Slaves to Love

Naruto smiles as he watches Sasuke sleep. It felt good to know that he could satisfy his Nymph. He was idly amused that he apparently wore his lover out. But then again, it was his first time. His stamina was extremely impressive, particularly for a beginner. He was sure that it would only improve with time.

"Get some rest, my Nymph. You are going to need it." He says and brushes the bangs out of the other man's eyes.

He fully intended to survive this war and take his lover again and again. The blonde was somewhat worried about how their relationship might change after Sasuke was officially a prince again. But he decided not to worry about it for now.

Sasuke loved him. If he didn't, he wouldn't have made himself that vulnerable. Being the more "submissive" partner, took a great deal of trust at the best of times. He could only imagine how difficult it was for a former slave to consent to such a thing.

"Mmm." Sasuke murmurs and snuggles into the furs.

Naruto smiles. He wraps the furs around his lover. There was no reason for Sasuke to be cold. Well there was one reason. The blonde did enjoy the sight of his naked Nymph, but not so much that he was willing to allow Sasuke to get sick over it.

"I wonder if you dream of me when you close your eyes." The blue eyed Roman muses.

He pours himself some wine. Lovemaking could make one very thirsty and hungry. Vaguely, he wondered what Sasuke's favorite flavor of wine was. He decided that the other man probably didn't have one. Gods and Goddesses only knew what sort of watered down brew that slaves were served.

Oh well he would just introduce Sasuke to different flavors of wine. He'd introduce him to lots of food too. Actually, Naruto was rather content to picture all the things that he could show Sasuke and various ways he could pamper his lover.

"Naruto." Sasuke mumbles and pulls his lover down against him, curling up into his side like a contented house cat.

"I guess that answers that question." The blonde smiles and was pleased to see that Sasuke did indeed think about him even in his sleep.

Naruto wraps his arms around Sasuke and sighs contentedly. The blue eyed Roman loved being able to hold him in this way. Sasuke looked beautiful against the furs and his scent soothed the blonde. It was just…uniquely Sasuke in a way he couldn't describe.

Sasuke smiles and huddles closer to the source of warmth next to him. He didn't know why he felt so safe and content, just that he did. It had something to do with whatever blanket was draped around him.

He knew that he should be concerned that the blanket was moving on his own. But his sleepy mind couldn't quite bring himself to care or realize that movement was actually just Naruto breathing. He continues his peaceful slumber.

Elsewhere back in Rome, Manda heads towards the palace. He had a job to do after all. A job that was paying him quite well. The assassin had never failed on a mission before and he didn't intend to start now. In his mind, this gladiator was as good as dead.

"It's really too easy sometimes." He mutters as he knocks out one of the guards and steals his uniform.

Manda was convinced that most Emperors preferred quantity over quality when it came to guards. There really was no other excuse to hire such pathetic protection. Oh well. It didn't matter. It made his job easier.

"Now to find this Sai." He mutters as he looks at an old sign that had Sai's likeness on it.

The sign had been advertisement for one of his matches. He knew that it was a year or two old. Still he doubted that the gladiator had changed that much in appearance since then.

That wasn't the case with Kakashi though. Kakashi was now a completely different person than he had been only a few years ago. The silver haired man now constantly wore a mask and a cloak to hide his real identity. Truthfully, it was safer that way.

"The palace seems much larger than I remember it being." He muses to himself.

No, this was not his first time in the palace. The silver haired Roman had actually grown up there. His family had been Nobles. His father had been a well respected soldier and his mother came from a prestigious family. Both had died before their time, but that wasn't why he had left.

Kakashi left because he knew the truth. Emperor Fugaku and Empress Mikoto's deaths hadn't been accidental. He knew that he couldn't prove it though. So he had decided to get out of there before the insane Orochimaru assumed power.

"When a mad Emperor steals power, it is wisest to get as far away as possible." He observes to himself as he walks down the empty hall.

He wasn't a fool. Being that close to a man who likely killed his own brother and sister-in-law was dangerous. Sometimes, Kakashi wondered if perhaps the princes had somehow escaped. He shoved that thought to the side though.

It was foolish to pine over false hopes. Even if they had originally escaped, they were just boys. Orochimaru would have sent his army of lackeys after them. There was no way they would have survived.

No, it was best to face the bitter truth. Orochimaru was Emperor now and it was going to stay that way for the foreseeable future. He did note with some grim satisfaction that the Emperor must believe his end was in sight. Why else would he choose a successor?

"I think I should like to have the lamb tonight." He hears someone saying in the kitchen.

It was a masculine voice. The voice sounded like it belonged to a youth. A youth that was likely the approximate age of his target. Kakashi smirks and stealthily follows it.

"Of course, My Lord." Kakashi hears one of the cooks say to the dark eyed youth.

Kakashi makes sure to hide his presence. Yes, it was definitely Sai. Damn it. He wouldn't be able to make the hit right now. There were too many servants around.

Oh he had no worry that he wouldn't be able to take out the servants if he had to. He was just loathed to do so. He sympathized with them.

His father used to be a servant and had been sent off to war. He had excelled in battle and rose up to the ranks, eventually earning enough money and honor to make him an eligible bachelor. Then he had won over his mother and married her.

"Thank you. I'm certain the Emperor will be pleased. I hear he also is fond of lamb." Sai says.

That and if a bunch of kitchen servants suddenly went missing it would attract unwanted attention. His objective was to kill Sai and leave without being caught. A trail of bodies was a good way to get caught.

"I certainly hope so, My Lord." The cook continues.

Sai makes his way out of the kitchen. Kakashi follows. Sai looks over his shoulder, as if he thought someone was following him. The young Roman seems to shrug his unease off because he continues on his journey to his bedchambers.

Sai gets to his room. He makes sure to leave the door open just enough for the person following him to "sneak in." The Gladiator's battle instincts had been honed to perfection from a lifetime of fighting in the Arena. So he knew when someone was trying to kill him.

"Die!" Kakashi says and hurls the knife straight at the back of the other man's head.

Sai whirls around and catches it in his hand. He had to admit the other man was good. His footsteps were absolutely silent. There really hadn't been anything that gave his would be assassin away, just instinct.

"You're good. But not good enough." Sai says as he draws his sword.

"What gave me away?" Kakashi asks as he draws his own sword.

"Instinct. Nothing more. Tell me who sent you and I might let you live." Sai offers.

It was a lie and they both knew it. The other man was clearly an assassin. Sai was a former gladiator, they both knew that such mercy was the fastest way to your own grave.

"You know I can't tell you that. Besides, it would ruin all the fun." The other man states and lunges at Sai.

Their swords clash. Sai blinks. It was rare that he had encountered an opponent that was so fast and skilled with a blade. This wasn't just a random hired thug. This man had been trained.

He vaguely wondered if perhaps he was a member of the Roman Army. It would explain things. Gods and Goddesses knows he had heard the rumors of the Emperor stiffing soldiers on their salaries. It wouldn't be surprising if they had found other ways to supplement their fairly meager income.

"I suppose so. Though I imagine I can hazard a good guess." Sai replies as he lunges his sword at the other man.

"This really isn't anything personal. I just want the big payday. You really pissed someone off, kid." Kakashi says and brings up his sword, blocking the thrust.

Sai frowns. This man was good. He was even better than he expected actually. He was going to have to end this quickly. But how?

He shouldn't have paused during battle. Kakashi was able to get a hit in to his leg. Sai winced when he felt the sting of the steel blade and knew that he was likely bleeding.

"I hope the pay was worth your life." Sai snarled at the other man in a bloodlust filled battle cry.

Kakashi manages to mostly evade the angry man. He didn't end up entirely unscathed, however. Sai had stabbed his shoulder. Kakashi clutches it. He was fortunate that it wasn't the one that he used to hold his sword with.

They had both drawn blood. Usually the first to draw blood, ended up being the winner. But Sai knew that he couldn't count on it with this man. This man had the eyes of a killer.

He recognized them well. Sai had the same eyes after all. Neither one of them planned to let the other walk out of this alive.

"Well it was a lot of money, but truthfully it wasn't worth my life. Which is fine, because I'm not the one that is going to die today." Kakashi says as he slams his sword against the other man.

The battle raged on for what seemed like an eternity. The two skilled swordsmen were locked in a deadly stalemate. Each wielded a blade as if it was an extension of their very being.

The two men moved with deadly speed and grace. The sounds of swords clashing could be heard. Both were too far lost to bloodlust to worry that someone might over here. That was their mistake. Someone did.

"Sai, I need you to come for your royal portrait." Orochimaru calls out and Kakashi's eyes widen.

He quickly flits through the window. The mercenary was more than willing to kill Sai. But if Orochimaru found out he was responsible, he would be the most wanted man in Rome. No, he knew when it was time to make a tactical retreat.

"I'm coming." Sai says as he heads out of the room and into the hallway where the Emperor was waiting for him.

"Excellent. Come. It would be very rude of us to keep the painter waiting. An Emperor must never be rude. It is bad for one's reputation." Orochimaru says as he heads off with Sai.

Sai was used to hiding his emotions and injuries Anyone else would have displayed fear or outrage that someone had just tried to kill them. That or at least have shown some sign of being pain after having a sword slash at their leg. But not Sai.

To him it was just another day. Besides, he had more important things on his mind. For example, he was sure that lamb was going to be delicious at dinner tonight.

Meanwhile back at the military camp, Itachi and Gaara were in their tent. The red head was shocked by Itachi's boldness, but he wasn't going to complain. Currently, his prince was on top of him and kissing him heatedly.

Gaara smiles. Well if Itachi preferred being in control on this night, he'd let him. The prince had had precious little control over his life for ten long years. The least he could do was indulge him in this manner.

"You have always had such a way with words and your kisses. You say Venus favors me, but I disagree. She favors you and you favor me. That's more than enough for me though." Itachi replies as he breaks the kiss.

He smiles as he looks down at the wealthy Roman. Gaara was such a gorgeous creature. His blood red hair and exotic eyes made him very alluring. He was also certain the other man had a well sculpted body and decided to find out if his assumption was correct by stripping him.

Warning Lemon

"You also have a way with words." Gaara muses and disrobes his beloved.

"Thank you." Itachi says and places a trail of kisses along his lover's neck and glides his hands over the other man's chest in a sensual caress.

Gaara sighs in contentment and runs his fingers through Itachi's hair. He had dreamed of this moment for years. Finally, he could be with his love. It mattered little to him at the moment that they were in the military camp and might very well die the next day. To him, that was the furthest thing from his mind. The only thing that existed was him and his prince.

"Beautiful." Itachi whispers as he makes his way down, showering the other man's chest with kisses and gentle lovebites.

Gaara arches into his lover's touch. He moves one hand away from Itachi's silky tresses and glides it down until it grasped his lover firmly. The red head quickly sets about stroking him to full arousal.

"Yes, you are." Gaara replies and Itachi's lips twitch upwards in amusement.

He lightly tugs on a nipple and smirks when he heard Gaara moan. Hmm he was sensitive there. He does it again and marvels as he watches his lover's erection grow from the attention.

"I like it very much when touch me in that fashion." Itachi purrs darkly with desire and Gaara swore to the Gods and Goddesses he could probably get hard from his beloved's voice alone.

He had never heard anything as erotic as the prince's voice. The Senator knew that one day he would use that voice to command the attention of his subjects and armies. But for now, it was another tool in his arsenal of seduction.

"Then I'll be certain to do it as often as possible." Gaara says with a sly smile.

"Good." Itachi says and surprises the wealthy Roman by getting off of him and standing up.

He bit his lower lip. Itachi wasn't entirely certain that Gaara would be willing to go along with what he had in mind. The Senator was after all a very proud man. As a Senator, he was used to being the dominant one in most of his interactions. But he supposed he would find out if the red head would indulge him.

"Itachi?" Gaara asks uncertainly.

"I want you to use your mouth on me, while I make you ready for me." He says and the other man nods.

The wealthy Roman shocks Itachi by walking over and sitting on his knees. He takes the tip of Itachi into his mouth and lavishes the other man with his tongue. Itachi groans in pleasure and couldn't help but buck slightly into that talented mouth.

Hot and wet. It felt incredible. Itachi wasn't sure that he would be able to describe the sensation accurately. Words truly failed him at the moment.

"I had no idea that you were so eager to please." Itachi muses as he sucks on his fingers, coating them with salvia.

"You are the true Emperor and the man I love. Why wouldn't I be? Granted, I generally am the more…assertive lover. But for you I am willing to negotiate occasionally." Gaara murmurs after briefly releasing the prince from his mouth and then goes back to sucking on him.

Itachi would have responded to that. But al he could think about was how good Gaara's mouth felt wrapped around his cock. He gently parts Gaara's thighs and slides a single digit inside him.

He doubted that the powerful Roman had been submissive much in the past before. So with what little bit of his mind that was still coherent, he decided it was best to take this slow. That's when the red head deep throated him and all thoughts of slow went out the window. He came hard.

"My prince is very sensitive." Gaara states and while he didn't laugh, his eyes were dancing with amusement.

"As are you." Itachi says quickly and slides his finger inside the other man quickly, soon adding another.

The Senator squirms. It was an awkward sensation at first. But after awhile Itachi found spot inside him, that made the red head moan like a wanton harlot.

"My love, get on your hands and knees." Itachi says softly.

Itachi was amazed once more when the wealthy Roman did as he was bidden without compliant. He would have to explore this surprisingly submissive streak more later. It was intriguing.

Right now though, his lover's shapely backside was far more intriguing . He slowly buries himself inside his red head and the two moan as they were finally joined together.

"Gods and Goddesses, you are tight." Itachi whispers hotly into his lovers ear and begins to thrust slowly inside him.

"Just don't stop." Gaara moans and bucks back against him.

Itachi marveled at how tight his lover was. He loved the way his red hair looked against the furs and how his back would arch in pleasure. He strokes the other man's impressive erection as he continues claiming him in the most primal way possible.

Soon the two lovers began to move as once. Neither cared that they might be overheard. Both moaning and panting in carnal bliss. Itachi couldn't resist biting his lover's shoulder lightly.

"You are possessive." Gaara moans out.

"Only over you." Itachi assures him and licks the bite mark apologetically as his thrusts become faster.

Each time that he hit that spot, Gaara moaned loudly in pleasure. The sounds of his lover's enjoyment just spurred him on. It didn't take long for the gentle lovemaking to become a fearsome display of lust that would make even the most hardened soldier blush. Both cried out each other's name as they came hard.

Itachi slides out of his lover. He lays back down on the furs. Then he pulls Gaara's into his arms and holds him closely. It was clear that he didn't want to let him go.

End of Lemon

"For a man who spent ten years as a slave, you certainly don't make love like one." Gaara muses.

"For a Senator, you are surprisingly eager to please. On this night, we surprised each other. I hope that we get the opportunity to continue to do so." Itachi murmurs and brushes some hair out of the red head's eyes.

Gaara nods. It was a bitter truth that one or both of them might not make it through this war. But they had to try. If they didn't, Orchimaru was going to ruin Rome and that couldn't be allowed to happen.

"Do you think if you had not been denied your birthright, that you would have ever have loved me as you do now?" He asks curiously.

"I think that love is love. The station matters little. If I had met you, I would have loved you just as much as I do now." Itachi assures him and Gaara smiles.

"It does bring me great joy to hear you say that. But I hope that you do not delude yourself into believing you will always be the one who does the claiming." The Senator replies.

Itachi smirks. It was definitely true what they said about red heads. They were certainly a feisty lot. The eldest prince of Rome wouldn't have it any other way though. Gaara to him was perfect in every way.

"I look forward to seeing you back up that statement." He responds in kind.

"I shall. Promise me that when the battle comes you will be ready. You won't hesitate. If it comes down to your life or someone else's, I want to know that you will defend yourself. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you." The Senator pleads.

The eldest Uchiha sighs heavily. He did not relish the thought of killing. Truly, it sickened him. But he was not a fool. Itachi fully realized that sometimes it was necessary, if you wanted to survive.

"I promise you that I will do whatever I can to stay alive in this war, even if it is unpleasant. You needn't worry about me in this regard. Besides, I have a very fine instructor. I'm certain that I will be prepared for whatever battles lay ahead of us." Itachi comforts him.

"Good. I do hope that Sasuke and Naruto enjoyed themselves as much as we did." He says with a sly smile.

Itachi laughs. That would have been very difficult to do. Still judging by the sounds the lovers had made from their tent, it seemed they had managed just fine.

He was happy for his brother. Sasuke deserved some happiness after everything he had been through. If they were able to win this war, they would become the rulers of Rome and be allowed to continue their happiness.

"I believe that they found much comfort in each other's arms, just as we did." He offers.

If they did not, they were all dead man walking. In that case, all he could hope for was a quick death and to be reunited with his most precious people in the afterlife. Gods and Goddesses willing, they would win or at least find each other after death.

"Good. I am glad. Naruto has been positively smitten with Sasuke for a long time now. Not nearly as long as I have, but he has good taste. I must have rubbed off on him at some point." Gaara muses.

"Did you just imply that you were lusting after my brother?" Itachi asks and twitches.

"No. I am just observing that he is also a very attractive man. But to me, you are the most beautiful man in the world." Gaara says.

Itachi nods. He seems to accept this answer because he leans over and captures Gaara's lips in a case. The red head gladly returns it.

"Good. You are mine. I love you and I want you to remember that as we challenge Orochimaru." Itachi says.

"I will always remember that, Itachi. Just as you should remember that I feel the same." Gaara replies with a smile.