I do not own Naruto. The things I'd do to him if I did. Just posting this chapter to keep you busy while I finish chapter 15. It will be up soon, if I get enough reviews. XD
So don't forget to review ;) It keeps me going.
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Minato managed to keep his cool as he walked past the round tables of seated guests. Like a wave, every head turned and acknowleged his arrival. There were muffled sounds that escaped the lips of various women. It was evident that he was the most desired bachelor. But he was untouchable. Not only because he was the Hokage, but because he was already infatuated with a certain fiesty blonde.
He took his seat and formally greeted the other patrons who were already seated next to him. They were seated closest to the stage, their circular table a bit larger than the rest to allow comfortable distance. Suri was on stage with a microphone, waiting on Minato to give her permission to proceed. He smiled and nodded.
Suri continued to raise the bids for a shorter woman in a risque, sparkly dress, There were men who were standing with garnered interest in front of the stage. It was surprising how high the men throughout the banquet were bidding. Minato anticipated for the moment when Suri would announce the 50th contender; Ino.
"Are you actually going to win yourself a fine woman tonight, Minato?" asked a red haired Kazekage, cutting off his thoughts. His piercing black eyes were intimidating and sharp, but his tone of voice was inviting.
Minato quirked his lip in amusement. "Who knows. The woman has to be perfect," Minato replied, earning smiles and laughs from the other patrons seated next to him. "What about yourself? Will you actually try winning this time?" Minato jested.
The Kazekage ran a hand through his ruby tousled locks and leaned back. "I'll probably get serious this time around," he said will a dull expression.
"You? Being serious? That's impossible," Minato replied sarcastically.
A sphere of golden sand made contact with his abdomen and Minato burst out laughing. He covered his mouth with his hand while the other held his stomach.
"I'm not that boring!' the Kazekage retorted to the laughing blonde.
Minato raised his hands up in playful defense. "Okay, I take it back," he said between laughs, "So I know why Raikage isn't here. But where is Tsuchikage and the Mizukage?" he asked.
"You now the Mizukage, " the red haired Kage replied, face going back to his usual serious expression. He rested the back of his head on his interlocked hands. "That kid has always been strange. I don't know what is wrong with him. And Tsuchikage? Probably broke a hip on the way here," he said with a bored face.
They stared at each other for a moment. Then they both started laughing quietly, distracting a few the guests around them.
"Going once, going twice...sold! To the fine gentleman in table 25!" Suri announced in the background.
They cleared their throats and redirected their attention back to Suri. Minato scanned the potential rivals as everyone applauded. On the table next to him were the ANBU jounin he had been with earlier. His aura grew defensive when he took sight of a certain silver haired man in a suit and tie, hidden behind his mask.
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The auction was going by quickly, with the patrons growing more eager after each passing contestant. It seemed as if each woman was more beautiful than the last. There were just four women before Ino, and the stakes were really high. She checked herself in the mirror, making sure her make up was top notch. The women seemed very nice, and reminded her a lot of her own friends. Ino then paid closer attention to the women, taking note of their unique features.
"Yoshino, you should be a little bit easier on your boyfriends," said a stout, yet beautiful woman with a concerned expression.
"Heh! If a man wants to be with me, then they better carry their own weight, and be man enough to handle me!" she replied harshly, making the bigger woman wince.
Holy crap! Mrs. Yoshino?! Shikamaru's mom?! Ino squealed in her head. It was exciting for her to see them in their younger days. Their beauty was still unparalleled, despite how different their features were. They looked to be about Ino's age.
"At least many men bid for you, and maybe this time a real man will win you? After all, you scared the other highest bidders away," the plump woman said kindly. "You're all so skinny and perfect, barely anyone will bid for me. I don't know why I even entered this auction," she looked down, eyes solemn.
"Don't say that! You are gorgeous, and you will marry someone who loves you just the way you are!" Ino interrupted, hands on her hips. The larger woman immediately locked eyes with Ino, feeling suddenly uplifted.
"Miss, you're...y-you're too kind," she whispered at Ino, face growing red.
Oh my gosh. She looks exactly like Chouji! she thought.
Yoshino smiled confidently and stood next to Ino. "That's right. You are beautiful, hot, and have much to offer. So get out there and find a man who will spend a hefty sum for you," Yoshino winked.
Ino giggled. The stout woman smiled and nodded as she heard her name being called. She fixed her dress and walked confidently on the stage. Ino and the other women watched from the sidelines, hoping things would go well for her. Ino felt a tinge of guilt as only a few men participated in bidding for her. She then caught sight of Chouji's father. He stared at the large woman in admiration, but appearing to be too scared to bid. Ino smiled mischievously and sat in her chair. She formed a few handsigns and peered at the plump woman through the diamond of her fingers. "Mind transfer jutsu!" she whispered, and went limp as if she fell asleep.
She successfully transferred into the larger woman's body, taking control of her current situation. She looked over at Chouji's father and gave him a wink. His eyes widened, and he looked behind him to see if she was looking at someone else.
"So tell us about yourself! And what kind of a man do you like?" Suri asked enthusiastically.
"That's easy," Ino said through the woman's lips, "I cook amazing food, but that's not all I'm amazing at," she stared directly into Chouji's father's eyes. "I like big, strong men. I also love a man who knows how to eat...anything." she said sexily, blowing a kiss towards him.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Minato tilt his head and study her suspiciously. He then snickered as if he knew that it was Ino inside the woman's body. Clever bastard.
Suddenly, more men began call out their own bids, raising the stakes higher for her. Ino then released herself and smirked, allowing the bid to continue from the woman's point of view. Ino was satisfied to see the sweet romance between Chouji's "future" parents. He bidded eagerly for her, now knowing her potential feelings towards him.
Chouji's father won.
"Sold! To Mr. Akimichi Choza!" Suri announced happily. "Wow! What a response from the crowd!" she said as everyone applauded.
The plump woman covered her mouth in shock. She looked over to Yoshino, and Ino, mouthing to them, "He bidded for me!" tears rimming her eyes as she ran over to them. She gave them both a big hug, squeezing the air out of their petite bodies.
"Congratulations," Ino smiled encouragingly, "now show this man how amazing you are, he told me he's crazy about you," she winked.
"H-he did?!" the plump woman gasped. Ino nodded.
"Yeah, cook for him ONLY if he's good in bed," Yoshino snorted, causing the stout woman to blush harder. They all laughed.
"Now go find your man!" they grinned.
With a nod, the husky woman ran off towards the venue, with new confidence.
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It was then Yoshino's name that was called.
"Good luck," Ino smiled slyly.
"Heh, we'll see," Yoshino shrugged, and went to the stage.
So carefree, just like Shikamaru.
The auction began with high numbers. However, it was apparent that many men were scared to bid for her. She then saw Shikamaru? Wait, Shikamaru's father sitting next to Choza and his new woman. It upset her to see that he was too lazy to even raise the paddle to bid.
Ugh! Like father like son! Is he really okay with her being with another man? she said angrily in her head.
Ino then put her hands on the side of her lips and took a deep breath. "Yoshino is still a virgin! And, she can fit an entire banana in her mouth!" she hollered towards the audience.
Everyone gasped at Ino's words, and tried to look for where her voice came from. Yoshino's jaw dropped along with every single man in the venue, including Shikamaru's father. Men started to battle each other for the highest bid. Shikamaru's father suddenly had a tinge of desire for Yoshino in his eyes.
Yoshino stared at Ino in shock and mouthed over to her. "What are you doing?!"
Ino smiled big and spoke into her mind. "I'm finding you a real man, who will marry you someday."
Yoshino was taken aback. "What? But no one can handle me. And the man I want, didn't even bid!" she replied, losing hope.
Ino encouraged her, "Be yourself. And the right man will come to you. Look,"
Yoshino glanced in front of her to see Shikamaru's father, now standing, with his number as the highest bid.
"Sold! to Mr. Nara Shikaku!" Suri exclaimed.
Yoshino gaped and looked over at Ino. Who just clapped with a knowing smile.
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"You are such a kind, wonderful person," said a soft voice from behind Ino. Ino turned around, to see a shorter woman smiling innocently at her. She had ashy brunette hair that graced her shoulders. Her bangs fell just above her dim, violet eyes. "My name is Karura, I'm from the Sand Village," she smiled politely.
"Oh, nice to meet you Karura, my name is Ino," she replied as they shook hands.
"Is this your first time participating in this auction?" she asked, voice sweet and smooth.
"Yes it is. Is it yours?" Ino asked curiously.
The brunette smiled warmly. "Yes it is," she blushed, playing with the fabric of her little black dress.
Ino noticed her fidgeting. "People in Suna don't wear dresses like this, do they?" Ino assumed.
Karura shook her head. "It's strange, I feel so exposed!" she said shyly.
Ino laughed, as Karura's name was being called.
"Is there someone you have in mind?" Ino asked teasingly.
"What do you mean?" she giggled as she made her way towards the stage.
"Is there a man out there, that you're hoping to be the highest bidder?"
Karura smiled sadly. "Yes, but he never noticed me," she said, looking out to the audience.
"Who is it?" Ino asked, tilting her head.
Karura spoke almost inaudibly. "The Kazekage."
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Minato saw the Kazekage immediately sit up. He scanned her body in secret disbelief, as if to affirm it was really her. His onyx orbs suddenly glimmered with desire. He tried not to make his interest in her obvious, but he wasn't fooling Minato.
"Looks like redhead over here is gonna get serious after all," Minato thought with a crooked smile. He sat back and watched for the events that were about to unfold.
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Karura earned a healthy amount of bidders and the numbers went higher. She stood bashfully, avoiding looking towards the direction of the Kazekage. He looked exactly like Gaara, but more like a normal person. He also sat emotionless like him too. Hm, weird. Ino knew that maybe, just maybe the Kazekage would bid for her. He just needed that push. The kind that men typically need when it comes to their women.
"Aha!" Ino snapped. Her perilous mind constructing a plan. She then formed handsigns and pointed her hands towards a handsome, wealthy looking man. "Mind transfer jutsu!"
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Ino blinked a few times in her new body. She stared up at Karura from where she was now sitting. Success! She set the man's drink down and fixed the cuffs of his grey suit. She stood up, immediately adjusting to his broad, muscular body. With a devious smirk, she walked over towards the front, going as close to the Kazekage as possible. One man bidded 5,000 from the other side of the venue.
"Wow! 5,000 to the man on table 13! Do I hear 10,000? 10,000 anyone?" Suri encouraged.
Ino spoke through the man's lips and held up his paddle arrogantly. "I bid 20,000."
The Kazekage's head snapped towards the man who just spoke.
"Heh. The things I'd do to her," Ino said as manly and perversely as she could. She looked at Minato and winked, then redirected her eyes at the Kazekage.
"Just look at that body," Ino egged on. "Looks like she's all mine now," she said loudly eyes still locked on the Kazekage. Challenging him silently.
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The mysterious man winked at Minato, which weirded him out. He noticed the way he caused the Kazekage to grip harder at the paddle on his table. Like he was purposely trying to make him mad. Minato then caught a glimpse of the man flipping a nonexistent hair out of his face.
"Wait a minute...
Is that...INO?!
Ino, what in the world are you doing?!" he scolded her in his mind, hoping she heard him.
"You'll see, Namikaze, I'm working my magic," Ino purred in his head.
"Are you trying to play cupid here?!" he asked aggressively.
Ino giggled. "Baby, you know me so well."
Their minds were then disconnected.
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"Going once...going twice..." Suri continued from the background.
Before Suri could finish, someone suddenly slammed their hand on the table. "30,000!" an angry voice called out.
Everyone whipped their heads towards man's voice.
"Sold! To our very own Kazekage of Suna! Congratulations on winning your first bid, Kazekage sama!"
Ino reverted back to her own body and giggled. Everyone applauded as Karura blushed wildly and made her way next to the red haired Kazekage. A few private words were exchanged between both of them. Karura's eyes widened while the Kazekage smirked, and their fingers interwined.
Awww. Ino thought. "I'm too good at this," she chimed.
"Sorry I'm late!" said a high pitched, yet dominating voice from behind her.
Ino looked over to see a woman in a risque, dark green dress. The woman smiled and studied Ino. Ino noticed how the woman's cerulean eyes slightly twinkled with envy. Her hair was long, rich, and flamboyantly red.
"I haven't seen you before. What's your name?" the beautiful woman asked Ino.
"My name's Ino. And yours?" Ino replied confidently. Unswayed by the sexy woman's presence.
Before the mysterious woman could reply, Suri spoke loudly in the background. "Now for our second to last contestant! The highest earning contestant of last year's auction! She would like to be presented as, 'the red hot habanero!' Come on up!"
Whistles and hollers were heard from the male audience.
"Crap! It's my turn," she exclaimed, passing Ino and heading towards the stage. She stopped and looked back at Ino,
"Oh, sorry. My real name is...Kushina."
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Kushina huh? Why do I get a bad feeling about her?
Ino watched from the sidelines. She took note of the way Kushina overly adored the attention. Her dress was a bit too revealing, even for Ino's tastes. And that said a lot. It was no wonder why so many men bidded for her. Kushina was aggressive, and looked like she would do anything to get what she wanted. Kushina seemed like the type of woman who desperately wanted to be noticed. And she succeeded at it tonight.
As the bids went higher and higher, there was something that Ino noticed about Kushina. Something that ignited an inferno of rage inside of her that had been dormant for so long.
It was the way she looked at Minato.
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