Our Freedom
The next day, Naruto returned to the public baths, carrying a basket. He frowns, remembering when he found out that Emperor Orochimaru wasn't even in Rome. He was visiting one of his Summer Villas.
So the blonde hadn't been able to ask him about the brothers. Still he was eager to see his beautiful Nymph again. His Sasuke.
"Do you know where a servant called Sasuke is? He is about my age. Dark hair, fair skin, and beautiful." The blue eyed General asks the Head Servant of the Baths.
"He's stoking the coals that heat the baths today. Perhaps I can attend to you instead?" She gives Naruto a seductive smile.
She was a beauty, Naruto noted, but no one could hold a candle to Sasuke. He shakes his head no.
"I want Sasuke to attend to me personally. I will make it worth your while, if you can arrange that." Naruto placing a few gold coins in her hand.
He realized this was playing dirty. It was likely more money than the woman had ever held in her entire life, but he wanted to see Sasuke now. Besides, it was nothing to Naruto. Naruto was a wealthy Senator. He didn't need to worry about a few gold coins.
"I will get him for you right away. Please wait right here." She says and dashes off excitedly, money truly did make the world go round.
A few minutes later, she returned with a very dirty Sasuke. He was beautiful even when covered in dirt, soot, and ash. Naruto noted that she hadn't been jesting about Sasuke being on coal duty.
Sasuke looked a little embarrassed about being seen in such a state, but Naruto didn't care. He smiles and reaches for Sasuke's hand. The dark haired Roman allows this and Naruto leads him off to a private corner of the baths.
"You came back." Sasuke whispers.
"Of course I did. I talked to your Master. Unfortunately, he says you and your brother were a gift from the Emperor. He's afraid if he sells you, that the Emperor will feel slighted. I was going to talk to the Emperor, but he is visiting his Summer Villa." Naruto explains.
"It's alright. I understand. You tried and for that I am grateful." Sasuke replies.
Naruto smiles. Well he seemed less afraid of the blonde today. That was a good start. Perhaps it was a good thing that it would take awhile to speak with Orochimaru. He could convince Sasuke that he would be a VERY kind Master to him while he waited for the Emperor's return.
"I promise you that will speak with him upon his return. Come, join me in the baths and eat with me." Naruto smiles as disrobes and gets into the water.
Romans were far from modest. The human form was not seen as something that should be covered up, but celebrated. Naruto certainly followed this philosophy and Sasuke could see why. His body looked as though it was sculpted by the Gods themselves.
"Don't be shy , my Nymph. Are you hungry?" Naruto gestures to the basket.
That certainly got Sasuke's attention. The bath attendants were rarely starved. They had to be strong enough to serve the patrons. That and patrons tended to be displeased by the sight of a half starved slave, but they were never given as much as they wanted.
Most of his diet consisted of bread, water, and sometimes wine. Once in a great while, they might get some fish or leftovers from whatever the farmers couldn't sell at the market. (As a last resort, they knew the baths would buy their food, for a fraction of what it was worth. Still, it was better than nothing.)
"Yes." He admits and disrobes quickly, trying to jump in the water before Naruto could get a good look at his naked form.
"Eat and drink your fill." Naruto hands Sasuke the basket.
His eyes widen. Inside was lamb, fish, oranges, apples, grapes, cheese, and two bottles of wine. To Sasuke this was the grandest feast he had seen since he was a small child back in the palace.
"Are you sure? This is very generous of you." Sasuke murmurs.
"When you're mine, you can have that and more everyday, if you wish. It's nothing to me. I would be a kind Master to you." Naruto says.
"I'd grow fat." Sasuke mutters in amusement and quickly eats a few grapes.
Naruto chuckles. He couldn't picture the other man as being fat. But it was nice to see the dark haired Roman relax around him, if only slightly. He had made a joke, though a small one.
"You wouldn't grow fat. I would keep you very busy in my bed, whenever I was home." He reaches for Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes widen and he tries to swim away. Naruto frowns. Damn. He'd pushed too far it seemed.
"Were you a Minnow? It would explain a lot. You're so beautiful and frightened. I am aware that the Emperor has a fondness for pretty young boys. He never keeps them beyond their thirteenth summer. I always did wonder what happened to them when they grew too old for his liking." Naruto asks.
The thought of Orochimaru bathing with Sasuke, filled him with a white hot rage. He was well aware of the Emperor's sexual preferences. Even by Roman standards, which were rather flexible when it came to what was socially acceptable, he was a deviant. If Sasuke had been a Minnow, it would explain his fear.
"No. I wasn't a Minnow." He answers.
"Good. You don't have to be afraid of me. If you were to give yourself to me, I would be as kind a lover, as I am a Master. I wouldn't hurt you. If anything I would teach you to crave my touch as I crave you." He saresses Sasuke's cheek.
Sasuke shivers at the declaration and the feeling of Naruto's hand. The blonde had a way with words. He was gifted with them.
That or he was just a natural seducer. He wondered how many the other man had charmed into his bed with similar sweet whispers.
"I know you would be kind, but it's not my decision. Only the Emperor can decide." Sasuke murmurs.
"Once he returns, I will speak with him as soon as he grants me an audience." Naruto promises.
"Thank you. May I keep the basket?" Sasuke asks.
"Of course. You wish to share it with your brother I imagine." Naruto says and Sasuke nods.
"Such a sweet Nymph you are. So kind and sad. With me you won't have to work underground stroking fires to warm bath water." He tells him.
"I don't mind heating the water. It's hot and dirty work, but it means no one will try to touch me." Sasuke says.
Naruto's eyes flash in anger at that statement. He hadn't really thought about it, but now he realized that Sasuke must surely have people trying to bed him every day. Who could blame them? Was that not his own intention?
"I didn't mean to upset you. Forgive me?" Sasuke asks.
"There's nothing to forgive. It just angers me that they could force themselves on you. I would be the ONLY one allowed to touch you when you are mine. No one else." Naruto practically growls.
"They don't force themselves on me. I'm too clever for them." His Nymph answers.
"What do you mean?" The blonde asks in confusion.
"There's a reason I usually feign being blind, deaf, or mute. It cools their desire. Not many want a lover who can't see where to touch them, hear their commands, or is unable to call out in pleasure or pain. " He explains.
"You are still…an innocent?" The blue eyed Roman asks.
When Naruto saw Sasuke give a nod, he just lost control of himself. Never before had he gotten aroused so quickly or had his lust been so hot. It felt like the Gods and Goddesses themselves had given Sasuke to him and only to him.
He quickly pulls Sasuke into his arms and crashes his lips down on the other man's. Naruto knew that he had startled Sasuke and he regretted that. But feeling no actual signs of protests, he decided to savor the moment.
He tasted like Ambrosia, Naruto decided. The nectar of the Gods and Goddesses. So sweet, pure, and utterly addicting.
"Mmm." Sasuke found himself moaning into the kiss.
The General was definitely skilled in seduction. He knew he should be terrified out of his mind and he was, but at the it felt so good. His warm, rough lips against his. The way Naruto held him tightly in his arms.
He felt desired, cherished, and protected. There was also a feeling between his legs that he had rarely had before. He recognized it as the first stirrings of arousal.
Naruto, much to his embarrassment, noticed. He smiles and breaks the kiss. Placing an affectionate one on his forehead. The blonde looked pleased with him.
"There. See? It can feel good to be touched. It doesn't have to be bad." He tells Sasuke and the long lost prince nods.
"I'll be back soon. I have to go and check on the troops. Give your brother my best wishes. What is his name?" Naruto inquires.
"Itachi." Sasuke answers simply and Naruto hops out of the water, dresses, and heads off.
After Naruto was done with troop training, he decides to visit with Gaara. The red head was another Senator and owned some of the richest vineyards in all of Italy. Thus while he might not be in the military, the military certainly depended on men like Gaara.
"Naruto, you seem even more energetic than usual. What has gotten into you?" The other man asks as he sips his wine.
"I'm in love." The blue eyed Roman confesses.
"That is wonderful news. Who has captured your heart?" The wealthy Senator asks.
"A slave." Naruto admits.
"One of your own?" Gaara asks.
It was fine to fall in love with a slave. Just as long as that slave belonged to you or someone willing to let you have them. Otherwise, it would end only in heartbreak.
"No. One of Kabuto's. He claims that he was a gift from Emperor Orochimaru. So I have to wait until he gets back to ask if I can have him." Naruto sighs.
"It is a strange coincidence. I confess myself also in love with a slave. He is owned by Kabuto as well. I have tried to buy him many times. Kabuto has refused all my offers." The other Roman replies.
Naruto blinks. It couldn't be. What would the odds be? He prayed to the Gods and Goddesses that Gaara hadn't also fallen for his Nymph.
"Is the slave's name Sasuke?" He asks.
"No. His name is Itachi." His companion replies.
"I-Itachi?! You're in love with my Nymph's brother?!" Naruto asks in shock.
"Your Nymph? What are you talking about? Naruto, you aren't making any sense." The red head says.
"My apologies. I call Sasuke, my Nymph. You'd understand why if you saw him. He's too beautiful to be human." The blonde mutters.
"I would say the same thing about Itachi. Why are you babbling about brothers?" The wealthy man raises an eyebrow curiously.
"Sasuke says his brother's name is Itachi and he also works in the public baths." The blue eyed General explains.
Gaara chuckles. He couldn't believe that they had both fallen in love with slaves. And somehow, the objects of their affection were brothers. The world was a strange place sometimes.
"It seems we have similar tastes." He mutters in amusement.
"Yeah. I seems that we do. Perhaps if we both ask the Emperor about it, he'll give us what we both want. He surely can't refuse his best General and one of the wealthiest men in all of the Roman Empire." Naruto says.
"Perhaps. I've admired Itachi for years. He's clever." Gaara muses.
"How is he clever?" The blonde inquires.
"He lies. Itachi tells the men that want him that he is diseased. I know this to be a falsehood. I followed him to the servants' baths once. He is in perfect health." Gaara smirks.
Naruto laughs. They really were brothers. Sasuke feigning blindness, deafness, or being mute while Itachi pretended to be sick. It was funny in a bizarre way.
"What amuses you so?" The red head asks in confusion.
"Sasuke pretends to be blind, deaf, or mute. He must take after Itachi in this respect. I wonder which is the elder and which is the younger. He didn't say." Naruto says.
"Does it matter?" Gaara asks.
"Not really. It is an idle musing. It would not matter to me. He is the one that I desire above all others." The blonde says.
"I feel the same way about this brother." His friend declares and Naruto nods.
There had to be a way. Surely, the Emperor would grant them these small requests. He had likely given away hundreds, if not thousands of slaves. What would it matter if two of them were sold after being given away?
Meanwhile, Kabuto heads to the public baths. Naruto had noticed Sasuke. He had to admit that he was a little impressed. He didn't think that Sasuke was bold enough to try to seduce a Senator to gain his "freedom."
Naruto was completely smitten. It was likely that he would have granted the slave almost anything he wanted, if Sasuke so much as smiled at him. Normally, he wouldn't have cared if someone wanted to buy two of his slaves. But these were the Princes. He had to care and he couldn't allow it.
"I want to see Sasuke immediately." Kabuto tells the head servant and she nods, coming back with Sasuke.
"Follow me." He says and leads him into a private room.
Sasuke swallows hard. He knew what going into a private room with Kabuto meant. The silver haired man only had eyes for the Emperor. So it couldn't mean Kabuto wanted to seduce him. This was going to be a beating that Kabuto intended to deliver personally.
"I have to admit, Sasuke. I am surprised. You seduced a Senator. I didn't think that you were that brave or should I say that foolish?" Kabuto muses.
"I didn't mean to. Naruto just finds me desirable and you always say it's best to go along with what the patrons want." He says quickly.
Kabuto raises an eyebrow. He couldn't blame the blonde for lusting after the young man. Gods and Goddesses knew that he had a pretty face. Perhaps Sasuke hadn't intentionally seduced Naruto. It didn't matter though. A lesson had to be delivered either way.
"I am not certain if I believe you. Perhaps you set out to seduce him and perhaps he was simply smitten by your face. Who can say for sure? It matters not though. You know that I can never sell you for obvious reasons and Naruto is extremely stubborn. That man has defeated armies that were five times the size of his. He is relentless." Kabuto explains.
"He won't push the matter once the Emperor tells him no." Sasuke says.
"You and I both know that isn't the case, but you to persuade him to forget the matter." Kabuto charges at Sasuke.
Sasuke was too swift though. He dodges and Kabuto smashes into the wall. Kabuto coughs up some blood and glowers.
"That was a foolish move on your part. I might have gone easy on you if you had accepted your punishment without compliant. Now, however, it is another matter. GUARDS!" Kabuto calls out.
"Yes, Lord Kabuto!" They all say and swiftly appear at their lord's side.
"Beat him. He attacked me." He states and walks away.
Sasuke was a skilled fighter, but he was no match again 20 trained guards. He fought for his life that night and when the morning came, he wished he had lost the battle. He'd never known such physical agony before.
Itachi rushed to him when he found out what happened. He helped his little brother as best he could. He found the bottles of wine that Naruto had given him the day before and gave them to Sasuke. Urging him to drink as it might dull the pain slightly and heavily powdered him.
"What happened?" He demands to know.
"Naruto asked Kabuto about us. He wasn't pleased. Kabuto tried to attack me. I dodged and he hit a wall. He called the guards." Sasuke mutters and winces in pain.
"Damn him." Itachi curses.
Later that day, Naruto came to see him. Sasuke froze. He didn't now what to do. He didn't want to hurt the blonde. But he also didn't want to die, as much as the thought had crossed his mind last night.
"Sasuke!" Naruto cries out happily and approaches him.
He frowns when the servant backs up as if he had been struck across the face. The blonde didn't understand. Yesterday, he was sure that Sasuke had enjoyed his touch. His manhood certainly had. Today, he was backing away from him?
"Sasuke?" He asks uncertainly.
"Naruto, please…" He whispers in such a low voice that the blue eyed General almost didn't hear him.
He walks over and takes him into his arms. Naruto's arms touched Sasuke's. He heard Sasuke hiss in pain.
He blinks. The Senator knew he wasn't holding him that tightly and why did Sasuke look even paler than before? He withdrew his hand and saw his bronzed skin was now covered in…powder and Sasuke's skin was marred in ugly bruises.
"Who did it?" Naruto demands, practically snarling in his fury.
"It doesn't matter. Just please, if you care about me as you profess to, you will stop pursuing me. They will kill me." Sasuke looks up at him with pleading eyes.
"I won't let them. It's alright. I'm here now. I should have been there when it happened. I should have protected you, My Nymph. I won't fail you again. I promise you that." He gingerly holds the man, so as not to hurt him further.
"They only were this rough because I was stupid. I resisted my first punishment. I shouldn't have. That only makes it worse. I know that." Sasuke says.
"It is NOT alright! KABUTO, I KNOW YOU ARE HERE. SHOW YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!" The blonde thunders.
"Naruto, please…don't do this." Sasuke begs.
"It's alright. You're safe now. I won't let them hurt you anymore." He promises and kisses the top of his head.
Itachi could only look on in horror. Fuck! Naruto had found out about the beatings and he looked like he was going to cause a scene. He had to get Sasuke out of there, if he didn't want his little brother to get killed. Maybe in the chaos, he could grab him and they could run.
"Senator Uzumaki, what seems to be the issue?" Kabuto asks and feigns innocence.
"I'll tell you what the issue is. You beat this slave to within an inch of his life because I wanted him. It's not his fault that I want to buy him. How fucking dare you?!" The blonde roars.
"He is my slave to do with as I wish. That is the law of our land. Just because you want him, does not mean I am required to sell him." He states in an infuriating reasonable tone of voice.
"Just because you want to keep breathing, doesn't mean I have to let you." Naruto hisses.
"You would threaten my life over some pretty little thing that you want to fuck? You would dare to threaten the Emperor's Chief Advisor? That is treason!" Kabuto warns him.
"If you would sell him and his brother to me, we wouldn't have an issue. I will pay you triple what the Emperor paid for them." Naruto offers.
"Naruto, you have served the crown faithfully for many years. So I will forgive this outburst, just this once." The silver haired man says.
"Just as I'll forgive you, if you sell them to me." The blonde replies.
"I am not going to sell my gifts from the Emperor." He states.
While they were fighting, Sasuke made eye contact with Itachi. The two brother slowly slink off into the shadows. Itachi gives him a nod and Sasuke takes that as the signal it was.
The Uchiha brothers take off running. They were running for their lives. They knew that Kabuto would never forgive them for Naruto's persistence. They could run now and hope to get away or they could stay and face certain death. Those were their options.
"I think he might have really loved me." Sasuke says as he collapses next to Itachi days later.
Both brothers had run until they couldn't take it anymore. Honestly, Sasuke had no idea where they were. It looked like a vineyard of some kind. At least the trees provided shade from the Sun and the fields were thick, that no one should be able to see them.
"It's alright. You're safe now. I won't let them hurt you anymore." Sasuke remembers Naruto saying and his heart suddenly ached, he missed him.
He should be happy. They were finally free, maybe. Sasuke should not be pining away for someone who wanted to make him his slave. Granted, Naruto seemed genuine in his promises to be a kind Master, but still.
"I think so as well. But it matters little now. We can't go back there. In a way, he gave us our freedom. We should drink to his memory." Itachi says.
"What do you mean? We have no wine." Sasuke replies.
Itachi smiles and pulls out a bottle of wine that he had smuggled underneath his robes. He hands it to Sasuke who takes several greedy gulps, as he was thirsty from their many days of running. Then he passes it back to Itachi, who does likewise.
"We should be safe here for the night. No servants will tend to the fields until first light at the earliest. We should get some sleep before we continue on our way. Our safest option is to make it to the forest." His elder brother says.
"Yes, the forest." Sasuke agrees and closes his eyes.
Itachi smiles. He knew that Sasuke had fallen asleep almost instantly. Oh how he wished that he could turn back time. How he wished he could have killed Orochimaru before their parents had been murdered.
Itachi wished with all his heart that they were both Princes of Rome once more and not just runaway slaves. Perhaps one day, they would reclaim their birthright. For now, he just desired sleep. So he closed his eyes and soon joined his brother in the land of dreams.