The Weight of the Heart

Warning boy x boy, don’t read if you don’t like.



AN: Sorry for the long wait, I was out of town for 10days. Special thanks to Maxentius who is a history major and corrected a few of my mistakes. Granted there are a lot more than that but got to leave some creative spin. I went back and corrected some of these errors. Egyptian scimitar was called a khopesh and the mummification was 70days not 40. Now granted I made the mummification error in good faith because the site I got my info from said 40 so I went with that. With the coronation in this chapter some is actual ritual that was performed and some I made up. Information on some of the dialogue and ceremony were found here: http://www.philae.nu/akhet/coron2.html. Obviously I’m taking a lot of artistic license with the coronation so all you history buffs out there, don’t shoot me. Also I drew a little fan art for the story and it inspired the bathing room scene. http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/view/557396/



The Weight of the Heart



Chapter Seven



“A few drops into the cup are more than enough to kill even the largest wild animal.” The voice was muffled by a crimson scarf thrown haphazardly across the face, blocking any chance of identification.



“I’m not sure. I’ll be executed for sure.” The well dressed servant’s eyes darted back and forth in fear. He wanted to run and hide from the evil intent that dripped from the scarf muffled voice. A cold that was creeping along his spine kept him locked in place as the eyes above the scarf darkened in malice.



“Lord Madara rewards those who serve him, as well as punishes those that hamper him. As the royal cupbearer, it is you who have the final approval for all beverages that are presented to the pharaoh and his favorites. It is you who tastes the wines of the royal family for poison. It is you and you alone who can accomplish this. If you fail us, there is no hole that you can hide, no god that can protect you from us.”



“You promise to protect me if things should go awry?”



“If you follow my instructions correctly and things go according to our plans, you will be richly rewarded.”



“Tell me what I must do.”



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The day of the coronation dawned beautiful. Naruto pouted as Intef tugged on the exquisitely woven kilt in order to arrange the pleats perfectly for the coronation. Naruto ran his fingers around the rim of the golden collar, his brow crinkling with annoyance. It wasn’t locked and he could take it off at any point but he found himself not wanting to. That annoyed him more than the ring of gold encircling his neck. He wanted it there. He wanted everyone who saw him to know who put it there.



“Master Naruto, you look beautiful.”



“I fill like a dog being dressed up to be shown off by its master.”



“Master Naruto, you aren’t a dog. You are favored by the future pharaoh. You have more power than nearly everyone in the palace. Only the pharaoh, Prince Sasuke, and their advisors will have more than you.”



Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Warm air filled his lungs as he inhaled, and then slowly exhaled. This was not what he was expecting when he’d told his father he would save Itachi’s heart. Yet he found himself not looking forward to returning home. He found himself becoming attached to the humans he interacted with, even the silent guards that stood as statues outside his door.



“Now all that remains are your eyes.” Naruto sat patiently on the stool as Intef painted his eyes with kohl. The thick black cosmetic illuminated his eyes, bringing alive the stunning azure color. Sighing deeply, Naruto stood and turned to face the looking glass that Intef brought before him.



Here Naruto stood, the oiled and painted pet of the soon to be pharaoh. Peering into his reflecting image, Naruto was astonished at his appearance. His hair, wild as ever, held a somewhat organized look to it. His skin shone with a healthy glow and his eyes jumped out from his face like blue jewels. Parting his lips, Naruto reached out and touched the smooth image as if unsure if what he was seeing was real.



“See…I told you that you looked beautiful, master.”



“So you did, Intef.”



“Are you ready to go to the front of the palace? They are beginning to gather for the ceremony.”



“I suppose I have no choice.”



Intef lead Naruto, followed by his ever faithful guards, through the corridors until they found themselves standing before a large ornate throne. Intef gestured for Naruto to sit on the small cushion that was placed at the side. Naruto was sure a tic was forming in his brow. If the collar didn’t pound home the fact that Itachi owned him, the pillow most definitely did.



“You can’t be serious.” muttered Naruto.



“Forgive me, Master Naruto. It was Lord Itachi’s orders that you be placed here until he comes for you.” whispered Intef.



“Its fine, Intef. Thank you.” sighed Naruto and settled himself delicately on the cushion all the while cursing both Itachi and Sasuke for putting him in this situation.



“What a good little pet you are being today.”



Naruto turned and saw Sasuke smirking at him. The youth was dressed in a simple white kilt accompanied by a gold belt, gold gauntlets and a gold and lapis lazuli necklace. His eyes were outlined by kohl and Naruto couldn’t help but snicker at the memory of a drenched Sasuke chasing him with the cosmetic running down his face in black rivulets.



Sasuke scowled at the grin on his face and Naruto knew that he was thinking of the exact same memory. Priceless. Sasuke was so damn easy to play. It was like taking sweets from a child.



The sound of drums drew the attention of the entire room. The grand doors opened and Itachi walked into the large throne room dressed in full pharaoh regalia. His royal guard followed diligently behind him and stationed themselves close to Itachi, ready to deflect an attack on his life.



Itachi stopped before the throne and hooked a thin golden chain into the collar. Naruto stiffened and jerked away as if burned. “I’m not an animal.” he hissed.



Itachi smiled secretively and simply tugged on the chain. The chain was thin and he could have easily broken it but preferring not to make a scene, he followed diligently behind Itachi, inwardly fuming. Oh, he was going to pay for this. Naruto wasn’t sure how but he was definitely going to pay for leading him around on a chain like a dog.



Naruto gazed up at the cloudless blue sky as they stepped from the palace and into the sun. The day was balmy but not uncomfortable. He was at once thankful that he was dressed only in a kilt and his jewelry. The royal guard wasn’t so lucky. Due to the occasion, they were dressed in full armor and weaponry.



The heat was probably sweltering to them. Naruto felt a little bit of pity for them. Glancing towards Itachi, he saw sweat was also beading on his temple and forehead. Naruto bit his lip to withhold the snicker that wanted, ever so much, to escape. For Itachi, he felt not the smallest drop of pity. Let the asshole melt in all that clothing.



The royal family, guard, and nobles arrived before the temple of Ptah. The head of the temple met them at the doorway into the temple, bowing low before the future pharaoh. Itachi handed Naruto’s chain to Sasuke and followed the priest into the temple.



Following behind the high priest, Itachi’s eyes wandered over the walls of the temple. It was always here that the pharaoh was coroneted. If these priests acknowledged you as the leader of the people of the Nile, the world acknowledged you.



The corridors grew dark, illuminated by only a few strategically placed oil lamps. The shadows crawled high on the stone walls almost as if they held a life of their own. The air became heavy with the scent of incense and oils. The hall opened into a large room. Priests lined the walls, each praying in a synchronized voice. Sweat gleamed on their skin and it was obvious that they had been praying for much longer than simply upon his arrival at the temple.



“Lord Itachi, we will now perform the purification of your body.” Two priests approach Itachi, one wearing the mask of Throth while the other wore the mask of Horus. Priests removed his garments and he stood between Horus and Throth wearing only a simple white kilt. He was stripped of his garments of royalty so that he stood before the priesthood as only a man, dressed in simple clothing.



The priests raised ankh shaped vases above Itachi’s head and the life giving water of the Nile was poured over his body. The journey from the palace to the temple had been straining in the heat of the day. The cool feel of water soothed his heated body. Four times the priests did this. In the eyes of the temple, Itachi was reborn from the mother Nile.



Priests once again approached Itachi to dry and dress him. The high priest lifted from a pillow the ankh, symbol of life. Placing the ankh in Itachi’s hands, the priest gazed on the young king with piercingly dark eyes. Itachi felt the touch of the gaze like a brand. He felt power hum, beginning to take form in the room.



The priest maintained the gaze, as if seeing deeply into Itachi. Itachi refused to lower his eyes. He would die before he lowered his eyes to anyone. Nodding in approval, the priest turned from him to where the crown of the kingdom lay on a large pillow. Taking the crown from the pillow and placing it on Itachi’s head, the high priest presented him before the priesthood of Ptah. The priests began to chant with renewed vigor.



“We are satisfied with him in life and peace. He is thy son of thy form, thy vigorous seed. Thou gave him thy Ba, thy power, thy influence, thy magic, thy crown, even when he was still in the body of her who bore him.”



“The Lowlands are his and the mountains belong to him, everything which the heavens wrap round, everything which the sea encircles. Thou knew the future. Thou gave him the portion of Horus in life and the years of Seth in good fortune.”



“We give him dominion over the lands in peace. We give him all life and good fortune on our part; all food on our part; all sustenance on our part. He is at the head of all living Ka's together with his Ka as King of Upper and Lower Egypt on the throne of Horus like unto Re, forever and ever.”



The priesthood kneeled before Itachi, honoring him as the king. The new pharaoh strode from the cloistered room, followed by the priesthood. Pausing at the top of the steps, he watched as the nobles were now turning eyes to bear witness to his succession to the throne.



Sasuke’s eyes widened at the sight of his brother wearing the garments of the pharaoh. Itachi presented a regal image that seemed almost untouchable. The power that radiated from him charged across each and every individual. His black eyes gazed out over the crowd, locking on where Sasuke stood with Naruto. Obsidian met azure and sparks seemed to flare from both eyes. Naruto inclined his head in acknowledgement of Itachi’s succession.



Sasuke, as well, was stunned into silence by the image of his brother. Itachi had always exuded a power that he could never hope to match. Wearing the garments of god on earth, he provided an even more powerful visage. Lowering his eyes, Sasuke was the first to bow before the darkly handsome king. The nobles, shaken from their frozen amazement, followed in suit until all but Naruto bowed before Itachi.



Naruto’s eyes remained locked with Itachi’s for long minutes before he bowed his head in respect to the new ruler of the land of the Nile. Itachi marched down the large stone steps and took the thin gold chain from Sasuke’s hand. With a small tug, Itachi pulled Naruto towards the front of the temple and turned to face his subjects.



“Though war may come to our land, I will protect you with all of my strength. The gods have deemed that I am the one that leads you and so I shall. You need not fear tonight in your beds for this land is safe until the star of Sirius shines brightest and my father’s body is laid to rest.”



Those words being said, Itachi led the procession back to the palace where the servants and slaves had prepared a marvelous feast for the pharaoh and nobles. There was roasted water fowl, seasoned with herbs and spices from the east. Fish caught in the Nile were baked in a bread crust and seasoned with garlic and fruit juices. A whole roast ox, accompanied by onions and garlic, was placed on a large table by straining slaves. Freshly baked breads and pastries littered the various tables. Bowls of grapes, dates, apricots, and pomegranates soon joined the feast. Lastly, the servants filled the cups of the feast goers with beer, wine, or milk.



Itachi took his place at the head of the feast with Naruto following reluctantly behind him. The choicest pieces of meat, fowl and fish were presented before Itachi in succession for his approval. With each nod, the dishes were placed on the table before him. Itachi motioned for the cupbearer to bring the wine to his table.



At the flick of his pharaoh’s hand, the cupbearer swallowed the lump that formed in his throat and approached the table to hear Itachi’s orders.



“Bring me a cup of wine.” The cupbearer bowed low and walked to the table that held the pharaoh’s personal beverages. Taking a sip of the wine to uphold appearances, the cupbearer slipped the poison unnoticed into the flavorful wine.



Placing the cup in front of Itachi, the quivering cupbearer slunk silently into the shadows and watched with shifty eyes, the events that unfolded.



Itachi ignored the wine and tearing off a bite of water fowl, he offered the morsel to Naruto who sat at his feet on a soft pillow. Naruto was tempted to bite off the fingers that offered the food but his grumbling stomach refused to allow him to bite the hand that fed him. Maybe later after his stomach was full he would bite the man that treated him like an animal.



“Is it good, little pet?” A smirk formed on Itachi’s lips as Naruto ignored the question completely and remained silent.



“Not speaking to me?” purred Itachi.



Naruto scowled and decided that two could play at this game. When the fingers were lowered again, this time containing a bit of roasted oxen, Naruto gently took the bit of food in his mouth sucking delicately at the fingers while his tongue curled around the digits until every bit of flavor was gone. Itachi’s eyes were hooded and he stared deeply into the azure eyes that flashed defiantly.



Taking the goblet of wine long since forgotten at his side, Itachi offered it to Naruto who sipped the wine but wrinkled his nose in distaste of the bitter flavor. Lips stained red from the beverage, Naruto presented a delectable image. His plump lips glistened with tiny beads of the tangy wine. His kohl lined eyes stared unblinking at Itachi.



“You don’t like the wine? Perhaps some milk?” Gesturing once again for the cupbearer, Itachi waited impatiently for the man to slink forward.



“A cup of milk.” The man returned post haste with a cup of milk and Itachi offered the cup to Naruto who drank the smooth drink with delight. The sweet flavor of the goat milk flowed smoothly down his throat.



The next few minutes preceded in much the same manner. Itachi continued to feed Naruto, ignoring the food and drink himself. The cupbearer began to become extremely nervous as he watched as Itachi failed to drink a single sip or take a single bite of the food presented before him. His entire focus seemed centered on the blonde slave at his side.



Naruto felt his stomach begin to heave. Shaking his head at another bite of food offered him; Naruto leaned heavily against Itachi’s leg. His head throbbed and his stomach heaved. His heart pounded as if he’d run several miles without stopping. Swallowing with his now very dry throat, Naruto clenched his eyes as the room began spinning even though he was seated firmly on the ground.



“Naruto?” questioned Itachi; the concern in his voice would have been touching had Naruto been able to do anything but cling desperately to Itachi’s leg in a feeble attempt to ground himself.



“I…don’t…” gasped out Naruto before he began to heave, his slender body wracked by the spasms. Itachi shot to his feet.



“Sasuke!” he yelled over the din of the drunken feast goers.



Sasuke shot across the room towards his brother. He could tell something was very wrong by the pallor to his brother’s skin. As he reached his brother, the sight of Naruto expelling the food, his body shivering violently as he clung to Itachi in desperation, sent Sasuke into action.



Itachi lifted Naruto’s limp body and exited the banquet hall towards his own rooms. Sasuke was barking orders to servants but the only thing Itachi was focused on was the trembling body in his arms.



Placing the normally vibrate youth on the soft material of the dais; Itachi stroked the sweat slicked brow. Multicolored hair fell limply and clung damply to the flesh of Naruto’s brow and neck. Emptying a fruit bowl, Itachi held Naruto’s head as his body expelled black tinted mucus from his stomach before collapsing in exhaustion against the pharaoh.



“The nobles are being escorted to their respect homes and a healer is in route. Is it poison?” Itachi said nothing but passed the foul smelling bowl to his brother. Sasuke’s nose wrinkled in distaste at the sight of the foamy black bile that filled the bowl. Naruto was panting rapidly as shivers wracked his body.



“I fed him from my dish and he drank from my cup.” stated Itachi, his eyes flashing darkly.



“If it is poison, it was meant for you.”



“Find out who did this Sasuke. I want them.”



“Brother, it may be an impossible task. The assassin may be long gone.” Itachi shot Sasuke a dark look before turning his attention once again to the blonde as he released a small whimper and clutched desperately at his stomach. Naruto began gagging and heaving over the bowl but no longer had anything left to expel.



“I’ll see what I can do.” sighed Sasuke.



“See that you do. Someone is going to pay for this. Find them.” growled Itachi.



Itachi stroked a damp cloth over Naruto’s sweating brow. Pain wracked azure eyes gazed up into angry obsidian before closing once again as tremors tore through his body.



Sasuke left the two and paused to address the guards at the door. “No one enters that room but the healer, Gomo. Is that understood?”



The guards nodded understanding and Sasuke worked his way to the banquet hall where the servants, cooks, and servers were gathered. The servants quaked before Sasuke’s thunderous face. Never had they seen the younger prince so angry. Something bad had happened and there would be dire consequences for the perpetrator.



“An attempt was made on my brother’s life tonight. Someone in this room knows something and no one sees their bed tonight until that someone is found.”



Eyes darted back and forth as the servants looked at each other with suspicion. Anyone could be the person that attempted to take the life of the god on earth. The cupbearer, who also was required to stay, looked upon the prince with a desperate panic. It was only a matter of time before the poisoned drink was found and when it was, his most painful death was assured.



“If you prepared the oxen, step forward.” A cook stepped forward and Sasuke offered him the slice of oxen from the pharaoh’s plate. The man bowed and swallowed the meat. So the tasting began, each preparer of the different meals was forced to taste their own creation. Soon all the food was tasted. The cooks remained unaffected by the food.



“Cupbearer, step forward.” The cupbearer stepped reluctantly forward. His watery eyes blinked as he wrung his hands in nervousness.



“You provided my brother with wine and milk?”



“Yes, Prince Sasuke.”



“You tasted the wine as is your duty?”



“Yes, Prince Sasuke.”



“Taste again.”



The cupbearer picked up the cup of milk and drank from it as he knew it was safe. “Now, the wine.”



The man paled visibly and Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Taste the wine.”



With a shaking hand, the cupbearer grasped the goblet of dark wine and brought it to his lips. His eyes looked down towards the brew with fear. This was his reward for trusting that Madara would protect him if things went wrong.



“Taste the wine.” ordered Sasuke again, his hand clenching in anger. It was obvious to him that the wine was poisoned and this man knew it.



The pressure became too much and the cupbearer dropped the tainted wine on the floor and prostrated himself before Sasuke. “Forgive me, Lord Sasuke. I was only doing as I was ordered.”



Sasuke grabbed the ornate golden chain around the neck of the man, his anger forcing the woven gold tight around the thin throat until he chocked. “Ghhh…”



“Who ordered you to poison Itachi’s wine?”



“L-lord M-madara.” stuttered the man as Sasuke released his grip on the chain. Curling his lip with disgust, Sasuke motioned with a flick of his wrist and guards surrounded the gasping man, dragging him away to await Itachi’s pleasure and Sasuke knew without a shadow of a doubt that it would be a vicious pleasure indeed. If Naruto died, it was likely that Itachi would play in the man’s entrails before allowing him to die.



Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he dismissed the remaining servants and made his way back towards Itachi’s chambers. A dark form smirked in the shadows as the prince left the room. Everything was going exactly as planned. The poison would destroy the young slave and push Itachi deeper into his madness. Then, the country would be ripe for the picking.



Pushing open the door, Sasuke gazed inside to see the healer, Gomo pressing firmly on Naruto’s stomach, causing a cry of pain to escape the blonde’s cracked lips.



“I tried giving him water but the moment anything touches his stomach, his body rejects it.” murmured Itachi and Sasuke spun around to see his brother standing against the stone wall, his arms cross with frustration.



“The royal cupbearer poisoned your wine. He has been placed in custody until you decide what to do with him.”



“Whether Naruto lives or dies, determines how much mercy I will have for the man.”



“I pity the man if Naruto dies.”



“Don’t pity him. He is below deserving of anyone’s pity.”



“He said Madara ordered him to poison your wine.”



“Madara.” Itachi released an animalistic snarl.



“Pharaoh, I have examined the young man and I recognize the poison. What astonishes me is that he isn’t dead yet.” said Gomo, as he left Naruto’s side and approached the brothers.



“Wrong words, old man.” growled Itachi as he approached the healer with fire flashing darkly in his eyes.



“Forgive me, Pharaoh Itachi. I meant no ill will. I have given him some ginger tea. He should be able to keep most of that down. Amazing plant…ginger.”



“Don’t tell me about plants, just heal him.”



“There is nothing I can do. I laced his tea with a sedative. All anyone can do for that boy is pray that he lives to see the dawn. If he survives to dawn, he will have processed most of the poison. Keep giving him tea to fight off the dehydration. I’ve left a sachet of it at his bedside. Good evening.”



The old man tottered from the room leaving Itachi and Sasuke alone. If it wasn’t for the fact that Gomo was the most gifted healer in the city, Sasuke was sure Itachi would have murdered the man. As things stood, Itachi made his way back to the bed where Naruto whimpered quietly, his sleep far from restful.



Itachi stroked a hand down the whiskered cheeks, marveling at their soft texture. Even at the door to the underworld, the boy had the ability to charm him with more skill than the most gifted concubine.



“Itachi, should I send a servant to care for him?”



“I will care for him.”



“But…”



“Leave us, Sasuke.” Itachi dampened a cloth once more and wiped it gently over the pallid skin of Naruto’s cheeks. Sasuke bowed to his brother and quietly exited the room, offering up a prayer that Naruto would survive the night.



“Don’t die, Naruto. You still owe me a night in my bed.” The words echoed through the room. The only answer was the gasping breaths of Naruto as he struggled valiantly to hold onto his life.



~To be continued~



Thank you for the reviews Sneakyfox, dar, ItaNarulover, Dark Illusions, Nikkie, Pixie, DTDY and Maxentius.



ItaNarulover~Thank you so much for the extremely wonderful praise. It warms my heart to read reviews like that. I am so glad that you are enjoying the story that much.



Dar~sorry for the long wait, sometimes I get distracted with other things and I know this last week killed you. I was out of town but I’m back and updating again.