Chapter Seven:

The Plan

(The theme song for this chapter is "So I Need You" by 3 Doors Down)


It was one of those unassuming Friday nights; the kind that you experience, but you forget all about soon after. It flows in the river of memories in your mind before it is soon lost, with nothing about it sticking out in particular. You never think of it again.

At least, it was going that way.

After dressing herself for work, Rin was nearly out the door when her phone rang. She listened to her boss for a moment before she did a small happy dance in her tiny living room. He told her he didn't need her to come in that night, that things were slow because of a local sporting event (who knew creatures of the night liked baseball?) and he anticipated a smaller than usual crowd. Ever the penny-pincher, Steve couldn't afford to have employees he didn't need at the tavern. Overjoyed, she decided she was going to have a blast on her much-needed night off. She only worried for a short moment that Sasuke was still going to show up, but there was nothing she could do. She had no way to contact him, so she forced herself not to worry about it.

She had a new movie she had been itching to watch, and a carton of strawberry ice cream in the freezer that was just begging to be eaten. After changing into a comfy pair of pajamas, she sat down on her couch, a bowl of her favorite icy treat held tightly in her hands. She would veg out and pass out on the couch after the movie. A perfect night to end a busy week!

It was then that someone knocked on her door.

She jumped; the spoon she held flew out of her hand and onto the carpet. She scowled at the utensil, threatening that it would pay for its mistakes when she washed it with scalding hot water later.

As she begrudgingly rose from her spot, someone knocked on the door again; this time louder and more urgent than before. "Hold on!" she called out, setting her ice cream down and running into her room. She wasn't decent, and there was no way she was opening that door before she had her robe on.

After returning from her room, she ran to the door, tying her robe as she went. After peering through the peephole, she felt uneasy: the handsome (yet somewhat creepy) man that had been with Sasuke at the bar a few nights ago stood outside her apartment.

She swallowed as she turned the knob, the security chain still in place.

Kakashi offered her a small wave, his smile hidden, but evident in his eyes. "Hello, Miss Rin. Do you mind if we come in?"

Rin's eyes narrowed. The way her apartment hallway was set up made it difficult to see who stood behind Kakashi. "Who's we?"

"Well, Sasuke, Naruto, myself… and a baby."

"A wha- a baby?"

"Yep. May we come in?"

Sasuke soon shoved his way in front of Kakashi, pushing his mentor nearly out of view.

Rin gasped.

He held an infant in his arms. She was bundled tightly in a blanket. The baby turned to study Rin, quietly inspecting her.

"Rin, you said if I needed anything, you would help me." He rocked the baby gently, though it was obvious from the look on his face he was the one that needed soothing.

"Oh no… I… Ugh. Come on in."

She unlatched the security chain holding the door close to the wall and backed away, allowing the men to shuffle inside. Each removed their shoes at the door as Rin flitted around, attempting to make room for each of them in her small home. Flicking off the TV with the remote, she returned her bowl of ice cream to the fridge; she knew she wasn't going to get a chance to eat it anytime soon.

She returned to find Sasuke on her loveseat, still holding the baby. She apologized to Naruto and Kakashi for not having ample seating; she was not used to having visitors, and her apartment was already so small as it was. They both sat cross legged on the floor in front of her TV stand.

Rin carefully sat down beside Sasuke, gazing at the child and enjoying its beauty. "I don't remember you saying anything about having a baby, Sasuke…"

Sasuke, who had been looking at the bundle in his arms, looked Rin in the eyes. "I didn't, but I do now. And I don't know much about babies, especially mortal babies."

Rin looked skeptical. "How in the world did you... get a baby?"

"I found her underneath a tree. I'm going to marry her when she grows up," Sasuke deadpanned.

Rin threw back her head and laughed. After composing herself, she wiped a tear away from one of her eyes. "No, really. Who is she?"

A sigh escaped from Kakashi. "He isn't joking, Miss Rin."

Was this a joke? What Sasuke said was comical. Rin's mouth opened to protest. "Maybe we should give Rin some backstory, because I'm sure this all sounds very odd," Kakashi interrupted, preventing her from asking any questions.

Sasuke returned his attention to the infant while Kakashi told Rin everything: the strange fortune-teller and her eerie fortune from their first night in town, the tree that was still alive when it should have been long dead; and how Sasuke heard the infant's cries even when he was underground asleep.

After Kakashi had finished, Rin thought for a moment. She had seen the fortune teller before they had arrived into town. "It was a busy night, but I do remember her." They all listened intently; even Sasuke, who had been continuously distracted that night, was interested in what Rin had to say.

"It was the strangest thing," Rin continued. "Sometimes when we are busy, and Steve is at the bar, I walk around as a hostess or waitress of sorts. Well, she came in, and I asked her what she wanted to eat, but she refused; she said she was waiting for a few people to join her. But no one showed up that night. She sat at the table alone until closing and then left. I had the next few nights off, obviously." She looked at Sasuke and remembered her surprise when she first met him. "But she hasn't been back since. And no one sat with her the night I was there. She kept to herself, staring off into space with her hands crossed… She was beautiful, but kind of strange."

"This is just a very strange situation all-around," Kakashi continued. "Natural born vampires have mates, and she knew of this. I can only guess she was, indeed, a fortune-telling witch. However, why she had any interest in Sasuke is a mystery." Kakashi paused momentarily, taking a moment to stare at the little girl in Sasuke's arms. "I have never heard of a vampire finding its mate whilst it is still in infancy... And stranger still is the fact that she appears to be a mortal. That is extremely uncommon."

Rin was listening attentively, her gaze slowly bouncing from the baby, to Kakashi, and back. She watched as Sasuke held the little child's hand, her fingers instinctively gripping his.

Kakashi was all business now, all of his normal humor drained from his speech. "We are in a serious bind."

Rin dreaded what Kakashi was about to say. She knew it was coming. She was suspicious of it from the very beginning, though she wished it wasn't the truth.

"None of us have much experience with infants, and you are a female human… We need your assistance, Miss Rin."

They wanted her to give up her life to help them raise this child.

Sure, in the beginning, it would just be little things. But the baby would need food, water, clothes, proper furniture and shelter. She would need to be constantly watched over, and Sasuke and Kakashi couldn't be awake during the day safely. She would have mortal problems and mortal needs that they didn't understand. Naruto, more human than the others, appeared to be just as clueless, and he would be useless in aiding her. She would have to shoulder this on her own.

"I know you want to keep her," Rin began, turning to face Sasuke, who refused to look at her. "But this isn't easy. This is going to be difficult. Raising a child takes over your life, you will have no free time. No time to rebuild your village, and absolutely no time to work at the bar. It's also very expensive. Formula, diapers, clothing… It adds up fast! What if she gets sick, which she is bound to do? All mortal children do. Can you handle a sick baby? Sickness, something you've never experienced yourself before, is very trying and tiring."

Though she waited for a response from Sasuke, he was silent. When he said nothing, Rin continued. "I have been in this business long enough to believe that you truly know she is your soulmate. Nothing about the underworld surprises me anymore. But none of you are in a position to raise a human, mortal being. If you could find a safe, loving family to adopt her to, they could raise her until she is older-"

"Anyone and anything that stands in my way or attempts to take her from me will die." The look in Sasuke's eyes was flat. He was not threatening her - he was stating a fact. "I will protect her with my life."

This should have struck fear in her, but it did nothing to deter her. Rin sighed as she brushed a stray hair behind her ears. "What do you want me to do, hm?"

She stood quickly, turning her back to them. "I barely know you, Sasuke; and although you seem nice enough, we all know I'm going to be the one raising this child if I offer to help!" She faced them again, tears stinging and threatening to fall from her eyes, but she held them back. "I am young and obviously have no money. You are all piss-poor broke. How are you going to make this work?!"

Kakashi stood now, leveling himself with Rin. A head taller than she, he stared at her, his visible eye unreadable. After a silent beat, he spoke. "I had mortal children once."

Rin blinked. "Is that normal?"

Kakashi adjusted his mask, appearing very uncomfortable with this subject. "I am a turned vampire." He looked away from Rin, past her to stare at her blank, white walls. "I had a mortal family: a loving wife and several children. But back then, men had nothing to do with their babies. They took care of their families from afar, and only began to help raise their children when they were much older."

Naruto had to forcibly silence himself. This was news to him, and he was all too curious. Sasuke appeared to be entranced with the baby, and whether he knew Kakashi's history or not was a mystery to Naruto. He decided he would pester him for more information later.

Kakashi looked at Rin again. "If you can just give us some guidance with this, we would be forever grateful. I'm not asking you to sign over your life in blood; we just need a little nudge in the right direction.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Sakura is safest with us. I, too, want what is best for her. I believe that being with us, with vampires, is what is in her best interest - she will eventually marry one of them, afterall. But we need someone to walk us through these early stages of her life."

Rin returned her gaze to the infant. "Sakura? Is that her name?"

"Yes," Sasuke answered. Seeming embarrassed, he continued in a near whisper, "For her…pink hair, and finding her underneath the tree."

She walked towards him and sat beside him once more. She slowly held out her arms. "May I?"

Sasuke appeared uncomfortable with the idea, but nodded in return. He carefully handed the babe to Rin, who was attentive to supporting her head and body equally.

Sakura took one look at the face of the woman holding her and began to cry.

Few things pain the ears of a person more than a newborn's cries. Rin tried futilely to adjust Sakura in her arms; she patted her back, cuddled and cradled her, but she continued to wail miserably.

Sasuke frowned, his frustration directed at Rin, though she was innocent in this situation. "Give her back. She doesn't like you."

However, even after Sakura was returned to Sasuke's protective hold, she continued to shriek.

Naruto had his ears plugged with his fingers, and he cringed whenever her voice reached a particularly high note.

Rin attempted to shout over the screaming baby. "Have you fed her yet?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I am a man; I don't have the right equipment for that! Can't you just breastfeed her for me?"

Kakashi laughed heartily while Rin blushed furiously. "Sasuke," Kakashi explained, "That's not how that works, my friend…" Naruto removed his makeshift ear plugs to ask what was so funny and insisted that his mentor tell him what Sasuke had said to make Rin so red.

Rin found no humor in the situation. This was going to be so, so incredibly difficult.

It was then that Rin acknowledged that her kindness and inability to say no would probably someday kill her.

She rose from her spot on the couch. "I am going to change," she said, her voice loud in an effort to be heard. "Sasuke and Naruto, you both are coming with me. Kakashi can stay here with the baby. We are going to the store."

"Absolutely not. I am not leaving her side." Sasuke attempted to pull Sakura even closer to him, which was nay impossible.

"Get over yourself, Sasuke. If you want to make this work, you need to come with me so I can show you some ins-and-outs of taking care of babies. Kakashi has experience. He won't let any harm come to her." She narrowed her eyes at him, daring Sasuke to challenge her.

Sasuke wanted to spit in her face. How dare she speak to him that way? He could drain her in a few minutes flat, her blood energizing him whilst killing her. But Kakashi reached over, his arms out. "Go ahead, Sasuke. She's right. You need to learn from her."

His brows lowered in anger, but he relented. He carefully placed Sakura in Kakashi's arms. Kakashi swayed the baby in the gentlest way, back and forth. Her cries softened, and he smiled. "See? I am not completely useless."

"Good. I'll be right back. I hope you brought money with you. This isn't going to be cheap!" She began to untie her robe as she turned, making the short walk to her bedroom before slamming the door behind her.

Sakura's cries were mere whimpers now. Kakashi glared at Sasuke. "You need to learn to be grateful, Sasuke. She is the only person we know around here that can help us. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."

Sasuke scowled. "I'll bite any damn thing that I please; especially a mortal who oversteps her boundaries."

Kakashi shook his head. "If you're going to keep her, you need to learn some kindness."

Rin soon appeared again, dressed in a light plum turtleneck and black pants. She grabbed a purse from beside her couch, and motioned for Naruto and Sasuke to follow. "Let's go before the store closes."

Sasuke had a most unappreciative look on his face when he walked through the door behind Rin. Naruto, however, was distracted. "Does the place we are going to have food?"


It was only a short time later that Sasuke was sitting on the couch feeding Sakura.

Kakashi watched Sasuke. He noted that he had the goofiest, most human grin on his face that Kakashi had ever seen on the stoic vampire. He looked at the little baby in adoration as he fed her. She, in turn, stared back; she was probably thrilled to finally have some nourishment.

The trio had briskly walked to a local mega-mart that was about to close; Rin had hastily thrown a pack of diapers, baby wipes, two full-length onesies, a few bottles, and some formula into their shopping cart. She ignored the stares they received from locals while they stood in line to pay for their goods. Naruto had insisted on grabbing food, and Rin silently prayed that he could afford it. There were few things more embarrassing than trying to purchase items and not having enough money in the end.

Feeling sympathetic, she paid for the bottles for them. "A birthday gift for Sakura," she said, smiling. She was happy that Sasuke whispered a thank you; he probably had to swallow a mouthful of pride to get his thanks out. His irritation with her waned, and by the time they had returned to her apartment, he was nearly happy.

They found Kakashi, his clothing soaked, in the bathroom with Sakura. Sakura, desperately needing a diaper, used Kakashi instead. After seeing this, Naruto exploded with laughter. He had to excuse himself to the living room, where he rolled around on the floor in tears, his stomach hurting from the hilarity of it all.

Rin had graciously offered Kakashi a change of clothes. Luckily, she had baggy clothes she kept just-in-case. She had nearly thrown them out the week before, too.

After showing Sasuke how to clean up the little girl, she taught him how to make formula. They both sat on the couch contentedly; Naruto, after ending his fit of laughter, had passed out on the floor, a puddle of drool by snoring mouth.

Rin and Kakashi had excused themselves to Rin's tiny balcony; they watched Sasuke silently through her glass screen door for some time.

Rin sighed, irritated with herself. She couldn't believe what she was about to say.

She cleared her throat, and Kakashi looked at her and smiled. "Is there something you want to say?"

"I… think Sakura and Sasuke should stay with me until you get plumbing and electricity."

Kakashi cocked his eyebrow. "Talk about a change of heart."

Rin shook her head. "You misunderstood me. I wanted to help from the start. My brain realized it was a mistake, but my heart denied it." She crossed her arms over her chest, silently trying to convince herself she was doing the right thing.

"Of course, they can't stay here today. I have nothing to block out all the light. I will get the apartment ready during the day, though. Tomorrow, I will go find a baby bed and black fabric to put over my windows. Hopefully, that will keep all the light out, and Sasuke can get up with her as often as needed. Meanwhile, I think Naruto should take over his duties at the bar until we get a good rhythm going with taking care of the little one."

Kakashi held his chin in his hand, looking thoughtful. "I am not sure how quickly I can get things installed. I do not want you to feel we are abusing your kindness; I will repay you somehow."

Rin dismissed him with her hands. "I'm sure there will be a day I need to be saved by a vampire. Or maybe not." Her lips formed a small smile. "Anyways, I have family in the next city over. I will ask if they know anyone who can put in the plumbing and electric on the cheap."

"That would be wonderful, Miss Rin." Kakashi took a step towards her, though they were already too close for her liking. Rin backed herself into the brick wall of her apartment. Kakashi backed away, apologizing. "Excuse me. I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. I think I have lacked female contact for too long."

He laughed, but Rin was still embarrassed. Away from her or close to her, she lost either way. What did she actually want? "I'm-I'm alright! Just a little edgy. Been a long night. Have a lot to think about. Worried about her." She looked towards Sasuke and the baby again, Kakashi following suit.

Sakura had finished her bottle and was now resting in Sasuke's arms. Her new pink onesie matched her hair perfectly, and she looked adorable in it as well. Sasuke's eyes were closed, his head resting against Rin's couch.

A thought crossed Rin's mind that she had tried to banish earlier that night, but couldn't. Thankful that Sasuke was probably asleep, she confided her question to Kakashi. "What will happen if she grows up and doesn't love Sasuke? What if she falls in love with someone else, or hates vampires? What will happen?"

Kakashi let out a long-winded sigh. He was silent for a few moments before he spoke. "I don't know." He leaned against the railing of the apartment balcony, resting his arms on the bars for support. "It is too early to tell. I hope we do right by her; I hope we raise her well and she is happy.

"I hope that she loves him; I hope she loves him more than we do or anyone else ever will love him, and that they change our world for the better, together."

Rin looked at Kakashi, who was still staring at his basically adopted son. He looked older suddenly, though he appeared to only be in his thirties. His eyes rested on Sasuke like a man who had seen, known, and lived pain. Seeing the way he looked at Sasuke so tenderly, the way he spoke of him so lovingly... made something swell in Rin's heart.

Like that, her feelings toward Kakashi changed instantly. She suddenly wanted to know him more, to figure him out. He was mysterious, indeed; but his love for Sasuke and Naruto was no mystery at all.

Kakashi looked back at Rin, his eye crinkled. "I think I'll let Sakura sleep in my bed today, until we can get a bed for her-"

"I'm spending the day at your place."

Kakashi's eye widened, but he answered simply, "Sure."

Rin became embarrassed for the umpteenth time that night. "I mean, I know he won't want to leave her. And the first night… Well, for you guys, it'll be the first day… But it's always rough. So I will come help. If you will have me, that is." She bowed slightly. "Sorry to impose myself on you, but I feel it is best."

"We would be delighted, Miss Rin. You have my thanks."

She waved at him dismissively again. "Just Rin. I mean, I'm no miss. I'm just Rin." She placed her hand on the balcony near Kakashi's. A fiery feeling fled through her when his hand landed on top of hers and he squeezed it.

"Thank you, Rin."


A/N:

Story is beta'ed and mostly edited. Thanks to my honeybunny for the song suggestion. It's perfect!

Sometimes I just can't write. It's like I sit down to write and I just can't. I have horrific writer's block. I'm hoping as I continue with this, my writer's block gets easier. I have a ton of notes and a timeline to help me with this issue, too.

Also, it was asked if Sakura will grow fast. The short answer is no; but there will be a lot of time-skips. I will do my best to explain these jumps in time. While it's interesting now, things get infinitely more interesting when she is older!

As always, thank you for your love and support.