Ghosts?!
A few weeks later, Naruto decided that his force was ready to attack the castle. They had spent their time coming up with a battle strategy and making sure that the soldiers knew what they were up against once inside the castle. Orochimaru's guards might not be a formidable as soldiers, but they did know the castle better than them and the close quarters meant that only so many soldiers could attack at once. Thus their greater numbers didn't necessarily work to their advantage.
That and they had to figure out a way to draw any soldiers that were there away. It had taken awhile, but they had come up with the perfect plan. Naruto was confident that they would emerge victorious.
"Sasuke, don't look at me like that. It's the perfect plan. Our men are ready to fight for you and Itachi." The blonde gently chides his lover.
The princes were less optimistic than the General. Naruto was also aware Gaara also had misgivings. Thankfully, none of them displayed their worries while the troops were around. That would have been disastrous.
"People are going to die for us. Whether we are successful or not." Sasuke replies forlornly and sighs as he glances around the camp, wondering how many of the soldiers would make it out of this alive.
The blue eyed Roman shakes his head. He pulls his lover into his arms and wraps one arm around his waist firmly, while caressing his cheek. He knew that Sasuke was right about that, but he didn't want his prince to feel guilty about something that was beyond his control.
"Don't worry about it. All of these men have freely chosen to fight for you. I know it is cruel of me to say, but they are soldiers. They know that everyday, may very well be their last. At least this way, if they die it is for the good of Rome. We can't let Orochimaru go through with his plans. You know that we can't." Naruto murmurs.
If Naruto had his way, Sasuke would already be a prince again and they would be making love on one of the thrones. It hurt him to see the younger prince agonizing over what was to come, but there was no way around it. Sometimes you had to fight for what was right. This was just one of those times.
"I'll try not to. Where is my brother and Senator Sabaku?" Sasuke asks as he realized he hadn't seen them at all for the entire day.
"My guess is they are getting in another round of lovemaking before we depart. They're almost as bad as we are." Naruto says with a grin.
Sasuke blushes slightly. He knew that Itachi was very much in love with the red head. That didn't mean that he liked thinking about his brother in such intimate ways. It was disturbing. Still he was happy that Itachi had found happiness. He just hoped that it didn't end too swiftly.
"Good to know. Do you really think that we can win this war?" Sauke dares himself to ask.
"I don't think that we can win this war. I know we can win it. The Gods and Goddesses are on our side. If they weren't, you and Itachi never would have made it this far and that bastard would have already sired some ghastly spawn from his shriveled up loins. Let your heart be light, my Nymph." Naruto assures him and Sasuke nods.
"Naruto, please do not discuss Orochimaru's loins again. I think I'm going to be sick." Sasuke say as he makes a disgusted face at the vividly hideous image that his lover had just painted for him.
Itachi chuckles in amusement as he walked with Gaara over towards the other couple. Both of them had heard Naruto's theory about where they were. The Senator and high prince rather amused by it. (Mostly because it was rather accurate).
"Almost as bad as you and Sasuke? I take great offense to that. We're most assuredly worse, but I have to agree with Sasuke. Don't mention Orochimaru's private parts again. That's enough to make even me lose my desire for lovemaking." Gaara says with a smirk.
"I agreed most wholeheartedly about Orochimaru. But my love, let's not make a competition out of this. We have more important things to worry about than who is having the most sex." Itachi observes and the men all nod in agreement.
Naruto heads to the center of the camp and blows the horn that tells the men they were about to set off. The blonde mounts his horse and helps Sasuke get on it, behind him. Sasuke was wearing a long hooded robe to hide his face, as was Itachi. He smiles when he felt his lover's hands wrap around his waist and they start off.
"Are you ready to reclaim your throne, my prince?" Gaara whispers into Itachi's ear as he helps the other man onto the mighty warhorse.
"I've been ready for ten years." Itachi replies as the wealthy Roman soon joins him on top of the horse.
Gaara smiles. That's what he liked to hear. He knew that Itachi shared his unease about the situation, but he was acting just as a high prince should at the moment…completely fearless.
It was important that the brothers not show their nerves. The Senator knew that every soldier was watching them closely. They had to set an example. If either brother cowered, it would damage morale.
Bad morale was an easy way to lose a war. Gaara had no illusions that that was what this was. It was as war for the very soul of the Roman Empire.
"Good. It brings my heart great joy to hear you say that." The red head says as he guides the horse off.
Meanwhile Kakashi was back at the palace. He wasn't making his presence known though. He was hunting, but not for animals. No he was hunting a far more elusive target, Sai.
The silver haired man was not at all pleased Sai had escaped AND managed to injure him on their first encounter. The assassin had gotten quite a tongue lashing from Kabuto. That had irritated him.
"Kabuto is foolish. He's grown far too arrogant, if he thinks that he can order the likes of me around." The killer muses to himself.
It was now no longer just about the gold. It was a matter of pride. That Gladiator could not be allowed to outsmart him. Kakashi was the best in the business. He had a reputation to protect.
Never in all his years as an assassin, had he failed to deliver. It was a point of honor in a way. He always kept his promises. It just so happened that what he promised was death.
"Hmm now that's unusual." He observes as he saw three people approach Sai.
One of them had white hair, another orange, and a third was a woman with red hair. Interesting. He wondered what they wanted. All of them had a rather determined look upon their faces. This could prove interesting.
"Hello." Sai says to the people approaching.
He wasn't exactly sure why, but he knew they had been following him since his arrival. Sai didn't sense hostile intention off of them now. That was why they were still breathing. The second they posed a threat, he would eliminate them all without mercy.
"Hello. Do you have a few moments to speak with us?" Karin asks respectfully.
He nods his head. Sai didn't have any pressing concerns to deal with at the moment. Orochimaru was off at some public function. For all Sai knew, he could be watching a gladiator match right now or he could be at some fancy dinner party. Sai didn't know and he didn't particularly care.
It was an odd feeling. As a gladiator, he had never really had the luxury of free time. Any free time you had was normally spent training, sleeping, or bedding someone.
Sai had never really had much interest in the last activity. So he had used the time to push his body to the limits. He knew that if he didn't, he'd likely perish in the Arena. So he was still getting used to the idea of having leisure time.
"We saw what you did for Ino. You saved her. You saved a servant, why?" Jugo asks.
"Why wouldn't I? She had never harmed me in any way. I saw no reason not to assist her." Sai replies.
"Hmm that doesn't sound like the answer of someone that the Emperor would appoint as his successor." Suigetsu openly observes.
Sai was a bit stunned at his bluntness. What the violet eyed man had just said could be construed as treason. The punishment for treason was death and not an easy death by any means. There were so many ways that you could be executed and most of them were excruciatingly painful.
"You're either very brave or foolish. You do realize what you just said is treason?" Sai asks with his usual fake smile plastered on his face.
"Somehow, I doubt that really bothers you. I've seen the way that you look at him, when the Emperor's back is turned." Suigetsu says.
Sai narrows his eyes. The man's implication was obvious. He KNEW that he was planning to kill Orochimaru. Well that or at the very least Suigetsu was aware that he had less than affectionate feelings towards the old man.
"And in what manner do you believe that I have looked at him?" The gladiator demands as he fights to keep his voice neutral.
"With contempt." Suigetsu replies as if it was obvious.
Jugo sighs. Suigetsu had never had the best people skills and that was being made glaringly obvious at the moment. The large man knew he was going to have to step in, before this ended in disaster.
"We are not here to fight. It's the opposite really. You do not like him and neither do we. He's old. None of us believe that he is truly within his right mind. I'm sure that he has told you about his plans to attack all the Barbarian Tribes at once?" Jugo asks.
"I'm aware of it, yes. It is madness. What exactly are you proposing?" Sai asks warily.
"We are proposing that we work together to end him. After you are named his successor, he needs to be killed." Karin says.
Sai nods. He knew that. He was going to do it anyway, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. If he allowed them to think that they had talked him into killing the Emperor, it would make them indebted to him. That was always a good thing.
"He can not be killed too quickly after my ascension or it would be obvious that I had a hand in it." Sai says.
"Not if he's murdered by someone else in front of witnesses." Suigetsu says cheerfully.
Sai smirks. He liked these people. They were almost as ruthless as he was. Sai was almost impressed. Still they would have to plan such things carefully. Orochimaru's death had to be carried out in such a way that the public wouldn't suspect the former gladiator of having been involved.
"What did you have in mind?" Sai asks, unaware that Kakashi was listening into the entire conversation.
Elsewhere Orochimaru was attending a grand dinner party. Kabuto was sitting next to him. The Emperor knew that he had to keep up appearances. If his advisor was not at his side at functions like this, people might start to get suspicious and he couldn't have that.
The food was divine and the wine delicious. Everyone was either intoxicated or well on their way there. The music was quite lovely. All in all, everyone was in good spirits.
Everyone was in good spirits that is, except for him. He couldn't help it. Orochimaru just knew that the brothers were out there somewhere. Until he had their heads delivered to him, the Emperor could never be really sure that the threat had been eliminated.
"Would you care for some more wine, your majesty?" One of the slaves asks.
"Yes, thank you." He replies and raises his goblet up for the woman to fill.
She was a pretty little thing. Orochimaru doubted the woman would get through the night without a member of Rome's upper class stealing her away to some private room and ravishing her.
It was important to note these things. One of the greatest weapons you could have, was to know someone's sexual preferences. Rome had a rather liberal view of sexuality, but there were some things that even the common Roman would balk at. (And these were things that the ruling class indulged in on a regular basis.)
"Are you certain you wish to go through with this war?" Kabuto asks, whispering into Orochimaru's ear.
"Yes, I am certain. We can not allow these tribes to threaten Rome and get away with it. Besides, do not question my judgment. If you can not even handle watching two slaves, I don't trust your judgment when it comes to important affairs of state." Orochimaru informs him as he sips from his wine.
Kabuto mentally sighs. How he wished that Manda had been successful in the assassination attempt. Then all of his problems would be over, but somehow Sai was still alive.
The silver haired man stabbed his fork into his meat a little more harshly than was absolutely necessary. He couldn't help but imagine it as Sai or even the princes. They were the cause of all his problems. Everything had been perfect before they had decided to mess with the natural order of things.
"My Lord, I am truly sorry for that. Please forgive me. You know that I live to serve you. Have I naught served you faithfully all these years?" He beseeches him.
"Yes, you have served me faithfully for many years. If anyone else had done what you did, they would be dead. Do not question me again." Orochimaru says as he wanders off, leaving Kabuto to his thoughts.
He twitches as he remembers that Manda still hadn't killed Sai. Kabuto at this point was wondering if the Gods and Goddesses were mocking him. Sai was a skilled gladiator, but no one had evaded Manda's sword before.
That was why he had been willing to pay the other man such a high price. He was supposed to be the best. You get what you pay for after all. Kabuto had paid for the best and he hadn't gotten it. This irritated him greatly.
"Damn them." He mutters to himself and gets more wine.
The only thing he do at the moment was drink himself into a stupor. The unfairness of the situation was too much for him to handle while sober. Wine was really a Roman's best friend.
Meanwhile Naruto, Gaara, the brothers, and their army had arrived in Rome. The blonde headed into the castle with Sasuke, Itachi, and Gaara at his side. That and some guards.
They had decided that the best way to ensure they were able to make the announcement, was to pretend that Naruto was delivering a message on behalf of the Emperor to their people. That way at least everyone could see the Princes before the fighting started.
"Right this way, General." One of the guards says and leads the four of them to the balcony.
The guards apparently thought the army was there to showcase Rome's strength as they announced the start of a new war campaign. It was after all a fairly common practice to do so. It was a nice way to drum up public support and excite the troops.
"People of Rome, today is a most joyous day. For it marks the beginning of a new reign." Naruto says and he hears the crowd gasp.
"IS THE EMPEROR DEAD?!" Came a chorus of incredulous shouts.
Naruto shakes his head. No, the Emperor wasn't dead. But when Naruto got his hands on him, he was going to be. He was going to suffer for everything he'd put Sasuke and Itachi through! By the Gods and Goddesses, he swore it.
"No, he is not. But your princes have returned to you at least. Behold the Royal Marks." Naruto says yanking off Sasuke's cloak and having the man face with his back towards the crowd.
Loud gasps were heard. Everyone could see the Mark on Sasuke. Itachi unveiled himself and held up his wrist. People couldn't really see his Mark, but the implication was clear. The one with his back exposed was a prince and so was the other standing next to him.
"GHOSTS!" Someone cries out fearfully.
All of Rome had believed the brothers were dead. This was a logical conclusion to draw. Naruto rubs the back of his head sheepishly and whispers something to Sasuke. Sasuke nods his head.
Naruto takes out his sword and lightly cuts Sasuke's arm, causing him to bleed just enough that the crowd would see the thin line of red blood flowing down it. He hated to harm his Nymph, but it was for the greater good.
"Ghosts do not bleed." Gaara says, realizing what Naruto was trying to do with that action.
Some of the people in the crowd sink to their knees in a bow. Others stood where they were, frozen in shock. Still other's applauded. But not everyone was joyous. There were after all some people who had benefited from Orochimaru's rule and they weren't happy to see it being snuffed out. The arrows begin to fly straight at them.
Gaara raises up his shield that he had brought. It blocked the arrows that had been aimed at Sasuke and Itachi. He wasn't going to allow any harm to come to his lover or his lover's brother.
"THESE ARE THE RIGHTFUL RULERS OF OUR EMPIRE! Orochimaru sold them into slavery after the death of the Emperor and his wife. To fire against them is to earn the wrath of the Gods and Goddesses and more importantly, me! I will send you to the afterlife before you can blink, if you dare to raise your hand against either of these men again! I will not tolerate this treason!" Naruto growls and Sasuke shivers at the pure bloodlust in his lover's voice.
It was truly hard to reconcile that voice with the one that had always seduced him. Naruto normally lavished him with praise. He had never really heard him on the battlefield, but now he knew why the blonde was considered one of the greatest Generals in Rome's history. He was truly a fearsome sight to behold. Magnificent in his fury.
It wasn't enough though. Soon Orochimaru's men who had been in the crowd began firing more arrows and trying to storm the castle. Luckily, Naruto's men were already outside. The sounds of swords clashing could be heard, as the two forces began to engage each other.
"STOP THIS FIGHTING AT ONCE!" Itachi thunders.
For the briefest of seconds, everyone freezes. But it was too much. Finding out that the princes were alive, had set off Orochimaru's men. They were incensed.
Shouts of terror began to well up from the crowd. Civilians were getting caught up in the crossfire. Sasuke and Itachi could only watch in horror as the civilians either tried to flee or join one of the sides. It was truly madness.
Elsewhere in the castle, Sai and Taka were confused. They heard the screams and the shouting going on. None of the knew what was happening exactly, but they knew it was big.
Jugo, Karin, and Suigetsu had taken to referring to themselves as Team Taka. It meant Team Hawk. They thought it was appropriate since they were hoping to help the Roman Empire fly into a new era.
"By the Gods and Goddesses, what is going on?" Sai asks.
"I was about to ask the same thing actually. It seems that that the princes have returned. How unfortunate for you. It looks like you won't get to be the successor after all. I doubt the Emperor will get to keep his head long after this." Kakashi says as he jumps down from his tree and charges at his target.
Sai gets shoved onto the ground by Kakashi. The masked man was about to drive his sword through Sai's heart, when he felt himself being pulled off him. The silver haired man thrashes with all his might, but it was no use. Jugo had him firmly in his grasp.
"We aren't going to let you kill our partner." Jugo chides him.
Kakashi raises an eyebrow. These people actually thought they could trust Sai. That was amusing. Oh well. If they wanted to protect Sai, they could die right along with him.
"Well then I suppose you can all be buried next to each other." Kakashi says as he tries to drive a dagger through Jugo's stomach.
Jugo howls in pain. It was fortunate that he was wearing some armor underneath his shirt. But it was only light mesh armor. Still it may have very well saved his life. He was bleeding, but it might not be a fatal injury. He just had to stop the bleeding in time and keep it from getting infected.
Kakashi got what he wanted though. The giant was forced to release him. Hmm four against one. Well one was a woman, so that helped a bit. Still those were not exactly favorable odds.
"I hope you have made your peace with the Gods and Goddesses, for you are going to die on this day." Kakashi promises Sai as he attacks him again.
This time Sai was ready for him. Their swords clashed. Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin watched helplessly. The white haired man wanted to assist Sai, but he knew that it wouldn't end well.
The masked man and Sai were moving too fast. If he tried to intervene, he was just as likely to hit Sai as he was the assassin. There had to be something they could do though. They couldn't just stand idly by and do nothing!
"Do you really think the princes are back?" Karin asks.
"I doubt it. They are likely just imposters. If they were actually alive, they would have tried to reclaim the throne by now." Suigetsu replies.
Karin nods. She supposed that made sense. The brothers couldn't actually be alive, could they? They had been gone for ten years. How could they have possibly survived that long , without being detected?
"I was about to say the same to you." Sai hisses as he swings his sword at his opponent.
This man was relentless. He wouldn't give up. Sai knew that he would have to kill him. The assassin would come back for him again and again, until he made his mark. Sai knew enough assassins to realize that was just the way they were wired.
"Um guys, I think we should probably get the fuck out of here." Suigetsu says as his eyes widen when he realizes that more Roman soldiers were trying to storm into the castle, through the palace grounds. They were going to get trampled or killed, if they didn't move.
"I am beginning to suspect you are a cat. You certainly seem to have nine lives." Kakashi mutters as he flits off.
The assassin did not want to be caught up in the stampede that was coming. Could it really be true, he wondered. Had the princes finally returned? He quickly scales one of the tallest trees and tries to see into the balcony.
There were four men in all. One recognized as General Uzumaki. Another was clearly Senator Sabaku. (That blood red hair made him easily identifiable.) There were two dark haired men, that Kakashi believed were the right age. They did resemble the boys he knew once. Hmm.
"Well if they are the princes, I guess I had better kill Sai quickly. I doubt that Orochimaru's favorite advisor will last long, if they reclaim their crown." He muses to himself as he watches the complete chaos unfolding down below.