ANBU Allure

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Well, I'm still hoping to tentatively update this about once every 1-2 weeks. The updates are somewhat slow, but that's mostly due to the fact I've got several stories going and my schedule is busier than expected. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and suggestions are always welcome.

Chapter Notation: I decided to add another character into this. Don't worry. It's still just a Kakashi x Hinata x Itachi pairing. The extra character is not intended to be a love interest.

Chapter 8

It didn't take long to see the full depravity of the place. It also didn't take long for Hinata to feel the urge to vomit as she watches an auction.

"It's going to be alright." Kakashi squeezes her hand reassuringly.

The sound of the auction was loud enough that the bluenette knew Kakashi had no real fear of them being overheard. Even if someone did hear his reassuring words to her, there was no way of knowing what he was comforting her about.

Itachi nods at her. "Yes, it will be." His eyes never left the stage, but that was just a charade.

She wasn't entirely sure how, but the Uchiha Heir was most assuredly watching the entire room at once. One didn't obtain the rank of ANBU Captain without being aware of their surroundings.

"Sold to the man in the purple!" The auctioneer cries out.

Hinata winces as she watches a bound ninja taken to the first auction winner. She wanted to do something, but Itachi stays her hand.

Kakashi was the one to soothe her though. "Itachi and I will be sending out crows and ninja dogs to monitor those who are sold. We will send word to other Leaf Ninjas who are nearby to assist them."

Those words were like a balm on her soul. Hopefully, the kidnapping victims wouldn't be harmed before that could happen. Still, they did have a mission to perform. It would be the height of foolishness to display their hand this early, no matter how badly she wanted to.

"I understand." She nods at them.

It was a good thing they were wearing masks. Their expressions were more easily hidden that way. Hinata knew without a doubt that her poker face was not nearly as good as Kakashi's and Itachi's.

Without her mask, the Hyuga Heiress's horror would have been all too easily to identify.

The bidding kept going and going. True to their strategic nature, the three of them would occasionally make bids. Sometimes they'd even bid furiously.

They had to or else they'd seem too suspicious. Just observing would stand out. Losing bids wouldn't though. That was until something horrific happened.

"Finally, we have a woman from the Yamanaka Clan. This Clan is famous for their mind controlling techniques. Not only that, but she's a medic from the Hidden Leaf Village." The auctioneer grins as he gestures to a bound Ino. "She's also a pretty thing. So I'm sure you can see why we saved her for the last bid of the night."

Hinata bites her tongue hard to keep from gasping. That person couldn't be Ino.

"Do I hear any bids?" The auctioneer calls out.

Kakashi raises his bidding fan at that. That was all it took for the bidding war to begin.


Several minutes later, Kakashi had to admit he was surprised. Itachi had actually beaten him that time. Though in the end, it didn't really matter.

Ino was safe. For now. It was up to them to keep it that way though.

"Lioness, you should take our slave back to your quarters. It wouldn't do to keep such a prize out in the open for long. Lest others be tempted to steal her away from us and she'll fetch a heavy price on the black market." Itachi glances at Hinata.

His acting skills were exceptional. If Kakashi didn't know any better, he might have actually believed that Itachi was nothing more than a despicable black market dealer.

"Yes, of course." Hinata nods though her gaze lingers on both of them a bit longer than he would have liked.

Kakashi couldn't blame the girl. It had to be shocking hearing Itachi of all people speak so casually about such a horrific crime.

"While you're doing that, we can speak to the auctioneer to learn more about our latest purchase. It shouldn't take too long." Kakashi kisses the top of her head.

They were undercover. It was in their best interest to put on a show for as long as possible.

"Yes, of course." Hinata nods as she leads a shockingly quiet Ino off.

"She's in shock." Itachi tilts his head as the two women slip through the crowd with effortless ease. "I'm surprised Ino didn't say a word during all that."

Yes, Kakashi would be lying, if he pretended that wasn't the case as well. Still, Ino was a compatible ninja. She likely knew that speaking wouldn't end in her favor in this situation.

As far as the blonde knew, they were rogue ANBUS who had just captured her. Speaking was likely the last thing on her mind.

"She's too smart for that, but never fear. Hinata can handle her. Besides, she's bound and those are chakra cuffs on her hand. Even if Ino wanted to attack, doing so wouldn't end well for her and she knows that. Now, let's get to work." Kakashi smiles at Itachi.

His partner nods. That was just one of the many things that he loved about the other man. Itachi knew how to focus when it mattered most and this was one of those times.

"Let's go and speak to the auctioneer. The more information we get the better." Itachi's voice was little more than a whisper.

It was amazing what that man could do with his voice. He could chill your blood with it or seduce one effortlessly. Such thoughts did inspire rather inappropriate scenarios in the silver haired ninja mind's though. What would Hinata sound like in a similar situation?

"Yes, you're absolutely right." Kakashi nods as they proceed to do exactly that.


A half hour later, Itachi privately congratulates himself on his restraint. Somehow despite hearing far more sordid details than even he could cope with comfortably, the Uchiha hadn't launched a flurry of Amaterasus at the auctioneer.

"Thank you for indulging our curiosities. You've got quite the operation here." Kakashi nods at the chubby man who had spent the entire day SELLING people. "In any case, I do believe we've taken up enough of your time and we should be getting back to our companions."

"You're right." He laughs. "I can't blame you. They are pretty little things. Even with the mask on, that's one hell of a body."

Itachi mentally counts to a thousand in his mind as he envisions settling this man on fire, particularly below the waist. This was a mission. He couldn't blow their cover because the pervert was ogling Hinata. No matter how badly he wanted to.

"Yes, she does, but she belongs to us." He glares at the auctioneer before Kakashi drags him off.

"Of course, of course, I was just admiring the scenery is all." He puts his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

Itachi doesn't bother to dignify that with a response as they round the corner. Thank goodness for Kakashi. He was probably the only reason why Itachi hadn't killed that man. Even he had a limit to his patience.

Itachi barely has the presence of mind to knock on the door when they get there. Though it did please him to note Kakashi's posture was stiffer than usual and his fists were clenched.

It seemed that he wasn't the only one outraged on behalf of the Hyuga Princess.

"Come on." Hinata quickly pulls them inside and locks the door behind them. "Byakugan!"

It was smart to activate her bloodline inside the privacy of her room. This way, Hinata could tell what was going on outside their sanctuary, while they sorted everything out.

"I'm sorry about this Ino, I know you must be terribly confused by now." Kakashi nods as he slides his ANBU Mask off. "Though as you've no doubt gathered by the sound of her voice, that is Hinata with you."

"What are you three doing here?" Ino gasps as she stares at them.

"We're on a mission to disband this vile place." Itachi shakes his head. "We'll get you home safely. You don't need to worry about us. We're no traitors to the Leaf Village."

Ino sighs in relief at that. Itachi honestly could scarcely imagine what she had gone through. He didn't even want to know how she had ended up here, but apparently Hinata did.

"Ino, how did they get you and what happened to the rest of your team?"

The blonde sighs as she huffs. "Well, we were on a mission and the others were still asleep. I had just finished my bath when they ambushed me. I sensed something coming, of course." The huffing intensifies. "I was just outnumbered. I did knock a couple of them out and call for help, but they had already Flickered me away before my team got there."

That did explain a lot. They had attacked when Ino was at her most vulnerable. The sick bastards.

"You're safe now and your abilities will likely come in handy on this mission." Kakashi nods at her. "Perhaps it would be best for you to get some rest. Hinata, can make a clone to watch over you while we discuss everything in our room. We wouldn't want to wake you. You'll be safe."

It was amazing how well the deviant could play the part of the knight in shining armor when he wanted to, Itachi muses. The transformation was quite impressive.

"That's true." He moves his mask to the side. "In the unlikely event that you didn't realize who I was, I am Itachi. You attended the Academy with Sasuke, I believe."

Just as quickly as he showed his face to her, Itachi puts his mask back on and Kakashi does the same. If they were going to be heading back to their room, they could hardly expose their true identities.

"Yes, I did." Ino blinks. "Um it's good to see all of you again, but do you think you can untie me?"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu." Hinata nods as she forms a clone. "We can, but only while you're in this room. If they see someone who has been bought walking around unbound that will raise too many questions."

Hinata was right about that much. It was mildly disturbing how well she was beginning to understand the underbelly of the ninja world, but Itachi could hardly judge. He was the same way.

Very few ninjas stayed innocent for long. It was one of the main reasons why he had been so concerned when Sasuke had graduated the Academy. Learning how to be a ninja in theory was a far cry from being one in reality.

"It's alright." Ino nods at them. "I understand. I just really wanna get out of these chakra cuffs and everything. You should go and be briefed. I doubt they stood around that long doing nothing."

"You're right. We didn't." Itachi nods as he gestures for Hinata to follow him.

Ino would be safe with the clone, especially one with the Byakugan. For now though, they still had a great deal to tell their Byakugan Princess and they had a lot of planning to do if they were going to save all the kidnapping victoms.

"Good." Ino smirks at them. "Make sure to make these bastards pay."

"Don't worry." Kakashi winks at her as the three of them head towards the door, leaving the clone and Ino behind. "We will and a gentleman never breaks his promises to a lady."

Itachi couldn't help, but scoff at that. Did Kakashi actually just call himself a gentleman?