In the cold of space you find the heat of suns

Warning: The views, standards, mores and morals of the different groups in this story, including those of ‘spacers’, are not those of our world. They are the product of a fictional future history. Many of the behaviours they consider acceptable we do not; some of them are wrong by my definition in that they are damaging to one or more of the individuals involved and/or suggest that one individual has more intrinsic value than another. In this story, ‘spacers’ consider youths of fourteen capable of giving informed consent and they consider a job description that includes providing sexual favours to others, including much older people, to be normal and acceptable.

6. The plan

Kakashi waited until all he could hear was heavy breathing before he opened the door. The boy was crouched on the floor, close to exhaustion. Even so, he growled as Kakashi approach him. Kakashi cuffed him hard enough for it to be felt but with too little force to damage. The boy submitted, accepting Kakashi’s alpha status. Kakashi stoked his hair, so like fur, and then lifted him up and carried him out of the head and towards the infirmary. The boy’s eyes were glassy. Kakashi doubted he saw the others as they moved out of their path.

Iruka was there, waiting.

“Where’s Sasuke?” Kakashi asked.

“Scrubbing the lower corridor. He threw the first punch.”

“Do you know why?”

Iruka nodded, but looked towards Naruto. “We need to talk. Later.”

Most of the damage had been done by him hitting the door, although Kakashi suspected the incipient black eye was the result of Sasuke first punch. It could have been painful enough to have triggered Naruto’s temper. They decided to sedate him and put him in the dia-doc tank. Then they went to the galley and Iruka shut the door.

“How dangerous is he?” Iruka asked.

“Which one?” Kakashi asked.

Iruka opened his mouth and then closed it again as he accepted what Kakashi was saying. “You have to tell me about Sasuke. At least some of it. I know he is in emotional shutdown but I don’t know for how long, or why. I would also like to know what was happening when that crew challenged us.”

Kakashi sighed. “I had to give my word. I will tell you what I can but you cannot ask for more.”

Iruka nodded.

“Sasuke’s family was killed when he was a child. I think he witnessed it. Certainly he was found with the bodies. He’s been raised by a guardian. I believe that his guardian knew that catting would be… …difficult. He tried to persuade Sasuke into another profession, but his family have always been spacers and Sasuke knows that to be a true spacer you have to walk the whole path, from the beginning. His guardian chose us…”

“…because he knew that you were capable of protecting him.” Iruka finished. “By the Lady, Kakashi, Sasuke’s…”

Kakashi placed his fingers to Iruka’s lips. “Please don’t make me break my word, Ir-chan.”

Iruka nodded. He was quiet for a while, then smiled. “And we put him with a feral fox boy who tries to rip his throat out.” Iruka sighed and Kakashi realised that he was close to tears. “We’ll have to send him away. He’s too dangerous.”

Kakashi was surprised how quickly Naruto had wormed his way into Iruka’s affections. Not that he disliked the boy. It was hard not to like him. He began to think. “Maybe not. Naruto cannot lose his temper often, or he’d be dead by now.”

“You heard him. You saw him. It’s too much of a risk.”

“We could offer him the option of a controller.”

“Kakashi! Those things are evil.”

“No, think. Shikamaru could probably set it so that was only triggered if Naruto goes berserk. It would mean he could stay. Maybe we can teach him to control himself without it. Maybe that will come naturally when he is older. It has to be a better option than sending him back out there.”

Iruka reconsidered. “It has to be his decision. And it has to only be triggered when he has lost control of himself. Why am I willing to risk this, Kakashi?”

Kakashi smiled. “We all like him. And, perhaps, Sasuke punching him is a good thing. It suggests that Sasuke was experiencing some real emotions. Perhaps coping with our fox-boy would do Sasuke good.”

Kakashi started with Tsunade, who took much persuasion. He had to be creative. It helped greatly that she had not seen Naruto berserk and therefore underestimated the risk. He then went to Shikamaru, who quickly dispelled any notion that what they were proposing would be easy but agreed it was possible. Being still docked at Minunderville at least the components were available; the crucial parts were illegal in most places. Kakashi told Shikamaru to research purchase and delivery, but wait for confirmation.

Sasuke was still scrubbing the lower corridors. Kakashi could tell that he was punishing himself. His hands were raw. He had put enough ammonia in the cleaning solution for the smell to be acrid. Perhaps that was why his eyes were red. Kakashi pulled him to his feet by his upper arm and pushed him into a storage hold. He released him and pointed to a chest. Sasuke sat on it.

“We’re going to have to send him back out there because of you, because you are Uchiha and he attacked you.” Kakashi began.

Sasuke eyes closed. “That’s not fair. I punched him.”

“Life is unfair. You are Uchiha and he is less than human. You are precious and he is disposable. This is the life you must lead. People will die in your place. Risks will be removed no matter who is damaged in the process. Your every action has consequences. This is the reality of being Uchiha.” Kakashi stopped, wondering if he had gone too far. For a moment he doubted his judgement. He had invested so much that it was sometimes difficult to maintain perspective.

Sasuke’s back straightened. “I take responsibility. If it is possible, I want him to stay here. If not, he must be placed with a good crew. I will pay to buy him the best position available.”

It was the first time Kakashi had glimpsed a future that might make his sacrifice worthwhile. He gave himself a few moments to savour the feeling, then took the next step. “We could ask him to accept a controller.”

What little colour Sasuke had drained away. Even his lips were white. The only colour in his skin was the red around his eyes. “No,” he croaked.

“Sasuke, if he loses control like that out there he will end up dead. Most crews would throw him out. Some would terminate him. I am only suggesting we offer it as an option.”

There was a long pause while Sasuke made the decision. “His choice?”

“His choice.” Kakashi confirmed.