Hiro was sitting on the floor, a small table in front of him. On the table was a small bowl of water. He was in a comfortable concentration. With a book at his side, he was attempting to control the element of water. It wasn't going quite as he planned, but he wasn't frustrated so he continued on. He did note that fire took a shorter amount of time than this, and getting the element of light down wasn't a walk in the park either. Just as he thought there would have been a break through, the knock on the door made him move too quickly and sigh. Instead of getting the water to move, he ended up bumping into the bowl a little. Hiro sat up and turns his head so he can see just who peeked through the door. He didn't see the excitement on the servants face, but the message sounded urgent. His brow raised and he stood to his feet quickly. [I]'Hopefully everything is alright. . . Unless they are going to scold me for leaving Akito on his own. . . But it couldn't be that urgent. . .'[/I] He shook his head and focused more on the thought that something was wrong, hoping that wasn't the case.

He followed the servant, only more concerned seeing the servant in such a hurry. He quickened his pace, only to slow down upon seeing the crowd in the training room. The servant he was following slipped into the crowd before he could ask any questions, and they all quickly parted so the prince could be in the front with the Empress. "Are you alright? Did something happen?" Hiro looked at her with a puzzlement in his eyes. Seeing her laughing and cheering, he turned his head in order to see what was going on and why everyone else was so cheery as well. To his surprise, he saw Akito not only fighting the general, but his father as well. And then moments later, both older men on the ground. [I]'He really is talented. . .'[/I] His thoughts mulled over the short battle, and then wandered towards Akito's semi nude form. [I]'He's so shy, with so much going for him. . .'[/I] When it was over, the Empress was laughing and cheering. 

"Nothing is wrong dear! I just wanted you to see your father get his butt handed to him." She laughed even more at her informal use of words and then waved as the men looked over at them. Akito turned just as Hiro was chuckling at how silly his stepmother was. The prince noticed the look he was given and then chuckled even more. He seemed so happy only moments before, even with the surprised look he gave the Emperor. 

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The Emperor gave a hearty laugh and slapped Akito's back with a heavy hand. "Splendid! I can see you live up to your title! I can see the passion in your eyes. You're a true fighter. I'd want nothing less!" He chuckled and then fixed his clothing. "Me? I'm old. I'm not in my prime as you are. Rewind at least five years and it would've been you on the ground." He chuckled and waved to his wife. Noticing Hironori at her side, he smirked a bit and looked at Akito, his voice relaxing some. "Look at that. You've even managed to make Hironori smile. He never watches people train. . . Always into that magic of his. That's a plus." He patted Akito's back, softer this time.

"I'd love to spar with you more often! It's been years since I've seen this much talent at hand." He nodded and then stretched. "That got me in a sweat. Haven't moved like that in some time. . ." He walked back and the servants quickly scrambled out of the way in order to make a path for him, or go back to their usual routines. 

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Hiro smiled and looked down at his mother, being at least two or three inches taller than her. "Well, I guess it was worth the interruption. That was. . . Quite impressive." He admitted and ran fingers through his hair, pushing hair out of his way. 

For a moment, the Empress looked a tad shocked to hear the words, but then smiled again. "Ah, you were studying? I didn't mean to interrupt dear I do apologize." Her head tilted a little towards Akito as she prepared to follow her husband out. "Although, I do believe you should be telling [I] him [/I] this. He looks as pale as a ghost." She hooked an arm around the Emperor's and followed him out, seemingly forgetting about the general. As they left, she coddled him. Hiro heard things like, 'Oh my poor baby' and 'We could get the servants to run you a bath'. 

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Hiro shook his head and chuckled. The servants were getting back to their duties, though four stayed to clean up around the training field, inside and out. Hironori waited for Akito to approach, his hands hooked behind his back. When the male did come close, the prince decided to even bow to the shorter male, more so to see how the shy male would react. "I must say. . . I was earnestly impressed by the display. I have never seen anyone manage to knock my father off his feet. Even as a child." He gave a sincere smile and quietly nodded to the general. The general bowed respectively, but stayed back in order to give the two more room to speak. Moments later, a servant fetched the general as the two royals realized he'd be left in the palace alone- or stuck with the engaged couple. 

The general nodded to Akito and gently patted his back, giving him a look saying, [I]'You've appealed to both of them, now don't screw this up.'[/I]