A/N: Even though I got this one up this quick, don't expect the next one to be as quick.

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

Interesting Facts: One of Ichi's great granddaughters became Empress of Japan. She was Empress Meisho, the 7th of 8 women to become Empress Regent of Japan.

Disclaimer: I don't own Nobunaga the Fool.

Through a dense forest, a young girl with long green hair was jumping from tree to tree. She was doing so with the ease of a monkey; in fact she resembled one. She was scanning the area like she was looking for something or someone. When she was satisfied, she turned back and jumped to the ground; her short dark, blue kimono fluttering as she did.

"All clear, Isehime-sama!" the girl yelled while waving her hands in the air.

In response a pretty girl stepped out into the path way. She had long chestnut hair with a blue chrysanthemum on top of her head. Her kimono was white with more chrysanthemum designs on it. She looked to be a very modest and shy girl. "Thank you, Asahi," Isehime said with gratitude.

"Are you alright, Isehime-sama?" a voice asked from behind her. Behind Isehime was another young girl with long blonde hair; unheard of on the East Star. She wore a short blue kimono and was holding a mysterious mirror. Isehime was clearly the oldest of the three and was the only one who could be considered an adult.

Isehime nodded. "I'm fine. I'll be able to make it, Matsu."

Asahi jumped to them. "Don't worry, Isehime-sama, we will get you to Kenshin-sama!"

Matsu nodded and smiled. "Yes, don't worry, Isehime-sama, put your life in the hands of two twelve year-old girls."

Asahi turned to Matsu with indignation. "Don't put it like that!"

Matsu turned her smile to her comrade. "A twelve year-old and a monkey, then?"

Asahi almost fell over. "That's worse!"

Isehime quietly giggled, but then became serious. "Matsu, how are things going?"

Matsu turned to Isehime and raised her mirror. Immediately an image of Caesar and Kenshin appeared. They were obviously in a meeting. "It seems peaceful for the moment, my lady."

Isehime looked down at the box that was in her hands. "I do hope Kenshin-sama will accept my offer..."

At Eichigo...

"Ah, the beauty and sweetness of my wife is clearly seen, but I doubt few understand her greatness. Her beautiful voice as she sings can't ever be properly described no matter how many words are used," Caesar was saying in a very smooth way with gestures of his arms. Caesar's arm was healed now and he no longer wore a sling.

Behind Caesar Kenshin and his clansmen, and even Caesar's subordinates were giving the general deadpan looks.

"Because of you, we know all about your wife, more than even any woman who lives here," Kenshin dryly stated. "Can we please get on with our meeting? I didn't ask you to come for this."

Caesar turned to Kenshin and smirked. "If you insist."

Kenshin almost snapped. "I knew it! He's irritating me on purpose!"

Caesar sat down on his folding chair much to the relief of everyone present.

Kenshin cleared his throat. "Now, since Caesar is finished with his useless tirade-"

"Ah, you're just jealous," Caesar interjected as he made a sweeping motion with his hand in Kenshin's direction.

"Don't put words in my mouth! I'm just tired of your useless dribble," Kenshin snapped at him.

Caesar was unfazed and merely smiled like he was satisfied. "I do believe your clansmen would like you to get married." He glanced at the men serving Kenshin. They wouldn't say it, but they were obviously hoping for that. Apparently Kenshin had never shown any interest in women and it worried them.

Kenshin sighed. "Enough of this. We have more important matters to discuss. We have been so focused on the West that we haven't been keeping an eye on other clans. There appears to be someone using the chaos right now to attack other lands and conquer them. It could be one of them that made the assassination attempt."

"Ah, so now things are getting to how you like. Aren't you happy?" Caesar prodded.

"Hm, yes, I suppose so," Kenshin smirked. "But the problem is, I have no clue who is the one in charge of this and how they are going about it."

"What do you mean?" Caesar inquired.

"Exactly what I said. It seems someone rose up overnight and there are no signs of internal struggles. But that should be impossible as even the weakest of clan lords have at least some kind of war armor that should protect them from that. And it's happening so fast, like they couldn't put up a resistance."

"I see what you mean... That is a problem," Caesar mused as he stroked his chin.

Suddenly a man burst in the room and everyone's eyes were on him. "Lord Kenshin!" the man exclaimed as he got on his knees. "There's a young woman here claiming to be a daughter of the Emperor. She wants an audience with you."

"What did you say?" Kenshin replied; he wasn't showing it, but he was surprised. Everyone else was surprised as well, while Caesar was merely curious. "How did she get here?"

"She only has two girls with her, my lord, and they have come on foot. They seemed to have come in secret."

"I see..." Kenshin then thought a moment. "Prepare the princess a room and after she has rested some I shall see her."

"There's another thing, my lord. She wishes that Caesar-sama be present as well."

Caesar raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Kenshin looked over at Caesar. "Well?"

"Naturally, I will be present, since the princess requested it," Caesar replied and stood up.

"Where are you going then?" Kenshin asked with a skeptical look in his eyes.

"To fetch my wife, so she may be present too."

"Why is she needed?"

Caesar turned and smirked. "She is my queen and thus my equal after all."

Kenshin sighed. "I'm not used to your ways, but if you must."

Without another word spoken, Caesar then left to go back to Kai.

Kenshin's thoughts went back to their new guest. "I wonder if this has to do with the new threat within our lands..."

At Kai...

Ichihime was in the gardens enjoying the scenery. She was sitting in the pavilion where it was cooler; that was definitely one of Caesar's Western things that she enjoyed. She gazed at some birds singing, but her mind soon went back to Caesar which made her blush. He was now constantly on her mind and his show of affection didn't help any.

"Here's some tea, Lady Ichihime," Brutus informed; interrupting the princess's thoughts.

"Thank you Brutus," Ichihime said with a smile as she watched the lieutenant place some tea and sweets in front of her. "But why are you doing this? Don't you have other things to do?"

"I do this all the time for Lord Caesar and he requested I extend the same service to you."

"I see." Ichihime reached out and took a bite of one of the sweets. "So delicious! Did the twins make it?"

"Ah, yes. That's the one good thing they are about doing." Brutus then looked behind him. "Would you like one too?"

Hatsu jumped out from behind the tree; face red at being caught. "Uh, well..." Hatsu nervously laughed as she walked up. She turned her eyes to Brutus. "He's good..."

Ichihime smiled at the girl. "You may have one."

"Uh, okay, thank you, Ichihime-sama," Hatsu took a taste and instantly her face lit up. "So yummy!" she exclaimed.

Ichihime and Brutus laughed; it looked like Hatsu was in paradise.

Brutus then turned to Ichihime. "I received a message from Lord Caesar; he said that he will be here soon to take you to Eichigo."

Ichihime tilted her head to the side. "What for?"

"He didn't say specifically." Brutus glanced back over at Hatsu, who was still on cloud nine. "But he did mention a special guest."

"I see..." Ichihime then smiled. "I will get ready then."

At Eichigo...

Caesar led Ichihime to the main room at Uesugi Castle. He motioned for Ichihime to sit on a folding chair that was sat up by his. She looked nervously at Kenshin.

"Don't worry about it, Ichihime, you are my queen and thus my equal," Caesar encouraged.

"But Caesar-dono..." Years of grooming wouldn't permit her to easily accept that.

Kenshin looked up. "I don't mind. While I am not used to his ways, I'm used to him doing strange things." There was obviously another meaning there, which was a cut at Caesar.

"Thank you, Kenshin-sama," Ichihime bowed and sat down.

"So, Kenshin, do you know for sure she is really who she claims to be?" Caesar asked as he sat down.

"That I can't say," Kenshin replied. "We shall determine that when she comes."

It didn't take long as in a matter of moments Isehime and her two companions entered the room. All three of them bowed and then sat before Kenshin, not far from Caesar.

Isehime lowered her head. "Greetings, Kenshin-sama, I am Isehime, a daughter of the Emperor. I have come to you to offer a deal." Her voice was solemn and there was not a hint of emotion.

Kenshin looked down at the girl; trying to discern her. "What is this deal?"

"Let me first explain... The imperial palace was attacked."

All of Kenshin's men were surprised. "How?" one of them exclaimed. "That can't be!" "Is she even really a daughter of the Emperor?"

Isehime took out from her sleeve a golden chrysanthemum. Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "So, you really are the daughter of the Emperor." Kenshin sighed. "Any of you would be fools to not notice this..."

Kenshin's men squirmed uneasily.

"Please, continue, Isehime," Kenshin instructed.

Isehime nodded. "An army on foot came in the night. The men in war armors tried to fend them off and it should have been easy, but they wouldn't work."

Caesar eyes narrowed at that.

"Wouldn't work?" Kenshin asked.

"The war armors just stopped, there was no explanation and they overpowered us. There was no hope. I knew what they were after so I took it and escaped. I decided to come here as you are in an alliance with Caesar-sama of the West, and together you both are definitely the strongest force on the East Star."

"Do you know who attacked you?" Kenshin asked.

Isehime shook her head. "I have no clue. I didn't have the time to stay and see."

"What is it that you brought then?"

"This." Isehime placed her box down on the floor and opened it. She reached inside and took out a regalia. "I shall give it to you if you accept my offer." Isehime's eyes looked nervous and scared, but she pushed on.

"What is this deal?" Kenshin asked as he gazed at the powerful object.

Isehime looked fully up at him. "That you take me for your wife to insure that the imperial line continues."

Everybody gasped, but Kenshin and Caesar. All eyes though were on Kenshin. The Uesugi lord's men seemed to be silently urging him to accept. Finally their heir crisis could be cured if only he would agree!

"There are undoubtedly other branches of the imperial family," Kenshin finally said. All of his men were disappointed that that was what their lord said.

"I know, but I can't be sure that they won't be wiped out too..." Isehime said. "Only my hand maidens and I knew that I took it, and well, now all of you. Besides, you are the only one who I can go to anyways..."

Kenshin thought some more. He only had one regalia and the imperial regalia was very tempting... And if he were not to accept it then who would? The deal was entirely in his favor. All the princess really wanted was protection and the certainty of the imperial line continuing in some form. His mind was made up.

"Alright," Kenshin started. "I accept."

Isehime relaxed with visible relief. "Thank you, Kenshin-sama."

Kenshin nodded as he stood up. "We shall have the wedding ceremony as soon as possible." Kenshin then turned to the Western general. "Caesar, I wish to speak with you."

Caesar nodded and turned to Ichihime. "I will be back soon, Kenshin never speaks long."

Ichihime nodded and watched as her husband followed the Uesugi lord; around her she could hear Kenshin's men leave. She then looked over at Isehime, who was clearly nervous again. Her heart went out to her; she knew how the girl felt. She stood up and settled herself in front of Isehime with a smile.

"Isehime-sama, are you alright?" Ichihime inquired.

Isehime startled out of her thoughts and gazed up at the princess. "Are you Ichihime-sama?"

Ichihime nodded. "Yes, I am."

"So this is the famed beauty that kept the Oda from complete annihilation. I can certainly see why..." Isehime thought.

Ichihime reached out and touched her hand. "I know how you feel."

Isehime looked down. "It's okay, I am prepared."

Ichihime nodded; due to her own training she knew the princess would never say she was scared. She couldn't say it would be alright either as she didn't know how Kenshin would treat her. From what she got from the Uesugi lord he was cold and only cared for war. She had heard that even her brother had referred to Himiko as "a bonus" when he got engaged to her... and this wedding alliance was very similar. Though Nobunaga was certainly in more dire need than Kenshin was.

"If you ever wish to talk with someone, I am available," Ichihime offered; trying to comfort the girl.

"Thank you, Ichihime-sama, I appreciate the offer, and I believe I may take you up on that." Isehime smiled. "She really is perfect... She's married to someone so scary and yet she's still so dignified."

In another part of the castle, the giant war armor hangar to be precise, Caesar and Kenshin were alone to have their talk.

"Ah, so you will finally know the bliss of wedded life," Caesar started. "It is truly a wondrous thing, as husband and wife getting to know one another and find out things about the other that only they know."

Kenshin sighed and turned to Caesar. "I am not like you, Caesar. I wanted more than a pretty wife."

"Don't tell me you're really wedding the regalia?" Although Caesar joked about it, he knew it was basically true.

Kenshin shook his head. "Caesar what you speak of is such simple, mundane things. This is one reason I say you are not a warlord."

"But everyone needs a place of peace and finding someone who understands you and welcomes you home with a warm smile... you can't beat that."

Kenshin looked hard at the Western general. "You have changed since I first met you, and I don't know if it's for the better."

Caesar said nothing to that, but just smiled.

Kenshin sighed. "Anyways, what has me worried is what Isehime spoke about."

Caesar nodded; getting serious. "That is worrisome."

"Is there anything on the West capable of that?"

Caesar thought some. "Well, hard to say... The war armors were developed after King Arthur stopped the wars on the West. If there is, it wouldn't be known. The only thing similar was Himiko interfering with the ley lines."

"I see... So, we are in the dark until we figure this out..."

"Is there any pattern of who they attack?"

Kenshin shook his head. "Not every land invaded had regalia."

"I'll get Brutus to look into this, if anybody can spot some kind of pattern, he can."

Kenshin nodded. "Very well, and we shall keep researching ourselves. And by the way, do come to my wedding."

"So, you think of me as a close friend now? How touching," Caesar teased.

Kenshin narrowed his eyes; he wasn't going to even respond to that. "We don't know if Isehime was followed or not and they might attack during that."

Caesar nodded. "We'll be there then."

A/N: Okay, so more plot in this one! I hope nobody minds about the developments with Kenshin, but he is Date Masamune too, whose family was known for their dynastic marriages. This also explains why the Emperor isn't involved at all (I don't know how involved the emperor was historically, but in this series surely he would have had a regalia and war armor, right?), but more importantly it serves as a contrast between Caesar/Ichihime's marriage. I was very attracted to this idea just because of that. XD

Isehime, Asahi, and Matsu are in the Nobunaga the Fool game. Isehime has what looks like a chrysanthemum theme to her so I thought she would be good as a daughter of the emperor. All I could find of her historically was a poet. Asahi is Asahihime by Google translate, which I only found Saru's sister by that name, which is a bit confusing, but oh well. Historically she did live to at least be married twice (Saru forced her 1st husband to commit suicide so she could marry Tokugawa), her design was cute and I needed someone with Isehime. Matsu is Matsuhime by Google translate and I have no idea who she is. XD All I know is she has a move that has to do something with mirrors, so I chose her so Isehime would have a way of knowing what was going on. Originally I was going to have Isehime by herself, but that wasn't realistic so I went really realistic and had two 12 yrs. old girls with her (and she needed some girls with her like Ichi and Himiko). LOL Don't worry Asahi and Matsu will mainly just be there like Himiko's attendants are.