A/N: Yes, it is true. This story does indeed have an original character. Gasp! I know. The horror! The horror! But fear not! For she is not a Mary Sue. At least, I don't think so... ahem... So, please read and review. All types of reviews are just splendid! And I am being completely serious.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is owned by someone else.
Vindication
By Cygne
Chapter One: The New Heir
"Nanami-hime," the elderly manservant called softly from outside the sliding door.
"Yes," the young noblewoman replied quietly from within, "Enter."
The servant entered and bowed low, almost hiding his distraught expression from his mistress. "Your most honorable father's scout has returned to inform you of your most honorable father's imminent arrival. He wishes for an audience with you to discuss urgent matters."
Nanami nodded to the servant and he scurried out of the room. She arranged her kimono carefully in preparation for the arrival of her father's scout. A young man fell through the open doorway, his armor splattered with blood.
He scrambled to a kneeling position in front of the young woman, wincing in pain. "Nanami-hime, Kozue-sama's army was ambushed in the forest just outside of the Mizuki palace."
"Ambushed!" she repeated, fear making her eyes grow wide. "By whom?"
"Lord Mizuki's army," the scout almost spat, "and a host of demons."
All color left Nanami's face, but soon returned with a wave of biting fury. "But why? The alliance between our families was almost solidified."
"I know not," the scout answered apologetically. "I was sent ahead to warn the house of the returning injured… and dead."
The princess nodded and turned to the kneeling maids behind her. "Hanako, Natsumi, go and make preparations for our returning warriors."
"Yes, Nanami-hime," the two women said in unison, then hurried away to spread the news.
Nanami turned her attention back to the scout. "Your wounds must be cared for. We will have someone take you to the healers."
The scout gratefully bowed his head. "Thank you, Nanami-hime."
"We must ask, before you leave," the young woman began very quietly, "Were our brothers and our honorable father among the wounded?"
The scout looked away and Nanami's heart plummeted into her stomach. "My lady… your brothers were the bravest and strongest warriors in my lord's army… They fought honorably and killed many demons, but alas, in the end, they died a warrior's death."
She forced her face to become an emotionless mask. "And our father?" she queried around the lump in her throat.
"He was badly wounded during the battle," the scout answered softly, "He is being rushed to the palace."
"We thank you."
The scout pressed his forehead to the floor, then left.
When the door clicked closed, the once-suppressed emotions flooded to the surface. Nanami swallowed hard, trying desperately to retain her composure.
"Nanami-chan," Akiko called gently from her right, placing a tentative hand on the princess' trembling shoulder. "Let's go help with the preparations. There is so much to do. It is best to keep busy.
She nodded, wiping any stray tears from her cheeks.
Nanami was ready when the palace gates were opened for the returning warriors. She had seen many battles during her seventeen years and was well-acquainted with the unsavory results. Having lost her mother at a very young age, she had taken on the responsibilities of the lady of the house as soon as she could. As she watched the warriors still able to walk bring back their fallen comrades, she could not help wishing that she had been at her father's side. Irrationally, she believed that her presence could have saved some of these lives.
The death of her mother had led to stranger things than an early assumption of responsibilities for Nanami. Not knowing how to raise a little girl, her father had simply let his only daughter follow in the footsteps of her three beloved older brothers. Before he realized what was happening, his daughter had grown into an accomplished son, the only problem being that Nanami was female. She was a bright pupil, to the endless astonishment of the hired tutors. She was a skilled warrior, much to the chagrin of her many defeated male opponents. She was also a talented leader, despite the reluctance that most had about following a woman. Lord Kozue was proud of his female son and allowed her to flourish in her peculiar, unfeminine way.
Yet, he knew that her lifestyle was socially unacceptable and that it was his fatherly failing that had created it. He protected his daughter from public shame by disguising her as a trusted male general when she fought at his side, and by keeping her in her place at the palace when he went on diplomatic missions, such as the one he was returning from now.
Nanami knew that she was an oddity. Though she could play the part of the demure noble daughter, in her heart, she would rather be a powerful prince. She knew that the other nobles and even the servants whispered behind her back. When she gave it any thought though, she would not have her life any other way.
When the lifeless bodies of her three brothers were carried by, however, a new reality crashed upon her like a tidal wave. Nothing would ever be the same. She was her father's only child now. He no longer had three excellent sons to inherit his lands and title. Lord Kozue had vowed never to marry again after the death of his beloved wife, so a new heir was impossible. At the very least, Nanami would have to marry and set aside her masculine ways. She accepted this prospect as soon as it came to her. It was her duty.
Lord Kozue was hurried into his chambers where the healers dutifully set about cleaning and binding his battle wounds. Nanami did not see her father until the next morning, when she was summoned to his side.
She carefully carried a tea tray into the lord's chamber, fully dressed in robes proper for her station as a grieving noblewoman. In the dimly lit room, she knelt by her father and tried to ignore the ragged sound of his breathing.
"Nanami, my daughter," Kozue whispered hoarsely, "You are my only surviving child. My sons, Seiko, Kano, and Masao, all died in the fight against those traitors and their demon allies."
"Yes father," Nanami answered softly, pouring him a cup of tea. "You must save your strength for healing and not speak."
The lord frowned. "I am not a fool, child," he grumbled, "I know that my wounds are foul and will not heal. I need not save what strength I have to do something that I cannot. I must speak with you."
"You will heal, father," Nanami insisted desperately, tears threatening to overtake her.
"I will not, Nanami," he said with finality. "Now hold your tongue, so I may speak. I thought you had learned something about healing from those worthless tutors."
She bowed her head submissively, trying to suppress her sniffles.
"Now, don't cry, child," her father soothed, taking one of her small hands. "You must be strong, very strong. You must be my successor when I am dead. It will be difficult, in more ways than I can imagine, I'm sure… but I can leave this duty to no other than my own flesh and blood. You are the only one left who is worthy of being lord of this domain."
She shook her head slowly, unable to understand what he was telling her. "Father… I'm not a son… I cannot be your heir… I should marry and my husband should be lord of these lands…"
Kozue's face fell and he withdrew his hand. "Is that what you want, child?" he asked. "Of course it is… What young woman doesn't want to marry and have a family? I am a fool. I forgot that you were not my last son, but my daughter. I should have given you an upbringing more suited to a young princess."
"No father!" she cried, taking his hand. "That is not what I want… I want to fulfill my duty to you. Whatever you would have me do, is what I will do… must do."
He studied her face for a moment and seemed satisfied with what he saw there. "You always had an indomitable spirit, always so strong. You will be a great ruler, Nanami."
They drank their tea in contemplative silence. Nanami could not imagine what her future would hold. Never in her life had she ever thought she would become the lord—not even lady—of her father's domain.
"Nanami," her father began, pulling her out of her reverie. "Mizuki betrayed our people, killed my sons—your brothers, and brought an end to my life." He stared coldly into her eyes. "You must avenge your brothers, and me, and restore our honor. You must destroy the Mizuki family and his demon ally, whoever that is. Swear to me that you will, Nanami."
"I swear."
Lord Kozue relaxed onto his futon. "Seishiro will doubtlessly support you and offer you any help you need. His son, Hikaru, will also be a steadfast ally, I'm sure. And Nobuhiro, though he may not entirely approve." His speech was cut off by a coughing fit. Nanami hurriedly helped him sit up and held him until the spasms subsided.
"Father, you must rest," Nanami said weakly.
He dismissed her worry with a wave of his sword-calloused hand. "I've no time to rest. Summon Seishiro, Hikaru, and Nobuhiro. I must tell them of my plan, before it is too late."
Nanami nodded bleakly and sent several servants to bring the generals to her father's bedside. The lord insisted on kneeling upright before his subordinates as he always had. His daughter subtly helped him position himself, trying to quell her raging emotions. The men arrived soon after, humbly bowing their way into the dying man's room.
"Kozue-sama," began Seishiro, the lord's most trusted friend and ally. "What is it that you wish?"
"I have summoned you, my generals, because I will not live much longer," Kozue explained solemnly. The men bowed their heads in acceptance. This was no surprise to them. "As you know, my three sons are dead…" The lord paused and closed his eyes for a brief moment, suppressing the deep ache in his heart. "I must choose a new successor. I ask that you give my successor the same unwavering allegiance that you gave me."
"Of course, Kozue-sama," Seishiro answered for the three, "Your judgment is infallible."
The lord turned to his daughter who was kneeling demurely beside and behind him. Unhooking his sword from his obi, Kozue held it out to the young woman. "I name my daughter, Nanami, as successor to my land, title, and honor."
Nanami's gaze shot up from her lightly clasped hands to her father's steady eyes, then to the sheathed blade he offered her. It was unreal, a dream… or a nightmare. Seishiro was staring confusedly at his lord. Hikaru looked utterly appalled by the people in front of him. Nobuhiro's face remained placid, but his eyes were deadly.
Swallowing her fear, Nanami touched her forehead to the floor then took the offered weapon from her father. "I accept, Father, and will fulfill my duties with honor," she said resolutely.
Seishiro and Hikaru recovered their composure and swore their allegiance to the new lord, as did Nobuhiro, though his eyes were still filled with acidic anger.
Nanami emerged from her father's chambers, carrying his sword before her with both hands. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she could not shed them, not yet. The servants who caught sight of their princess knew what her presence outside the lord's chamber meant. He had passed on.
She knew that she seemed the perfect picture of a tragic princess, carrying her father's sword because he had died and she had no brothers and no husband to wield it in his stead. How would their pitying expressions change when she told them the true reason that she was the bearer of her father's blade? How would they react when they learned that they no longer had a grieving princess to care for, but a grieving, female lord?
She would tell them formally … And then, in the privacy of her bedroom, only then, she would cry.
Nanami was deep in discussion with her three most important generals, turning over the new information gathered about the treacherous Mizuki family and their anonymous demon collaborator.
"Are there no indications as to who this demon is?" Nanami asked the room knowing that she would not receive an answer that she liked.
Hikaru frowned. "No, Nanami-sama," he said apologetically, "The demon's identity remains hidden from our sources. It is rumored that only Lord Mizuki himself knows the creature's identity."
"However," Seishiro added, "Our sources have reported that Mizuki is planning to make an excursion to another domain to forge an alliance with the young lord there."
The young woman's eyes lit, sensing an opportunity. "Which domain is he going to?" she asked excitedly.
Seishiro looked away and stammered. Nobuhiro broke from his sullen silence to fill in for the older general. "We cannot uncover that fact, my lord," he said in his gravelly voice, "The name of the young lord is shrouded in as much secrecy as the name of the demon conspirator. I sense a connection between the two nameless allies."
Nanami nodded and pondered the words of her brooding general. Before their discussion could progress any further, Nanami's trusted friend, Akiko shuffled into the room and bowed humbly to the gathered nobility.
"Yes, Akiko?" Nanami prompted.
"My lord, there is a… strange group of… individuals that wish to have an audience with you," she explained delicately, "They seem to have some information that they wish to… share with you."
Nanami's brow contorted with confusion about the strange wording her friend had used. "All right," she said uncertainly, "Delay them with tea while I disguise myself." She turned to her generals. "We shall continue this conversation after I speak with these people. Please join me in the counseling chamber in ten minutes time."
They bowed their assent, then left the room. Nanami hurried to her chamber and began tugging at her many layers of clothing. Akiko arrived shortly after, with an entourage of maids to help Nanami change from her female garments into her late father's elegant naga-hitatare.
In compliance with the unanimous advice of her generals, Nanami had taken on the identity of her youngest brother, Masao, when she dealt with the official business of her domain. Only the household knew that the new lord was Kozue's daughter, not his only surviving son. They were sworn into secrecy under threat of death. Nanami had cut her fashionably long hair to a more masculine length, one that could easily be manipulated into a topknot. When performing her duties as lord, she would bind her chest flat, don her father's huge ceremonial attire, and forcibly lower her voice. Nanami had been sure that she could not fool anyone into thinking that she was a man, but no one had realized the ruse thus far. She was even told that several princesses were smitten with the smooth-faced Lord Masao. Her brother would have been so jealous.
Nanami managed a small smile at her reflection as the maids finished draping her. She was dwarfed by her inherited robes. The shoulders were ridiculously too broad and her arms were lost in the voluminous sleeves. But there were many young lords who had yet to grow into their father's garments. Nanami, however, would never grow to her father's proportions and she had yet to have the robes tailored to better fit her.
She fastened her father's sword to her obi, then waited for the finishing touches. They did not come.
"Where are our kazaori-eboshi and kake-o?" she asked the maids.
The young women shifted nervously. "They could not be found, Nanami-sama."
Nanami knew immediately what that meant. Some dissident had stolen them, thinking a woman unworthy of wearing the head ornaments of a lord. She nodded her dismissal of the maids, then turned a worried glance to Akiko.
"What am I going to do?" she moaned, "I can't go to an audience without anything covering my head." Looking back at her reflection, she noted that her features were softer without the kazaori-eboshi set atop her brow and the kake-o tied under her chin. The visitors were certain to notice her femininity now…
"I suppose you'll have to lower your voice even more, to hide your delicate features," Akiko said with mock sincerity. At Nanami's glower, she brought her hand up to suppress her giggles. "Now you look like a petulant young lord."
Nanami sighed forlornly.
"Would it help if I sat behind you and said 'this lord is certainly a man, no doubt about it' at intervals during the audience?" Akiko asked solemnly.
"Such impudence!" Nanami squawked, swatting at her friend. She allowed herself a few girlish giggles, then sighed. "All right, lead me to them, Akiko-chan."
When the two young women were just outside of the sliding door to the room where the visitors waited, Akiko halted. Biting her lip nervously, she turned to her friend. "I feel I must warn you that these visitors are… unique."
Nanami did not quite understand, but she nodded anyway before assuming a regal countenance and entering the room. Silently, and without so much as a glance at her guests, Nanami took her place, kneeling on the raised platform, between her generals and the newcomers.
"The most honorable Lord Masao has arrived," Hikaru announced gruffly.
"Finally!" exclaimed a young man dressed in red. He had long silver hair and… dog ears. Nanami blinked in surprise, but regained her composure quickly. "This lord of yours must think he's something special to keep me waiting so long!" the dog-eared man continued peevishly.
"Inuyasha!" hissed the young woman beside him. She was scandalously clad, wearing next to nothing. Nanami allowed herself another surprised blink.
"Shut up, you idiot!" added a small boy—with a fluffy tail. "You're gonna get our heads cut off!"
By this time, Nanami had reached her quota of surprised blinks for the day. She was able to calmly take in the young Buddhist monk and the respectfully-clad woman who made up the rest of the odd party.
The good-looking monk bowed low. "Please pardon my impulsive friend's behavior, Masao-sama," he apologized gravely, "He is a bit slow mentally."
"WHAT?" bellowed said friend, leaping to his bare feet. "I oughta pop you one, monk!"
Before the silver-haired man could take two steps towards his intended victim, the scantily clad girl hissed, "SIT!" and he crashed face-first to the floor.
Perhaps Nanami had not reached her blink quota after all…