Your Secret is Safe
A little over a month had passed since the brothers had decided to tell their future lovers the truth about their origins. Naruto had just arrived in the vineyard and Gaara had already been there for two weeks.
They had privately agreed to wait until the blonde showed up to confess. There was no point in telling Gaara and then waiting two weeks to do it again with Naruto. Once would be traumatic enough.
"My Nymph!" Naruto says and swings Sasuke around joyously.
Sasuke smiles. He lets himself enjoy the affections of the blue eyed Roman. The former slave honestly didn't know much longer he would be privileged enough to receive them.
Itachi chuckles. They were adorable, truly. He leans into Gaara's embrace. The elder Uchiha was sitting in the red head's lap, content to listen to the other man speak about his latest adventures in the Senate.
"It does bring my heart great joy to see Sasuke so happy." Itachi whispers to Gaara.
It was a beautiful sight. The way that Sasuke's eyes had shimmered with happiness at seeing the General. Naruto's eyes also were shining with happiness.
"And it gladdens my own, to see Naruto so joyous." The red head agrees.
He smiles as he watches Sasuke be spun around like a rag doll. It didn't seem as though the younger prince minded the semi rough treatment at all. If anything, he seemed to be basking in it.
"I missed you so much." Naruto says and hugs him tightly.
"I missed you too. B-But that's a little too tight. C-Can't breathe!" Sasuke says and squirms.
Naruto lets go of Sasuke. He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. He didn't mean to squish him that tightly. It was just so good to see him again. He wanted to make sure that his Nymph wasn't just a dream.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to hold you that tightly." Naruto murmurs his apology and caresses his cheek.
"It's alright. Don't fret on it. You may not want to hold me anymore after Itachi and I, tell you the truth." He whispers.
The blonde blinks. What did Sasuke mean by that? Would could he possibly tell him that would make Naruto not want to hold his Nymph anymore? It didn't make any sense.
"I'm sure whatever it is, it isn't nearly as bad as you think." He tries to assure Sasuke.
Sasuke just shakes his head. He takes Naruto gently by the hand and leads him over to Itachi and Gaara. The young prince takes a deep breath and sighs as he braces himself to reveal what apparently he thought was a rather dark secret. (It was at this point, that Naruto began to really worry.)
"Itachi?" Gaara asks uncertainly.
"My love, I ask only that you hear us out. What we are going to tell you will sound like the ravings of two madmen, but I swear that it is the truth. I swear it by the Gods and Goddesses and on our parents' graves." Itachi whispers and caresses his cheek.
Gaara blinks. What could possibly be on his beloved's mind that he would feel the need to evoke the Gods and Goddesses AND his parents' memories as proof of his sincerity? He could only nod mutely and gestures for him to continue.
"I swear it as well." Sasuke says and he steals what he suspects might be his last kiss from Naruto.
Naruto kisses back. He didn't understand. One minute Sasuke was joyfully reuniting with him and the next he was terrified of something. What could possibly scare him this much?
"We have never actually lied to either of you, but we have kept a secret. A very large one. Telling you this might put your lives in great danger and if you do not wish to see us ever again afterwards, Sasuke and I do understand. Truly, we do. We'll leave and never bother you again." Itachi says in a rush and Sasuke nods, confirming what his brother was saying.
"My love, you are being foolish. Why do you think for one moment, that either of us would want you and Sasuke to leave?" Gaara inquires and frowns.
"The reason that Kabuto wouldn't sell us is because the Emperor sold us into slavery. He wanted to humiliate our parents, even after their deaths. The only mercy we were granted is that he sent us to the bathhouse, instead of two a brothel." Sasuke says and Itachi holds his hand to Gaara, letting him see the Royal Mark.
Sasuke sighs. He pulls his shirt over his head and stands with his back facing Naruto. Without the blood and grime on him, the Mark was displayed rather prominently. There was no mistaking it for anything, but what it was.
Gaara grabs Itachi by the hand and pulls him closer. He kisses him heatedly. The eldest prince's eyes widen in surprise, but he returns the kiss with equal passion.
"I'm glad that you decided to tell us the truth. We've known for awhile now." Gaara murmurs after breaking the kiss.
"Y-You did?" Itachi asks in disbelief and the red head nods.
Sasuke blinks. WE have known for awhile now? That meant that Naruto knew who he really was as well, didn't it?
Naruto pulls him back against his chest. He wraps his arms around him protectively. The blonde places gently kisses along his neck reassuringly.
"I saw the Mark when I was treating your injuries, my Nymph. I remembered what happened the last time I rushed in, without a plan. You and Itachi were lucky to survive my impulsiveness. Truthfully, I did not want to tempt Fate a second time. So we said nothing." The blonde admits.
The brothers couldn't believe it. They had know for MONTHS and hadn't said anything in all that time. Neither knew what to say. They were both rendered speechless.
"We would never knowingly put you in danger. Silence seemed the best way to protect you." Gaara continues.
"You aren't angry with us?" Sasuke asks in confusion, once he could speak again.
"No. You really had no reason to tell us the truth. It was a great risk and for potentially nothing. I'm glad you finally did though. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me and you will always be safe with me." Naruto promises him.
The younger prince turns around. He captures the blonde's lips in a heated kiss. He couldn't believe it. It felt like an elephant had been lifted off his chest. He felt so relieved. Sasuke thought he might actually pass out .
Naruto smiles. He returns the kiss and holds his prince. Things would be better now. There were no more secrets between them.
"Thank you." Itachi whispers to Gaara and kisses his beloved with just as much passion.
"I would never harm you or your brother. You should know that by now. You're safe and so is he." Gaara murmurs after returning the kiss.
Itachi smiles. He shouldn't have doubted him. It was just such a great risk. He didn't know how the other man would react. Now he knew. Gods and Goddesses was he relieved.
"So now that we know, are you ready to take back your thrones?" Naruto asks Sasuke.
Itachi blinks and turns his head to look at the blonde, as if he had sprouted a second head. Was the man mad? Had he completely taken leave of his senses? How were they ever supposed to take back their throne, while Orochimaru lived?! It would be nothing short of suicide to try.
"Naruto, we are only two men. Four if you count yourself and Senator Sabaku. There isn't going to be any taking back of the throne. The only way we could do it and live, is if Orochimaru died." Sasuke tells him.
Gaara shakes his head. That didn't sit well with him. These were the crowned Princes of Rome. Ruling was their birthright, not Orochimaru's. Clearly, the Gods and Goddesses agreed or else they would have had the princes die long before now.
"Sasuke, your lover happens to be one of the most beloved Generals in all of Rome. Perhaps THE most beloved. If he tells his men you and Itachi are the long lost princes, they will believe him. This is especially true, if you show them your Marks." Gaara points out.
Sasuke and Itachi bit their lower lips. Their lovers were willing to stage a coup. A coup that could lead to a Civil War. If they did this, it could mean all of their deaths. Likely very gruesome deaths at that.
"Perhaps that is the case, but so many would die and for what? We could simply wait. Orochimaru is old. We'll still be in our prime when he dies." Sasuke reasons.
"Normally, I might agree with that. But the people just can't wait anymore. Not with what the Emperor is planning." Naruto says.
Sasuke and Itachi tilt their head to the side. Neither brother was exactly sure what Naruto was referring to. They gesture for him to continue.
"He's planning to attack all of the Barbarians at once. The military is already weak from a winter campaign. He'll have to start recruiting boys as young as ten summers at this rate." Gaara explains.
Sasuke and Itachi both frown. They knew the death tolls would be enormous. It might actually bankrupt Rome to attack all the tribes at once. Was Orochimaru insane?! They sigh and look at each other. Both brothers knew that they couldn't allow that to happen. So much for waiting it out.
Meanwhile back in the castle, Sai smiles as he watches Ino. The woman was walking around the halls and occasionally walking inside various bedchambers. He knew that she was cleaning them.
It was odd. The most exciting thing to do in the palace, was simply to watch her walk. There was such a hypnotic sway to her hips that held him completely captivated.
Warning Violent Scene
"When I woke up this morning, I noticed that my monthly salary was missing. You were the last one in my room. I know you stole it." One of the guards says to Ino.
Sai frowns when he saw the guard grab her. She tries to wiggle out of his hold. It was obvious that she knew that he had violence on his mind. So did Sai for that matter. He felt his lips curl in distaste.
"Let go of me!" Ino says and kicks him hard in the knees.
Sai hears the man curse in pain. He smirks. She was pretty to look at and a fighter it seemed. He liked that. But he also knew when someone didn't have a chance at winning a battle.
Ino was feisty, but the guard however was professionally trained. He was also a great deal bigger than her. She had no chance of besting him.
Sai wasn't sure why exactly, but he follows them. He wasn't shocked when he came upon the guard trying to strike the blonde woman. The guard was clearly getting frustrated. Sai saw the man reach for his sword.
He that surprised him was how angry he got. He slams his fist into back of the guard's head, causing him to collapse. Sai was shocked at how much he enjoyed hurting the man.
"Are you alright?" He asks.
"I t-think so. Thank you." Ino says and Sai nods, helping her up.
"Go. I'll deal with him." He mutters and the blonde doesn't need to be told twice, she races off.
Ino didn't want to know what he meant by taking care of the guard. She just wanted to get out of there. Just as she darts out of sight, Sai slams his sword down into the man's heart, killing him instantly.
"Annoying even after his death. His blood got all over the carpet." Sai says with a heavy sigh and walks off to find a place to clean his blade.
End Violent Scene
Jugo had been walking by. He notices that Sai's sword was covered in blood. Quickly he heads in the direction that the successor had left.
He blinks when he saw the body. Sai had just killed someone. Jugo had heard the cries of a woman. Had Sai just prevented the guard from killing the servant?
The large orange haired man quickly heads off. He had to tell Suigetsu and Karin about this. He wouldn't have believed it, if he didn't see it with his own eyes. They would have to speak to Ino to see what had truly unfolded.
"Jugo, what is wrong?" Suigetsu says once the other man finds him.
"I think Sai may have just saved Ino's life. One of the guards drug her off. I heard her yelling. Sai left with blood on his blade. I saw Ino escape unscathed." He says.
Suigetsu raises an eyebrow. He had a hard time believing that someone Orochimaru had selected, would actually save the life of a servant. It was hard to process.
"Guess we better find Ino and Karin then. This might change things. Do you think the Emperor accidentally chose someone who isn't completely heartless?" The white haired man asks.
"The odds are very slim, but anything is possible. Let's go." Jugo says as he darts off with the other Roman.
Elsewhere on the royal grounds, Sai had found a fountain. He uses it to wash his blade. He really disliked having 'dirty blood' on it.
Dirty blood to Sai meant an opponent who wasn't really worth killing. Someone who couldn't land a hit on him. The guard had dirty blood and he wouldn't allow it to soil his weapon for long.
"Ah there you are. I have been looking all over for you." Sai hears Danzo say as the elderly man approaches him.
"My apologies for making you search so hard for me. What can I do for you, My Lord?" Sai asks pleasantly and plasters that fake smile on his face.
Danzo shakes his head. Sai was really going to have to work on his smile if he was going to be in public eye, outside of the Arena. But that was a matter for another day. What he wanted most right now was information.
"I am curious how things are progressing with our Emperor." He states simply and waits for Sai's answer.
Sai pauses as he considers how to answer that question in a way that would satisfy Danzo. He knew the other man wouldn't accept a simple, "Good." He wanted more than that.
"Very well. He treats me kindly and is instructing me in all the things that a ruler ought to know. I believe he will formerly name me as his Successor soon." The gladiator replies smoothly.
That's when Danzo noticed where Sai's sword was. The water had taken on a slightly red hue. It was at that moment, that Danzo knew that the other man had killed someone and quite recently.
"Who did you kill and did you dispose of the body?" He demands.
"A guard. He was going to strike a servant woman. I disliked him. So I ended him. I didn't bother to dispose of the body. I doubt Orochimaru cares much whether lowly guards die or not. He certainly doesn't care what happens to his soldiers or he wouldn't have sent them out to do battle during the depths of winter." Sai says pleasantly.
"Very well. Do not fail me. It is in your hands now. You are but a breath away from ruling Rome. After he names you as his Successor, we shall wait a few months, perhaps a year. Then you may dispose of him." He tells Sai.
"Of course, Master Danzo. I understand." The fighter says with a nod of his head.
Back at the vineyard, Naruto and Gaara were loading up a wagon for them to travel in. Sasuke and Itachi watch their beloveds in confusion. Neither brother knew what they were doing.
"We have to act quickly, if we are going to get you on the throne before he can set off the war that will bankrupt Rome." Gaara explains as he ushers Itachi into the back of the wagon.
"Aren't we moving a little too fast? Shouldn't we come up with a plan first?" The eldest prince inquires.
Naruto shakes his head. In his opinion, they were moving way too slow. This should have been done years ago. He makes sure his Nymph was also safely in the back of the wagon.
Thankfully, there was a cover over it. This would keep their faces hidden and provide some protection from the winter chill. Sasuke and Itachi watch as the Senators quickly gather lots of provisions and load up the wagon. (Mostly food, water, medicine, weapons, and clothes.)
"They really don't know how to take no for an answer, do they?" Sasuke asks his brother in amusement.
"It seems not. Well at least we will travel in relative comfort." Itachi muses and the younger prince nods in agreement.
Gaara and Naruto quickly choose a few of the most trustworthy laborers on the vineyard, to guide the horses. Both of them wanted to be inside the wagon with their beloveds.
"My Nymph, you look cold." Naruto says as he sits behind him and wraps a fur coat around the other man.
"Well I was a little cold, but I'm not now." Sasuke replies with a smile and snuggles into the coat.
Gaara wraps a blanket around Itachi and himself. The red head quickly sits down next to the eldest prince. He caresses his cheek and tells the riders they were ready to set off.
"He must truly adore you. Naruto's had that coat since he was a boy of ten or eleven summers, I think. He killed that bear himself." Gaara muses.
Sasuke blushes slightly and doesn't know what to say to that. It was a small mercy that a reply apparently wasn't needed. Naruto smiles and cuddles to his Nymph.
There was something just very relaxing about being in Naruto's arms, wrapped in a fur coat, and the slight rocking motion of the wagon. Scarcely an hour later, the youngest prince yawns and falls asleep. Naruto smiles and kisses the slumbering man's forehead.
"Itachi, you should get some rest as well. It will take us a few days travel to get where we are going. There is no reason for you to exhaust yourself before the fight begins." Gaara muses.
"I appreciate your concern, but I'm alright. It's nice to be able to travel once more, without fearing for my life. I'd like to enjoy it while it lasts." Itachi replies and yawns slightly.
Gaara chuckles at the yawn. He gives the other man a look that said, "You were saying?" Itachi gives him a dirty look at that one.
"Well perhaps resting my eyes might not be a horrid idea." He mutters and closes his eyes, soon joining his brother in the Land of Dreams.
The Senators smile and watch their beloved's sleep. They decided to enjoy the peaceful ride as long as they could. Gaara and Naruto weren't fools. They knew that such peace wouldn't last. So they intended to make the most of every moment of it.
"I should have realized they weren't actually slaves sooner." Gaara muses.
"I feel the same way. I know that my men will fight for me. They have no love for Orochimaru. I'm sure once they see the princes are alive and well…" Naruto trails off because the implication was rather clear.
"They'll fall in love with them, as we have." Gaara finishes for his friend and the blonde nods.
Naruto could only nod. He couldn't fathom how such a thing wouldn't happen. One look at his Nymph and he was instantly smitten. He really hoped that most of his men preferred women. Otherwise, he would have a lot of competition for Sasuke's affection. The blue eyed Roman could tell Gaara was having similar thoughts about Itachi.
"We'll just have to make certain to protect their virtue is all." The red head says, noting the direction his friend's thoughts were taking.
"Yeah. We are the only ones allowed to steal that." Naruto agrees with a cheeky grin.
Gaara tries to stifle a laugh. Naruto was Naruto. He would always say the most outrageous things. They had been the best of friends since boyhood, but the blonde had never ceased to amaze him.
"You are truly one of a kind, my friend." He states and Naruto nods his head enthusiastically.
"Yes, that's right. Of course I am. Only the best for our youngest prince here." Naruto says happily.
Gaara couldn't suppress the chuckle any longer. He just let it go. One would think that Naruto was still a boy, by the way he carried on sometimes. He supposed they balanced each other out in a way. Gaara was somber and serious. Naruto was light hearted and free.
"I suppose the same is true, for the eldest prince?" He notes in amusement.
"Yeah. Of course! Itachi is really lucky to have you." Naruto says.
"Thank you, my friend. Sasuke is also rather fortunate to have you as well. Let's do our best to get them back their thrones and keep them out of harm's way. Orochimaru will not give up power easily." Gaara says grimly.
Naruto nods. He knew that Gaara spoke the truth. The Emperor was power hungry. The blonde wondered if the man had ever actually been an innocent babe. He half thought that a snake had sprung forth from Sasuke's grandmother's womb.
He immediately felt guilty for that thought. Surely, if her blood had led to Itachi and Sasuke's existence, it wasn't her fault that Orochimaru was vile. There was a black sheep in every family. In this case, it was simply Orochimaru.
"Do you think it's true what they are saying? Orochimaru has chosen a successor and is about to formerly announce it?" Naruto asks.
"It's likely. He won't admit it publicly, but everyone knows he can not sire children. He has no other choice really. He is not getting any younger. How I wish he would just die of old age and save us the trouble. Truly, I think he survives out of spite more than anything else." The other Roman mutters.
"Yeah. But he won't survive for much longer. After what he did to Sasuke and Itachi, I'm in the mood to watch him die screaming." Naruto says and Gaara shivers as he imagines the Emperor's final moments.
Naruto was a very kind person. Still one must never forget, that he was also a warrior. He had seen so much cruelty in the world. The wealthy Roman knew that the blonde was capable of truly ghastly things, if it meant protecting his friends or home. He didn't envy Orochimaru at the moment. The red head had no doubt that Naruto would ensure the man did indeed, die screaming.