The Weight of the Heart

Warning Yaoi (boy x boy relationships) don’t read if you don’t like.



AN: Many thanks to the huge support and hugs to Word_Slave for the praise. I am actually surprised at the support for a fic of this nature. I wasn’t expecting nearly this amount of interest. For those of you that want updates for when this fic is updated, to make my life a little easier, you can set up an account on http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/ where I am also posting this. Daydreamer79 is my name and if you watch me you will get a notification on everything I post. My page is listed on my user page here on AFF. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.



The Weight of the Heart



Chapter Two



“Master Naruto, we have been called to the palace to tend to the body of the grand vizier.” said the high priest.



“Just Naruto.” grinned Naruto as he shuffled through the stalls of the market place.



Naruto’s eyes jumped from stall to stall, taking in every sight and every smell. Everything was so different here. Venders called out in attempts to snare the attention of possible customers. Naked children ducked and dodged past adults in games of chase. The air was permeated with the scents of cooking food, over ripe fruit, and the thick smell of sweat. Naruto was completely captivated by the entire atmosphere.



“My lord…” hissed the high priest.



“Go on. There is nothing I can do for the man. My duties do not intersect with you own.” sighed Naruto in annoyance.



“My lord, it is my duty as high priest to look after you. Don’t forget who you are.” argued the high priest.



Naruto turned to the priest as his blue eyes tinted a deep red with annoyance. The high priest sucked in his breath. There was power in this boy. To underestimate him would be the last mistake you made.



“Leave him be, High Priest Rami. We have duties to attend to.” urged one of the lower priests.



Rami ran a hand over his shaved head and sent a frustrated look towards the blonde that was quickly disappearing in the crowd. If something happened to the boy, Lord Anubis would have his balls for dinner. Such was not a fate he looked forward to.



However, as high priest, his presence was required at all high profile deaths and the death of the royal vizier was definitely high profile. Sighing dejectedly, Rami turned and began to make his way towards the palace, each step causing more and more dread to course through his veins. It seemed that the palace was becoming all too familiar with death lately.



Naruto looked over his shoulder as the high priest disappeared in the crowd, glad to finally have freed himself from the stifling attention. He was utterly intrigued by this world. The perfection of the Fields was in no way comparable to the imperfections of this world.



Looking around the bazaar, Naruto was intrigued by the daily life of the people. The sound of children laughing echoed through the air, adding an almost musical tone to the bustling streets. Time passed and all too soon the sun was beginning to sink lower in the horizon, signaling the nearing end of the day. Sighing, Naruto decided to make his way back to the temple.



“Out of the way you low class scum.” a voice shouted.



Turing to see what the commotion was about, Naruto laughed when he saw a fat noble being carried through the crowds on a litter by four rather large Nubians. Each of the dark skinned men wore a simple white kilt and around their necks and wrists were gold bands, signifying their status as slaves. None of them looked particularly happy to be there. He could sympathize with that. He very much doubted he would be happy if he had to carry that large of a man around.



A young ragged child ran through the legs of the Nubians, causing the litter to tilt spilling the nobleman on the dusty street. The fat man struggled to his feet with the help of one of his slaves and approached the quivering child. Raising his hand, he readied to strike the child. The blow never fell.



Naruto saw the events and leapt towards the fat noble, grabbing the pudgy wrist in a vise grip. The man swung around and sneered at Naruto.



“How dare you interfere.” snarled the man.



“You shouldn’t hit the child. It was an accident.” argued Naruto.



“It’s my right to hit whomever I want, you insolent boy. Grab him.” he ordered.



Before Naruto could blink, two of the Nubians had Naruto’s arms and his struggles were useless.



“I’ve been wanting a new slave. I think I will make you mine as reparation for assaulting me.” leered the fat man.



Naruto turned his head and wrinkled his nose as the fetid breath washed over him. A fat, sweaty palm brushed over the skin of his chest and he cringed, feeling the bile churn in his stomach. Naruto bit his lip and tamped down the surge of power that rose just beneath his skin. It wasn’t his right to take a life, even one as disgusting as this one. Just as the pudgy hand neared the belt of his kilt, a voice called out over the crowd.



“What goes on here?” asked an annoyed voice.



The crowd parted and bowed low as Prince Sasuke wove his way though the masses, his very presence causing women to nearly swoon. Prince Sasuke’s dark hair shone in the afternoon sun. His skin was so pale that it seemed out of place in such an arid climate.



The prince stood dressed in a pristine white kilt, belted by an intricately woven gold sash. Around his throat were several necklaces of gold and lapis lazuli. Pitch black eyes were outlined with kohl, bringing attention to the mysterious depths. His face wore a look of superiority that left no doubt to anyone of his status.



Sasuke approached the blonde and arched a brow. If he had thought the blonde attractive from a distance, he found him even more beautiful up close. Hair of gold from a distance became a startling mixture of gold, red and pale blonde locks that combined to create the eye catching color. Looking into the face of the boy, Sasuke was startled at the intensity that swirled in eyes that would shame the most expensive sapphire. He knew without a doubt that once Itachi saw the boy up close he would never let him go. If nothing else, his brother was possessive.



“Prince Sasuke.” acknowledged the nobleman.



“Who is the boy?” asked Sasuke as his eyes continued to stare intently at Naruto.



“My new slave, my lord. He dared to assault me so I took him as my slave as punishment.” explained the fat man.



“Who gave you the right to pass judgment?” snarled Sasuke.



It wasn’t that Sasuke particularly cared about the daily life of the lower classes but his heart nearly stuttered in his chest at the nobleman’s words. If he hadn’t come when he had, there was a very good chance the blonde would have been spirited away, never to be seen again. Sasuke loved his brother, but he didn’t want to be the one to tell him that he had been unable to find the blonde. His brother wasn’t the sanest individual when it came to being denied something he wanted and Sasuke had a keen sense of self-preservation.



“My prince…that’s the way it has always been. Please forgive my presumptuousness.” simpered the man.



“Hn…see that you remember that the next time you seek to throw your very substantial weight around.” smirked Sasuke.



“Yes, my prince.” pouted the nobleman.



Sasuke dismissed him with a wave and the nobleman turned to climb onto the litter once more but paused at Sasuke’s words.



“Oh, by the way, I’ll be taking the boy with me. The First Prince has taken a shining to him.” announced Sasuke.



Sasuke hid the inner cackle of glee at the way the disgusting man’s face became splotched in his anger. The Nubians looked at each other in uncertainty before releasing Naruto and lifting the litter with heavy grunts. The Nubians proceeded to carry their master towards his home. The fat man cracked his crop on the shoulder of one of the dark skinned men, obviously seeking to take his frustration out on the slave.



Naruto watched as the fat man was carried away. He released a sigh of relief. Turning to the smirking Sasuke, Naruto bowed low to the raven haired prince.



“You are an idiot to risk your freedom for a street child.” said Sasuke with a shake of his head.



“Many thanks for freeing me from his clutches but I just couldn’t allow him to strike the child.” said Naruto.



“Just as I thought, an idiot.”



Naruto felt his brow twitch at the insult. Biting the inside of his jaw, Naruto bowed again and turned to leave, only to be stopped by the guards that followed Sasuke. Confused, Naruto turned to face the smirking man.



“Where do you think you are going?” asked Sasuke.



“Back to the temple.” answered Naruto.



“I don’t think so. I wasn’t lying when I said my brother wanted you. You will be coming with me.” smirked Sasuke.



“I’m not going anywhere with you, bastard.” growled Naruto.



“Come with me quietly or I will have the guards lash you for insulting a son of the Pharaoh.” hissed Sasuke.



“I am returning to the temple.” said Naruto stubbornly.



Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the blonde. He dared to take such a tone with him, the son of Pharaoh? Normally, Sasuke was a bit more calm natured than his brother. For some reason, though, this blonde seemed to be able to push all his common sense over the edge of reason.



“Bring him.” ordered Sasuke to the head guard.



The guard signaled for his fellow guards to bring the boy. Naruto let out a screech of indignity and struggled against the firm hands of the guards. He felt his control starting to slip. Unable to resist, Naruto latched onto the arm of one of the guards with his slightly enlarged canines. The man released a yell and struck the blonde hard across the face.



Sasuke swung around in time to see the blonde collapse onto the dirt unconscious, a trickle of blood dripped from his lips to stain the ground. Sasuke nearly flew into a rage. When Itachi saw the boy damaged there would be hell to pay. Storming to the guard, Sasuke struck him across the face.



“You idiot. What did I just finish telling that foolish noble? This boy belongs to Prince Itachi. He will not be happy if he’s damaged.” Sasuke practically yelled.



Itachi wouldn’t be happy and Sasuke would be the one to have to deal with his rage. It wasn’t a pleasant duty. Clenching his hands into fists, Sasuke closed his eyes and took a few deep breathes.



“Forgive me, my prince. It was an instinctual reaction when he bit me.” cried the guard as he fell to his knees before the prince.



“You know that you will need to be punished. Ten lashes to be received upon returning to the palace. I suggest, for your sake, you pray very hard to whatever god or goddess you favor that my brother is content with that.” sighed Sasuke.



“Yes, my prince.” groveled the guard.



“Pick him up. Nothing can be done at this point.” ordered Sasuke before turning once again to make his way towards the palace.



Once in the palace, Sasuke ordered the boy placed in one of the bedrooms near Itachi’s suite of rooms.



“Lock him in and post guards at all possible exits. I’m taking no chances with him. If he escapes, it’s you that will answer to Prince Itachi, not I.” warned Sasuke before walking to his own rooms.



Slumping on a dais near the window to the gardens, Sasuke closed his eyes and lifted fingers to his temples. The headache that had been just under the surface since being ordered to find the boy was now a full blown migraine. He was dreading the altercation with Itachi when he saw the bruised jaw of the boy. There was no denying that the guard that struck the boy was in very deep shit. Sasuke prayed that Itachi could be reasoned with.



“You seem stressed, little brother.” commented a voice so rich; it could have been labeled as a dessert.



“If it wasn’t for the fact that father would greatly mourn your death, I would kill you myself and save Uncle Madara the trouble.” groaned Sasuke without opening his eyes.



Sasuke had long grown accustomed to the silent movements of Itachi. If Itachi didn’t want you to hear him, you wouldn’t. Not even Sasuke could claim to have such skill of movement. It was almost as if Itachi was graced by the gods.



“Can I assume you completed the task I asked of you?” queried Itachi.



“You know very well I did. There is not a single footstep taken in this palace that you aren’t aware of.” scowled Sasuke.



Itachi laughed wryly at the comment. If only that was true, then he would have long since put an end to the assassination attempts on the royal family. Their father was going old and weak. Uncle Madara was gaining influence with the more debauched nobles. If only his father would listen to reason and banish their conniving uncle.



Itachi looked at his brother. He looked so much like their mother. Itachi favored their father more in appearance. Both had taken the death of their mother hard. Sighing inwardly, Itachi pushed aside the twinge of pain that burst in his chest. There was no place in his soul for such weak feelings.



“You spoke with the boy?” asked Itachi.



“I don’t know if you could call it speaking.” joked Sasuke.



“What would you call it?” asked Itachi with an arched brow.



“I don’t know, but I am sure you will experience it soon enough.” smirked Sasuke.



Itachi mirrored the arrogant smile though it never reached his eyes. Sasuke shivered a little at the dead look in Itachi’s eyes. The deep set orbs reflected nothing but emptiness coupled with a hint of madness. Such eyes hinted at a darkness that was found lurking in the mind.



“Where is he?” asked Itachi, rising from his chair.



“I put him in one of the rooms near your suite. It will be the one with the most guards.” smirked Sasuke.



Both strode down the marble hallway, pausing before the heavily guarded door. Itachi arched a brow at his brother.



“Is this really necessary? He’s only one boy.” smirked Itachi.



“You have no idea.” grumbled Sasuke as the guards bowed and parted, allowing the two to enter the room.



A delicate incense was burning in a bowl in the corner of the room, sending up a slightly spicy fragrance. The room was lit only by a single oil lamp, giving the large room a shadowed appearance.



The blonde was lying unconscious on the bed, sprawled out in a carefree position. Itachi strolled closer. His sharp eyes took in every inch of the boy. He noted the unblemished skin and the intricate colors of his hair as each strand caught the light of a nearby lamp. Firm muscles shifted beneath soft skin, tightening and relaxing unconsciously as the blonde moved restlessly on the bed before drifting off again. The marks on his cheeks, reminiscent of whiskers, seemed to give him an almost animalistic appearance.



“He’s perfect.” breathed Itachi.



“He’s a pain in the ass.” snorted Sasuke as he settled himself in a chair.



Itachi smirked at his brother before turning his eyes back to the vision laid out before him. He felt a thud in his chest at the innocent way the boy slept. He slept as if he had not a care in the world. His eyes were tracing the delicate facial features when the beginning of a dark bruise caught his eye. Itachi scowled and gently grabbed the boy’s chin and tilted the face to get a better look.



“Who did this, Sasuke.” snarled Itachi.



Sasuke lifted a hand to bridge of his nose. He had hoped that in the darkened room, Itachi would fail to notice the bruise on the boy’s jaw. Wishful thinking, he supposed. There was very little that Itachi missed.



“A guard.” muttered Sasuke.



“A guard struck what is mine?” snarled Itachi.



Sasuke flinched at the darkness that bled into his brother’s eyes until they seemed to glow with an unearthly flame. This was why he’d hoped the boy wouldn’t bruise. Itachi was going to go on a rampage if damage control wasn’t implemented.



“Leave it, Itachi. He’s been punished.” stated Sasuke.



“Not by me.” growled Itachi.



“The boy wasn’t scarred so leave it be. The guard received ten lashes, which, may I point out, is double that of the normal punishment for such a minor offence.” said Sasuke in an attempt to placate his brother.



Itachi scowled but the fire faded from his eyes leaving only dark nothing. Sasuke was almost sad to see it go. Itachi was unpredictable when in such a state but at least his eyes held something more than madness.



A moan from the bed drew two pair of black eyes. Dark lashes fluttered open to reveal twin sapphires. Itachi watched intently as the boy sat up and blinked owlishly at his surroundings.



“Where am I?” asked the boy.



“The palace.” answered Sasuke.



The boy seemed confused for several seconds before shooting an angry glance towards Sasuke. The prince returned the look. Itachi looked on in amusement at the death glares being shared between his brother and the object of his infatuation.



“What is your name, boy?” asked Itachi.



Naruto glanced at the taller man. His deep voice was smoother than the finest tanned hide. The touch of it on his ears sent shivers through his entire being. He was slightly embarrassed. The man’s voice mesmerized him as easily as a charmer did a snake.



“Naruto.” answered the blonde.



“Strange name.” Itachi commented.



“Only to you.” shrugged Naruto.



Itachi smiled. Sasuke nearly fell out of the chair. Itachi…smiled? Not the blood hungry smile of madness nor the arrogant smirk of his status, this smile was real.



“Umm, I think I’ll go back to the temple now.” said Naruto, easing from the bed.



“I don’t think so.” smirked Itachi.



The prince grabbed Naruto’s arms in a powerful grip, preventing any escape. The blonde struggled but the grip was unrelenting. When the struggles had lessened, Itachi lifted a hand and gripped Naruto’s jaw harshly. Naruto winced at the grip.



“You belong to me now.”



“I belong to no one.” Naruto began his struggles anew.



“Don’t fight it. I can be a kind master.” Itachi purred in Naruto’s ear.



Naruto shivered as the breath whispered across his ear, teasing the tiny hairs that rimmed it. There was something so compelling about this man. Who was he that he could gain his obedience with the sound of his voice?



“My prince!”



Itachi lifted his head from Naruto and glanced at the servant. The young boy nearly died of fright. Quivering under the unrelenting gaze of the first prince, Intef prostrated himself before the prince.



“Why have you disturbed us?” snarled Itachi.



“My lord, the Pharaoh wishes a word with you.”



“Hn. Sasuke, make sure he stays put while I’m gone.” drawled Itachi.



The servant cringed as Itachi strolled by. Itachi looked down at the cowering servant with an arched brow.



“You, from now on you will serve Naruto as his personal servant.” barked Itachi before exiting the room.



“Well, that went well.” commented Sasuke.



“Well? Well? I’m trapped here by you and that…that person while I still have a mission.” hissed Naruto.



Sasuke rolled his eyes and held out a hand. Almost instantly, Intef rose to his feet and poured a drink for Sasuke. The raven haired prince smirked and watched Naruto while sipping the tangy beverage.



“What are you looking at, you bastard.” growled Naruto.



Sasuke frowned. That was the second time today the little shit had called him a bastard. This was really getting annoying. Didn’t he know the proper way to address royalty?



“Honestly, I don’t know what Itachi sees in you. You have got to be the most annoying idiot that I have ever met.”



“Itachi?” Naruto’s head jerked up and he stared at Sasuke as if he had grown a new head.



“My brother, the First Prince. Your master.”



Naruto felt faint. Sitting once more on the dais, he gripped the soft material until his knuckles whitened under the strain. That was Itachi? That was the man his father had sent him to save?



“You look as if you see a spirit.” commented Sasuke.



“Not a ghost.” whispered Naruto.



“Hn, well don’t try to escape. Itachi is not someone you want to anger. He is very possessive of his property and for the time being, you are his property. I would suggest you make the best of this. If you play your cards right you could live a very comfortable life even after he tires of you.” smirked Sasuke.



“No one owns me.”



Sasuke smirked but exited the room leaving Naruto alone with the servant. Glancing at the young man standing nearby awaiting a command, Naruto sighed. How had he gotten himself into this?



“Master, is there something I can get for you? Food? Drink? Games?” asked Intef.



“What’s your name?”



“Intef, master.”



“I’m Naruto. How old are you, Intef?”



“I have seen thirteen floods, master.”



So young and yet in this world, the young were made to grow up so quickly. Compared to the boy, he was ancient. Time passed so differently in the Fields.



“Master?”



“I don’t really need anything.”



The boy seemed to wilt. His whole purpose in life was to serve his master. Usually there was always something to do, some chore to accomplish. Intef slumped where he stood. This was a huge promotion for him and there was nothing he could do to please his master.



Naruto noticed the unhappy look of the servant. He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to give the child something to do.



“I suppose I could eat something. It’s been a while since I ate anything.” offered Naruto.



Intef leap into action, rushing from the room so fast Naruto thought he must have wings on his feet. The boy was so determined to please his master that Naruto feared he might return with a feast instead of a small meal.



With the servant gone, Naruto drew his legs up and rested his chin on his knees. What to do? He now knew the face of the heart he must save. He recalled the dark eyes that had pierced through his soul. There was something dark that lurked there and Naruto feared that it maybe to late to salvage him.



Naruto felt a small tear leak from his eye at the thought of failing his father. This was the largest request his father had ever made of him and now he feared that he wouldn’t be able to complete his mission.



Curling onto the soft bedding, Naruto was comforted by the sounds of the birds singing in the gardens. The wind filtered through the windows and brought with it the faint scent of lilies that combined with the incense to tease the senses. Breathing in deeply, Naruto allowed his mind to relax and soon felt himself drifting into slumber. So relaxed was he, that he never noticed the dark eyes that watched him silently through the window.



To be continued~



Thank you to:



Alyneese, Bumblebee, Keelar, dino1, ItaNarulover, Bree, BadDragonBran, Word_Slave, Pixie, Sneakyfox, weaselchan, and vivpiv for the wonderful praise. I am so glad that each of you are enjoying this story.