In the cold of space you find the heat of suns

Thank you for the reviews. I read everyone and they inspire me to continue this story.

This is the third update this week, so you may like to check back that you have read the others.

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

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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.


84. Solution

Neji’s argument with Haku had been brief but intense; it had been started, held and completed during the journey between the crew room and Sasuke’s office. Neji had done everything in his power to persuade Haku that what he was doing to Itachi was beyond cruel; that Haku needed to show mercy and allow Itachi to be tanked.

Haku had refused but he had agreed to meet with Neji once the meeting in Sasuke’s office was over.

Neji walked quickly from Sasuke’s office to the small treatment room where he had his therapy sessions. While he walked he pondered. Haku had refused to allow Itachi to escape into the tank but his talk of redemption had spoken to Itachi when he had seemed unreachable.

“Thank you,” Neji decided as he entered the treatment room.

Haku looked at him askance. “I did not do what you wanted.”

“No,” Neji agreed, “but you did something. When he went into that room he was beyond hope. Truly, Haku. You did not see it.” He shuddered at the memory.

Haku sniffed. “I am trusting your judgement. You are sure that he had reached rock bottom?”

“Yes,” Neji confirmed; there was no doubt in his mind.

“He begged to be put in the tank?” Haku checked. “Begged?”

“Haku,” Neji warned. He sighed. “Yes, he begged. He would have begged for death, but he will not endanger Kisame’s life.”

“I should think not,” Haku replied indignantly. He smiled slyly. “And this business of him being fine with Kisame fucking me, it is false?”

Neji found himself uncertain, both about Itachi’s feelings and whether he should be giving Haku more ammunition. “He said it was a pretence,” he confirmed. “Haku, I think he loves Kisame very much. Maybe the Itachi you knew did not, but this one does.”

Haku was very still. “I know that. He loves him enough to give him up, even though it is breaking him to do it.”

“And Kisame loves him,” Neji added.

“And Kisame loves him,” Haku echoed.

“May I ask what you are going to do?” Neji enquired.

Haku looked at him and smiled. “You may ask but I will not tell you,” he answered.


Itachi had breakfasting timed perfectly. He would slide into the galley when it was busiest, take a seat at the least populated part of the table and quietly thank Tayuya as she delivered a bowl of rehydrated fruit. Usually he managed to eat, clear his dishes and exit without speaking more than a few words.

That morning the mood around the table was buoyant because the kitling was out of danger. Itachi remembered how exhausted Sasuke had looked the day before in his office; he was not surprised that neither Sasuke nor Naruto were present.

Recalling Sasuke’s face was a painful reminder of what had been decided. There would be no escape into oblivion or death. There was no future. There was only a present that had to be endured.

He took his dishes to the sink, bowed slightly to Tayuya and slipped noiselessly out of the galley.


There was a basket against his door.

Itachi stared at it. He toyed with the notion that Iruka may have put it there, or Tayuya, but he knew it had been left by Haku. Any vestige of doubt was eliminated by the neat label bearing his name in Haku’s slightly childish hand. Itachi picked the basket up and carried it into his room, sliding the door closed behind him.

He took a deep breath, put aside the notion that he was defusing a bomb and investigated its contents.

There was a fresh set of bedclothes, which was fine; Haku made up the others’ beds but Itachi was relieved rather than offended that he chose to stay out of his room. The dark red bedcover was a little more disconcerting. It was nice. Itachi liked it. Why was Haku giving him a bedcover that he liked? How did he know that Itachi would like it?

Then there was the bottle of hair conditioner. Itachi opened it and sniffed warily. It smelt familiar and Itachi guessed that it was what Haku himself used.

Itachi wondered if it was a veiled insult about his hair.


Haku timed his orgasm perfectly so that Kisame was pushed over the edge by the sight of him climaxing. He wiped away the balm and the semen, then snuggled under Kisame’s arm.

“We can do that again later?” he asked.

Kisame managed only a grunt, but Haku felt the arm tighten around him. He decided that this was probably as good a moment as he would find.

“Are you the jealous type, Kisame-san?” he asked.

Kisame considered. “No. Why do you ask? I will not ask that you give up helping the others. They are my comrades, my family, and they need you.”

Haku cuddled closer. “I was just checking. I was never sure what you thought when Itachi fucked those young men. Not me, I was cat, but the whores.”

Kisame sighed. “It made me sad,” he admitted. “He got so little joy from it. At least he had some kind of relationship with you, however weird.”

Haku smiled. “Kisame, he hated me. I know when someone who is fucking me hates me.”

“By that time Itachi hated everyone, even himself. He hated you because you exposed so many of his weaknesses. You do know he finds you attractive?”

Haku did. He always knew when a man wanted him. “Do you think so?” he asked.

“Princess,” Kisame warned.

Haku straddled his chest and sat on his stomach. “I have a plan,” he admitted.

“A plan?” Kisame asked cautiously.

“I have thought very carefully about it. I think this Itachi is different from the one I knew. He is an older version of the young man you knew, before he broke and became a killer. I ahve decided that we need a long-term solution.”

“A solution?”

“Yes a solution. I have decided that the obvious solution is a threesome. You, me and Itachi.”

Haku found himself lifted off Kisame’s stomach and sat on his dressing table. Kisame was sitting on the bed, staring at him.

“Explain,” he ordered.


Haku had imagined Kisame responding in various ways, but none of them had included a demand for an explanation. He took a deep breath. “How many standards have you and Itachi had to sort out some kind of sexual relationship?”

“Fourteen,” Kisame answered.

“So it isn’t going to just happen,” Haku suggested.

“We had issues,” Kisame admitted.

“You could put it that way,” Haku said wryly. “You are a sexually repressed top. Itachi is so damaged that it is hard to tell, but the chances of him ever bottoming, even if he had standards of therapy, are low.”

Kisame flinched.

Haku smiled at him. “You like fucking me. Did Itachi ever fuck a cat other than me?”

“No,” Kisame confirmed warily.

“So I will be your solution.” Haku allowed all his feelings for Kisame show in his face. “The two of you can fuck me. Together.” Kisame’s reaction was immediate and obvious. Haku was pleased. It was going well. “Not soon,” he warned. “Itachi will require careful handling. It will be a long journey.”

“Haku, you hate him,” Kisame reminded him.

“No, I hated Itachi Uchiha,” Haku informed him. “I do not know this Itachi. He has done nothing to make me hate him. He is in my crew room. He is crew. I look after the people in my crew room. I have been remiss in not looking after him. You tell him that he is to expect to be looked after.”


Kisame knew it was crazy but he did not have a better idea. He had watched Itachi slide further and further away from him. He had to do something.

He resorted to standing between Itachi and the door to his room, cutting off his escape route.

“I wish to speak with you,” he stated.

At least Itachi looked at him, which was better than most days recently.

“I am not taking no for an answer,” he added.

There was a trace of surprise on Itachi’s face. He gave one, small, reluctant nod. Kisame stepped to one side and then followed him into his room, closing the door behind him. He sat on the chair. Itachi stood as far away from him as the small room would allow.

“You lied to me, Ita-chan,” Kisame began. “You said that you wanted me to fuck Haku because it would make you feel better and because you could be close to me without feeling guilty. You are worse, not better, and you no longer let me near you.” He took a deep breath; subterfuge did not come naturally to him. “Perhaps I should stop fucking Haku.”

Itachi took a step towards him. “No, you must not do that,” he insisted.

Kisame patted his thigh. Itachi shuddered but Kisame ignored it. He did not know what was going on in Itachi’s head but he was going to make him sit in his lap if he had to pick him up and put him there.

“Sit here,” he ordered. “Or I will go now to Haku and tell him that he is not to touch me again.”

Itachi came over and primly perched on his knee.

Kisame ignored how rigid he was. “Better,” he confirmed. “I have a message for you from Haku,”

Itachi was utterly still.

“He no longer thinks of you as Itachi Uchiha. He has decided that you are a different person. You are Itachi, his crewmate, who lives in his crew room. He intends to look after you.”

Itachi was off his lap and staring at him. “Is this some cruel joke?” he demanded.

Kisame hoped not. He would never forgive Haku if it were. “No. I want you to let Haku take care of you.”

“You have asked him to do this?” Itachi asked.

“No, I would not have dared to even suggest it,” Kisame admitted. “It is Haku’s idea.”

“And if I say no?” Itachi asked.

“Then I will have to stop spending time with Haku,” Kisame told him; at least that was not a lie.

Itachi would not look at him. “He has starting leaving things for me,” he admitted. “First that bedcover and hair conditioner. Since then clothes and cushions and hand cream. Things I like.”

Kisame looked at the bedcover. It was Itachi’s favourite colour. He had not known that Haku had already started. “Good,” he replied.

“Kisame, how does he know what I like? Are you telling him?”

“No,” Kisame answered. “We did space with him for over a standard.”


Itachi soon realised that it was not only Haku.

Kisame stopped allowing Itachi avoid and ignore him. An assertive Kisame was different. Itachi’s stomach fluttered every time Kisame stood up to him.

Kakashi had begun discussing ship’s security him rather than issuing orders and demanding reports.

He had his first conversation with Shikamaru. Itachi discovered that it was impossible to be disconnected when talking to Shikamaru; he had never had to think so quickly and so hard outside combat or battle.

Then Sasuke stopped him in a corridor and suggested that they fix a time for a game of shogi.

Itachi, without choosing to do so, began to think beyond mere existence.


They were in large gym with most of the rest of the crew. Kisame was pleased because telling rather than asking Itachi to train with him had worked.

Itachi was looking good. He had put on a little flesh. His skin was less sallow and the shadows about his eyes had lightened. His hair was glossy.

They were preparing to leave when the music started; first softly and then swelling to fill the space. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked about.

Haku glided down the stairway from the gallery. He moved, inexorably, towards Itachi.

Itachi was absolutely still; his eyes riveted on the approaching figure.

Haku stopped three paces from his target. He held out his hand. His lips moved. Kisame could not hear what he said.

Itachi offered Haku his left hand. Haku stepped forward and gave Itachi his right hand. Itachi placed his right hand on Haku’s back over his left shoulder blade. Haku rested his left arm on Itachi’s right with his hand near Itachi’s shoulder.

Their stance triggered a memory of standing guard during official Uchiha functions. Kisame belatedly recognised the rhythm of the music.

It was a waltz.

They danced.

By the Lady they looked good together. Kisame saw Itachi pull Haku closer so that their bodies were touching. They moved as one with deceptive speed and incredible grace.

It was beautiful.

“He’s been practicing with Kono-kun,” Kisame heard Inari tell Sasuke, which explained how Haku knew the steps.

“Just the waltz?” Sasuke asked. “This one dance?” he clarified.

“No, four or five different ones,” Inari replied.

Kisame smiled.

Trust Haku to think of it.


Itachi was sorry when the cadence of the music indicated the end of the dance. He signalled a spin and Haku responded perfectly. They separated and bowed to each other.

There was applause.

And some stomping.

Even a few whistles.

Haku was flushed. He looked gorgeous. If he had been anyone else, if they had been alone, Itachi might have kissed him.

Instead they walked separately from the floor.


Watching Itachi and Haku dance became the highlight of the journey to Tarrasade.

The babies and the kits made progress. Plans were designed and discussed. The Silver Leaf was sent out to trade for light speed communication relays. Shikamaru and Neji were despatched on the Dart to negotiate with the Gaters; Hamaki, Terai and Fu went with them for protection. Inari and Konohamaru had a row and stopped fucking. Gaara passed out less often and made a new friend in Lee. Kimimaro refused to come out of his accommodation; he complained that Gaara was stalking him. Tayuya realised her crush on Itachi was hopeless, fought with Sumaru and was locked in her punishment room. Kiba discovered that sitting in the galley while Choza cooked was comfortable and ensured a steady stream of titbits.

Every third day the entire crew, whether they had been training or not, gathered in the gym to see Itachi and Haku dance.

The Dart returned and left for Dar so that Shino could introduce Anko to his family. Gaara wallowed in unrequited love while Naruto tried, but failed, to convince him that there was a difference between lust and love. Kimimaro reluctantly accepted that he would have to stay with them until Tarrasade. Sasuke agreed that Lee could stay longer, initially as a guest. Inari and Konohamaru made up and could not keep their hands off each other. Plans for the nursery went on permanent display in Iruka’s office. Kurenai ran a series of baby care classes. Tayuya pretended to be interested in babies to make up for disappointing Iruka-sensei. Kiba began seeing Choza as a person as well as a source of food. The babies and the kits thrived.

Then Itachi and Haku danced the tango.

Inari and Konohamaru barely made it to the nearest storage bay. Gaara passed out and was caught by Lee. Hamaki, Terai and Fu vanished. Asuma chasséd down the corridor in search of Kurenai. Naruto placed a hand on the small of Sasuke’s back, steered him out of the gym and then bore him off to their room. Shikamaru watched avidly with Neji standing behind him, arms wrapped about his Shika’s chest. Rin and Dan danced between the spectators in the gallery. Iruka gave up trying to bat Kakashi’s hand away and submitted to having his hair taken down.

Kisame watched the two people he cared for most; one of whom he loved and one of whom he was on the edge of loving.


Itachi’s body went through the ritual of finishing the dance. He was dazed, caught between the familiar aftermath of intense exercise and a slew of conflicting emotions. He stood there, motionless, as Haku walked away from him and out of the gym.

Then Kisame was beside him, anchoring him.

“Go after him,” Kisame suggested.

Itachi looked at him. “But...” he queried.

“Don’t think about it,” Kisame recommended. “Leave the thinking to Haku. He’s the expert when it comes to stuff like this.”


Haku was on the verge of deciding it had not worked when he heard Itachi’s step behind him. He smiled and kept walking. Itachi followed. When he heard increasing hesitation in the pattern of Itachi’s footsteps he waited for him. They walked side by side to the crew room, not touching.

As they entered the crew room they were greeted by Sasuke’s screams of ecstasy. Haku felt Itachi tense.

“It is a good thing,” he said gently. “Would you want him to be like you?”

Itachi looked at him in horror. “How could you ask?”

Haku gave the smallest of shrugs. “Your reaction begged the question,” he countered.

“It is so un-Uchiha,” Itachi admitted.

“It is very new Uchiha,” Haku replied.

Itachi considered. “Yes, it is very new Uchiha,” he agreed. “Post-Naruto Uchiha.”

Haku laughed lightly. “I like that. Post-Naruto.” He smiled. “We are having a conversation, Itachi-san.”

“Indeed we are, Haku-san,” Itachi acknowledged.

“Then we should celebrate,” Haku replied.


Haku stopped in front of what Itachi had thought was one of the unused rooms and slid open the door. Inside was a tastefully furnished and decorated room. There was no bed; it was a sitting room. Haku gestured that he should enter.

“Please take a seat, Itachi-san,” he invited.

Itachi settled onto the couch. Haku adjusted the lighting, set some music playing and took the chair opposite, across a low table.

“This is very nice,” Itachi observed.

“I took advantage of my position,” Haku admitted. “I thought we needed somewhere private to meet other than our bedrooms.”

Itachi thought he understood. “Because there are beds in bedrooms,” he suggested.

Haku smiled. “You much prefer dancing to fucking, Itachi-san,” he responded. He reached for a small box. Inside there were packs of cards. “I thought we would play bezique. Unless you do not remember the rules.”

“I know the rules,” Itachi confirmed.

“Do you?” Haku asked him, passing Itachi one pack so that he would remove the unwanted cards while Haku did the same to a second.

“The rules of bezique,” Itachi clarified, putting out his hand for Haku’s cards. He shuffled both together. “Are there other rules?” he asked.

“Kisame comes first,” Haku answered.

“Kisame comes first,” Itachi echoed, sliding the deck towards Haku.

They each cut the pack. Haku won. He dealt in the three-two-three manner typical of the game and then turned the top card to choose trumps.

It was the king of hearts.

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