Okayziez... so le emperor is dead, meaning -gasps- Neji is now le emperor of rome!
A/N: Naruto, Greek Deities, and Rome do not belong to me
A/N 2: Incorrect usage of Greek mythological figures
A/N 3: All flames will be used to sacrifice to Jashin
The Value of a Soul
Chapter 11: Internal Pain
Naruto was rooted to the spot, as Neji dragged the olive-eyed youth out of the servants quarters, and down into what Naruto suspected was a prison cell. He did not follow, for fear of what he might see.
"Are you all right?" a worried voice asked. Naruto's viion focused, and he found himself looking at the slitted eyes of a certain Inuzuka. Said Inuzuka gave the blonde a peck on the cheek.
"What did you say?" Naruto asked, not yet fully aware of his surroundings.
"I asked if you were all right," the brunet stated. Naruto's lips curved into an unconvincing smile.
"Not really, but I'm all right enough," he replied. "How about you? I hope your new job isn't too hard on you," he continued. The dog-boy winced.
"Don't you know it. The substances they use to scrub the dishes clean are corrosive," he said, holding up his hands to the blue-eyed youth. Naruto flinched slightly at the sight of the browned hands.
The skin was peeling, and uncharacteristically dry, as well as bleeding in some places. Other pplaces were just raw flesh, bright pink, and vicious.
Naruto grabbed the brunet's hands, and held them in his, watching them intently. The skin on the limbs began to heal at a quick rate, and soon, the Inuzuka's hands were perfectly normal.
"There. Isn't there anything you can use to cover your hands?" he asked. The brunet shook his head.
"No. I think being a legionary was much easier than being a scullery servant," he remarked. Naruto smiled. "By the way, what was that about?" he asked, obviously talking about the porcelain-skinned prince. Naruto's smile vanished.
"Emperor Hiashi is dead," he quietly replied. "By poisoning."
"Now are you going to tell me, or not?" Neji hissed, cloud-shaded eyes glaring daggers at the cowering servant. The hapless cupbearer was on his knees.
"Please! I was forced to do it!" the youth blurted out. Neji raised an eyebrow.
"By whom?" he asked, twirling his knife on his index finger, and catching it by the handle. The cupbearer practically had tears in his eyes.
"I don't know! All I know is that he had grey hair that was tied up," the servant blurted. Something clicked in Neji's mind.
"What else did you see?" he asked, his voice still containing the threatening undertone.
"His eyes were the colour of onyx stones. He's pale skinned, and didn't look very threatening. He trapped me, and threatened to kill me if I didn't do it!" the youth cried. Neji smirked humourlessly.
"You obviously see death by my hand more appealing than death by the hand of a stranger."
The youth's olive green eyes widened and he blanched with fright as the prince raised the knife.
"Dispose of him. He is no longer of any use to me," Neji ordered coldly to the fist guards he met, after he had told them.
As the long-haired brunet turned around the corner, the soldiers exchanged a look.
"Who's going to do it?" the first one asked. There was a long moment of silence. The second sighed.
"I guess I will."
The second guard walked down into the prison, and glanced through the bars, immediately regretting it, as he caught sight of the prince's handiwork. Turning around, he fell into a bout of dry retching.
The first guard came over to see, and turned away, feeling sick.
"Oh Orcus!" the second murmured. "Poor youth."
There in the prison, was the youth, but barely recognizable under all the blood. Neji indeed did harbour a sadistic sense of humour.
The eyes of the youth were gouged out, and placed in his mouth, whilst his tongue was cut off, and lying limply on the floor before him. Each on of his fingers were torn of their tips, as were his toes. The servant's midriff was sliced open, and his intestines were draped about his neck. The skin on his whole torso was ripped off, revealing glistening red flesh.
There was a barely audible moan. The first guard caught it, and almost vomited, due to the sick feeling in his stomach.
"By Jupiter, he's still alive!" the first guard moaned faintly. "I don't think I can do this right now..."
Naruto ran into the blood soaked prince as he was headed to the prison. He flinched. The brunet stared at him wordlessly, before heading for his quarters.
Instinctively, the blonde headed for the prince's private baths. After making sure everything was in order, he heated a smaller pool, until steam rose from it. Testing the water, he drew back, satisfied.
Returning to the brunet, he silently gestured towards the baths. The prince headed over, and stripped at the entrance, wrapping a towel about his waist. Naruto could see that the blood had thoroughly soaked through his clothes. He sighed.
He followed the brunet along the many chambers meant for different purposes. The prince turned to him, and blinked slowly.
"You may take your leave," Neji permissed. Naruto dipped his head in acknowledgement, and silently left.
The blonde heaved a sigh, and headed to the balcony. It was nearly dawn. Leaning against the rail, he gazed off into the distant east, just as the sun's first few rays hit the city of Rome. The city that was now under the rule of the prince, soon to be emperor, Neji.
After fifteen more minutes, Naruto retreated back indoors, and strolled over to the prince's wardrobe to pull together a new outfit for the brunet.
Leaving it on Neji's bed, he left the room. He travelled to the kitchen, and was immediately hit by tantalizing scents as the smell of freshly cooked, baked, etc. Hit his senses.
He was immediately tackled by someone he knew all too well, but managed to maintain his balance. His attacker pecked his cheek.
"Hey, Naruto! What do you want here?" Naruto shrugged.
"Just picking up breakfast for Neji," he replied. The brunet scowled.
"So now he's even treating you like a servant," he remarked. Naruto shook his head.
"No. He didn't order me to do it, I just am," he explained. Kiba raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"Now why would you do that?" he asked. The blonde smiled.
"I honestly have no idea," he answered. Kiba pointed to a silver tray.
"That's been pre-set for his royal pain," he informed, before grinning at the blonde, and dashing back to his work. Naruto rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Calmly, he took the tray, and nobody questioned him as the tanned youth headed back to Neji's quarters. Opening the doors, as his guards were still attempting to dispose of the body of his latest victim, he stepped in.
"I brought you breakfast," Naruto announced, placing the tray on the bed.
The brunet, who had at the time been surveying the city from his balcony, half-turned.
"I won't eat breakfast today," he said, turning back. Naruto forgot about the food, and walked over to Neji.
"Neji..." The brunet laughed harshly, no hint of mirth in the action.
"So you still refuse to acknowledge me," he commented. Naruto smiled. Some things just never change, do they.
"Neji, I do acknowledge you. But as a friend," he stated. "Was the cupbearer guilty?" he asked. Neji answered with a small incline of his head, not bothering to turn.
"He said he was forced into it by someone else." Naruto blinked thoughtfully.
"Someone else you say? Did he decribe this 'someone else' to you?"
"Grey hair that is tied up, onyx eyes, pale skin, and a no-threat appearance," the brunet automatically replied.
Neji realized that when the blonde was around, he seemed to talk more, even when he didn't feel like talking. He didn't understand what it was that made him like this. He didn't even know why he trusted the blonde enough to tell him these things, which should have been kept confidential.
Wait...did he just say he trusted the blonde? No. Neji didn't trust anyone but himself. But now he was beginning to wonder. Why did he confide in the blonde so if he didn't trust him.
"What are you?" he asked, for the heaven knows what time. Naruto blinked, a slow soft smile spreading over his face. He laughed softly, and the sound echoed around the silent city.
"I'm your friend Neji. No matter how much you hurt me, no matter how much you say you aren't my friend, I'm your friend, and I always will be."
Neji bit his lip. He could feel something, and he didn't recognize it. It was in his chest like last time, only this time, it didn't hurt. It was warm, and bright. Well okay, he couldn't really feel the bright part, but he suspected it was.
"What is this?" he breathed in a near inaudible voice. Naruto heard it, but pretended he didn't, as it seemed as though the brunet didn't wish him to hear it.
"Hm? Did you say something Neji?" The brunet shook his head. Naruto smiled. "Now are you going to eat breakfast or not?" he asked again. The prince shook his head.
"No. I don't think I'll eat breakfast today," he replied. Naruto frowned.
"Neji, I know you won't admit it, but these past few days have been stressful for you. You need to get something in your system!" Twin pearls slowly lidded.
"What is it to you? Why do I matter so much?" he asked. Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Are you deaf? I've already said it who knows how many times! It's because I'm your friend!" He placed a tanned hand over top of an alabaster one, still surprised at how cold the brunet was, literally. "And if it comes as any help, which it probably doesn't because you claim to hate me, I'll always support you," he added. The prince sighed.
"All right. I think I'll eat breakfast." Naruto internally cheered.
They stepped through another door, silently, to be met with a maiden who was staring silently out the cutains on her bed, watched anxiously by another brunette.
"Hinata!" The princess turned to face them, tear trails dried, but still visible on her cheeks. She attempted a small smile.
"Hello Naruto, brother," she greeted. Naruto ambled over to her, and smiled softly.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked. She gave a tiny shrug.
"Better," she answered. He smiled.
Her eyes moved to her brother, who stood, watching the scene, impassiveness as clear as always. This just made her angry.
"You!" she leapt to her feet and stomped over to the older sibling. "Don't you even care?" she near screamed, trying her best to control her voice. "Do you even realize what just happened? Or was this just like Hanabi? Did you poison Father as well?"
Neji backed away, and faltered, almost stumbling, but managing to maintain his balance. His eyes glimmered with almost invisible signs of shock and something else.
"You are accusing me of poisoning Father," Neji stated. Hinata glared at him, her eyes blazing.
"You aren't even denying it! You truly are a selfish brother, doing only what is in your best interests. You did this purposefully, so you could inherit the empire!" Hinata screeched in a very uncharacteristic manner. Tenten rushed over and grabbed her mistress's arm, glancing helplessly at the prince.
"She's going mad with grief, your highness, I suggest you leave her for a while," Tenten murmured. Neji closed his eyes, and lowered his head, motioning for the blonde to follow him as he extied the quarters.
Neji didn't understand why, but his chest ached. It hurt worse than any injury he'd ever had to suffer. He didn't understand why. What is this? It hurt just as much as last time, but it was different too. Neji gasped, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. Naruto glanced at him worriedly.
"Neji!" Neji held up a hand to signify he was all right. The blonde sighed, and looked at him, something unreadble in his eyes.
The brunet's hand flew to his chest and he grasped the fabric upon it tightly, gritting his teeth at the pain that berated him from what seemed to be something far more than skin deep.
Sorry I noes its short. I just wrote it cos I had extra time. Anyhoos, Err bye for now?
-Jeya-