Iteration

‘Iteration’ is part of the space saga that began with ‘In the cold of space you find the heat of suns’ and continues in ‘Tales in Tarrasade’. There is also a one-shot ‘Silver Leaf Tales: Tying the knot’.

Thanks to Small Fox for being my beta. For this story he has also been my muse, suggesting a number of the ideas that have evolved to create this arc.

Thank you to those readers who have written a review and particular thanks to Mikasamu, Midnight Essence, angelj232000, Tati, Dorkchic, smauigirl, TanuKyle, satterb, SunaoTsuji, Prism0467, blugirlami21, unneeded, sadie237, cynaga, Aflyingmonkey123, richon, YamanashiOchinashiIminashi and ShadyDarling who reviewed after chapter 112 was posted.

It is wonderful to hear from readers. It is feedback from readers that keeps me writing this story.

Apologies if the characters have grown differently in their new environment.

This is posted in the Naruto/Sasuke section because it is part of a Naru/Sasu/Naru space saga. However, it does feature many other pairings (and a few threesomes). Apologies to those hoping for Sasuke/Naruto or Naruto/Sasuke action in every chapter.

---

Chapter one hundred and thirteen: Killing square

---

Naruto took three deep breaths before rolling from the bathroom into their bedroom where Sasuke was dressing.

“Let me do that, teme,” he insisted, taking the scabbard from the side and strapping it into its fighting position around Sasuke’s thigh.

Sasuke stroked his fur. “I wish we could wait until you could be by my side,” he admitted.

“We have discussed this,” Naruto reminded him, “Waiting another hundred days, or longer, is not an option. It’s good that people will say that we chased him down and dealt with him within half a standard.”

“Yes,” Sasuke answered.


That single word response stood for over a div of agonising. Deidara had to die. Naruto concurred with Kakashi’s argument that it needed to be a public execution. He agreed with Asuma that the bomber had no honour and did not deserve to die in a fair fight.

Agreement did not mean that Naruto was comfortable allowing Sasuke to be exposed to danger without him. It did not mean that he could bear the thought of not being at Sasuke’s side to support him.

Sasuke could kill in battle; they knew that from the battle in the Warren. Slitting an unarmed man’s throat was very different, even if the man was as guilty as Deidara.

And what if Deidara fought back? Naruto would not be there to rip his head off. The mere thought of it sent every one of Naruto’s foxy instincts into revolt.


Sasuke had suggested that Naruto come with them but they both knew it would be unwise. Naruto had worked out how to fight despite his disability, but he was by no measure as lethal as he had been. Worse, the crew would see him as vulnerable; the fighters would instinctively protect him when all they should be thinking about was protecting Sasuke.

Also, they had managed to keep images of Naruto in his buggy private. His condition was not a secret. Even so, knowing was not the same as seeing. Any image would travel at light speed through known space.

If the paralysis had been permanent, Naruto would have allowed such images to spread. It would be part of accepting his new life. Only it looked like the treatment was working. The implanted kidney was fully functional and there was no hint of rejection. The second operation had been moved forward and was scheduled for six days’ time.

If it were temporary, Naruto did not want to tarnish his reputation as a fighter.


No, this was the right decision. Naruto would stay in the household with the children. Sasuke would have to face dealing with Deidara without him.

Naruto reached into his reserves, thought happy thoughts and smiled. He picked up the earclips that linked to Sumaru’s tags.

Sasuke crouched down and Naruto fixed them to the upper back edge of each of his ears, above the earrings that linked to Naruto’s tags.

Technically Sasuke should not wear the earrings unless Naruto was guarding him. Naruto had brought up the subject once, when Sumaru was first promoted, and Sasuke had refused point-blank to take them out. Naruto had realised that, for Sasuke, the earrings and the bracelets that matched them were a statement of their relationship, like their love-rings and his plaque.

Sasuke was ready. He looked, as always, amazing. Naruto handed him his knife. Sasuke took it and slid it into the scabbard.


They went together to the hall. There, under the huge Uchiha crest, the crew had gathered.

Everyone was there except for the children who were too young to understand; Biwako was minding them in the playroom. The big litter was clustered around Kiba, neatly dressed in their best clothes and on their best behaviour. Ayame was being carried by Kotetsu. Naruto watched Neji kiss Sumiko and hand her to Shikamaru before joining the fighters.

Iruka was crouched down in front of Ran, speaking to him. Naruto watched Ran decide that he wanted a hug, or maybe that Iruka needed one. Then Iruka went to stand at the centre of the fighters; queen of the crew.

Naruto’s eyes then went to Akemi, Misora and Keitaro. Asuma could not be with them. He and Kakashi had taken the Snow Willow to join the Maple. They would lead the party bringing Deidara from the public dock to the killing square.

All spacer quarters had a killing square. Most days they were merely a large space where four or more corridors met. Usually they were filled with street vendors, entertainers and beggars.

Today the killing square in Tarrasade would be empty. The street vendors, enertainers, beggars and any other non-spacers would flee as soon as the rumour began. Spacers would collect around the margins, behind the line.


Akemi had petitioned Sasuke to be able to accompany them, as cat. Sasuke had initially refused. Akemi was not sworn to Uchiha and Sasuke did not want him to commit as the price of seeing his mother’ murderer executed. Akemi had persisted. Asuma had argued that Akemi had always meant to take the oath. Everyone else agreed that this had been Akemi’s intention.

He had been sworn to Uchiha two days ago, before Asuma left on the Snow Willow.

Naruto studied him, picking out Kurenai and Asuma’s features. He looked too young, which he was; still thirteen. Naruto approved of Sasuke bending the age requirement. Akemi wanted and deserved to be there. He crossed the floor; joining the others in uniform.


Naruto captured, squeezed and released Sasuke’s hand. Sasuke looked at him. Their eyes met. All the words had been said. It was not a time for kisses. Sasuke nodded and walked away.


All but ten of the adult crew were preparing to walk the station. Choza had volunteered to man the control room. Kiba would, of course, be with the children. Moegi was in charge of the infirmary. Biwako, Kotetsu, Izumo and the Zetsus had chosen to stay.

Sasuke had ordered Shikamaru to remain in the household. Making it a command had removed any responsibility Shi-chan might have felt to witness the execution. Neji, Naruto and Iruka had agreed that it was in Shikamaru’s best interests. Kakashi had concurred because, if Shikamaru was with them, they would have two principles to protect rather than one.

Shi-chan would man communications.


Naruto rolled over to the children. Yuki looked unhappy; Naruto lifted him onto his lap, ignoring Kiba’s glance that said that it would do Yuki good to conform to the formality of the occasion. Yuki leaned into him for a moment. Naruto stroked his fur.

“You promise Papa will come back?” Yuki whispered.

This time Naruto could do that. “Sumaru-san and all the other fighters will keep him safe,” he replied. His gaze went to Haku. Their eyes met and Haku gave one small nod, touching his jacket over his heart. Naruto acknowledged the gesture with a twitch of his whiskers and the smallest of bows.

“I’ll get down now, To-chan,” Yuki decided.

Naruto smiled his approval as he slid down and joined the others.


The moment had arrived. Those who were staying stood straight in recognition of those who were leaving. Sasuke drew his knife and pointed it towards the Uchiha crest.

“In the cold of space...” he began.

“...you find the heat of suns,” every crew member finished.

He replaced his knife in its scabbard. “Uchiha walks,” he announced.


Naruto had stay where he was and watch them leave.

---

Kakashi cast his eye over his section of the crew. Everyone would walk. The Maple had been docked in one of the high-security moorings Uchiha had on permanent lease. Inari had overseen the deactivation. As they left it would be sealed, alarmed, trapped and secured.

He and Asuma went down the gangplank first.

“Bring out the murderer,” Kakashi ordered.


Gai and Tatsuji brought him. Deidara’s arms were secured behind his back; his wrists bound together and his elbows in shackles separated by a rigid bar. A chain ran from the bar to a cuff about Gai’s left wrist. Deidara would run given even the ghost of a chance; Kakashi could see that he was not resigned to his fate.

Tayuya and Shizune followed. They waited as Inari and Tenten secured the ship before repeating the manoeuvre at the entrance to the mooring.

Then they walked and the corridors cleared before them.


It was only a short distance from the docks to the killing square. Sasuke was already there, as Kakashi had known he would be. Sumaru was beside but behind him. Hamaki, Terai and Fu were positioned perfectly. Dan was guarding Akemi. Kisame was keeping his eye on Shino and Konohamaru, who were operating flyers and might be too occupied to be fully alert.

Sasuke looked good. He looked ready. There was no lack of resolution in his posture; no doubt in his eyes.


Having checked all was well, Kakashi focused on Iruka; Iruka responded with the slightest of nods.


The crowd was large and growing, the space between the line and the walls already packed with bodies. The flyers hovered close to the ceiling, watching for the first sign of an attack.

Kakashi had been uncomfortable about the flyers. This was an ancient spacer ritual; technology tainted its purity. On the other hand, losing Sasuke to a missile attack was unthinkable. In the end they had compromised on two flyers and radios for Shino, Konohamaru, Itachi and Inari.


He reached his position, forward right of Sasuke and stopped. Asuma took up the position forward left. Gai and Tatsuji brought the prisoner to where a cross had been etched into the metal floor, marking the spot. Tatsuji pushed him down onto his knees. Gai put a foot on the chain, effectively shortening it; Deidara could go further down but he would not be able to stand.

“I am Sasuke Uchiha,” Sasuke projected.

The crowd fell silent.

“This man,” Sasuke began, “is not worthy of the title spacer. He kills for credit rather than honour. He does not declare battle but sneaks in, unannounced. He threatens those we cherish and protect, even the old and children. He is a bomber.

“He planted bombs on Tarrasade.” Sasuke paused a moment, allowing the truth of it to sink in. “We know it was him, Deidara, and not another. We have published the evidence for all to see.

“He violated my home. He injured those dear to me. He killed three of my crew-guests. He killed six of my crew. The time has come for him to pay the price.”


For Kakashi time had slowed. Sasuke’s words flowed though him. They were the right words pronounced perfectly; balm for the indignation that had lurked and festered since the bombing.

He saw the hope in Deidara’s eyes vanish. All that was left was pride; the determination to die well. Kakashi could not prevent a tiny surge of respect, as much as he resented feeling it.

Sasuke took three steps, drew his knife, grabbed a handful of blond hair and exposed Deidara’s long, slim neck. One stroke, a flash of the blade, and his throat was cut. It was a move Kakashi had taught him and Sasuke executed it perfectly.

The cut was good and deep. Blood spurted and then gushed from the severed arteries. He died quickly. Sasuke allowed the body to fall forward and turned away. Tatsuji undid the cuff from about Gai’s wrist. Gai let go of the chain; the rattle as it fell to the floor confirmed that the ritual was over.


An unexpected movement from within the crowd. Kakashi turned toward it as did Asuma, Gai and Tatsuji. A large hybrid pushed his way out of the crowd. He stepped over the line.

“I issue a personal challenge to Sasuke Uchiha,” he shouted.

Kakashi’s mind raced. Was it an inconvenience or a problem? Was he a crazed, suicidal fame-seeker or part of a larger plan? Why a hybrid?

Sasuke turned to face the challenger. “I remind you that I am wearing bodyguard tags and offer you the opportunity to withdraw your challenge.”

“I issue a personal challenge to Sasuke Uchiha,” the hybrid repeated.

Sasuke gestured with his left hand, giving Sumaru permission to act in his place.


The challenger looked strong and fit. As a hybrid, he was likely to be inhumanly fast. Kakashi knew that Sumaru would not underestimate the danger. He would have activated his symbiote as soon as Sasuke’s fingers began forming the signal, if not before.

A handful of seconds circling, a single attack and the hybrid was dead. There were shocked gasps from the crowd; murmurs that the Uchiha fighter must be a hybrid despite his purebred appearance.

More movement; another hybrid stepped over the line.

“I issue a personal challenge to Sasuke Uchiha,” he announced.


It was an attack. Kakashi berated himself. He had been stupid; too focused on avenging the bombing. He had been lazy; relying on Shikamaru to think for him. Shikamaru did not think like a spacer. He would never imagine this situation without Kakashi pointing him in the correct direction.

The second hybrid died and a third came out of the crowd.

It was Orochimaru’s plan; it had to be. Only Kabuto knew this much about how the symbiote worked. He knew that the symbiote drained the host’s reserves; Sumaru could only fight until the cramps hit.

They were trapped by the formality of the situation. They were in a killing square, surrounded by spacer witnesses. Only a bodyguard could stand in Sasuke’s place. If they wore Sumaru out, Sasuke would be forced to fight for himself. Any other action would bring dishonour to Uchiha.

Sasuke would die rather than do that.

---

Sasuke had prepared for the execution for days. When alone, he had rehearsed the words and even the actions. It would be shameful if his voice shook. It would be unforgiveable if the first cut was not clean and deep.

It was part of being leader. Killing Deidara was his responsibility. He would not delegate the task. He would perform it perfectly.

Having everything proceed so smoothly helped. Deidara’s pride worked in Sasuke’s favour. His voice did not falter. The slicing stroke severed both arteries.


Watching the light of life die in Deidara’s eyes hit somewhere deep. Sasuke knew that moment would live in his memory forever.

He let the body fall to the floor. It was over.


Only it wasn’t. The challenge was completely unexpected. He pulled himself together. Naruto was not beside him. Someone, this spacer or those who had paid him, wanted to judge Sumaru’s quality.

Sasuke smiled inside; they were in for a shock.


The fight was over in less than a minute. Sasuke was turning away, intent on speaking to Neji, when the second challenger stepped forward.

It was all Sasuke could do not to freeze. Instead he faced the challenger, spoke the words and signalled Sumaru to fight.

How many challengers were there? How long could Sumaru last?

Sasuke knew the answer; not long enough. He would have to fight and, if the two hybrid fighters they had seen already were anything to go by, he would only have the slimmest of chances.

Maybe Rin would be able to save him, but he doubted it.


The second hybrid died and a third put himself forward. Sasuke gave the signal to Sumaru again, operating on automatic, only to feel guilty for doing so. The cramps would hit Sumaru soon; there was no point in them both dying.

He would take the fourth challenge.

He looked up at one of the flyers. Was Naruto watching the images it was collecting? Had he realised what was going to happen?

Sasuke yearned for one last opportunity to say goodbye.

---

Shino and Konohamaru had helped Shikamaru set up a communications centre in the small meeting room. That way Naruto and any of the others who wished to could watch and listen.

Choza was tied to the control room and Moegi to the infirmary. Kiba was in the playroom with the children. Kotetsu and Izumo had chosen to take Ayame back to their apartment.

Shikamaru had been surprised when Biwako had brought Misora and Keitaro to watch. In his eyes they were too young. He listened to Biwako telling them that they did not have to be there and that they could always look away.

At least the video feed from the flyers was a bird’s-eye view of limited quality; they would not be able to make out the detail.

In-san and En-san were there. They had offered to assist him and Shikamaru had accepted.

Naruto was in his buggy; his eyes riveted to whichever of the two screens was showing the best view of Sasuke.


Shikamaru did a systems check. Eight audio channels were open; one external channel, one to each flyer, one to each of Inari, Itachi, Shino and Choza. Itachi had responsibility for communications from the field. Inari would keep them informed about Kakashi’s team until they joined the rest of the crew.

“Shikamaru here. We are receiving vid from each flyer. Channel check please.”

“Itachi here. We are arriving in the killing square. Everything is as expected.”

“Shino here.”

“Konohamaru here.”

“Inari here. We are exiting the docks. Nothing of interest to report.”

“Choza here. Low level amber alert for a debris collision. There is a freighter in trouble off the station. The crew is evacuating. Station emergency services are dealing.”

Such alerts were commonplace. It would be better for everyone if there was a separate freight dock, depot and distribution centre well away from the station. Then the freighters, too many of which were less than spaceworthy, would be kept well away.


Shikamaru linked Itachi’s microphone to a speaker and the audio feeds from the flyers to two others. He set the volumes low; Naruto would be able to hear them but the children would not.

The killing square was clear of non-spacers well before Uchiha arrived there; it was fascinating how quickly the word could spread.


It was going smoothly. Sasuke arrived. Kakashi arrived. Gai and Tatsuji handled the prisoner perfectly.

Shikamaru turned the volume up on the speakers linked to the flyers as Sasuke stepped forward; the children needed to hear his words. He spoke. Shikamaru blinked back tears. It felt right.

Sasuke moved. Shikamaru turned the volume back down; he did not want the children hearing Deidara begging or any screaming.

There was neither. It was over. They had not been able to see much. A flash of reflected light from Sasuke’s knife and Deidara’s body had slumped onto the floor.

“It is done,” Biwako announced matter-of-factly. She stood up. “Come on, Keitaro-chan and Misora-chan. Is there anything you need to do before your father and Akemi-kun return?”

“I issue a personal challenge to Sasuke Uchiha.”

The words from the speaker caught Shikamaru completely off-guard. He looked to Naruto. Na-chan’s body was rigid; his eyes blazing.

In-san and En-san were staring at the speaker; their eyes circular.

“I remind you that I am wearing bodyguard tags and offer you the opportunity to withdraw your challenge.”

“I issue a personal challenge to Sasuke Uchiha.”


The three of them managed to stay still and silent until Biwako and the children had left. As soon as he doors closed Naruto let loose a low growl and Shikamaru sprang into action. He activated his microphone.

“Shikamaru here. Inari-san, Itachi-san, please keep reporting. Shino-san, can you get a better view of the challenger? Kono-san, please stay on the bird’s-eye.”

“Itachi here. It is fine. Sumaru-san has it under control.”

Naruto growled again. “It won’t be that simple,” he declared.

Shikamaru did not like the sound of that. He began dividing his attention but the answer came to him almost immediately. Sumaru had the same limitation as Kakashi; they could not fight in their enhanced mode for long.

As soon as the first fight was over a second challenger stepped out of the crowd.

Shikamaru heard himself moan. Sasuke could die. Surely, surely Kakashi would not allow him to die?

“Itachi here. We have a problem.”

Naruto rolled forward and claimed a microphone. “Naruto here. Itachi-san, tell Haku-san ‘now’.”

“Hnn?”

“Tell Haku-san ‘now’,” he repeated.

Shikamaru did not have the slightest clue what Na-chan was on about. He looked for Haku but could not see him. Neither could he see Kisame. He looked more closely; there were two crouching figures surrounded by the rest of the crew.

“Itachi here. Haku and Kisame are already up to something.”

The second challenger was down and a third had put himself forward. Shikamaru wondered how many there were? Ten? More?

This was the best fighter so far but nowhere near a match for Sumaru. Even so, Shikamaru thought he could see the first signs of Sumaru slowing. Once the cramps hit he would be vulnerable. If Naruto and Haku had a plan, this was the moment to implement it.


As the third challenger went down, Kisame moved away from the rest of the crew and took up the position of bodyguard behind Sasuke.

Shikamaru frowned. You couldn’t just produce another bodyguard; that was not how it worked. The bodyguard and the guarded had to be linked through their tags.

“Itachi here. Good thinking, Naruto-san.”

Shikamaru looked more closely, aided by a timely close-up from Shino.

Kisame was wearing Naruto’s tags. Not only was he wearing the ornate eartags but, somehow, Haku had extended the collar and the wristbands so that they fit.

Relief flooded through Shikamaru. Kisame could dispatch any number of challengers without even activating his implant. The only problem would be if they had a fighter with a symbiote.

Which was a possibility, because the enemy behind this was most likely Orochimaru, which included Kabuto.

“You could have said something, Na-chan,” Shikamaru complained.

“I hoped it would not be necessary,” Naruto admitted. “I didn’t want Sumaru-san thinking that I doubted him or Sasuke worrying about challenges when he had to concentrate on the execution.”


Only the challengers did not stop coming. Sumaru dispatched the fourth before stepping back to allow Kisame to take the fifth and the sixth.

As it went on, Shikamaru’s relief drained away. Why were they continuing when there was no hope of success? Why were the hybrids so willing to throw their lives away?

He looked to Naruto only to find puzzled blue eyes looking back.

Then white noise began from all three speakers. A chill ran down Shikamaru’s spine and he watched Naruto’s hackles rise.

---