's always been so stoic, so stout, and this look does not suit him at all.

As soon as he dismounts someone takes his reins, trying to lighten his mood by bowing comically but all it does is make him feel worse. He's almost a royal now, really, and here he is running away from what amounts to little more than a mild fright. His head is bowed as h walks into his fathers tent and he doesn't see the shocked, almost frightened look on the man's face as he stands and begins walking over. However, before the general can reach him Akito begins talking and the taller man comes to a halt to listen. In a soft, almost business like voice he talks about this day at the palace, emphasizing every little mistake he made, every moment he screwed up outlined in vivid detail, ending with him running away without permission, essentially abandoning his post, just because he didn't know how to deal with a particular social situation.

“I have done so much, so many things that should have been so much harder than simply eating breakfast with a group of people who will soon count me as their equal, if they don't already, but this little thing, this one little moment, sends me crying back into a life that is no longer my own, to people I will soon rule, and to a father who has been more than patient with my foolishness all my life even though I am not truly his kin. . . .” He is indeed crying now, his face hidden in his hands as he tried to get a hold of himself and calm him pathetic sobs. He's an ex-assassin for goodness sakes, why must social interaction affect him so?

The captain has never been much for coddling his adopted son, preferring to teach him rather than sympathize with him, however as he sands before him, this grown man crying over something his life never prepared him for and degrading himself in a way he did not even think the youth capable of, Kaura does not hesitate to close the gap between them and pulls the smaller male into a firm but not crushing bear hug. Shocked for a moment Akito falls silent, but after a moment he lets himself break down a little more, returning the hug for a few minutes until at last he feels he can breath properly again.

As he held the boy he stood in silence, but as Akito pulls away, muttering an apology the captain takes hold of the boy's upper arms as to not let him back away too far. He has something to say, and he wants to make sure Akito hears it. The youth looks up at his adopted father, eyes wide and curious, still wet from the crying, and tilts his head tot he side. With a soft sigh Kaura shakes his head lightly with a faint smile. “There's nothing wrong with not knowing what to do, son, and there's no need to feel ashamed that you sought out something to comfort you.” Akito swallows hard, nodding and hanging his head.

The captain reaches out and pats his head in a fatherly manner before directing Akito over to his old cot, which he hasn't had time to take apart yet, and has him sit before beginning his lecture on thoughts and ideas for what Akito [b]could[/b] have done instead and ways to cope in the future. The smaller male listens intently, determined to absorb it all so he can at least keep himself on the grounds should he ever feel like fleeing again.

~*~*~*~*~

The carriage trundles along, eventually reaching the lighted other side of the forest that surrounds the palace and slowly begins making it's way down the slightly steep hill. Once at the bottom of the valley the trip takes only a few minutes before the driver pulls the horses to a stop and the guard opens the door for the prince. “Forgive me highness but the encampment, which is the most likely place to find Lord Akito, is not carriage accessible, as it's quite literally set up far off the road in a field that would be dangerous to take the carriage on to. The stones and dips alone would likely break the wheels and structure as this one is designed for style, not for durability.”