A/N: I heard it was confirmed that there was a Caesar/Ichihime story that we didn't see in the anime, but they wouldn't say anything about it and said to just use our imaginations...

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

Interesting Facts: Caesar's Quo Vadis is the name of a Christian historical novel that has movie adaptations. It's about a Roman, who falls in love with a foreign princess, who didn't like him at first. I do believe that Caesar's story with Ichihime is the reason for that name.

Disclaimer: I don't own Nobunaga the Fool.

Chapter 7

Ichihime awoke to the feeling of a comforting warmth and something firm beneath her... There was also a weight across her waist that she wasn't used to, but it wasn't uncomfortable... Her eyes slowly fluttered open and in her vision was something white. That wasn't unusual; she awoke to that color everyday if it wasn't the ceiling or window she saw. But what was different was that her "pillow" seemed to be breathing. Her eyes snapped open and she slowly raised her head up to see Caesar's face very close to hers. Too close. She blushed and looked away as memories flooded her mind.

"I must have really been out of it to do that..." Ichihime thought. She then tried to move, but Caesar's hold on her was too strong. She sighed as she gave up.

Then a deep chuckle came from her partner. She looked up to see her husband looking down at her with amusement in his eyes. "How long have you been awake, Caesar-dono?" Ichihime almost frowned; she didn't find this amusing.

"A while. I wanted to see how you would react upon waking."

"You always seem to get enjoyment from my discomfort, Caesar-dono," Ichihime admonished.

Caesar gave a laugh. "Ah, you don't understand, do you?"

"I'm sorry, I fail to," Ichihime replied dryly. Really, what was Caesar getting at?

Caesar gave her a slight squeeze. "Don't worry, you will. And one day, you will fall completely in love with me," he boldly proclaimed.

Ichihime shook her head. "You really are a confident man."

"But, of course," Caesar arrogantly smirked as he finally let her go. He watched as Ichihime sat up and looked at him with curious eyes.

"Really, are you scared of anything?" Ichihime inquired.

"Of losing you." Caesar was suddenly serious.

Ichihime looked in Caesar's eyes and knew he was telling the truth. Though after all he had done for her, she didn't need to look to know that it was. "Caesar-dono..."

Caesar then stood up and gave her a warm smile. "See you soon."

Ichihime smiled back as she watched him go into the adjoining room.

Outside of Caesar and Ichihime's chambers, Chacha, Hatsu, and Gou were waiting to be let in to assist Ichihime with dressing. All three turned when they heard footsteps coming their way.

"Is Lord Caesar not up yet?" Brutus asked.

Chacha shook her head. "No, they are not..."

Brutus turned to the door and sighed deeply. "Well, I wouldn't dare to wake up Lord Caesar..."

At that moment Caesar walked out, he was completely dressed save for his cloak. "Brutus?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Ah, Lord Caesar, I have a report and also Lord Kenshin wants to have a meeting with you in person," Brutus immediately informed.

"Ah, Brutus, you really don't waste any time, do you?" Caesar stated flatly.

"Just doing what I always do." There was a bit of confusion in his voice. Clearly it wasn't an unusual thing for Caesar to see him first thing in the morning.

"I know, but you can wait till after breakfast now, unless it's important," Caesar instructed.

Brutus blinked several times as he digested the information. This was unexpected. "Uh, sure... Yes, my lord."

"Well, since you're here, we'll go over it as I wait for Ichihime," Caesar relented as he took the clipboard.

Later, as soon as the door opened Caesar handed the clipboard back to Brutus. "Ah, Ichihime," Caesar greeted and bowed. He took her hand and kissed it softly like he did every morning. Ichihime still blushed by the act, but was getting used to having him escort her.

Brutus watched the scene with great interest. As soon as they left, the lieutenant smiled. "Ah, Lord Caesar really does treat Lady Ichihime special," Brutus mused.

The three sisters turned to him. "Is that so?" Chacha asked.

"Very much so. I have never seen him treat someone with such attentiveness as that," Brutus replied as he turned to her.

Chacha remained silent. It was clear she didn't know yet what to think of Caesar.

"Would you like to eat breakfast with us, Brutus-san?" Hatsu asked with red cheeks.

"Yes, thank you." Brutus laughed as his eyes landed on the middle sister. "Just don't expect me to be a great ally against Nell and Bianchi."

Hatsu blinked in confusion and then looked at her kimono. Instead of her usual white flower there was a familiar striped bow. "What!?" she exclaimed in horror.

Somewhere near they heard the giggling of two mischievous imps...

Later in the gardens...

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. As she gazed at some birds singing, she thought back to this morning. She was embarrassed at what she had done, especially since she had shown weakness which an Oda princess was not allowed to show. She sighed; she was just grateful Caesar was unlike Eastern lords and didn't mind. And truthfully, she didn't mind sleeping in his arms...

"Ah, Ichihime," Caesar voice interrupted her thoughts.

Ichihime smiled; her blush deepening a bit at the arrival of who was on her mind. "Welcome back, Caesar-dono!" She tried to cover up her embarrassment, but she was sure Caesar would notice...

Caesar paused, but soon returned her smile. "Ah, to have you welcome me back with a smile..."

Ichihime shook her head, though she was grateful he didn't say anything about her blush. "You really like to take note of small things."

"Ah, perhaps they seem small, but they are still precious and must be treasured."

Ichihime giggled. "You do have a way with words, Caesar-dono." Really, he could make something that was nothing seem spectacular if he wanted.

Caesar shrugged as he sat down. "As I have learned, it's not what you say, but how you say it."

Ichihime gave him a look. "Oh, so if you tell your enemies you will come and kill them in a charismatic way, they won't care?"

Caesar leaned back and folded his arms; a smug look appeared on his face. "Ah, I did that once."

Ichihime blinked in surprise. "To who?"

"Pharnaces II of Pontus. I gave a speech about conquering him and he didn't think I would. That was my swiftest victory and that how I started using the phrase "veni, vidi, vici" which means I came, I saw, I conquered." There was a dangerous glint in Caesar's eyes as he remembered that battle.

"I see..." Ichihime decided she should get him away from those memories so spoke her first thought. "You are a great speaker..."

Caesar shrugged. "I just know how to move a crowd."

Ichihime gave him a disapproving look. "And to worm your way into women's hearts."

"Ah, for it to work on you is all that I desire." Caesar teased with a smirk and a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Ichihime laughed. "You do like to tease, don't you?"

Caesar grinned. "Perhaps so." He then poured himself up some tea. They continued to talk some more as the day went on.

Outside of Takeda Castle...

Hatsu, who was in her ninja outfit, was just returning from the direction of Owari. By her skills of stealth, she easily entered the castle without anyone detecting her. Save for one. She didn't know that in the shadows Brutus was watching her...

Brutus followed Hatsu's figure with his eyes as she disappeared from view. "So?" As if on cue Nell and Bianchi appeared in the tree beside him.

"She went to Owari," Bianchi informed; his voice filled with his usual mischievousness.

"She went to see the strategist, Mitsuhide," Nell added in the same manner as she held up a finger.

"Oh? What about?" Brutus asked as he finally turned to them.

"She was telling him about the princess," Bianchi replied.

"He looked totally pathetic and his face was twisted with jealousy," Nell added.

"He's so obviously in love with the princess."

"How amusing!" Nell exclaimed and clapped her hands.

"Ah, but he's no fun. He couldn't even confess his feelings, I'm sure. What a wimp!"

Nell then laughed. "But it was funny to watch his reaction to the report of the princess!"

Bianchi joined in the laughter and almost fell over. "It sure was!"

Brutus had remained silent. This didn't sit well with him, but there were other important matters. He would look into this later. "Did she say anything else?"

The twins smiled down at the lieutenant.

"Not a word!" Nell exclaimed.

"Just about the princess. Though, I doubt he could have heard anything else with how much pain he seemed to be in," Bianchi smirked.

"So true! He's so miserable!" Nell laughed again.

Brutus hummed in thought. "I see. Well, I will still have to be careful around those three just in case. The Oda don't have a good opinion of Lord Caesar, so they could be planning something... It would be foolish as Lord Caesar is a much needed ally, but... there is no way I can fully trust them."

The twins both turned to Brutus again.

"That's why you're the loyal subordinate," Bianchi grinned.

"You are like a loyal dog," Nell added in like.

Brutus sighed deeply. "So be it then."

"By the way, I want lots of those special sweets you make!" Nell demanded as she leaned forward.

"And chocolate milk! Since we actually did this for you!" Bianchi added.

Brutus gave them a look before giving another sigh. "You do deserve it, I suppose."

"Yay!" the twins cheered and pumped their arms in the air.

Brutus then heard his name being called. A nearby soldier was looking for him and he seemed desperate to find him. "Yes?" he asked and stepped forward to get the man's attention.

The soldier ran up and handed him a letter. "This just came from the Azai."

Brutus wordlessly took the slip of paper and read it. His eyes widened at what was written. Nell and Bianchi both looked down and read as well. They then turned to each other and grinned.

"Things are about to get more amusing, Nell," Bianchi stated a bit darkly.

"They are, Bianchi," Nell agreed in like.

In the gardens...

"Don't you have to meet with Kenshin-sama?" Ichihime asked after a sip of tea.

Caesar smiled deviously. "I talked with him on the radio and turns out I didn't need to go see him."

In Echigo there was a certain Uesugi lord not happy with Caesar...

"I see..." Ichihime took another sip of tea. "What about Charlemagne?"

"There is no activity where he is at the moment. I decided to just stay on alert till he makes his next move."

"Hm..." Ichihime hummed.

"So, for the rest of the afternoon you will have to put up with me," Caesar teased.

Ichihime laughed at that. "That might be a tall order, Caesar-dono."

"Oh..." Caesar raised an eyebrow. "Are you picking up something from me?"

Ichihime grinned. "I can't always be a victim."

"Ah, but it's not a good trait," Caesar admonished in jest.

"So, you're admitting you have a bad trait?" Ichihime could barely suppress a giggle.

Caesar gave a good laugh. "It does tend to make some people less incline to like you, but no, in my case it's a good point as I can see so many amusing expressions on your face." he added with a flirty wink.

Ichihime laughed with a shake of the head. She was getting used to Caesar's teasing and was actually enjoying it. Just a short time ago she never dreamed the day would come when this would happen.

"Lord Caesar!" Brutus voice called out as he approached them.

Caesar turned his attention onto his lieutenant and a frown appeared on his face. He was not exactly pleased to see Brutus at the moment. "What is it?"

"Here, my lord." Brutus handed the letter to him.

Caesar's expression turned serious as he read over it. "I see..."

Ichihime became worried when she saw her husband's change in mood. "What does it say?"

Caesar looked up at his wife, but didn't smile like usual. It really was serious. "It appears the Azai Lord wants to have a duel to the death over you."

"What!?" Ichihime covered her mouth in shock.

"That's what it says," Caesar stated matter-of-factually. It was almost like he was expecting it...

"Lord Caesar, how will you reply?" Brutus inquired.

Caesar grinned as a dark glint entered his eyes; he became someone totally different than the caring husband he was around his wife. The dark look he had in his eyes promised that there would be a death and the one to die would be Hisamasa.

At Omi...

Charlemagne and Joan were watching the Azai lord as he got ready to depart. They clearly weren't the most impressed with what he had planned...

"He can't be serious..." Charlemagne said quietly in his native tongue.

"I didn't see him doing this..." Joan replied back in the same language.

"I know that Lady Ichihime is called the Beauty of the East, but it's not like she's the only beautiful woman in existence. I would understand if they were in love, but they haven't even seen each other... To top it off she's already married."

Hisamasa turned to him and pointed his fan in their direction. "Ichihime is rumored to be like no other woman in existence. She is clearly worth it! On my honor I will have her!"

Charlemagne leaned over to Joan. "He doesn't understand our language, does he?"

"I don't think so..." Joan replied.

Hisamasa folded his arms. "I can tell what you're thinking by looking at you."

Charlemagne and Joan shared a glance. They both understood and were thinking the same thing. They quietly left the room to let the Azai lord prepare without them.

"A duel to the death, huh?" Joan mused. "He really is too scared to face Lord Caesar in normal combat, but he must really want Ichihime to do this."

"Well, of course," Charlemagne replied. "If the Oda were so soundly defeated by him he stands no chance. And he's not big on the idea of relying on us any. How typique."

"Ah, but when you think of it from Lord Caesar's view point it is romantique," Joan pressed a hand to her cheek and sighed dreamily.

"True, true," Charlemagne agreed, but gave a bemused smile. "But I think that likely Caesar has something in mind that isn't exactly romantique."

Joan gave a short laugh. "Ah, how right you are. I can't see Lord Caesar gracefully accepting this. While he will duel for a woman, Lady Ichihime isn't just any woman and when he wishes to keep a hold on something, he's not letting go. He'll literally crush everyone else who may threaten to take it away."

Charlemagne nodded repeatedly. "And let's not forget when he did duel over that woman... Well, it was vicious... But then again other emotions were involved than just any type of feeling for her. In fact, his feelings for her weren't the main factor. Betrayal..." he trailed off.

Joan shuddered at the memory. "I don't want to see that again..."

"Well, I can't guarantee you won't, but I know betrayal isn't involved in this at least..." Charlemagne attempted to comfort her the best he could.

Joan smiled. "Yes, Lady Ichihime is undoubtedly a loyal and faithful lady. Very much unlike her..."

"There's no one like her." Charlemagne strongly stated like it was one of the most important truths of the world.

"...Do you think she knows?" Joan asked in a quiet voice like the woman would find out if she spoke too loud.

"Magellan's ship hasn't fallen from the sky has it?" Charlemagne stated flatly.

"...No..." Joan replied carefully.

"Somehow when she finds out I have a feeling we will know no matter where we are," Charlemagne dryly stated. "Unfortunately there is no escaping her, I believe."

"That would be funny if it wasn't true," Joan stated in like.

The sound of running feet interrupted their conversation. "A reply from the Takeda!" a guard called out as he ran to them.

Charlemagne took the letter and as soon as he read it his eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh? So, Caesar has agreed."

At Kai...

It was late at night and Ichihime still hadn't fallen asleep. She was sitting on the bed and every now and then she would worriedly look and the door or the window. Finally the door to their chambers opened and her husband walked in. She smiled when she saw him.

"You're still up?" Caesar asked; a hint of surprise colored his voice.

"Are you really going to fight Hisamasa in a duel?" Ichihime ignored his question and got to the heart of her concern.

Caesar deeply sighed as he walked to the window. He looked out in the direction that the Azai were to come from. "I already replied that I would."

"Why?" Ichihime pressed.

Caesar turned to her clearly curious to what she was getting at. "Why? Wouldn't any warlord here accept?"

Ichihime sighed. "Yes, but when have you followed that?"

Caesar laughed; she had a point. "Well, we do this on the West Star too. Besides Charlemagne is involved, I have to see what he has planned."

"I see..." Ichihime stood up and walked over to him. "I'm just worried about you."

Caesar looked into her eyes and her concern was very obvious, she was more affected than he thought. "Oh? You don't think I can win?"

Ichihime shook her head. "No, that's not it. I have confidence in your ability, but..." She placed her hands on his chest and leaned into him. She rested her head against him and her small hands fisted into his shirt. This act greatly surprised the general. "For some reason I feel uneasy..."

Caesar smiled and encompassed her with his arms in a tight embrace. "You have nothing to worry about," he reassured softly, almost a whisper.

Ichihime nodded, but she still wasn't convinced...

A/N: A bit of a history reference here. It was after Julius Caesar swiftly defeated Pharnaces II of Pontus that his "veni, vidi, vici" appeared. It was in a letter that he sent back to the Roman Senate.

French Translations:

Typique: typical

Romantique: romantic