During these times that they play against one another it always seemed like Ryou lost himself in another world as he moved his pieces across the board. Ever the good strategist the prince always gave his fullest attention in such matters, because of the potential chance to learn a lesson here and now that would keep him from costing his men on the battlefield. This was what kept him from noticing that Hitomi could be potentially losing on purpose, given the fact that his tutor always seemed to keep the game challenging enough for the young strategist. It was only Hitomi’s words that grab the prince’s attention in those moments as he looked up from the board, “I do hope you are right Hitomi, but I do worry that the ‘rest of the class’ might not be able to survive.” There was a slight chuckle that slipped from his lips at the sight of a smirk on his tutors face. Kurosawa’s tone lightened up what could potentially be considered quite a gloomy sentence that gave away his sense of worry. The prince could only hope that his older brother would be able to reach the capital safely and in a timely manner.<br/><br/>His concentration when it came to the subtle nuances of the game began to waver very quickly. Ryou found that his mind wasn’t exactly anchored in the moment, leaving his open moves to become quickly filled with holes and mistakes. It wasn’t until the sound of Hitomi tapping on the table reverberated through his ears that he finally noticed. The words where muttered softly to himself, “So it is Hitomi… for the first time in a long time.” The uncaring attitude was one which seemed a bit out of place for Ryou’s usual demeanor, giving away his distracted state. Not that his tutor ever needed to much information to figure out how the young man was feeling, and it always seemed… to him at least… that she knew what to do to make him feel better. The gentle hand that rested on his own encouraged the prince to look up at Hitomi, as a sigh escaped his lips. Kurosawa’s long black hair hung down over his face as the only one of his large black eyes that was visible stared back into those of his tutor. “Many more indeed Hitomi… and hopefully all of them will teach lessons as benign as this one.”<br/><br/>The smile that was placed on his face by his tutors compliment was something that Ryou wasn’t exactly willing to hide like he normally did. The prince had a habit of using the curtain of raven locks that feel over his features to hide his gleefully Cheshire like grin from those he did not want to see it. Tucking his hair back behind one ear Kurosawa simply regarded Hitomi with an ear to ear to smile that to some may have seemed creepy, but in reality it was simply one of Ryou’s ways of showing affection. “You know that I think you spoil me a bit too much sometimes. Compliments like that should be saved until we find out wither or not I will be able to hold the kingdom together.” There was no lack of confidence in Ryou’s voice. As she cupped his chin to force him to look into her eyes, the prince’s hair fell back to revel a full view of his face and it was in that moment that Ryou could not help the soft blush that painted itself over his features. Hitomi’s compliments and soft words of advices combined with the closeness of the moment was something that the enigmatic prince simply was not used to. It had up until this point been only a privilege that Hitomi had gained…<br/><br/>“There is a difference between what I have learned, and the actual experience… but I will try my best. Besides I always have you to help me whenever things become chaotic.” The last part seemed like the prince was adding it in as a playful tease to his tutor. She was the one subject who had served him longer than anyone else in the palace, though when he thought about it. Hitomi had served him longer than any other tutors to anyone in the palace. As the other pulled her hands away the prince experienced a sense of loss, which came from his enjoyment of Hitomi’s closeness, but the male never showed it. The prince only sat there and continued to sip on his tea as his tutor began to pack up the board, the warmth of the drink calmed his nerves and relaxed him for what he was sure would be a bit of a restless night of sleep. Despite the fact that he had such a big day tomorrow… the young man knew it would be one where he functioned only half awake. Kurosawa had grown used to it though… he normally did not get a full nights rest every night anyway. Pondering over his tutor’s question the answer to him seemed quite obvious in its simplicity.<br/><br/>“Hitomi the only thing that I can think of is that I would like you to be there for me. In the way that you always have been whenever I needed you the most. I know that may sound trivial, but I have always found your presence one that provides a sense of safety if you can understand. Maybe it is the fact you have always been a constant that has soothed my troubled mind, like it was during those days after my brother died….” Standing up the prince slowly walked over to a near bye window to look out at the coming night sky, “If you would like a task more specific than that Hitomi, then it will have to wait until tomorrow whenever the needs of this affair become clearer in the light of day. As for now that is all I can think of…” Kurosawa simply stared out towards stars with a sense of longing as he leaned his elbows on the window sill, wondering exactly what fate was going to bring with the rising of the sun.<br/>