A/N: LOOKIT!!!!!!!! I'M NOT DEAD!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!! OK, I know I haven't updated this in over a year, and I'm very sorry. I don't have a good excuse (well, not a good excuse that's true) but I'm very sorry. I bet you thought I had abandoned this. Well, if any of the people who were reading this before are still reading it. Anyways, I'd better get to that story, now shouldn't I? Well, here we go…
Oh, and by the way, this chapter is dedicated to Amieva, who guessed correctly on who said what. (If you don't understand what I mean, see previous chapter.)
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Chapter 10: Decisions
Nanaki went to the healer's to get a bandage for her shoulder. The cut wasn't that deep, but it still stung a little. She looked at her broken necklace and put the two severed ends together. After a short while of concentration, they melted together. There was only a slight bulge where the two ends met. She then slipped the necklace back to the rightful place on her neck.
She started to think about the up coming war. She was thinking how that almost every single man would be fighting for Fanelia in this war. And how the women would be vulnerable to attacks or raids. This, of course, gave her an idea. But first, she was going to have a bath.
~***~
Vallen had been trying to find Nanaki ever since she left the match. Funny, how he didn't think to check her room till now. He was so busy thinking about the upcoming war, that he forgot to knock.
"Nanaki…" he started but stopped as she shrieked and covered herself with a towel. She had just finished her bath.
Vallen blushed and closed the door, leaving it open a crack so the door wouldn't muffle his apology. "I'm so sorry, I didn't even think to knock…."
"That's ok," said Nanaki, "in or out?"
"What?"
"In or out?"
Whatever Vallen was expecting, it wasn't this "Uhhh, in I guess."
"Ok," Nanaki walked behind the changing screen " What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Well, I wanted you to know that I sent word to my sister and Geki as to where I am." Vallen was trying to concentrate on anything but the fact that Nanaki was changing while he was in the same room.
"Well, that's good. I hope they haven't worried too much."
"That's not possible under the circumstances, they've probably sent out search parties and everything."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Could you toss me that dress on the bed?"
"What? Yeah sure" Went over and picked it up, blushing as he tossed it to the other side of the screen. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?"
"On the Mystic Moon, of course. Where else?" Nanaki laughed "I started when I was ten. Right after I learned of my powers. I needed something to help me learn to concentrate so I'd be able to better control them. But, I really liked it, I liked the rhythm of it, the adrenaline rush, so, I kept at it. I think I'm pretty good for only doing it for 5 years." Nakaki stepped out behind the screen in a light dress. "Oh, that reminds me. I need to talk to Van. Do you know where he is?"
"Um, probably in either the throne room, or the conference room. I'll help you look if you'd like."
"Thanks, that'd be great." She said, " I'm still learning my way around the castle."
Nanaki followed Vallen through the winding halls, trying to remember where to turn to get back to her room. Finally they came to the throne room. The only person in the room was Van, he seemed deep in thought and didn't notice them at first.
"Yes, what do you want?" was what he said when he finally did notice.
Nanaki stepped forward, "Lord Van," she said "I was thinking, that since it seems likely we will soon be at war, and that most of the men of Fanelia will be part of the army. It would be a good idea to train the women incase a band of raiders, or something of the like, deemed it a good idea to attack when all of the able bodied men were away?"
"Women shouldn't fight." Said Van, "Their arms are too weak." He was still only half-paying attention.
Nanaki laughed, "I see you've already forgotten our little match. I didn't know you had such a bad memory that it only lasted for a few hours."
That snapped Van out of his daze, "I guess you're right," he said, "But we haven't trained women before. I shall have to bring it up in counsel."
"Thank you, Milord," said Nanaki, she inclined her head respectfully and left the room.
Vallen looked at her strangely as they walked away.
"What?" she asked finally, annoyed.
"Nothing," said Vallen
"No, really. What is it?"
"It's just that, for whatever reason you were going to see him for, would never had believed it would be that one. But the idea does make sense."
"Yes it does," said Nanaki, "That's why I brought it up."
~***~
Later that day, Van held a counsel for his advisers and other important political figures to discuss these tidings of war, and what was to be done. Among many other things, was Nanaki's idea. When he brought this concept up, most people were shocked, but through time and persuasion, they began to see the logic in it. Lord Wyldon was the last to consent, but when everyone else had agreed, he didn't see the point in arguing.
~***~
Vallen and Nanaki walked on in silence, with no real destination in mind. Their thoughts were on the upcoming war, and what it might mean.
After a while, Nanaki broke the silence "I think I'm going to participate in this war."
Vallen looked at her incredulously "What do you mean?" asked Vallen, "You can't do that! They don't allow women in the army!"
"Who says I'm going to join the army?" asked Nanaki. "There are other ways of participating, and I'm needed. Besides," she said shrugging "If they don't let me come, I'll just follow them anyway."
"But Nanaki," said Vallen, "you don't know what you're getting yourself into. You've never been in a war, have you? You don't know what it's like."
"And neither do most of the people who are getting into this. I'm sure they've heard stories, but hardly anyone knows what it's really like. I doubt even you do."
"Fine," said Vallen "I can see there's no point in arguing with you." He crossed his arms, "But I don't have to like it."
Nanaki looked at him, "I never said you did."
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A/N: I know it's short, but it's better then nothing. That just seemed to be a good place to end it. I apologise again for not getting this out sooner, much sooner, but, hey, what can you do? Please review. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
