In the cold of space you find the heat of suns

A few readers have asked if I have written any original stories set in this particular world. There is one on the 'original fiction' part of this site - you can find it through my profile.

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

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.

41. The interview

Shikamaru discovered some interesting facts about Uchiha, about the media and about himself whilst negotiating the contract for the interview.

When representing Uchiha you had to behave as Uchihia. If your show of arrogance was anything less than breathtaking they became suspicious. If you were reasonable, they questioned. If you were realistic they took liberties. The hardest was to act as if the money was unimportant when, in truth, the whole venture was motivated purely by credit.

Neji helped him. He was the audience for Shikamaru’s rehearsals. They reviewed what had been said after each exchange. Gradually a defined persona emerged, which Shikamaru would put on like a coat. It was easier than he had expected. Neji pointed out that he was already very skilled at presenting a surface layer that showed only a fraction of his personality. This was an alternative surface layer.

That night, in their tent, with Neji’s arm about his waist and his back against Neji’s chest, Shikamaru asked him if he wished that Shikamaru were… …normal.

Neji hugged him tight and asked him if he thought Sasuke wished that Naruto were normal.

The notion was ridiculous. If Naruto were normal he would not be Naruto.

Shikamaru stilled at the thought. Then he started to cry. Neji whispered comforting nothings in his ear and then resorted to kissing him but the tears would not stop. The surprise of having Neji’s hand on his prick stopped them. It proved difficult to check whether Neji was really comfortable about intensifying the physical side of their relationship in whispers, in a tent, in a roomful of other people, when your lover was doing something you had dreamed about from the first day you had met him. Shikamaru would have been happier if they had climaxed together but it was still wonderful.


Sasuke ratified the contract the next day. There was a higher offer, but that company’s lawyers were too thorough. It was better to sacrifice a quarter of the credit and maintain some control. The media channel they went with had thought they had lost, so they had given up on making the contract airtight. There were all manner of loopholes that Shikamaru could exploit.

Shikamaru knew that the 1.2 teracredits the company was paying Uchiha was only a fraction of what they had spent securing the capacity for the live broadcast. The slightest hint that Sasuke would be sullen made them give ground. The suggestion that Naruto would refuse to speak ensured capitulation. Shikamaru used both sparingly.

They had already given in about the venue, now a luxurious apartment within the inner residential ring, and the interviewer, who was a young and pretty lifestyle correspondent called Yukie Fujikaze rather than the hard-edged political commentator they had wanted.


It was the day before the interview and they were about to have their first face-to-face meeting. The media team were already at the apartment. The Uchiha party, consisting of Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru and Neji plus escort, stalked around the ring to the entrance and were immediately admitted. The elite fighters hulked and lurked. Neji had told them to make the media company’s security nervous and they were doing an excellent job. A small, bearded man with eyeglasses perched on his nose approached them.

“My name is Sandayu. I am Yukie-san’s assistant.”

“I am Shikamaru. I believe we have spoken. This is Neji-san. Sasuke-sama and Naruto-san need no introduction.”

There was an exchange of bows. The man tried to cover his dismay at Neji’s presence. Not defining who would be present at the meeting had been another of their errors.

“We thought that we should begin with a sound check, then proceed to discuss costume, set and then content,” Sandayu told them.


Their relief when Sasuke spoke was palpable. Shikamaru realised that they only had the record of the battle to work from and the sound quality of that had been poor. They had been terrified that his voice would be unattractive. Instead it was rich, naturally melodic and excellently trained. They then turned to Naruto.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked.

They were already smiling. Naruto sounded exactly as you would imagine someone who looked like Naruto to sound.


Then Yukie made her entrance, which fell rather flat. Shikamaru suspected that she expected all men to find her attractive and to respond accordingly. In truth, probably both he and Neji did find her attractive but neither of them had any intention of responding. Shikamaru was almost certain that Sasuke was male-only and they knew that Naruto was now Sasuke-only.

His reason for choosing a female interviewer was that Naruto was less likely to kill a woman than a man. His chose this woman because she was inexperienced and likely to be more interested in having her name associated with one of the biggest media coups in history than in making news.

“I am intending to wear this outfit for the interview, Sasuke-sama,” Yukie told him.

Sasuke did not even bother to look. “I am sure that anything you select will be suitable, Yukie-san,” he replied.

Shikamaru wished he had suggested to Sasuke that he be pleasant to the woman.

“You look very nice, Yukie-san,” Naruto said, managing to sound rather shy.

Yukie flushed slightly and Shikamaru resolved to thank him later.

“Have you had thoughts about what Sasuke-sama and Naruto-san should wear?” Sandayu asked.

They were wearing their uniforms. “Either this, or something more formal,” Shikamaru informed them. “Alternatives are formal dress or Uchiha dress uniforms.”

All the media people’s eyes were on the toned, mesh-covered chests and abdominals that could be seen under the open jackets. “I think these slightly less formal outfits are ideal,” Sandayu agreed.

“Maybe Naruto-san could take off his jacket,” Yukie suggested. “Those are such beautiful tags, it seems a shame to conceal them.”

Shikamaru admired the woman’s gall.

“That would not be a good idea, Yukie-san,” Naruto told her with mournful tone and puppy-dog eyes. “Sasuke-sama would struggle to concentrate if I walked around without my jacket.”

Sasuke’s gave him a look but he chose not to respond.

“Maybe we should discuss seating,” Sandayu suggested.


It had taken days to convince Naruto that he would have to sit down and not stand behind Sasuke. He was wearing his tags and bodyguards did not sit down. In the end Kakashi had listed all the occasions when bodyguards had to sit down and Shino had set up a camera so that Naruto could see that having one head so much lower than the other was not going to work.

They sat on the leather couch that Shikamaru had specified. It was large enough to ensure that there was space between them but slightly curved so that they were turned a little towards each other. Their relaxed poses were testament to the training Neji had given them. They looked wonderful. Shikamaru just hoped that Naruto could sit still for the time required. Yukie-san was staring in rapt admiration.

“The couch is perfect, Shikamaru-san,” Sandayu admitted. “Have you thought of a career in media?”

Sasuke turned his head in Sandayu’s direction. “Shikamaru-san is my closest advisor, Sandayu-san. He is the voice in my ear. Please refrain from trying to recruit him.”

Sandayu’s eyes widened and Yukie stopped ogling Naruto. The camera operatives looked up from their monitors. Shikamaru felt himself straighten a little. Neji was smiling at him. Not that others would see the slight change in expression as a smile, but Shikamaru recognised it.

“Pardon me, Sasuke-sama,” Sandayu replied. “I know that Shikamaru-san is sworn to Uchiha. It was only meant as a compliment.”


Then, finally, they started on the content.


“She has no intention of sticking to the questions she asked today,” Neji told them once they were back in the unit. “Maybe the first two and the question about the battle, but that’s all.”

Shikamaru was not surprised. Sasuke sighed. Naruto stopped trying to pogo high enough to touch his hair against the ceiling.

“What other topics do you think she will raise?” Shikamaru asked.

“The massacre, your sex life, having little Uchihas and Naruto’s history before joining the Silver Leaf,” Neji suggested. “I wonder if they have interviewed some of your old crewmates, Naruto.”

Naruto looked anxious.

“We will work out some stock answers,” Shikamaru insisted. “If the worst comes to the worse, just say one of them no matter what question she asks. Whatever happens, Naruto, you must not let her upset you. If you growl or snarl then she has won.”

“I will be charming,” Naruto promised. “Like today.”


They had limited time, less than a day, and it was important that Sasuke and Naruto should be relaxed rather than stressed. Shikamaru chose to tell them that they were ready even though they were not. Jiraiya and Neji backed him up. Choza cooked the evemeal and they all ate together in the main room. Sasuke played his lute.

Shikamaru and Neji managed to claim one of the showers. They washed each other’s hair. Neji tried to rub the tension from Shikamaru’s back and, when unsuccessful, snaked a hand over a hip toward his groin. Shikamaru intercepted it and raised it to his lips to kiss. He had been weak that night in their tent. He would not allow Neji to gift him with pleasure when he could not bear to be touched in return.


During the interview Naruto was, indeed, charming. When Yukie asked him about catting when underage on different crews he looked incredibly sad and said, “Pardon me, Yukie-san, but I prefer not to think about that part of my life. It was very hard. I am so much happier now.”

And when she asked him whether he was willing to die to protect Sasuke he simply replied, “Yes.”

Sasuke handled the totally crass question about what it was like to have your brother massacre your family. He did exactly what Neji had suggested, merely looked from his rings to the camera and said, “I miss them very much.” To the follow-up question, about children, he replied, “Perhaps in time, I am too young to be a good parent.”

Best was Sasuke’s answer to what it was like to share sex with a human-fox hybrid. He glowed. Shikamaru suspected he was actually thinking about fucking. He answered, “Naruto makes me very happy,” which evoked a terawatt smile from Naruto.

It was a triumph.


Naruto and Sasuke managed to keep their hands off each other until they arrived back at the unit. Iruka had one look at them and unlocked the guest bedroom for them to use. They had tried to be quiet while fucking since moving into the unit but on this occasion they abandoned all restraint. The reactions of the Uchiha fighters were fascinating: they managed to smile at the growling and howling but Sasuke’s screaming unnerved them completely.

Shikamaru saw their relief when they thought it was over. He and Iruka exchanged looks and then Iruka went to release three bottles of whisky from the secured supply in the kitchen. It was going to be a long evening.


After the evening meal, which Sasuke and Naruto did not attend, Haku dragged Neji away for some advice about Inoichi and Iruka drew Shikamaru into the kitchen.

“How are you and Neji?” he asked.

Shikamaru was about to deny that there was a problem but realised that it would be a lie. For a long time it had been fine but now it was not. It had changed when he had allowed Neji to pleasure him.

“He wants to touch me but he can’t bear it if I touch him. I do not know what to do, Iruka-sensei,” he admitted.

Iruka considered. “Ask him to fuck you,” he advised. “Don’t try to touch him. Just submit. Let him tie you up if that is what it takes. Better still, tie yourself up.” He thought about it further. “Kakashi and I will sleep in Sasuke’s office. Haku will be with Inoichi.” He stood up. “If we are quick we can sort out the bedroom before Haku finishes speaking with Neji. I will lock you in and give Neji the key.”


Shikamaru felt like an idiot while he waited for Neji to arrive. He could not back out because he had used ratchet ties to secure his wrists to the bedposts; he would need to be cut free. He was just thankful that he had decided to drape the silk sheet that Iruka-sensei had found for them over his lower body.

Finally he heard the door open. Shikamaru was glad of the blindfold so that he did not have to see Neji’s expression but he was irrationally terrified that it was someone else. He relaxed slightly as he heard Neji’s step. The mattress dipped and there was the sound of a knife being drawn. The ratchet ties were cut and only then did Neji kiss him. It was a gentle, sweet kiss.

“My Shika,” he whispered and pulled away the blindfold. “Thank you, but no.”

Shikamaru’s heart fell. If this did not work he had no idea what to try next. “Please, Neji. Please fuck me.”

A small sound very like a groan came from Neji’s throat.

Shikamaru was encouraged. Maybe it was the bondage Neji did not like. He put his arms about Neji’s neck and whispered into his ear. “I want you to take me. I need to feel you inside me. I need to belong to you.” It was having an effect. Shikamaru apologised silently for what he was about to do next. “Please, Neji, I am begging you. I could not bear it if you rejected me. Please.” Then, suddenly, he realised that what he had thought was a lie was the truth. He could not bear it.

He would not cry. He knew that Neji's judgement was suspect when he cried. It was him crying that had ruined it. While they had been celibate it had worked fine.

“I could not do that to you,” Neji said, looking away.

Shikamaru’s thought processes skidded to a halt. He wondered if Neji was saying that he only received. Shikamaru could not believe that. Also, Iruka’s instincts were infallible and Iruka had suggested he ask Neji to fuck him. Then he had it. All Neji’s experiences being fucked had been awful.

“I like being fucked,” he told him. It was true. He had particularly fond memories of Ibiki. As for Kakashi, he tried not to think too much about now Kakashi had made him feel. Iruka was a lucky man.

“You do?” Neji queried.

“I do. And I know exactly how I like it. I could tell you,” Shikamaru offered and saw Neji’s arousal level soar.

Shikamaru smiled and was rewarded by Neji smiling in return.

---

On the planet Elessen, the day after the interview was broadcast from Tarrasade.


Klennethon Darrent regarded his agent with an expression that was close to contempt.

“You wish me to set aside a certain time to watch a live transmission from Tarrasade,” he queried.

Garner Parrod was sure. “Yes.”

The single word was more convincing that a longer argument. Klennethon Darrent tapped a perfectly manicured fingertip on the arm of his chair. “This is related to your task of bringing me art for my collection?”

Garner Parrod considered. “It is about you seeing something unique and beautiful.”

Klennethon Darrent lived to experience the unique and the beautiful.

He watched. He was captivated. He turned to Garner Parrod. “I must know everything about the Uchiha, about this Uchiha and about the hybrid.”

“I have a preliminary report ready,” Garner Parrod told him. “The in-depth research is underway.”

---

Ten days after the interview on the planet Jewel


Kabuto maintained the pretence of slightly amused tolerance. He had seen the consequences of showing weakness. No one, not even him, was so useful that Orochimaru would not kill him, or worse, on a whim.

This obsession was worrying. Orochimaru had every available holographic moving image of the hybrid spliced together into a constantly running loop. The live interview had made it a thousand times worse. As soon as he had seen it, Orochimaru had gone to the lab and terminated every hybrid, no matter the stage of its development or the success of the experiment. Decades of work lost.

Kabuto remembered Amachi him telling about when Orochimaru had been obsessed by the sharkman. This was worse. Of course it was worse, the fox hybrid was so impossibly perfect.

---

Twenty days after the interview in a spacer bar in the Far Fringe


Kisame watched Itachi. Itachi’s eyes never left the projection. It was as if he was committing every image and each word to memory. Then the interview was over and he started to drink. Kisame kept filling his glass. The sooner he passed from drunkenly irritable to maudlin the less chance there was that he would kill someone.

---

Author’s note

I realise that I have introduced two ‘own characters’, something I have managed to avoid up to now. Think of them as part of the world, like one of the locations. They are essential to the plot and were created for another story.

---