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 richon, SyilxPrincess, lonelylulaby, v, xxShadowheartxx, disembodiedvoiceofthedying, blugirlami21, sadie237, Prism0467, satterb and unneeded who reviewed chapter 76.

Reading readers’ reviews encourages me to continue 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.

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Chapter seventy-seven: Performance

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It was Haru’s day for ‘papa-time’. While Haru had been away, papa-time had changed; Papa said it had developed. When it was Yuki’s papa-time, Papa and Yuki spent it in the closet sewing or doing stuff with the clothes. With Hoshi it was usually something musical. Hikaru liked it when Papa showed him an object or a place none of the rest of them had seen. Yasushi and Yoshimi had twice as much papa-time but together. Keizo and Papa did origami. Kuuya wanted to learn about weapons. Kazuki and Papa trained together. Ryuu did not mind what he did as long as he got a cuddle; he liked it when Papa sang to him.

Only Haru still went to Papa’s office and just talked.

He looked around the room while Papa made them tea. It was odd how this was now ‘Papa’s office’ when a few divs ago it had still seemed wrong because ‘Papa’s office’ was on the Oak. This room was a different shape, longer, and had the screens that divided it in two. Grandma Mikoto’s desk drew the eye unless you were in the part with the chairs and the big display frame with the screens closed.

The screens were closed. Haru wondered if Papa was keeping him away from the desk in case he found something he shouldn’t.

“If Sasori-san had rescued Shi-chan but not me, would I have got used to being with Konan-san and Pein-san?” he asked.

Papa looked about so quickly that some of the hot water missed going into the teapot.

“Shika-san would have never left you behind,” he insisted.

Haru knew that was not true. Shi-chan would never have chosen to leave him behind. Haru had seen the brief fight between Shi-chan and Sasori-san on the gangplank. That was why he had stopped complaining about training and now tried his hardest. He had never imagined that Shi-chan could win a fight but he had.

“It’s a hypothetical question,” Haru replied. “Papa?” he added.

Papa mopped up the spilt water, spread the wet cloth to dry and brought the tea tray over.

“Probably,” he admitted. “People adapt. It helps them survive. Also, children turn to the adults around them. Again, it helps them survive.”

Haru thought about it. “Is it easier to get children to do bad things than adults?”

This time the tea missed the cup. Haru did not know why his questions were upsetting his Papa but they were.

“I could stop asking you the questions in my head,” he offered. He could always ask Shi-chan.

“No!” Papa ordered. He sighed and sat back in his chair. “Haru-chan, I want you to ask me the questions in your head. I shall try to stop asking myself why you are asking them. Yes, it is easier to corrupt most children than it is to corrupt most adults. People usually decide what they think is right and wrong when they are children.”

That was interesting. “So you can tell them that the bad things aren’t bad,” Haru checked.

Papa nodded and looked a little happier. He finished pouring tea into Haru’s cup and began filling his own.

“And that the good things aren’t good,” Haru added.

The tea slopped onto the tray again. Haru went to get the cloth.

“Sorry, Papa,” he said as he handed it to his Papa.

Papa looked at him. “It wasn’t your fault, Ha-chan. I spilt the tea, not you.”

“I upset you,” Haru admitted. “That’s why I don’t ask the questions in my head. They upset people.”

“Promise me you won’t stop asking me,” his Papa insisted. “It will upset me even more if you stop.”

Haru had not thought of that. “I won’t stop,” he promised.

“Good,” his Papa confirmed.


They talked about many things, but mostly Ran. Haru had discovered that Papa was better at talking about people-stuff than Shi-chan.

Shi-chan was still easier to talk to because Haru did not have to use so many words and nothing Haru said ever upset him. Also Papa knew almost nothing about mathematics or puzzles or computers or modelling or handling data.

There was something else about talking to Shi-chan. Haru tried to pin it down.

“Can many people think about different things at the same time?” he asked.

“I don’t think so, Ha-chan,” Papa answered. “Shika-san is the only person I know who can do that.” He paused. “Can you?”

“En-chan and In-chan can, but that’s because they are two people in one body,” Haru told him. “No, I can’t do that, Papa. Shi-chan says maybe I could learn to do it. He doesn’t remember learning to do it.” He considered. “Maybe I’m just clever.”

“Would it bother you if you weren’t a typed-genius?” Papa asked.

Haru considered. “No, because you and To-chan would love me either way,” he decided.

That pleased Papa, which was nice because Haru had not said it to please Papa.

“Would you like to meet another typed-genius?” Papa asked.

Haru liked that idea very much. “Who? Klenn-san? Klenn-san is a typed-five.”

Papa frowned. “Darrent-san has asked to meet you,” he confirmed.

Haru could tell that Papa was not sure about it. “Ho-chan is going to have music lessons,” he argued.

“As is Hikaru,” Papa corrected, “and Daikoku-san is going to check the rest of you for musical potential.”

Haru knew that the music teacher was only coming because Hoshi was already so good at playing the biwa.

“You let us meet Roshi-san and Yugito-san so that the kits and Ryuu could meet other hybrids,” Haru reminded him.

And suddenly Papa smiled in a way that Haru had never seen before.

---

“You want Klenn to meet all the children?” Shikamaru queried.

Naruto was grinning and Sasuke was smirking.

“We have established that the children sometimes meet outsiders,” Sasuke replied. “All the children met Roshi-san and Yugito-san. All the children are meeting Daikoku-san.”

“We don’t want to do things that separate Haru from the litter,” Naruto added. “There has been too much separation.”

“Do you think Darrent-san would like us to take the children to Elessen?” Sasuke asked.

Shikamaru imagined Kazuki and the others running about among Klenn’s priceless art collection. “He’s still here, in Tarrasade,” he answered, frowning. Sasuke knew that because Shikamaru and Neji, along with enough protection to keep Sasuke happy, had visited Klenn twice more at the restaurant.

“No, Darrent-san must come here, as our guest,” Naruto insisted.

That removed any doubts from Shikamaru’s mind. This was Sasuke and Naruto’s revenge. He considered arguing against it but only for a moment. Klenn deserved it for filling his art collection with images of the two of them naked and for doing things like bribing the media channels for copies of the interviews before they were broadcast.

In many ways it was a good sign; it confirmed that Naruto had chosen to forgive Klenn for telling Sasuke about his lifespan and it suggested Sasuke believed that Klenn had given up trying to tempt Shikamaru away.

“Maybe he would like to meet the babies,” Naruto added.

“The children could perform some music for him, as an honoured guest,” Sasuke proposed. “Or one of their plays.”

“Or both,” Naruto encouraged.

Shikamaru could not help smiling at the thought of it. “Haru still gets to speak with him properly?” he checked. “It may be his only chance to meet another typed-genius.”

“Eventually,” Sasuke promised. Then he gave one of the most devious smiles Shikamaru had ever seen. “Maybe we should talk to Haru-chan, so that he understands why he may have to be patient.”

---

Naruto insisted on being the one to talk to Haru. He thought that Sasuke might push too hard and that Shikamaru would make it far too complicated.

He sat down next to Haru in the playroom. Haru stopped whatever he was doing, something on his tablet, and looked at Naruto expectantly.

“Darrent-san is much older than we are,” he began.

“Older than Biwako-san?” Haru asked.

“I think so,” Naruto answered; he had no idea how old Biwako-san was. “Anyway, we first met Darrent-san before you were born. He was a lot older than us. Richer. More powerful. None of us were friends with him. He was not an ally of Uchiha. He was not obliged to us in any way.”

Haru was looking at him with solemn, blue eyes. For once he was silent.

“We were negotiating a business agreement. He pushed the boundaries, like people do when there is no obligation. He tried to get Shi-chan to leave Uchiha. When that did not work he tried to cause trouble between your Papa and me.”

“That’s just silly,” Haru insisted. “Shi-chan would never leave Uchiha. You and Papa love each other.”

Naruto smiled and rubbed Haru’s back. “I know, Ha-chan, but he did not know us. Anyway, things have changed over the standards. Darrent-san is now an ally. He has become Shi-chan’s friend. It was Darrent-san who found Sasori-san and persuaded him to help you and Shi-chan escape. He wants to meet you and your Papa and I have decided to allow it, but...”

“But?” Haru queried.

“We want to play a little prank on him, to pay him back for what he did when we first met. Now, what are the rules for pranks?” Naruto asked.

“Nothing mean,” Haru answered quickly. “You must not prank someone if you want to be mean to them. You must not do anything to hurt them. It must be funny. Nothing embarrassing.”

Naruto was impressed. He stroked Haru’s hair. “Good. Now Darrent-san lives on his own in a big house filled with beautiful things. Everything is very tidy and ordered and beautiful. He has lived that way for a long, long time.”

Haru frowned and then smiled. “No children,” he deduced. “He’s probably never met anyone like Kazu-chan.”

Naruto smiled in return.

---

Shikamaru waited with Iruka and Neji at the shuttle dock.

“I am relying on you, Ne-chan,” he murmured, not wanting to attract Iruka’s attention.

Neji gave a ghost of a smile. “So you keep saying,” he replied.

Shikamaru swallowed. He had asked Neji to monitor the situation and tell them if they were pushing Klenn too hard. It had not occurred to him that Neji would be as keen as Naruto and Sasuke to extract his revenge.

He would have tried again, but the airlock of the shuttle was opening and Klenn was walking down the gangplank.

Garner Parrad was with him, as always. Shikamaru still did not understand their relationship; Garner Parrad seemed to be companion, buyer, bodyguard, devoted follower and friend. Neji was convinced that they had been lovers but Shikamaru had not asked and Klenn had never spoken of it.

“...so nice of you to ask to meet the children, Darrent-san,” Iruka was saying.

Shikamaru caught the fleeting flash of puzzlement in Klenn’s eyes.

He was already feeling guilty.

---

Sasuke had to admit that Klennethon Darrent was holding up well. Even so, it was very enjoyable watching one of the most powerful people in known space sitting on too small a chair watching what was, unquestionably, the most ambitious play the children had ever come up with. The storyline had been complicated to start with and that was before the kits had begun improvising.

It was particularly bizarre when Ryuu stoically stuck to the lines and moves he had learned while blond, blue-eyes chaos unfolded around him.

When the action stopped and the applause had finished, Sasuke counted to ten.

“The interval,” he explained and had the pleasure of seeing Klennethon Darrent’s face momentarily fall.

“The children have made the refreshments,” Naruto announced as Kazuki, Ryuu and Kuuya came over with trays.

Sasuke had to admit that the lopsided little pastries looked a touch grubby. He watched Klennethon Darrent accept a small plate from Kuuya. With commendable good manners he took the cup and the pastry closest to him when Kazuki and Ryuu proffered their trays, even though that pastry was particularly grey and bore something suspiciously like a thumbprint.

Sasuke selected the cleanest and Naruto had the gall to say that he was not hungry.


The second act was even longer and more incomprehensible than the first. Sasuke watched Naruto waiting for Klennethon Darrent to settle into something resembling a comfort zone; Sasuke imagined him going to some typed-genius place in his head. Then Naruto signalled Kiba to release Tsuneo.

Kiba rolled his eyes but did as instructed.

Perhaps strapping Tsuneo’s favourite plushie to the underside of the guest of honour’s chair was a little extreme but the expression on Klennethon Darrent face when he realised something was touching his leg was worth it.

Naruto dived down, retrieved baby and plushie and dumped both in Klennethon Darrent’s lap.

“He likes you, Darrent-san,” he declared.

And, weirdly, he did; Tsuneo waved the plushie at Klennethon Darrent and gurgled, when both Sasuke and Naruto had thought he would start screaming.

The careful way that Klennethon Darrent applauded at the end so that he did not lose hold of Tsuneo was rather sweet.

“Does the bowing mean the performance is over, Uchiha-sama?” Klennethon Darrent asked with a note of hope in his voice.

Yuki, who was writer, producer, costume designer and director, rushed over before Sasuke could answer.

“Did you like it, Darrent-san?” he asked.

Klennethon Darrent did not miss a beat. “It was remarkable,” he replied. “Very dynamic and creative. And colourful. Quite unique. I commend you and your siblings, Yuki-chan.”

Sasuke was warming to the man; he had even remembered Yuki’s name.

Naruto, however, was sticking to the plan. “They are so looking forward to performing in the concert this afternoon, Darrent-san,” he informed him.

Yuki favoured him with a sunny smile. “I am playing the glocken-thingy and singing,” he announced and looked at Klennethon Darrent expectantly.

“I am looking forward to it, Yuki-chan,” Klennethon Darrent replied bravely.

---

Shikamaru watched each step of the plan being implemented from where he was sitting, which was a little further back and next to Garner Parrad.

“You could come up with a reason to rescue him,” Shikamaru suggested as Kazuki, Ryuu and Kuuya walked towards Klenn with their trays.

Garner Parrad turned to him with shining eyes. “Never,” he declared. “They have a whole day of this planned?” he asked.

Shikamaru nodded. “Except for the midday meal. That’s when he gets to talk to Haru.”

“Thank you,” Garner Parrad replied. He was watching Klennethon Darrent putting the pastry into his mouth. “You couldn’t get me a camera could you?” he asked.

Shikamaru was not sure what to say.

“Please?” Garner Parrad added.

---

Haru could see that Papa and To-chan were enjoying their prank, so he decided not to worry that he did not understand what was going on. He did his best during the play before slipping away to be cleaned up and dressed by Kiba-san.

“Darrent-san is an important ally,” Kiba-san reminded him. “Also, without him you and Shika-san would not have been rescued.”

Haru was pretty sure Kiba-san disapproved of the prank. “We escaped with Sasori-san’s help,” he insisted. “But Klenn-san sent Sasori-san.”

Kiba checked him one more time. “Be polite,” he insisted. He handed Haru the gift box. “Remember your table manners.”


He walked with Shi-chan to the meeting room that was being used as a dining room. Inside were Neji with Garner-san and Klenn-san.

Once Klenn-san had greeted him, Haru bowed and offered the present.

Klenn-san accepted it. “Thank you, Haru-chan,” he acknowledged in his deep, rumbly voice.

At first he concentrated on eating neatly and answering Klenn-san’s questions. Then, when he had finished eating, he forgot what Kiba had said and started asking questions of his own.

Klenn-san had known he was a typed-five since he was six, the same age as Haru. There were tests. Haru looked at Shi-chan.

“I was never tested,” Shi-chan told him. “Pa did not want me tested. He showed me how to avoid showing up as a potential typed-genius. It meant that the psychologists left me alone.”

“Once I showed up on the test, the psychologists took me away from my family,” Klenn-san told him. “I only got away from them when I was eighteen.”

Haru imagined strangers turning up and taking him away. He was about to say that was impossible when he remembered that it had already happened once. He imagined the next kidnappers killing Neji rather than darting him. He imagined them killing To-chan to get him.

“Haru-chan, are you all right?” Neji was asking.

“Pein-san kidnapped us because you are a typed-genius,” Haru told Shi-chan.

Shi-chan went a funny colour.

“Haru, look at me,” Klenn-san ordered and Haru found himself obeying. “Haru, your parents will never agree to someone taking you away. If someone stole you, they would get you back, like last time. Now, I am sure you did not mean that you blamed Shika for being kidnapped.”

Haru had not meant that at all. He had upset Shi-chan; nothing he said ever upset Shi-chan. Haru slipped off his chair and went to him. He leaned against him. “It was Pein-san’s fault, not your fault,” he insisted.

Shi-chan lifted him onto his lap. Haru hugged him and was hugged back.

“Shall I open my gift?” Klenn-san asked.

Haru nodded.


It was a holoprojector that looked like a small wooden platform. When you turned it on it showed one of the holos of them all clustered around Papa, To-chan and the babies on the couch.

“Papa said to tell you that this image was not released,” Haru informed him.

“Thank you,” Klenn-san replied. “As well as treasuring it as a gift, it will always remind me of this day.”

Haru was almost certain that he heard Garner-san snigger.

---

Klennethon Darrent looked at the tiny figures and ignored the pang that came from somewhere long buried. He had meant what he had said to Haru. Sasuke Uchiha and his Naruto would never take a huge lump of credit in exchange for their son of six standards.

He suppressed a smile. No one had dared prank him since he had been a trainee in the Central Civil Service.

At first he had thought that he was merely caught up in some bizarre family ritual. Then Naruto had dumped the baby in his lap and he had realised that every aspect of the morning had been designed to tease him.

Only it was not teasing, it was torture. Every minute reminded him that a person like him could not have a life like theirs.

He had built his fortress of solitude because he was toxic. People who stayed close to him withered. The parts of them he loved most always died first.

He had learned to let them go once that started to happen. Otherwise the ugliness polluted everything, even the memories.

That was what was so special about Garner. Circumstances had separated them while Garner still loved him. Standards later, when Garner had found his way back, Klennethon Darrent kept him at a distance.

This way they had at least the ghost of their love.

His attention switched from Garner to Shika; from the ghost to the dream.

Shika was much better off here, cradled in the loving embrace of his family.

He pulled himself together and steeled himself for more sweet torture.

“So when does the concert begin, Haru-chan?” he asked.


He told himself it could be worse. Only the fox-human hybrids sang out of tune; when the three purebred children sang it was surprisingly beautiful. Yuki was accurate on the glockenspiel, which had a clear, bell-like tone. Yasushi and Yoshimi did an exciting, if flawed, double act on the xylophone.

Then Hikaru and Hoshi played a duet on their lutes and Klennethon Darrent realised that Hoshi was more than talented.

“She is remarkably promising, Naruto-san,” he observed as they applauded.

He saw Naruto’s whiskers twitch. “You like music, Darrent-san?” he asked.

“I love it, Naruto-san,” he admitted. “It is one of the joys of my life.”

Naruto leaned forward to catch Sasuke’s attention. “Sasuke, why don’t you play your duet with Hoshi? I’ll go get your biwa.”

He was gone and back in an amazingly short time.


It was truly a gift. Sasuke Uchiha was a remarkable musician. Klennethon Darrent had paid to hear many performers with less skill; his touch was exquisite and the instrument he was playing was some ancient artisan’s masterpiece. As for Hoshi Uchiha, there was no doubt in Klennethon Darrent’s mind that she was a prodigy; he felt privileged to be one of the first outsiders to hear her play.

He turned to Naruto. “I know, given who he is, he could never be a professional musician but maybe she could be?” he asked. “Imagine the joy she would bring to people’s lives.”

Naruto’s whiskers twitched again; they really were fascinating. “If that is what Hoshi wants, I do not think Sasuke will stop her,” he replied. He turned away towards his lover. “Sasuke, play one of your special pieces for Darrent-san,” he asked.

It was heartrendingly beautiful.

---

Neji walked with Garner Parrad through the corridors to the private dock. Shika and Klennethon Darrent walked before them, deep in one of their incomprehensible conversations.

It had been a fascinating day; Neji had learned at least one new thing about each person. He even felt he was beginning to understand Klennethon Darrent.

He smiled. Trust Naruto to start intent on revenge and end with a kindness based on insight.

“You must thank Uchiha-sama and Naruto-san for me,” Garner Parrad said.

Neji already knew that Garner Parrad had enjoyed every moment of the visit. “Which parts were your favourites?” he asked.

Garner Parrad considered. “The first act of the play and the pastry, because that was before he realised what they were up to. Then there was what he said to Haru after the midday meal.” He paused, obviously remembering. “But maybe the best was watching him listen to Uchiha-sama play.”

That was interesting; Neji had thought Hoshi had made the bigger impact. “I suppose Hoshi still plays like a child,” he observed.

“No, it is not that,” Garner Parrad responded. “Sasuke Uchiha is a great musician who has never performed in public and probably never will. You have to know him to realise what that would mean to him.”


They waited until the door of the shuttle was closed before coming back through the airlock and triggering depressurization of the bay.

“A good day,” Neji suggested.

Shika smiled at him. “Yes, unexpectedly good,” he agreed.

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