The Weight of the Heart

The Weight of the Heart



AN: This is unbetaed so please don't point out any mistakes. It's with my beta and as soon as she sends it back, i'll replace this with the betaed version. I just know you guys have waited a while for it and I wanted to be nice and give it to you. Thanks. Betaed by Gaarasslave.



Chapter Thirteen



“Don’t you die on me.” growled Sasuke desperately as he searched for something to bind the bleeding wound long enough for him to get the blonde to safety. Panic coursed through Sasuke with the force of a thousand horses. The only comfort he took was from the rise and fall of Naruto’s chest. As long as the blonde lived, there was still hope.



A glance towards the battle showed men falling, some from Itachi’s army along with some from Madara’s. There was no doubt about who was going to dominate the battle. Madara, even without his savages, possessed the larger army. Itachi simply had not had the time to have the common folk trained in war. The blame could only be laid on their father. He should have known that Madara would do this upon his death. Even now his body still remained in the ibu tent, not even fully prepared for the afterlife.



Turning his attention away from the battle, Sasuke pulled his dagger from its sheath before using the sharp blade to slice a large bit of cloth from a nearby tent. Rolling the cloth tightly, he folded it before pressing it firmly against Naruto’s bleeding abdomen.



“Ahh!” moaned Naruto, opening pain filled eyes. “Sasuke, you need…to get…the horn.”



“I don’t give a shit about the horn; I’m getting you taken care of first. My first priority is making sure that you stay alive.” Sasuke slipped his arm under Naruto’s. Tugging harshly, the prince pulled injured blonde to his feet.



“Sasuke, that horn…is the only way to…bring forth my father’s army. Itachi is…a brave king but…he is out numbered. We need…that horn.” Naruto began coughing raggedly, blood dripped from his lips onto the ground, staining the golden sand red.



“At least let me get you away from the fighting. That horn won’t do you any good if you are dead.” Sasuke half carried, half dragged Naruto towards the gates to the city. Once there, the sound of battle was slightly deafened by the rising sand storm that seemed to come from no where.



Both were panting by the time they reached the gates. Pulling Naruto into the shadows, hidden among a few large jugs and crates, Sasuke grabbed Naruto’s hand and pressed it to the wound. The wound was most likely mortal but he hoped that Naruto’s status as a demigod would prevent his death. The pallor on the blonde’s face did not support that hope. Time was running short.



“This is…far enough…the horn…please.” Naruto clutched at the makeshift bandage, blood already seeping through the cloth.



“Naruto…” Sasuke looked desperately at the wounded blonde. If he left him unattended, even hidden here out of sight, Itachi would likely murder him. His brother had developed a nearly desperate obsession to be with Naruto. The sight of his brother after he learned Naruto was gone was an outcome that he hoped to avoid in the future.



“Please…Sasuke…” Naruto was fading fast. Color continued to drain from his face as his blood seeped through the bandage. He would die if left as he was. Closing his eyes, Sasuke nodded.



Keeping to the shadows, Sasuke entered the city. Luck must have been with him. A few horses were stabled near the gate. They shied away as he approached, the smell of blood along with the sound of distant battle caused them to more skittish than normal. It took several precious moments for Sasuke to gentle one long enough to mount. Burying his heels in the mare, horse and rider shot from the stable and through the streets.



The streets were empty, most commoners hiding in their homes, praying that their pharaoh would keep them safe. They were farmers and shopkeepers, not warriors. Even if given a weapon, they would be a liability on the battlefield, untrained as they were.



The lack of people on the streets was a blessing as Sasuke urged the horse faster through the curving dirt road. As dirt faded to cobblestone, the sound of the mare’s hooves on the ground was music to Sasuke’s ears.



Handing off the lathered horse to a terrified servant, Sasuke raced up the steps, taking them two at a time. Servants scattered as he raced through the halls, desperately calling for Intef.



“Lord Sasuke.” Intef prostrated himself immediately before the brother of his pharaoh.



Panting, Sasuke closed his eyes as he attempted to catch his breath. Rivulets of sweat trickled down his face, leaving dirty trails in their wake. Sasuke was unable to answer the boy, panic coupled with the need recoup his lost breath seemed to prevent him from ordering the boy to fetch the horn.



“Boy…Naruto’s horn…get it.” panted Sasuke as he slumped against the cool stone of a wall. He prayed the boy knew what he meant.



Understanding dawned on the Intef’s face, followed closely by fear and shame. He’d forgotten to give the horn to the pharaoh. In his worry for his master, he’d forgotten to follow his master’s instructions. Rushing to his master’s rooms, Intef flung clean linen from the chest, revealing the gleaming horn.



Clutching the bone horn to his chest, Intef quickly returned to Sasuke’s side. Offering up the instrument, Intef bowed his head in shame. “Forgive me, my lord. My master bid me give the horn to Pharaoh Itachi if it came to war. I forgot. I will accept any punishment for my transgression.”



The seconds ticked by as he awaited punishment from the lord but lifted his eyes when no harsh words or even harsher fists came. Looking at Lord Sasuke, Intef was surprised to see only the chief advisor’s back as he exited the room, heading towards the stables for a fresh horse.



Intef charged after the lord. “Lord Sasuke, take me with you. I have to repay my master for my mistake.”



“Go away servant, I have no time to bring you. You will only slow me down. Naruto is dying. Be grateful that he would be angry should I kill you.” growled Sasuke as he pulled himself onto the saddled horse.



“Please, my lord.”



“If you want to help, I suggest you pray to a god that Naruto doesn’t die for I cannot promise that our pharaoh will not go insane in that event.” stated Sasuke before kicking the horse into motion, leaving Intef standing in the dust the hooves turned up.



Coughing, Intef turned to the stable. Now that the prince had left, the stable servants were running to be with their families. Making a decision, he grabbed the mane of the first horse he came to and swung onto the back. The black mare shook her head at the disturbance but did not attempt to throw him. Intef took that as a good sign and soon he too was racing towards the battleground.



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The horse reared to his hind legs, nearly sending Sasuke to the ground were it not for his firm grip with his thighs. The screams of the dying seemed to have spooked the horse. The stomping of hooves alerted Sasuke that he would have to travel the remaining hundred yards on foot.



Growling in frustration, he hobbled the horse to a store front before breaking towards the gate. Sasuke paled at what he saw. Itachi’s forces were being forced back. The battle was nearly to the gates. He could see his brother fighting off wave after wave.



Something needed to happen or both he and his brother would be journeying to Osiris before the day was finished. Clutching the horn tightly, Sasuke crept along the wall towards the hiding place of Naruto.



The pallid skin of his brother’s lover was more shocking than the blood soaked cloth pressed to his abdomen. Glazed eyes fluttered open at his gasp. A small smile creased across the pain ridden face.



Naruto could barely focus. He’d been fading in and out of consciousness since Sasuke left him to retrieve the horn. For a while, he feared the prince might be too late. Already he could feel his soul leaking from his body. The regrets of his life began to course through his mind, the biggest one being that he didn’t have the time to save Itachi. Granted, he knew that the king was well on the way to salvation but he wondered how much his death would set him back.



His eyes blinked as Sasuke was suddenly before him, in his hands was the horn. Coughing a little to clear his lungs of the fluid that had begun to gather, Naruto brought the horn to his lips.



No sound emerged as his arm lacked the strength to even hold the instrument. Sasuke’s worried gaze was locked on Naruto. A small hoarse laugh escaped as Naruto handed the horn to Sasuke. “I lack the strength.”



“What do we do?” asked Sasuke frantically.



“You must…blow it. My father…will come. I’m very…tired.” Naruto closed his eyes but was shaken awake by a frantic Sasuke.



“Don’t you close your eyes, even for a moment.” Sasuke grabbed the horn. Taking a deep breath, he blew into the curved bone.



The sound traveled across the battlefield. Individual fighting stopped at the sound. Even Itachi seemed to pause at the horn‘s call. The wind picked up strength and blew through the area. No sound could be heard other than that of the horn and the wind. Soldiers looked frantically at each other, unsure of what to do.



“Destroy them you fools. We have them now.” Madara screamed before lunging at Itachi with his khopesh, forcing the other man to defend himself before countering.



“They come.” whispered Naruto, before lapsing into unconsciousness.



Sasuke watched wide eyed as the dust parted and hundreds of thousands of warriors stepped from the swirling dust and sand. Contrary to popular belief, Anubis’s army was not composed of jackal headed minions but in fact the warriors varied. Some appeared human, while others carried the various traits of animals.



A jackal headed general lifted his spear in the air causing the newly arrived army to answer with a roar that deafened the surrounding desert in its decibel. The massive army charged into battle with vicious intent.



The screams of the wounded accompanied the clash of weapons, providing an almost musical tone to the atmosphere. Where Madara’s army dominated earlier, Itachi’s army, accompanied by the army of Anubis, forced the invading force back.



Madara, however, would not be deterred from his goal. Death to the sons of his brother was his ultimate desire. He would succeed even if he died in the process. He would not fail. Itachi would die, followed by his pitiful brother. “Die!”



Sasuke watched with horror as the sands ran red with the blood of both sides. Kneeling beside Naruto, Sasuke cried as he felt the life slipping from the boy. A dark shadow fell across them, causing Sasuke to draw his weapon. He would protect him with his life.



Swinging wildly, he was shocked as his blade was deflected by the creature standing before him. The lion headed being staring down at him narrowed her golden eyes on Sasuke. A delicate clawed hand reached forward to grasp his throat in an unforgiving grip.



Choking, the prince clawed at the hand as the creature brought him forward, seeming to stare into his soul. Tears tracked down his face as the unblinking eyes pierced his very being before dropping him unceremoniously to the ground.



Drawing in precious oxygen, Sasuke closed his eyes as his body coughed and gasped before glancing towards the creature. Golden eyes continued to watch him before turning towards Naruto. “Stay…away…from…him.”



“You think to order me, mortal. I am older than most. What could a pitiful creature, such as you, do to me?” Though the snarling lips moved, the voice that escaped was so beautiful that Sasuke longed to hear it again.



“He’s special.” whispered Sasuke. “Please don’t kill him.”



The lioness chuckled. “Harm him? Would Sekhmet, patron goddess of healers, harm him? I pity you humans and your doubts.”



Sasuke froze at her introduction. Though Sekhmet was known as the goddess belonging to healers, she was also one of the oldest and most powerful. “Stand back, human. Least you find yourself before Osiris.”



Sasuke scrambled away, fear and worry battled. Naruto was no longer breathing; the knowledge causing tears to track down his face. He watched entranced as the goddess’s eyes began to glow. Her hands lifted Naruto’s slight body before bringing him to her chest.



A warm light engulfed them both. The pulsing of the center seemed to increase in strength, forcing Sasuke to look away for fear of burning his eyes. The pressure in the air dropped before the light exploded, sending Sasuke flying into the sand several feet away.



The dust cleared to reveal Naruto cuddled against the lioness like a child. “Little demon, you should have called on me sooner. It was almost too late.”



“I’m sorry, Sekhmet. I thought I could handle it.” whispered Naruto bashfully.



“Hmph. Your father would have been most displeased should you die.” mused the goddess as she lowered Naruto to the ground, keeping a clawed hand on his shoulder as he attempted to find his balance.



“I hadn’t expected things to go this bad.” Naruto’s head dropped. The lioness tilted her hand and lifted the blonde’s chin with a claw.



“Humans are unexpected. If they were not so, we would have long grown bored with them.” The strange words comforted Naruto. He had long sought the wisdom of Sekhmet. Like himself, many avoided her, fearing her power. It was her nurturing nature that drew Naruto to her. She was a lioness after all. Protecting her pride was second nature to her.



Naruto smiled before turning red eyes towards Sasuke. “That was close. Thank you.”



Sasuke, unable to speak, slumped in the sand. Exhaustion and shock removed the strength from his body. Naruto’s fully healed body shone in the light of the day. Where there was once a bleeding wound, now there was only smooth tan skin. Not even a scar graced his flesh.



“You should take more care, child. There was some strange substance in your blood.” commented Sekhmet, her own eyes going distant as she analyzed what she’d discovered.



“Yes, it was my own fault. I seem to be too trusting of humans.” Naruto nodded, a frown replaced the smile as he watched the battle.



The screams were now louder with the addition of the supernatural army. Fear as well as pain brought the suffering to a high. The heat of the sun was already baking the flesh of the dead, sending the odor of death drifting on the slight breeze.



Naruto clenched his teeth at the smell. It sent tremors of longing through him. He wanted to join in the massacre. His own claws extended as he shifted on the sand. Popping his knuckles to relieve some of the built up pressure, Naruto’s eyes zeroed in on Madara and Itachi.



The two were locked in a battle where only one would come out the winner. It was an unwritten rule that none of the gods or their servants would interfere in the battle between the two. This was a battle between kings. The outcome of which would change the known world.



Naruto growled low as Itachi staggered from a particularly powerful blow. Even from this distance, he could see how the king was tiring. The muscles in Itachi’s arms and legs quivered with exhaustion. The only comforting image was that Madara was just as exhausted, perhaps more so, considering his age.



Continuing to watch with desperate eyes, Naruto prayed for a favorable outcome. His own sanity now depended on it.



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Intef whimpered at the sound of battle. He’d been a slave for most of his life. As such, he’d never been exposed to the workings of war. The soldiers were just there, equipped with their shiny armor along with sharp weapons.



Standing in the shadow of the main gate, Intef scanned for Lord Sasuke. His eyes desperately sought the distinctive hair that would signal his lord’s presence. Nothing. The deafening sounds of battle were so loud that the boy was nearly quaking in terror. Fear coursed through every inch of his being.



His mouth gaped at the sight before him. Some of the warriors were not human. They were of the gods. Fighting the urge to bow before them, Intef crept along the wall until a clawed hand grabbed him by his arm.



“What’s this?” Snarled the voice belonging to a baboon headed creature. Dark eyes narrowed as the muzzle snuffled along Intef’s neck, drawing a whimper from the boy. “You smell like Naruto.”



“Best leave him be.” voiced another, this one looked human barring the tattoos that covered every visible inch of his body.



“Consider yourself lucky, little human.” Intef was discarded roughly on the ground; bruised, terrified, but otherwise unharmed.



The two left the boy and rejoined the fight, though most of Madara’s army were dead or hastily retreating. For long moments, he lay shivering despite the heat.



Swallowing his fear, the boy rose to his feet. His courage wavered as he watched his pharaoh clash weapons with a dark haired man. Blood dripped slowly from a shallow wound on Itachi’s chest, the crimson liquid leaving a distinct trail on pale skin.



Inching closer, the servant watched as Madara began to gain momentum, pushing the pharaoh backwards. Did that mean he was losing? What would happen if he lost? Would things go back to before? Would his body be beaten and raped to the point of near death?



No! He would not allow it to go back to before. He would not allow his pharaoh to be struck down. He would not stand by and watch Naruto cry for the loss of Itachi.



Drawing in a shaky breath, Intef grabbed a discarded weapon from the ground. The weight of the metal felt strange in his hands. He tried to avoid looking at the dried blood and flesh staining the blade as he prepared to defend his king if need be.



Itachi panted as he parried what would have been a death blow. His stamina was fading quickly while Madara seemed to possess ungodly amounts of it. At the man’s age, he should have fallen by now.



Using a second Khopesh he’d scavenged from a dead soldier, Itachi blocked swing after swing. The anger caused by Madara’s attack on Naruto only spurred him more. He WOULD NOT lose to him.



Stepping forward to take dominance over the fight, Itachi was startled as a small frame lunged at Madara. His uncle, seasoned soldier that he was, blocked the feeble attack before throwing the boy to the ground.



“Who dares interrupts a battle amongst kings?” snarled Madara as he drew back his weapon to dispose of the annoyance.



Realization dawned on Itachi. This boy was the servant Naruto seemed to dote on. This boy held a place in the keeper of his heart’s affection. He would not allow Naruto to cry. He would save this boy from death at the hands of Madara. The boy meant nothing to him; however, he did mean a great deal to Naruto. Itachi didn’t even realize that the decision was made.



Without thinking, he lunged forward, blocking most of the attack but at the cost of a dire injury. Madara withdrew his khopesh, bloodied from where it had sliced deep into Itachi’s side. The pharaoh grunted as the blade sliced through his skin. He’d just given Madara his kingdom in exchange for the life of a slave. For a moment all seemed quiet. Any remaining battles stilled. The scene was something out of a macabre picture; Itachi‘s blood leaked heavily from his body while his opponent laughed manically.



Intef looked on in horror as blood dripped from Itachi’s side, his hand clutching desperately at the wound to stave off the blood loss. Words seemed lost on the wind.



Naruto, who was watching the events in horror, tensed in preparation to sprint across the sand towards his injured lover. A clawed hand held him back. “Stay. You know the rules.”



“Fuck the rules.” Naruto ripped from her grip, racing towards his lover with all of his strength. “Itachi!”



Naruto caught his lover as he collapsed at Madara’s feet, the man lost in his own since of victory. Unlike his own injury, Sekhmet would not heal Itachi, even should he beg and plead with her. It appeared that destiny had other plans for Itachi.



Itachi groaned as he was lowered gently to the sand, Intef’s sobs were mere background noise to accompany the thumping of Naruto’s heart in his ears. “What did you do?”



Naruto repeated the question again and again; with each question, his voice rose in pitch. Tears were now racing down his cheeks as he clung desperately to his lover. It wasn’t time yet. Itachi wasn’t ready. He hadn’t saved him yet.



“Naruto…” The words were barely a whisper on the wind as Itachi lifted a blood stained hand, tracing the tear tracks, leaving bloody streaks on Naruto’s cheeks.



“Don’t leave me. I don’t know your fate.” whispered Naruto.



Itachi didn’t answer; he couldn’t. Already his eyes felt heavy. Blood pooled around his body, soaking into the sand. His heart stuttered in his chest, attempting to keep his dying body alive. The last thought in Itachi’s mind was that he would not be allowed the chance to hold Naruto in his arms again.



A scream tore through the area, chilling the very souls of all who bore witness to the death of a king. The slender frame of the blonde seemed to quake in unbridled rage. He dared take Itachi from him? He dared take away what was HIS! No one destroyed what belonged to him without facing the wrath of HIM.



What was witnessed next was something from nightmares. Naruto’s body shuddered as he threw back his head releasing a howl of utter agony. Before the eyes of all who witnessed it, the slender boy’s body stretched and warped until he was no longer human in appearance.



Bone and muscle popped and stretched as Naruto adjusted to his natural state. The warriors of Anubis trembled before the sight of the destroyer of the world. They knew what he was and what he could do. Standing nearly fifty feet in length, with a height of close to thirty feet, the creature howled its anguish.



Any trace of Naruto was gone; only a beast remained. A beast made of pain, sorrow, and regret stood before all that bore witness. Nine tails flicked rapidly as crimson eyes darted through those below him. Unnatural flames danced along the creature’s ankles as its eyes locked onto Madara.



Snarling low in its throat, the nine tailed beast lowered its head until it was eye to eye with Madara. Heated breath ruffled Madara’s hair, sending tendrils flying behind him. Intelligent, pain ridden eyes blinked slowly as they took in every inch of the tiny human before them. “I supposed you are pleased with yourself?”



Madara garbled a response to the question that could not be understood as any form of cognizant words. “No last words?” chuckled the beast.



Stumbling backwards, Madara didn’t see Sasuke come from behind until he looked down to see a blade protruding from his chest. Blood poured from his lips as eyes went blank before he crumpled to the ground.



Naruto snarled before devouring Madara’s body, effectively preventing him from journeying to the afterlife. Blood dripped from his muzzle as bones crunched beneath his teeth. The sight and sound of the body being devoured caused men to fall to their knees, gagging in disgust.



Eye’s blank with shock, Sasuke crumpled beside Itachi’s cooling body. The pallor of his own skin was so like Itachi’s in death. Raising pain filled eyes to the beast standing silent, Sasuke screamed out his agony. “What now? Will you destroy the world again? Is that all you are good for, destroying things.”



It was Sasuke’s grief that brought Naruto back to himself. Looking sadly at the sight of his lover and lover’s brother, Naruto focused his attention elsewhere. Blazing eyes turned to the slave Intef, who remained a sobbing mess. “Your punishment shall be to stay at Prince Sasuke’s side. You will be his servant from this day forward. I hope you understand what was sacrificed so that you could live.”



“Master…”



“No longer am I your master.” snarled the flame colored beast. “I must return to my father.”



Releasing a howl, Naruto rose onto his haunches; stretching his neck up to shout for all to hear. His voice boomed through the land. Every man, woman, and child listened to the words of the great monster.



“You pharaoh died a great man. Honor his memory.” The beast shouted so all could hear before turning towards the once again growing sandstorm. The warriors of Anubis followed in suit until all disappeared into the swirling sand.



Sasuke struggled to his feet, shock and grief making the world swim before his eyes. Now that the battle was finished, a litter was brought on which to lay Itachi’s body. No laughter was heard through the streets as the procession stopped before the temple to Anubis.



The priests came forth with bowed heads and took the body to be cleaned before embalming. The high priest remained at Sasuke’s side. “I will make sure he is properly cared for, Lord Sasuke.”



Sasuke nodded weakly before he was escorted to the palace. Once cleaned, the prince was left alone to mourn. Tomorrow, the ‘vultures’, as Itachi called them, would swoop in, attempting press the issue of the next king. Sasuke was willing to fight tooth and nail so to honor his brother’s memory. He would not fail his brother even if he was forced to kill everyone in his path.



To be continued.