Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto, after all these years.

AN: So I think a recap is in order so that those of you who have already read this fic up to this point don't have to read it again to get the gist of things.

Basically, Naruto was born to a Spartan Archon who died in battle. The next Archon Jiraiya faked baby Naruto's death and whisked him away to Messenia where he would grow up as a helot under Iruka's care. Naruto was also given protection from Artemis, Goddess of hunting and children. This was all to protect him from the other power-hungry Archon, Orochimaru.

Naruto then grew up and got accepted into the Spartan agoge at the behest of Archon Orochimaru, who saw the power Naruto possessed and was interested in harnessing it. Orochimaru also suspected that there is more to Naruto than meets the eye mostly due to Archon Jiraiya's interest in the boy.

To protect Naruto from Orochimaru, Jiraiya ordered Sasuke, a Spartan student in the agoge, to become Naruto's erastes (basically a trainer who bonds with the apprentice, or eromenos). Sasuke is reluctant at first because he's hated helots ever since some had killed his father when Sasuke was a child, but then he soon falls in love with Naruto. This creates problems because it is against Spartan law for two men to fall in love with each other and the crime is punishable by death. Basically, Naruto kisses Sasuke without knowing this and Sasuke reacts badly. Orochimaru uses Naruto's ignorance in order to make Naruto think Sasuke hated him. Orochimaru is a bad man. Shock.

Meanwhile, Naruto's two helot friends growing up have begun to train other helots for a mass rebellion, and Iruka has just found out about it.

Archon Jiraiya has received a prophesy from the Oracle at Delphi which has convinced him to tell Sasuke of Naruto's true identity. He, Tsunade, and Iruka then imparted the entire secret past to Sasuke, who became understandably upset and defensive for Naruto. Sasuke then left them, planning to tell Naruto the truth. None of them were aware that Sakura, Jiraiya and Tsunade's daughter and a Spartan girl obsessed with Sasuke's love and affection, had overheard everything.

And that's where the story up to this point left off. Enjoy!

Chapter 13: Eros

Naruto awoke blearily to the feel of something warm and hard pressing against the length of his back, a pale arm snaked around his midsection as fingers curled against his chest. At first, a warmth settled into his chest as he thought it was Sasuke, but then his mind cleared from sleep and his gaze took in the crimson sheets he slept on. He remembered where he was and why he was here and not in the barracks. With a cold, sick feeling dropping like lead into his stomach, he realized that the man – because it was most certainly a man – he was pressed against in the luxurious bed couldn't be Sasuke. He involuntarily stiffened and the man behind him seemed to notice, because he chuckled and splayed his pale-white hand across Naruto's abdomen possessively, something conspicuously hard pressing into his backside as the man shifted.

Naruto went rigid, realizing that it must have been Archon Orochimaru, sleeping with him in the bed. The offending hand slid lower and Naruto yelped, nearly jumping out of the bed before he could control himself. The arm around him suddenly tensed, however, and Naruto couldn't go far. The man chuckled again and something wet and warm traveled from Naruto's shoulder up to his earlobe. He shuddered as he realized the man had licked him.

"Good morning, little beast," Archon Orochimaru greeted with amusement, but his voice held an edge to it that Naruto didn't miss. "Sleep well?"

Naruto only nodded, suddenly feeling sick. He hadn't expected this, even though he realized he should have. Maybe some part of him had always suspected it would come to this with his patron, but he hadn't wanted to acknowledge it. He'd been too angry with Sasuke and his situation to let his disgust and unease with the Archon darken his thoughts. But now he had no choice but to let the man do with his body what he would. The thought terrified him.

Archon Orochimaru chuckled again, rolling his hips so that Naruto could clearly feel the man's intentions. His hand snaked down a bit lower until it was just over Naruto's navel. Naruto's breath hitched in alarm.

"Your skin is unnaturally smooth and scarless," Orochimaru observed dispassionately, as if he was merely remarking upon the weather. "I suppose growing up a helot has its uses, hm?"

Naruto didn't know what to say to that so he remained silent, hoping that the man wouldn't mind.

Orochimaru merely chuckled again. "Don't worry, my little Helot. I will not be taking advantage of your presence in my bed."

Naruto let out a breath that he hadn't even realized he'd been holding as the man's hand retreated and his back went cold as Orochimaru moved away. He lay there rigidly as the man moved upon the mattress until he could see him standing naked by the side of the bed. The Archon smirked at him, but it looked like a leer, and Naruto struggled to hold his gaze and appear untroubled.

"Scurry off to your Erastes now," Orochimaru stated sibilantly as he pulled on a silk, purple robe. "Wouldn't want to miss training with your peers. Power is worthless if it isn't cultivated."

Naruto nodded dumbly, but Orochimaru only watched him expectantly and Naruto realized the man wanted him to speak his assent.

"Yes, sir," Naruto croaked past the lump in his throat, hoping that he hadn't sounded as discomfited as he was.

"Good," Orochimaru smiled, but no warmth reached his yellowed eyes, and Naruto could only breathe properly again when the man had gone.

Naruto suddenly had the urge to both sob with relief and punch a wall in anger as a surge of adrenaline, motivated by pure fear, ebbed through his veins. He ended up making a strangled sound and fisting the hair on his scalp, trying to calm down. For the first time since his internment in Orochimaru's quarters had begun, he wished he could have stayed in the barracks, but the thought of Sasuke quickly dashed those hopes. He was still angry and hurt by the boy and he didn't know if the incident with the Archon this morning was enough for him to see past that.

Naruto shuddered and sat up, rubbing at his eyes with his palms. Inexplicably, he saw Sasuke watching him within the darkness of his closed lids, and he scowled. Suddenly all he wanted was to punch the boy until he felt numb.

…..

Sasuke stood in the training grounds, waiting impatiently for Naruto's arrival. He had ridden his horse into the stables just as dawn had brightened the horizon, and he had barely paused within the barracks for breakfast before he strode out into the grounds. The other beasts had slowly trickled out behind him, setting up for their daily exercises. Sasuke barely noticed them, his meeting with Archon Jiraiya unsettling him more than he could afford to be. Sasuke shook his head in a bare attempt at clearing his mind, but nothing could abate the adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

All he could think as he raced back from the countryside was that he had to tell Naruto. The trick was getting Naruto to listen to him, which he realized would probably be difficult for a variety of reasons. He had hoped that Naruto might arrive before the beasts came out for their training so that he might confront him in private, but now it was too late for that. He would have to impart his news while they were sparring, which would be difficult without letting anyone else know.

His dark gaze flicked over to Kakashi who was casually leaning against a pillar in the shade, his face predictably buried in his tablets. The man seemed wholly unconcerned with Sasuke's situation or Naruto's whereabouts. Sasuke suddenly wondered how much the man knew about Naruto's true identity and the looming danger of Archon Orochimaru. If the man knew anything, he was awfully relaxed about it.

Sasuke scowled as Naruto remained notably absent. His stomach and fists clenched with worry as he thought of where Naruto was coming from, and he couldn't keep himself from thinking that Archon Orochimaru had somehow disposed of him during the night. Now that he knew just how Orochimaru was playing his eromenos, it was an understatement to say that Sasuke was on edge.

Sasuke began to sweat in the heat of the morning sun, but he didn't move, his muscles tense and fists clenched until he finally spotted Naruto's blond head of hair as the boy stepped into the sun from one of the corridors. Naruto's eyes connected with his for mere moments before the boy looked away with a scowl. The boy looked preternaturally tired and wary and Sasuke felt his chest tighten in concern. He shifted his stance impatiently as the boy took his time walking toward him, but he didn't move otherwise, afraid that he might scare Naruto off if he made any sudden movements.

When Naruto finally stopped in front of him, he was still far enough away that Sasuke wouldn't be able to touch him without stepping forward, and Sasuke bit his lip in frustration as he caught Kakashi's eyes watching their interaction from over the tablets. Sasuke forced his limbs to relax, even though all he wanted to do was step forward and touch his eromenos's bronze skin.

"You're late," Sasuke bit out, forcing his voice into a practiced monotone, even as he thought of all the ways Orochimaru could have kept the boy occupied to induce that tardiness.

"What do you care?" Naruto retorted heatedly, but Sasuke could see the hurt in the boy's eyes and his chest clenched with an unfamiliar feeling that could have been guilt.

Sasuke leaned down and picked up the bowl of oil at his feet. Naruto eyed it warily, but Sasuke stepped forward and Naruto held his ground stubbornly. The boy put out his hand, gesturing for the bowl, but Sasuke pushed it away, holding onto the tan wrist as he stepped closer.

"You're not touching me with that," Naruto growled, his whole body going rigid and his free hand clenched into a warning fist by his side.

"It is my duty as your erastes," Sasuke retorted truthfully, and he didn't give Naruto a chance to react before he placed an oil slicked hand on the boy's chest.

"Bastard!"

Naruto tried to step away, but Sasuke's grip on his wrist tightened. Sasuke was ready for the fist that flew toward his jaw as well and he dipped down to dodge it before sliding a foot behind Naruto's legs and forcing him to the ground. Naruto's back hit with a loud thump that forced the air out of his lungs and Sasuke quickly sat down on his lower abdomen, his legs on either side of Naruto's waist.

"Obey me," Sasuke warned and his glare must have been powerful because for a moment Naruto didn't say anything or move to buck him off.

Sasuke took that chance to dip his hand in more oil and slide it along Naruto's abdominal muscles, secretly enjoying the way the boy's warm skin twitched beneath his touch. He heard a little gasp escape Naruto's mouth and Sasuke slid his hands further south. Naruto was glaring at him again, but that didn't stop him from gasping as Sasuke rimmed his navel with his finger before sliding the slick digit inside. Sasuke smirked and Naruto looked away, his face reddening.

"Stop it, Sasuke," Naruto whispered and Sasuke's hand faltered at the sudden vulnerable quality to the boy's voice.

Sasuke lifted his hand and leaned forward until his lips hovered just over Naruto's ear and he could smell something flowery wafting from the boy's hair. He scowled when he realized it was probably some type of luxurious bath oils Orochimaru used. "We need to talk about Archon Orochimaru."

Naruto turned his head so that Sasuke had to pull back a bit, but he only did so enough that they were now nose to nose.

Naruto's blue eyes were suddenly hard and unforgiving. "I have nothing to say to you."

And then suddenly Sasuke was roughly pushed backward, toppling off of Naruto as the boy stumbled to his feet. Sasuke rolled forward and got to his feet, the bowl of oil forgotten as he watched his eromenos cautiously. Naruto was scowling at him and Sasuke made sure to appear impassive and thought quickly.

Orochimaru had turned Naruto against him, of that much Sasuke was certain. He had to force the boy to at least listen to him without losing his attention completely. It was true that he was Naruto's erastes, but if he had to compete with Archon Orochimaru, he would lose his ability under law to control Naruto's actions in the agoge. At this point, legally, it was up to Naruto who he decided to favor with his time. Although Naruto may not have been aware of that just yet, he was certain Orochimaru would find the right time to point it out to him. Sasuke's blood boiled at the thought of the Archon's machinations. It didn't leave him with many options. He only knew one way of keeping Naruto's attention, and it was a risk to implement.

"Then fight me," Sasuke stated, crossing his arms and tugging his mouth into an arrogant, taunting smirk. "If I win, you have to listen to what I say."

"And if you lose?" Naruto questioned, watching him warily.

Sasuke thought quickly, knowing he would have to ensure Naruto's will to fight. "If I lose, you won't have to train with me for the rest of the day."

Naruto stared at him, shifting his weight from one foot to the other and clenching his fists, before he responded. "Deal."

The moment Naruto's lips had parted, Sasuke had rushed forward and slammed his fist into Naruto's stomach. The boy was caught completely unaware, which both pleased and exasperated Sasuke. Naruto cried out and sprawled out at his feet, breathless, but Sasuke didn't give him a chance to recuperate before slamming his elbow into the boy's chest. Or he would have if the boy hadn't rolled out of the way at the last minute.

Sasuke only had a few seconds to dodge before Naruto rolled back and kicked him in the chest. Naruto's foot just missed by centimeters before both of them were on their feet again. Then Naruto was on the attack. The boy ran at him with a shout and Sasuke stepped out of the way to redirect his momentum, landing the boy on his back with a hard crash to the ground. Naruto kicked at him viciously, but Sasuke caught his ankles and pushed down between his thighs until he was seated between them in a quite compromising position. Naruto bucked in an attempt to get him off, but that only created a slick friction between their bodies and he moaned involuntarily.

Sasuke shuddered at the unexpected jolt of pleasure, but he pulled a fist back in order to strike. Naruto growled and pushed his fist away by the wrist before it could connect and rolled forward abruptly. Naruto's hard forehead connected with his and pain exploded behind Sasuke's eyes, but before Naruto could use the distraction to slide out from under him, he rolled his hips and caught the boy's wrists to push them back against the ground.

Naruto groaned again, panting and struggling. Sasuke rolled his hips again for good measure, hissing at the delicious friction on his quickly hardening cock and admiring the way Naruto's golden hair splayed out around his flushed face. Naruto shuddered, but he still attempted to get out of the hold, thrashing with all his might. Sasuke simply ground his hips down again, biting his lip against a moan. Sasuke glanced up at Kakashi, but the man was blessedly ignoring them, buried in his tablets as he was.

"It's done, Naruto," Sasuke stated, unable to keep the strain completely out of his voice as he started a rhythm with his hips. "Concede."

"Bastard," Naruto retorted predictably, and he bucked his hips upward in retaliation which only served to make them both more aroused.

Sasuke put more of his weight down so that neither of them could move any more. If it went on much longer, he was sure he wouldn't be able to keep control, and that's not what he needed at the moment. He tried not to look down at Naruto splayed out so enticingly below him, his tan skin glistening with oil and sweat as his pink lips opened with every shallow breath he took.

"Listen to me now," Sasuke ordered, and Naruto glared at him, but he didn't say anything, his body still tense but no longer struggling.

Sasuke looked around, making sure that none of the other beasts were within hearing range before he continued. He wondered where he should start, but as he looked down at Naruto's wary gaze, he realized he must be blunt.

"Your life is in danger with Orochimaru."

"What are you talking about?" Naruto bristled.

"It's the truth," Sasuke insisted, but Naruto looked unconvinced.

"You're only saying that because you're working with them," Naruto stated, and his stare was accusing.

"Who?"

"Archon Jiraiya and his supporters," Naruto replied, and he spoke of the Archon as if he left a bad taste in his mouth.

"I don't deny it," Sasuke stated truthfully.

"I knew it!" Naruto exclaimed heatedly, his eyes flashing with something like betrayal, and he suddenly bucked and twisted, trying to get Sasuke off of him again, but Sasuke didn't allow it.

"Archon Jiraiya is trying to protect you. Whatever Orochimaru has told you, he's feeding you lies."

"Why would Jiraiya try to protect me?" Naruto questioned incredulously. "He hates me."

"He doesn't," Sasuke denied. "Orochimaru is playing you. He's the one you should be wary of."

"Why should I believe you?" Naruto retorted. "You've never let me in on anything before now."

Sasuke watched him for a moment, not missing the way Naruto looked away from him with a pained expression.

"What did Orochimaru tell you, Naruto?" Sasuke questioned.

"The truth," Naruto replied, appearing defeated and no longer looking at Sasuke.

"And what is that?"

"That Jiraiya wants to keep me out of the agoge," Naruto murmured. "Which I had already known. And that…"

"And?" Sasuke pushed at Naruto's uncharacteristic silence.

"That you hate Helots like me because they'd killed your father," Naruto blurted although he looked like he wanted to stop talking right there as his cheeks reddened. "That you never…wanted to be my erastes."

Sasuke tensed when he noticed Naruto looked to be holding something back.

"Did you…" Sasuke coughed, uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "Did you tell him about kissing me?"

Naruto reddened further. "Didn't have to. He already knew."

Sasuke let out a sharp breath and his grip on Naruto's wrists tightened. Naruto tensed beneath him. Sasuke couldn't bring himself to look down at him as fear raced through him with the confirmation of his earlier suspicions.

"Don't worry, I won't do it again," Naruto bit out, misinterpreting Sasuke's expression. "Not that I'd want to, anyway."

"What did he tell you about that?" Sasuke ignored Naruto's last comment completely, boring his gaze into Naruto's.

"Why do you want to know?"

"He didn't tell you that kisses between beasts were punishable by death, did he?" Sasuke questioned.

"No. What…?" Naruto blurted, appearing completely confused. "What are you talking about?"

"It's Spartan law," Sasuke replied darkly. "Spartan men, even bonded ones, never kiss, because such intimate affections are punishable by death."

Naruto looked completely flabbergasted, his mouth agape as he stared up at Sasuke in dawning horror. "Is that true?"

Sasuke nodded.

"But why wouldn't…?" Naruto began, and anger began to infuse his voice. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't Orochimaru –?"

"He's playing with you," Sasuke growled, and a sudden wave of protectiveness for his eromenos took hold of him. "He wanted you to think that only he was your ally."

"He could have had me killed," Naruto breathed and he seemed to be stunned by that realization for a moment. "He can still do it."

"He won't," Sasuke stated and he saw the very real fear in Naruto's eyes. "I…Jiraiya wouldn't let him."

"Why?" Naruto questioned, his gaze suddenly sharp. "What do I have to do with him?"

Sasuke hesitated, knowing that what he said next would change Naruto's world forever. "You're an heir to the throne."

Naruto stared at him. "What?"

"Archon Jiraiya told me last night," Sasuke stated. "You are the late Archon Uzumaki's heir."

"What?" Naruto asked again stupidly. "No…I can't be, but I'm a Helot. That's crazy!"

"It's the truth."

"Shut up," Naruto shook his head stubbornly, bristling.

"You're of royal Spartan blood," Sasuke insisted.

"Stop it!" Naruto shouted and he pushed Sasuke off of him with a reserve of strength Sasuke hadn't known he had.

Sasuke closed his mouth abruptly, watching Naruto warily as the boy sat up and scowled.

"Is this a joke?" Naruto questioned heatedly, and his eyes flashed as he got to his feet. Sasuke followed suit and they stood across from each other. "Has everything you've just said been a lie?"

"It's all true," Sasuke replied, muscles tensing as he realized Naruto could very well choose to flee at any moment.

Naruto moved in a flash and Sasuke had no time to block the fist that connected with his face, sending him sprawling backward. His head hit the ground with a loud crack and he knew, as any agoge beast would know, that he'd probably have a nasty bump the next day. When Sasuke next sat up to look in Naruto's direction, his vision was blurry as he saw Naruto walk away.

Sasuke scrambled to his feet and followed the boy into the shade of one of the corridors, but Naruto didn't acknowledge him. He was walking swiftly in the direction he had come. Toward Orochimaru's quarters Sasuke realized with both disgust and panic.

Sasuke ran forward and grabbed Naruto's arm. The boy immediately struggled to pull away but luckily he wasn't completely oiled and it was easy for Sasuke to gain purchase and tug him around. Naruto shouted and glared at him, but he couldn't do much as Sasuke slammed him against one of the pillars. Sasuke shoved his knee between Naruto's legs to entrap him and grabbed both of his wrists before the boy could swing his fists.

"Get off of me!" Naruto growled and struggled, successfully looking like an angry cat.

"No," Sasuke replied simply.

"What do you want, bastard?" Naruto questioned.

"For you to believe what I say."

"I'll never – mmphf!"

Sasuke lunged forward in a last desperate attempt, his lips connecting with Naruto's in a hard kiss.

Naruto made a distressed sound, but Sasuke swiped his bottom lip with his tongue and Naruto's mouth opened in a gasp. Sasuke took that as an invitation and plundered the boy's mouth. Naruto remained motionless but Sasuke's tongue met his and he couldn't help the groan of pleasure that vibrated in his chest. He hadn't realized until this moment just how much he had wanted to do this, and when Naruto finally began to respond with his lips and tongue, Sasuke didn't think he'd be able to pull away. Naruto writhed with a low moan and then his hips bucked upward needily, his warm cock sliding along Sasuke's leg. Sasuke pushed his body forward in a vain attempt to get closer, his hands leaving Naruto's wrists in favor of sliding them down the boy's sides and gripping his perfectly rounded buttocks. Naruto's breath hitched accordingly and Sasuke pulled away just enough to place open-mouth kisses along his jaw and throat.

"We can't…" Naruto gasped. "I thought you said kisses were forbidden."

"I thought you said you didn't believe me," Sasuke replied, before his tongue found Naruto's collar bone and he swiped along it.

"I don't know…" Naruto gasped again as Sasuke's teeth joined his tongue. "What to think."

Sasuke stilled and pulled away reluctantly to stare at Naruto seriously. He knew he should be more careful, but somehow he suspected Kakashi would not come looking for them and the other herd leaders were too preoccupied with their own charges. "Kisses are forbidden."

Naruto stared at him, his face flushed and eyes searching. He must have seen something he had been looking for in Sasuke's expression because his body relaxed within his embrace. Sasuke could see the moment Naruto understood what he meant, because his eyes lit with both fear and hope. It was much the way Sasuke felt, if he could be honest with himself, and he had to force his body not to tremble at the implications

"I'm an Archon's son," Naruto murmured breathlessly. "How –?"

"You posed a threat to Orochimaru's ambitions after your father died, so Archon Jiraiya had you spirited away to Messenia where you could live undetected until you grew into your inheritance."

"My inheritance?" Naruto questioned.

"You were to become Archon in your father's stead, the moment you turned eighteen solar years old," Sasuke replied.

"Archon," Naruto repeated, his tone one of shock and he shook his head as if to clear it.

"Yes." Sasuke absently trailed a hand up Naruto's spine and the boy shuddered, his eyes flickering closed for a moment. Sasuke was captivated by the sight as Naruto's head fell back against the pillar, exposing his neck. Sasuke couldn't help leaning forward and trailing his lips along the cord of muscle that led to Naruto's jaw. Naruto groaned appreciatively and his arms wrapped around Sasuke then, kneading the muscles of his back with warm, calloused hands.

Sasuke stopped to nibble upon Naruto's earlobe when he reached it and the boy made small noises of pleasure, his breath hitching with each scrape of Sasuke's teeth. A hand slid down to Sasuke's buttocks and pulled him closer, aligning their erections, and Sasuke couldn't keep himself from bucking to increase the friction.

Naruto groaned and met his thrusts, leaning forward to nibble Sasuke's shoulder, which only increased Sasuke's arousal as the tension in his gut built with every roll of his hips. He quickened his thrusts and both of them were panting now. Naruto's body was so hot and slick against his that Sasuke wasn't sure that he would be able to hold out for much longer, but he didn't want to lose it before his eromenos did, so he viciously bit his own lower lip, drawing blood. At the same time, he slid a hand down Naruto's chest and tweaked a pebbled nipple.

"Sasuke..!" Naruto's movements became jerky, his breathing erratic and Sasuke knew he was close.

Sasuke only bit his lip harder as his own arousal built to near pain. He could feel the tension in Naruto's body and he knew.

"Come for me, my eromenos," Sasuke murmured next to Naruto's ear, and the boy released with a cry, his back arching as his white seed spilled onto his stomach and their joined cocks.

Sasuke thrust one more time, grateful for the permission to release and his own seed mixed with Naruto's as he shuddered. His head fell to the crook of Naruto's neck as the boy gasped for breath above him. One of Naruto's hands came up and his fingers threaded into the hair at the nape of Sasuke's neck. Sasuke's eyes closed at the unexpected comfort.

He felt Naruto place a kiss to his temple and he moved his head to capture his lips. The kiss was slow and only broken by their still erratic breathing. They took time to explore each other's mouths with their tongues and by the end, one of Sasuke's hands was cupping Naruto's jaw and the boy's hand was buried in the hair at the back of his head.

"What do I do now?" Naruto finally asked, searching his face.

Sasuke's fingers clenched upon Naruto's cheek, not liking the answer he would have to give. "You'll have to continue going to Orochimaru's quarters at night. To do otherwise would be to raise suspicion."

Naruto frowned, but he didn't appear fearful, which Sasuke was glad of, because Sasuke was afraid for him. "What will you do?"

"I'll find a way to protect my eromenos," Sasuke replied, with more force than he'd intended, but Naruto's eyes blazed with something like admiration and something else and Sasuke couldn't regret his lapse into emotion for long. "Archon Jiraiya says he has a plan. He seems to be moving to usurp Orochimaru."

"When?"

"Soon."

Naruto smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, which were suddenly hard with determination. "Okay."

Sasuke moved in for one last bruising kiss before he pulled away and swiped at the evidence of their activities. He knelt and scooped up some dirt to absorb the remainder and get it off their bodies before he tugged at Naruto's arm. "Come, we have to train."

Naruto nodded, suddenly appearing confident, and they both stepped out into the sun.

….

Sakura pulled Ino aside the moment their exercises had ended and the other girls began packing up their belongings to go home. The girl gave her a curious look as Sakura gripped her upper arm tightly and began walking, but Sakura didn't dare say anything until they were out of range.

Her mind was still reeling from what she had overheard the night before, and she still found it difficult to process. The helot, Naruto, was no helot, but of noble stock. Her parents had not only known this, but had aided and abetted his secret life. They had kept it a secret from everyone, including their own daughter, and now Sasuke knew and…

She had never seen Sasuke so passionately defensive about anyone. Even the memory of it hurt, because she knew that no Spartan man, especially someone as well trained as Sasuke, could have reacted with such ferocity, standing up to an Archon of Sparta, without having cared deeply for the one he wished to protect. She told herself that his reaction could be the natural promulgation of bonding to an eromenos, but deep down she knew those to be an empty excuse. Sasuke cared deeply for Naruto, and the knowledge that the boy was no helot but of higher breeding than even Sasuke himself seemed to only free Sasuke further to pursue him. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest and yet again her eyes burned with unshed tears. The hopelessness she now felt was almost more than she could bear.

She hadn't even realized she'd stopped walking until Ino was at her side, staring at her with concern.

"What's happened, Sakura?" Ino asked, placing a careful hand on her shoulder as Sakura wiped angrily at her wet eyes.

"I've lost him," Sakura gasped. "Truly."

Ino's eyes widened a bit, not even asking whom she had meant. "How so?"

Sakura recounted what she'd heard that early morning to her friend, her voice hitching so much by the end that she had to cover her mouth over the sobs. Ino listened dutifully and her eyes were widened with shock by the end.

"Oh, Sakura," Ino murmured, looking truly concerned.

"He loves him," Sakura continued, her voice watery. "I just know he does."

"But even so," Ino stated soothingly. "Even if you are right. He can't have him. Spartan law would not allow it. You know that."

Sakura nodded bitterly. "I know."

Ino surveyed her critically, but not without sympathy. "But you would like him to give his heart to you completely."

Sakura nodded and a new sob escaped her throat. Ino pulled her into a hug and she clung to the girl like she was a lifeline.

"A helot of noble birth," Ino murmured with awe. "Who would have thought."

Sakura didn't reply, the knot in her stomach tightening.

"You may not be able to have his heart," Ino began. "But you can still have him, and maybe then he would grow to love you."

"How?" Sakura asked, and she sounded petulant even to her own ears. She felt bitter and wronged, and she simply didn't know how to continue on with the pain in her chest.

Ino sighed and rubbed Sakura's back soothingly, Sakura took in a shaky breath and absently noted that her friend smelled of Hyacinth and sweat, not a terrible combination. It calmed her.

"You will simply tell Sasuke that you know of his infatuation and offer him a solution."

Sakura pulled back and sent Ino a questioning look. Ino simply smiled and pushed a strand of pink hair out of her face.

"He cannot be open about his love for a man without risking his life, but you will offer yourself as proof of his manhood," Ino explained. "Offer your bed to him, bear his child, fulfill his duty and yours to Sparta. In return, no Spartan shall suspect him of loving a man, and he and his eromenos will be safe from punishment."

"I cannot bear to share him," Sakura replied, shaking her head with distress.

Ino let out a breath and her body tensed enough for Sakura to notice. "I know."

Sakura watched her friend curiously, knowing that Ino was deciding upon her next words carefully.

"Once he has bedded you and you carry his seed in your loins," Ino hesitated, her usually full lips tightened into a thin line of discomfort. "Then you can inform your father of their illicit love."

Sakura stared at her, her hands trembling as she bit her lip. "But…father wouldn't believe me."

For a moment, something like disappointment flashed behind Ino's eyes, as if she had wished Sakura to reject the idea altogether, but then her voice was emotionless and cold. "You can catch them in the act. Inform your father where the deed will take place so that he can witness it with his own eyes. Then he will believe you."

"Sasuke's life would be in danger," Sakura stated slowly, although she couldn't help hoping that Ino would explain this complication away as well, and she wasn't disappointed.

"No one would put Sasuke to death once he had born you a child, he would have fulfilled his duty, and his prowess on the battlefield will ensure his further use."

"And the helot?" Sakura couldn't help referring to him thus. She still couldn't fathom him equal or above her, her bitterness and jealousy would not allow it.

"We could only hope his lineage would protect him," Ino stated, but her expression was one of pure disappointment as Sakura agreed.

Sakura ignored the way Ino frowned at her. Suddenly hope bloomed within her chest until she was full with it. She would willingly risk the life of a helot to gain her truest desire, and Sasuke, she thought defiantly, he would come to love her as she loved him. Her sacrifices would not be in vain, no matter what it took.

…..

TBC…

AN: Wow…okay. I am so sorry for the long hiatus. I think the last time I updated this fic was something as heinously long ago as February 2009, which strangely enough is not as long ago as I had thought. Weird.

I was inspired to update this particular fic by a couple reviews from the lovely Sonruya. So thank you, honey. Those comments definitely kick-started my muse. It only proves that sometimes reviews can help an author update…even after so much time.

But now, given the time jumps between updates, I definitely think the writing style of this chapter is completely different from the previous chapters. Just as I feel the middle chapters were completely different in style from the first few chapters I had written years before that. Seriously, this fic is almost like reading a time-capsule of my writing. I hope the change isn't too jarring, because I don't think I have the ability to write it in the same way I had written in the past.

I also thank anyone who still has the audacity to try reading this fic again after so long a break. Hello to all you die-hard Naruto fans out there! *echoes*

Thanks!