ANBU Allure
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Unfortunately, the update rates for this fic will be a little unpredictable due to my busier than expected schedule. Don't worry though. I have every intention of finishing this fic and if we're lucky, it will be updated roughly once a week. Maybe a bit more or a bit less. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Notation: I decided to include a family scene for the Uchihas and while it's probably OOC, that's done for comedic purposes. Considering the Massacre never happened here, one could argue that perhaps it is IC of them though and if not, well it's still good for some laughs. Happy reading.
Chapter 3
"Mother, I'll be fine." Itachi shakes his head in amusement.
Every single time that the Uchiha in question had a mission, they went through this. It was a ritual of sorts. His mother would fuss over him, his father would politely roll his eyes at the fussing, and Sasuke would try to get details out of him.
"Itachi, every ninja always says that and not all of them make it home." She sighs as she hands him a backpack filled with his supplies. "Just promise me that you'll be careful."
Fugaku raises an eyebrow at Mikoto. "My love, he's not a child anymore." Yes, it was just like clockwork, but Itachi supposes there was a certain comfort in the familiarity and it was entertaining to watch his parents' interactions. "For that matter, neither is Sasuke. You do not have fuss like a mother hen."
Sasuke must have thought so too. Itachi was quite certain that was one of the main reasons why his foolish little brother liked to see his sendoffs. That and curiosity.
While the younger Uchiha never said as much directly, Itachi was positive that Sasuke knew that Itachi was an ANBU. His brother might be foolish, but he wasn't oblivious and it was only natural that he might be curious about the nature of ANBU missions.
"I suppose you're right." Mikoto nods at her husband.
Fugaku smirks at that. "Of course I'm right." It was no wonder where Sasuke had inherited his foolishness from really, how the man couldn't see what was coming was utterly behind Itachi.
"Yes, you're right. I don't need to fuss over them." She smiles sweetly at the Uchiha patriarch. "Oh and you do not need to sleep in our room. I'm sure that you'll be just as comfortable sleeping alone on the couch."
Understandably, his father looks rather horrified. Not that Itachi could blame the man. The couch threat was perhaps the most fearsome weapon that one's spouse or lover could lobby at them.
"Well, I suppose a little fussing is alright." He puts up his hands in mock surrender. "It just shows you care."
"That's right." Mikoto smiles at him and kisses his cheek. "My thoughts exactly."
"So what's the mission this time." Sasuke looks at Itachi.
Itachi just shakes his head again and pokes Sasuke. The response was automatic at this point as it had been for years, but there was something delightfully entertaining about seeing the young Jonin scowl at him like a child.
"You know that I can't tell you that." Itachi smiles teasingly at his fellow Uchiha. "But I do admire your determination as always. I'll see you all when I return and if possible, I'll attempt to keep in touch while on the mission."
Sasuke grumbles as he rubs his forehead. "You ALWAYS do that." Yes, Itachi did indeed and it never ceased to provide him with endless comedy.
So he just does what he knew would annoy his little brother most. Itachi pokes him yet again and takes off with a laugh.
"He'll probably fume about that the entire time I'm gone." Itachi chuckles to himself as he heads towards the designated meeting place. "Still, it's the simple pleasures in life that make it work living." Like annoying one's younger brother.
Meanwhile Kakashi chuckles as he flips another page in his book. He knew that Itachi was expecting him to be late, so he figured he'd surprise the other ninja by already being there.
There were few things in life more amusing than watching Itachi Uchiha look surprised about anything. The man simply was too good at predicting how events would unfold for such a thing to be a common occurance.
"Shame that his mask will cover his face." Kakashi smiles as he rereads another passage from his favorite book. "He does have the most adorable bubble eyes when truly stunned about something."
A fact that had made Kakashi's last ten years on the ANBU Blackops even more exciting than it usually would have been. Provoking a reaction from Itachi had always been exciting.
"Is there a reason you're staring at me?" Itachi glowered at Kakashi.
Honestly, the cute weasel was far too serious in Kakashi's opinion. Of course, that was somewhat of a requirement to be an ANBU, but still. It was the man's birthday.
"Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?" He chuckled as he watched the topless man bristle with poorly disguised rage.
Kakashi didn't have a clue why Itachi looked so furious really. The Uchiha prodigy's birthday had been a wonderfully relaxing one. Hell, he had even booked their team a private room in the bathhouse.
The water was hot and soothed his aching muscles, but there was another benefit. A shirtless Itachi was a pleasing sight. The far too somber boy had transformed into a beautiful man right underneath his nose.
"Because it's rude." Itachi rolled his eyes.
"In my defense, it would be almost impossible not to stare." Kakashi smiled at him with feigned contrition. "For the same reason that people stare at a tiger. You're as beautiful as you are powerful."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kakashi noticed to his delight that Itachi's face were burning a deep shade of crimson. Well damn, he hadn't know it was possible for anyone to blush that much, but Itachi had proven him wrong.
"PERVERT!" Itachi twitched.
"Well yes, I am." He shrugged. "I still am not certain you say that like it's supposed to be a bad thing."
That's when Kakashi notices someone was heading towards him. Hmm. That was unexpected. It seemed the Lioness was actually going to arrive before Itachi.
About ten minutes later, it was all Hinata could do to keep from giggling. She had never imagined that this would be what the ANBU was like, but apparently it was.
"Silver Wolf, will you get your head out of the clouds and help me with the inventory?" Itachi stares the other ANBU down.
It was true, Silver Wolf didn't seem to be concentrating very much at the moment. Though Hinata was pretty sure she knew why, she didn't dare voice her observations.
Observations such as Silver Wolf eyes were lingering far too long on Weasel's backside. Of course, Hinata knew that there were some people who were attracted to their own gender, but she had never met a man who was so blatant about his attractions without saying a word as Silver Wolf.
"I was just admiring the scenery. Of course, I'll help you, Weasel." He smiles as he assists the two of them with last minute checks.
Well, so much for not saying anything with words. Hinata had never met two teammates who were more different before. The wolf was so carefree about well everything and Weasel watched everything like a hawk.
"Thank you." She smiles at both of them.
Hinata wasn't really sure, if they could see it through her mask though. Oh well, hopefully the inflection in her voice would convey the same message.
"You're welcome." They both nod at her in unison.
"Well, it looks like we've got everything." She pauses for a moment before sealing up all their traveling packs. "We should probably get going. If we're lucky, we'll make it to the next village before nightfall and we won't have to make camp."
Not that she minded doing so. Almost any ninja was skilled at surviving in the wilderness when the situation called for it. It was just when given a choice, who wouldn't prefer a nice comfortable bed?
"You're right." The Weasel nods at her and they set out.
Well, they had one thing in common, Hinata muses. Both men moved with a deadly and silent grace. Were she not next to them, Hinata never would have picked up on the sound of their footsteps.
"Are you alright?" Silver Wolf smiles at her. "You seem lost in thought."
They were also rather gallant. Hinata idly wonders when the last time either of them had a female teammate was.
Of course, there were female ANBU, but like most ninja occupations, the men outnumbered the women by a large margin. Whether that was by design or happenstance, Hinata wasn't entirely sure.
"Oh yes." She smiles at him. "I'm fine. I'm just worried about all the people who have been kidnapped."
It was true, of course. Though Hinata couldn't help, but feel a little guilty that wasn't the first thought on her mind. It was just that her teammates antics were so distracting.
"Don't worry." Weasel glances in her direction. "We'll save them."
He was right about that. This black market had to be stopped. It was only a matter of time before someone from her Clan ended up getting captured at this rate or any Clan from the Leaf really.
"You're right." She nods. "We will."
"Of course, that is why Lord Minato put us on this mission, after all." Silver Wolf directs his gaze towards her and somehow, Hinata imagines the other ANBU winking at her. "It shouldn't be that difficult to do. We have every advantage in the world really, particularly with a Hyuga on our side."
Hinata freezes at those words. It couldn't be. Her eyes weren't nearly as noticeable with her mask on.
Weasel groans and smacks his forehead. "For an ANBU, you're not very subtle."
Well, Hinata couldn't argue with that. Silver Wolf wasn't subtle, but that didn't solve her current dilemma. No one was supposed to know your true identity when you were in the ANBU and Silver Wolf clearly knew hers.
"Eh." He shakes his head. "I never claimed to be subtle, but before you ask, it was in the way you answered my question. It was a truthful answer, but also an evasion. Which fits with the general demeanor of the Hyuga Clan. That and given your age and gender, I would have to guess that you're not just any Hyuga. You're Hiashi's daughter. The Heiress to the Hyuga Clan."
"Forgive him." Weasel shakes his head. "If it makes you feel anymore at ease, I'm certain that Lord Minato will understand why we broke protocol given our abilities make our true identities easily guessable." That's when he slides his mask off and reveals his face. "I'm Itachi Uchiha and that lovable fool over there is Kakashi."
Silver Wolf laughs as he shows his face as well. "Well, at least I'm lovable. That's the best kind of fool there is."
She was on a mission with Itachi and Kakashi. Hinata blinks at that knowledge. The fact Minato had gone to such lengths to couple the Sharingan with the Byakugan for this mission spoke volumes.
"You're right." She nods slowly at Kakashi's observation. "That is the best kind, but now that we know the truth…you do realize what this means?"
"Yes, the smuggling operation is a large one." Itachi no doubt was grimacing behind his mask. "Otherwise, the Hokage wouldn't have paired the three of us together to stop it. Usually, Hyugas and Uchihas don't work together due to our bloodlines being so useful. Combing them onto one team dilutes the pool so to speak."
He was right about that. Putting all your eggs in one basket almost never ended well. Minato was desperate to stop this smuggling.
"Large or small, it doesn't matter." She nods at her teammates, trying to project more confidence than she felt. "We're going to save them all."
