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Leader	By : mannahpierce Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Naruto/Sasuke Views: 2163 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: This story has some of Masashi Kishimoto's characters from Naruto in a universe of my own devising. I do not own Naruto. I do not make any money from these writings.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
My heartfelt graitude, as always, to my beta and muse, Small Fox. This story grew from a plot idea he gave me.
Thank you to eunmook, angelj232000, cynaga, melissen, richon, Dawn, sadie237, toosweet05, liby318, SidonieStarr, maliya, lonelylulaby, Voice, Gingitsune and uneeded for reviewing chapter 1. It is wonderful to know that readers enjoy the stories and have been waiting for Leader. Your feedback keeps me writing.

Leader
Part 1: The pod
2: Ties

Haru blinked, uncertain if he had heard correctly.
“You want me to brush your tail?”
Kazuki flushed. “I want to look good. Who else can I ask?”
Haru pulled himself together and took the brush. Ka-chan had a point; he was a bit old to be asking Kiba-san or To-chan. He started at the base and worked towards the tip. He tried to keep the strokes even; he knew how Ka-chan felt about people touching his tail.
“Do you think Hi-chan brushes Ry-chan’s tail?” he asked.
Kazuki snorted. “Not a chance.”
“I’ll design you a tail brush,” Haru promised. “Finished,” he added. He had to admit, Ka-chan did look much smarter with a groomed tail. He pulled his own jacket into place. “Will I pass?”
Kazuki looked him up and down before focusing on his head. “As long as hair that looks like a duck’s butt is smart,” he replied.
For a spilt moment Haru thought Kazuki was serious and made a futile attempt to smooth down the back of his hair. Then he realised he was being teased.
“Ka-chan!” he complained. Haru knew that the only solution to his spiky hair was the one that Hoshi and Hikaru had taken; grow it. The trouble was, longer hair took more looking after.
Kazuki twitched his whiskers and grinned. “You look fine.”

They slid open the door to their room and joined the others gathering in the shared area.
Ry-chan and the kits were buzzing with excitement at the thought of meeting the crew of the Ninken; the most successful of Uchiha’s hybrid crews. What made it even better was that Captain Bull and his crew were canine-human hybrids, like them. There had even been talk among the kits about becoming a trainee on the Ninken.
The thought of the litter being broken up and scattered made Haru feel slightly sick.
Luckily there wasn’t much time to think about it. Kiba-san came to check that they were smart enough and then it was off to the Hall for the official reception.

Haru knew that Papa had been worried about hitting the balance between honouring the Ninken’s crew and overwhelming them. He had insisted that Kakashi-san meet them at the docking bay and take them to the guest crew room, where Iruka-sensei and Kamatari-san had shown them around and settled them in. He had even asked Kiba-san and Hana-san to attend to boost the number of hybrids at the official reception and the feast that was to follow.
Konan-san had volunteered to mind the younger children, including the triplets. None of the big litter could do it because they were going to be at the feast helping Choza-san.
Haru hoped he didn’t drop anything.

Everyone took their places in the Hall. Papa stood at the front, under the crest, with To-chan on his left. There was no one in the traditional bodyguard position and To-chan wasn’t wearing his tags.
Haru hoped that the Ninken’s crew understood the compliment they were being paid. Papa would be open to a personal challenge. It was his way of acknowledging their loyalty; he was treating them like crew.
Their crew was lined up on either side, facing inwards, creating an aisle.
The big litter were five a side between Papa and To-chan and the rest of the crew. On Haru’s side were Kazuki, Hoshi, Yuki and Kuuya. On the other side were Yoshimi, Yasushi, Keizo, Hikaru and Ryuu.
Ran was next to Iruka-sensei.

Haru’s first thought was that Captain Bull was huge; as tall as Kisame-san and much wider. He made Kakashi-san, who was escorting them, look fragile.
In contrast Spokesperson Pakkun was tiny, shorter than him and Ka-chan.
As they walked up the aisle towards Papa, Haru realised that they were like To-chan. No image, not even a 3D vid, of To-chan ever conveyed what he was like, only one of Shi-chan’s all-senses simulations could come close.
If you looked at a picture of the Ninken’s crew you might think they looked rather comic. In reality they were scary. Only someone with very bad judgement would treat them with anything other than respect.

They stopped in front of Papa and Kakashi-san took his place at the side.
Papa drew his knife and held it high. “In the cold of space...”
Everyone who had a knife drew it and mimicked Papa’s action. “...you find the heat of suns!”
There was the sound of steel against leather as over forty knives were returned to their scabbards.
“Crew of the Ninken, welcome,” Papa began in his special voice that could fill a room. “You honour us with your presence. We commend you for your exemplary service and unshakable loyalty.
“Today the Ninken is promoted to the rank of Uchiha Allied Vessel, Premier Class. As the first crew to achieve this rank, the Ninken will also be known as UAV One.”
Papa then presented them with a plaque for their ship and a gold badge to each member of the crew.

After that they broke ranks for the feast. Akemi, Misora, Keitaro and Ran moved the low tables to make a large U shape while the big litter placed the floor cushions.
The crew of the Ninken were seated with Papa and To-chan under the crest. Papa sat in the middle with Captain Bull on his right and To-chan on his left.
Everyone else took their places along the two sides of the U.

It was the big litter’s job to set the table, bring out the food and then take away the empty dishes. Misora, Keitaro and Ran were keeping everyone’s cup filled.
It was hard work. Their crew ate a lot but it was nothing in comparison to what the crew of the Ninken managed; it was like feeding To-chan eight times over.
Every so often Papa would call one of them over and introduce them to Captain Bull and the rest of the crew. When it came to Haru’s turn he managed to bow properly and answer the question that Spokesperson Pakkun asked him.

Once every dish was empty and cleared, they lined up and bowed. To-chan was smiling at them, obviously pleased, and Papa complimented them on doing a good job.
They finished cleaning up in the kitchen off the Hall as the music started. Under Choza-san and Kiba-san’s supervision, they boxed the left-overs, cycled the dish cleaners, packed the stained table linen into baskets and stored the crockery and cutlery.
Then what was to be returned to the crew room was loaded onto a hover platform while they cleaned the kitchen.
Occasionally Misora or Keitaro would come in to refill a jug. The music from the Hall was lively; Haru could hear Papa’s biwa, Tayuya-san’s flute and Tenten-san’s drum.
“Time to go,” Kiba-san told them. “You too, Ran-chan.”
Choza-san smiled at them. “Thank you for your assistance. You did an excellent job.” He squeezed Kiba-san’s arm. “You could stay.”
Kiba-san shook his head. “No. I am going to rescue Konan-san and make sure all the children settle down. Later?”

Choza-san gave Kiba-san one of those soft looks that were often exchanged between lovers. “Later,” he agreed.

Ryuu and Kuuya guided the hover platform back to the big kitchen where Hoshi and Yuki volunteered to make sure all the leftovers were stored in the correct places. Then Kiba-san gave them forty minutes for themselves before he expected everyone to be in their own room.
He and Kazuki escaped into Ran’s room.
Ran had already invited Sai to join them. Today he was full-sized and sitting on Ran’s desk. Haru was pleased with the effect; he had spent a lot of time and effort getting the projectors in Ran’s room just so.

Kazuki and Ran told Sai about the crew of the Ninken and the feast. Haru curled about a pillow on Ran’s bed. He was tired; the excitement of the day and serving at the feast had taken it out of him.
“It would have been better if at least one of you had worn a camera and microphone,” Sai complained.
Haru was slowly drifting away but too sleepy to care. He left it up to Ka-chan to try explaining why bugging the Hall during an official function was unacceptable.
Finally Kazuki told Sai that he was fed up with answering questions.
“I think we’re going touring in the Oak,” Ran announced into the silence.
It took a few moments for Ran’s words to sink in and banish any thought of sleep. In that time, Ka-chan had already started asking questions.
“Ir-chan and Kashi-san have said a few things and stopped in the middle of saying others,” Ran explained. “Ir-chan thinks it would be good for Shika-san.”
Haru could see that; Klenn-sensei’s death had hit Shi-chan hard. “Do you think we’ll all go?” he asked. “Will the household be closed?”
Ran shrugged.
“Will I go?” Sai asked.
“Of course,” Haru replied. He thought back to the battle to persuade Sai to move to the pocket array; it had been harder than getting Ran to leave his room on the Oak. “We may have to get you some new projectors.”
“What about the simulators?”
Haru was pretty sure that To-chan and Papa would want to take the simulators in order to keep checking the kits and Ryuu for berserker tendencies, but he didn’t want to say so in front of Ka-chan.
“Not that Sumiko wants to play often,” Sai added.
There was silence. Sumiko had outgrown her ‘imaginary’ friend and Haru had insisted that Sai shouldn’t tell her that he was real. Occasionally she would get nostalgic for her fairyland and pay a visit, but not often.
“She’s safer this way,” Haru reminded him.
“She is safer this way,” Sai echoed, “but I miss her.”

They were told officially the next morning. Apparently the departure date had been moved forward so that they could give the Ninken a lift outwards.
All their usual activities were suspended in favour of packing.

Haru was delighted when Shi-chan turned up in the playroom and asked for him. Whatever Shi-chan had in mind had to be a thousand times better than sorting the contents of cupboards so they could be packed.
Kiba-san looked suspicious but gave him permission to leave.
“In-san and En-san can’t decide if they want to go or to stay,” Shi-chan explained as they left the crew room, heading, Haru now realised, for In-san’s laboratory. “Yesterday they were fine about going. Today they are panicking about leaving Nagato-chan and Konan-san.”
“Tatsuji-san is going?” Haru asked.
“Yes, but he could probably stay if In-san and En-san were.” Shi-chan grimaced. “We need them to make up their mind and stick to it before Iruka-sensei blows a gasket.”
“Why aren’t Konan-san and Nagato-chan coming with us?” Haru asked. “All the other children are going. Nagato-chan is going to be awfully lonely.”
Haru suddenly realised that he was walking alone; Shi-chan had stopped, turned and was going the other way. He ran to catch up.

They found Iruka-sensei in his office. Having established that he had no objections to Konan-san, Hana-san and Nagato-chan accompanying them on the Oak, they began looking for Papa.
He wasn’t in his office. In the end they found out that he had been at Uchiha Headquarters and was on his way back.
Haru would have waited for him outside his office but Shi-chan had them lurking in the park.

Papa waved Sumaru-san, Konohamaru-san and Kamatari-san to go on ahead.
“Shika,” he acknowledged. “Haru-chan.”
Shi-chan launched into his explanation about In-san and En-san, concluding, “Haru-chan suggested that we ask Konan-san to bring Hana-san and Nagato-chan on the Oak, so we are checking if that is allowable.”
“Who have you asked so far?” Papa checked.
“Iruka-sensei,” Shi-chan answered. “He was fine with it.”
Papa considered before speaking. “I think Haru is correct, Nagato-chan will miss Tsu-chan and Shou-chan. Ha-chan, who do you think would be the best person to ask Konan-san to consider accompanying us on the Oak?”
Haru thought about it. “Tsu-chan and Shou-chan will miss Nagato-chan too,” he suggested.
“That is so,” Papa agreed.
“Then I think To-chan would be the best person to ask her,” Haru decided.
Papa smiled at him. “Very well deduced, Haru-chan. I believe that your To-chan is in his office and will doubtless welcome an interruption.”

To-chan was indeed in his office. He was sitting at his desk viewing tapes.
He looked sad.
Papa went directly to him. “Naruto, I thought we agreed you wouldn’t do this,” he scolded gently. “You would send the tapes on to the HDF office.”
“But they’re addressed to me,” To-chan replied. “I have to check them first.”
Haru realised that the tapes were from people asking for help.
To-chan turned off the viewer, turned to him and smiled. “What’s up Haru-chan?”
Haru began telling To-chan about In-san and En-san. “So we think it would be good if they all came with us but that means Konan-san has to change her mind. We think you would be the best person to ask her.”
“We?” To-chan queried.

“Haru,” Papa specified.
Haru felt himself blushing. “Please, To-chan. If you ask Konan-san, it tells her that Papa is all right with it,” he explained.
To-chan turned his gaze on Shi-chan, who looked a bit guilty.
Haru wondered what he was missing.
Then To-chan stood up. “Very well, the sooner the better given the amount of packing everyone has to do.” He kissed Papa on the cheek. “I’d better go alone or Konan-san will realise it’s a conspiracy. Perhaps Haru-chan should go back to the playroom,” he added but he was looking at Shi-chan when he said it, so Haru did the same.
Shi-chan’s face fell; if he had had whiskers, they would have drooped.
“Or maybe not,” To-chan suggested and then smiled when Shi-chan perked up.

Haru realised that To-chan was teasing Shi-chan. He liked it when he got to see To-chan and Shi-chan and Papa being friends. To-chan headed for the door, Shi-chan was watching him and Haru’s attention was caught by a look from Papa.
“Look after Shika-san,” he mouthed.
Haru gave a tiny nod. He understood; with everyone so busy Shi-chan could be on his own grieving while each person thought he was with someone else.

They started off by completing the journey to In-san’s laboratory, where they found En-san in meltdown and In-san trying to ignore him and pack, which was nigh on impossible.
“Don’t think of it as packing, En-san,” Haru advised.
At least it distracted En-san enough for In-san to begin sorting through one of the many work surfaces.
“Think of it as getting In-san to tidy up. You are always trying to get him to tidy up.”
It worked. En-san managed a smile. “I suppose so.”
In-san threw him a look that Haru took to mean, ‘Keep it up, I can get on while he’s talking.’
“Kiba-san is insisting we sort and tidy everything, whether we are going to take it or not,” Haru added.
“Are you looking forward to being on the Oak again, Haru-chan?” En-san asked.
Haru tried his best to smile. “Yes, although it probably won’t be much different from being here. Not unless Papa lets us drop to the planets or disembark at the spacestations.” He couldn’t see Papa allowing either; he was obsessed with keeping them safe after the kidnapping.
Which In-san had planned, which was the weirdest thought.
“Maybe interesting people will visit you on the Oak,” En-san suggested.
Haru liked that idea. “That would be good. Maybe I’ll get to meet Kotohime-san when we go to Haven.” Haven was their first port of call. “I hope you and In-san decide to come with us,” he admitted. “Although I’ll understand if you decide to stay,” he added hastily.
En-san sighed. “I shall miss you and Shika-san so much if we do not go.” The hands moving over the desk started to tremble. “Perhaps Sasuke-sama won’t agree to Tatsuji staying.”
“En-chan!” In-san complained. “Stop making up problems that may not exist.”
“You want to leave Nagato-chan,” En-san accused.
“I do not. How could you stay such a thing?”
Haru sighed and looked towards Shi-chan, who shrugged and looked helpless.
There was a knock at the door.
“Why don’t you answer that Haru-chan?” Shi-chan suggested.

It was Hana-san and, as Haru had hoped, she was there to tell In-san and En-san that Konan-san’s plans had changed and that they were all going on the Oak.
Haru thought Hana managed very well when En-san hugged her, although she did insist she had a great deal to do and refuse to enter the laboratory.
As soon as she left, En-san danced his and In-san’s body around the room in celebration while In-san grumbled.
Then he and Shi-chan were alone because En-san had dashed off to tell Tatsuji-san.
Haru stared at the open doorway and imagined what it would be like to share his body with Kazuki.
“They are never lonely though,” Shi-chan pointed out, as if Haru had voiced his thought. “I really should check on how Neji and Su-chan are doing. They are packing her things.” He paused to judge Haru’s reaction. “You are welcome to come.”

Sumiko’s scowl confirmed that she didn’t want Haru on her territory. He made sure that he did not put a foot over the threshold of her room but it appeared that even being in the sitting room that the three of them shared was a major offense.
Even Shi-chan’s suggestion of cookies didn’t work.
“We’ll have the midday meal together,” Neji-san promised, steering Shi-chan towards the door to the shared area. “Why don’t you and Ha-chan have cookies in the kitchen?”

Unlike the rest of the crew, Choza-san seemed completely unfazed by the move to the Oak. He had a few baskets packed with his favourite utensils and ingredients but otherwise the kitchen was unaffected. He swiftly made a cup of coffee in for Shi-chan and poured a cup of fruit juice for Haru.
“Five standards is a long time for you children,” Choza-san explained. “Everything you have and use has changed. For us it is different. The galley on the Oak is there waiting for me. My room is waiting for me. It will be like putting on a different pair boots that fit as well as the ones I have been wearing.”
Haru could see that. Choza-san put the cookie jar on the table. Inside was one of Haru’s favourites and next to it was one of Su-chan’s.
“Maybe we should take cookies to Su-chan and Neji-san,” he suggested.
“That is an excellent idea, Ha-chan,” Choza replied before Shi-chan could comment. “A tray with tea for Neji-san and juice and a cookie for Sumiko-chan.”

They had it ready when Neji-san and Sumiko appeared in the doorway. Su-chan was still scowling at him but it no longer looked like she really meant it.
“Haru-chan was about to bring you juice and a cookie,” Choza pointed out.
Su-chan looked at the tray and then at Haru. Haru could see her thinking that he had chosen the correct cookie. He tensed; he would not put it past her to pretend it wasn’t.
All three adults were waiting; hoping that she would say something nice.
She smiled at him. It was utterly sweet, completely false and made him want to hit her. “Thank you, Ha-ru-chan,” she singsonged, just like Takara did when she wanted to annoy him.
Choza-san smiled hopefully, Neji-san sighed and Shi-chan finished the rest of his coffee with a single gulp. Then they looked at him.
Haru was eleven and she was only seven. She was one while he was one of ten. He had Ran and she hadn’t anyone she could call a friend. He had To-chan and Papa while she still missed her Pa and her Ma.
And today, for the first time since Shi-chan had become Sumiko’s Nii-san, he and Shi-chan had spent time together without pretending it was a lesson or a duty.
Haru smiled. “You are welcome. Sumiko-chan.
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