I deleted the previous preview chapter. I appreciate the outpouring of support. If you were unable to read it, it will come back later on in the story.

This chapter was barely edited before being posted, but I felt like I needed to get it out. I hope it helps me continue writing.

My life is constantly in this strange state of change. I am hoping for some normalcy. I am currently suffering from COVID, and the stillness this illness has caused has given me some time to pause, read, and write. I hope I can continue to find my muse. This story desperately wants to be told.

For now, enjoy.

Chapter 12:

The Business


Rin held the phone in one hand and a screaming Sakura in the other.

She was exhausted - beyond exhausted. She was drained.

Autumn was full "blown." A soft, tickling breeze came through the kitchen window. Rin could hear the rustling of the trees as she haphazardly attempted to dial the number Kakashi had given her a few days before.

Rin had not only come to accept her position in the Uchiha household - she fully embraced it. After all, her extended family were busy with their own lives. She had been looking for a purpose when she began working for the bar. Alone, without Obito, and no parents, she wasn't sure what she was doing. She had dropped out of university and had upended everything on Obito's whim, but she couldn't tell the others that.

They couldn't - wouldn't find out about her past.

It was her secret to keep.

Kakashi had been called away to the meeting between the creatures of the Lore; apparently, it was a big deal. Ikiti had stressed to her that it was of the utmost importance for Kakashi to attend. "I'm trying really hard to get them on your family's side," Ikiti exclaimed.
She grabbed Rin's hands, pleading, "Please make sure he attends."

This was the meeting that her new acquaintances had discussed when they showed up in the middle of the night two months before. Kakashi and Sasuke were both left injured. Rin didn't dare bring the evening up, as it left Sasuke extremely sour.

Two nights before, Rin had stared at the elder vampire open mounted as he prepared to leave for his trip.

They had grown closer and closer, unsurprisingly; they were working in tandem with Sasuke and Naruto to raise Sakura. At 8 months old, Sakura was getting into everything, and she was becoming more and more of a handful. It was a natural occurrence that they were growing more comfortable with each other.

Kakashi wore a fitted, navy suit that highlighted his magnificent muscles. "It's a side effect of the vampirism," he had once told her. "I am constantly fighting to get fat."

The suit was tailored to fit him like a glove. Sasuke loudly expressed his distaste at the custom-made piece of clothing - "You're wasting money on something stupid. You're not a mortal."

"Ah, Sasuke." Kakashi chuckled. "Lore and mortals alike understand the value of a good suit… and an even better first impression."

Rin gawked as he meticulously buttoned his sleeves. He paced the living room, deep in thought; his new leather shoes made a satisfying sound as they hit the wooden floor. Though lost in himself, Kakashi observed the young woman staring at him; he winked at her flirtatiously.

Rin, embarrassed at being caught, went wide-eyed. "Sorry, sorry sorry."

"No need to apologize, dear Rin. I feel like this fine, tailored piece deserves your attention as well."

She blushed furiously.

It was not much later when Jiraiya came barreling down the driveway in his sedan. Rin wanted to ask Kakashi why he was going to travel the old-fashioned way, but she felt nosey and thought better of it.

Before he left with a suitcase in tow, the masked man handed Rin a note with a number on it. In intricate cursive was scrolled the name "Ikiti."

"Call her the day after tomorrow, after our meeting, and have her visit. I'll be gone for a bit… on business." Kakashi patted Rin's shoulder affectionately.

As Kakashi hugged baby Sakura goodbye, Rin found herself pining for a hug from him as well. She mentally shook the thought away.

"I've heard that Ikiti also has a baby… Maybe you two can discuss that. Do some mom stuff or something. Whatever women do when they're alone."

And alone she was.

Naruto was working another double at the bar, and it was still late afternoon - Sasuke was asleep, and he wouldn't rise for another hour, at least. Sighing, Rin balanced Sakura in her lap as she dialed Ikiti's number.


"And, why, on God's green Earth, should we trust you?"

Kakashi was secretly uncomfortable, but he did his best to hide it. If he wasn't a vampire, he was sure he'd be sweating bullets.

"Because," Kakashi began, and then sighed. He took a breath that he didn't actually need. "We are the last of the Uchiha, the original born-vampire family. If we die - if Sasuke dies - then who will be the ones to keep the turned vampires in line?"

"I don't see you doing much of that." A random Conclave member spoke out. "Seems like they are running around, doing as they please."

"How, praytail, do we know it isn't you, the turned slave, releasing more vampires into the wild for us to deal with?" Mariano crossed his arms.

Ikiti stared at Kakashi, her hands wringing together in her lap.

"Master Sasuke has zero interest in the making of weak vampirlings. He seeks to restore his family through more... natural means. His time has been completely devoted to that."

"We know of the human child." An elderly woman spoke. "It is an abomination."

"Madam, I assure you, it isn't. She is receiving the best care from a human woman: a young lady best equipped to not only meet her needs, but exceed them."

"Another slave, I suppose?" quipped Mariano.

"On the contrary - she fancies that she runs the place."

There were a few laughs, including from Ikiti. When Mariano barked her name, she did little to quell her smile.

"The baby is beautiful and healthy. It was not a strange situation… I mean, all things considered. Iruka and Jiraiya both observed the home and the child; she seems very well cared for."

"I find it comical that Iruka claimed it was a "rumor"..." Mariano wasn't done yet.

"I didn't want to claim something as fact when I had yet to see it myself," Iruka interjected. "This situation could be weird, but it isn't. We are creatures of the night. Sometimes strange is our middle name."

Mariano growled. "Where is your idiot friend, Iruka? Shouldn't he be here defending the turned vampire's case?"

"I have a name…" Kakashi muttered under his breath.

"I don't claim to keep track of that man. He does what he wishes." Iruka had a suspicion, but he wasn't positive...

Ikiti smiled. "This issue was voted on at our last meeting, Mariano."

He couldn't help himself; he growled again. "Beatrice, write a cheque for the damn blood suckers."

Ikiti's eyes met Kakashi, and they silently congratulated each other.

"Mariano," Ikiti said. "Before we adjourn, we need to discuss the Peace Makers."

Iruka nodded. "Their numbers are growing." He turned to his old friend. "They're vampire hunters, but they are beginning to cut down anything that has to do with the night. They attacked a werebeast clan a few nights ago."

"Hmph." Kakashi looked thoughtful. "I know of them, but I hadn't heard of their presence in many years. I had assumed they died off-"

"It's just a bunch of idiots in armor playing superheroes." Mariano straightened his shirt as he stood. "They pose no threat to us. This meeting is adjourned."


"I want you to meet someone, Kakashi."

They were in an upscale club in Sunagakure. Kakashi had refused all drinks, despite the club serving his beverage of choice. Iruka was mildly tipsy; Jiraiya could have had ten more drinks and been fine.

They had shooed Ikiti back home to be with her daughter and husband. "Go do normal human things," Jiraiya laughed as he waved off the young woman. Kakashi was mildly sad when she left; she was humorous and normal.

As they entered, they were greeted by women in incredibly short skirts and bandeau tops. After they were seated, a few of the girls crawled into their booth with them. Jiraiya made a comment about Kakashi's lifestyle, and one of the girls eagerly offered him her neck. Kakashi, embarrassed, politely declined. Jiraiya scolded him. "We never get to sit around and be the monsters we are. Have some fun, old friend."

He was openly uncomfortable as the human girl snuggled up to him. "Don't be shy, sir." She lowered her lashes. "I rather enjoy being drank from."

That was enough for Kakashi, who declined again. Iruka also brushed off the petite red-head that sat beside him. Both of the ladies joined a third girl beside Jiraiya. They giggled and laughed as they took turns taking shots with the scoundrel of the three men, and Iruka nursed a rather sour looking adult beverage.

The lights in the club were a dim purple. They sat at a glass table, surrounded by a waterfall. The white seats may or may not have been actual leather; Kakashi wasn't sure. All he knew was that this local was out of his budget.

"What do you have planned now, you dumbass?"

Kakashi looked up.

A rather seedy pair of creatures approached them. Kakashi immediately recognized one of them as his own kind.

"Ahh, Kakuzu and Hidan. Welcome." Jiraiya stood from his seat and greeted them. "Go ahead and take a break, ladies." He winked at the women who worked for the club. They giggled and made their way back to the entrance.

The man named Hidan rolled his eyes. "I was in the middle of a delicious feast in the back, so this had better be good."

"We are going to make it worth your time."

"How much, then, Jiraiya?" the man named Kakuzu said curtly. "Time is money."

Jiraiya waved the cheque from the Conclave in Kakuzu's face. Kakashi frowned when he realized his friend had pilfered the cheque from his pocket.

"It all depends on how much you're willing to help my friend, Kakuzu."

Hidan snorted. "It's the stupid blood-born's croney." He eyed Kakashi, looking him up and down as the pair sat at the table. "Is he still scrawny and young? Can't hold his own, eh? Have to chase down some of our kind for help, I see."

"Now now," Jiraiya waved him off. "This is what I was working on earlier, gentlemen." He motioned towards Kakashi and Iruka. "Those damn meetings are so… boring. Kakuzu and Hidan have quite the little empire they're building… with blood bars!"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Blood bars?"

"Yes," Jiraiya continued. "Blood bars. Places where thirsty men, such as yourself, can feed… fresh, without the bloodshed."

"Unless one of them pisses me off," Hidan scoffed.

"The bars are becoming most profitable," Kakuzu added. "Jiraiya tells me you have a bit of property where we could possibly open a shop?"

Kakashi didn't say anything; he was caught off guard. He felt uncomfortable by everything - the girls, the strange men, the shady dealings… Everything. Jiraiya answered for him. "Yes, the young Master Uchiha is aging up and coming into his own. He has returned to his property, and they are working on restoring it as we speak."

Kakuzu looked thoughtful. "I have been wanting to experiment with opening more locations outside of Sunagakure. Hidan has been managing two of our stores during the evening-"

"When I'm not fucking the donors." Hidan laughed at his own joke.

Kakuzu rolled his eyes. Kakashi was appalled at the man's attempt at making himself seem desirable, but he kept it to himself. Iruka, who was tipsy, felt brave enough to ask, "You sure you aren't killing them as you go? The Uchiha clan wants nothing to do with that sort of thing."

Jiraiya kicked Iruka underneath the table. Iruka silently noted that he would be seeking his revenge at a later time.

"If we kill our source, we lose money," Kakuzu explained. "We pay the humans a measly fee - they think they are donating blood for a good cause and are being paid to do so. We harvest the blood from them. I employ a few human workers; and then, at night, we turn into a full-service vampire bar."

"Some of them stick around and get special treatment from me," Hidan chuckled.

Kakuzu ignored him and continued. "If you are serious about partnering, I would be glad to show you one of our fine establishments tomorrow."

Kakashi's opinion wasn't even questioned. Jiraiya had decided for him. "Absolutely. Maybe we can get this old bastard to take off his mask for us and have a drink!"


Rin was incredibly thrilled when Ikiti showed up the next day with her daughter.

She was so excited that she had sat on the porch with Sakura eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new friend.

"You're going to make a new friend, too, Sakura," she cooed.

Finally, Rin heard the familiar pop of gravel rocks under tires as a vehicle approached.

Rin was impressed; Ikiti drove a very stylish, top-of-the-line SUV. She carried herself like a socialite and drove like one as well.

She waved to Rin as she pulled up. Rin admired Ikiti because she constantly looked so… together. She wore a denim skirt, fuchsia puffer vest, and white leggings. Her hair was still in its signature bun.

Rin ran from the porch to greet her, still holding Sakura, as she removed her daughter from her car seat.

"Rin, I'm so glad you finally get to meet my Ino."

Ikiti removed the toddler from her car. Her short, platinum blonde hair was held back by barrets. She wore an orange long sleeve shirt and matching pants. Her Mary Jane shoes complimented her ensemble.

Rin was enamored. "She's beautiful, Ikiti."

"Thank you." Itiki smoothed a strand of Ino's hair from her face. "She definitely favors her father, but she has her mom's attitude!"

Ino and Sakura were staring at each other. Rin realized, with some sadness, that Sakura had never seen another child before. Of course she was in shock. Both girls locked eyes. Sakura looked distressed, but Ino was mainly curious.

"I guess Ino gets to be Sakura's very first friend!" Ikiti laughed. "Let's go inside; this weather is getting a bit too chilly for my liking."

Ikiti was elated to share with Rin how well the meeting had gone. She relayed that Kakashi did an excellent job at keeping his cool. "He had an answer for everything our leader, Mariano, threw at him," she exclaimed. Sakura clung to Rin, shying away from the new child. Rin and Ikiti tried to encourage her, but she was not having it.

Ino whined, desiring to be free from her mother's arms. She wanted to explore the box of toys sitting in the kitchen. Ikiti offered to hold Sakura while Rin made tea for them.

A free Ino began to rummage through the toybox; the two women continued chatting.

"I just have to know..." Ikiti bounced Sakura in her arms. The pink haired baby was watching Ino very closely. "How in the world did you get involved with this whole…" She used her free hand to gesture towards Sakura. "... thing?"

Rin threw her head back and laughed heartily.

"I kind of fell into it, really," she explained as set her kettle down on the stove.

Rin explained that Sasuke had shown up at the bar wanting work, and she just happened to be the only one there during that time. Ikiti nodded along as Rin relayed the experience of helping the boys discover how to care for a human baby.

They both shared a chuckle at Naruto putting the diaper on the baby inside out. "And then," Rin said, covering her mouth while she laughed, "Sakura kept throwing up on Kakashi!"

The girls had been so busy laughing, the tea kettle whistled for a moment before either of them noticed.

"Well," Ikiti wiped a tear from her eye. She had been laughing so hard, she was starting to cry. "I hope they're learning, and you're playing the savior, human-female less and less!"

"Oh, yes." Rin poured the boiling water into their teacups. "I'm really proud of Sasuke, actually."

"Yeah," Ikiti looked uncomfortable as the conversation switched. "I was not sure how to…"

"Handle him?" Rin chuckled. "He is different, but he has grown on me." She served Ikiti her tea before helping herself to a seat. Sakura wiggled in Ikiti's grasp. She reached for Rin.

Rin took her, adjusting the child in her lap. "Sasuke was really… deficient when it came to interacting with people. He was rather surly and inpatient in the beginning; now, he actually smiles every once in a blue moon!"

"He also wants to lead. He has worked exceptionally hard on taking care of his village. It was in way, way worse shape a few months back."

"Well," Ikiti began. She paused as she watched Ino dig around in Sakura's toy box. "Mama." The toddler implored Ikiti take a doll from her. Both women giggled as Ikiti gingerly accepted the doll. "Thank you, lovebug."

"If you're comfortable, then I'm sure everything is fine. Is he eager for her to grow up?"

Rin shrugged. "He doesn't talk about it much."

"Okay, but what I'm dying to know… How did you get involved at the bar?"

Rin went white. She swallowed hard and looked down at the ground. Her free fist gathered up a bit of her skirt, and she clenched onto it tightly.

Ikiti noticed immediately that her friend was uncomfortable. She reached for her, patting her hands. "Hey, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. Sorry. Something I haven't told you yet is that I run a neighborhood flower shop in Konoha, and I am a bit of a gossip."

"Ah, that sounds lovely." Rin grasped onto the subject change, but she had a nagging feel that she should be honest with Ikiti. "And… it's okay. I was… I was also a Lore Mate."

"Oh." It was Ikiti's turn to be silent. She waited for Rin to continue.

"Yeah… I don't know what happened to him. I have been waiting… I was in school to be a nurse, but he asked me to quit. He wanted me for himself. He loved that stupid bar, so I thought… I thought if I worked there, he'd eventually come back to me."

There was a long, pregnant pause. A few silent tears began to escape Rin's eyes.

"Rin, I had no idea." Ikiti jumped up to grab a tissue for her friend. Sakura noticed Rin sniffling, and she patted her Auntie's cheeks.

"Bah bah bah," she said, doing her best to comfort Rin.

"So, so sorry." Ikiti dabbed at Rin's eyes. "So sorry."

"No no." Rin took the tissue from her. "It's okay, but I ask that you not tell the others."

"I wouldn't dare."

"It was just hard. Ugly hard. He… my parents were killed, and I was just left with him."

"Oh, you poor thing!" Ikiti hugged Rin, simultaneously hugging Sakura at the same time. "That is so horrible."

"He… he had every intention of killing me, too. But he found out I was his mate, and he…" She shook her head, sniffling. "I don't even know if he is alive anymore."

"Wow," Ikiti sat down again, stunned. "I don't even know what to say."

"Just… Please don't tell them. Or anyone."

"I promise, I won't."

I can't let Sasuke find out I was an Uchiha's mate.

They spent the rest of their visit giggling, sharing stories about their girls, and watching Sakura and Ino cautiously investigate each other.


Kakashi wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he wasn't expecting this.

The bar's entrance, much like the one in Konoha, was in a back alley. There were turned wolven werebeasts guarding the entrance. One of them snarled at Iruka menacingly, who, in turn, chirped like the dolphin he was. His chirp, while not impressive, definitely confused the bouncers.

To the untrained eye, it looked like a regular, mortal bar. There was alcohol and mixers set up behind the tending area. The bartender was a young blonde man frozen in time, never to age because he was turned. He appeared to only be slightly older than a teenager, but his true age was unknown. He flashed his fangs as the group entered, obviously wanting them to know that he was better than them because of his kind. When he noticed Hidan and Kakuzu, his attitude changed.

"Wow, both bosses at once. To what do I owe this great pleasure, sirs?"

"Give it a rest, Giichi." Hidan waved the bartender off. "The adults are busy."

The man named Giichi appeared to grit his teeth, but he hid it with a smile. "Let me know if you… require anything."

"Yeah, actually, we do." Hidan corrected himself. "Get this boring old man a room with one of our best donors." He motioned towards Kakashi.

"Excuse me, but-" Kakashi was already being ushered away by what he could only assume was a waitress.

"Anything the boss wants, I do," Giichi muttered. "Take him to the back room, Lolo."

"Have some fun, you old bastard!" Jiraiya called after him.

"Um, where is she taking him?" Iruka asked.

"Don't worry about it," Hidan remarked. "Kakuzu, aren't you going to show them how we run this place?" Their voices trailed off as Kakashi was forced away.

"Follow me, please." The young woman wore an apron and high, black heels. She was Kakashi's height, and she had no problem pushing him around.

Kakashi couldn't help but wonder what the Hell he was getting himself into when the waitress shoved him into a back room. It was dim; there was uplighting around the walls, making them appear to be a fiery orange. All that was in the room was a luxurious looking leather loveseat, an end table, and a few towels.

"Towels?" Kakashi asked out loud.

"Yes," Lolo answered. "In case the donor bleeds a bit."

"Wha-what?"

"Just relax, sir. Kawena will be with you shortly."

She gently shut the door… and locked it.

"Well, isn't this interesting." Kakashi sat down on the couch. He was ashamed to admit that it was incredibly comfortable. Hell, he was tempted to kick his feet up. "I should have let that damn fortune teller give me my fortune. I never would have predicted any of this."

He didn't have much time to reflect on his predicament.

It was not much longer until a young woman joined him.

She had a soft, mellow voice. "Hello, sir. I am Kawena."

Kakashi swallowed as she shut the door behind her. She was short, with equally short, spikey purple hair. She wore very tight pleather shorts that showed off her assets, and a lacey, triangle tank. The top was patterned in silver stars, and the reflection of the uplighting made them glow.

"I was told you've never been to our establishment before, Mr. Kakashi."

"N-no. I haven't."

She chuckled to herself. "No need to be nervous. I am here to make you happy. It's my job."

Kakashi felt himself sinking into the back of the seat. She perched beside him, her hand rubbing his knee as she sat. "I hope we can have some fun."

"I don't know about that," Kakashi bit out.

"Aw, come on, sir." Kawena reached up and brushed a lock of his silver hair behind his ear. "What can I do to make you more comfortable?"

"Uhh." Kakashi panicked. He hadn't been touched by a woman in this way in many years. He was rusty; not only that, but he hadn't drank directly from a human in at least a decade.

"Maybe you could turn the light off," he murmured.

"Oh? A bit shy, huh?" The girl chuckled to herself as she rose to turn off the light.

Immediately after, she was crawling in Kakashi's lap.

If Kakashi needed to breathe, he would have been hyperventilating.

"Mmm. I hope you're hungry, Mr. Kakashi."

The girl wrapped her arms around his neck before bringing her own neck to meet his mouth.

Kakashi sucked in her scent; she smelled fantastic. Her natural essence was decadent. So full of life, something he lacked.

The girl gently pulled Kakashi's mask down, and she reached to kiss him.

Kakashi let her; as their lips connected, she bucked her hips on him. She pulled away, and implored him to drink from her.

"Please don't be shy."

Kakashi was dizzy with a wanton desire. He couldn't resist.

It was then that he bit her.

Kawena cried out in pleasure. Kakashi gripped her in a vice-like embrace as he drank from her. She wouldn't have been able to pull away, even if she wanted.

Her fresh blood filled him with vitality. He sucked savagely at her neck. She was young and fresh; so vibrant. It was a meal he hadn't enjoyed in so very long. He could feel raw power flowing through him, but something else as well.

He was dizzy.

He let go of her. "Why…" he coughed out, his mouth soaked in her liquid.

She, too, felt hazy. "It's the alcohol. It's alright. It hits everyone a little bit differently every time."

"I'm… drunk?" he spit out.

"Maybe. Keep drinking. You're paying for the full deal, and we aren't there yet."

The room spun a few times before his teeth met her neck again.

He lapped at her until she pulled away. He slumped into the seat, unable to fully sit up. In a panic, he covered his mouth with his mask again. It was all he had the strength to do.

"Oh, that was fun." Kawena remarked. The lights came on again. She straightened her shirt and tidied her hair. She leaned on the doorknob, admiring the state that she was leaving her customer in. "I do hope you'll come see me again soon."

Kakashi couldn't even bid her goodbye. The room just kept spinning.


When I started writing this story, Ino's mom didn't have a name! She was just "Ino's mother" in the Naruto Wiki! If she has a name now, well… we are sticking with Ikiti, because I've fallen hard for her.

I love all these characters. I hope this story brings you some joy.

I will do my best to keep going.

Let me know if you enjoyed it.