"Man, this is such a drag," Shikamaru Nara groaned, pulling back on the reins to avoid trampling the children that ran across the street. His buckskin mare whinnied softly, her black-socked legs twitching in her anticipation to be off. Just like her rider, she had little patience. The brown-haired, brown-eyed man gently patted the horse's soft black tresses. "I hear ya, Sekkachi," he murmured.
A young man pulled his horse alongside the Nara's. The stallion was a deep black, challenging even the darkness of his rider's hair and matching onyx eyes. The small white snip on his nose wiggled as he nibbled on his bit lazily, the dime-sized dot the only blemish on his perfect darkness. Sasuke Uchiha's piercing gaze burned into the small bodies as the seemingly never-ending group crossed the street. The heat of his eyes boring into them seemed to urge them along. As the line ended, he gently dug his heels into his horse's flanks, clicking his tongue as he urged Kage forward.
The horses' shoes clanked on the cobblestone road as they padded down the crowded street. Konohagakure was going about it's usual calm Tuesday, with citizens strolling lazily throughout the town. Feeble calls could be heard as women dragged their young children behind them while the younglings watched dreamily at the older children running through the alleys. Men strolled slowly through the terrace, either finding their way to a salon or pub of some sort or sitting outside stores, puffing the smoke of their cigars at passersby as they gossiped lowly.
Sasuke growled lowly as more children followed by some dogs raced in front of them again. "I can't believe this! Why can't my father just send Kakashi or even Itachi on his errands? Why am I the one who is forced into these trivalent activities? That's what slaves are for!"
Shikamaru shrugged lazily, glancing at his best friend. "Maybe he just likes to piss you off."
The raven snorted. "Well that part is obvious."
Finally reaching the town square, the two young men fell into silence as they dismounted. Tying the reins to the post provided, they turned and glided through the array of people, finding it much easier now that they were on foot, to the other side of the large plaza.
An unstable-looking, wooden stage was set up in the far corner of the square, but a decent-sized crowd had already surrounded the juncture. The two young men stayed on the outskirts of the congregation as a tall man stepped up onto the platform. His hair was a dark black only making his pale skin seem an even brighter white. His yellow gaze held anything but warmth and couldn't seem to decide who to settle on. A long, freakish tongue shot out, moistening his already wet lips.
"Welcome, welcome all!" He boomed across the square. "I am Orochimaru, your gracious host for the moment. We have a delectable selection today and I believe you will all go home satisfied! With that, out they come!" With a sweeping hand and slight bow that seemed and could quite possibly be mocking, the first five pairs of feet scuffled onto the wobbly surface.
The slave auction had begun.
Orochimaru began to speak of the hard-working abilities these people could handle, buttering them up till they were drenched as he tried to sell. Unimpressed by the skinny, piles of bones this man was trying to push upon them, Sasuke watched, bored, as they were auctioned off to people who the raven was sure would be dissatisfied later. The second batch presented showed more promise with more sturdy-looking workers, but the Uchiha was still uninterested. However, the third batch looked to be the best so far. Racking his eyes down each slave, he inspected every single part of them. Then he saw the last slave of the bunch. His spikey hair was an unusual blonde color, more of a shining yellow sun than the normal hair shade. Then, as the slave on stage looked at the crowd who was investigating him and his comrades, his eyes fell on Sasuke. The raven froze, his feet wielded to the ground below him. The intensity of the blue gaze was enough to knock a knight off his horse; to pull Arthur's sword from the stone. Even though they were dull with exhaustion and hunger, they were still so...exquisite. Finally finding the use of his limbs again, the raven strode through the crowd towards this curiosity, the questioning cries of his best friend echoing behind him.
Sasuke hopped up on the stage, as was allowed to those interested. The slave gazed curiously at the approaching man and the oceany-blue nearly drowned him again. As if to shake himself away from the hypnotism, he grabbed the slave unnecessarily roughly, turning him. With a firm, controlling hand, he poked and prodded the young man, feeling muscles, seeing if he'd be able to maintain work. Grabbing his chin, Sasuke inspected his face, searching for any of the the tell-tale signs that this young man held any of the diseases commonly found among the slave population. Finding none, he turned to Orochimaru, releasing the blonde's chin. "I'll give you ten gold pieces."
"I'll give thirteen!" Someone from the crowd exclaimed.
"Fifteen," Sasuke shot back, sending a glare into the crowd, searching for the one who had spoken. No one challenged him, and silence was beheld as everyone recognized him for what he was: an Uchiha. And you didn't mess with Uchiha's no matter what the circumstances. The snake-like man slithered the rope that bound the slave into the raven's hand. "He's all yours!" A few beads of saliva flew to the young man's face as the tongue flipped out again, and Sasuke hastily wiped the unwanted moisture away in annoyance, already pulling his new property down to the ground and through the crowd to where Shikamaru waited.
The Nara looked over the purchase. "Not a bad deal, Sasuke. You're getting good at this..."
"That's only because my father keeps sending me to get more of these damned things!" The Uchiha felt the slave stiffen beside him. Oh no, Sasuke sneered in his head. Did I offend him?
From the sixth and final batch, Sasuke purchased another slave. The young man's hair resembled the blonde's in the way of spikes, but that's where it stopped. His hair was a dark brown with matching slit eyes and a red claw was tattooed on either cheek. He had a sturdy build and appeared promising. A fuzzy white dog with brown ears was perched atop his shoulder. Orochimaru had aclaimed this a double deal, a package since the dog could work as well as his master. With a muttered, "What the hell," Sasuke bought him. He was drawn in by easy sales and fair deals as long as it proved to profit him in some way.
With all the slaves sold off and no other reason to stay about, the myriad began to shift, dispersing in all directions. Leading the newly-bought property back across the square, Sasuke and Shikamaru picked up a small conversation concerning the Nara's mother who was currently bed-ridden with the flu. They reached their horses, feeling slight feelings of relief that the creatures were unharmed by the bustling crowds. Untying them from the horse-post, the two young men turned them in the direction of their homes.
With the blonde tied behind Sasuke's stallion and Dog-Boy behind Shikamaru's mare, they started for the hills. Glancing back at his merchandise, Sasuke examined the strong, able-looking bodies. He was satisfied with them but would his father be? He didn't feel like dealing with one of the eldest Uchiha's infamous lectures. Hell, no one ever did. Shifting his eyes back at the bright-haired boy behind his horse again, the raven narrowed his eyes in thought. What was it about this slave that made him freeze on the spot?
A growl rumbled in his throat, earning him a curious yet bored look from Shikamaru. He didn't like to be left in the dark about things; he liked to know the situation and what was going on around him. However, the affect that sapphire gaze had had on him was a mystery and not one that Sasuke liked. With an agitated huff, he turned from the penetration of those blue orbs. He'd resolve this problem, even if it meant cutting those blasted eyes out of his head!
A/N: Yes, Shikamaru is his best friend. You don't see much of that and I thought I'd bring it out some. I don't know about you, but I'd like to be Sasuke's slave...he can poke and prod me all he wants ;) Oh, and I didn't know what kind of money they used so we're just going with gold pieces :D
Review and Sasuke (or whoever you desire) will become your master! Or your slave..whichever you so desire.. ;3