The ex-assassin listens quietly to his foster father, Kau being careful to cover everything he can think of that Akito may find useful. The smaller male listens intently, but after no longer than a half an hour his instincts kick in and he realizes that the constant babble of voices around the tents have hushed some and his head turns this way and that. His gaze is alert and he tries to place the change, but then his eyes go back to his father as he too notices the change and his eyes narrow. Without a word he strides over to the tent flaps and peeks outside. Spotting the approaching horse the general lets out a very faint sigh and moves back into the middle of the tent.

Akito is on his feet now, his body stiff, alert, and ready for action, however as his foster father looks at him he moves from alert, to frightened. Before he can ask why the man is wearing an exasperated expression the general speaks up. “It seems your betrothed has been sent to fetch you Akito. . .” He reaches out, placing a hand on the youth's shoulder to try and ward off some of the panic.

It isn't exactly an effective gesture, considering it's intended purpose, but it does serve to keep Akito from bolting, and that's something. [i]'He came here!? Why!? He hates the military, he hates the war, and I. . . .I forced him to leave his palace and come here of all places!? GAH! I am such a fool! He's going to hate me forever after this. . . .I just know it, making him, and having to look after me so much, like I'm some little kid!? I'm older than him for goodness sake!'[/i] He manages to not hyperventilate and by the time he draws out of his self hatred there is someone else in the tent and Akito nearly jumps out of his skin. Kau, who had turned to greet the man, pats his son on the shoulder as the prince's escort raises an eyebrow at the younger male.

[i]'Did he not see me enter? Wasn't he an assassin?'[/i] His own thoughts aside the man announces the reason behind him being there and requests, on behalf of the king, for Akito to return. The young soldier knows he can't say no, but at the moment it's all he can do to keep his feet under him.

The general, spotting his son's frozen state, lets out a soft sigh and moves over to his bedside table. His curiosity piqued Akito relaxes enough to try and see what he's doing, and a moment later when he produces a bottle and to cups his confusion redoubles. Motioning to the small round strategy table he looks to the prince's escort and smiles. “Share a drink with me?” The older man glances warily over his shoulder and almost as if anticipating the man's worry Kaura's attention shifts to his son and he says with a clipped tone, “Akito, go show your betrothed around. Keep him safe.”

Akito snaps to attention at the order and despite wanting to do just about anything else at the moment he slips out of the tent after rubbing his cheeks a bit, trying to hide the fact that he's been crying. Several of his fellows have moved in close around Hiro but as Akito spots the little circle and approaches he lets out a sharp click noise with his tongue and they practically scatter like a flock of crows from a tree at a loud noise. A few of them give him apologetic looks, a few sympathetic, and a few even waggle their eyebrows, but other than cursory glances he doesn't look to them, his focus on the finery clad man looking very out of place in these dirty, dull surroundings.

He takes a steadying breath, trying to remember everything his father taught him as he moves within a couple paces of his soon to be husband. He refrains from a full bow, giving a very light, polite one instead and whistles softly. One of the soldier's comes and takes the horse's reins and not knowing what else to do Akito holds out a hand and says softly, “The man who came with you and my father are having a drink. I am to be your escort, and. . .I thought I would show you the less drab parts of the countryside while we wait. . . Hiro.” His voice is hesitant but strong, his eyes only dropping at the end when he says the man's name. His heart beats like a thunderstorm is raging inside his chest, but he manages to keep that tempest from his face as he looks back up at the prince, his expression rather soft.