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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
- 87
- 88
- 89
Thank you to my beta and muse, Small Fox. This story grew from a plot idea he gave me.
Also thanks to The horseman of death, satterb, melissen, blugirlami21 and Anon (sadie237) for reviewing after chapter 87 was posted.
Readers’ feedback, support and comments mean a great deal to me. Feedback keeps me writing.
It is difficult to write at the moment. Real life is getting in the way and I have lost momentum. I have finished chapter 89, 90 and 91 but that is all so I think Saturday-only posting will continue or I may run out of material.
All encouragement gratefully received.

Leader
Part 9: Family
88: Negotiation

By the time they jumped into the same system as the Centralite ship, Sasuke had his list of things they could offer and that Centre might want.
It started with a collection of rare information Shikamaru had accumulated and then ran: acting as Centre’s agent; the minigates, opportunities to study Shikamaru; the route finder.
Sasuke himself had swung between moments of optimism, when he imagined convincing Centre to leave Shikamaru with them because it was the right thing to do, and waking up in a sweat from nightmares in which he was running through the household on Tarrasade looking for anyone that Centre had missed when they had taken his family.
There was nothing to be gained from delay. They were as ready as they ever would be. Sasuke ordered Inari to send his request for a real-time video link with Citizen Servant Ector Bettencourt.

Sasuke took a deep breath. He often spoke with strangers over a live link. Neji had the process carefully refined: the position of the display so that he could make good eye contact; the crest on the wall; his desk; his jacket; the way he positioned his hand to display his rings.
Only there had never been a Centralite, worse a Citizen Servant, on the other end.
He told himself that Ector Bettencourt could not be any more imposing than Klennethon Darrent had been.

Naruto and Kakashi were hovering beyond the camera and the display; Naruto to give him support and Kakashi in case he needed more advice than Neji could give him. Shikamaru and Iruka were monitoring the meeting remotely; Neji thought that having Shikamaru present might disturb Sasuke’s composure.

Neji was counting down with his fingers. Then a man’s face and upper torso appeared on the display. He was wearing the black uniform of a permanent member of the Centralite Civil Service.
“Citizen Servant, it is generous of you to accept my request for contact,” Sasuke began.
The man did not reply immediately. Sasuke reminded himself to not judge this man by spacer standards or even to expect him to understand the spacer code.
“You are Sasuke Uchiha?” the man checked.
Sasuke settled for a small bow.
“You look remarkably like your relative, given the number of generations between you. I did not realise that spacer clans were so inbred.”
Neji was signalling that he should stay calm; that the man, who was presumably Bettencourt, might be trying to annoy him.
“We are both Uchiha,” Sasuke acknowledged. “I believe that you may have business with me.”
Bettencourt raised an eyebrow slightly. “I have an interest in the man who goes by the name of Shikamaru, from the family line Nara, who was born on the planet Darrenden to parents Shikaku and Yoshino.”

Straight to the heart of the matter; Sasuke’s heart rate quickened. “Shikamaru is sworn to Uchiha. He has dedicated his life to the clan and I, as his clan leader, am responsible for his safety and welfare.”
“He is a typed-seven genius. Centre’s stated intention is to claim all typed-geniuses. Humanity is much safer when such minds are controlled rather than allowed to run amok.”
It irritated Sasuke that Centre should claim to care for anyone other than Centralites. “You are outside Centre’s jurisdiction here,” he stated, ignoring the way Neji’s eyes widened and his gestures for calm intensified.
“That is an interesting point of view,” Bettencourt replied. “I shall humour it for now.”
The man was so condescending that Sasuke ached to wipe the smug expression of superiority off his face.
“You say that Shikamaru owes a lifetime of service to your clan,” Bettencourt continued. “How much to buy him?”
Rage exploded from somewhere deep within. Every iota of Sasuke’s common sense was incinerated. He was on his feet snarling at the camera. “Who do you think you are? How dare to come to my home and offer to buy a member of my family. You have no honour. Say that again to my face and you will face my knife!”

Then he realised that the display had gone blank. It distracted him enough to get a hold of his temper. He sank back down into his chair.
What had he done? How much damage had he caused?
Why wasn’t Kakashi ripping him apart?
Neji turned to Naruto and gave a small smile. “Thank you Naruto-san.”
“Any time,” Naruto replied, twirling the end of the power cable about his head.
“How much do you think he saw or heard?” Kakashi asked.
“No words,” Neji confirmed. “He may have seen the beginning of Sasuke-sama’s change of expression but I believe we cut the power before the snarl of murderous intent.”
Relief washed through him. “You were ready for it,” he complained.
“Not for something so extreme or so soon,” Neji admitted. “However I had asked Naruto-san to interrupt the power supply if he believed that you were going to say something we might regret. I believe that Ector Bettencourt is the Central Civil Service equivalent of a Hyuga combined with a highly qualified psychologist. In other words, Sasuke-sama, he can play you as well as you play your biwa.”

Sasuke’s body was buzzing with the aftermath of his anger. How in known space was he going to negotiate with someone who could make him lose his temper that quickly?
The intercom clicked.
“This is Inari. We apologised to the Centralite ship for the loss of contact as Neji-san had instructed but the Citizen Servant is asking to speak to Sasuke-sama as soon as it can be arranged.”
“Do you think you can hold it together?” Kakashi asked.
“We can always pull the plug again,” Naruto added.
Sasuke straightened his jacket and sat down at his desk. “Make the link,” he ordered.

This time they stared at each other. Sasuke was determined to wait him out. After a few long seconds, the man smiled slightly.
“Uchiha-sama,” he acknowledged.
The tone and the address were unexpectedly pleasant. Sasuke told himself that it was merely another way of manipulating him. “Bettencourt-san,” he replied. He decided to take the initiative. “I believe that you may be under a misapprehension. Shikamaru-san is not a resource or a commodity. He is a person, a member of my family and a close personal friend.”
Bettencourt bowed slightly. “I apologise, Uchiha-sama. I felt obliged to check that you do not see Shikamaru in the same way as Izuna Uchiha sees him. May we move forward by me sharing my point of view?”
“That would be useful,” Sasuke admitted. “Please continue.”
“When Izuna Uchiha told me that Shikamaru was a typed-seven genius, I doubted the accuracy of the information. There are many myths about typed-geniuses. The term is often applied wrongly to those at the edge of human variation rather than those far beyond it.
“I searched the data bases for the information we hold on him. His family line had been flagged for testing for generations. His test scores were more impressive than his father’s but not truly exceptional.
“Only once I was back in Centre, we had a case conference and my opinion began to evolve. Experts had examined the actual records of the tests he had taken, rather than merely the scores. Uchiha-sama, a child of three standards who can cheat so well that it took us over three decades to detect it is more than exceptional.
“So I was dispatched to investigate further and to make a recommendation based on my findings. I started this journey willing to believe that Shikamaru was a typed-genius but by no means convinced. Even if he was, he was unlikely to be a typed-seven. It was much more likely he was a typed-five. Typed-fives are by no means common but they are approximately ten thousand times more common than typed-sevens.
“Then, astonishingly, I get a light speed message. Someone has walked into the recruiting office in Tarrasade, taken the entrance test and registered a perfect typed-seven score. And, yes, the genetic profile proves it is Shikamaru.”

Sasuke wanted to beat his forehead against the surface of his desk. Maybe, if Shikamaru had not been so keen to protect Haru, they could have fed Bettencourt’s predisposition to believe that his ability fell short of Centre’s requirements.

Bettencourt was continuing. “So we have an interesting situation, Uchiha-sama. Some of my superiors wish me to implement official Centralite policy, which is to bring in any typed-genius detected. Others question that policy. Do you know why, Uchiha-sama?”
“Because all the typed-seven geniuses taken to Centre go insane?” Sasuke suggested.
“It is true that all the typed-seven geniuses acquired by Centre over the centuries have been non-functional,” Bettencourt admitted. “However, that is not why some of my superiors question official policy. The problem is, Uchiha-sama, that it is impossible to make typed-seven geniuses perform typed-seven behaviours.”
Sasuke could not help smiling at that.
“I see that I have struck a chord. The truth is that is frighteningly easy to destroy typed-seven geniuses and impossible to control them. There have been a few cases where psychologists thought they were in control, but it was invariably an illusion.”

Sasuke decided that it was time to start bargaining. He kept an eye on Neji, ready to modify what he was saying according to any advice he was receiving.
“Shikamaru-san is much better off living with us than he would be in the Institute on Centre I,” he offered.
“That may be true but it is unlikely to convince my superiors,” Bettencourt countered.
Neji gave him the signal to try number four on the list they had prepared. “Shikamaru-san is much more likely to cooperate with you if he is where he wishes to be than if he is being incarcerated against his will.”
Bettencourt’s eyes lit up. “That, Uchiha-sama, is interesting.”

Shikamaru did not know how he felt about meeting Ector Bettencourt. He did not like the idea of being an object of study, but it would be a small price to pay if it would keep Centre away from Haru and Sai.
He knew he should not trust Bettencourt because the man had amazing manipulative skills. On the other hand, he was coming onto the Elm alone, which showed impressive commitment.
It was only for twenty minutes; a taster to give Sasuke some ammunition for the subsequent negotiation.
Because, incredibly, Sasuke’s crazy idea appeared to be working.

It proved to be a little unnerving but otherwise boring. Bettencourt seemed content just to watch him. Neji was his usual impassive self. Naruto was in bodyguard mode.
Shikamaru was wishing that they had included Iruka, who would have managed the conversation.
“Would you like some more tea, Bettencourt-san?” Neji asked.
“No thank you, Neji-san,” Bettencourt replied.
Shikamaru’s dislike of boredom won out. “Are there no questions you wish to ask me, Bettencourt-san?”
Bettencourt gave a small, contented sigh. “Thousands, Shikamaru-san. However, at this moment, I am still marvelling that you wear clothes and communicate using comprehendible sentences, never mind that you bother with social niceties.”
“My mother was very particular about such things,” Shikamaru admitted.
“May I ask questions about your background and experiences, Shikamaru-san? Such questions are utterly unacceptable in Centralite society and, I believe, similar conventions exist in spacer culture.”
“Go ahead. I can always choose not to answer.”
“Whom in your life now fulfils that function?”
It was an interesting question. In his head he answered it directly; Iruka and Sumiko. Out loud he was less forthcoming. “Traditional spacer crews have many conventions and routines,” he replied. “Various people in the crew require me to comply.”
“Is that so? There have been several occasions where psychologists have tried to insist that typed-seven geniuses follow routines. None were successful.”
Shikamaru shrugged. “Maybe they didn’t start young enough. Maybe it requires the mother-child bond to set the behaviours. Maybe the caregiver wasn’t tough enough, or not loving enough, or maybe he or she was alienated by the child’s behaviour.” He stopped, aware of a new expression on Bettencourt’s face but unable to interpret it. He looked to Neji.
“Bettencourt-san is wishing he had asked if he could record your conversation,” Neji pointed out.
Shikamaru smiled at him. “Then that should be one of things you should mention when you negotiate with Sasuke-sama, Bettencourt-san.”

The twenty minutes were soon up and Naruto escorted Bettencourt back to the secure shuttle bay while Shikamaru and Neji joined Sasuke, Iruka and Kakashi in the meeting room. Once Naruto arrived, they settled down to discuss what they had learned.
“Did anything strike you, Shika-san?” Sasuke began.
Shikamaru shrugged. “He was very careful not to upset me. It felt like he thought I would break if he breathed on me.”
Neji suddenly laughed, which surprised Shikamaru and, from their expressions, shocked the others.
“Neji-san?” Sasuke queried.
“Sasuke-sama, I believe that Centre has no idea that a typed-seven genius can be useful. I am sure of it. Their experience tells them that typed-seven geniuses are fragile, unreliable and incomprehensible.”
Pieces came together from various layers and corners of Shikamaru’s mind. It made sense. It even explained some of Klenn’s attitude to him.
“So if he was a typed-five they would not hesitate to take him,” Kakashi suggested.
There was silence; Haru was a typed-five.
“We’re not going to let them anywhere near Haru,” Iruka reminded them.

Shikamaru tried not to dwell too much on protecting Haru and keeping Sai a secret. Instead he thought about what Bettencourt had told him. “You know, I think I could spout any old nonsense and the Centralite psychologists wouldn’t question it.”
Neji made a sound suspiciously close to a chuckle. “No, they would make recording of it and then pour over it for standards. In two centuries’ time some young, radical scholar would write a paper suggesting that you had been conning them and be ostracised for it.”
Naruto was frowning. “But you are obviously not useless. You wear a knife, which shows you can fight. Lots of people outside Uchiha know you have a reputation for problem-solving. Ask anyone who knows about Uchiha and they will say that you are one of the keys to Uchiha’s success.”
“That’s the wonderful thing about Centre,” Kakashi pointed out. “They won’t ask anyone. They value their opinion far above anyone else’s.” He frowned. “It would be different if they had put one of their Fringe Agents onto it, but they haven’t. We’re dealing with scientists who only care about their research.”
“So what next?” Iruka asked.

Next were several live video links between Sasuke and Bettencourt, during which they arranged a series of meetings spread across the next fifty standards. Centralite psychologists would interview Shikamaru under the supervision of Uchiha personnel in the secure suite of an Uchiha ship. In return, Centre would leave Shikamaru with his family.
Key to the agreement was Bettencourt’s report stating that Shikamaru’s stability was dependent on him staying with the people who had cared for him for the last two decades and supported him through his parents’ deaths.

Throughout the negotiation, Shikamaru had expected Bettencourt to ask to examine him or at least interview him but he hadn’t. It was odd. Lady knew what evidence he was going to base his report on; Shikamaru didn’t.
Then, at the end of the second day, as they were closing the deal, Bettencourt asked. Or rather he demanded. He wanted a face-to-face, private interview with Shikamaru or the agreement was off.
“I am sorry, Shika,” Sasuke admitted. “I should have seen it coming. He’s been far too nice throughout.”
“I think I can cope with him,” Shikamaru assured him.
“Naruto will be in the room,” Sasuke assured him. “He will wear earplugs and he will promise not to read lips but he will watch the whole time. If you signal for help or Bettencourt steps out of line, Naruto will subdue him.”
Shikamaru tried not to think how Centre would react if one of its permanent Civil Servants was ‘subdued’ by a hybrid.

They settled face to face across a table. Naruto was standing behind Bettencourt with his back to the wall.
“Shikamaru-san,” Bettencourt acknowledged. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“Bettencourt-san,” Shikamaru replied. “You left me no choice. I don’t know how familiar you are with highly functional hybrids, Bettencourt-san, but I would recommend not making any sudden movements towards me. Naruto-san can be overprotective and he moves so fast that you would not have time to explain.”
“I understand, Shikamaru-san. Now, to my reason for requesting this interview. The agreement we have come up with will satisfy my superiors and delight the psychologists. I am sure that you can come up with various intriguing ways to behave when they interview you.”
Icy fingers of dread crept up Shikamaru’s spine. This was a very different Bettencourt from the man he had met before. The fascinated scientist had gone, replaced by someone much more dangerous.
“Please do not look like that, Shikamaru-san, or I fear Naruto-san will pull my head from my shoulders.”
Shikamaru tried to relax. “Then I suggest you stop scaring me.”
Bettencourt smiled, which helped a little. “I apologise. We had a mutual acquaintance. Someone that you called a friend but, to my regret, I could not.”
“Klenn,” Shikamaru whispered.
“Yes, Citizen Klennethon Darrent. The one typed-genius who got away.”
“Is that why they would not take my application?”
“Yes, typed-geniuses are now refused entry to the CCS via the usual entrance examination.” Bettencourt studied him for a few minutes and then nodded, as if he had made a decision. “Klennethon Darrent asked me to look out for you. He suggested this strategy should Centre’s attention fall on you.”
Shikamaru wondered if Klenn had asked Bettencourt to look out for Haru as well. He couldn’t ask; it was too risky. Bettencourt himself had warned them that typed-fives were routinely acquired. As for Sai; Bettencourt was a Centralite and Centre had been founded by anti-Tronny zealots.
Thinking of that made him question Bettencourt’s loyalties. He pointed to the black uniform. “But you are sworn to the CCS, as I am sworn to Uchiha.”
Bettencourt hesitated before answering. “It is not in the interests of the Central Civil Service or Centre itself to take you to Centre against your will, is it?”
Shikamaru felt himself flush. “Given that they think I am harmless, not really,” he admitted.
“I am therefore content that my actions are consistent with my oath. Also, what I have written in my report is true. I cannot be held responsible for the way my superiors and the psychologists choose to fill in the spaces between those truths.
“And, perhaps, in the future, when I have retired, you will indulge me by answering some of the questions I choose not to ask, like how you knew I was on my way to Tarrasade, how Uchiha travels so quickly and whether any of the multitude of rumours about you are true.”
Shikamaru decided the safest answer was a smile.
Bettencourt stood up. “It has been an honour and a privilege, Shikamaru-san. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Shikamaru got to his feet and signalled to Naruto to remove the earplugs. “Likewise, Bettencourt-san. Naruto-san will see you out.”

Then, once they had gone, he shut his eyes and thanked Klenn for his protection.
- 87
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- 89
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