Reunited
Sasuke had successfully managed to avoid being sighted by Naruto for a week so far. There had been so many close calls. The young Roman was sure that the blonde was going to cause his heart to burst long before he left. To make matters worse, he knew that the blue eyed Senator was going to be staying for at least another week.
"Itachi, what am I to do?! I can't go on like this for seven more days. He's going to see me." Sasuke beseeches his brother for advice while they were harvesting some grapes.
The eldest prince sighs as he plucks some more grapes. He had thought long and hard on Sasuke's situation. It was mostly out of pure dumb luck that Naruto hadn't discovered Sasuke was there yet. The fact that Senator Sabaku was now here also, complicated things further.
The two men appeared to be the best of friends. Itachi was certain that Nartuo would have told the red head that he was in love with the slave. He may even have given a thorough physical description of what Sasuke looked like. This meant that Sasuke had to avoid Naruto AND Gaara. ( Itachi was also doing his best to do likewise, just to be on the safe side). It was becoming exhausting.
"Sasuke, perhaps you should simply reveal yourself. Best you do it before he realizes you are here and that you were hiding from him." Itachi reasons.
"What if he turns us in? He's a Senator! Naruto might want me, but I doubt he's willing to risk angering the Emperor by not informing him that he found us." Sasuke asks.
He was terrified. What if he told Orochimaru where they were? What if he simply grabbed Sasuke or maybe both of them and took them to his home? Who would stop him? Temari and Shikamaru might not be slavers themselves, but would they really object if Naruto tried to take them? Sasuke didn't think so.
"Considering he challenged Kabuto, I very much doubt he'll want to turn us in. It would only a make it look like he planned to steal us, but lost his nerve at the last minute. I will go with you, if you are afraid of a beating…maybe I can shield you from the worst of it." Itachi offers.
Sasuke shakes his head. No, he couldn't allow it. If Naruto reacted badly to seeing him, he wouldn't allow Itachi to take his beating. Itachi had already suffered so much to protect him in the past. This time, he would protect Itachi.
"No. I'll go alone. If it looks bad, don't try to save me. Just run. Rome needs you more than I do." He says.
"Sasuke, I would never leave you behind. You know that." Itachi chides him gently.
"Just this once, for the good of the empire. I'm only one person. There are millions who need you to live. You are the high crowned prince of Rome. One day you will be Emperor. I hope to live to see it." Sasuke puts on his uniform and mask.
Itachi sighs. He nods with a heavy heart. Sasuke was a man now. He had to allow him to make his own decisions. He watches as Sasuke heads off to find Naruto.
Sasuke bites his lower lip. His heart was pounding so hard that he thought it might burst long before he found Naruto. That's when he spotted a familiar head of golden hair. He gathered all his resolve and slowly approached the other man. Naruto was sitting underneath one of the apple trees and reading a scroll.
"Hello. Does Shikamaru need something?" Naruto notices one of the laborers approaching him.
Sasuke shakes his head quickly. The blue eyed Roman looks at him curiously. He wonders what the beekeeper wanted.
"What is it?" He inquires in a conversational tone.
"Please allow me to speak after I've shown you my face." The slave muffles a reply.
Naruto blinks. He slowly nods that he would allow the other man to speak. His voice was so badly muffled by that mask, he could barely understand what he was saying. But he had to admit that he was intrigued.
Slowly Sasuke lowers the mask. The blonde's eyes widen. It couldn't be! Sasuke was ALIVE and standing right before him?! He had to be imagining things!
"Are you real or just a trick of the mind? Did I fall asleep and is this all just a dream?" Naruto shoots to his feet immediately.
"I'm real. You are not dreaming and your mind is quite well." Sasuke eyes him warily.
Naruto's face broke out into a dazzling smile. Sasuke had never seen anyone that looked so happy. The blonde grabbed him so quickly that it almost made Sasuke dizzy and wrapped his arms around the dark haired Roman tightly.
"You're alive." Naruto murmurs over and over again, holding him so fiercely that Sasuke lets out a quiet whimper of pain, his injuries still hadn't fully healed yet.
"You're hurt…" The General mutters and slowly loosens his grip on the other man, if only not to crush him.
Sasuke nods his head slowly. He was hurt. Of course each day, he felt stronger, but he had been beaten to within an inch of his life and had run without stopping for days after that. It was only natural he'd still be sore and Naruto was so strong, his embrace had nearly crushed him.
"A little, yes. But I am much better than I was before. You were just holding me a little too tightly. I was working in the fields before I came here. I am healthy." He assures Naruto.
"I have no idea how you ended up here, but you have no idea how much it makes my heart see to see you again. I thought you had died or that I'd never see you again, my beautiful Nymph." Naruto caresses Sasuke's face so tenderly, that he couldn't help but lean into the touch.
He was weak. Sasuke hated himself for it. But the second Naruto touched him, his body and heart responded. Part of him was leaping for joy to see the other Roman and to be in his arms again. He was happy to see a man who wanted him to be his slave, it was sick. He was sick, Sasuke realized.
"My heart is…heavy." Sasuke murmurs.
"You're worried you'll be caught. You won't be. I know that I was wrong last time. I shouldn't have confronted Kabuto like that. It just…I couldn't bare to see the way you had been treated. I wanted to protect you. That's all. Forgive me, my Nymph?" He asks.
Sasuke bite his lower lip. His heart and body was screaming at him to just say, Yes. But his mind was furious, he and Itachi could have died because Naruto had been so impatient. What right did he have to gamble with Sasuke's AND Itachi's life in the way he had?!
"I don't know if I can. I told you that he would kill me, but you didn't listen. It wasn't just my life that you put at risk. It was Itachi's as well!" Sasuke replies honestly.
"I will make it up to you, I swear. Is Itachi here as well?" He asks and Sasuke's eyes widen in terror.
Naruto had his answer. Yes, somehow Sasuke and Itachi had made it to Shikamaru's vineyard together. Sasuke was clearly still scared and perhaps even angry.
He had every right to be. He had behaved so foolishly. It was a miracle they were both still alive.
It made his heart ache to realize how much pain he'd caused the other man. He hadn't meant to. Naruto had only wanted to protect him. Still the fact that Sasuke had revealed himself to him had to mean something, right? Surely, he wanted to forgive him. He was even allowing himself to be held. There was still hope.
"Please Naruto, don't." Sasuke whispers.
"Don't what? It's alright. You don't have to be frightened anymore. I promise. I won't let him strike you ever again." Naruto promises him.
"Don't turn us in. Kabuto will have us killed for running away." He pleads with him.
Naruto's eyes widen. He couldn't be serious. Sasuke actually thought that he would turn the brothers in? What kind of monster did he take him for?!
"I would never do that. I made a mistake before when I confronted him, but I would never knowingly send you to your deaths like that!" The blonde assures him.
"Good and don't try to take us to your home." Sasuke whispers the last part.
Naruto blinks. He didn't understand. His Nymph didn't want to go with him? But he had revealed himself to Naruto. Why would he do that if he didn't want him?
"It's the first place Kabuto will look for us. He knows that you wanted us. He'd expect us to be there and I like it here, Naruto. I'm FREE! The work is hard, but I can come and go as I please. Shikamaru and Temari are kind. Itachi and I are HAPPY here. Please don't take that away from us." Sasuke pleads with him.
"I don't understand. I thought you wanted me to buy the two of you? I thought you wanted to be mine." Naruto says in confusion.
Sasuke bit his lower lip. How could he ever explain to Naruto everything that had happened since they last met? He had gotten his first taste of freedom in ten years. The youngest prince was reluctant to give that up, no matter how badly he desired Naruto.
"I did. I meant what I said. I did want to be yours. You've been so kind to me. I know that you didn't mean to endanger us. When you offered to buy us, I saw myself only as a slave." Sasuke begins to reply.
"And now?" The blue eyed Roman asks gently.
"I've tasted freedom, Naruto. I don't want to be a slave anymore, even if it is to a kind Master." He watches Naruto warily.
He knew there was a chance this could send the Senator into a fit of rage. Roman men in positions of power were used to getting whatever they desired on and off the battlefield. The blonde might very well make declarations of devotion when he thought Sasuke was submitting to him, but when he was actively rejecting him…that could be an entirely different matter.
"Why do you look as though you expect me to strike you?" Naruto asks him.
"I didn't know how you would react." He answers honestly.
Naruto winces. Damn it. His Nymph actually thought that he would strike him! Had he really come off as so…barbaric to the other man? Sasuke really thought that he'd beat him for not wanting to be a slave? In Sasuke's eyes, was he no better than Kabuto?!
"Sasuke, I'm not Kabuto. I would never hurt you. I love you. Yes, I'm…disappointed that you don't want to go with me. Are you sure this is what you want? If you went with me, you wouldn't have to break your back in the fields. You and Itachi could work in the house. I treat my slaves well. I adore you. You would never want for anything. I would NEVER allow anyone else to touch you. You'd be safe with me. Always." He promises.
"You say you love me, but you want me to be your slave. Perhaps you only want me when you know that I can't say no. You just want a pretty face and a compliant body. That's NOT love!" Sasuke hisses at him, suddenly angry.
Naruto didn't understand how this had all gone so terribly wrong. His Nymph was alive and safe, but he didn't want him. He had wanted him in the bath. What had changed?
He understood not wanting to be a slave. Who would want to be a slave? But Naruto would take such good care of him. He would be his lover. Who cared what title Sasuke possessed?
Sasuke was HIS. Naruto would make him happy, if the other man would only let him. It was becoming clear though, that Sasuke wouldn't let him. Another approach was needed.
"You're right. I haven't been fair to you. Of course you want your freedom. Anyone would. What if I offered you and Itachi work at my home? You wouldn't be slaves. You could be laborers. You would be freemen, just like here." Naruto offers.
"You mean that? Truly, you wouldn't make us your slaves? We could be free?" Sasuke asks.
Naruto nods. He'd do anything to have Sasuke again. He should have offered it in the first place. Sasuke would have come to him even more willingly then. But it just hadn't occurred to him.
In Roman Society, slavery was just such an automatic fact of life. It was accepted without question. If you were a slave that was that. Very few men or women ever rose or fell much further than the station they were born into.
"I mean it. I just…assumed that because I wanted you so badly and you agreed to be my slave, that was what you wanted. I didn't stop to think that you could desire something else. I want you to desire me because you want me, not just because you think I'll be a kind master and you're afraid of having a crueler one." Naruto says.
"Thank you, but we should stay here. Kabuto will have someone search your home, I'm sure of it." Sasuke whispers.
Naruto sighs. He knew Sasuke had a point. Whether it was only because he was worried about Kabuto or he just didn't want to live with Naruto, he wasn't sure. But he wouldn't fight him on this.
"At least I know where you are now. You won't run away from this place?" He asks gently and brushes his thumb over Sasuke's lower lip.
"Not unless it becomes clear that Kabuto is approaching or has sent trackers here." Sasuke says.
Naruto nods. That was to be expected. Of course if Kabuto showed up they would have to run for their lives.
"If that happened, where would you go?" He asks softly.
"To the forest. It's easy to get lost in there." He answers and the blonde nods.
"If it happens, stay in the forest. I would find you. I will always find you or you'll find me, as was the case here. I am saddened you will not return to my home with me, but I should very much at least like to feel your lips against mine once more…if you will allow it." The blue eyed Roman asks.
"I'll allow it." Sasuke murmurs and brushes his lips against Naruto.
The blonde didn't waste any time, taking what was offered. He wraps his arms around Sasuke tightly once more and kisses him deeply. Sasuke moans into the kiss. Naruto wasn't kissing him, he was trying to consume him.
His warm, soft lips against his were moving against Sasuke's in ways he could only describe as seductive. Naruto's kiss was hot, passionate, and adoring.
He'd never felt so desired before. Sasuke groans when he felt the blonde pick him up by the ass and push him against a tree. He wraps his legs tightly around the other man to regain his balance and continues kissing back.
"You still taste so sweet." Naruto breaks the kiss briefly enough to say before reclaiming his lips.
How he had missed this. By the Gods and Goddesses how he missed his Nymph. He wished that Sasuke would return with him back to his home, but he understood his reasons.
Naruto consoled himself with the fact that he could have Sasuke's kiss. He knew that the former slave still wanted him. Physically he could feel the other man melt into his administrations and that made him feel good. Things would work out. as long as Sasuke was safe, happy, and wanted him… that was all that mattered.
Unbeknownst to Sasuke and Naruto, they were being watched. Itachi had followed his brother. He promised he wouldn't interfere, but he had to know if his little brother was safe.
He watched as it all unfolded. Naruto's joy at seeing Sasuke. Sasuke's desperate pleas and his brief flash of anger. The blonde's attempts to convince the younger prince to leave with him. Sasuke's refusal. The blue eyed Roman's offer to employ them and finally the kiss.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Itachi hears someone ask and startled he falls from the tree branch he was sitting on while watching the pair.
He shuts his eyes and braces for the impact. He knew the fall wouldn't kill him, a few broken bones wasn't out of the question though. But it never came. Someone had caught him. He cautiously opens his eyes and sees it was Senator Sabaku. His mask had fallen off during the fall. Itachi mentally panics.
"What is?" Itachi inquires warily.
"I was going to say the sight of two people in love, but I'm afraid that Naruto and his lover can't compare to the sight of your beautiful face." He murmurs and gently sets Itachi down.
He couldn't believe his eyes. It was really Itachi. He was alive and seemingly well. He was…wary of Gaara, but he hadn't bolted yet. He took that as a good sign.
"You are too kind. Thank you for catching me." The dark haired Roman murmurs.
"You're welcome, but you are far too modest. I am Gaara Sabaku." He says, finally introducing himself to the man who he had loved from afar for years.
"I know. You're a Senator." Itachi's reply came swiftly.
Gaara blinks. He was shocked that Itachi knew his occupation. Perhaps it was possible he had seen the red head admiring him over the years and even learned his name, but to know his career? Slaves generally didn't follow politics. They would know who the immediate Emperor's family and their master and that was generally it.
"I heard Lady Temari and Lord Shikamaru talking about you a few times. I'm Itachi." He adds quickly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Gaara says, pretending that he hadn't been in love with him from the first moment he saw him many moons ago.
The red head wasn't sure if he was pleased that Itachi knew of him or not. There was no way of telling what his sister and her husband had said around him. It could be good, bad, or neutral. He had wanted to be the one to introduce himself to the gorgeous former slave.
The Senator decides it was best not to be picky though. Itachi was alive. He was well and he had been in his arms for a few brief moments. The Gods and Goddesses were feeling merciful today, it seemed.
"And you as well." Itachi replies.
He spoke too well to be a common slave, Gaara noted. Perhaps he used to serve a noble or a royal before working in the baths? It would explain a great deal. Itachi carried him with a certain regal demeanor that never left him, no matter how demure he made his posture.
"I think it would be a good idea to give them their privacy. Perhaps you would like to join me for dinner?" He inquires.
Itachi blinks. A Senator was asking for his company at dinner. Well the red head had saved him from a few broken bones. The least he could do was keep the man company while he ate.
"I'd like that." He says and follows Gaara.
Gaara's heart swells with joy at this answer. He leads the other man to the dining room. On the table was roasted boar. Temari knew it was one of his favorites and had some of the laborers prepare it just for him. (Well who wasn't fond of roasted boar? The red head was sure everyone would get their fill soon.)
"Eat as much as you like. I doubt they fed you well at the baths." Gaara says.
"You acted as if you do not know me, yet you knew that I worked in the baths." Itachi says.
"Naruto fell in love with a slave who escaped the baths. I knew he had a brother. When I saw Naruto with his lover and you watching them, I deduced you were the brother." He states.
Itachi raises an eyebrow. Gaara was quite clever. If Kisame hadn't told him about the Senator's affections for him, he might have believed that story, but he had. He debates about calling him on that white lie or not.
"You need not lie to me. I am aware that you saw me at the baths. I'm not certain why you didn't approach me as it was clear you wanted to do so." Itachi says and Gaara's eyes widen.
"You knew?" He asks.
"Not very long. A friend of mine noticed that you were looking at me. You are…shyer than your friend." The prince observes.
Gaara blinks. He didn't know how to respond to that. Itachi knew that he desired him. The red head had hoped to woo him. The Senator did not want to scare him by admitting how badly he wanted him so early. But it seemed Itachi knew.
"I wouldn't say that I'm shyer. Naruto has always been rather…bold in declaring what he wants. I will not lie to you further then. I didn't approach you sooner because I had hoped to buy you and Sasuke. I thought maybe…if I purchased both of you, you would grow to love me. I know how much your brother means to you. I would have treated you well." He says.
"That much I do not doubt. You're very devoted. Most give only a passing glance to slaves that they find attractive or take them to their bed once and forget them. You watched me for years." He observes.
Itachi considers his options. He could let the Senator down gently or accept his affections. The Senator was very handsome and clearly devoted. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have someone as powerful as him on their side. And he couldn't help but envy what Sasuke had with the blonde. He decides to indulge him.
"How could I not? You are the most beautiful creature that I have ever laid my eyes on, be they male or female." He admits.
"As I said before, you are too kind." Itachi saunters over to him, sitting in Gaara's lap.
He knew his boldness shocked the red head. He decided that was probably a good thing. That gave him some small degree of control over the situation, which was reassuring to him.
"You're still too modest." Gaara whispers and warps his arms around Itachi's waist.
"I'm free now. I prefer to stay that way. While I'm free, I can do whatever pleases me. It would please me to feel your lips against my own." He whispers into Gaara's ear seductively.
The Senator didn't need to be told twice. He quickly captures the other man's mouth with his own. He groans when he felt Itachi kiss him back.
His lips were soft as rose petals and his kiss tasted like a fine wine. The red head was quickly getting drunk with desire and glides his tongue along Itachi's coaxingly.
"Nhh." Itachi moans quietly into the kiss and deepens it.
He'd never been kissed like this before. It was so loving. The Senator's kiss tasted like strawberries and lips felt so good pressed against his own. It was all he could do not to moan like a harlot.
"Is there anything else that would please you?" He asks after breaking the kiss and caressing Itachi's cheek.
"I shall have to think on this matte, but right now you please me very much." He replies.