I'll Be More Patient
Naruto breaks the kiss and smiles. He caresses his Nymph's cheek. The blonde still couldn't believe that Sasuke was alive and here. By the Gods and Goddesses, it was nothing short of a miracle.
"You shouldn't be working in the fields when you are hurt. Will you at least let me have a look at your injuries?" He asks softly.
Sasuke frowns. He wasn't sure that was a good idea. If Naruto saw them, he'd likely be enraged and there was really nothing the blonde Roman could do about it. The beating had already happened. It was over now. There was no point in getting angry.
He just looked so sincere though. Those blue eyes were full of concern and adoration. Sasuke knew he was a fool for doing so, but he found himself nodding.
"Yes, you can look at them. They are healing nicely. There's no reason to get angry. There's nothing that can be done about it now in any case." Sasuke warns him and slowly slides out of his protective gear.
Naruto winces when saw Sasuke's back and stomach. They were covered in bruises and the lashes from a whip. Maybe multiple whips. He could see that the bruises were starting to fade and the whip marks were no longer bleeding, but they were still red.
He felt a surge of white hot fury run through his veins when stepped closer and got a better look. Sasuke had such a beautiful ivory cream colored skin, so you wouldn't notice it at first. But there were old whip marks. The scars had faded and become a very light silvery color that blended almost seamlessly into his skin. This had not been Sasuke's first beating.
"There's no reason to get angry? Sasuke, there is every reason to get angry!" Naruto seethes.
"Do you not want me anymore now that my flesh is covered in scars? I heal well. After awhile you barely notice them." The dark haired man replies.
"Sasuke, I will always want you. I'm angry at them for hurting you like this. I'm not so shallow that I'd stop desiring you because of scars. I should have been there. I should have protected you." He whispers into his ear as he wraps his arms around Sasuke from behind.
Sasuke shivers. The feeling of Naruto's breath on his ear and the warmth of his body so close to his, was incredibly erotic. The youngest prince had no doubt that if Naruto had his way, he'd probably drag him off to his bedchamber, and lock the door behind them. He'd likely never let him leave.
The young Roman wasn't sure why Naruto wanted him as badly as he did. This had gone beyond mere lust though, he knew that. That look of pure joy on Naruto's face when he discovered that Sasuke was alive, couldn't be faked. No, the Senator's feelings for him ran deeper than mere physical desire. Sasuke just wasn't sure why or how it had happened.
"Doesn't matter now. I'm free. I'm here with you." He murmurs and leans back into Naruto's hold.
"Yes, it does matter. But you're right in a way. You're safe now. That's what matters most. Do you have any idea how much I've longed to hold you since you ran away?" He asks and wraps his arms around his Nymph tighter, as if afraid to let him go.
Sasuke decides it was probably best to distract Naruto. He turns around and wraps his arms around the blonde's neck. The dark haired Roman lays his head on Naruto's shoulder, as if seeking reassurance.
Naruto, he realized, loved to play the role of the protector. In this case, that was something that Sasuke was willing to take advantage of. Besides, it did feel good to be cherished in such a way. It would be all too easy just to give in and let the blonde take care of everything. Sasuke couldn't though. He still had a birthright to reclaim.
"Yes, I'm safe now." The Uchiha agrees.
"I should probably get you some medicinal cream or something. Those look painful." Naruto murmurs and Sasuke nods.
"Will you wait here while I go get it?" The blonde asks and Sasuke promises him that he will.
He could indulge him in that at least. It would be good to get some actual medical care for his injuries. He was damn lucky he hadn't gotten an infection already, he realized.
He smiles as he watches Naruto walk off. Sasuke was relieved that the blonde understood. He understood that the prince wanted his freedom.
"Temari, do you have any medicinal cream, one of your laborers could use it. Seems like his last employer whipped him." Naruto asks.
"Oh yes, sure. Should be in the dinning room." She answers, Naruto calls out his thanks, and heads to the dinning room.
He blinks when he stumbles upon Gaara sitting in a chair, with a handsome dark haired man in his lap. They were locked in a passionate kiss and Gaara was gripping the other man's backside rather firmly.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted the cream." Naruto mutters a hasty apology.
Itachi practically jumps out of Gaara's lap. This causes the red head to frown. He shoots a dirty look at Naruto.
"It's alright, Itachi. There's no need to be afraid of Naruto." Gaara assures him and mourns the loss of his future lover's lips against his.
"Really sorry. Just wanted to get Sasuke some cream for his back. That's all." He says and grabs it, awkwardly edging towards the door.
"Thank you for tending to my brother." Itachi murmurs and Naruto nods, racing out of there.
Damn. Gaara was probably going to kill him later. He knew how much the red head adored Itachi. He'd watched him for years. And somehow the second that Gaara had him in his arms, Naruto walked in. Oh yeah, the other Senator was probably going to beat him bloody later.
"He didn't mean to walk in on us or to startle you." Gaara says soothingly and Itachi nods.
Gaara reaches out his hand to Itachi. His intention was to get the other man back in his lap and to continue where they had left off. The eldest prince takes his hand and soon reclaims his seat.
"I know that. I'm just anxious. Every time I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye, I think it's Kabuto or a tracker." He admits.
"That's horrible. But you are safe here. There's no reason for them to suspect you came here. They would think you went to Naruto's home, if anything. The odds of them stumbling upon you in this enormous vineyard are almost nonexistent. Rest easy." He tells him.
"I find that is much easier to do in your arms." Itachi says and Gaara smiles as he holds him.
The red head offers Itachi some boar. The other man eats it gratefully and leans into his hold. There was something very soothing about the other man's presence. For some reason, he felt like the other man would actually try to move mountains for him.
"Good. It makes my heart glad to hear you say that." Gaara murmurs and kisses Itachi's cheek.
"And mine to hear you say that." The elder brother replies and enjoys being close to his new companion.
It was tempting. It was very tempting. He and Sasuke could just stay at this vineyard. He was certain Gaara and Naruto would visit them. They could be free and have their lovers.
They could just forget about everything. Orochimaru was already an elderly man by most Roman Standards. Perhaps he would die of old age and they could reclaim their throne then?
Sasuke could be happy with Naruto. He could be happy with Gaara. It would be a simple matter to just wait out Orochimaru. But still, his conscience knew it would be wrong. The people of Rome would suffer while they were hidden away, enjoying the affections of their lover. Orochimaru might lead Rome to ruin long before then.
"Your heart seems heavy." Gaara comments.
"It is. I am worried about the future. That is all." Itachi admits.
It wasn't a lie. He was worried about the future. He just couldn't tell the red head why yet. Maybe in time. It wasn't just his secret to tell. He had Sasuke to consider.
"You don't need to worry anymore." Gaara assures him and Itachi smiles.
Meanwhile Naruto heads back to Sasuke. He lets out a sigh of relief when he saw the other man hadn't fled yet. Sasuke could be a very…skittish Nymph at times. Though judging by the lashes on his back, he had very good reason to be.
"Did you think I wouldn't be here when you returned?" Sasuke asks softly.
"It crossed my mind, yes. I'm so happy you are though. This might sting a bit. But I promise it will help you heal much faster. Can you lay on your stomach or sit? It'll make it easier for me to apply it that way." Naruto asks.
Sasuke nods. He sits down and lets Naruto get behind him. The blonde starts gently applying the cream. He winces when he heard Sasuke's quiet hiss of pain.
"Sorry. I know it's painful, but this will help you get better." Naruto tells him and kisses the back of his shoulder.
"Mmm I know. It doesn't hurt as much when you kiss me like that." The dark haired Roman replies.
Naruto smiles. Well at least his Nymph was safe and allowing him to touch him. He wanted nothing more than to scoop up the other man in his arms and take him to his home.
He'd protect him from the outside world. Sasuke shouldn't be subjected to such cruelty. No one should, but especially not his Nymph.
"Good. How's that feel?" He asks as his hands drift lower to some of the more…vicious lashes.
"It stings. But that just means the medicine is working. Thank you for helping me and keeping our secret. Most wouldn't." Sasuke whispers.
Naruto would do anything for the former slave. He was going to tell him that to, when he saw IT. He blinks. There was a marking on Sasuke's lower back. He hadn't noticed it before because it was coated in dried blood from the whip markings. He cleans it off and stifles a gasp.
That wasn't a tattoo. That was a birthmark. THE birthmark. The one that only the royal family had. It couldn't be.
"Naruto? Are you alright? You're being quiet. You're never quiet." Sasuke says with an amused chuckle.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Let's get you bandaged up and you can put your shirt back on. Probably not good to expose your back to the hot Sun when it's still healing." Naruto says.
Sasuke nods. He allows Naruto to bandage him and then pulls his shirt back on. He smiles and the blonde and captures his lips in a quick kiss.
"I think that I'm falling in love with you." He admits and Naruto smiles, caressing his cheek.
"Good because I'm already in love with you, my beautiful Nymph. I swear this time I'm going to protect you." He says and returns the kiss.
"Naruto! Dinner is set." Temari calls out suddenly.
"Oh great!" The blue eyed Roman says and leads Sasuke inside the home to dine.
Sasuke smiles and sits down to eat. He blinks when he saw Itachi in Gaara's lap, but it seemed his brother was more than happy to be there. So he decides not to comment on it.
Gods and Goddesses, it felt so good to have a real meal. The boar tasted delicious. The food was so good that for a few moments, all thoughts of the potential danger he and Itachi might face in the future, left his mind.
"The harvest is quite good this year." Shikamaru comments.
"It'll have to be. The Emperor wants to try to take some more land this year. It's going to be some vicious fighting against those barbarians. If it weren't for people like Naruto, we would never manage it." Temari says.
"That's kind of you to say, Temari. But the Gods are on our side and that's that. We'll always win out in the end. No one can stand to the might of the Roman Empire." Naruto says cheerfully as he shovels some food into his mouth.
"I confess I may be visiting more often." Gaara muses as he runs his fingers through Itachi's hair.
"That's the slave you were talking about?" Temari asks and Gaara nods.
"He's not a slave anymore though. He's a free man." The red head states and Itachi smiles.
Sasuke privately mused that it was amazing how quickly Gaara had gotten that concept. It had taken a little longer for it to sink in through Naruto's thick skull. But he was glad that it did. Maybe things would actually work out.
"It's late though. Itachi, Sasuke you should both get some rest. The harvest won't pick itself." Shikamaru advises and the brothers head off, much to the disappointment of the Senators.
"Hey, Gaara come to my bedchambers and we can have some wine before bed?" Naruto asks.
"Alright." The red head says and follows his friend to his bedchambers.
Naruto leads him there and shuts the door behind them. He quickly pours them each a glass. He takes a large gulp of the wine and then releases a heavy sigh.
"What troubles you? You should be beaming with happiness, not sighing in such a fashion." His friend inquires.
"It's Sasuke." Naruto mutters.
Gaara raises an eyebrow. Sasuke had seemed in good spirits at dinner. It didn't look like the two of them had quarreled. What could be upsetting Naruto so greatly?
"What about him? He's here. He's safe. Sasuke seems to be returning your affections well enough to me. What is the matter?" The Senator asks.
"I was treating his injuries on his back when I saw a birthmark." The blonde says.
Gaara raises an eyebrow. Naruto was upset about a birthmark? Of all the silly things to be concerned over. He had never thought his friend was that shallow.
"Birthmarks are quite common. I wouldn't think on it." He replies.
"It was THE birthmark, Gaara. The ROYAL birthmark." The blue eyed Roman clarifies.
Gaara's eyes widen. It couldn't be. But the only ones who could possess that birthmark other than Orochimaru were the Princes of Rome. But they had died years ago.
"You don't think that he's…THAT Sasuke do you?" The red head asks.
"It's the only explanation. He's the same age the youngest Prince would be, if he survived. And he has a brother, who is called Itachi and would the same age if the High Prince had lived. I think it's really them." The blonde says in astonishment.
"Does he know that you believe he's the long lost prince?" Gaara asks.
"No. He doesn't. I didn't know what to do." Naruto admits.
Naruto was panicking on the inside. It all made sense now. No wonder Kabuto wouldn't sell them. They were princes of Rome! But how had they ended up as common slaves? It didn't make any sense.
"If he hasn't told you, it's because he doesn't want you to know right now. If you confront him, he's going to bolt and so will Itachi. I know it's selfish of me to ask you not to inform them yet, but I am going to ask anyway. Please don't tell them until we figure something out. I just found Itachi. I don't want to lose him again." The red head practically begs.
"I won't for now. Itachi and Sasuke are lucky to be alive. Last time I jumped in without thinking. This time, I'll be more patient. I'm not going to put him or Itachi in danger again." The blonde promises.
"Thank you." Gaara replies.
Meanwhile Orochimaru had returned to the palace. He summoned Kabuto to his royal audience chamber. To say that the Emperor of Rome was displeased, was an understatement. He was infuriated.
"HOW COULD YOU LET THEM ESCAPE?!" He roars at his most faithful servant.
"I didn't mean to! Naruto was quarreling with me. They ran while I was distracted. I'm sure that we will get them back. Please forgive me." Kabuto begs and gets on his knees in the ultimate gesture of submissiveness.
Orochimaru twitches. He couldn't believe that Itachi and Sasuke were free. Gods and Goddesses only knows where they ended up. He would like to think that they had died from exposure to the elements or that a wild animal would get them, but he knew better.
The Gods and Goddesses had never been that kind to him. If they were, he would have been the eldest son. He wouldn't have had to kill his own brother and his wife to assume the throne that rightfully should have been his in the first place. Oh no, he was positive that his dear nephews were still alive and he had to find them.
"I can not believe you would be so careless. Do you know what this will mean if they somehow reveal their true identities to Rome?! We would both be executed for treason." He hisses.
Orochimaru had never been so furious in his entire life. There was a white hot fury rushing through his veins. He hurls his goblet straight into the wall. A loud CRASH is heard and the red wine spills all over the floor like blood. Orochimaru's lips twitch upwards at the irony.
If only he had killed them when he had the chance. None of this would be an issue. But oh no, he had wanted to taunt his brother from beyond grave. He wanted to make Fugaku suffer in the worst way he knew how. Making the crowned princes of Rome into slaves, was the ultimate humiliation for both brothers and for deceased emperor.
"I know, Your Highness. They can't have gotten very far though. I had beaten Sasuke badly the day before for seducing Naruto. Well perhaps he didn't seduce him. I now think that the General merely fell hard for his pretty face." Kabuto muses.
"I DON'T CARE HOW HE SEDUCED HIM! I CARE THAT THEY ESCAPED, YOU IDIOT!" Orochimaru practically seethes at Kabuto.
Kabuto gulps. He knew that there was a very real chance that he might not get out of this throne room alive. Surely, there had to be some way to save his life.
"I've sent trackers to Naruto's home. It's possible they went there. He did want to buy them after all. Perhaps Naruto was simply quarreling with me to give them the chance to escape to his home?" The silver haired man suggests.
Orochimaru raises an eyebrow. If it was anyone else but Naruto, he would have to concede Kabuto had a point. But Naruto was Naruto. He would never be that manipulative. The blonde was a very much direct person. He'd never be that sneaky.
"Perhaps they will find something useful at his home. For your sake, I hope they do. You know what happens to people when they've outlived their usefulness, don't you Kabuto?" He inquires.
"Yes, Your Highness. I swear to you that we will find a way to make this right. The brothers will be back in your possession shortly." He promises.
"See that you do or it will be your head that is cut off from your body and not theirs." Orochimaru replies.
He dismisses Kabuto. He wanted to kill him for his error. But Orochimaru was anything but a fool. He realized the other man was far more useful to him alive at the moment than dead.
It was difficult. It was so very difficult. But he had to control his anger. He had to channel his rage. He couldn't lose his head in this situation.
"This time, I won't make the same mistake. This time, I will have them both killed. I can not allow them to reveal themselves. If they do, it will mean the end of me." He mutters.
Orochimaru sighs. He looks around at the beautiful throne room. Truly, he was the most powerful man in the world. Rome was the mightiest empire that the world had ever seen. He was not going to give up his rule!
He smirks. Oh it would be a glorious day when he found them. He couldn't for the light to leave their eyes. Then no one could threaten his rule.
"It's a pity that none of my wives sired any children." He mutters.
The Gods and Goddesses were clearly against him. He had taken five wives in the past ten years. Each had failed to produce a child, not even a daughter. If he had an heir, that would make things much easier.
Orochimaru loathed children, but he realized the value of an heir. An heir was everything. He would have to choose a successor, but who to choose? Who could he possibly trust to rule after he died?
"Kabuto has proven himself unworthy of the offer." He mutters.
Originally, that had been his plan. Kabuto was loyal. He was intelligent. He would certainly rule in the way that Orochimaru would have himself would have.
"But if he can not even keep two slaves from running away, I can not trust him with ruling an empire." Orochimaru says to himself.
This was a most troubling turn of events. The dark haired Roman realized that he was not a young man. While it was still possible for a man to sire children at his age, it was less likely. And if he did, his child surely wouldn't be grown by the time he died. A Regent would be appointed and that would be unacceptable.
"Kimimaro would be a good choice." He murmurs.
No, he couldn't give the crown to him either. The sickly man might not even make it long enough to be crowned. He had once been a proud warrior, but had come down with the Plague. Somehow, he had survived it. But it had left him permanently weakened. Kimimaro wouldn't due.
"There must be someone." He says and racks his brain.
He'd need to choose someone intelligent, but also someone he could manipulate. Loyalty was of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, he tended to inspire fear more than loyalty.
This was normally not a problem with the elderly man. But it would be when he was dead. After he was dead, there would be no more fear of him. Whoever he chose, had to be loyal.
"I shall think of someone. For now, I must find Itachi and Sasuke. The sooner they are dead, the safer my throne will be." He decides.