Author's Note:

So, most of may recognise this as the original first chapter of this fic. I've moved this from the beginning and replaced it with what I think is a better starting chapter. For those just coming to this for the first time, this is just a bit of a silly chapter featuring Ryoma, Oboro and other retainers, alongside a rebellious Hinata. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I do not own any aspect of Fire Emblem: Fates.

Avoiding Lessons

Ryoma heard Hinata long before he saw him.

The barely contained giggles hardly lent themselves to stealth and the prince could recognise who they belonged to with ease. Regardless, he didn't turn around and pretended to still be focused on the papers in his hands. The sneaky (though not really) footsteps grew closer and he heard the intake of breath and braced himself…

"YAAH!"

With a mighty warcry, the wild youth flung himself at the prince's back and latched his arms around the man's neck, trying to bring him down. Ryoma didn't even budge and merely hummed in mild interest, "Hmm, I appear to have been ambushed."

Though he couldn't see it, the samurai knew that Hinata was pouting, "That should've worked!"

The prince simply smiled at the boy's disappointment, "You'll have to do better than that if you want to surprise me."

As Hinata began grumbling, Ryoma shook his head fondly.

Ever since he'd been orphaned, Hinata had resided at the palace. His father had been a great samurai from a long line of warriors who'd served the Hoshidan Royal Family and a personal friend of both Ryoma's late father and Queen Mikoto. With the death of his parents, Hinata had nowhere to go and the Queen had taken him in. Officially, the boy was a retainer-in-training but while his skill with a katana was uncannily impressive, everyone knew that his 'position' was simply an excuse for him to remain in the castle. Even the whole 'retainer-in-training' thing was effectively made up but only the stuffiest court members actually cared.

Basically, Hinata was another member of the family and the child had ended up being very much doted on by pretty much everyone.

Ryoma began walking down the corridor they were in, shifting his papers to one hand while using his free arm to support the boy on his back, as Hinata began talking, "What are those you're reading?"

"Records of harvests for this year."

At his answer, the boy pulled a face, "Boring."

Ryoma chuckled, when it came to economics and other such things, Hinata was no master, likely the trade-off for his far too well-developed sword skills, "I thought you might say that."

He then frowned, he had a feeling that the boy was supposed to be doing something else right now. What was it?

"Hinata!"

At the shout, the boy on his back stiffened and Ryoma turned to see Oboro approaching with a displeased look. She politely bowed to the prince before fixing her eyes on the boy on his back, "Hinata, you're supposed to be at your lessons right now!"

The prince glanced in the boy's direction in amusement, "I thought you were supposed to be elsewhere." He abruptly turned, "He's all yours."

Realising he was betrayed, the boy practically leapt off his back, Oboro lunged at him but the child dived out of reach and scampered off, yelling back defiantly, "Never!"

"Get back here!"

The spear fighter charged after him and Ryoma sighed, he knew that Oboro would catch the boy, but he made a mental note to have a serious talk with Hinata about the importance of his education.

Hana and Subaki were in the middle of a sparring session in the training grounds when a small blur charged past.

They took a moment or two to recognise it as Hinata and barely had time to wonder what was going on when Oboro burst onto the scene, "Catch him!"

Not fully understanding why, they complied and cut off his escape routes. However, Hinata was a quick kid and he evaded capture, leading them a merry dance all over the training grounds. From the side-lines, various guards, palace staff and soldiers watched the chase unfold though they didn't seem to concerned with lending a hand. Halting briefly to catch her breath, Hana spotted a certain monk perched on a nearby rock, "Azama, help us out!"

The man simply smiled cheerily, "You seem to be managing quite well on your own, though it is most enlightening to observe your determination."

With a growl, Hana re-joined the chase which continued until Hinata finally slipped up and avoided Subaki only to be seized by Oboro. The spear fighter unceremoniously shoved the boy under her arm and ignored his protests as she carried him back towards the palace, "Right kid, you're going to your lessons and that's final!"

Those who'd watched the whole chase couldn't help but laugh as Hinata protested loudly all the way back to the palace and into the corridors.

PS-A light, silly chapter there. These one-shots will jump about all over the place so feel free to make any suggestions for chapters. Please let me know what you thought and I'll potentially update soon.