I'm really sorry for the delay! I wanted to watch episode 24 first and see Caesar's character song before finalizing this chapter.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! blakraven66, stellaclaire, feiri, Night Blooming Rose, iconshade, Guby-san, Kohaku No Ama No Gawa, Guest, Animegirl426, Sock my Rock, TVD lover, loli-belle and jfs (Are you the same jfs from the myanimelist forums? Thank you very much for translating Caesar's and Ichi's character songs! I tried to incorporate them here.)

Make sure you have watched Episode 21 before reading! This chapter will heavily deal with that episode.

Disclaimer: I do not own Nobunaga The Fool

Memories of Rose

Chapter 2

The days went by slowly as Ichihime eagerly waited for news. By the end of the week, she had grown restless with worry; she had difficulty sleeping and could barely keep her food in, almost throwing up every morning. She found herself craving for sweet chocolates that, temporarily, calmed her nerves.

At night, she sought comfort by singing to herself as she gazed outside her window. Wishing—praying for his safe return.

Akechi Mitsuhide was his rival. The man was deeply in love with his wife.

In turn, Ichihime clearly held him dear to her heart, and Caesar would even go as far as guess that she had been in love with the black-haired strategist before he married her.

Thus, Mitsuhide's death would be more advantageous for him. Ichihime would definitely grieve, but Caesar would be there for her. He would be patient to comfort her, to shower her with love until she forgets her pain.

But still, Caesar found himself jumping after his rival, risking his life to save the man who could possibly take Ichihime away from him.

Because, in the end, he didn't even want to see Ichihime cry.

By the second week, the Takeda Clan was attacked by Chandra Gupta's fleet.

Ichihime could only watch in horror, the screams of the people and the creaking of metal armours filling the air, as the fire ravished the lands. Forced to flee the castle, she and her ladies-in-waiting traversed the rugged mountain path, barely escaping the assassins. And when they were almost cornered, help came in the form of Mitsuhide.

But another General from the West came and she watched helplessly as her brother lost himself in rage. Their powerful attacks shook the air and land, slamming her small body against a tree.

She was exhausted, her body had lacked proper nourishment and sleep for the past few days, her lithe muscles worn out from running. Her tears did not stop as she closed her eyes and succumbed to the welcoming darkness.

Caesar missed his wife.

Damn that Cesare Borgia for reminding him of the woman he left back in the East Star.

Was she waiting for him like she always did? Was she humming to herself as she busied herself looking over the various books in his library? Was she eating all his chocolates back home? She did develop a liking for the sweets. He couldn't help but grin to himself. He definitely needed to drop by his domain before going back to the East Star to replenish his stock.

When he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine her soft smile and her bright eyes—his heart clenched with longing.

Ah, he couldn't wait to get home. Because home had ceased being the West Star. Home was where she is.

He leaned back against his chair, his arm draped over his eyes. Captivity did not suit him. It gave him plenty of time to dwell on his thoughts.

Admittedly, he was a selfish person. He had wanted that beautiful woman he saw in the East, it did not matter if he would need to tear down villages, burn the land just to possess her. And he did, he forced her into marrying him. But still...still it was not enough.

Caesar had always been selfish. He also wanted her heart.

He looked at his gloved hands and he could almost see the blood that has stained them, all the bloodshed he had caused, the numerous conquests he was proud of winning. But his hands were also stained with the blood of Oda Nobuhide. And he wondered how could she even begin to open her heart to the person who killed her father?

Yet he remembered how she held his hands tenderly, her small hands grasping his as she told him that she was there for him. And he held on to that small glimmer of hope that she might have forgiven him, because Ichihime was like that, she was noble, and she was selfless.

In the little time they were together, Ichihime had become a precious person in his life.

And it scared him because he had thrown away everything—his lands, riches, title, prestige, ambitions—just for her. But what scared him more was that he did not regret it.

"I am the only one who can bring her happiness."

Caesar would strive to make her happy, to make her smile. Unlike Mitsuhide, he would continue to choose her everyday because he was already a man who had nothing to lose but her. She had become his light—his salvation and to lose her was to lose his humanity.

Ichihime was all he had now.

"General Caesar. We will be taking you." He raised his head to meet the palace guards. Heaving a sigh, he nodded and followed.

If he made it out alive, he promised to bake another Chocolate cake for her.

It was the Yamatai Queen's relieved face that greeted her when she opened her eyes. Gingerly, Ichihime tried to sit up, only to be stopped by the young Queen's hand.

"You must be resting," Himiko said softly. Ichihime nodded and settled down.

Beside her Da Vinci stood. "How are you feeling Ichihime-sama?"

She still felt slightly lightheaded but resting had restored some of her strength. "I am better. What happened..?"

"You fainted from exhaustion. Mitsuhide-dono brought you back," Himiko explained.

She really had been feeling weaker these past few days. "How is my Nobu-niisama?"

The young queen averted her eyes. "He is feeling guilty for Hideyoshi's wounds."

Worry crossed her face. "Is Hideyoshi alright?"

"He will live," Da Vinci answered solemnly.

Ichihime breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness.."

There was a moment of silence until Himiko exhaled deeply and moved to sit beside her. Ichihime's eyes widened questioningly as Himiko placed her hand on the Oda Princess's abdomen. There was unexplainable sadness in her eyes as she spoke, her voice quiet. "There's one more thing you need to know, Ichihime-sama."

Ichihime took a deep breath.

Himiko hesitated for a second before continuing. "As a Yamatai priestess, I can sense... energy. Life energy." She looked from her hand to the eyes of Oda princess. "You are carrying a child."

Ichihime felt her heart skip a beat. A child..? Her eyes widened as she carefully placed a hand against her abdomen. "I'm— Are you certain?"

Himiko looked at Da Vinci who nodded. "I am not an expert in physiology, Ichihime-sama, but I have a good grasp of Ley lines and energies. I can also feel it." His eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "There is another energy signature inside of you—it's faint, but it is there."

"Does... does anyone else know of this?" she asked softly. Himiko and Da Vinci shook their heads and Ichihime closed her eyes. "Can you..Can you please keep this a secret?"

Himiko shifted uncomfortably. "But my betrothed needs to know.. You're his sister!"

Ichihime grasped the sheets tight. "I will tell him myself after I inform Caesar-dono."

Uncertainty crossed the Yamatai Queen's face. "But we don't know if he'll be back.."

"He will be back," Ichihime said firmly. Because he promised her, and he never breaks his promises. "Himiko-sama, Da Vinci-dono, I.. I would like to be alone for a moment," she pleaded softly.

Reluctantly, Himiko and Da Vinci left, not without glancing one last worried look at the Oda princess.

When she was alone, Ichihime looked down, and her tears finally flowed. She was with child—she was carrying her and Caesar's child. The knowledge filled her with unexplainable joy and sadness. It was almost surreal—she and Caesar having a family of their own..?

She hugged he blankets closer to her body as she cried. She badly wanted to see her husband.

A few days later, Caesar finally came back to the East Star. But he did not return to her, and instead sided with King Arthur.

Ichihime knew there was something very wrong.

She tried to catch his eye, to read him as she sat down for the Peace negotiations, to try to understand what he was thinking. But the blue eyes that looked back at her were blank, without the warmth that he had often bestowed on her.

Her hand unconsciously grasped her abdomen as she painfully watched him leave, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

This was not how she wished their reunion would be.

It had been a while since she had stood underneath the Cherry tree in the gardens of the Oda Castle. She pressed her palm against tree's aging trunk, cherishing the memories she had with it.

"Ichihime-sama."

Ichihime turned to face Mitsuhide who stood a few feet away, his expression grim. She managed a small smile as she greeted him back, "Mitsuhide."

"How are you feeling?"

She was throwing up every morning, but otherwise she felt fine."I am well, thank you."

He continued staring at her, almost doubting her answer. He took a deep breath and stepped closer. "Have you talked to Caesar-dono?"

She averted her eyes. "No, not yet," she answered quietly.

He steeled himself before continuing, "Ichihime-sama, I know that you are pregnant. With his child."

Ichihime's eyes widened in surprise. She placed a protective hand on her abdomen. "How—?"

He shook his head. "It does not matter." Of course he wouldn't be telling her that her Ladies-in-waiting were always watching her and reporting back to him. "Ichihime-sama, Caesar-dono has left us."

"He has not!" She found herself responding indignantly. She closed her eyes. "He's—He's just confused.. that's all.. I know he'll be back."

His lips curled as he tried to control his anger. "He went back to Arthur. He left you, Ichihime-sama."

She covered her ears stubbornly. "He'll be back, I know he will. I just.. I just need to talk to him. Caesar-dono's just confused!"

Mitsuhide stepped closer and grabbed her arms. "Don't lie to yourself, Ichihime-sama! Don't you see? This is finally your chance to escape from him!"

"I don't want to!" Even she was surprised at her words. Mitsuhide's hold slackened. She bowed her head as she fought hard not to cry. "I don't want to.." she repeated brokenly.

He was looking at her in disbelief. Finally, he frowned. "Have you fallen in love with him, Ichihime-sama?"

Has she? Was it love that she felt for him? She thought of all the times they were together. She remembered his eyes that looked at her full of warmth, filling her heart with happiness, his lingering gaze patient as he seemed to see more than what she herself saw.

Her heart almost twisted painfully. Did he notice it too? Did he know of it even before she herself realized it? Of course he did, he was observant like that. She could never keep anything from him after all.

She could almost imagine Caesar grinning at her proudly, I know you'll fall in love with me soon enough. And it filled her with intense longing because she couldn't wait to tell him that yes, he was always right.

Caesar had been honest with her. In turn, she wouldn't hesitate anymore.

Amidst her tears, Ichihime smiled. "Yes, I love him." Her hand rested against her abdomen. "And he will come back to us."

She stood firmly in front of Western army, her shoulders squared. She needed to see for herself, to understand what has become of her husband and bring him back with her.

But Caesar kept preaching about equal love, a world of true peace without strife, a utopia that only King Arthur could create to save the world. Even with Mitsuhide's arrival, Caesar did not stop and even tempted the black-haired strategist to join his cause.

"Mitsuhide, you will be happier once you are part of this utopia...I love Ichihime, but you can love her as well."

Ichihime could feel herself tremble. How could Caesar say something as reckless as that? Was he implying that they could share her? What happened to the Caesar-dono who had whispered to her that she was only his, that man who held her with passion?

"..Let's go forth into a world full of true love—"

She stepped forward and slapped Caesar across the cheek.

Her tears fell, her shoulders still trembling. "I see now that the Caesar-dono I know..no longer exists."

"You give me no choice."

Ichihime found herself being pulled inside Quo Vadis. Caesar held her by the shoulder as he evaded when her brother and Ranmaru arrived.

"It is foolish to fight.. but If I must..."

The white-haired general raised his sword and her eyes widened. Caesar couldn't possibly be challenging her brother!

She watched as her husband and her brother fought, both men matching each other's blows.

"Your skills have improved."

"And yours have not dulled...But!"

She braced herself and clutched her abdomen protectively as her brother then brought down his sword, the power of the attack sending Quo Vadis skidding roughly away.

But Caesar was a man who did not give up easily. He stood up with a battle cry and continued to attack. Ichihime closed her eyes. Was there really no other way? Why must they continue to fight?

"Why won't you try to understand? Why won't you believe in love?! A world where everyone loved each other, equally, would be a world of true happiness!"

No... she didn't want to live in such a world. She tried to understand but it wouldn't really be true happiness— it would never make her happy. Ichihime couldn't even believe herself. Just for once, she wanted to be selfish—and selfishly, she did not want to be just another woman—she wanted to be Caesar's woman and that meant that he would love her above all others. She didn't want to love and be loved equally, she wanted more.

"What do you mean equal love?! The very idea of such a world makes me sick!" Her brother advanced and Quo Vadis was sent flying away.

Ichihime looked on with distress at Caesar who was now bleeding. "Please stop, Caesar. Right now, you cannot best my brother," she pleaded. It didn't matter anymore to her why he had changed. It didn't matter if he chose Arthur over her. She just didn't want him to get hurt any longer.

The blue eyes that looked back at her were full of resolve. "Even so, I cannot concede defeat. Who will protect you, then?"

Her eyes widened. Was he, in fact, still thinking of her?

"I want to save you. In order to save you, my only choice is to wager on the world King Arthur will create!"

He was doing all of this for her? He was following Arthur just to save her? "Caesar..you are a fool," she cried. She didn't need saving. He didn't need to burden himself just for her. All she wanted was to be with him.

"Why won't you understand..?"

Caesar, why won't you understand?

The communication line opened, and Nel and Bianchi appeared on screen. "Poor Ichihime-sama. You are too obsessed with the idea of living. You're being held back by those around you, bound by the curse of life."

"The curse of life?" she repeated tensely. Did they know about her child?

"To liberate Ichihime-sama, we may need to cut away everything that's holding her back."

"Everything that is holding her back...?" Caesar repeated and his eyes flashed manically. He unsheathed his sword with a cry and gathered all his energy.

He pulled Ichihime closer to him. "Ichihime, I will liberate you from this temporal life that has bound you in its chains!"

She watched in horror as Caesar shifted the canon of Quo Vadis to aim at the Oda Castle. Her eyes widened. "You wouldn't!"

The canon continued to gain power and his arm that held her tightened around her shoulders. She leaned against him in anguish as he raised his sword. No.. she didn't want this! She didn't want him to destroy everything just for her!

She wouldn't let him annihilate anything anymore. She wouldn't let him bathe in the blood of innocents again. She wouldn't allow him to go down that path once more.

Bitter tears traced her cheeks as her hand grasped her abdomen. She would stop him even at the cost of their life.

I'm sorry, my child..

With her other hand, she held on his hand that clenched the sword. "Brother, you must not hesitate! You will unite heaven and earth some day. Then you must not be swayed by the gravity of your destiny!"

She was leaving everything to her brother now.

"Ichihime, why?!" Caesar pushed her away and pulled her back against him.

Nobunaga advanced. "Well said, Ichi!"

She closed her eyes and clutched his chest. If he would destroy just for her, if he would stand against the way of her brother, then she would gladly die with him just to stop him.

Because she loved him.

Caesar trembled underneath her grasps. "I...I must save you, no matter what the cost! At least you Ichihime!"

She opened her eyes to look at him, at the man who had spiralled into madness just for her. "Caesar-dono.."

"Because I love you! With all my soul!"

She wrapped her arms around him tightly as she cried. "I love you too, Caesar-dono," she whispered, hoping that it would reach his ears. If this was his love for her, then she would accept it wholeheartedly even in death.

Nobunaga rushed forward and attacked, the blow breaking Caesar's mask.

"I've cut down the nefarious shade that is manipulating you!"

Ichihime carefully helped her injured husband out of Quo Vadis.

"Ichihime.."

"We finally meet again, Caesar-dono," she said softly, her heart almost bursting with emotions.

"Yes.. Ichihime, I have wished to see you again."

There were so many things she wanted to tell him. You're going to be a father, Caesar-dono! We are going to have our own family! Do you like that, Caesar-dono?

But it could wait. She would make sure that they would be making up for all the lost time. Right now, she was content to see his smile and the warmth of his eyes as he gazed at her full of love.

She grasped his hand closer to her chest. Her Caesar-dono was back.

"Run!"

"Blood! Show us more blood!"

Ichihime gasped as Bianchi jumped towards them. Caesar pulled her behind him and raised his sword to block Bianchi's attack.

"What are you—"

"Show us..your beautiful blood!"

Everything seemed to slow down as Ichihime watched the twins in horror, their eyes glinting maliciously. Nel, that little girl who sometimes made fun of her, raised a spear and threw it towards them.

There was so much blood—Bianchi's, Caesar's and hers—splattering all around.

"That was completely unnecessary. What a disappointment you are, Caesar!"

Nel pulled back the spear and Caesar screamed, dealing a lethal blow on the young girl.

Ichihime collapsed and she clutched her stomach, willing to stop the gush of blood. Her child.. oh my god.. her child! She sobbed. This couldn't be happening... there was so much blood, and she was getting weaker.

She looked over her husband who had collapsed a few feet away from her, his blood quickly staining his white cloak. He wasn't moving and it filled her with cold dread. This was all a bad dream... this wasn't happening!

Ichihime fell on her arms and knees. She had to be with her husband. Using her diminishing strength, she slowly crawled towards him. "Cae..sar..."

Each movement was painful, but she willed herself to reach him. She had to be with him.

She heaved a quivering breath and pulled him towards her. Her arms were shaking but she forced them to support him. Her tears wouldn't stop flowing.. there was just so much blood and he was cold to her touch.

His blue eyes that gazed at her were rapidly losing their light. "Ichihime.." he croaked and she leaned closer, her tears falling against his cheek like soft raindrops. "Ah..I finally see it now.. The happiness I desired... was precious time, spent with the one I love."

Caesar thought of who he had been before—an arrogant, selfish man who sought to possess everything in the world in search for contentment, to fill that void he felt. But no matter how vast his domain became, or how much his riches rose, or how much fame and honour he received, or how many women he pursued, it never was enough.

Until he met Ichihime. She had changed him, and she might not have even meant to do so. She had not only become his salvation—

She had become his happiness.

His sight was dimming but he tried his best to focus on her. She looked back at him with the warmth he craved for and it filled his heart with regret because he could clearly see the love he had strived to earn.

"What tragedy.. I.. had already obtained it.." he whispered as he raised his hand to touch her cheek. She grasped his hand tightly.

How much he wished that he had more time. But— He closed his eyes.

"Caesar-dono..." Ichihime wailed as she coughed blood.

She cradled Caesar's lifeless body in her arms and smiled sadly. They were given such a short time together in this lifetime. Still, she had been happy—she was very happy.

She looked at her brother. "Nobu-niisama. I was happy in life... Able to walk my own path until the very end.." It was getting harder to breath. "Nobu-niisama... you can bring happiness... and true peace to all...So trust you own path...until the end..."

She bowed her head and caressed her husband's face lovingly. Ah, what a tragedy indeed. He hadn't even known that they were having a child. They wouldn't be able to build that loving family she knew he wanted.

Her hands trembled as she grasped his cold palm. She was almost at her limit, she could barely feel her arms, her life slipping away rapidly. "Caesar-dono... I..hope to fall in love with you again... in another lifetime.."

Because she knew they would always find their way back to each other.

Epilogue

East Star, Year 2014

Oda Ichihime adjusted her skirt, the shorter length of the uniform foreign to her but she did not mind, as she joined her fellow students flock the school gates.

It was the first day of her first year in Senior High School.

To say she was excited was an understatement—she was ecstatic. Finally, her overprotective father had allowed her to attend a normal Public school rather than her old private All-girls school.

Finally, she would be able to attend the same school as her Nobu-niisama and their childhood friends, Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi. Her younger brother Nobukatsu was also entering as a first year in the Junior High section.

Suddenly, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, and when she turned, she was greeted by a beautiful red rose. Her eyes widened questioningly at the man in front of her.

"Is there something I can help you with?" she asked hesitantly.

The man stared at her curiously. He was a head taller than her, with white hair slightly longer on the right side of his face that just barely obscured his blue eye. He wore the same school uniform, the mark on the white collar signifying he was a second year student.

She almost gasped as he took her hand and placed the rose against her palm. He flashed her a handsome smile. "I'm sorry but I just couldn't help noticing that you are the most beautiful lady here," he spoke smoothly.

Her years in an All-girls school hadn't prepared her for such forwardness. She couldn't stop the blush rising to her cheeks.

The man seemed to enjoy her discomfort. He took a step back and bowed gallantly. "My name is Gaius Julius Caesar," his eyes glimmered confidently, "And you, my dear, will be mine."

The End

Even after being reincarnated, Caesar will always be Ichi's stalker XD

Thank you for reading and please do review! :D