Letters
Three months had passed since Naruto and Gaara discovered where their lovers were. The Senators had to return home. They would visit often and when they were away, they would send letters.
Of course these letters were addressed to false names, but it mattered not. Sasuke and Itachi knew they were for them. The two brothers treasured every message they received greatly.
"Itachi, the letters came today." Sasuke says as he hands his brother the one that was obviously intended for him.
"Ah wonderful news. I do miss him horribly." He muses and darts off with his letter, eager to find some privacy to devour every word.
Sasuke smiles. He couldn't blame Itachi. He shared his joy in reading the letters from their beloveds. Quickly, he opens it and his eyes scan the words across the page with the same happiness that a man dying of thirst in the desert, might show at finding an oasis.
Dearest Octavius,
I miss you greatly. You are the first thought on my mind when I rise and the last thought before I fall asleep. My Nymph, you even haunt my dreams.
I can not wait to see you again. Unfortunately, I don't think we will return to Rome for another month or more. The military campaign is going well, but it is a long one. I'd much rather be laying next to you than slaying some barbarians to extend our lands.
Tell me how you have been? Are you well? How fares your brother? Do you think of me, as much as I do of you?
Love, Naruto.
Sasuke smiles. Octavius was the name that Naruto had given him for their letters. He couldn't risk addressing him as Sasuke. He had no idea why or how the blonde came up with that name, but he was just happy to have some sort of contact with him.
Every letter he received, meant the blonde was still alive. Naruto was a powerful warrior. He didn't doubt that. But even Alexander the Great had died. Sasuke couldn't help but worry for his beloved's safety.
"Maybe I could talk him into just focusing on his Senate duties? No one would blame him. He's certainly won Rome enough land already. He'd be safer." The younger prince murmurs to himself.
"I don't know about that. Naruto is very dedicated to his troops." Shikamaru says and Sasuke jumps two feet in the air.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I just couldn't help but overhearing." The other Roman says with a reassuring smile.
Sasuke's heart slowly stops racing. By the Gods and the Goddesses, that man had nearly killed him! He feels his face heating up at having been caught talking to himself about Naruto.
"It's alright. The fault was my own, for not noticing your presence earlier. I know he's dedicated to them. I just don't want him to get hurt." Sasuke mutters.
Shikamaru nods. He knew that Temari was glad he wasn't in the military. The woman would have worried herself sick, especially now that she was pregnant. He could only imagine how difficult it was for the former slave.
"You don't have to apologize for something like that. You really do love him, don't you?" He asks softly and Sasuke nods.
He couldn't really explain the exact moment he had fallen in love with the bubbly blonde. It was foolish. Sasuke knew it was foolish. They had a kingdom to take back. Falling in love, would just put him and his beloved in danger. Yet, he had still done it.
"More than anything. He deserves better though." The dark haired man replies.
"Is this because you are a laborer? Sasuke, he loved you when you were a slave. I doubt he thinks any less of you, now that you are a freeman. Naruto has never really cared all that much for station." Shikamaru tries to reassure him.
"I'm cursed. Bad things happen to those that care about me. Let's just leave it at that. I know that I should be smart. I should reject his advances. I should try to reason with him, but I can't." He says with a heavy sigh.
Shikamaru places his hand on Sasuke's shoulder sympathetically. He wasn't really sure why the other man felt that way. But he felt that it was his obligation as his friend to offer some reassurance.
"I do not believe you are cursed. But even if you are, if anyone could find away around that, it would be Naruto. I have seen that man work miracles. Let your heart be light. Don't allow your fears to steal your happiness from you. I'm not aware of everything that happened to you while you were a slave, but I doubt you have the chance to be happy very often. You should seize this one." He states and walks off, leaving Sasuke to his thoughts.
If he was actually going to be with Naruto, Sasuke knew that sooner or later, he needed to tell him the truth. He just wasn't sure how the blonde would react.
Perhaps he would simply think that Sasuke was mad. Would he be angry that Sasuke had kept it a secret from him? Would he be happy? The youngest Uchiha just didn't know and that thought terrified him.
"I should tell him. I know that I should. But I'll have to talk to Itachi about this first. It's not just my secret to tell." He murmurs to himself as he thinks about the two most important men in his life, his brother and his potential lover.
Itachi had been the sole source of light during his time as a slave. There was only so much that his older brother could do for him in their former position. He had tried though. Gods and Goddesses knew that the eldest prince had tried to help Sasuke through everything. He was a good man.
Naruto was like the Sun to him. His world after his parents' deaths had been cloaked only in darkness. Naruto though, was a force of nature. Sasuke truly thought some days that the blonde would move mountains for him, if he asked. He couldn't lose either of them.
"I guess I better go talk to Itachi. He'll be in a good mood, since he will have just read Gaara's letter." He decides and sets off to find his brother.
Elsewhere in the vineyard, Itachi was reading his own letter. He smiles. Gaara always wrote him regularly. He actually wrote Itachi more than Naruto wrote Sasuke. Idly, he noted that wasn't a fair comparison. The blonde was on a military campaign, it wasn't safe to spend all day composing love letters. But it made him happy to receive the red head's messages, all the same.
Dearest Anthony,
I miss you greatly. If it were left up to me, I would have just stayed with you. But I suppose that is not fair to the people. I am needed in the Senate.
I hope you and your brother are well. I think of you often. How I wish that you could come to Rome and stay with me. But I understand that is not to be for the moment.
Everyday, I see lovers on the street and I can think only of you. How I wish that could be us. Someday, I am sure that it will be. I shall be visiting in two weeks time. Please wait for me, my love.
Love, Gaara.
Itachi smiles. Gaara had chosen to give him the name Anthony for their letters. Much like Sasuke, he was uncertain how the red head decided on this name for his beloved. He didn't care though. What mattered most was that his red head was thinking of him.
He sighs and glances at the letter. How he wished things were different. If his parents hadn't died, there would be nothing standing between them. (Well except for whatever woman he married, but Itachi was positive he could have worked around that.)
"Brother." Sasuke calls out gently.
"Sasuke, what is it?" He replies and walks over to the younger prince to see what was on his mind.
He knew that something was troubling Sasuke. The other Roman's heart seemed quite heavy. He looked very nervous for some reason.
"I think that we should tell them. They love us. We aren't being very fair to them. They should know what sort of danger they might be placing themselves in, by being close to us." Sasuke says in a voice that was scarcely above a whisper.
"You're right. I have been thinking on this matter a great deal. We will tell them the next time they arrive. Should they react poorly, we can use this time to come up with an escape strategy. It's a risk, but I feel that it is one that we should take. After all, they opened their hearts to us completely. We should do the same." He agrees.
Elsewhere Naruto was in the middle of a battle. The clashes of swords could be heard and arrows were flying everywhere. The sounds of frightened horses and men could be heard far and wide.
Warning Battle Scene
The formerly white ground that had been covered by snow, was now stained red with blood. Orochimaru was a madman. He had actually sent the Roman Army out to conquer more land during winter. No one fought in winter. It was crazy. Fighting during the Summer months was best. Even fall or spring, but winter was just asking for you to lose half of your army from hunger or frostbite.
"DIE!" A man yelled at him in a language that Naruto scarcely recognized.
He had learned one word really well though. That was die. This had to be the thousandth man to say it to him. Naruto didn't enjoy killing. He preferred not to, if given a choice. So he slashes his sword at him, cutting his leg badly enough that he fell to the ground.
"If you want to live, you'll stay down. If you don't, I gave you a chance to survive and you didn't take it." He states and darts off to help his fellow Romans more in the fight.
Blood and cries of pain where everywhere. It was Hell on Earth. Almost everywhere he stepped, he would step on a fresh corpse. He tried not to do this, out of respect for the dead. But it was nearly impossible.
Horses were spooked by the fighting and scent of death. As many men died from an enemy's arrow and sword, as from the mighty beasts hooves. Naruto idly noted that he had encountered no fewer than ten men, who had been slain from a kick to the head by the hooves of the war horses.
"There you are." Naruto growls once he sees the leader of the foreign army.
While he preferred his sword, Naruto had learned how to use arrows as well as the next man. He fires several arrows. One of them strikes true, flying straight into the man's skull. Naruto was positive that the arrow had flown straight through the man's brain, killing him instantly.
End Battle Scene
"VICTORY IS OURS!" Naruto cries out and the sounds of the Roman's celebrating their victory at the battle could be heard for miles.
Later that night, Naruto heads to his tent. He pours himself some wine and allows him a few quiet moments of reflection. The blonde Roman wondered if his letter had reached Sasuke yet. Even if it had and he wrote back immediately, it would still be several days before he received it.
"Gods and Goddesses, I miss that man." He mutters.
What he wouldn't give to have his Nymph laying beside him at the moment. But he knew it was for the best. If he had his way, Sasuke would never know the horrors of war. He wondered if the other man would still love him, if he saw what Naruto did on the battlefield.
He decided it didn't matter. Sasuke was never going to find out. He'd never let his Nymph set foot anywhere near the battlefield. He was too pure to be sullied by the horrors of war.
"I wonder if he's thinking of me, as I am of him." He murmurs as he hops into his "bed."
His bed was more accurately a pile of animal furs. Most of them he had killed during the campaign. It was just smart to supplement your rations with whatever you could catch during your travels.
Sasuke would have looked stunning against the large pelt of the black bear. His ivory skin against the dark fur, would have been magnificent. It would have been even better to be able to ravish him on it and then to lay in each other's arms. Then they could have forgotten whatever happened outside that tent, together. But it was not to be.
"He's probably strong from a life of hard labor. He's fast. Sasuke would have made a good soldier." He muses.
The blonde knew this was true. But he still couldn't bare to think of his Nymph in the middle of that gruesome scene. No. It was better this way. Sasuke was safe at the vineyard and would be waiting for him when he came home.
Meanwhile back at the Roman Palace, Karin raises an eyebrow at Suigetsu and Jugo. Whenever Suigetsu was around Jugo, it spelled chaos. The large orange haired man was usually rather sensible, until you got the loudmouth involved.
"Are you both insane? Why would I help you in killing Orochimaru's successor? Do I look stupid to you? Are you trying to get yourselves and me killed?" She mutters at them angrily.
"You know that this one has to be worse than Kabuto. Kabuto's no prize, but this one is a gladiator. He made his living by killing. Do you think such a man will be a kind master?" Jugo reasons.
Karin sighs. Well she could certainly see Jugo's logic there. But it was still insane. She didn't have a death wish. Trying to assassinate Sai, definitely qualified as having a death wish.
"Come on. We can do this. It wouldn't be the first time an "accident" happened at this castle." Suigetsu says cheerfully.
"You stay out of this. You are a bad influence on him!" She snarls at the other man.
Suigetsu gives her a dirty look. The woman was really smart, but she was also such a harpy sometimes! She knew he was right. Suigetsu didn't know why she was being so difficult.
"Jugo, if this is about HIM, I am truly sorry. But there's nothing we can do to bring him back. This will just cause all of us to join him sooner. Please think this through. You are taking a dangerous gamble here. Besides, who knows, maybe Sai will surprise us?" She asks gently.
Jugo sighs. He could understand why Karin felt skeptical. Still they had to act. They couldn't allow another madman to replace Orochimaru.
"Perhaps we can observe him for a few days and then decide." He offers as an olive branch.
Surely, once she saw what he was like, Karin would agree with Jugo. He didn't like to distress her. She had always been rather kind to him and her fights with Suigetsu were amusing.
"Yes, that sounds like a very good idea to me." She says and they agree.
Meanwhile in the throne room, Sai was speaking with Orochimaru. The Emperor was prattling on about the importance of royal functions and how they could be used to maintain your power. But if you didn't do them the right way, they could hurt you.
Sai had no interest in this. He was a fighter, not some hostess. He feigned interest though. The young man had learned from an early age, that it was important to do this. If your "superiors" didn't think you were paying attention, you would pay the price.
"Do you have any questions?" Orochimaru asks after about an hour.
"No. I think you covered everything quite thoroughly, your majesty." The younger Roman replies smoothly.
Quite thoroughly was an understatement. It had felt like forever. Still Sai understood the importance of playing the part of a good and loyal puppet. If he displeased Orochimaru, that meant he would displease Danzo.
Sai would much rather be killed than do so. Danzo could make Orochimaru look like a lovable newborn pup, when he got really angry. The gladiator suppresses a shiver at the thought.
"Excellent. In two weeks time, we shall make the formal announcement, declaring you my heir. It is important that you make a good impression on the public. Most are familiar with you from your time in the Arena. But this will be their first time seeing you as their future Emperor." The elderly man explains.
"Of course. I will do my best to bring you honor and to reassure them that you have made a wise choice, as you always do." Sai says.
"Very well. Come. Let us have our supper. The hour has grown later than I thought." He muses and heads off with his successor.
Orochimaru was pleased thus far. Danzo had certainly made an excellent recommendation. He was positive that he could mold the young man to suit his needs perfectly.
Sai nods and walks off with Orochimaru towards the Dinning Hall. He was always amazed at the grand feasts that awaited him there. He would have been happy, if he didn't know that Kabuto was likely plotting his demise. That was no real matter though, he'd just kill the silver haired man before he could kill him.
While this was going on, Gaara was finishing up his day at the Roman Senate. He normally quite enjoyed his job. He did love to debate the issues of the day with his other Senators. It made him feel important to help decide things that would impact the Empire.
Lately though, he was distracted. He was thankful that it didn't appear anyone had noticed yet, but was only a matter of time. It was nearly impossible for the red head to focus on his work. His mind would always drift back to thoughts of Itachi.
"Good work today, Senator Sabaku." Another Senator calls out.
"Thank you. Same to you. May the Gods and Goddesses protect you tonight and bring you back to the Senate safely tomorrow." He replies with a polite smile.
It was only years of practice, that allowed him to feign being focused. He was the furthest from focused that it was possible to be. He kept thinking about Itachi. How missed him.
He missed his beautiful smoky eyes. His soft hair. His lightly sun kissed skin. His muscles (he definitely missed those.) He missed their conversations. And most of all, he missed his soon to be lover's touch.
"At least the day is over." He murmurs to himself and quickly heads home.
He had sent out his letter to Itachi a few days ago. The Senator was positive it would have reached the other man by now. It would likely only be a few more days until he could hear from him again. And shortly after that, he could return to Temari's vineyard. They would be reunited.
"It's not that long. Only two weeks." The wealthy Roman says to himself as he prepares for bed.
His mind knew this of course. Two weeks in the grand scheme of things, was nothing. But every moment felt like an eternity. How he wished that he could take Itachi back to Rome with him.
He knew he couldn't though. Orochimaru would no doubt be looking for Itachi and Sasuke. Some days, he could barely believe it himself. But the brothers were actually the crowned princes of Rome.
"It would be selfish of me, to hide him away from the rest of the world. Rome needs them both." He mutters.
Yes, it was selfish. But it was hard not to give into that impulse. Itachi and Sasuke seemed perfectly content at the vineyard. Orochimaru was old. They would surely outlive him. Maybe after his death, they could reclaim their throne.
In the meantime, Gaara and Naruto could have them all to themselves. It did seem the logical, though selfish thing to do. He wondered if the people could handle waiting that long though. As much as he would love to see Orochimaru pass on, he figured the man would live at least another ten years. (Out of spite, if nothing else.)
"I just need to be patient." He says.
"Patient for what, My Lord?" One of his maids asks, peeking her head in.
Gaara mentally slaps himself. He had been talking to himself. The servant had heard him. Wonderful, now he would have to come up with a plausible excuse. He certainly couldn't afford to have his staff think he was going mad.
"Oh I am just excited to visit my sister again. That's all. Did you need something?" He inquires.
"No, My Lord. I was just making my nightly rounds. Is there anything that I can get for you?" She asks with a smile.
Gaara tilts his head, considering this. Well it would probably a good idea to surprise Itachi. He wanted to get him something. He knew that it couldn't be too expensive. If a laborer was seen with fine gold or silver, it would only mean he'd get robbed.
He would get him something meaningful. But what? Hmm, well the maid was offering. She could fetch him a seashell.
"A seashell." He replies simply.
"A seashell, My Lord?" The young woman asks in confusion, not sure she had heard him correctly.
Gaara nods affirmative. Clearly, she thought it a strange request. But one didn't live long, by questioning things. No, thank you. If he wanted a seashell, she'd simply get him one and leave it at that. What he wanted it for, she had no idea. It was none of her business though.
The red head smiles. He remembered Itachi telling him how he and Sasuke had once been at the beach with their parents. A seashell had been involved and he had kept it with him for years. It was the only thing the man had left from the time before he became a slave (other than his brother.) Unfortunately, he had to leave it behind, when they fled.
"I think he will quite like it." He decides.
He knew that Itachi hated to lie. The Roman was quite clever at lying by omission though. The Senator believed that the beach incident had happened. Itachi just neglected to mention that his mother was the Empress and his father the Emperor.
"I wonder if he'll ever tell me the truth of his own accord?" He muses.
It did hurt Gaara that Itachi hadn't told him yet. He completely understood. Even if the High Prince of Rome wanted to tell him, there was still Sasuke to consider. It wouldn't be just his life he would be endangering by trusting Gaara with his secret, but also his younger brothers.
The Senator sighs heavily. That poor man. He could only imagine what it was like. To go from being a prince of Rome to being nothing more than a common slave. It must have been humiliating and utterly frightening.
"How did he ever keep his sanity?" He wonders.
He supposed it didn't matter. The important thing was that Itachi and Sasuke had escaped. They were safe at the vineyard. They had him and Naruto to protect them now.
Perhaps one day, they would reclaim their birthright. The Gods and Goddesses couldn't be pleased about Orochimaru sitting on the throne. Gaara had always thought that they hated Orochimaru as much as he did. Why else would they deny the Emperor a child?
"Well I suppose it is a small mercy he's sterile. I can only imagine what he would have done to his heir before they reached adulthood." He mutters.
Five wives in ten years and not one child. As much as the Emperor liked to deny it, once you got to five wives…the issue was not with your wife. The issue was with you. But to say that out loud, would be nothing short of treason. There were few ways to insult a Roman male faster than to question his virility.
"Well other than to take his crown." Gaara says with a smirk.