The Weight of the Heart

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



AN: The game played in this chapter is Senat. Here is a link to an image of the game and how it would be set up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maler_der_Grabkammer_der_Nefertari_003.jpg



Also, because I’m a nice person, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of making an account Y!, I will make an email list for you guys. If you want on this list you need to send me an email with the title being “Weight of the Heart” If you don’t make that the title there is a very good chance I wont open it and I will email you updates for this story. Aren’t I just as sweet as sugar (>^_^ )> Enjoy this chapter.



The Weight of the Heart



Chapter Four



“Are you sure he’s there?”



“Several of the acolytes came back with testimony from witnesses that admitted to seeing a yellow haired youth being apprehended by Prince Sasuke and taken to the palace. The palace staff fear Prince Itachi and are closed lipped about any goings on behind the doors. High Priest, what would you have us do?”



“Nothing. This is the will of Naruto. What goes on behind the palace walls is out of our hands. Have a few acolytes watch the palace. We will only intervene if it proves prudent to do so.” The young priest bowed before High Priest Rami and exited the chamber.



Rami sighed and slumped in his chair. Naruto had spoken at length with Rami concerning the mission given to him by his father. Such a task seemed impossible in the eyes of the high priest. The prince had an intellect that rivaled most scholars but was tainted by the sweet nothing of despair. Itachi was a dangerous man, far more so than anyone Rami had ever met.



The blonde was like a breath of fresh air. He forced light into the soul of everyone he met. Rami only hoped that Naruto didn’t lose a part of himself in this task.



“Naruto, I hope you have your wits about you. You are going to need them when dealing with a viper in his nest.”



X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X



Itachi barely suppressed the yawn that threatened to escape as he listened to the petitions of those brought before him. His hand glided absently over the soft fur of one of the many cats that resided in the palace. The cats were given free reign so not to anger Bastet. Stroking the cats also gave him a chance to move without appearing to fidget. His father, in his younger years, was often seen stroking a cat while deliberating with his advisors.



Since his father had been forced to his bed as the wasting illness began to take its final hold on him, Itachi took up the mantle and responsibilities of the pharaoh. A title he would have in name as well as actions very soon.



Prayers were offered and sacrifices made, but to no avail. The pharaoh continued to wither away before the very eyes of his subjects. The physicians and healers all responded with the same answer. Pharaoh Uchiha, may the light shine upon him, was dying.



For the last year, Itachi had gradually been taking on more and more responsibilities from his father. One such responsibility was to hear the complaints of those brought before him. Most of the minor disputes never made it to his presence, as they were handled by the lower ranking advisors and mediators. Only the most severe or the most high profile cases were brought before Itachi.



Though his face didn’t reveal it, Itachi was nearly asleep on his feet. His eyes hardened and he blamed the intriguing blonde for this. If the blonde hadn’t been so beautiful to watch, Itachi never would have spent the entire night staring at every inch of him. If the blonde hadn’t bewitched him he would have been well rested before being forced to deal with the petty annoyances of those powerful enough to be brought before him.



While the complainants argued their petty case before his ears, Itachi let his mind drift as he revealed in what he would do to punish the blonde for bringing him such distraction. Dark eyes narrowed as images of the blonde bound before him in submission as sapphire-like eyes flashed in defiance. Taming such a creature would be every such an enjoyable task.



Lust raced through his bloodstream and pooled in his loins. Only the most powerful restraint kept the physical effects of such thoughts from embarrassing him. Itachi gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw.



“Prince Itachi?”



Itachi barely restrained the growl that attempted to force its way up through his throat. Yet again, his restraint was tested because of one little blonde. Closing his eyes for the briefest of moments, Itachi drew from an inner well, the restraint to keep from killing the advisor. They were ever so hard to replace.



“Allow me to clarify…” began Itachi, eyes locked on the pudgy body of a noble “You are asking that I force your son to marry the girl that you have betrothed him to and you…” Itachi turned to the second man, a middle aged merchant. “You want me to force said son to wed your daughter whom is carrying his bastard?”



“Yes, Prince Itachi.” nodded both petitioners.



“How did this petty dispute come before me? Is there not enough trouble with the malcontent brewing in the south that you bring this before me?” Itachi growled low in his throat at the advisor. Said advisor appeared as if he was about to expire on the spot.



“Do you have any more sons?” asked Itachi, turning to face the nobleman.



“Yes, Prince Itachi.”



“Here is my judgment and as the voice for the pharaoh, this judgment is final. The boy will reap what he has sown and marry the daughter of the merchant.” The merchant smirked at the noble who dropped his head in despair.



“The second son shall be from this day forth be the first son and as such, inherit all that is his father’s and what was his brother’s, including the betrothal.” At this, the merchant lost the smirk on his face. His hope had been to place his daughter into a noble family and have her children inherit the title. Now with the ruling, she would be married only to the second son and inherit nothing.



“Now…get out.” Both men bowed low and exited the building. Neither was completely happy but neither had completely lost.



“First Prince Itachi…don’t you think that was a bit harsh to side with the merchant.” The advisor swallowed visibly as Itachi swiveled his gaze towards him.



“I sided with neither. It was a petty dispute that should never have made it this far. You would do well to remember that I am not my father and will judge as I see fit. You would do well in the future to refuse bribes from those wishing to argue before me.” With those words, Itachi stood, shed the heavy, formal garments of pharaoh and exited the receiving chamber.



“You do realize that noble will remember this ruling and be less likely to back you should war come.” smirked Sasuke.



Itachi paused beside his brother, who had been watching the events with interest. Sasuke’s interest wasn’t so much in the dilemma that had been placed before his brother as much as interesting play of emotions across his brother body. Itachi’s face rarely revealed emotion but he could not hide his body language and Sasuke was an expert at reading Itachi’s body language.



“When the threat of war comes to his doorstep he will do whatever it takes to keep himself safe even if it means that he will grovel before me.”



“Hn.” Sasuke snorted but continued to keep pace with his brother.



“How are you enjoying your new pet, brother?” smirked Sasuke.



Itachi sent Sasuke a sideways look. His brother was far to interested in the blonde. He didn’t like it. Unlike himself, Sasuke readily engaged in the pleasures of the sexual act. Itachi was by no means a virgin but he tended to be extremely particular of his partners. He didn’t like fear in the bedroom and much to his disdain, many of the people feared him. He really didn’t care. The sexual act, while pleasurable, wasn’t necessary and many times he was able to overcome the lust by pure willpower.



“If you get tired of him, I could always use another plaything.” Sasuke had barely gotten the words out of his mouth before Itachi had him by the hair. Slamming Sasuke, none too gently, against the wall, Itachi released a low growl that rumbled from his chest like that of a wild beast. Sasuke flinched at the sound as he struggled to keep his face and body language neutral.



Sasuke’s kohl lined eyes widened and a trickle of fear raced down his spine. Had he pushed his brother too far? He could care less about the blonde; he seemed too stubborn for his tastes. He was now regretting his teasing of his brother. The wild look in Itachi’s eyes told him that though his brother may care about him, he wasn’t above killing him if he should attempt to take one of his possessions from him.



“He belongs to me.” growled Itachi. Rage bubbled through his blood stream. How dare Sasuke make a claim to what was his? How dare he think that Itachi would ever let go of Naruto once he claimed him. For the first time in his existence, he longed for the feel of his brother‘s life‘s blood on his hands. Instinctively, his fingers clenched even harder on the tufts of hair between his fingers.



“M-my apologies, Itachi.” Sasuke wanted to kick himself for stuttering out the apology. It was unbecoming of him to be so shaken by his brother’s menacing aura.



The malice in Itachi’s eyes died and was replaced once more with blank nothingness. He released his brother’s hair and stepped away mentally berating himself for allowing such a small comment, said in jest, to affect him in such a powerful and disturbing way. Never had he struck out in such a way at Sasuke.



“You would do well not to bait me, Sasuke. I’m in no mood to be fodder for your own amusement.” With those words, Itachi strode down the hallway towards his father’s rooms.



Sasuke swallowed visibly and ran a hand through his hair, smoothing the tufts that were crushed by Itachi’s hand. A bead of sweat trickled down his cheek and he swiped absently at the tickling sensation. His brother was becoming more uncontrollable. If he wasn’t careful, Madara would make his move far more quickly than either anticipated. Sasuke feared the outcome of the dispute between Itachi and Madara more than anything else. The victor of their clashing would determine the fate of Egypt.



Itachi slowed his pace as he neared the corridor that housed the rooms belonging to the pharaoh. His father had hidden his waning health for several years before finally collapsing under the strain of his roll as pharaoh.



The continued decline in health forced Itachi to spend several hours a day with the dying man as he prepared his son to take on the role of light to the people. Itachi longed to find the spunky blonde and forgo this meeting with his father, but his duties as first prince must be dealt with before he would be allowed to occupy himself with Naruto.



Approaching the golden double doors that lead to his father’s rooms, Itachi stopped as the guards stepped in front of him and bowed low.



“Forgive us, Prince Itachi but your father is with a priest and can not be disturbed.” explained one of the guards.



“I see.” Itachi tilted his head and considered returning to his rooms and resting. The zenith of the sun was fast approaching and soon the heat would be sweltering. Most denizens of the Nile country used this time of day to sit and relax. Servants propped their feet up and slaves allowed themselves a moment’s respite from their exhausting duties. Only the cruelest of slave owner forced their slaves to work while the sun was at its peak.



Itachi was about to turn and leave when one of the large golden doors slid open. For a moment, Itachi wasn’t sure he was seeing what he was seeing. His normally expressionless eyes blinked in surprise at the person he saw exiting his father’s rooms. Instead of a rickety old priest, there before his eyes was his blonde. Their eyes locked and Itachi was certain he saw a tremor of shock go through Naruto.



“What are you doing in my father’s room?” Naruto jumped at the question.



Itachi tamped down on the urge to grab the blonde. This was Sasuke’s fault. He had set off Itachi’s more primal nature and now even the slightest thing was likely to push him over the edge. He felt lust coupled with annoyance spread through his system. He wanted to claim the blonde as his own…needed to claim him.



Itachi approached where he stood and bent down until his lips just teased the edge of Naruto’s ear. “Return to your room and send your servant away.”



Naruto’s eyes darkened slightly going from a bright, clear blue to nearly violet. Naruto scented lust radiating from the pale man and stiffened as his own body responded in tandem. Stiffening his spine, Naruto glared at Itachi. “You don’t own me.”



“I would suggest you not test my patience.”



“And I would suggest you stop ordering me around like your own personal pet.” Naruto felt his temper flair. He’d had enough of this.



“Hn…very well. Grab him.” ordered Itachi to the two guards that watched the altercation in an uncomfortable silence.



Unable to refuse a direct order from their prince, the guards took Naruto’s arms in a tight grip. Naruto struggled but his energy reserves were low from his easing of the pharaoh suffering. Healing was not his gift and as such required much more energy from him than an individual gifted in the art.



“Perhaps I should get you a pretty little collar…pet.” remarked Itachi and Naruto growled drawing amused glances from the guards.



“Take him to his room and have the guards posted there notified that no one leaves or enters but myself.” The guards nodded and began to escort the scowling Naruto down the long hallway.



Itachi watched until he could no longer see the shockingly bright hair of his Naruto. Turning, he faced the doors once more. Disgust flickered across his elegant features as he pushed the doors open. The sickly sweet scent of incense was thick in the air. Itachi though it no wonder the pharaoh had trouble breathing. He could barely breathe in the room and he was healthy. The priests praised the healing properties of the incense but that didn’t make the overbearing odor any more pleasant.



The diminutive figure on the bed started as the doors shut behind Itachi. Lifting up slightly, Uchiha watched as his oldest son walked the length of the room and bowed before making his way towards the bedside.



“My son.” acknowledged the dying man.



“You look well, father.” The pharaoh’s breathing was less labored and his sunken cheeks held a bit of color.



“I feel stronger today.”



Itachi settled himself at the bedside and awaited the words of the pharaoh.



“My son, you know that upon my death the nation will be torn between you and my brother. Though my brother lives far to the south, he is amassing strength among the Nubians.” The pharaoh reached for the cup of wine and sipped at the mild drink. There was so much he wanted his son prepared for. Dark times were coming and he would be unable to prevent them.



“You must unite the nation under your banner and drive out my brother. That is my wish for you.” Uchiha coughed lightly into a cloth. Though Naruto had eased the heaviness in his chest, he knew that it was simply palliative treatment. Already, he felt the pull of the other side. He knew that the ship sent to collect his soul had set sail and would be arriving at its docks very soon.



“It will be as you order, father.”



Uchiha blinked back the tears that attempted to form in his eyes. The emotionless tone of his son tore at his heart. He was at fault for creating such a void in his son. His time was short but perhaps he could make amends for his past actions.



“Son of my heart, I wish to make amends to what I did to you. Forgive me, my son, for forcing you to be something you were never meant to be. Forgive me for encouraging you to feel nothing.” Itachi started at the words. His heart thumped in his chest and for a moment he longed to fall into his father’s arms and cry for the time lost. However, he did not. Instead, he focused seemingly uncaring eyes on the withered form of his father.



“Father, I am what you made me. I care not for the weak ramblings of a guilt ridden conscience. Good day, I take my leave now.” Bowing low, Itachi exited the room, leaving the weakened pharaoh to his tears and regrets.



The shadows in the room lengthened and Uchiha started as a large shadow stepped forward and bowed low, the necklaces and ornamentation he wore clicking as he moved. Coughing heavily, the weakened man attempted to move away from the jackal headed creature. The creature held up a hand and a calming balm was soothed over the pharaoh’s consciousness.



“Rest easy Pharaoh, I am your guide from this world. My master has sent me to assure your journey is safe. Fear not me, for unlike the rest of this world, I will not leave your side until you stand before Osiris for the final judgment.” The servant of Anubis stepped to the head of the dais and simply watched as the pharaoh relaxed in his presence. The pharaoh’s death would be soon. It was as inevitable as the ebb and flow of the Great River from which all life was created.



Uchiha closed his eyes and began to drift into a peaceful doze, the gentle words from the fearsome creature soothed his soul, similar to the way he felt in Naruto’s presence. His fears and regrets melted away and he was left with only peace.



Itachi walked the halls. His mind was flooded by the thoughts that the pharaoh’s words elicited. Exhaustion warred with anger to produce a highly volatile Itachi. Sasuke saw the fire burning in his brother and was quick to order the servants to leave him be. He could very well kill someone at this point.



“Brother…”



“Sasuke…”



“You look tired.” The black circles around Itachi’s eyes were only deepened by the added kohl. The barely contained madness crept out from corners of his mind to flare dangerously in eyes. “Perhaps you should retire…”



“Sasuke, I want you to do something for me.”



“Yes, brother?”



“I want you to make sure that no one disturbs me tonight. If they do, I may kill them. Do you understand?” Sasuke swallowed but nodded in affirmation.



“Where are you going?” asked Sasuke, cautiously.



“Why to play with my…’pet’, as you called him.”



Itachi didn’t wait for Sasuke to respond. He strode determinedly towards the room where his new ‘pet’ resided. He was growing fond of referring to the blonde as his pet. He paused before the door as a thought struck him at how lovely he would look with a gold collar, inlaid with sapphires to match the color of his eyes. A small smile spread across his features at the image. Yes, a collar would look lovely indeed.



Ignoring the guards, Itachi pushed open the door and entered to the room. Naruto was no where to be seen in the room. Annoyed, Itachi walked deeper inside, taking note of the fresh fruit and water that had obviously been left by the servant boy. At least the whelp was good for something.



Standing in the doorway to the garden, Itachi spotted the blonde basking in the afternoon sun. The rays of light filtered through his unique hair as he stood soaking up every bit of sun he was able. Itachi felt a calm begin to saturate his blood the longer he gazed on the slender frame. The anger and annoyance of the day was slowly fading as he watched the young man before him. A fine sheen of sweat coated his body but he looked in no hurry to leave to warm rays.



The slender, well muscled frame turned and sapphire eyes gazed at Itachi. For a moment Itachi was frozen in his spot. The eyes were so deep that he felt himself being drawn into them. He felt himself losing himself in those astonishing eyes.



Naruto said nothing. He’d known the moment Itachi entered the room. He had felt his eyes on him but the warmth of the sun was too enjoyable to lose. His altercations with Itachi left him mentally drained and he wanted to postpone the next one as long as possible until he figured out the best route for dealing with the prince.



Naruto stared deep into eyes so black that they appeared pupil-less. His aura seemed calm, unlike earlier when it flickered wildly about in a rabid and barely retrained dance. He bowed to the price but made no move to join him.



“What is it about you that soothes my soul?” inquired Itachi after several minutes.



Naruto appeared taken aback. He soothed him? He’d never thought he had a soothing presence. Sure the souls of the fields flocked to him, begging for his attention and input but he’d always assumed it was his status as Anubis’s son that drew them.



“Hn, you don’t even realize that you are doing it. Do you play?” Itachi gestured to the game board of Senat that was set up in the corner of the garden beneath a shaded awning. Naruto nodded and they made their way to the game board and settled across from each other.



The game board consisted of a grid of thirty squares arranged in rows of ten. The winner was the first to move all of his pawns to the other end of the grid. The moves that could be made were determined by the throw stick.



Naruto set up his pieces. As the challenged, he was given the first throw. Picking up the stick, Naruto tossed it and the game began. Itachi played the game with the same intensity that he performed even the simplest of tasks. His eyes and mind were focused entirely on the game. He made his moves meticulously, keeping in mind the strategy needed to win along with taking note of the Naruto‘s plays. The game was largely based on luck but some skill was involved in determining which pawns to move and where.



A lot could be learned about a person by watching them play a game. Small nuisances that would normally be hidden were shown before all that cared to take the time and look. Itachi tended to stroke the edge of the game board with a finger while deep in thought. The elegant digit would tease along the edge of the board in an almost erotic motion. Naruto became captivated by the motion and would wait anxiously for the finger to begin again.



Though the game was close, in the end Itachi was the victor. Itachi’s face wore a self satisfied look as he lifted his gaze to meet Naruto’s. Naruto tilted his head in acknowledgement of Itachi’s victory.



“You play well. Luck seems to be with you.” commented Itachi as he stored his pieces.



“My father tells me that I have more luck than a whole temple of priests.” grinned Naruto as he followed in suit and stored his pieces in the small compartment.



Itachi couldn’t resist it anymore. His eyes locked on the long slender fingers and gave into his desire to touch them. Itachi reached across the game board and stroked the tan fingers that nimbly stowed away the pieces. Naruto jerked at the unexpected jolt that shot through his system.



Itachi closed his eyes as he savored the rough texture of the pads of Naruto’s fingers before trailing higher to caress the soft skin of the palm. He finally stopped his journey when he reached the fluttering pulse at the wrist. Resting his fingers over the pulse, Itachi opened and locked eyes with Naruto. He felt the thrumming under his fingers speed up with every passing moment. He saw the clear sapphire blue eyes darken to nearly violet in color. Intrigued, Itachi began to rub his thumb over the pulse, watching with interest as Naruto’s eyes deepened even more in color.



His eyes broke the contact and zeroed in on the throbbing at the base of Naruto’s throat. The pounding of his heart must be hard indeed for his pulse to be visible in at the throat. Gripping the delicate wrist, Itachi pulled Naruto from his chair to stand before him. Naruto tried to fight but soon found himself pulled before Itachi, who remained seated.



Itachi kept his eyes locked with Naruto as he lifted the tan hand and pressed his lips against the thrumming pulse. Never breaking eye contact, Itachi began to suck gently, smirking at the obvious rise in the rate of beats. Naruto might try to hide what he was feeling on his face but his body couldn’t lie.



Naruto sucked in a breath as Itachi bit the tender flesh of his wrist. His blood seemed to have turned to molasses in his veins. The lids of his eyes drooped at the addicting sensations that radiated from his wrist.



Itachi swiped his tongue across the reddened skin. Naruto tasted better than he could ever have imagined. The musky natural scent of his skin coupled with the slightly salty taste of sweat was perhaps more addicting than the finest wine, brewed for the pharaoh’s lips alone.



“W-what are you doing?” whispered Naruto, his voice husky with the warmth that was constantly spreading through his body.



“Tasting my new pet.” purred Itachi.



Naruto snatched his wrist free at the words. He didn’t know why they bothered him so much. Perhaps it was wishful thinking that Itachi would see him as an equal and not some pet to be bought and sold at the whim of the owner.



Itachi rose slowly to his feet, the muscles in his bare abdomen clenching and releasing as he reached his full height. Silky unbound hair shifted as he stood, flowing over his shoulders like liquid ink. Naruto resisted the urge to sift his fingers through the blackness to see if it felt as soft as it looked. Walking forward, Itachi pushed Naruto until he was flush against the cool stone wall. Pressing his palms on either side of the blonde’s head, Itachi watched confusion shift to surprise and then anger. His eyes were so beautiful when they flashed defiantly at him.



“I think I desire a deeper taste of my pet.” purred Itachi.



Naruto gasped as Itachi’s lips descended on his own. In his entire existence, never had he tasted such a flavor. Itachi’s lips tasted deep and heady like a fine wine, slightly flavored by the fruit he had eaten earlier. A delicate pink tongue teased the seam of soft coral lips before pressing inside.



Naruto offered no resistance. His mind had shut down the moment he felt the touch of Itachi’s tongue. He felt as if he was sifting through dense fog that blocked out everything but touch, taste, and pleasure. Moaning into Itachi’s mouth, Naruto gave himself over to the raven haired prince.



Itachi felt Naruto lean into his kiss and knew he had the blonde completely under his control. Slipping deeper into Naruto’s lips, Itachi swirled his tongue through the warm mouth, tasting every inch before teasing Naruto’s own tongue into play. So engaged was Itachi in the kiss that he failed to notice the guard that entered the room. The clearing of a throat brought Itachi back into his sense.



Itachi released Naruto and whirled to face the intruder, his eyes flashing angrily as the guard began to quiver before him. Stalking towards the guard, Itachi resembled a predator.



“Your life now depends on what you say to me at this very moment.” snarled Itachi as his fingers crept around the guard’s throat and squeezed.



“My prince, the pharaoh had departed this world and you must join your advisors at once.” whimpered the guard.



Itachi froze. His father had died? Shock leaked into his mind and was quickly followed by an ache that previously hadn’t been there. Itachi clenched his jaw and tamped down the feeling. He was supposed to feel nothing. The pharaoh had made sure that he felt nothing…and yet. A small flame of regret lingered in his heart. His last words to his father had been callous and cruel. Pressing a hand to his chest, Itachi closed his eyes at the unfamiliar sensation. A warm hand on his cool skin returned him to reality.



Glancing over his shoulder, Itachi saw the compassionate gaze of Naruto. Anger flared, not at Naruto but at himself for allowing his emotions to be visible for all to see. Shrugging off the hand, Itachi glared at the guard who was nearly groveling before him.



With a parting glance at Naruto, Itachi stormed from the room in search of his brother. Sasuke was close to their father as Itachi should have been. Sasuke would be distraught. The only person he trusted in the world was Sasuke and he needed him in full capacity for the coming days. War was on the horizon and Itachi would need his brother’s support if they were to be victorious against Madara.



Naruto bowed his head as he watched Itachi leave. It was beginning. He had seen the flash of pain in Itachi’s eyes. Healing of a heart was not something that occurred instantly and Itachi’s heart was so abused that it was barely functioning. Naruto sent a silent prayer for Pharaoh Uchiha.



“May the waters of the river carrying your soul to the afterlife be smooth and may your soul find peace in the fields.” prayed Naruto.



Returning to his garden, Naruto watched as the last rays of the sun faded from view, leaving only heavy shadows.



“War is coming, little master.”



“Don’t you have a duty to perform?” Naruto sighed before glancing at the shadowed form of one of his father’s servants.



“The pharaoh is being cared for, but your father worries. Bastet and Sekhmet are in agreement. Dark times are on the horizon. You cannot remain here, little master.” Stepping from the shadows, the servant struck a menacing image. Black ears flicked back and forth and a delicately formed muzzle scented the air, bearing sharp white teeth at the scent of death that lingered on the breeze. Bangles of gold and precious stones jangled as it crossed arms over a thickly muscled chest.



Naruto approached the being and laid a small hand on the massive shoulder. “My duty is here. I can not leave until I have fulfilled my promise.”



The jackal released a deep breath and reached into a pouch at his hip and handed Naruto a intricately carved battle horn, the symbol of his father carved deeply into the bone. “Sound this horn and your father will send an army to your aid.”



“Thank you, Ajib.” Naruto smiled at the captain of his father’s guard.



“Take care, little master.” Claw tipped fingers ruffled the blonde locks before the jackal stepped once more into the shadows and vanished from sight.



“I will.” Naruto whispered to empty garden. He couldn’t fail…he wouldn’t fail.



TBC~



Thank you one and all for the wonderful responses to this story.

Word_Slave - Slave you know that anticipation of what’s next is have the excitement. I’ve earned a title of Queen of cliffhangers from a reviewer of mine because I just love them so much.



Alyneese- np glad we are on same wavelength now ^_^)b



tassa- I might you never know what I will throw your way.



LadyAreku- Yes I love both equally because both challenge me in different ways. I’ve always love mythology in any culture and when this idea hit me I decided it was one plot bunny I would answer.



Thank you to Word_Slave, nikkie, Pixie, Alyneese, Mazy3261, tassa, Sneakyfox, Stormraven, and LadyAreku