The Weight of the Heart

Warning Yaoi(boy x boy relationships) don’t read if you don’t like. Some violence and gore is present in the chapter.



The Weight of the Heart



AN: ibu tent was where the body was taken to be cleaned and fragrant oils rubbed into the skin before organs were removed and the body was packed and covered in natron for 40 days. And yes egyptians used scimitars though they looked a bit different from the stuff you see in movies that the middle easterners use. Sorry for the long delay. I went out of town for a few days and was without a pc. I hope everyone enjoys.



Chapter Five



The night air was balmy but Itachi felt a chill that radiated from deep within his core. Staring at the lifeless body of his father brought back feelings that he would have rather kept buried. He would have rather found some peace in Naruto’s company. Instead, here he stood, his brother shaking from the depth of his pain. Sasuke wasn’t like him. Sasuke had been cherished. Itachi was the heir, Sasuke was the son.



A dark part of himself had always hated his brother for that. That was the only thing that Itachi never allowed his brother to see-the burning jealousy, the anger at having been denied the same love that was showered on Sasuke. That particular emotion was pushed away the hardest. It wasn’t his brother’s fault that their father had a warped idea of what made a great pharaoh. Sasuke was one of the few things Itachi allowed himself to care about.



“Itachi…”



“The priests will be here soon.” Itachi really didn’t want to speak. He didn’t know what to say to his little brother. He didn’t know how to provide the comfort that Sasuke so longed for.



Even now, unbidden emotions were clawing at his sanity. They were crying to be released on the world. They were tearing gaping holes in the control that had been ingrained in his very being. Yet now, at this unwelcome moment, they were breaking through to the surface.



“What will happen now, Itachi?” asked Sasuke. He sounded like a lost little boy. It was so different from the arrogant prince of earlier. Itachi turned his obsidian colored eyes on his brother.



“The priest will come and take him to the temple. You and I will make sure his tomb is ready for him. We only have seventy days, so we need to make haste.” Itachi turned from the bedside and began to walk towards the golden doors.



Sasuke’s hand shot out and grasped the forearm of his brother. His eyes lifted pleadingly. “Don’t you feel anything, brother?”



Itachi’s eyes never faltered though the words shook him to his core. “No.”



Sasuke dropped his arm at the word. He would never know how difficult it was for Itachi to form that one little word. ‘I do feel! I do hurt!’ screamed a part of his mind that was immediately smothered.



Leaving his brother to stand watch over their father’s corpse, Itachi walked to where the royal advisors were waiting. He fought down the feelings of disgust that rose in him at the knowledge of why they were gathered in this room like vultures waiting to peck away at his father’s rotting corpse.



“It seems the vultures have ventured from their nests.” commented Itachi wryly.



“Prince Itachi.” The advisors all bowed in unison. They had this planned out, greedy vultures. They assumed that things would be the same as with his father’s reign. Fine. Let them keep thinking that. It made things…easier.



“The Great Pharaoh Uchiha has begun his journey to Osiris.” announced Itachi. It wasn’t like the vultures didn’t know that already otherwise they would be in their luxurious homes instead of standing before him in the shadowed audience chamber. This announcement was more of a formality. Itachi was obligated as the first born son to announce the death before the advisors and vizier, had he not taken care of the little problem with the vizier.



Even now his blood hummed with the delight he had felt as the weak minded vizier’s blood had spread across this very floor. His eyes lingered on the spot and in a moment of madness considered doing the same to the vultures standing before him. It would be so easy to simply rid himself of the annoying gaggle of self-important men.



Though he was set to inherit the throne, the title of pharaoh was also a political one. If the nobles and advisors raised a large enough petition, it could be given to one of his generals or to Sasuke. So…for now…he would play nice. It wasn’t that he particularly desired the power of the title but it was what he had been trained for. He had the strength to do what must be done, if need be. Sasuke didn’t have the stomach to order the massacre of a village or watch the execution of children for their parent’s crimes.



“Prince Itachi, we came to discuss your accession to the title of pharaoh.”



“Of course.” Itachi leveled his emotionless eyes on the row of men standing before him.



One of the advisors dropped his gaze while others began to fidget nervously in his presence. Good. The more they feared him the less they would dispute his accession and the easier they would bend under his thumb.



“We have decided to support your birth claim to the throne.” announced one of the advisors. The others nodded in accord. If any had doubts about his accession, they were wise to hold their tongues.



“I see.” Itachi tilted his head as he observed the men. They were growing more and more nervous. Those expressionless eyes seemed to see through to each of their souls. Itachi was more demon than man in their eyes and they did not want to be on the receiving end of his wrath.



“Brother…” Itachi turned to see Sasuke standing in the doorway. His brother stood proud and tall, putting on a truly royal appearance for the advisors. Even Itachi could barely see the grief that was so well hidden.



“The high priest wishes to speak with you.” said Sasuke.



Itachi nodded and turned his attention once again to the quivering men before him. “The coronation will be in two days. I would advise you to be prepared.”



“T-two days? P-prince Itachi, that is most irregular. There is much that needs to be prepared. All the nobles must be notified as they will want to attend.” stammered out one of the advisors.



“Then notify them that the coronation will be in two days if they so wish to attend.” snarled the prince.



The man backed down and bowed to Itachi’s will. The nobles were likely to put up a fuss, though it was highly unlikely that anyone would dispute Itachi’s right to the throne. He was a dangerous man on a good day, no one standing in this room wanted to see him truly angered.



Seeing that no more objections were being raised, Itachi turned and walked towards his brother. There was much to be done and so little time in which to do it. Madara was sure to make his move very soon. The only thing that had stayed his hand in the past was his brother. Itachi never understood why Madara held back. Was it because of familial loyalty or did he fear the pharaoh? These were questions that only his uncle could answer.



Familial loyalty to his nephews was another thing entirely. Ever since Pharaoh Uchiha’s waning health became obvious, Madara began sending his idiot assassins after Itachi and Sasuke. Itachi was worried for Sasuke. The younger prince could defend himself, there was no doubt there; however, Itachi feared that Sasuke was too trusting of his servants and lovers. Madara could easily murder him through them.



“You did well, brother, to hide your sadness. Don’t give those vultures anything to feed on.” praised Itachi as he strode past his brother.



A light appeared in Sasuke’s eyes at the words. The praise of his brother meant more to him than gold. Such words were so scarcely given that Sasuke had learned to cherish them. The burden of his father’s death felt lighter by his brother’s presence.



The raven haired brothers returned to their father’s rooms. Standing before the golden doors was High Priest Rami. His bald head shone in the lamp light. His robes were pristine white, lined with azure blue. The leopard pelt that adorned his chest was a symbol of his position in the temple of Anubis. Itachi knew that the robes had never been worn until this day. In honor of the pharaoh, Rami had dressed in new robes to attend the royal body.



“You honor my father with your presence.” Itachi nodded towards the priest.



“Prince Itachi, Prince Sasuke. We shall take your father to the ibu tent, which we have erected for him. The care of his vessel shall be our highest priority and honor.” said Rami.



“Your care of our father is appreciated.” said Sasuke.



The priest turned to enter the room and oversee the removal of the body. Pausing, Rami turned his eyes to Itachi. Unlike the advisors, Rami kept his face neutral as his eyes locked with those of the prince. “If I may, I would like to inquire to the welfare of Naruto. He was under my care at the temple.”



Itachi’s eyes narrowed and zeroed in on the priest. He was asking about his Naruto? Walking towards the priest, Itachi moved with the grace of a wild cat. His eyes seemed to flash crimson in the lamp light.



Rami fought back the urge to tremble in the presence of this man. Itachi radiated danger more than any other creature he’d ever met. He instantly regretted the question for it appeared that Prince Itachi was very protective of the boy. ‘Protective or possessive?’ was the thought that spun through Rami’s mind.



“Naruto is none of your concern, old man.” purred Itachi.



“I’m simply concerned for his well-being. His father left him in my care.” Rami felt a trickle of sweat work its way down his spine. He could almost taste his death on the wings of the dark, yet beautiful creature before him.



Prince Itachi seemed almost other worldly as he stood before Rami. His dark hair fell over broad shoulders in rivers of midnight silk. Eyes, so black that the kohl lining them gave them an even more depth, remained unblinking as they seemed to stare into Rami‘s very being. His entire body was posed as if to strike at any moment, muscles frozen in anxiousness.



Rami refused to give into the fear. Even if Prince Itachi took his life, he was not afraid for his soul. It would find refuge in the Fields of Hetep and Iaru. ‘Do what you will.’ thought Rami.



“Do what you need to do and leave anything that concerns Naruto to me. Be grateful that I am lenient with you on this day.” snarled Itachi before turning to his brother.



“I leave this to you.”



“Itachi…where are you going?” Sasuke looked near panicked at his brother’s words. He knew Itachi and he also knew that Itachi was known for not caring whether he was in danger or not. Now that their father was gone, word would spread fast and soon more assassins would be sent. Itachi was only one man.



“Out. Don’t worry, little brother, I’ll take a few guards with me.” With those words, Itachi was gone.



Rami visibly slumped against the door. His legs felt weak and his heart beat so rapidly that he was afraid he would collapse from the strain. Prince Sasuke looked shaken as well but for obviously different reasons.



“I leave you to your duties, high priest. Please care for my father.” murmured Sasuke before leaving the visibly shaken man to compose himself alone.



Itachi exited the palace, trailed fatefully by his two guards. In his opinion, this really wasn’t necessary but to soothe Sasuke’s worries, he would allow the two to tag along. His hand caressed the pommel of the intricately decorated khopesh at his waist. He was a master with both sword and dagger. His throwing abilities were rivaled only by his skill with a sword.



“My prince, you should not be about at night. The shadows can hide villains.” The guards were not pleased at being dragged from their beds to accompany the dark prince.



“Silence your tongues. You will draw attention to us if you continue to speak.” snarled Itachi.



He just needed to get out. Away from the smell of his father’s death. Away from the unbidden thoughts and emotions that were beginning to plague him. Away from the sad eyes of his little brother.



The desert air teased his skin like a lover. She was a fickle mistress, untamable and unattainable, and yet all longed to control her. A shuffling of clothing halted his progress along the abandoned street.



Itachi’s body subtly tensed. He could hear them moving in the shadows. He could smell the excitement that bled from their pores to scent the air with their arrogant thoughts of grandeur. It disgusted him, as if he would fall to such lowly vermin as hired assassins.



“You think that I don’t here you scurrying around like the vermin that you are?” announced Itachi loudly, as he drew his dagger from his belt.



No sooner had the words left his mouth, Itachi let fly the dagger with deadly precision. A scream from the shadows broke the silence, followed by the thud of a lifeless body. That scream was the red flag that dropped, sending three more men from the shadows.



Each of the men was dressed in the dull and dusty robes of the desert dwellers. Probably mercenaries hired by Madara to attempt, once again, to bring about the death of Itachi and Sasuke. It really was getting old and so predictable.



Drawing his khopesh from its sheath, Itachi parried the attack of one of the marauders while his guards took on the other two. The attacks came fast and with surprising accuracy from the heathen desert man.



Itachi narrowed his eyes and carefully followed the movements of his opponent. Smooth like a snake, the assassin attacked with a grace that far out weighed his appearance. This was no ordinary mercenary. This man was a trained assassin.



Blocking yet another lightning fast swing, Itachi continued to gauge his opponent’s moves. Itachi was never one to jump into a fight blindly. He knew that to underestimate this opponent could cost him his life.



After several minutes of being pushed back by the powerful swings of the assassin, Itachi noticed it. There was a flaw with his opponent. Though his blows were as accurate as they were powerful, his opponent lacked the stamina of a true warrior. He was tiring fast in his attempt to completely overpower Itachi.



The swings were coming much slower than originally, and with less force. The man didn’t even realize that he was already dead. Never losing his mask of indifference, though his soul sang out with excitement, Itachi began to turn the tables on the would-be assassin.



“You lose.” purred Itachi.



Lunging quickly to the right, Itachi brought his khopesh up and felt the flesh rend and tear as it slid slickly into the abdomen of the assassin. Shock passed across the dying man’s eyes. Crumpling to the ground, clutching desperately at his abdomen, the assassin began to shiver as his blood poured from his body, darkening the sand beneath him.



Itachi watched dispassionately as the man began to gurgle, blood gushing up and out of his mouth to stain pale skin crimson. He felt no pity for the man. He’d made his choice by accepting Madara’s offer and in doing so, signed his own death warrant.



The man continued to gurgle, choking on his own blood. The plea was garbled and nearly inaudible. Itachi heard it. Even through the sounds of blades clashing as his guards continued to fight the remaining two assassins, he understood the request. He understood that the man was not asking to live but to die.



Narrowing his eyes, Itachi knelt beside the man that had once posed a threat. Now, he lay before him in a puddle of his own blood and piss, asking for pity. Itachi was torn. Part of him wanted to make the man’s last moments of life as painful as possible. Another part, however, wanted to end this man’s suffering and leave him to whatever god he prayed to.



“He will come and bring the armies of the south.” garbled the assassin.



“Perhaps, but should he cross my border, I will bring upon him a fate worse than a thousand deaths. You are lucky. Your suffering ends now.” With those words, Itachi sliced his scimitar cleanly through the flesh of the assassin’s neck, severing the head from the body. Blood gushed in a macabre fashion before the slowing to an ooze.



Looking down at his body, Itachi was presented a gruesome sight. His once pristine white kilt was now spattered with blood. His skin was slicked with blood and sweat. The smell of blood, urine, sweat, and death was pungent in the air. It was a smell that should have had him gagging. Instead, his mind rejoiced in the victory over his enemy.



“Prince Itachi, are you well?” panted one of the guards from where he was slumped against a wall, clutching a bleeding arm.



“Yes, though it appears that you two are a little worse for the wear.” answered Itachi as he pulled his dagger from the throat of the poor fool that had died before he did anything more than dream of the purse Itachi‘s death would draw.



“Just minor wounds.” piped in the second guard who faired a bit better than his compatriot.



“Hn.” Itachi didn’t wait for them to rest. His feet took him determinedly towards the palace and a much needed bath.



“How can he kill without feeling anything?” whispered one guard to the other.



“He’s not human.” It was the only answer that his partner could give. Even now, they were still shaken after the experience but Itachi carried on as if nothing untoward happened. ‘It wasn’t right.’ was the thought that spun through both minds before they trudged reluctantly after their prince.



In his room, Naruto began to pace. He really didn’t like being locked up for so long. He was used to open spaces but Itachi had it in his head that Naruto needed to be kept like a pet. Growling low, Naruto popped the bones in his neck as his pacing became more erratic.



“Master Naruto…” whispered Intef.



“What?” snarled Naruto, instantly regretting it as a hurt look crossed the poor servant’s face.



“I only thought Master Naruto might like to go to the baths. They are most wonderful and as long as the guards accompany you, I believe that Prince Itachi will have no qualms with it.” whispered Intef.



Naruto smiled brightly at the thought of a full bath. Since arriving in this world, he’d only been able to wash with a pitcher of water and a cloth. To be able to fully submerge himself in water sounded like the most wonderful thing in the world to Naruto.



“Yes, I would like that very much. You are very smart to have thought of it, Intef.” grinned Naruto happily. Intef returned the happy smile, pleased to have made his master so happy.



Intef led Naruto, followed by the door guards, to the large bath. The room was massive. The high ceiling was decorated in beautiful tile work depicting various scenes of Nile life. The room smelled wonderfully of the soaps and oils used to clean the body.



Several servants stepped forward and stripped Naruto of his kilt and belt. Leading the blonde to a small pool, the servants began to dip water from the pool and poured it over Naruto’s body and head. With trained hands, the servants began to scrub away the dirt and sweat from his body in a some what ritualistic pattern. Naruto nearly moaned in pleasure as firm hands kneaded the tense muscles in his shoulders and lower back. More water was poured over him to rinse the soup from his skin.



His body was limp and putty in the hands of the bath attendants. After several more minutes of being pampered by the attendants, Naruto was lead to another room and a deeper pool, filled with clean Nile water, enhanced with the addition of natron to give it purifying and skin softening qualities.



Naruto sank limply onto the smooth carved stone bench and nearly submersed his entire body beneath the cool, fragrant water. He vaguely heard a bit of commotion in the cleaning room but was too relaxed to even care. This was the most at ease he’d felt since leaving the Fields. Nothing could destroy this feeling of peace.



Itachi closed his eyes and bore the touches of the bathing attendants. They were skilled, there was no denying, but he disliked the touch of most individuals and suffered through the cleaning. On most days he would clean himself, but the amount of blood and grime that coated his body required assistance. He refused to dirty the pool with the blood of the assassin.



The servants made quick work of cleaning his body as if they despised touching him as much as he disliked their touches. They would never voice such thoughts. To do so could cost them their lives.



Having had enough of their touch, Itachi shrugged off the hands and motioned for them to rinse him so he could make his way to the pool. The soothing waters of the pool called to him. Shivering slightly as the cool desert breeze chilled his wet skin, Itachi made his way through the doorway and into the main room.



As soon as he entered the room he froze. Lying with his head propped on the rim of the pool was his pet. That blonde hair was unmistakable even dampened from the bath.



Water clung to the long neck and Itachi never thought himself to be jealous of water but in that moment he was. He wanted to be one of those tiny droplets clinging so beautifully to the slender neck. Watching lustfully, Itachi followed the trail of one bead as it raced down Naruto’s neck to disappear in the water.



Glancing at his pet’s face, Itachi was surprised to see his features completely smoothed in relaxation. He looked as if he had not a care in the world. If Itachi had thought him beautiful in his sleep, he was doubly entranced now. The water lapped delicately at Naruto’s collarbone as Itachi slid silently into the cool water of the pool.



Naruto’s eyes popped open as the motion of the water alerted him to the presence of another. Eyes widened in shock at the sight of Prince Itachi standing waist deep in the water. The black eyes followed every move that Naruto made. Naruto knew he was the prey but as much as his mind screamed reasons for him to run away, his body wanted to be owned completely by this dark creature before him.



“Naruto.” purred Itachi, his tongue tasting each syllable in the name.



“How is it that every time I go somewhere, you find me?” Naruto knew that the fates must be either working with him or against him when it concerned Itachi. The man almost had a sixth sense when it came to him.



The corner of Itachi’s lips quirked at the question. It seemed as if Naruto was a bit flustered at having been found bathing. Itachi, on the other hand, could not have been more pleased at the presence of his little pet in the bath.



Naruto swallowed but stood his ground as Itachi approached; the water swirled around the two of them in small waves at Itachi’s approach. Itachi’s breath on Naruto’s neck caused the blonde to jerk. The small puffs of breath sent uncontrollable shivers across his skin, raising chill bumps.



Itachi breathed in deep the smell of the fragrant soaps combined with Naruto’s own natural scent. If he’d known it would be this alluring, he would have sent him to the baths long before now.



“You smell delicious.” purred Itachi as he drew his tongue up the line of smooth skin. “You taste as good as you smell.”



Naruto fought to prevent his eyes from rolling back in his skull. It felt so good. The touch of warm tongue and the press of the hard body felt unlike anything he’d experienced before. He had to stop it before he lost all ability to think.



“Stop.” The words were barely as loud as a breath. Itachi pulled back and stared deeply into Naruto’s eyes.



“Your body doesn’t agree with your words.” To emphasize his statement, Itachi teased his fingers down Naruto’s bare chest, circling dark nipples that perked up immediately at the attention.



“Why should I stop, when it’s obvious that your body doesn’t want me to?” Itachi lowered his hand, nails scrapping along the sensitive skin of Naruto’s abdomen before encircling the half erect cock.



“Ahh…” panted Naruto, closing his eyes at the sensation of a rough palm stroking the smooth skin of his rapidly growing erection.



“Tell me.” The words were spoken so very close to Naruto’s ear that there was no way he could have missed them.



“Because…you don’t own me yet.” panted Naruto, his hands clawing at Itachi’s shoulders in an attempt to ground himself.



Itachi released his grip on Naruto’s erection and stepped back, barely contained angered flared dangerously behind obsidian eyes. “I own every piece of you.”



“No, my heart and my soul are still my own.” Naruto blinked his eyes at the flash of hurt that appeared in the black eyes before it was replaced once again by anger.



Itachi grabbed Naruto slammed him hard against the edge of the pool, the harsh edges scraped and cut his shoulders. Itachi watched as the faintest shade of pink tinted the water before becoming too diluted to see.



“Why do you keep defying me? What do you hope to gain by forcing my hand?” growled Itachi.



Naruto reached up and ran his fingers over the dangerously beautiful eyes, tracing the heavy lines of weariness before ending at his lips. “You aren’t ready to know.”



“Two days.” snarled Itachi “The night of the coronation, you will be in my bed.”



“Is that a threat?”



“No…it’s a promise.” With those words, Itachi released Naruto and pulled himself from the pool. Naruto couldn’t draw his eyes away from the way the powerful muscles played along his back before tapering into a tight waist and firm buttocks. For a warrior prince, his skin was surprisingly unmarked by scars or burns.



Wrapping a length of linen around his waist, Itachi turned his eyes to Naruto once again. “Two days.”



Naruto wrapped his arms around himself. His body berated him at the state it was left in. His cock throbbed and his back ached as he felt the skin knitting itself back together. In moments, the painful lacerations would be gone, leaving only dark bruises that would fade in a few hours.



“I should have handled that better.” murmured Naruto, as he pulled himself from the water.



As he dressed, Naruto couldn’t push away the memory of the hurt that had flashed in Itachi’s eyes. That one vision haunted him more than any other thought. He wouldn’t have thought the words would’ve had such a profound effect on the man and yet he’d seen it with his own eyes. Itachi may have hidden it with anger but that didn’t erase the fact that it was there in plain sight.



Naruto closed his eyes. He wasn’t lost. For a moment, Naruto had feared that there was nothing left to salvage and yet he’d seen the evidence of life behind those angry eyes. That was the only reassurance Naruto needed. He knew he couldn’t fail because a living heart was on the line.



To be continued~



Thank you for the reviews.



Darkie78998- I just knew someone would bring up Yugioh. I loved the series and there were some great stories written about it but god there were some terrible Egyptian ones written too. This is in no way related to Yugioh. Someone tell me if it ever starts to sound that crappy.



To everyone else thank you so much for the reviews. They are my life’s blood and keep me in the mood to write. Keep them coming. Until next time.