His light flush grows deeper as Hiro says aloud something he'd thought moments ago. [i]'Yes, I suppose that would be the way his highness would see it. Us wanting to be. . . Alone. . . together. . . .And, I. . . .I guess that would appeal to the man. . . .I am not the best judge of character, but I get the feeling he would think some r-romantic outing would be more acceptable than a random gallivanting about. . . .'[/i] He smiles with a faint nod as Hiro confirms that he thinks it's a good idea, looking carefully at the pond while his cheeks still burn hotly. He doesn't know what to make of the idea of “being alone” with Hiro, the man so beautiful and perhaps even experienced with how offhandedly he mentions them being alone together, but as he breaths deeply he reminds himself again and again, not to jump to conclusions.

[i]'We will be wed. We will eventually. . . .Come together, and. . . .And we will deal with it then. Until the time comes, I will just have to stop turning into a beet every time I think of being anything more than in a conversation with the man. . .'[/i] Glancing to the side he lets the silence stretch on, looking once more at the sky after giving the prince a long look. He really does admire the man's beauty, and he guesses he can see his fellows point on him being “lucky” on some level, but at the same time, he sees beyond the skin without even trying and it's not the flesh beneath his gaze that makes him think of how lovely the youth at his side is.

~*~*~*~*~

Standing, the steward stretches, holding out his hand to the general as they both prepare to head out into the camp. They had drunk a decent amount of the general's finest, and they had shared tales of their time crossing swords with their enemies, the steward having a fascinating tale about fighting in nothing but his fundoshi at one particularly embarrassing party near the end of the war before last. The general takes his hand and gives it a hard shake before they share a bow and leave the tend. The slightly fuzzy minded steward sobers up quickly as he doesn't see his ward right away, but Kaura settles a hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring smile. “I ordered Akito to his side, so getting him back is as simple as. . .” Raising his fingers to his lips he lets out a long whistle, the sound carrying over the camp and into the surrounding area easily. The steward looks a little confused, but decides to give the general a few minutes to make his point.

~*~*~*~*~

Surrounded by trees and foliage the whistle barely makes it through, but it does come through. Likely too soft for the prince to hear Akito and Hoko both snap their heads up at the noise and in a flash Hoko is tucked away inside his master's clothing. “It seems they have finished their drink.” he murmurs, helping Hiro to his feet before giving him a half smile and leading him quickly out of the thick stand of trees. He is careful to make sure no stray branches his the prince as they make hast through the greenery. Eventually they pop out of the trees, coming out on to the low grasslands at half a run and still a good two minutes away from the camp. After checking to make sure Hiro still has his feet Akito carefully picks up the pace, making a beeline for the general's tent.

He makes sure not to run too fast, slowing and helping Hiro catch his balance every time he stumbles in his not-made-for-running robes, and in no time at all they come into view of the general and the steward. The older looking gentleman raises his eyebrows, giving the general an impressed look. “You have him whistle trained?”

Kaura chuckles, watching kindly as Akito turns red again but for a new reason. “Well, this boy here has always had a love for running off, either for fun or when he's upset, but as we need to be able to move at a moment's notice, I needed a way to make sure he's not left behind.” Akito hangs his head in shame, Hiro hand still clasped in his own. Impulsively he gives the hand a little squeeze as if looking for comfort before looking up at his father and coming mostly to attention. He does not let Hiro go, almost not noticing that they are still linked as he looks to his father for orders. The general just shakes his head and pats him on the shoulder firmly, giving it a squeeze before looking to the steward to see what needs to be done.