A/N: Updated OCTOBER 2014
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing
"Hayato Chiaki Isamu, huh?" Heero repeated thoughtfully. "When will this—your grandson—arrive, Master?"
"In a few weeks."
"And he will meet with the Vice Foreign Minister?"
"No."
Heero looked up at him, inquisitively.
"The Princess will be arriving tomorrow.
"We have a tradition for these things. There's a structured interview process. She will answer marriage affecting questions about herself, and later be given, also, information on him. If she accepts, she will meet her groom on the day of the ceremony. In the mean time, keep in mind that there is still no guarantee she will comply." The elder man lowered his eyes, shaking his head with a heavy sense of frustration.
Heero's eyes wandered to the wall behind his master in thought.
"You have a concern, Yuy?"
In the short time Lord Chiaki had known Heero, he'd shown enough care for his student to learn and understand the small changes in his body language to indicate his moods and thoughts. The infamously stoic Perfect Soldier was not match for the wise old leader.
Heero looked back to his master and asked, "If she does not meet the Young Lord, how will she know if he is to her liking?"
Daimyo grinned a moment, before sinking into a very serious look. "Well, this marriage is a little less about love and a little more about business, isn't it? The interview will cover all the bases that need to be addressed to stabilize a healthy marriage."
Heero nodded, understanding. If the young heir did not have children, all that belonged to Lord Chiaki would be passed out of family hands. To the Daimyo, that was a great loss. "Has the Young Lord no other interests?"
"It wouldn't seem not," Daimyo mumbled into folded hands.
In the months Heero had worked under his teacher, he'd come to know and understand the man quite well. Lord Chiaki's passion, the household's vision, was not so off based from the heart and desires of the Princess, herself. His love for the children and desire to heal the world after the war would be greatly complimented by a lady in the Lord's home who would help further that goal. In fact, Heero understood that the Chiaki name would thrive if Relena accepted the alliance.
Even Relena, herself, could not be hurt from it. The Chiaki family was well known for their charity and politics, being a great support to Relena's efforts. She had likely met the elder man a few times at the occasional high society, invitation only event, though there had been many more aggressive guests at each, battling for her attention. A marriage to the Chiaki family would strengthen each of her bases, as well as giving her a natural outlet for her compassions.
A pang of conflicting emotion ran through Heero's chest, hidden behind a stoic demeanor. His loyalty to his master was only outdone by his loyalty to Relena. She would see this situation as an uncomfortable distraction, at the least. Like everything she would handle it with grace, but he was sure she would refuse the opportunity she'd been offered. This made sense, of course, but it caused his Master disappointment and anxiety.
By the same token, however, if Relena were to accept, he would likely find himself working for her husband for years to come. He'd never seen himself at Relena's side in an amorous sense, but the idea of someone else being there in his head was—
He couldn't think of it.
"Build a security team and see that there are several layers of protective measures about the home," Daimyo Chiaki said suddenly, as he straightened. He turned his attention to Suguru, who had stood silently in the shadow for the duration of the meeting. "Suguru, shoul you find yourself in any conflict, you will be under Yuy's authority for the purpose of the exercise."
Suguru's eyes widened in offense, but he bit his lip, bowing intentionally to his Master. "Yes, my Lord."
Chiaki looked at Heero as he walked to the door. "Lady Peacecraft will be arriving first thing in the morning. See that she feels welcomed, and let me handle the rest."
Heero hesitated a moment, considering how soon she would be near him, again. Realizing the Daimyo was waiting for a response, Heero bowed low, offering his respect. "As you wish, Master."
Daimyo Chiaki lowered his head before disappearing into the mansion.
:::
Relena had been through many traditional Japanese towns, before, and Shinden could rival the beauty of the lot. It was largely humble in appearance, but that only added to the beauty of the detail. It had a charm she'd heard called Wabi-sabi. The imperfection itself was beautiful. The age was charming.
She arrived at the mansion right at sunrise, with Wufei and Preventer Wind at her side. All around her the sound of Battōjutsu students running rhythmically through their morning drills filled the dew kissed air. The sense of teamwork and pride flooded the grounds, splashing over the walls and seeping under the doors. The very spirit of the land filled her with inspiration and sent chills over her whole body.
As her entourage reached the entrance, she was greeted by a tall Japanese man with rich chocolate eyes, not terribly older than herself. Feeling a slight tightness in her chest Relena noticed that she found the welcoming party attractive; intentionally avoiding the epiphany that he shared his ethnicity with a certain other man she'd known for some time. She accepted his greeting, allowing him to take her hand and carefully kiss her knuckles. The admiration he showered on her with the simple touch left her slightly shaken. She was unused to being treated with such soft interest, and realized, for the first time, that she was intentionally trying not to flirt back with a complete stranger.
"Suguru Jinsuke," the man purred, grinning as his eyes memorized her form. "It is an honor, my Lady."
Relena bowed her head in response, remembering her manners, again. "Relena Peacecraft," she answered, trying to turn her eyes away in a bashful manner.
Before she could introduce the men at her side, Suguru gestured for her to follow him, steering her into the entry hall of the main house. Relena was welcomed by hand polished bamboo floors and a large, antique staircase as the house opened before her. After her eyes finished wandering the first room, and she and the other guests respectfully slipped off their shoes, Suguru nodded, signaling his intention to lead her on, up the stairwell, to a meeting room. There Relena and her companions waited quietly until the door opened, again.
Daimyo Chiaki stepped in with a silent, dominant presence. Suguru, who has walked with him to that point, bowed low to his master, quietly closing the door before he turned to leave. The company listened to the quiet footsteps leading away before greetings were offered.
Disallowing anyone to speak first, Master Chiaki turned to the one called Preventer Wind and bowed at the hip, offering his respects. "It is an honor, My Liege," he said. He followed with a statement of clarification. "You so favor your father in his young years."
Relena turned her big blue eyes on her brother, fighting a smile at the man's genuine surprise.
In response, Zechs bowed, as well, accepting the honor. "Please, Daimyo. Call me Wind. I am here only as a representative of the Preventer. Princess Relena is the last living of the Peacecraft name."
The elder man looked the prince in the eye. "I understand. I've heard rumors of Prince Milliardo's death." He turned his attention to Relena, his eyes void of even a hint of sarcasm. "My condolences to his family."
Relena smiled, inclining her head. The Daimyo returned the greeting in silence.
"Princess Relena will represent herself as well as her family in the negotiation. I am here to see that all parties are treated fairly and the contract is laid to rest."
"Understood," the Daimyo said softly, offering Relena his arm. "Would Lady Peacecraft like to walk with me? It is a shame to let such a beautiful dawn go to waste, after all."
Relena wrapped her hand around his arm, offering the most endearing expression.
Sensing Wufei and Zechs's sudden tension, Lord Chiaki turned briefly back to them. "It is perfectly safe, I'm assured. Our head of security used to be a member of the Preventer force, after all. I'm sure he can be trusted."
Wufei's eyes narrowed, as he bowed himself. "Might we accompany you, my Lord?"
The Daimyo grinned in approval.
Relena and her host made their way down a dirt road through the center of town as the morning classes broke for breakfast. Directly behind her, Zechs followed, observing the area, and Wufei and Suguru took up the rear in dead silence. The Dojo emptied into the streets, where hundreds of children scattered to their respective homes for food.
"Where are all the parents?" Relena asked with curiosity, noting that few of the adults could have ever been old enough to father or mother the dozens of children they cared for.
Daimyo frowned, leading her onward. "There are few here who have parents, any longer. Most of these children lost their families to the bloodshed of the wars."
Relena's eyes widened as she looked up to him. "Where are they all from?"
"Everywhere."
She closed her mouth, mulling over scattered thoughts that saturated her with compassion and awe.
"Each year we bring as many as we can afford from all over; from Earth and from the colonies. We make sure that the opportunity to be trained here, to be raised here, is equally available across the board."
"And who funds this operation?" Relena blushed realizing she was prying as soon as the words left her mouth.
The Daimyo smiled. "Well, the details are for the Lady of the house, but the gist of the answer is that the money is from our family. Our village."
Relena noted, again, the simplicity of the scenery around her. None of the villagers seemed to be living in any sort of privilege. Even the Daimyo's home, though more extravagant than the surrounding area, was older in design, and his property was used both as the Dojo and the Shrine. At one point he, or the family, had seen fit to build up, but the few repairs and updates that had been added over the decades were clearly acts of love and not intended to show affluence of any sort.
The Daimyo sensed her questioning and answered before she could speak. "A person's treasure is where their heart is," he said, touching a young blond boy on the head as he ran by. He was answered with a short, full bow and a smile, before the boy carried on. "A village's treasure, as well. We don't spend money on things we do not need, but on the care, protection and education of this generation. Even as our young men and women grow into a state of independence, going out into the world to make a family and name for themselves, most send back a donation to keep the village on its feet. It is not required of them, but they see the need to tend to those who come after them, as a large family would care for their sisters and brothers."
Relena nodded, taking in the concept. "They feel a part of a family here, then?"
Lord Chiaki stopped walking, turning to face the young politician. "People need somewhere safe to go," he said with sureness. "Here, they are loved, and it is love—not blood—that makes a family."
Relena took his hands with a glowing expression on her face. "Tell me, Daimyo, was it always this way? Or was there something that changed your heart to take such an interest in the wellbeing of these orphans?"
The man's face sank some, his eyes filling with sadness and regret as he turned from her and looked up to the sky. "Everyone makes mistakes when they're young," he said quietly. With a sigh, he reawakened his smirk. "Perhaps we will discuss the bearth of our vision, if you accept the position of my daughter," he added, sounding halfway between jesting and persuading.
With that, he gestured to Suguru. "Jinsuke will see you all to your rooms," he said, bowing to his guests, who all bowed in return. "I have business I must tend to. I do hope my home is to your liking, Princess." He turned to Zechs, lowering himself, again. "Preventer Wind."
With that, the elder man turned, making his way back to the mansion with a hopeful heart but a heavy mind.
A/N: I hope you like Daimyo Chiaki. He's my first in depth OC, so I'm a bit nervous. Let me know! 8-)
