Naruto ended off the song in an exposing pose. The group of – practically – wild men shouted and cheered for an encore. "Sorry boys, maybe another night." Naruto fluttered his eyelashes making those up near the front become increasingly louder by the second. He high-fived another dancer who was going to perform after him before walking off the stage sensually. As he approached Kitty, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, they could tell that something had definitely changed about Naruto.

He looked… older, more mature. He had a glow or a sheen about him that made the world look brighter. Even in his sexual outfit and implied themes, he seemed innocent with that big, intoxicating smile on his face. The remaining members of Team Seven nearly sighed in relief. They hadn't see that smile in what felt like forever. Naruto even looked happier here in this godforsaken place – in their eyes at least – where he can dance in peace.

"So," His words were drawled out, the aftermath of such erotic dances and provocative poses up on stage still affecting him, "How was that?"

"Naru-chan, you really know how to stir up the crowd!" Kitty nodded her head vigorously, "You haven't performed that dance in forever! What made you decided to do that one?"

An embarrassed blush crossed his cheeks, "I don't like seeing my boss cry."

She poked out her lip as her eyes teared up, "That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Hey!" Naruto barked out, waving his hands in front of his face, "No crying! My dance was supposed to help you; it wasn't supposed to make you cry!"

Kitty laughed, wiping her tears away, "Yeah."

He gave her a look, "What is it now?"

"Thank you, Naruto." She said, looking down at the ground.

The blond-haired teenager looked shocked for a second. It wasn't every day that Kitty said anyone by their real name instead of the nicknames she'd given them. That could only mean that's she's serious. Naruto gave her a short hug, "If I may ask, what're you thanking me for?"

Kitty gave him a genuine, bright smile, "For doing this."

"Doing what?" He deadpanned.

"You're so dense." She laughed, punching his shoulder playfully.

"You're still not answering my questions." He chuckled.

"You made me laugh. And smile. And have fun." Kitty's eyes watered up some more, "You don't understand how bad it's been since they were m-murdered. I feel like I haven't been the same."

"Kitty…"

"Naruto, you brought a light back into this place and into my life that I'd forgotten that I'd lost." She looked away, "That's why I'm thanking you. Not only for giving back to me what I lost but also for helping in finding the bastard who did this."

He smirked, "I'm only doing my job."

She gagged, "Ew, stop acting so tough! I know that you're just a real softie on the inside."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night." Naruto chuckled, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, "Well, I think it's time for us to head to the inn and get some sleep before the investigation begins."

Kitty pouted, "Yeah, I'll see you out then." She walked with them towards the double doors. No one said anything but Naruto and Kitty could clearly feel the remaining members of Team Seven staring holes into their backs. It was unnerving to say the least. As they were approaching the exit, Kitty turned to her employee, "So, will you perform some more while you're in town?"

"I don't know, Kitty." He shrugged, "Maybe if I have to go undercover to find someone."

"Well, if you do dance, I'll pay you a little extra for your services." She stated in a boss-like tone.

Naruto shook his head, "I can't take that money."

"You will take it and you will like it!" She growled out, stomping her foot. Despite this woman being almost thirty, she acted much younger. Not in a stupid teenager way, but a young adult trying to find a name out of herself. It was inspiring to Naruto.

"I'm serious." He stated.

"And so am I!" Kitty shouted slightly.

"I'm not taking the money!" Naruto crossed his arms.

"Take the damn money!" Kitty poked him in the chest, the door coming closer and closer.

"Hell no and you can't make me!" He snarled.

"I'm your boss and I demand that you take the extra pay!" She said sternly.

He looked away, "I will do no such thing!"

"Do it!"

"No!"

Kitty pouted, giving her best puppy eyes, "Please?"

"No."

"Damn, I thought that'd work." She mumbled under her breath.

"I'm not taking the money." Naruto said, staring her down.

"DAMMIT NARUTO! TAKE. THE. MONEY!" Kitty shouted.

"NO!" The two viciously opened the door at the same time, too caught up in their conversation to realize that they were outside.

Lucifer laughed, "Is she trying to pay extra again?"

"Yes!" Naruto whined, dragging a hand down his face.

He pinched the bridge of his nose but held a smile on his face, "Ms. Kitty, leave the kid alone."

"Why should I do that?!" Kitty growled out.

"KID?!" Naruto gawked, "I'll have you know that I'm fifteen!"

Sakura stared wide-eyed, "Fifteen? I thought he was the same age as us."

"Naruto failed the gennin exam twice, putting him two years behind his age group." Kakashi stated, thoroughly amused by the conversation between his student and this woman.

"Look, you can just add more money towards the mission if you really want to pay extra." Naruto stated, crossing his arms in defeat.

"I can do that?" She asked, curiously.

"Are you serious?" He questioned sarcastically.

"Yes."

He sighed, "Yes, you can do that."

"Well, then that's exactly what I'll do!" Kitty started marching back into the club, "Bye-bye, Naru-chan! Lu-Lu, keep it shakin' baby! See you later, Saku-chan! Sasu-saucy, talk to you some other time! Coo-Coo-Kashi, stay cool, my man!" With that, the rainbow-haired woman walked away.

"'Saku-Saku'?" Sakura asked, questioning just how crazy Kitty was.

"'Sasu-saucy?! What the hell?!" Sasuke felt furious by this awful nickname. Should it even be considered that?

"Oh, what the hell is 'Coo-Coo-Kashi supposed to mean?" Kakashi dragged an exasperated hand down his face.

"Aw, I just love when Kitty gives people nicknames." Lucifer chuckled behind his hand.

"I still can't get over the fact that Kitty calls you 'Lu-Lu'!" Naruto laughed, holding his gut.

"Okay, Naru-chan!" The larger bouncer laughed heartedly.

He rolled his eyes, "Well, I'm out." The two shared their elaborate handshake before waving each other off.

"Well, that was something." Kakashi said after a few minutes of silence.

"You're telling me." Naruto grinned.

:::^^^^^:::

After about ten minutes, Team Seven had finally gotten into the inn, changed out of their clothes and into something more comfortable before walking over to Naruto's room. They were all wanting some answers and they wanted them tonight! Sasuke held out his hand and knocked for a few seconds, desperately needing some solace to this new Naruto. Said person opened the door and nodded for them to come in. Following his orders, they all walked in and found a comfortable place somewhere in the room. Once seated, Naruto looked at all of them, "You may ask me anything and I will answer honestly. However, please do not reveal this to anyone unless I give you permission to do so. Everything you learn from me will be kept to yourself. This protects myself and my friends. So, what're your questions?"

It was silent for a few seconds before Sakura raised her hand, "I'm kind of just curious. Um… why were you wearing that outfit… from earlier, I mean?"

"Oh that? Yeah, a co-worker got it for me about a year ago. I meant to wear it but I just didn't have the right time and place for it." Naruto shrugged.

"Oh…" A blush fell onto her face, "Is that… it?"

He chuckled, "Not really, it was also to help me blend in."

"Alright, dobe." Sasuke started, "How the hell do you know so much stuff?!"

"Teme, you're going to have to elaborate. Not everyone is as simple-minded as you." The blond stated.

The Uchiha growled, "About these people. About this town!"

"I grew up around these parts. I know every place here and the majority of the people which is why I'm so surprised that there is a serial killer on the loose. I don't know anyone who'd do something as precise as that." He said nonchalantly.

The asshole narrowed his eyes, "How did you end up in this town?"

Naruto sighed, "Story time. A few years ago when I was like… nine? I'm not sure, it was such a long time ago. Well, I was finally tired of living in the Leaf Village and ran away. I nearly starved to death but I was rescued, given something to eat and drink. Yeah, that's pretty much what happened." They gave him a deadpanned look.

"Do you really work at The Strip House?" Sakura asked.

"Yes.

"When did you start working at… The Strip House?" Kakashi questioned, trying to think of more questions to ask his students. The possibilities were endless.

"When I turned eleven so that was about four years ago." He answered calmly, kind of getting bored by all the dumb and – practically – stupid questions that only satisfied their curiosity for a few seconds.

"Why are you working at The Strip House?" The only kunoichi asked.

He smiled slightly, "I am in debt to The Strip House and its people for saving my life all those years ago. They could have just left me to starve and die but they didn't. They are kind people."

Sasuke crossed his arms, "How do you know Lucifer?"

"Lucifer was the one to find me. I'd apparently passed out in an alleyway. He was going home for the night and he told me later that he goes past that alleyway every day. He likes to look down it at the graffiti art that appears every day. Lucifer took me back to The Strip House as they were closing. They let me stay the night, eat some food, have something to drink, and we had a great conversation, if I do say so myself." Naruto responded.

"Is Lucifer usually that… relaxed?" Sakura asked uneasily.

"No."

"What do you mean by no?" Sasuke deadpanned.

"No, Lucifer isn't relaxed at all." He clarified.

Sakura huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "That makes no sense. He was really chill around you!"

Naruto sighed, "Yes, he was. What's your point?"

"Why is that?" The Uchiha teenager questioned.

"It's because we're close. Next question." Naruto commanded, going irate.

"Are the people in The Strip House okay with knowing that you are a gennin?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes." The blonde-haired teenager admitted.

"Who does know?" Sakura probed.

"Kitty, Lucifer, Andreas, Rudy, Cotton, Erich, and the bartender, Rena. She wasn't working today so you guys didn't get to meet her yet." He said.

"How do you know Victoria Lolli?" Kakashi inquired after a long period of silence.

"Try to refrain from calling Kitty by her first name. She absolutely hates it." Naruto suggested, "Friendly advice for future reference."

"Thanks." He looked away.

The dancer took a deep breath in, "I know Kitty because Lucifer introduced the two of us. I was in desperate need of food and water so Kitty provided it. We had a few conversations before she asked if I wanted to take one of the spare back rooms to rest for the night. Kitty later found out that I was a runaway and begged me to stay there. I eventually warmed up to her and decided to stay until… well, that's another story for later."

"Is she really your boss?" Sasuke questioned.

Naruto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Yes."

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, "Why is Ms. Kitty so crazy?!"

"I don't know!"

"She scares me." The Uchiha admitted.

Sakura nodded, "Yeah."

"What's up with that nickname she gave us?" The dark haired teenager asked.

"I don't know; she just does that. That her thing!" Naruto was slowing growing irritated with all of these stupid, curiosity-filled questions.

"So, you… pole dance?" Kakashi questioned.

Naruto nodded, "Yes, and it's quite fun."

"How crazy are the people in this town?" The pink haired girl asked.

"On a scale of one to one hundred, it'd be about an eighty." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Are we going to have to pretend to be a couple every time we walk into The Strip House?" Sasuke looked pale when asking this questioned.

Naruto tapped his chin, "For the majority of the time and if we are in a group, then I suggest that you do. If not, oh well, something bad might happen... plus, we're hunting a serial killer."

He shuddered, "Ugh…"

"Have you had to pretend to be in a relationship before?" The Jonnin asked his student.

The teenager's eyes darkened, "Multiple times. I sometimes had to pretend to be in a relationship with Lucifer because everyone in The Strip House is afraid of him. Kitty was worried that I would assaulted by a man while getting off stage and going towards the back rooms."

"Is that why you told us this beforehand?" Kakashi said, continuing his questioning.

"Absolutely. I don't want anything to happen to you guys." Naruto smiled, the tense atmosphere slightly gone.

"Who all have worked at The Strip House in your years of working here?" Sasuke asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Well… I've worked here for like four years. Hm… Rudy, Erich, PJ, Corrin, Ross, and I were pole dancers here. Corrin left four months ago because his sister got sick. She passed about a month ago." He said, having to close his eyes and think about it, "Lucifer, his brother Kei, and – sometimes – Ross are bouncers. There's Mimi, Sora, Cyan, and Rose that work the stage lights. Rose quit last year. Rena, Taylor, Aries, and Maurice are bartenders. Kitty is the boss and founder… However, Cedric was the co-founder until he quit about two years ago. I'm not sure why."

"So Ross is both a dancer and a bouncer?" Sakura questioned, hoping to get that right.

"Correct."

"Were you forced to work here or do you actually enjoy it?" The only kunoichi asked.

"I actually enjoy it." He stated with a smile.

"So, I'm guessing that means that you are comfortable working here?" Kakashi inquired.

Naruto gave one of his bright grins, "Absolutely!"

"Were you always a stripper?" Sasuke questioned.

He shook his head, "Nope!"

"When did you learn how to dance like that?" His teacher asked.

"It was kind of a watch-and-learn kind of thing. In the beginning of my stay there, I worked with Mimi and Rose on the stage lights. From there, I watched the stripers go about on the poles. They were super talented." He suddenly gave out a laugh, "I tried to do it once, but one of the bartenders caught me."

"Who taught you to dance?" Sakura.

Naruto smiled sadly, "Erich."

"Don't you know that it is technically illegal for you to be in a club and work there considering your age?" Kakashi.

He sighed, "I'm a ninja now so there is nothing the villages can do about it. Ninjas of any age are allowed privileges of an adult. You can't take this away from me."

"Are you happy here?" Sakura asked quietly, Naruto just nodding furiously.

Kakashi suddenly looked very pale, "Has anything… provocative happened to you?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, "You mean like has anyone every molested or raped me?" Naruto.

The silver-haired man gulped, nodding slightly, "Yes, did… anything happen?"

"No, but that doesn't mean that there haven't been attempts." He just shrugged.

"A-Are you okay?!" Sakura suddenly exclaimed worriedly.

He smiled, "Yeah. The people at The Strip House are good people. We treat each other like family and family protect each other." He looked down at his hands and bit his lip. He sighed sadly, "Which is why this mission is so hard on me. I just lost a lot of members of my family."

The pink-haired teenager placed a hand on his knee reassuringly, "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"I'm just wondering, why a gay strip club?" Sasuke blurted out.

"Why not? It's the only place that they'd hire someone like without having some shady history." He shrugged, Sakura's hand leaving his knee.

The Uchiha teenager rolled his eyes, "You know that this place is almost two hours away from the village. What, did you just walk here to work a few nights?"

"Yes."

His eyes looked darker, "Without getting caught?"

"The security is horrible at the east gate." Naruto admitted.

"How many times do you perform in a week?" Sakura questioned, giving Sasuke a weird look.

Naruto tapped his chin in thought, "At least eight times depending on how much I get paid and if I have the time since I'm a gennin now." He suddenly let out a frustrated sigh. "Are there any serious questions? I feel like I've been answering nothing but stupid, curiosity-driven questions." He asked them.

"Are you going to drop your mask?" Kakashi suddenly stated seriously.

"What?!"

He looked into his student's eyes, "Are you going to reveal your real life any time soon?"

"Uh…"

"This mask and different life that you've built for yourself." Kakashi said.

"I… I don't know what you're talking about." Naruto defended.

"You are obviously more intelligent than most would give you credit for." His eyes seemed to pierce the teenager's soul.

"Yeah right." Naruto rolled his eyes, looking away from his team.

"You hide behind the mask of dead last and pretend to be dumb." Kakashi shook his head, "You've been working and visiting this town for years, Naruto. That means that you've had to go around security for years without being caught once."

"That just means that I'm good at stealth." He shrugged once more.

Kakashi let out a sigh, "Do you know how many people actually are good at stealth? The number is less than you'd think."

"What's your point?" The silver-haired ninja could see how defensive Naruto was getting.

"Are you ever going to reveal to anyone besides us about your life here?" Kakashi.

He bit his lip, looking down at his folded hands, "No."

"Why?" Sakura asked with a hushed tone of voice.

"It'll endanger my friends here. This is a no-ninja town. It's all civilians. If someone ever was after me and knew about my life here, they'd take out all of my family at The Strip House. They'd torture them or outright murder them. I wouldn't want to put that on them." He admitted.

"How noble." Sasuke stated sincerely.

"Any more questions? It's starting to get really late and we need to be up early tomorrow morning to get started on the investigation." He looked out the window, the black sky making the room appear darker.

"What is your relation with the people of The Strip House?" Kakashi questioned.

"Oh…" He gulped, freezing up slightly.

"So, you knew them well?" The pink-haired girl held sympathy in her eyes.

He nodded slowly, "I did."

"So, who were they to you?" Sasuke questioned.

"Andreas Hazeldine, I knew him really well… he was like the father I never got to have. He'd show up every Saturday at The Strip House and watch the performance. We used to talk at the bar until it was my time to perform. He wouldn't watch mine because he thought of me as his son and didn't want to see me looking like that on stage. He did so much for me before he… he died. I looked up to him." Naruto took a breather, looking down at his hands, "Cotton Paige used to be a boxing champion a few towns over before coming to live here in Roslyn Town. He was one of Kitty's major clients and soon became a self-defense teacher for the dancers so that they could protect themselves should anything happen. He was my mentor before I because a gennin."

"Wow…" Sakura mumbled.

"Rudy O'Shea, Erich Vogel, and I were extremely close. I'm pretty sure they had a thing going for each other. Even if they were going out, I'd be happy for them. Rudy was like my older brother… we were inseparable… And Erich… he's was my first best friend. It's hard for me to wrap my finger around the thought that their gone…" He took another breath in, a lump in his throat, "Lucifer Kingsley is like my brother, in a sense. He let me crash at his place whenever I'd have to take the late shift while working. As you know, he was the one to find me passed out in that alley and saved my life. I owe a lot to him. Victoria Lolli… she's like a mother, aunt, sister, everything to me. I was actually the one who gave her the nickname Kitty because that's what she reminded me of the first time I saw her. She's over protective and funny. She taught me life-lessons and has always been there for me." He smiled brightly. "While there are more people in the building but, I'm not too familiar with them. I know of them but we were never really that close."

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Kakashi stated soberly.

"Yeah, me too." He looked out the window once more, wishing that things could just go back to the way they were before.