Woah, what's this? An update!

Considering I have a lot of free time right now, it's kind of sad that it took me this long to finish this chapter.

As always, nothing belongs to me but this fic. I hope you guys enjoy!

Gaara had been acting well—not unusual per say, but something definitely felt different. School had come and gone that chilly Monday with nothing of much note to help that school day stand out from the rest. Or rather, there was something unique about the day, just not something that the raven haired teen could tangibly articulate or note at the moment. And so school finished, students made their ways back home, and Lee was left to pounder the lacklustre events of the day. While he couldn't quite pinpoint the exact moment in which things changed, mostly because nothing had really changed, he was determined to at least figure out why he felt things were different. Outwardly the shorter redhead was the same as he always was; stoic, solitary, and silent. That's not to say that he didn't contribute to the conversation every now and then, nor that he didn't sit close with the rest of them at lunch, because he did. But that too was perfectly normal behaviour for the alabaster male. Lee climbed his rickety stairs and unlocked his dull green door, still lost in trying to decipher the alteration in his good friend. It had started in the morning, when Gaara had joined them at the back of the school. Lee had reached over to greet his friend, and while he received the normal nod in response, something had shifted between them. Lee felt himself flush at the memory, goosebumps breaking out over his delicate flesh. That moment had been electric. Something in Gaara's cerulean gaze had felt heavy, unbearably so, and when Lee's obsidian orbs met blue, he had felt as if he was burning. Things had continued much the same as normal after that, but every time their eyes met Lee 's heart skipped a beat and his palms became sweaty. Shaking his head suddenly, the thin male slapped his cheeks with soft hands. Of course things feel different Lee, he chastised himself, you have just accepted your own sexuality and in turn your feelings for Gaara, it is no wonder that things seem strange. Shame washed over Lee in churning waves, causing his shoulder to slump as he fell back on his small mattress. And, if he was being completely honest, a pang of disappointment coloured the whole awful mix of emotions. It hadn't been Gaara who had been acting oddly, it had been Lee himself. Now that he no longer felt the need to censor that aspect of himself around his friends, he had become more open to his own feelings and thoughts. That had meant that the giant wall he put up against his affections for Gaara had all but collapsed until only clouds of dust remained. And here I am projecting my own feelings on to Gaara. That is not fair to him, just because I am attracted to him in that way does not mean he is attracted to me as well. Lee rolled onto his side, arms hanging limply off the side of his bed. His long fingers picked at the frayed edges of his worn out comforter, the tanned skin starkly contrasting with the pale pink blanket. While the young male was certain he was right about this situation, something continued to niggle at the back of his mind. Lee was very good at reading his friend, despite Gaara showing very little emotion outwardly. So the electric moment at the back of the school…..there was definitely something that passed between the two of them. Maybe, a small hopeful part of him suggested, maybe…..he was also acting differently?

Lee's struggle was interrupted by his phone signalling a new text message. Sitting up, the lithe teen stretched out on to his stomach and reached over the end of his bed. Digging through the bag he had dropped there, he finally drew out his phone and looked to see just who was trying to contact him before work. Sai's name flashed on the screen and Lee quickly opened the message to see what his coworker could want. Lee and Sai had begun to text quite often after the former had received his phone, but they generally didn't message each other before a shift unless it was important. The text read 'Come in early, Gai wants to talk to us'. Normally, something like this would have been enough to send Lee into an uncontrollable fit of panic; Instead, the tanned teen took a deep breath, and grabbed his work bag. Knowing Gai as well as he did now, Lee knew that if it was something negative he wouldn't have gone through Sai to get his message to Lee. He sent his coworker a quick response indicating in the positive, and locked his door behind him as he calmly set off for Paradise.

Jogging down the street, Lee didn't even register that he was still in his school uniform, much too preoccupied on wondering what it was Gai had to discuss with them. He made a quick right off of the main road, dismissing one of the more outlandish scenarios his brain had supplied as to what the impromptu meeting was for, and was so lost in thought that he completely missed the person standing in the mouth of the side street. The raven's large eyes widened comically before he slammed into the poor, unsuspecting individual. Lee emitted a rather high eep as he bounced off the surprisingly firm chest of the stranger, falling unceremoniously onto the hard cement road. The other male emitted a low groan, clearly not finding the harsh impact any more pleasant than the dark skinned teen. Lee hunched forward on the hard ground, rubbing his stinging nose that was now an interesting shade of red. Before he could get his bearings, warm hands grabbed Lee's thin arms and easily hauled him from the ground, effectively removing his hands from his face.

"Funny how our encounters are never quite as smooth as they could be," came the teasing voice of Itachi.

"Ah! That is completely my fault," Lee bowed his head quickly in succession once he realized the stranger was not in-fact a stranger, but rather the one coworker who he shared a still rather tentative relationship with, "I was not paying attention to where I was going, I am sorry to have run right into you! And, as for the other encounters, I am afraid those were also my fault, if only I had been more sensitive we could have started off as splendid friends, or wait, is that too presumptuous of me to assume!? I am sorry for tha—"

A pale hand covered the younger's mouth gently, efficaciously cutting off the barrage of jumbled words. "Lee, it's fine, please let's just leave those events in the past. We were both wrong, myself more-so than what you are delegating, but I find no shame in admitting that. We've moved beyond this, haven't we?"

Though Itachi's soothing voice lifted slightly at the end, Lee knew the question was more a statement. With his mouth still cupped by the others larger hand, the younger opted to nod instead.

"Good," Itachi smiled lightly, releasing his hold, "now should we head to Paradise together? It is a lovely day for a walk amongst friends."

"Y-Yosh!" Lee eagerly chirped in agreement, "I would be honoured to share this journey with you!"

A larger smile pulled at the typically serious male's face, his sharp eyes softening into happy crescents. Itachi lightly pinched Lee's round cheeks as he continued to smile down at him. "It is no wonder you are such a good server at Paradise."

Lee tilted his head in confusion (as much as the fingers holding his cheeks would allow), not following what he believed to be a clear jump in conversation. "I do not understand, how is it that you have come to such a conclusion?"

The taller male smiled benignly and released tanned cheeks from pale fingers. "With a face as cute as yours and a personality to match, it's a wonder people have money left when they leave," Itachi laughed airily as he watched Lee's face redden to a sweet pink, the two resuming their trek to the club.

"I-I do not believe people think that much of me," Lee protested, still unused to receiving such nice compliments, "if anything it is Sai, and Shikamaru, and Y-you that the costumers are most enthralled by."

The taller smirked down at the shorter, not fully expecting the younger to admit to something so modest "Ah, then does that mean that you think i'm a good performer Lee?"

"O-of course!" The younger agreed, fists clenched in enthusiasm, "You are all so very cool and handsome, there is no reason why they should not appreciate your skill! When you perform on stage, everyone is drawn to your charismatic presence, you are truly a fantastic performer!"

Itachi ruffled Lee's soft raven locks, humbled by the sincerity behind his words."That is very kind Lee, thank you. I take pride in my talents."

Lee ducked his head as the hand left his hair, a small smile plastered to his face.

"But," The elder drawled teasingly, "I don't think you're as invisible as you'd like to think you are, something I believe you'll see soon enough."

The enigmatic conclusion left Lee feeling wrong-footed, as if Itachi knew something he himself did not. While he knew realistically he was a good server, he was merely filling the basic requirements of the job. How he contributed anything extra was beyond him, as far as he could tell he was just doing what was asked of him.

"That's besides the point though," Itachi began, breaking the momentary lapse in conversation, "how did your little revelation go Saturday? Sai mentioned in passing that you'd be seeing your friends and that'd you were taking the opportunity to 'come clean' so to say?"

Lee hadn't expected for Sai to talk to anyone else about his plans to come out on the weekend and was thusly taken aback at the change in topic; that's not to say that he was angered by it, rather, he felt a light warmth spread through his chest at the knowledge that his friend had deemed it important enough to mention to his other coworkers. Itachi seemed to pick up on the poorly disguised shock on his face but misread his shocked awe for stricken betrayal.

"Ah, was he not meant to mention it? If so then I am sorry that I brought it up, I did not know it was a private matter."

"N-NO!" Lee half shouted, hands waving in front of his face to dissuade the negative turn their talk had taken. "I was just not expecting him to have talked to anyone, it does not bother me that he did though! So do not worry, I am actually h-happy that you care enough to ask," he admitted as he tentatively reached over to grasp his new friend's wrist.

Looking down at the tanned hand on his arm, Itachi's face softened from the cold mask that had slipped into place at the assumed faux pas. He used the gentle hold to jerk the smaller male under his arm, wrapping Lee into a friendly embrace.

"I see, then you must tell me how it went."

"It was a very positive experience actually!" Lee chuckled from his new position, naturally bringing his right hand up to hold onto the pale arm hanging over his shoulder, "I may have overreacted at first, but my most wonderful friends were very loving and accepting of me!"

Lee felt the arm beneath his hand tense.

"That's wonderful Lee," Itachi responded, voice oddly strained given the positive recount. "I wonder though….was my brother just as accepting as the rest of your friends?"

"A-ah," the younger stuttered, feeling his spirits drop along with his smile. Lee knew Sasuke was a sensitive topic when it came to the older Uchiha, and was therefore something that was definitely better left out of any conversation whenever Itachi was involved (a lesson he had learned quite fast after their disastrous first encounter). Unsure of of what kind of outcome his answer would create, the only thing Lee could even think to do was to answer honestly. "Sasuke was most understanding of my o-orientation, he did not take offence nor did he appear at all disgusted or uneasy. He was most encouraging…well, in his own way."

Lee dared a glance at the other male, lifting his face to better see the elder's expression. Itachi's sharp eyes were glazed over, as if he was reliving a memory that he would much rather forget. His mouth was pulled into what Lee assumed was a painfully tense frown, before it snapped back into a neutral line. Itachi's dark eyes cleared and re-focused on the raven haired teen he still held to his side.

"Hmmm, It is good to know our vile parent's reach does not extend nearly as far as I had once assumed."

Lee flinched at the fierce bite tinging the elder's words, but couldn't help but agree. He knew the Uchiha's family situation was….less than ideal to say the very least, and could easily believe Itachi in his open dislike for his own parents. The raven haired teen had never met Sasuke and Naruto's guardians himself, but the less than pleasant comments Naruto made did not paint them in a favourable light. The two adoptive brothers were often left on their own, both their parents busy with family affairs (Mr. Uchiha) and lavishly spending their most singular wealth (Mrs. Uchiha). When they were home however, well Mr. Uchiha was distant at the best of times while Mrs. Uchicha was overbearing. She felt that when she was home the house should be run under her rule alone, no alternative would be accepted. Those weeks she was home, as few and far in-between as they were, never ceased to leave Sasuke irritable and Naruto down right livid. So if the Uchiha parents were as undesirable sounding from the little Lee had been privy to, then he could only imagine how horrible they actually were. And while the young teen strived to see everyone for their best qualities and not their worst, he found it exceedingly difficult to find any sort of favourable attributes to redeem the neglectful adults.

"I do not often speak ill of others, or at all if I can help it" Lee began hesitantly, unsure if he was overstepping his bounds, "but, from what little I do know, Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha are not the most pleasant of people to be around."

Sudden, uproarious laughter from the taller of the two had Lee lurching backwards as he flung his head up to look at Itachi's face. The arm wrapped around his shoulders prevent him from falling flat on his back, leaving him upright to marvel at the incredulous expression the elder was sporting.

"Oh Lee, that is quite an understatement," Itachi's voice rasped in-between huffed out bubbles of laughter, "My parents are perhaps the most disgusting things that this planet has seen. I only hope you never have to encounter them, I wouldn't wish their presence upon even my most hated enemies."

The tanned male let out a quiet sigh, glad that his comment hadn't offended his coworker. However, he didn't want to chance his luck, and instead chose to let the conversation rest —at least that was his plan until Itachi continued.

"They weren't nearly as horrendous when Sasuke was born. Something about him softened them up, they become more pleasant, easier to be around. And they were around too, more often then i'd ever known them to be," dark eyes became distant once again as the pale male averted his gaze from the shorter teen. "I never resented Sasuke for our parents clear favouritism," he revealed in a soft tone, almost as if he was unaware that he was speaking aloud, "he was the best thing that happened in our broken family."

Lee didn't know what to say in response to such an open confession, especially coming from the closed off male at his side. Something about the brittle tone coming from someone as admirably strong as Itachi saddened the teen greatly. While they were not the best of friends, Lee had always been a sympathetic person, and so he was easily moved by what his coworker had revealed to him. Itachi's situation was truly heartbreaking. So instead of attempting to continue the conversation, he did what he knew would comfort himself in such a situation: he released his hold on Itachi's arm and turned to hug the male instead.

Itachi froze in the other's embrace, halting their forward momentum. Looking down at the raven head pushed into his side, long arms wrapped around his middle in a tight yet comforting hold, the older male felt himself relax. He brought his own hand up to ruffle the raven locks with his fingers, earning him an extra squeeze from the younger.

"I am sorry your parents could not love you as much as you deserve," Lee lamented as he sniffed into the other male's shirt, barely holding back tears.

"Thank you Lee, but do not dwell on such matters," Itachi reassured as he gently disentangled the other's limbs from their hold, grasping coffee coloured hands with his own. "There is no love lost between my family and I."

"But, it, I…I do not mean to sound as if I am speaking for you b-but," the tanned teen scrunched up his face as a few tears escaped his large eyes, "it seems as if you really miss Sasuke, and it hurts me to hear the pain this rift is causing you."

Itachi's expression tightened as a myriad of emotions flashed across his face. "While I do miss my brother, I know now is not the time to bridge that gap between us. Please do not cry over something you can not help, your tears are not worth the trouble they are causing you," the elder smiled kindly as he ran soft thumbs over tear stained cheeks.

"Y-yosh," Lee sniffed one last time. "I am still sorry, and I know I am probably the last person you would come to for such things but if you ever want to talk, I will be more than happy to listen."

Itachi smiled tenderly, wrapping his arm around Lee once more, guiding them the rest of the way to Paradise. "Thank you Lee," was his simple response. "But there is no time to dwell on my sad childhood because we are here!"

Lee was startled to realize they were already at the back entrance of the club. He hadn't been paying much attention at all to his surroundings, with all his awareness focused on his coworker, and had thusly missed all his usual markers that indicated how much further he had to travel to work. Shaking off the slight surprise, Lee jogged to catch up with his friend whom had already made the short distance from the street to the club.

Itachi opened the large double doors and ushered the shorter teen inside. The duo made their way through the dimly lit hallway into the main club area, both of them falling into an amiable silence. The club, unsurprisingly, was empty —what was odd was that Gai and the other workers were nowhere to be seen. Usually pre-shift meetings were held in-front of the large stage so that it was easier for the waiters and performers to break off after the gathering came to a close. However, it did not seem that today's meeting would be taking place in it's usual spot. Lee, being new, thought nothing of the simple change in venue. Itachi, on the other hand, seemed to read more into the situation.

"Just what is the old man thinking?" The elder tsked under his breath.

The action was so reminiscent of Sasuke that Lee couldn't help the light chuckle that escaped from his mouth.

"Was something I said humorous?" Itachi queried, amused at the other's reaction.

"Ah, no I was just thinking," the teen laughed lightly once more before gathering his wits, "you and Sasuke are very much alike."

"We are brothers, are we not?" Itachi smirked down at the short male, before schooling his features into a more serious expression. "I do not know what Gai has in store, but I know where he will be. Come, Lee"

Lee too felt some of his early mirth diminish at the other's more serious shift. The pair quickly made their way to the changing room, the lithe male following closely behind his coworker. Even though he had no idea what to expect from the meeting, he couldn't help but feel nervous the closer they got to their destination. When Itachi opened the door, Lee felt himself clench up further. The room held a majority of Paradise's staff who had gathered themselves in a small circle close to the vanity's. Lee easily spotted Sai who began to wave him over impatiently. The stoic male didn't seem at all tense, which helped to relax the teen greatly. Lee looked up at the elder male, asking silently if he minded the younger joining his friend. Itachi easily waved him off, giving him a smile in parting, before making his own way over to Gai. The raven haired teen let out a final breath of relief before bouncing over to Sai. Itachi seemed at ease, which helped to completely relax the younger male, leaving him with a pleasant smile of his own. As soon as the raven was beside the alabaster teen, Sai gripped his hand between his own. Before Lee could question his friend's sudden action, Gai cleared his throat.

"Are you ready for this shit show?" Sai hissed between his teeth, clearly not pleased with what was about to happen.

Lee's early ease melted away to be replaced with concern.

"WELCOME MY MOST WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES!" Gai's voiced boomed loud and clear in the large space. "I am so happy to have everyone here to share this most exciting news with!"

The dark haired male looked over at his friend, eyebrows drawn in confusion. If it is exciting news then why does Sai look most troubled?

"Our most beloved performer Shikamaru has finally, after years of working so very hard, been most fortunate as to open his very own café!" The heavily muscled man shouted in delight, large hands moving in a blur as he clapped like a proud parent.

All of the other employees joined in the applause while Shikamaru looked decidedly unimpressed. Lee himself was clapping furiously as he beamed at his coworker.

"And now that our dear Shikamaru has achieved his dream, I am sad to say he will no longer be working at Paradise," Gai started to tear up at the revelation as he pulled an unwilling Shikamaru to his chest, "WE WILL MISS YOU SHIKAMARU!"

The spikey haired male looked about three seconds away from seriously loosing it. His eye twitched in irritation as Gai continued to sob while crushing him further. Luckily, Gai chose to let go in that moment and instead throw himself onto Kakashi, who easily embraced the male as he continued to sob. Shikamaru sighed, and rolled his eyes, before reluctantly patting the muscled male on the back.

"Gai, you can visit me at the café whenever you want. We already went over this, please stop being so troublesome."

"Y-you are right! This is no way to give you a proper send off," Gai sniffed loudly, making several of the employees grimace in disgust. "LET US ALL WISH SHIKAMARU THE BEST WITH HIS NEW ENDEAVOURS!"

Everyone cheered once more, each taking a turn to congratulate their coworker on his future success. Gai seemed to have calmed down significantly by the time everyone had said their piece, and was once again clapping and looking happy.

"Now, for the second part of this most exciting news!"

Sai's cold hand clenched Lee's tightly, bordering on painful.

"I would like to introduce the most youthful employee that will be replacing our wonderful Shikamaru on the stage!"

Lee looked around the crowd of employees to see if he could spot a new face, excited to know who would be joining the Paradise family.

"I present to you all...LEE! Our newest performer!" Gai shouted as the applause started once again.

I can't help myself guys, I just really wanted to write nice brotherly Itachi okay. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but hey, we all know what this implies.

Thank you all for the lovely comments and reviews, it's nice hear what you guys have to say. And yes, please expect some more Kankurō and Kiba in this fic. If you guys have any thoughts or suggestions, please let me know, i'd love to hear more of your feedback!