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’.

I would like to thank those who have left a review. I read every one and they mean a great deal to me.

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.

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. Some readers will be pleased to know that his chapter includes some Sasuke and Naruto action.

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Chapter fifteen: Places

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He had something called a kill-net in his head.

Ranmaru’s emotions swirled; he did not know how he felt. He clung to the stability of Sasuke-sama’s emotions; that deep, clear reservoir that was suffused with his love for Naruto-san and his family.

This time it was tinted with anger, but that was good because Sasuke-sama was angry for him and not at him.

Sasuke-sama would never put a kill-net in someone’s head without telling him.

Had Konan-san known?

Did it matter to him any longer?


Sasuke-sama was still talking. They needed to turn the kill-net off. Ranmaru understood that. He agreed; he did not want Them to have any control over him.

Only it was risky. There may be a booby trap in the kill-net. It might activate the net and kill him.


Ranmaru thought about it. Sasuke-sama waited for him to finish thinking.


Usually Ranmaru found making decisions hard, but this one was easy. Better he die because Uchiha was trying to save him than because They were trying to reclaim him.

“I want it switched off,” he said,

Sasuke-sama nodded. He was proud of Ranmaru for making the right decision. It made Ranmaru feel good.

Once the decision had been made, Ranmaru considered the practicalities. He would have to tell Konohamaru about the kill-net. He would soften the news by saying Rin-san had a way of switching it off.

“Konohamaru does not need to know about the booby trap,” he said. “There may not be a booby trap,” he added.

Sasuke-sama was studying him. “Konohamaru does not need to know about the possibility of a booby trap,” he agreed. “At the moment only Shikamaru, Rin, Kakashi, Neji and Naruto know. They will not mention it to anyone else, including Konohamaru,” he promised.

---

Naruto sat with Iruka-sensei, watching Ranmaru setting up the children’s tables and chairs for their midday meal. Moegi was working with Shizune in the infirmary, Sumaru was training with the elite fighters and Choza had mentioned that this was the first time Ranmaru would be doing the task alone.

He did not appear to be struggling. He had already asked Choza if Ayame was eating with them and had found the eleventh children’s chair. He came over to the main table, nodded briefly to Iruka and Naruto, and moved three chairs to the other table.

Naruto was not sure if he would be so calm if he had been in Ranmaru’s predicament; he knew that Sasuke had spoken to Ranmaru about the kill-net in his head and that switching it off might fry his brain.

Then again, Ranmaru’s childhood had been significantly worse than Naruto’s own. Naruto did not know purebreds had it in them to survive alone like that; the youngster had to be tougher than he looked.

Maybe having his brain fried was just one more life-threatening moment of many. Naruto could remember when he had thought like that; he had been almost exactly the age Ranmaru was now.

Ranmaru had made Sasuke promise that Konohamaru would not be told about the possibility of a booby trap. Naruto did not know what to think about that. It was good that Ranmaru wanted to protect Konohamaru but Naruto did not believe in secrets between lovers.

He watched Ranmaru put each bowl, spoon and cup in the correct place. It was impressive.


Iruka-sensei had also noticed. They exchanged looks. Sasuke had told them that Ranmaru had said that he liked helping with the children’s meals.

Did Naruto trust Ranmaru with his children? Yes, Ranmaru was sworn to Uchiha. There was a boundary and Ranmaru was within it. That aside, they were short of people who liked helping with the children. People liked the idea, but rarely came back for more after they had sampled the reality.

Did he want his children becoming fond of a person whose brain might be fried in the near future? No, any prolonged contact would have to wait until the kill-net problem had been resolved.


Kiba’s voice came over the intercom warning that they were on their way. Sasuke had warned Naruto that he would be unlikely to make the children’s midmeal so Naruto picked up his plate and cutlery and moved to the head of the children’s table.

“Let Ranmaru take the third place,” Iruka suggested with a smile.

Naruto agreed because explaining to Iruka why it was a bad idea was not really an option in the kitchen with Choza and Ranmaru within earshot. Iruka-sensei only knew the Konohamaru version; Ranmaru had a kill-net in his head that Rin and Shi-chan were going to switch off, after which all would be well.

Ranmaru’s smile made it worth it. Anyway, how fond could the children become of someone in the space of one meal time?


The answer appeared to be surprisingly fond. Ranmaru was more than good with them, he was amazing. Food was served, cups were filled, children carefully listened to and distractions were provided at perfect moments. Naruto and Kiba watched, amazed, as the children, even Kuuya, happily went to him one by one to have their hands and faces wiped.

Yuki insisted on a hug before he left the kitchen and, before Naruto could stop him, had run back for another. Once they were back in the playroom Yuki, Keizo and then Ayame asked if Ranmaru could sit with them next time.


Then Kiba turned up. The children stood and stared for a moment, shocked. Kiba did mornings and after the children’s evening meal until bedtime. Naruto realised that he never came to the playroom in the afternoon, not these days.

They sat in the two rocking chairs. Naruto waited for Kiba to explain the unexpected visit.

“I need more help with them,” Kiba admitted after some time. “The more mischievous and lively they get the sterner and stricter I become. Soon I will be the nasty one who growls at them.” His voice shook slightly. “They behave better with you because they love you.”

Naruto was shocked. He knew that Kiba adored the children, particularly the kits and Ryuu. It had never occurred to him that Kiba did not think that the children returned his love.

“And Haru is beginning to run rings around me,” Kiba continued. “That thing he does when he sets off all the others and sits back to watch the fun. Like he does with Iruka-san and C-san. It started happening when Haku was away the second time. Having Shika-san away at the same time did not help.”

“You need a break from them,” Naruto observed.

Kiba’s eyes flashed and there was the slightest hint of a snarl. “Do you think you can cope with them all day on your own?” he demanded. “Because there is no one else we can leave them with. Not unless we divide up the litter.”

Naruto had snapped back before he could stop himself. “We are not dividing the litter,” he retorted.

Then he heard the whimpers. Naruto looked about. The kits and Ryuu were cowering. Kazuki’s and Ryuu’s ears were flat against their heads and their tails were between their legs. Even the purebred children were wide-eyed and silent.

“My fault,” acknowledged Kiba. “We had better hug and go play with them.”


Once the children were reassured Kiba restarted the conversation.

“Ranmaru was good with them during the midday meal,” he observed. “Do you think it is because he is an empath?”

Naruto had not thought of that. He and Kiba could smell trouble; perhaps Ranmaru could feel it coming.

“Maybe. Perhaps he is like Haku,” Naruto suggested.

Kiba shook his head. “No, Haku grew up as part of a large litter, that’s why he’s so good at it. Will Iruka-san agree to Ranmaru helping with the children?”

Naruto did not want Ranmaru with the children until after the kill-net had been switched off. “Leave it with me,” he replied and then felt guilty because Kiba looked so relieved.


As soon as Kiba had gone Naruto realised that Haru was following him about. He picked him up.

“What’s up, Haru-chan?” he asked.

“Kiba-san was upset,” Haru said.

Naruto decided just to nod.

“Was it because of me?” Haru asked.

Naruto resisted the urge to hug him and tell him everything was fine. “You know that game you play? When you make it impossible for the adult looking after you?”

Haru was very still. He looked at Naruto with huge blue eyes from a miniature version of Sasuke’s face.

“You have been playing it on Kiba,” Naruto told him. “Kiba knows. It upset him.” He decided that this was not a time to be kind. “Will you be playing it on me next? Or on your Papa? I am sure it would work on me. I am sure it would work on anyone other than Haku-san and Shi-chan.”

“No,” whispered Haru.

“No, you haven’t been playing it on Kiba?” Naruto asked, deliberately not understanding.

Tears welled in Haru’s eyes. “Yes, I played it on Kiba-san. No, I won’t play it on you.”

“But you will on your Papa,” Naruto suggested. Then he understood. “You have played it on your Papa,” he stated.

“Once,” admitted Haru. “It was easy.”

Naruto could imagine. Sasuke would have put it down to his limited childminding skills, as did most of Haru’s targets. He sighed.

“Haru, if you make it impossible for anyone to look after you as a litter, we will have to break the litter up. We will have to build another playroom and have five of you in one and five in the other.”

Tears were trickling down Haru’s cheeks. “No, I will live with Haku-san,” he offered. “Then the others can stay together.”

It was a generous offer, particularly from Haru’s point of view, even if completely impractical. “Haku-san would refuse to have you,” Naruto pointed out.

And Haru started crying in earnest. Huge, heartfelt sobs such that Naruto had rarely heard from any of his children and certainly had never caused. He tried to comfort him but Haru was pushing at his chest and even his face, so upset that he was beyond reason.

Then if that was not bad enough, there was a small growl and a sudden pain in his leg.

Kazuki had bit him; hard.

Naruto told himself it could be worse. He had managed to overrule his reflex response, which was to kick. He put Haru in one of the nests and then walked over to the intercom.

“I need Shikamaru in the playroom now,” he said. “And maybe Sasuke. And Kiba.”

He went over to where Kazuki was cowering on the floor. He had pissed himself in terror because of what he had done. Naruto sat on the ground, picked him up and cuddled him, making small, comforting fox noises. Kazuki stopped trembling and began whimpering, which Naruto recognised as an improvement.

Sitting there with Kazuki in his lap, listening to Haru sobbing and the others whimpering or beginning to cry, Naruto accepted that Kiba was right and they needed more help.


Haru apologised to Kiba, Naruto to Haru, Kazuki to Naruto and Kiba to Naruto for coming to the playroom and precipitating the whole sorry mess. Shikamaru and Sasuke stayed in the playroom for the rest of the afternoon and then helped with the children’s evening meal, bath time and bedtime. Sasuke played his biwa, Shikamaru told their favourite story and Kiba kissed each of them goodnight as well as To-chan and Papa.

After the adults’ evening meal, Naruto asked Shikamaru to come into his and Sasuke’s room.

The three of them sat on the bed. Naruto was reminded of the day that Hikaru, Haru and Hoshi had been designed.

“It looks like Ranmaru would be really good with the children,” Naruto began. “But I can’t let them get fond of him if you are going to fry his brain,”

“Dobe!” Sasuke scolded.

Shikamaru flinched.

“Will delaying help?” Naruto persisted.

“Na-chan has a point,” Shikamaru admitted. “No, once we have the nanobots ready there is no point in delaying. Rin thinks she will have them ready the day after tomorrow.”

“I will talk to Ranmaru-kun,” Naruto decided.

Sasuke looked more than a little taken aback. “Are you sure, dobe?”

Naruto reconsidered. “Yes, I am sure,” he decided.


Once Shikamaru had gone, Naruto lay with his head in Sasuke’s lap.

“How’s the leg, dobe?” Sasuke asked.

Naruto smiled. He had forgone a limpet regenerator in favour of one of the standard dressings. He hoped it would scar; then he would have a reminder of this day.

“It is fine, teme,” he replied. “Brave little Kazuki, protecting his brother.”

Sasuke managed a rather unconvincing scowl. “One of them biting you could never be a good thing,” he reminded Naruto.

“I deserved it,” Naruto admitted. “I should never have made the comment about Haku refusing to take him. In Haru’s head I was saying that even Haku did not want him. That meant that you, me, Shi-chan and Kiba did not want him either.”

Sasuke was stroking his fur. It was nice. Naruto felt a purr coming.

“We will find you and Kiba more help, even if we have to recruit,” Sasuke insisted.

Naruto knew what Sasuke felt about outsiders, particularly when it came to him and the children. “Thank you, teme,” he whispered.

“What about a massage and then a bath to wash the oil off?” Sasuke suggested.

That sounded very good; Naruto purred.


Sometimes Naruto liked being able to go to the different places in his head. Not the berserker place, that was alien and terrifying, but the others.

He remembered when there had been only one place in his head. Life had often been confusing and it had been difficult to make decisions. When the berserker place had appeared it had only made matters worse.

Then he had bonded to Sasuke and it had been like he was grounded for the first time. His life had purpose. Decisions were easy. Priorities were obvious. Sasuke was the centre of his world.

And, at the same time, he had discovered the place in his head that Sasuke described as growling-possessive-Naruto. Provided growling-possessive-Naruto did not get too wild, being him was exciting and fun. When he was growling-possessive-Naruto Sasuke was his mate; it was as simple as that.

Fluffy-soft-Naruto had come later and was different. When Naruto was in his usual place, fluffy-soft-Naruto was a bit of an embarrassment. When he actually was fluffy-soft-Naruto it was lovely. All the cares and tension of day to day life evaporated. He was Sasuke’s and Sasuke was looking after him.

And Sasuke loved looking after him, it was in his every look and caress.

Today was a fluffy-soft-Naruto day; Naruto could tell.


The massage was wonderful, so much so that he huffed a bit when Sasuke persuaded him from the bed and towards the bathroom. Sasuke settled for quickly washing off the massage oil and Naruto was soon deep in the bath, watching Sasuke soap and rinse himself.

For once Sasuke did not make a show of it; Naruto could tell he was impatient to join Naruto in the bath.

Naruto made some encouraging ‘I am waiting for you’ foxy noises to reassure him that rushing was fine by him.

Sasuke sped up even more and was soon sliding into the water. Naruto had his long limbs wound around his neck and his waist within a second.

Sasuke kissed him; a long, slow, deep kiss that Naruto felt to the tips of his fingers and his toes. It was the type of kiss that made his whiskers tingle.

The kiss finally, regretfully, finished and Naruto wriggled against Sasuke’s erection. He wasn’t in the mood for waiting.


Sasuke smiled and lifted him so that he was supported by the shelf around the edge of the bath, his back against the cushions they had attached there.

Naruto watched him reaching for the lube and smiled in return.


Then Sasuke was prepping his hole and Naruto was caught between enjoying the clever, moving fingers and wanting more. As usual, wanting more won and he yipped at Sasuke to make him hurry up.

Only Sasuke wouldn’t, because he remembered the old days when he had hurt Naruto as he entered him.

Finally Naruto resorted to a nip and Sasuke took the hint. He positioned Naruto carefully and, at last, pushed firmly and gently past his ring.

Naruto sighed as he settled into the familiar feeling of fullness.


There were the usual small adjustments and then Sasuke hit his button. Naruto made a noise between a squeal and a moan. It felt so good; repeated starbursts of pleasure rippling through his body, each one moving him closer and closer.

Until he crossed the boundary into the wonderful place that was fluffy-soft-Naruto, where there was nothing other than Sasuke and him and the different types of pleasure they created together.

There was the way his body felt as Sasuke fucked him. There was the expression on Sasuke’s face as he climaxed. There was the tender concern Sasuke showed as he persuaded Naruto out of the bath and into a warm, soft robe.

Naruto watched him tidy up and start the bath’s cleaning cycle. He would have happily watched Sasuke doing anything.


Then it was back into the bedroom for some serious nest building. The nest had to be just right. Each time just right was slightly different.

Sasuke offered a range of furry covers and cushions. Some were accepted and others were ignored. Once he had all the right bits, Naruto moved them about until it was perfect.

He took Sasuke’s hand, their signal that the nest was ready. Sasuke climbed in beside him.

Naruto smiled. He could tell that Sasuke thought it was a sleeping nest.

It wasn’t.


Naruto woke the next morning feeling fantastic. Being fluffy-soft-Naruto had that effect. Sasuke was sound asleep; another effect of fluffy-soft-Naruto. Sasuke would sleep late and probably skip breakfast. Naruto would bring a snack to his office mid morning.


He joined Iruka-sensei in the kitchen. Iruka-sensei smelt anxious but his scent changed as he took in Naruto’s expression and body language. He smiled at Naruto and Naruto smiled back.

“Even I can smell it on you,” Iruka scolded as Naruto kissed him on the cheek.

“I don’t want to wake Sasuke,” Naruto replied, which was partly true. The other part wanted to smell of Sasuke, at least for a little while. “I’ll shower after I train.”

He decided not to mention that he could always smell Kakashi on Iruka.


Then Ranmaru arrived and started preparing for the children’s breakfast. It reminded Naruto that he wanted to speak to him.


They arranged for Ranmaru to come to Naruto’s office later that morning. Naruto was there well before the appointed time and settled down to work on his HDL correspondence.

The youngster came in warily but politely and sat down on the chair that Naruto had cleared for him. He studied the images of the hybrids with his large, doleful eyes.

“You are more like a hybrid than any purebred I have met,” Naruto told him.

Ranmaru looked at him in surprise.

“Or maybe just like me,” Naruto admitted. “You don’t remember where you came from and you grew up on the streets in a place where people thought you were disposable. You survived somehow, like me. You did stuff to survive you wouldn’t have chosen to do, like me. Even when we finally got somewhere good there’s a problem. Mine was being a berserker. Yours is the kill-net in your head.”

He took a deep breath and continued. “What people like Sasuke and Shi-chan and Kono-kun don’t really understand is that there are worse things than death. Sometimes death looks like a reasonable option.”

Naruto knew that Ranmaru had been there. He could see it in his eyes. He could smell it. Ranmaru had faced death and thought it looked good. He had probably done that many times.

“I would like you to help me and Kiba with the children. I think you would be good at it. Problem is, I can’t let them get to know you and then the booby trap in your head goes off.”

Ranmaru smiled at him. The same smile that he had given Naruto when Naruto had asked him to sit at the children’s table.

“You do not want them hurt,” he agreed. “If I get the kill-net switched off, and I survive, could I help you and Kiba-san with the children?”

“Yes, it would be wonderful,” Naruto admitted. He took another deep breath and kept going, as he had planned.

“I’ve been thinking. It’s easier to deal with moments like that if you don’t have much time to think about it. The worst part is the waiting. I thought, perhaps, one day one of us should just come and get you and walk down to the infirmary and they would do it. A few minutes’ warning, no more.” He studied Ranmaru’s response. “You could stop it if you decide you aren’t ready and need more time.”

Ranmaru considered.

Naruto waited.

“I would like that,” Ranmaru decided, “but I would like to leave a message for Konohamaru. Can I give it to you to keep and to deliver if it goes wrong?”

Naruto nodded. “I give you my word that I would see it was delivered,” he replied.

Ranmaru smiled again. “Good,” he acknowledged. He looked again at the pictures. “Please would you tell me about your work with the HDL, Naruto-san?”

---

A few days after his talk with Naruto-san it happened. He was on his way to train with Asuma-san and Naruto himself was there, looking at him. His blue eyes were darker than usual, his whiskers slightly drooping, and Ranmaru knew.

Was he ready?

Yes.

He didn’t need to ask Naruto-san if the message for Konohamaru was safe. Ranmaru was confident that Naruto understood how important that was to him.

They walked side by side to the infirmary, Naruto-san shortening his steps so that Ranmaru was not forced to rush.

Outside Naruto slowed.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ranmaru responded.


He did not listen much to what Rin-san was saying. He would go to sleep. He would or he wouldn’t wake up.

“Do you give your consent?” Rin-san asked, holding out the tablet to him.

Ranmaru grasped the tablet, with his thumb over the sensor and read the words on the screen, “I, Ranmaru, give my consent for the deactivation of the control net in my brain, knowing that the procedure may lead to my death.”

He handed the tablet back to Rin-san and leaned back on the treatment bed. A small part of him wished that Konohamaru was there but he ignored it.

There was the touch of a hypospray against his neck.

He kept his eyes on Naruto’s steady blue gaze as he drifted away.

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