A/N: I will be going into Caesar's past along with the other Westerners (especially where Caesar is concerned) since nothing the series has done that yet (other than a mention here and there). I will be basing it on history and legend about them.

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

Interesting Facts: It is believed by some that Charlemagne inspired King Arthur's legendary Round Table as he had one with a map of Rome on it. Also, he had 12 paladins (knights) that served him.

Disclaimer: I don't own Nobunaga the Fool.

Chapter 3

That night Caesar returned home to Takeda castle. Inside he was immediately met by the giggling twins; their eyes were filled with a mischievous light. They were holding each other's hands and leaning against each other in their impish way.

"So, what was that all about, Caesar?" Bianchi taunted.

"The princess sure got you wrapped around her finger," Nell added.

Caesar turned away from them; never once losing his proud posture. "To protect the Oda lands was one of the conditions."

"Oh, and turning against King Arthur was one of them?" Bianchi prodded.

"To become a traitor was necessary?" Nell added.

Caesar shrugged. "It does not matter." He then left the twins, who continued to giggle at him. He ignored them, like usual, and went straight to his chambers. Outside the door he saw Chacha, Hatsu, and Gou sitting on the granite floor. That told him that his wife was in there which was what he expected. They lowered their heads in greeting before he entered.

Inside he saw Ichihime, in her sleeping kimono, by the window; gazing at the night sky. As soon as she heard him, she turned to him. Her eyes were anxious as she waited for him to speak. "Aside from a few minor injuries, your brother and everyone is fine," Caesar informed. "Their giant war armors got damaged though, especially your brother's, but I got there in time."

Ichihime smiled in relief. "Truly, thank you, Caesar-dono." Caesar nodded as he walked up to her. She studied him as he gazed outside. "You kept your word, even though..."

Caesar turned and gave her a small smile. "You would have killed me if I hadn't, right?" He then took her hands in his own and brought them up to his face. He kissed each one, which caused her to blush. "I couldn't let you live with that. You are too sweet to have your beautiful hands stained with blood."

Ichihime looked down in embarrassment. "What about you, Caesar-dono?"

Caesar smirked. "Ah, you are worried about me? I am delighted."

"You shouldn't take this lightly!" Ichihime frowned at him.

"I am a traitor and will be treated as such," Caesar shrugged; not concerned. "But don't worry; I'll make sure you won't get caught up in it."

Ichihime sighed. "You are always so confident, Caesar-dono."

Caesar chuckled. "I have learned long ago to never look back and only ahead. If not, one's life can easily be lost. One can never dwell on the past..." Though memories he rather forget came to mind.

Ichihime looked at her husband curiously. "Caesar-dono?"

Caesar shook his head to clear his thoughts. "You should go to bed. It's already this late."

"Caesar-dono?" Ichihime breathed. She blinked in surprise that he wasn't requesting something from her. All she could do was watch as her husband placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I do believe I told you that I wish to not force you in anything. I just want you near me. Rest soundly, my dear." Caesar then kissed her forehead, which brought another blush from the princess. He flashed her a smile and then left to get ready.

Ichihime watched her husband leave before she went to their bed. She slowly settled herself in; her mind was spinning with all that had happened. It didn't take long for Caesar to return. He settled on his side of the bed and wished her "good night", which she returned. She then turned on her side and studied her husband's back.

Caesar had given up so much when he chose her, she realized. She knew he was an ambitious man with high goals; comparable with that of her brother's. He was someone who seemed to not stop till he obtained the power he desired. But yet, he gave up his standing, his rank, his position, for her. And he wasn't requesting anything more than for her to stay by his side. 'What an unusual man...' As Ichihime got lost in her thoughts, subconsciously her hand moved towards him... She caught herself in time; a blush covering her cheeks as she realized she had almost touched him.

'I want to watch his figure as he changes...'

At Owari...

Nobunaga, Jeanne, Mitsuhide, Saru, and Himiko were watching as work was being done to fix the Fool, Orleans, and Goku. It didn't take da Vinci long to join them.

"So, how is it?" Nobunaga inquired without even looking at da Vinci.

Da Vinci turned to gaze at the giant war armor. "The Fool suffered the most damage and will take the longest to repair. Goku will take some time as well as the ice did some damage. Orleans is in the best shape as only the banner was affected."

Mitsuhide had a grim expression as he turned to the alchemist. "How long will repairs take?"

"That is difficult to say at this time, but it'll take a while."

"So, we can't even protect ourselves..."

Saru suddenly became panicked. "Does that mean we have to rely on Caesar to protect us!?"

Everyone looked grim at that prospect. Except one...

"I doubt it," da Vinci stated. "General Charlemagne will most likely go after General Caesar."

Mitsuhide was surprised. "Why? We are a perfect target."

"He would most likely wish to deal with General Caesar directly. And he tends to go by a knightly code of honor, so he won't attack us while we're down. Killing you during battle after immobilizing you is one thing, but to invade a defenseless place, he won't do. Besides he and Caesar have unfinished business that was left due to King Arthur ending the wars and becoming king of the Western Star. All Brothers of the Round Table were once enemies after all."

Mitsuhide sighed. "That's a relief, but I still want to be on guard."

"There was a woman with Charlemagne," Nobunaga suddenly stated. Everyone immediately turned to him; all showing their surprise.

"Is that so?" da Vinci inquired.

"Yes, I heard her voice. She was telling Charlemagne what to do."

"I see..." da Vinci stroked his chin. "I should have known she would come with him..." He then looked up. "That would be Joan of Arc, General Charlemagne's lieutenant. She often wields his Regalia of Water for him. She is also a genius strategist and is one reason General Charlemagne is so dangerous. That changes things."

Saru pumped his first in the air. "Then we just take her out!"

Da Vinci turned to the monkey. "Trying to do so would be pointless. If she is not inside with General Charlemagne she is in a position that you cannot reach. There is numerous dangers involving that."

Nobunaga nodded. "And if he does have a code of honor like da Vinci says it would be shameful to defeat him in such a manner."

Saru rubbed his head in an embarrassed manner. "Well..."

Nobunaga finally turned to da Vinci. "Does Caesar know this?"

"Si," da Vinci confirmed. "General Caesar knows General Charlemagne well and I have no doubt he is preparing for just that."

At Kai...

Caesar was once again talking on the radio with Kenshin. They were in the middle of a discussion of what was going on.

"So, you believe that Charlemagne will focus on you?" Kenshin asked.

"Yes, knowing him, he'll do just that," Caesar confirmed.

Kenshin gave a dejected sigh. "So things won't be that chaotic."

Caesar smirked smugly. "Looks like things aren't to your fancy just yet."

"What do you plan to do?" Kenshin chose to ignore his ally's comment.

Caesar stroked his chin as he looked over his map. He placed his finger where Charlemagne's camp was found and then moved it to a field that was between it and his Takeda castle. "I will set up a camp and meet Charlemagne in battle."

"Very well," Kenshin consented. "Keep in touch."

"Hm," Caesar sounded and turned the radio off.

"Caesar-dono," came Ichihime's soft voice.

Caesar turned to see his wife behind him. "So, you didn't bring your weapon this time?" He chuckled at what had happened just yesterday.

"What's so funny about that?" Ichihime nearly frowned.

Caesar waved his hand; a mischievous glint entered his eyes. "Nothing. You were actually pretty adorable." He chuckled again.

Ichihime huffed, which caused another chuckle that she ignored, and walked over to look at his map. "What are you planning to do?"

Caesar turned to the map. "Charlemagne will come to battle me, so I'll meet him before he gets here. That is the best place to fight him anyways. I will be leaving soon and I'm afraid I don't know how long it will be till I return."

Ichihime looked up at her husband. "I want to go with you."

That shocked Caesar. "Ichihime..." he breathed. He then shook his head. "I can't take you, it's too dangerous."

"I promise I won't get in the way." Ichihime's voice had turned authorative.

Caesar gave a rueful smile. "So, you wish to come to make sure I will keep my promise?"

Ichihime shook her head. "No, I trust you. After what you did, of course I do..." Her voice had gotten softer.

Caesar gave her a soft smile. "You have no idea how happy that makes me... but I'm afraid I can't."

Ichihime then looked up and met his eyes with her determined gaze. "I want to do what I can. I want to do my duty as your wife and stand by your side."

Caesar was taken back. She was a sheltered princess, but knowing what he did about her, she probably felt helpless. She wanted to do more. After a few more moments of contemplation, he sighed. "You may," he finally relented. "In fact it may be the safest for you to come with me..." He could never know if someone else with more questionable methods, like Cesare Borgia, would come from the West Star to deal with him after all.

Ichihime was shocked at first, but then her face lit up. "I will do my best," she promised.

Caesar smiled; pleased to see her happy, especially since it involved him. "Come to think of it, I do believe I will need you."

"Really?" Ichihime asked; excited by the prospect of being needed. She hadn't felt all that needed at Owari, but perhaps here...

Caesar smirked and leaned over. He placed his mouth right by her ear. "A man always fights his best when his beloved wife is watching, after all," he whispered seductively.

Ichihime's face instantly reddened to the color of a ripe tomato as she was stunned into silence.

Caesar chuckled, and gave Ichihime a quick kiss on the cheek, before he straightened up. "I will see you later, my dear Ichihime, I must make preparations." With that he turned on his heel and left.

Ichihime, now even redder, pouted as she placed her hand on her cheek where he had kissed her. But she found she didn't mind that much...

At Charlemagne's camp...

Charlemagne and Joan were inspecting the war armors of their subordinates as they got ready for the future battle with Caesar. They knew where the battle would take place and had set everything up for it.

"That cannon Lord Caesar has worries me," Joan confided.

"It does so for me as well," Charlemagne agreed. "Our execution of our strategy must be perfect if we are to defeat him."

Joan nodded. "It won't be easy..."

Charlemagne smiled. "Ah, we have been in this kind of situation before. Caesar may have conquered our country if it wasn't for you..."

Joan returned the smile. "We protected our country together and halted his advancement."

"And then not long after he had to return to his own country to defend it from Hannibal," Charlemagne rubbed his chin in thought. "I wonder why she didn't volunteer to come so she could have a chance to avenge her lost..."

Joan looked up at the West Star that was high in the sky. "Lady Hannibal will come to do battle with Lord Caesar. I know it."

"I see... So we can expect that..." Charlemagne replied solemnly.

"Lord Charlemagne!" a familiar voice called out. They turned to see none other than Brutus walking up to them.

Charlemagne's eyebrows furrowed. "Brutus... What are you doing here?"

"I have come to help deal with Lord Caesar, my lord. I have brought my own giant war armor and regalia to do so," Brutus informed as he came to a stop. His gaze was straight and there was no hesitation in his voice.

Charlemagne and Joan glanced at each other. "Is that so?" Charlemagne inquired. "In what capacity? Under me or on your own?"

"In whatever way it takes. My orders are to kill him for treason."

Silence followed.

Finally, Joan sighed. "Just be sure that what you choose, you won't regret. No matter which path you choose."

Brutus was shaken a bit, but quickly got his composure back. "I will."

Joan nodded while Charlemagne sighed. "Very well, do what you must." the general affirmed. "It's not like we have the authority to say otherwise, anyways..." he added more to himself.

Brutus bowed to Charlemagne and watched as the two walked away. He looked up at the sky in the direction that Caesar was. "I will end your life myself, Lord Caesar..."

At Kai...

Ichihime was in the gardens singing one of her favorite songs. It was a very calming song that soothed the nerves of any who heard it. She was nervous of the upcoming battle and this was the only thing that could help.

"Ah, how beautiful," Caesar's voice suddenly interrupted.

Ichihime jumped and whipped her head around. "Caesar-dono!" she exclaimed.

Caesar chuckled. "Did I startle you?"

Ichihime sighed. "I wasn't expecting you to be home. Shouldn't you be getting ready for the battle?"

"I'm taking a break," Caesar shrugged as he sat on the stone bench beside her. "Besides I wanted to check on you."

"Why is that?"

Caesar gave a knowing smile. "I figured you would be nervous and seems that I am right."

Ichihime looked away. "I am fine."

Caesar chuckled. "You won't even look at me and say that." Ichihime pouted. Really this man... She jumped when he took her hand. "Why don't you sing some more?" he requested in a soft voice.

Ichihime was about to say something, but his next action stopped her. He lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. Without moving, he looked up at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Her blush returned full force. Oh, how she hated what he did to her! All of her training on how to act proper didn't prepare her for the things he did.

Caesar laughed as he lowered her hand, but didn't let go. In fact he started lightly stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

Ichihime pouted. "How can I sing with you doing that, Caesar-dono?"

Caesar just smiled at her with amusement in his eyes; not saying a word. He was enjoying the effect he had on her.

Ichihime huffed; he was truly frustrating. She sighed and turned away from him as she gave up. After a few moments she started singing another beautiful song. At first she was a bit shaky due to Caesar, but quickly she got to singing like normal. She even found that what Caesar was doing was helping to soothe her. It really was comforting...

Ichihime stopped her singing when she felt Caesar's hold had gone limp. She turned and was surprised to see that he had fallen fast asleep. She became a bit irritated that after he requested her to sing, he just fell asleep, but it vanished when she saw how peaceful he was. He probably was sleep deprived, especially with all the battles he had been in recently and being in foreign land probably didn't equate to the best sleep. She smiled as she realized she was helping him. She was giving him the soothing rest he needed.

Ichihime jumped again when Caesar slid over with his head landing on her shoulder. She stared at the head of silver hair that was now a few centimeters from her face. After a few moments she smiled and looked out at the garden. She didn't release his hand, but tightened her hold...

A/N: The basis of what Charlemagne and Joan speak about of the past is historical. Hannibal did invade Rome and failed and Caesar did invade Gaul (France). While Caesar did conquer Gaul wide spread revolt forced him to leave.