“Ah Hitomi sometimes you seem to know just what I need even better than I do myself.” As he spoke Ryou’s lithe fingers came up and caressed over Hitomi’s hand when she whipped his cheek. The prince had always been a tactical creature, and found the touch of his tutor to be a comforting thing. It had never been a sexual thing with Kurosawa, but simply that Hitomi’s closeness gave him a feeling of safety especially when his mind was unsettled. This was why he never broke contact as he let that hand rest on top of the one which his tutor rested on his shoulder. His words though, had not only been a reference to the women’s touch, but the offer of tea. It was a drink that the prince had never been able to resist and he found that he enjoyed it even more when he made it himself. There was a small tea leaf garden that had been grown and planted by the prince ever since he was young. Kurosawa’s skills at making tea had been taught to him by one of the best crafters in the empire, whose protective nature over the recipe had been honored by his only student… Ryou had never even let his trusted tutor learn the recipe… at least to his knowledge.<br/><br/>Following along at Hitomi’s side Ryou seemed deep in contemplation even when they sat down in front of a Chinese checkers board the prince continued to stare at ground. There seemed to be an air of guilt about him, and surprisingly Kurosawa was slow to take the tea that was given to him, even though he did turn his head to acknowledge his tutor when she spoke to him, “I am sad to say that I didn’t notice… the recent campaigns in the east have had my full attention, especially the final siege against their royal families’ last island stronghold. They were a strong people, and really I am not even sure all resistance along the peninsula has been put down. It was only recently that a message got through, because despite security measures… such long range communications have been made difficult by raiders.” His words reflected the way the prince felt about the entire situation… he had been so focused on the military situation that he hadn’t noticed his father’s failing health like a good son. Reaching out towards the board he slowly turned it so that the black pieces where facing towards him… black was the princes favorite color.<br/><br/>A sigh of resignation escaped his lips as he reached over and poured himself some tea before slowly sipping from the ornate cup that had been provided. Like the tea he made the prince habitually used the same tea cup, which he normally preferred to only allow Hitomi access to it. The young man felt this safety measure would prevent his own demise by poison. He didn’t move a piece as he forgot about the game for a moment in what was a typical pattern by the prince of over thinking things, which was only another reason he preferred Hitomi’s presenace to most… her conversation was more stimulating than most he had met in his lifetime. His tutor always seemed to be able to get his attention where others could not, “Very well armed indeed… very well armed indeed.” Not all of Ryou’s teachers were academic in nature, the prince had been taught to defend himself… and because of his conquest… by some very unexpected sources in some cases. It had allowed Ryou to fight alongside his men when he needed to without them having to worry about his safety the entire battle. There had always been one rumor that he been told by his older brother though… and it made him wonder if his tutor had received similar training. Ryou would have considered such a thing odd for a women, but in Hitomi’s case… he found she sometimes surprised him.<br/><br/>“If this is another one of life’s lesson’s Hitomi, then I wish that would not be so harsh in its methods of instruction. You told me the same thing when I lost my other brother, and I fear that my family will all but pass into the laurels of history because of these… ‘lessons’.” There was a certain hint of playful sarcasm to his voice that showed he understood Hitomi’s words perfectly and she was helping by giving him something to focus on, but it still seemed that even the black sheep of the royal family needed his time to grieve. “As for those who called my father an Hitomi… we will take care of them, in a manner most suited to taking care of the problems they have always created. My brother will certainly rule as my father did, and such methods where never proper for taking care of our enemies efficiently. I will do my best to clean out some of the house before he gets her.” Ryou spoke with a certain reservation in his voice that showed he didn’t plan to overreach himself, and end up like his father… yet simply set the stage for his brothers transition to be an easy one, while at the same time implant the idea that he could not be pushed around in the political arena as well as the military.<br/><br/>It was only when Hitomi mentioned the game that Ryou realized he had forgotten it. Blushing slightly with a chuckle as he reached out and made his first move, “My apologizes Hitomi, my father’s passing and what it means for my future has just been a lot to process.” Taking another sip of tea he stared back into his tutor’s eyes curiously as he waited for her to make her next move, “I believe though that political matters should be held off until the plans for the funeral have been made, unless they are more urgent than I believe? I am not going to have anyone out maneuvering at this point, if I can help it.”<br/>