A/N: SPOILERS. Also, important A/N to understand the fic. This fic will have Caesar and Ichihime as the mains and will be developing the Western Star characters more; though Nobu and others will still play important parts. This will diverge and won't end like the anime did. There would be no point if I went in loops to just arrive there.

To say the least, I was disappointed at the lack of development for the Westerners. They have such a great cast of historical characters, but don't really utilize them imo, so there will be changes to some of them. Also, I'll be honest, Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc doesn't really sit well as a good Jeanne d'Arc, and so I am going to have Joan of Arc in here. Basically someone else, who is more like, with a little twist (like they all are), the historical Jeanne d'Arc and will be called Joan to tell them apart (you need Jeanne in the East to get Da Vinci there and so on). She will even look like Jeanne, so just imagine how Jeanne looked at the beginning of ep 1 in that dress and there is her. There will be a plot reason for this other than a more historical Joan (can't spoil it). I will be putting Joan, instead of Hannibal, with Charlemagne and it makes a historical connection too. But despite all of this the focus will mainly be on Caesar & Ichihime, everybody else will be supporting.

Condensed Version: Caesar/Ichi mains; develop Western Star characters; change some Western characters; add Joan of Arc, who is a more historical-like Jeanne d'Arc.

Pairings: Caesar/Ichihime, Charlemagne/Joan, others will be revealed as they come.

I will have an excerpt from ep 12 and the Caesar/Ichi scenes of ep 14 in this (along with a few others) as that's where their relationship begins and to have a cohesive story. Episode 14 is where this story starts to really diverge from the anime.

Interesting Facts: Arthur, Alexander, Caesar, and Charlemagne have something in common. They are 4 of the 9 Worthies, who symbolize chivalry and are called princes no matter what their rank was in life.

Disclaimer: I do not own Nobunaga the Fool.

Chapter 1

"In exchange... I will have you give me Lady Ichihime."

Instantly gasps of shock were heard at Caesar's bold proposal.

"I wish to have Lady Ichihime as my queen," Caesar reaffirmed in his arrogant tone of voice.

Nobunaga went into immediate shock.

"Damn you, Caesar!" Mitsuhide yelled. "How dare you think we would accept such a proposal!?"

The murmuring immediately began; everybody clearly disapproved. Caesar and Nobunaga ignored them and stared each other down; neither budging. Both of them were like powerful lions that would pounce at the first sign of weakness.

"Please wait," Ichihime commanded which caused everyone to turn to her. "I will respond personally to the matter of my own marriage." She stood up with the "bowl of emptiness" and then sat down in front of Caesar. She placed the bowl down between them and bowed her head in respect. Caesar watched her without a word spoken. "I... gladly accept."

"Ichi... you..." was all Nobunaga could respond with.

"Ichihime!" Caesar gasped in surprise. He didn't think she would readily agree.

Everybody else was in shock as well; particularly Mitsuhide.

"If I can save my brother, the Oda's lands, and people... no, the entire Star of the East, in exchange for my life, I will do so," Ichihime calmly explained. "But..." she then pointed her stirring stick at Caesar. "But, if you fail to make good on your promise, I have resolved to end your life, even at the cost of my own. Are you still willing?"

Caesar stared at her a few moments. It was then and there that the general realized that she was truly a special woman; more special than any person he had met. He then smiled with a chuckle. He didn't say anything as the princess bowed her head once more; that was all that was needed to seal the deal.

Jeanne looked at the card she had drawn earlier. "The unwise one... The fool is Lady Ichihime?" Little did they all know that was a very wise decision. In fact hardly any would ever think of it as wise no matter what would come. Especially one person...

Beside Jeanne, Mitsuhide collapsed onto his hands and knees. He was in complete shock and utter disbelief at what was happening. He looked like he was in the midst of a nightmare and was suffering greatly.

Ichihime stared at her future husband. While she was calm and collected on the outside; inside she was scared. She always acted like the perfect princess as was expected of her, but she still was a girl. She had wishes and dreams of the future and she was sad she had to relinquish them. But she would always fulfill her duty at the cost of anything. Especially since her marriage to him would grant the Oda clan so much.

Crack! A large, red split suddenly appeared on the Star of the West; sending everyone into another round of shock.

"How ominous," da Vinci stated.

Mitsuhide didn't notice a thing. He was still reeling in the news of Ichihime accepting Caesar's proposal. "Ichihime-sama," he gasped out.

The rest of the day and the next were spent with Caesar in meetings with his soon to be brother-in-law and other Oda clansmen. It was decided that the next day Ichihime would go to Caesar and that was when a small wedding just for the formalities would take place. Da Vinci would actually be the one marrying them as he was from the West, but was serving Nobunaga. Caesar wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but realized that the scientist was really the only option as any other of Owari would be loath to do the task. Caesar had granted Ichihime's request to have it at Oda Castle, so there was no way around it.

Ichihime sighed nervously as she was led to where she would wed General Caesar of the West. She was in her white wedding kimono and helped by the sisters, Chacha, Hatsu, and Gou. She paused to look at the gardens, especially the sakura tree. She didn't know if this would be her last time to gaze at this scenery, so she wanted to make the most of it.

"Lady Ichihime," the voice of da Vinci called.

She turned to the blue haired scientist. "Hello, da Vinci-dono," the princess greeted.

When da Vinci reached her, he bowed dramatically. "It's an honor to perform your wedding."

Ichihime gave a small smile. "Thank you for volunteering." Rather she truly felt that way or not, she had to be polite.

Da Vinci straightened up and rubbed his chin. "Hm, you seem nervous."

Ichihime froze for a moment. "I see..." was all she could reply with. She hoped she wasn't noticeable and he was just especially discerning.

"Don't worry, I doubt anyone would notice," da Vinci reassured which relieved the princess. "Except for General Caesar," he added in his mind. Then the scientist drew out some cards and spread them out in a fan-like way. "Would you like to draw one; they give insight. It may help."

Ichihime stared at the offered cards. She reached out and delicately took one. She turned it over to reveal the face of the card. Da Vinci moved over and looked. "Ah, the Lovers upright!" he exclaimed.

"What does it mean?" Ichihime requested.

"The Lovers represent perfection, harmony, and mutual attractiveness. The bond the two lovers have created is incredibly strong and is reflective of a marriage." Ichihime's heart clenched; her marriage wasn't that. "It also represents choices on a grand scale. Something that looks negative is actually a blessing in disguise."

Ichihime looked up at da Vinci. "So, my marriage to Caesar-dono will truly bring good to the Oda clan?"

Da Vinci gave an enigmatic smile. "Perhaps so."

Ichihime looked ahead. "As long as Caesar-dono upholds his promise, I will be satisfied." She thought to Mitsuhide, but shook her head. "I am ready."

Da Vinci bowed. "As you wish." He watched as the princess walked away and smirked. "Ah, Lady Ichihime, you and General Caesar are far more interesting than I first thought." He then took a different route to arrive ahead of her to where the ceremony would be held.

Later Ichihime was beside Caesar as the ceremony was taking place. It was a strange wedding that was infused with Western and Eastern traditions, though nothing extravagant or lengthy.

Ichihime peered at Caesar from the corner of her eye. As if sensing her gaze he turned to her and gave a small smile. She immediately looked ahead and she heard a suppressed chuckle. How dare he laugh at her! For the rest of the ceremony she made an effort to not look at him.

After the ceremony Ichihime was with Caesar in front of Quo Vadis. Everyone else was in a line watching them. It was night time and they had already had a celebration supper; though it wasn't very celebratory.

Ichihime gazed at her brother, then Himiko, then Ranmaru, then da Vinci, and then Mitsuhide, who looked especially grim. She refused to allow her vision to linger on him, as to keep her emotions in check, so she looked back at her brother. Nobunaga took a step forward and gave her a forced smile. "Stay safe, Ichi. And take care," he offered.

Ichihime gave a small smile in return. "I will, Nobu-nii-sama."

The princess was surprised that Caesar didn't say anything or interrupt them. She was slightly curious and turned to him. He raised his eyebrow as he tried to read what was on her mind. "Are you ready?" he inquired.

Ichihime nodded. "I am, Caesar-dono."

Caesar nodded and almost instantly Quo Vadis's hand raised them higher. She gave one last look to what she was leaving: the castle, the lands, and the people... How she would miss them. She lowered her head as she entered Quo Vadis with her husband.

In Space...

Magellan's airship was flying right above the Eastern Star. This time his passengers were two generals of the Round Table, Charlemagne and Cesare Borgia, along with Charlemagne's lieutenant, Joan of Arc. He thought when he brought da Vinci and Jeanne along that had been painful. Admittedly only because they abandoned ship and he didn't know exactly how to tell that to King Arthur, but their company wasn't that bad. The next trip with Caesar was painful in its own way and this time because of the company. Caesar wasn't bad company; he had good taste in wine, though he tended to talk too much about beautiful women for his tastes. It wasn't him, but the twins, who were always talking about blood that was so bad. How did Caesar stand them was beyond him. Still despite that nothing prepared him for this...

Joan was sitting primly with her hands in her laps. She was gazing at the Star of East with the eyes of a child who had just seen the world for the first time. "Beautiful... How brilliantly it shines," she mused.

Charlemagne walked over and leaned over her; placing his hand on the back of the sofa. "Its splendor dims before your brilliance, ma chérie," he spoke gently.

Joan looked over at her superior and smiled. "Such flattery is ill fitting of you to speak, mon capitaine."

"I speak the truth," he replied sincerely. He lifted a lock of her hair and gave it a soft kiss.

"Then, there must be something wrong with your eyes," she said with amusement.

"I admit something has been wrong with me ever since I met you." He then kissed her soundly on the lips and she accepted it.

In the background Magellan had his hand over his face. 'Why must they...' he thought. He looked over to Cesare, who wasn't bothered at all. He was merely drinking his wine like nothing was going on. 'Figures.'

Then Charlemagne straightened up and turned to the admiral. "Joan and I shall fight Nobunaga while the encampment is being set up. We shall see for ourselves if Caesar is a traitor or not. Can we land now?"

"Yes, General Charlemagne," Magellan replied. Truthfully speaking he was glad they were leaving. Their romantics could qualify as psychological torture to some and he was one of them.

Charlemagne turned to his subordinate. "Let us go, Joan."

"Yes, to the azure star so verdant and green, and plentiful with water," Joan replied. And with that the two left to depart.

As Magellan watched them and their forces leave, he was deep in thought. "Will the Cerberus Twins turn the Star of the East into Hell?" he mused.

At Kai...

Ichihime nervously clutched at her sleeping kimono. She knew what Caesar would want tonight and it scared her, but she tried not to let it show. He would want to claim her and in their culture it was his right, no matter how she felt. On the Eastern Star women were a secondary class and they were expected to be quiet, submissive wives. Their only real purpose was to provide heirs and to please their husbands. Her impression of her new husband was of a womanizing, cold-hearted, cruel man, who only was interested in her for her beauty. But it was worth it as with her marriage to Caesar, he became her brother's ally. Yes, it was worth it...

She heard Caesar walk up to her, which caused her to look up at him. He was looking down at her with a soft smile. She immediately looked away.

"Ah, Ichihime, please do not look so sad," Caesar pleaded as he sat down on the bed in front of her. She still refused to look at him as he leaned toward her. "What can I do to make you smile?" he asked. She turned her head even more away from him.

Caesar looked down as he thought of something. "Oh!" he exclaimed which caused Ichihime to turn to him; curious as to what he was getting at. "I have just the thing."

Then Caesar left and she was alone. For a few moments Ichihime just stared at the door he had gone out of. She couldn't imagine what he could be doing. She was expecting him to take her immediately, but he was trying to make her... smile? This was too surreal. She wondered what he could be doing and a part of her was scared to know. But a part of her was curious...

After an agonizing amount of time her new husband came back with something very strange...

"What the..." Ichihime started as she stared at what Caesar had laid before her. "What is this?" she finally completed.

"Western tea and sweets," Caesar informed as he scooped something mysterious in a small container.

"Sweets... This black thing?" Ichihime asked incredulously. She had never seen something that looked like that. She couldn't imagine how it was a sweet.

"Torta tenerina. It's chocolate," Caesar further explained as he shook the sugar on.

"Choc-co-late..." Ichihime repeated part in curiosity and part to say the word herself. As he cut the cake, she lifted her hand and pointed to the sugar. "What is that white snow-like powder?"

"It's powdered sugar. Please try it," Caesar requested and handed his bride a slice.

Ichihime took the cake and delicately lifted it up to sniff it. "Ah, what a mysterious, sweet fragrance!" she exclaimed as her face lit up some.

Caesar smiled; pleased that it was already starting to lift his bride's spirits.

Then Ichihime took a small bite with her fork. "Oh my! It is slightly bitter, yet sweet. I have never tasted anything like it," she gushed and looked up at her husband. "It is delicious."

"I'm glad to hear that. I am proud of how it turned out," Caesar replied with a smug expression.

"Eh?" Ichihime reacted in surprise. "Then... you made this by your own hand, Caesar-dono?"

"Is that so strange?" Caesar asked like it was a normal thing and expected all the men to do the same.

"I am a little surprised," Ichihime admitted. "After all, the warriors of the East do not make sweets."

"The same goes for the West," Caesar informed. Didn't he just allude it was something normal?

"Oh, my!" Ichihime exclaimed and couldn't help, but give a little laugh at that.

Caesar's expression turned into a soft smile. "Finally, a smile."

Ichihime immediately gasped in surprise. Not for him pointing it out, but the fact that she was smiling. How could she be acting this way with him? How could she be warming up to him, especially this fast?

"You are much more beautiful when you smile," Caesar continued with a compliment.

"You should not speak of beauty so casually," Ichihime retorted and looked away with a little red staining her cheeks.

"Why not?" Caesar pressed. "What is wrong with describing things of beauty as beautiful?"

"Th-that's..." Ichihime stuttered; unable to come up with a retort. She had been called beautiful before, but the word he used to call her beautiful, "utsukushii", had never been used to describe her. In her language it was a word usually reserved for something almost divine and sacred. To call her that... And to top it off she was already flustered by him when he pointed out that see was smiling. Really this man...

Suddenly they heard the sound of a strong wind outside and it got both of their attentions. Ichihime was the first to get up and walk to the window to investigate. Caesar soon followed and stood beside her.

"Snow?" Ichihime mused out loud. "Why, at this time of the year?"

At that moment Caesar noticed something and looked up. Up, high in the night sky was a bright, green light, and it was moving rapidly across the sky. "That's..." Caesar started, but didn't finish. He recognized who that might be and hoped he was wrong... He turned to Ichihime and smiled. "Come, Ichihime, we had better finish the cake."

Ichihime looked up at her husband and nodded. Truthfully she was anxious to eat more of that delicious chocolate. It was quickly becoming her new favorite food and she was hoping this would not be the last time she would get to taste it. They both went back to the bed and started on the cake. They talked some all the way through and it seemed like no time at all that it was gone. It was at that time that the princess's nerves came back. Surely Caesar would want to... He wouldn't have gone through all of that if he didn't...

She silently watched as Caesar reached out with his hand and stroked her cheek. "Sleep well, dear Ichihime. I hope you have pleasant dreams."

Ichihime blinked a few moments in surprise. "Caesar-dono?" she almost squeaked.

"Rest easy. I do not wish to do anything that you don't wish for, my dear," Caesar said softly.

All Ichihime could do was stare at her husband. She was not expecting this at all. Caesar smiled softly at her and then got up. She watched as he got on the other side of the bed and laid down with his back to her. "Good night, Ichihime," Caesar wished over his shoulder.

Ichihime blinked as she came back to her senses. "Good night," she automatically replied as she laid down. 'What a strange man...' she thought. After a little while, she turned on her side and stared at her husband's back. She could tell he was already asleep. If he kept being such a gentleman then perhaps this wouldn't be so hard after all... She was already seeing that her initial impression of him wasn't exactly accurate. 'He's not so cruel...' She then closed her eyes and fell asleep far more quickly than she thought she would have.

A/N: I felt silly copying what I did, but it felt even sillier not to with how I am writing this story. XD Well, in the anime it seems like when a card is drawn it is never drawn again, but I couldn't resist having Ichi draw the Lovers. I felt that if characters represented cards Caesar & Ichi were definitely the Lovers. Especially with all of Caesar's talk of love. LOL Also, I have Charlemagne and Joan as romantic lovers as a nod to the anime.

French Translations:

Ma chérie: my dear

Mon capitaine: my captain