In the cold of space you find the heat of suns

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

This chapter is for Ryu Earth who wanted more from Iruka’s POV.

Spacer crews travel the Far Borders and the Fringe of occupied space, trading. Spacing is an ancient and honourable profession carved out by millenniums. Most spacers start out as fourteen-year-old boys seeking a future. Few survive a decade spacing.

40. Iruka

Iruka was woken by his alarm. He deactivated and removed the tiny device from his ear before storing it carefully: it had taken him standards to find an alarm that did not wake Kakashi.

He slid out of the bed, found clean clothes and spent the minimum time in the head and the shower. There were only the sounds of sleeping from the various tents; he had succeeded in being first up. He closed the door of the kitchen and put some water to boil. Hopefully there would be time for tea before people appeared looking for breakfast.

He sipped his tea and examined his latest treasure: a crumpled ball of paper retrieved from the corner of Sasuke’s office. There were three headings arrayed across the page in Sasuke’s distinctive script: ‘Event’, ‘Consequence’ and ‘Amelioration’. It had taken Iruka a few moments to realise that it was about the dreaded interview.

The first row read: ‘Naruto goes berserk’, ‘Naruto unconscious’ and ‘Pretend he has fainted – medical condition?’.

The second ran: ‘Naruto loses temper’, ‘Dead interviewer’ and ‘Carry activator (see above) and suggest female interviewer’.

The third was: ‘Naruto mentions fucking’, ‘Very embarrassing’ and ‘Smile indulgently’.

The fourth row was in what Iruka had realised was Naruto’s handwriting. He had not known that Naruto could write as well as read. The letters were large, separate and uneven. His addition read: ‘Sasuke acts like Teme’, ‘Sasuke is Teme’ and ‘Stop writing lists’.

Iruka smiled and tucked somewhere safe for later transfer to his lockbox.


The day before had been the end of an era. Tsunade had chosen to delay her decision. If she had sworn to Uchiha the Silver Leaf could have been subsumed into the Uchiha fleet. Instead the crew was broken up, shares paid, the Silver Leaf was placed in storage and Tsunade had moved out of the unit. They were a crew without a ship and therefore, technically, no longer a crew. Iruka found it disconcerting and slightly painful.

Jiraiya had appeared unconcerned by Tsunade’s departure but Iruka knew he was gutted. When evening had come he had pitched a single tent in a corner of the main room. Iruka had hurried to lock the smallest bedroom before it could be claimed.

Once Tsunade had gone they had a Meeting, which was only a meeting as they were no longer a crew. Haku had asked if he could offer his services to the Uchiha fighters who had need of him. They had all waited for Jiraiya and Kakashi to comment. Neither of them did, so Iruka followed his instincts and suggested that they allow it. Liberated from the restriction of doing everything Traditionally, Iruka had asked each person in turn and ended up with a list of seven: Ibiki, Jiraiya, Fu, Hamaki, Terai, Tatsuji and Inoichi. Haku was happy with one day in eight for himself so Iruka had insisted that he took three in ten and had them draw lots. He had written the list, which had Fu’s name at the top. It was now displayed in the kitchen with the other rotas.


There was a sudden eruption of noise as seven of the elite fighters, including Naruto, rose and left. Naruto required far more exercise than was possible within the unit and Kakashi had decided that they could risk letting him run the inner residential ring. Three pairs of fighters took up stations about the ring and then Naruto would be off, running like the wind. After a few days the residents, all phenomenally rich and notoriously snobbish, had begun joining the audience of guards and servants at the entrances to their apartments. Even so, there had been no complaints. Iruka was not surprised. It was difficult not to smile when you saw Naruto run.


He started preparing breakfast, expecting an influx of those disturbed by the fighters leaving, but only Neji appeared. They went through their usual morning exchange, with Neji offering to assist and Iruka assuring him that it was not necessary. Neji took a cup of coffee to Shikamaru in the forlorn hope that it would help persuade him out of their tent, then settled at the small table. Iruka wondered about Rin; she was habitually an early riser.

“She is with Dan-san,” Neji told him, with his uncanny ability to predict thoughts from behaviour. “They emptied the cleaning cupboard and pitched a double tent in there.”

Iruka was impressed that Rin had acted so quickly, as soon as dissolving the crew had freed her to do so. It had been obvious for some time that she and Dan had connected but Iruka thought that it would be like with Shikamaru, all talk and flirting.

Dan, like Kakashi, had been sworn to Uchiha as a boy rather than a baby. This was good, because Rin required resilience rather than fragility and some of the others were frighteningly brittle.


There was rustling and Haku appeared. Iruka blinked. He made the perfect girly boy. Iruka wondered what he had done with his eyelashes; they surpassed Sasuke’s.

“For Fu-san,” he stated.

Iruka was about to ask why he thought Fu-san liked girly boys but changed his mind. “You may have to wear something more practical when you are doing chores,” he warned.

Haku nodded. “I want to judge his reaction this morning, so that I can be perfect this evening,” he explained.


They did not have long to wait because the fighters were returning. As usual, Fu was well down the queue for the showers and appeared at the kitchen door seeking sustenance.

“Good morning, Fu-san,” Haku lilted, fluttering his eyelashes.

Iruka no longer had any doubts that Fu liked girly boys. What was fascinating was his behaviour. Instead of dragging Haku off to a double tent and fucking him he sat down at the table and basked in the attention Haku was paying him. Even Neji’s presence did not bother him. Iruka had never seen anyone derive so much pleasure from being served breakfast.

“Forget your chores,” Iruka whispered to Haku when they both had their backs to the table. “Spend as much of the day as you wish with Fu-san.”

Haku smiled. “Thank you, Iruka-sensei. I think he would like to watch me folding his laundry.”


Haku led Fu away to be spoiled and the real rush of breakfast began. Neji stepped into Haku’s role as helper and Iruka realised that it was good for the fighters to observe him doing tasks no Hyuga would ever been seen doing. Within minutes the tiny kitchen was overflowing and Iruka was ordering them to take their food into the main room. A freshly showered Naruto hugged him and wished him a good morning before collecting a huge plate of food. Iruka told him to make sure that Sasuke ate some of it and asked him to tip Shikamaru out of his tent.

Neji made the rounds with first a tray of tea and then a tray of coffee before beginning to collect debris.

“Have you seen Asuma-san?” Iruka asked when he returned with a tray of plates and cups.

Neji nodded. “Shall I tell him you are holding breakfast for him? Kakashi’s in the shower.”

Iruka marvelled again at Neji’s skill. Asuma was, indeed, avoiding him and it would be ideal to have Asuma and Kakashi together at breakfast so that Iruka could exert some pressure. “Thank you, Neji-san, that would be excellent.”

Asuma looked a little sheepish but gave him a hug, which was Asuma for ‘I know you know I was avoiding you and I don’t want you to think it’s about the incident we don’t talk about’. Iruka placed his breakfast on the table. Asuma sighed, gave up the idea of escaping to the main room and sat down.

Iruka heard Kakashi’s step. Then his lover was behind him, holding him about his waist and nuzzling his neck. Iruka found his hair loosed and he was turned for a thorough kissing. Living closely with the other Uchiha fighters had made Kakashi much more demonstrative. Iruka pretended to complain but secretly liked that Kakashi insisted on marking his territory, even if it meant Kakashi left love bites where no one could miss them.

He pushed Kakashi away, grumbled unconvincingly and refastened his hair. Kakashi took the place next to Asuma and accepted his plate of food.

“So when do we get to meet Kurenai-san?” Kakashi asked.

Iruka was pleased; he had thought that he would have to raise the subject.

Asuma coloured. “Soon,” he temporised.

“We are going to use the smallest bedroom as a guest room,” Iruka told him. “That will mean you can have some privacy when Kurenai-san visits.”

It made an impression. Asuma was thinking too much about being intimate with Kurenai-san to eat.

Kakashi had obviously decided that the matter should be resolved. “Old friend, she is going to start doubting you love her. Talking daily is not the same as being held.”

Asuma’s blush deepened. “She knows. She doesn’t have anyone to leave the children with.”

Iruka almost dropped the plate he was holding. There had been no mention of children. Kakashi’s expression confirmed that he was equally surprised. Iruka recovered first.

“She must bring them,” he insisted. Shino will baby-sit. Naruto can help him.” He went to the doorway before Asuma could react. “Shino-san?” he called.

Shino appeared immediately. “Yes, Iruka-san?”

“If we had guests, would you be able to look after the children?”

Shino actually smiled. “Sure thing, Iruka-san. I’ll ask Naruto to help.” He considered. “I think it might be best to use either your bedroom or Sasuke’s office. How many and what ages?”

Iruka looked at Asuma.

“Three,” he admitted. “Five, four and two.”

Shino smiled again. “Looking forward to it, Asuma-san,” he said and vanished.

Iruka and Kakashi looked at Asuma expectantly.

He capitulated. “I will ask her if she can visit this afternoon.”


As soon as Asuma and Kakashi left, Sasuke and Naruto appeared and started tidying the kitchen. Sasuke insisted that Iruka sit down at the table, eat something and have some tea. He then started cleaning. Iruka relaxed. No one could clean a room to a higher standard than Sasuke.

Next began the daily battle to get the Uchiha elite fighters to tidy up and contribute to the cleaning. Iruka was anticipating the usually complaints and evasions but none of them materialised. He realised that they were peering through the doorway to the kitchen watching Sasuke scrubbing the floor.

The unit was tidied and spotless in record time.

And then it was time to start lunch while Jiraiya and Neji put Sasuke and Naruto through another mock interview. It seemed to be going well but then Naruto was on his feet, agitated and growling.

“She won’t ask that!” Sasuke complained.

Neji shrugged. “She might.”

Jiraiya sighed. “Just thank the Lady that you haven’t a Hyuga interviewing you.” He held up a hand. “I did not call you a Hyuga, Neji-san.”

Neji settled.

Iruka shook his head. Unlike some of the others, he knew that the interview was necessary. Shikamaru would not have suggested it unless the alternatives were worse. He even suspected the reason, although it would do no good to pry.


Once lunch was over Iruka went about warning everyone that they were expecting guests, including children. Haku announced that he and Fu-san would require the use of the bathroom, which was off the largest bedroom, for the first half of the afternoon. Fu’s eyes were glazing over at the thought of it and a few of the others groaned. Iruka had never imagined Haku’s repertoire would prove to be so appropriate and useful.


Kurenai-san was a lovely looking woman with a smile that warmed the heart. One look confirmed that all the children were Asuma’s. The older two called him papa and ran to him. Asuma collected them up and held them, then went to work reintroducing himself to the youngest.

Once formal introductions were over, Sasuke and Kakashi settled with Asuma and his family in the main room. Iruka served tea and then sat down next to Kakashi. Sasuke carefully guided the conversation towards Kurenai occupying one of the large apartments in the outer section of the new household. When she responded positively he said that he would arrange for her and Asuma to see them so that they could pick one and make sure that it was finished to their specification. Kurenai-san seemed a little stunned.

Sasuke then introduced Kurenai and the children to Shino and Naruto. Naruto was immediately on the floor covered by children, while Shino said all the right things to reassure a mother considering leaving her children with strangers, even showing her the carefully prepared bedroom. Iruka realised that Shino had removed his lenses so he would look less intimidating: his eyes were hazel and kind. The older two rode Naruto through the doorway into the bedroom while Shino carried the toddler and the bag of supplies.

“Naruto has that effect on children,” Sasuke explained.

“He is even more incredible in the flesh,” Kurenai replied. “You are so very lucky to have him, Sasuke-sama.”

Sasuke’s smile was utterly genuine. “I know, Kurenai-san. He is the light of my life.”

She looked at him and bowed. “Today, for the first time, I am pleased that Asuma-san is sworn to Uchiha.”

Sasuke bowed in return. “I lead a new Uchiha, Kurenai-san. Only the good in the old Uchiha will be carried forward. This is a promise. I shall try to make up for the abuses of the past.”

She studied him. “It would be best to concentrate on the future rather than regretting the past, Sasuke-sama. People will forgive the past if they see a better future.”


Iruka made time to watch Naruto playing with the children. To his surprise he discovered that it was almost as interesting to watch Shino with the toddler. Iruka had no problems imagining him in ten standards time, surrounded by children of his own.


Then there was sorting the laundry to be sent out and the clothes that had come back. After that there was the food to be ordered and the first stage of preparation for the evening meal. Iruka made himself tea during a lull and found his eyes closing as he sat at the table. He knew there was a limit on how long he could continue making the inadequate accommodation work, but he tried not to think about it. He would ask Jiraiya, again, about the schedule for moving.

He must have slept because suddenly Choza had appeared sitting opposite him at the table.

“Oh, please excuse me, Choza-san. I must have drifted off for a moment.”

“You are tired,” Choza observed. “You work too hard. Kakashi does not look after you properly. I shall tell him.”

Iruka smiled. “It is not Kakashi’s fault, Choza-san. He is always telling me I try to do too much. The unit is very small for so many people.”

Choza scowled. “You should not have allowed Haku to cat for us. Today he is with Fu rather than helping you. Neji-san helped with breakfast and with the midmeal. Sasuke-sama had to scrub the kitchen floor. You are still too tired to stay awake.”

“Sasuke-sama wanted to help,” Iruka insisted. “He was our cat until a short time ago, Choza-san, he is very accustomed to cleaning.”

Choza considered. “We can do more. I shall cook the meal this evening. Tell me what you were planning to make.”

“I will be fine, Choza-san. It is kind of you to offer.”

Choza shook his head and left. Iruka pulled himself together and went back to preparing the meal.

Next thing he knew he was swept off his feet by Kakashi.

“Put me down,” Iruka demanded. “I have things to do.”

“Struggle and I will throw you over my shoulder,” Kakashi threatened. “If you are really difficult I will have to spank you.”

The image of being spanked in the kitchen was enough to ensure Iruka’s compliance.

He was carried through the main room, though the large bedroom and towards the bathroom. Through the open door he could see Rin and Dan finishing cleaning the bath. They left, Kakashi carried him inside and Neji slid a large basket of supplies over the threshold behind them. He saw the door shut.


It was nice. The bath was big enough for Kakashi to sit behind him and hold him. He lay against Kakashi’s chest, surrounded by warm and scented water, drifting in and out of sleep. When the water cooled, Kakashi moved him to the shower and washed Iruka’s hair.

“I should put you to bed,” Kakashi told him as he gentle towelled away the excess moisture and activated the blowers.

Iruka tensed. They had guests. He needed to see what Choza was doing in the kitchen.

“But I know you would hate that,” Kakashi admitted. “Let’s see what Neji picked for you to wear.”


Everything seemed fine. Choza was feeding the children in the kitchen. Kurenai was sitting at the table with them while Asuma had managed to find a perch on one of the counters. Neji and Shino were sorting out sleeping arrangements for the children in the guest bedroom. Haku was sitting next to Fu on one of the couches in the main room, holding his hand. Fu’s expression was one of satisfied contentment.

The evening meal was wonderful. With everyone’s cooperation they managed a semi-formal setting in the main room. Haku, Neji, Dan and Rin served. Choza’s food was a revelation; skilfully cooked and slightly spicy. For the first time since the mother ship they all sat together and ate. Iruka had not known how much he missed it.

.