Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.
The Mourning Process
Nanao held her father's pale hand in her own, kneeling at his beside. Retsu sat on the other side of his bed with sad eyes. King Yamamoto was dying, and the healer could do nothing about it. It had been a sudden illness, and the healer had been able to halt its progress or find a cause for it. Nanao had her suspicions about it, but no one had been able to uncover proof, so she kept her silence. Besides, she didn't want to tip her hand now. If, when her father died, she was going to need every advantage that she could get.
Her father's hand tightened on her own. "Mitsuko? Is that you?"
"No, Father. It's Nanao, your daughter."
"No, you're not. Nanao's just a baby. Mitsuko, stop playing games."
She bit back a sigh. He'd been hallucinating all day. Retsu didn't think he had more than a few more hours. All they could really do was wait, and so she sat at his beside in a formal kimono, thanking Rangiku for all the practice she'd had. The highest ranked members of the court were hovering about the room, and it would be mortifying to fidget in front of them. The hours stretched on.
And then with one last shuddering breath, he was gone. Retsu carefully check him over before announcing to the room, "The king is dead."
In the silence, Nanao gracefully rose to her feet, and with head bowed, she left the room. Part of her felt like she was running away. The rest of her was too busy making plans to feel. She had to put things in motion now. Nanao was only eighteen. Her majority wasn't for another two years, and according to law, she couldn't be crowned until then unless she was married to an older party. She could still rule, but that was only in conjunction with the Royal Council. They could outvote her decisions if they wished. That was why she needed to start making changes now, before they could act.
She needed the clerks and scribes. Nanao silently thanked Rangiku for teaching her how to move quickly in a kimono. Running down the hallways would have attracted attention. Upon entering the scriptorium, there was a flurry of people bowing and trying to appear unsurprised by the royal visit. She took a few minutes to reassure the scribes before beginning to issue orders.
"My father has passed away. I need official proclamations written up to be circulated around the country. I also need you to write up a repeal of the prohibition of the Shinigami Knights from the Royal Palace. I'll need three copies of that and the repeal of Sir Kyoraku's exile. I'll send messengers to pick those up shortly." Nanao surveyed the room. "I will also need at least six copies of the forms for adding members to the Royal Council. If there are any questions, you may send a servant to find me."
With that, she swept out the room, leaving the scribes to get to work. Her next stop would be the Royal Messengers. Nanao stopped in her rooms just long enough to pen three notes and retrieve her official seal before heading towards the stables and the quarters of the Royal Messengers. Their chief was summoned at her arrival, and Nanao quickly explained what she needed.
"Besides spreading the word of my father's death, I will need you to deliver messages to the army, the Royal Guard and the Shinigami Knights. The scribes should have them ready for you shortly. I also need to you deliver these," she held out the three notes, "to Sir Ukitake, Lady Kiku, and Countess Shihoin."
"Of course, your highness. Is there anything else you need?"
"That will be all, thank you."
With those tasks accomplished, Nanao retreated to her rooms. She peeled off the formal kimono and exchanged it for a simple black kosode and hakama, the same uniform most Shinigami Knights wore. It was simple and comfortable, and Nanao wasn't about to formally entertain anyone in the next few hours. Besides, her clothing would help her blend in, giving her a chance for some undisturbed time alone. There was a small garden tucked in between the various wings that made up the Royal Quarters, and it was there that Nanao sought sanctuary.
Settling in a shady corner, Nanao closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Tears pricked at her eyes. Her father was dead. She was alone. At least for now. Shunsui would be coming home once he heard. At least that was what she hoped. She had had no word of him for years now. Still she hoped that he was alive. He had promised her he would be. Nanao mentally shook herself. Her father had died, and she was more worried about her champion. She must be a terrible person. Nanao bit her lip as she bit back the tears.
"Your highness?"
She knew that calm voice. Nanao rose carefully to her feet and stepped out of the shadows.
"Sir Ukitake. I'm glad that you have arrived. I trust you had no trouble gaining entrance."
The knight held open his arms. "Princess."
Nanao found herself wrapped in a warm embrace. She let herself lean against his strength for a moment before pulling back. She didn't have time for weakness right now. Later she would be able to take time for herself."
"You know the law as well as I do. Until I turn twenty, the council can run the country if things stay the way they are. Will the Shinigami Knights support me?"
Ukitake nodded, gesturing for her to go inside. "Yes. We had already planned to do so. I assume that you will be rescinding Shunsui's order of exile and have already sent a messenger to him. The others you summoned are waiting, your highness."
"Nanao," she corrected. "I don't need formality from those I trust. I need you to tell me the truth, so I can make the right decisions. Sir Kyoraku already has his orders for return."
She found Retsu and Rangiku as well as the Countess Shihoin and her husband waiting for them in her study. Nanao smiled at them.
"Thank you for coming. I hope I can trust you five to help me." She took a breath. "Rangiku, would you please take care of the funeral arrangements for me? I'll put the chatelaine at your disposal."
"Of course, Princess."
"Good. Sir Ukitake, Lady Ukitake, Countess Shihoin, Sir Urahara." She nodded to each of them. "I would like to appoint all four of you to the Royal Council unless you have objections. I can't be crowned until after my twentieth birthday, but I can shift the balance of power in the council. I won't pretend that I'm ready for this, but I am sure that I can manage with your advice and guidance. Sir Kyoraku will also be joining the council once he returns from his exile."
Her words were met with encouraging looks and nods of assent. The smile managed to stay on her lips.
"Do you have any other advice or recommendations for me?"
Yoruichi smiled at her. "You're doing just fine, Princess."
Her husband nodded. "You might think about adding a few of the leading merchants in the country to the council, but that doesn't need to be done immediately."
The small group talked and planned for a good half hour before Nanao was left alone, under orders from Retsu to get some rest. Nanao summoned a servant to fetch a cup of tea and gave instructions that she was to be left alone at least a half an hour. And once she was finally alone for good, Nanao wrapped an old pink haori around herself and sobbed.
