I don't own Naruto nor do I make money from it.

AN: Please note that I edited out all the sex from this chapter. If you wish to read the uncut chapter, you will need to do so on either my AFF or Y!-gal account. Links to both are on my user page.

Warning: sexual situations, cursing, Ita/Naru, mythology, history.

Weight of the Heart

Chapter Ten

Servants and slaves alike removed themselves from Itachi's path as he stalked towards his rooms where he'd left Naruto sleeping. His distraught confusion beat at him like a hammer. A part of him wanted to kill the blond, to remove the element that was distracting him. The other part wanted to fuck him into the ground and clear himself of the distraction through more sensual means.

Why had he felt this sudden urge to possess Naruto the moment he'd seen him? His breath had stilled as he'd caught a glimpse of hair woven from the rays of the sun. Even from the distance of the palace, he could see the way he'd moved through the crowd. Each step was elegant almost like that of a dancer. He'd wanted him and not being one to be denied, he'd sent Sasuke to collect. It had never occurred to him that he would have to work for what was his by all rights.

Naruto had entered his life and from that point on it might as well have been him wearing the collar. His thoughts were bombarded with images of the blond. The light that he exuded seemed to pull him inside out, only to return him to his original shape once more. When Naruto had been poisoned, he went nearly mad. He slaughtered a man in the most vicious and horrible manner imaginable and he'd enjoyed every moment. The man had deserved to suffer for attempting to destroy what was his.

Stopping to slam his fist into the smooth stone wall, Itachi relished in the pain that burst upward from his knuckles. This was real. This was what he should focus on. He should only care about whom he was and what he could do. He shouldn't distract himself with the blond but…he still wanted to lose himself in his warm embrace.

Sexual needs aside; he found he wanted just to be held, to be comforted, and to be loved. Quickly pushing that thought aside, he found himself before the great double doors that signaled the pharaoh's quarters. The guards quivered before his black eyes and dark aura. To them he looked ready to kill and they feared for their lives. If the pharaoh wished them dead, their lives were forfeit and none could stop him.

The regal man before them did not turn his eyes to them, nor did he even acknowledge their presence on each side of the door. His eyes seemed to be trying to bore holes into the ornate doors before him as if trying to see through the metal and gaze upon the occupants inside.

Lifting an elegant hand, Itachi pushed open the door and entered. The doors remained open and the guards, fearful of even moving, left them so. Itachi's obsidian colored eyes scanned the room before settling on the still sleeping form of the object of his distress and desires.

The young servant stood and approached the pharaoh but stilled under the powerful gaze. Never before had such turmoil been clearly visible in his lord's eyes. Intef stepped towards Naruto as it to protect him from any ill that Itachi might have towards him and soon found his arm in an iron grip. "Leave us."

Intef quaked before such an intense gaze. He couldn't allow anything to happen to Naruto. His life belonged to his sleeping master. If saving Naruto cost him his own life then it was a price he would gladly pay. Naruto had brought happiness back to his life where there was only pain and sorrow before. Firming his jaw, he shrugged from Itachi's grasp and stepped before him, ready to die for his master.

"Step aside, boy. You don't want to feel my wrath." Itachi's eyes flashed dangerously and Intef was shaking before him. Terrified as he might be, the boy stood his ground.

"Forgive me, my pharaoh. I must protect Naruto…even from you." The words were whispered and could barely be discerned. Itachi's focus switched from Naruto to Intef. Despite the obvious terror that he could nearly scent, Itachi saw the firmness in his eyes. This boy was ready to die if it would help his master. Such loyalty was rare.

Itachi did not kid himself into believing any of his subjects other than Sasuke held such loyalty to him. They fought for him because his strength would protect him. They worshiped him because his grace would see them through the dark times. They obeyed him but should a stronger master show his face, he knew they would join him.

"You are loyal to him, why?" Itachi arched a brow and gazed down at boy who struggled to be brave before a very dangerous man.

"He…He is kind to m-me and t-treats me like I am a p-person and not a slave." stuttered Intef.

"I see, and if I promise that I will not kill him?" Itachi's eyes stared deep into the brown of the boy's.

"You won't hurt him?" Intef quivered against Itachi.

"I don't give my word often but it is as binding a statement as I can give. Be content with that, slave." Itachi watched as the boy scrambled to leave the room, casting a last glance at his master.

Turning his black eyes on the object of his fascination, Itachi ran a finger down the whiskered cheeks. He watched as Naruto snuffled a little but didn't awaken. His fingers drifted towards the plump lower lip that jutted out in temptation. Rubbing the moist skin, he whispered to the room. "What power do you have over me? Do you wish to break me? Am I a pawn that the Gods wish to entertain themselves with?"

Dark lashes fluttered and sapphire eyes blinked opened. The sleep fogged eyes took several moments to realize that Itachi was standing over him. "Itachi?"

"What do you want from me, Naruto?" Itachi's eyes darkened to such an extent that one could not tell the pupil from the iris.

"I don't understand." Naruto tried to sit up but was pushed back by a strong hand. Struggling a little, he soon found his hands pinned above his head while Itachi continued to stare deeply into his eyes.

Naruto stared back, for he could not tear his eyes away from such a piercing gaze. He felt as if his very soul was being examined by this man. He was the child of some of the most powerful gods and yet he was made weak by a simple gaze. Swallowing, he gazed up at the eyes that examined him with such dark promise.

"Your presence has forced me to feel things that I should not. Your presence has made me question what I once believed to be my truth. What have you done to me that has made me into someone that I do not recognize?" Itachi growled and dropped one hand to brush across Naruto's torso, barely touching nipples that were suddenly erect with longing.

"I-I only want to save you." Naruto whispered, his eyes wide as he watched every play of emotion across Itachi's face. Where once there was a mask of madness, now there held something that gave Naruto a glimmer of hope. There was uncertainty mixed with anger and fear, but there was the smallest glimmer of affection, longing, and love.

"Save me? Who do you need to save me from?" whispered Itachi hoarsely.

Naruto found he was unable to answer. His words seemed to catch in his throat as Itachi's breath brushed along his face. His eyes left Itachi's and drifted lower to gaze at the slightly parted pink lips. A blush stained tan cheeks as his eyes darkened to almost a violet hue.

Pulling free a hand from Itachi's grip, Naruto reached up and traced a finger along the chiseled cheeks towards sculpted lips. "I have to save you from yourself."

"Perhaps I don't want to be saved." Crashing his lips to Naruto's, Itachi ravished the warm lips of which he had dreamed. The taste was just as he remembered, spicy with a hint of mint. Longing for a deeper taste, he used his free hand to tilt Naruto's head to create a better angle.

Gasping at the kiss, Naruto parted his lips in a plea to have that warm tongue inside his mouth. It only took a half of a breath before Itachi answered the plea and plunged his tongue deeply inside the warm cavern. The feel of the warm muscle dancing along his own sent Naruto into shivers of bliss. He wanted this…no, he needed this. He needed the touch and taste of the man that haunted his dreams and compelled him to seek out his praise.

Pulling back, Itachi buried his fingers in the golden locks and forced Naruto's neck to arch, leaving his throat bare. Licking and tasting down the long slender throat, Itachi bit at the thick tendon, visible underneath the skin. The cries from Naruto's lips were like fire on his already burning consciousness. Biting into the other's shoulder, he marked him for all to see. "Mine." he growled as he tasted blood on his lips.

"Why is possession all you consider?" Naruto lowered his eyes, he pulled away. His fingers lifted to touch the blood smeared lips of the pharaoh .

"It is who I am." Standing, he poured water from a jug into a bowl and dipped a clean linen cloth in the cool liquid. Running the cloth across Naruto's skin, he paused to admire the darkening marks on his shoulder. Knowing that he had marked the boy for all to see gave him an intense since of dark pleasure.

Glancing towards the whiskered face, Itachi saw crystal clear blue eyes watching him. The red was gone, leaving only the beautiful sapphire eyes that seemed to stare directly into his soul.

Itachi continued to wash Naruto and the blue eyes lazily followed each and every movement. "I'm never letting you go."

Naruto smiled sadly at the words. "You may not have a choice. There will come a time when my father will come for me. Even you, Great Pharaoh, will be unable to stop him."

Itachi grabbed the blond hair and wrenched the head back. Claiming the soft lips as his own, he plundered the deep recesses of Naruto's mouth. He left no inch untouched. Pulling back, he looked into the hazy eyes with satisfaction that his point was gotten across. "You are mine and I keep what is mine."

Itachi stood from the bed and walked toward the doors that led from the room. "You are well enough. I will have your slave move you to your rooms. You may visit the baths and the garden as you wish. I will notify the guards. They will escort you wherever you wish. Don't cover those marks. I want the world to see that you belong to me now."

Naruto stiffened at the tone. He had just fucked him with more passion than he had ever experienced and now he had returned to being cold and withdrawn. The black eyes calculated everything. His heart tore a little at the tone. This was the tone of a master to his slave. There was no caring or love, only possession. After being so kindly washed by him, he was coldly being sent away. "As you wish." The words rang bitter in his throat as he watched Itachi nod and leave the room.

Bowing his head, he felt ashamed of himself. He had allowed his body to be used as nothing but a toy to relieve sexual tension. He felt dirty and used. Was that all he was to Itachi, a pet or a toy?

"Master?" Glancing up, Naruto saw Intef standing near him with a kilt.

"Intef, I would like to go to the baths again." Naruto said the words with a steady voice but his insides were in turmoil.

Intef dressed his master and noticed the lack of sparkle in his eye. He didn't ask. He wasn't allowed to ask, but that didn't make it less worrisome to see. Smiling a little at his master, the young slave attempted to draw Naruto from his thoughts but he remained closed to him. The entire walk to the baths made Intef worry. Naruto was usually more upbeat and cheerful. Today he seemed…sad. What had Itachi done to him?

Naruto was lost in his own thoughts. He felt dirty and just wanted to bathe. He shouldn't allow himself to feel like this way but he couldn't help it. He wasn't used to being exposed to such strong emotions and Itachi seemed to pull them from him. He would need to get a hold on his emotions if he was to finish his mission.

Calming his mind, Naruto entered the bath and allowed the attendants to sooth away his troubled thoughts. He bathed quickly and attendants began to massage his muscles with educated hands. Soon he drifted to sleep under their touch.

Not unlike his lover, Itachi was disturbed. He had seen the look of longing in Naruto's eye but could not answer it. His pet needed to know early what was expected of Itachi. He could not have his pet residing in the same rooms. It was bad enough that many of the nobles looked down on his keeping of a male sexual partner instead of impregnating a woman.

After he had children, the nobles would not care where he shoved his cock. Even with the country on the brink of war, the nobles were screaming for Itachi to take one of their daughters as his bride and produce an heir.

It was true that should he take a wife and produce an heir, he would be free to take anyone he wished to his bed. However, Itachi did not want to father children on a woman that disgusted him. There were few people he could tolerate and he highly doubted that one of the noblewomen was one. He was worried that the issue might be forced. Pharaoh he might be, but his power was only determined by the support of the people.

If the issue was forced, perhaps he could use Sasuke. The boy was a bit more sociable than himself and as long as the children were considered his heirs, the problem was solved. He would not force such a thing on Sasuke until the nobles forced his hand. Until then, he would sit back and watch the events as they unfolded.

"Itachi?"

Itachi turned and saw his brother standing in the hallway, a worried look in his eye. Inclining his head, he looked at his brother with curiosity that soon transformed to resignation at the look that was present in Sasuke's eyes. He didn't have to say it. Itachi could see it in Sasuke's eyes.

"He's here." Sasuke sighed.

"Madara." Itachi saw the curt nod from his brother. Nodding in acknowledgment, he made his way towards his rooms. Turning to glance at his brother, Itachi gave his orders. "Send for my generals and anyone that needs to be present. Set up a few guards at father's ebu tent but don't waste man power. Use only lame or older guards."

Sasuke bowed and went to fulfill the orders given. As soon as his brother left, Itachi entered his room. He was disappointed to find Naruto gone but had expected nothing less from Naruto's little slave. The boy was precise when given orders.

Several servants entered carrying his armor and weapons. He detested the heavy golden armor but understood his position and equipped it. He was not only the leader of the army; he was a figure head for the people. They needed to see him to be given hope, especially if Madara was using the savages as Intel suggested.

The servants bowed as he exited the room towards the main throne chamber. His generals should have assembled by the time he entered. They were men that were worthy of the title and would do well to help lead his army.

As he entered the throne room, he saw not only his generals in full armor, but Sasuke as well. Itachi wanted to tell him to leave but he knew it would be useless. "You don't have to do this, Sasuke. You are injured."

"Itachi, if I don't help you then I am not worthy of my post as your most loyal brother and supporter."

Itachi nodded. He understood his brother. Familial loyalty ran deep with the two of them. Sasuke would willingly die for him and surprisingly enough, he would do the same. A few days ago, he wasn't sure he could have said that but now, he knew it was true. If his brother was endangered, he would protect him with every bone in his body. "Stay by my side."

Sasuke nodded and the two turned to face the generals that had gathered. War was upon them and it must be faced head on. To hesitate now would mean death to them all. Itachi took his dagger and sliced his hand. War had begun and he prayed to the gods for the first time in nearly his entire life that he could keep both his brother and Naruto safe from the monster that was coming. Madara would give no quarter; he was a monster not unlike himself. Two monsters fighting over the right to rule the land of the Nile, only time would tell which monster would come out victorious.

"My blood has been spilt. War has come and should I fall, I name my brother as my successor. Through the strength of my blood, may we be victorious in the battles that are coming and may Anhur guide our spears and lead us back to victory." Itachi looked his generals directly in the eyes and nodded, ready to listen to their suggestions and strategy while Sasuke made arrangements for minor guards to be placed at all temples to prevent looting from vagabonds and wayward enemy soldiers. It was time for war.

Naruto jerked awake and eyes reddened. He could smell the excitement of battle in the air and it sickened him. No one should be happy or excited to destroy life. He himself was a creature made for destruction but unable to bear the weight that such a duty would bring. Instead, his father had hidden him away in the Fields and given him a duty that was much more appropriate to his sensitive soul.

Bowing his head, he sent a prayer to his father and raced towards his room to begin his own preparations. Though he prayed he wouldn't have to fight, the dark malice that filtered through the air told a different story.

"Master, the servants speak of war." Intef was slightly panicked as he watched his master strap on a small dagger and dangle a horn from his neck.

"Intef, I need you to hide. No matter what you hear, hide until you hear me calling for you."

"But, Master Naruto…"

"Do as I ask. It is about to get very bloody." With those words, Naruto was gone leaving a worried Intef to struggle with his own decisions.

To be continued.