Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters
I'm glad everyone liked the last chapter, even though not much happened. Thanks for the constant reviews and encouraging words.
Chapter 10: Out Bid
Inner Sakura/ Thoughts
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The large tent began to feel very small, as groups of men crowded in. Kakashi and Sakura forced their way to the front of the crowd and took their place by the serious bidders. Most of the men filling the room were just here as spectators, and kept to the back of the tent.
Sakura let her eyes flick past the faces of the men beside her. Most of them she recognized from their first night here. But there was one face she was searching for, one person she did not see.
Then she caught sight of him, standing in the corner was the young man from yesterday. However, today he didn't seem out of place. If she hadn't been searching for him, she would never have suspected anything was off. He was dressed in a dark colored, silk yukata, and his dark hair spilled loosely over his shoulders.
But, the main difference she noticed was in his demeanor. He seemed confident, almost regal. He was no longer nervously sneaking around the shadows. Today he walked straight through the mass of men and took a seat a few spaces away from Kakashi.
Even though he didn't turn and look, Sakura was sure Kakashi noticed him arrive.
Loud conversations dulled into soft whispers as the round auctioneer appeared on stage. "Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming." He gave a polite bow the the audience. "I see several new faces, as well as many old friends."
"Hmph... old 'friends'. More like old perverts." Sakura mumbled under her breath. Kakashi gave her a silencing glare, and she rolled her eyes.
The auctioneer continued with his speech. " Well, lets not draw this out any further. Let the bidding.."
He was interrupted by a dark figure slowly approaching the center of the room. The chubby man squinted to see through the dim crowd. Then he smiled as realization set in.
"Oh, Lord Hideo. What a pleasant surprise. Please take a seat." He motioned towards the empty seat next to Kakashi.
"Thank you." Hideo's voice was dark, and silky. "I'm glad I made it in time." He took his seat, and gave Sakura a crooked smile.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. Her body went rigid with fear and anger. She sat perfectly still, eyes wide, like a deer caught in the headlights. She wasn't fearful for her personal safety, not in such a crowded place, but what about Kakashi. How much had Hideo remembered, would their mission be over?
Then he spoke, just to Kakashi. "Are you sure you haven't changed your mind about the young blossom. I'll make it well worth your while." He gave the pink haired beauty a seductive wink. She cringed.
Kakashi's voice was calm and collected. "No. I don't believe I've quite finished with her yet."
Hideo simply nodded and turned his attention back to the man on stage. Sakura would have been angry at Kakashi's response, if she hadn't been so relived at her attackers apparent loss of memory.
The auctioneer started speaking again. "As I was saying, lets start the bidding."He motioned to an older woman at the end of the stage and she disappeared behind the velvety curtain.
When she emerged, she was dragging a petite, frightened girl. Sakura recognized her, she was the blond with the yellow obi. She was young, maybe sixteen. Her body trembled, and tears slid down her cheeks.
"Ah, yes. A lovely specimen to start off the bidding." The auctioneer took the girl's delicate, trembling hand and pulled her into the center of the stage. The poor girl began to sob, tears spilling down her face, dripping onto her white kimono.
"The bidding will start at 10,000."
It didn't take long for the crowd to respond.
"10,000" Said a balding man in a brown yukata.
"11,000" A man dressed in silk robes raised his hand.
"13,000" From a younger man dressed in green.
"I bid 15,000." The bid came from a middle aged woman, hidden amongst the crowd of men. "A gift for my son's birthday."
Gross! A mom buying that girl for her son
It's pretty pathetic if his mom has to buy him a date
Thats not the point! This whole thing is wrong. Stealing girls and selling them as slaves!!
I know, but what can you do?
'...'
Sakura was lost in thought and didn't notice that the bidding had ended.
"Sold!" The auctioneer handed the girl off to a waiting attendant, who lead her out of the tent, the older woman followed closely behind them.
The next girl was brought out and the pattern soon repeated. Men called out what they felt to be appropriate amounts, while the person next to them tried to out bid their price. Finally someone would call out an amount that no one wanted to match, and the bidding would end.
Sakura watched with a heavy heart as girl after girl was brought out. When the fifth girl was brought out on the stage, Sakura's heart fell. It was Kimmi.
She stood there with her head held high,chin defiantly pushed out. Her posture told any potential buyer that she would not go easily. Scanning her body, Sakura noticed fresh bruises adorned the girls wrists.
She must have caused trouble. Any other visible marks would bring down her price. Sakura could feel her temper rising.
As she took her place in the center of the stage, the men began to stir. Hushed whispers filled the tent.
Once again, the bidding began.
"I'll give 10,000" Sakura couldn't see where the bid came from.
Kakashi shouted out "13,000"
"15,000" Sakura jumped as her attacker placed his bid
Kakashi's brow furrowed in frustration. This is going to be more difficult than I thought. So many people want her.
"20,000" Everyone turned to look at the young new comer, even Kimmi. As her eyes met her potential buyers, she began to cry.
"25,000" Lord Hideo's voice was confident. He didn't plan on losing.
"30,000" Kakashi was struggling to keep up.
"35,000" Once again the mysterious man called out his bid.
Now Lord Hideo was getting irritated "45,000".
The crowed stirred with wonder and aw. They had never seen anyone pay so much for a slave. They turned to one another whispering approval, or dislike.
Shit!! Now Kakashi was worried. I've only got 50,000. We never expected it would get that high. This has to end.
"I'll give 50,000 to en..." Kakashi was cut off by the dark haired young man.
"60,000" worry was beginning to show on his face as well. Apparently he was reaching his limit.
Damn it! It's over. I can't go any higher. Kakashi sat down in defeat.
Unfortunately, Lord Hideo noticed as well, and called out a counter offer. "75,000"
"Please, I must have her. I'll give 80,000. But thats as high as I can go." The young bidder threw a quick glance to the girl on stage. Sakura caught him. She also noticed Kimmi's silent plea.
hmmm...what's going on here? Sakura was becoming confused.
"Well, that sounds like a personal problem." Hideo's gaze crossed the stage and settled on the girl. "You see, I must have her as well. And I always get what I want." He moved his gaze from the stage and cast a quick glance at Sakura. "100,000, to end the bidding." And just like that it was all over.
An attendant took her by the arm, and Kimmi began to kick and scream. She had no intentions of being any man's play thing. Another attendant came to help, and the young girl was forcibly removed from the tent.
Sakura searched for the mystery bidder, but he was gone. Something was defiantly going on here. She just didn't know what.
The next girl was brought out and the bidding began again. Hideo lowered his voice and leaned down to speak to Kakashi. " If you change your mind, we might be able to work out a little trade." He licked his lips, and smiled a predatory grin at Sakura."Just think about it." Then he turned and exited the tent.
Kakashi and Sakura stood and headed for the main entrance. As they walked into the bright sunlight Sakura whispered. " Now what do we do."
Without removing his stare from Hideo's distant form he answered. "Now we go to Plan B".
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Oh No! That Jerk that attacked Sakura has their clients daughter. Now what can they do? And What is plan B? -Oh, its good. Trust me, you will like it. R&R