Although and earlier update, it is shorter than recent chapters, for which I am sorry (it seemed so much longer when writing it!).

Nothing belongs to me but my own words (also, to those of you that have been telling me not to call my story shit I thank you for your kind words, but I promise you that I am mostly joking).

"Hmmm, so Sasuke is still holding a grudge, is he?" Itachi drawled as he took in the shellshocked youth still gaping at him. Before Lee could pull himself together and respond, the older male broke eye contact as a bitter smirk washed over his hardened face, twisting the handsome features into something sinister. "Not that I thought it would be any different mind you, seeing how our darling parents are so forthcoming with the truth," he spat, words practically dripping with venom, "but that is neither here nor there." The distorted anger that overwhelmed the pale face snapped back into the serene smile so fast Lee wondered if he had merely imagined such a vile expression. "I do hope that this won't interfere with our working relationship," came the now smooth and unassuming voice, devoid of the harsh bite that so recently coloured the baritone.

Once again, Lee found himself helpless to do anything more than nod his head dumbly, still reeling from the drastic shift in personality. The action seemed to satisfy the older Uchiha, however, for he proceed to turn on his heel and stride to the dressing room as if the previous outburst had never happened. The dark skinned male continued to stare, dumbfounded, at the space Itachi had occupied; hands clammy as a shiver worked its way down his spine. Lee couldn't stop the violent jerk that had him whipping around to face Sai when the other had attempted to place a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" his friend asked concern evident in his tone although his face remained impassive.

"Ah, y-yes of course, I was merely…." reminded of all the times I would receive that look before being shoved aside, verbally attacked, or…..worse, "….startled."

While Lee had not been lying, having truly been unprepared for the contact, it was more than evident that Sai knew there was something else that had further contributed to his intense reaction.

"Itachi's notorious for being an asshole, but he's generally lighthearted about it," the bland voice informed. "Teasing and prodding are more his thing, not, well, that."

"It was never my intention to cause such discomfort," Lee added weakly, the previous fear subsiding as guilt and regret took it's place. "I should not have asked him such personal questions, it must have been very uncomfortable, not to mention invasive! How rude of me, I promise that I will never commit such an unbecoming act again or I shall clean the whole club by myself for a mo—"

"Lee," Sai cut in, stopping the dark haired teen before he worked himself up further, "I should have told you not to bring his past up, he's always reacted.… distastefully when it has been. I never thought you of all people would know anything about it."

"I….well, I am very good friends with Sasu—his younger brother so I know…a little of what happened back then," the large eyed male replied, looking to the ground as he wrapped his arms around his waist. I thought I had been told everything, but now I am not sure…. and I do not think I am the only one missing such critical information, he added mentally. "He…he is going to be okay, yes?"

"If Itachi's good at anything, other than being an asshole, it's being resilient," the ebony haired male assured as he took in the distressed face of his coworker. "He'll be embarrassing Shikamaru in no time…and you if your not careful," he added flatly.

Sai reached out both of his pale hands, purposely slowing his movements so it would be obvious to the other, and grabbed the tanned ones that Lee had clamped around his slender waist. Bringing his face level with Lee's large eyes, Sai's dark, almost dead looking, orbs held a serious look.

"I'm not one to pry, but if you ever want to talk to me you can," his equally serious voice promised.

Lee relaxed as Sai gave his appendages a small squeeze, taking comfort in both the vocal assurance and the small gesture. For such a cold looking person, Sai is exceptionally warm hearted! A small giggle escaped the long haired male's mouth at the thought, finding the contradiction amusing. Sai took that as his cue to release one hand so he could lead the other to the bar, satisfied that his friend was no longer visibly distressed.

"Besides," the monotone cut in as the pair made their way to where the other workers were slowly gathering, "you're essentially catnip to men, so i'd be more worried about Itachi never leaving you alone."

Lee sputtered at Sai's declaration as he violently waved his free hand in front of his flushed face. "T-THAT IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT TRUE!" he frantically denied, voice unintentionally loud in his embarrassment.

"What is not true, my little Lotus?" Gai questioned.

Lee, so focused on their conversation, had not realized that they had finally made it to the small group of employees at the bar; who, he was disconcerted to notice, were all focused on the teen thanks to his outburst.

"AH…I-it is nothing Gai, I did not mean to—"

"Lee didn't agree with my statement," Sai's even tone enlightened, interrupting Lee's attempt at defusing the unintentional scene he had caused.

"And what was it that our Lee could have disagreed with?" the heavily muscled man inquired, head cocked in contemplation.

"He is in denial that he is essentially catnip. But instead of affecting cats, he's the kind that makes men go wild," Sai deadpanned.

Lee was mortified to see that everyone had turned from his friend to focus on him anew. Squirming under their unrelenting eyes, he could feel his dark skin heat up further, still unused to such attention.

"Lee," Gai's strong voice boomed as he made the short distance between him and the youth. Settling his large hands on the slender shoulders, the shiny haired male gave him a stern look. "There are some things in life that you must come to accept," he began as a confused Lee nodded along while trying to understand what was happening. " Life is short but glorious, winter is cold but there is beauty in it's frigid wonderland, and you, my friend, are catnip to men. That is just how it is," he concluded sagely.

"I…I…I," Lee repeated as he desperately tried to process what his manager had just told him.

"Just accept it, he won't let go until you do," Kakashi, whom had seemingly materialized out of nowhere, advised nonchalantly.

Looking back to the oddly sombre face of the typically jovial owner, Lee shook his head in the affirmative, still not completely sure what he was assenting to.

"Wonderful, " Gai gave Lee a blinding smile before clapping his hands and refocusing on the group, "now that we have come to an agreement we can get to work! Everyone have a fantastic night and remember, Paradise is home to anyone who seeks it so treat them like family when they walk through those doors!"

Energized by the heartfelt words, Lee was more than ready to start his second shift at the club, but a large hand prevent his momentum.

"Lee, my star server, I would like to talk to you before your shift, so if you could make yourself available for a few minutes I would be most grateful!" Gai asked, his large smile softened into something encouraging.

"Of course!" Lee instantly responded, voice ending slightly high in worry.

"It is nothing negative, so do not worry," the elder laughed as he clapped Lee's back in comfort. "I was just hoping that you would accompany me tomorrow on a little adventure so that we can strengthen our bonds as companions!"

"I would be honoured!" the younger exclaimed, thrilled at the chance to get to know his gracious boss more.

"Perfect! Is twelve a suitable time to begin our journey?"

"YOSH! I look forward to it!," Lee clenched both his fists in resolve, ready to tackle any challenge that Gai would present him tomorrow.

"That's the spirit! Now go and show everyone what a great server you are!"

Lee didn't disappoint, and the remainder of the night was filled with much applause, laughter, and conversation—most of it between the ebony haired male and the numerous customers that took an instant liking to the cute waiter that was much stronger than he looked, if the highly stacked trays were anything to go by. With a final word to Gai, giving him his address and phone number (which resulted in Sai snatching his phone from his hands and mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like 'how could you give that annoying thing your number before me, you traitor' while he entered his information). Bidding the remaining two a quick goodbye, Shikamaru waving lazily in return and Kakashi inclining his head in acknowledgment, Sai and Lee set out to the latter's apartment. Although the younger was happy for the company at the late hour, he still insisted that it was not necessary for his friend to walk him back, which, unsurprisingly, was waved off by the other as they excited the club.

Realizing just how exhausted he was, Lee flopped on his bed as soon as he entered his small room. Lee had left Sai with the promise of texting him tomorrow in amends for not telling him about his new phone sooner, which seemed to mollify the slightly sour aura radiating off the expressionless male. Covering his eyes with his arm, he let out a content sigh as he smiled softly. Going over the highlights of his shift, an unfamiliar warmth bloomed in his chest as he recalled the tables he had served and just how complimentary everyone had been. Is this….what pride feels liked, he wondered, whatever it is, I can not help but feel like I am achieving something when I work.

Just as those thoughts passed, another scene from the evening played in his mind, eliciting a very different kind of warmth to consume him. Why am I thinking of this now!? he internally shrieked as waves of embarrassment crashed over him. The first performance of the night (which, to Lee's discomfort, could not stop replaying in his mind) had been a dual act featuring Shikamaru and Itachi. The two had been clad in dark leather that left nothing to the imagination— not that Lee was imaging, mind you—that had escalated to obscene levels of undress as the act progressed. Despite his own shyness to all thing…improper, Lee had found himself absorbed in the sensual movements of their unmistakably masculine bodies as they rolled and thrust their hips to the endless beat. It was even worse when they came off stage to walk amongst the crowd, their bodies glistening with sweat as they continued to dance—well, to say the least, Lee had almost dropped his trays and all the alcohol on it.

Smacking his cheeks, the crimson faced male forced himself to stop the dangerous train of thoughts that, if he were at the orphanage still, would surely cause him to be kicked out. Lee, they are your co-workers, not objects for your….your… OH I JUST NEED TO STOP, he firmly reprimanded himself. Besides, one of them does not even like you and would undoubtably not be happy to know you had been thinking about them in such a manner. Even though Itachi had been more than civil to him the rest of the shift, Lee couldn't shake the feeling that the former really didn't like him. It is not his fault, he lamented, I was being insensitive and asking things that I had no right to ask. As he drifted off to sleep, still clad in the clothes he had worn to work, one last thought surfaced in his hazy mind; If what Itachi said is true, then just what really happened to make him despise his family so much?"

Short, I know, I know but I really didn't want to try and start another part here since the next part is a pretty big jump from the content of this chapter.

I hope you enjoy it though, and thank you so much to those who have left such lovely comments/reviews/whatever you wish to call them!