Chapter: Chapter 1: The Nightred

Chapter 1: The Nightred

[i]"Chasing after you. Where are you, my dear? In the midnight when the sun fell asleep. In my dreams, you're the only one I see. In the depth of my heart."

She closed her eyes.
The song was beautiful, but there was something sad about it.
Something impenetrable.

[i]"My eyes, my heart and my soul. Deep inside i'm screaming your name. Without you, i'm lost. It's killing me, don't you know how much you hurt me?"

She turned the music up a little.
His voice. It flowed through her body. The sound of the music intoxicated her senses.
Melancholy, yes, that's how you could describe it.

[i]"When the lights turn off. I walk through the deep black sea. Why are you so far away? Where can I find you in the darkness? I am lost without you."

Sigh.

[i]"Only you and me, the two of us ... Lost."

The song came to an end, the melody grew quieter until it finally fell silent.

"So that was the song from Cloud Noir!"Lost"! I hope you liked it! Especially the female fans, because the 17-year-old has a huge fan base, even though he's only been in showbiz for a month! Incredible, isn't it? According to my information, his second single is already in the works, so it shouldn't take long and we at Ten-Music Radio will play this song for you here in our studio! Look forward to Cloud's new single! I'm Johnsson and ... "

The pink-haired girl turned off the radio. "Phew."
She didn't really like the talk of the radio presenters, but to hear that "he" will soon be releasing a new song ...

"Well? Heard" Lost "again? It seems to me that you are addicted to this song." A girl with long blond hair and clear blue eyes sat down next to her friend on the bed. "Keep silent about the singer.", She added with a grin.
"Hmm, it could be.", She replied a little dreamily."Admittedly, his song isn't bad - I don't need to talk about his looks - but I'll bet you, in fact, he's a real character bastard."
“What !?” The pink-haired woman repulsed herself; her emerald green eyes fixed on the girl next to her, startled. "You don't believe that yourself, Ino."
She just grinned and nudged the pink-haired man's forehead with her finger. "Oh yes, dear Sakura-chan! Do you never read magazines?"

Sakura and Ino had been friends for a long time. There were certain traits here and there that set the two apart. So the blonde was much more dynamic and didn't mince words; Sakura was more of the sensible one. What the two girls had in common, however, was their temperament and stubbornness.

"I think this cloud looks damn good, but has nothing in the pear. And his face, because of" I'm the super cool macho "is probably fake. Although, it attracts me somehow ... hmm. "Oh, don't forget, Ino loved to talk. And that for a very, very long time.

"Well, enough talked. Are you going to do something tonight?"
The blonde asked that very often, after all, Ino and Sakura lived in a shared apartment somewhere in the big city metropolis of Tokyo and they often did something together.

“No, why?” Sakura shook her head.
"Well, why do you think? Nightred eatery is hip!" Ino jumped up and down like a small child. "How about?"
After a short pause, the pink-haired woman finally agreed. "Always my pleasure!"

~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~

It was just before eight thirty. Sakura and Ino were walking down the street. It was the middle of autumn and so the night, dark ceiling covered the sky in the early evening. It was like a play of lights, the signs, posters and shops lit up the crowded streets of Tokyo in bright colors. Not far from the apartment was a restaurant called "The Nightred".

Inside it was neither stuffy nor lacking space, no, the restaurant was a rather classy event, but it also had something of a party.The rooms were stylish but modern with lots of lighting. There was a buffet on one side and a large, dark red-lit bar on the other. You'd think it looked weird, but it wasn't. It just looked perfect.
There was a stage and a dance floor. For people who were not so active, they could either make themselves comfortable on the numerous seating areas - such as sofas, armchairs or stools - or on the chairs of the round tables and drink a glass of champagne.

Ino Yamanaka was more of someone who liked to dance and party her life, but she hated those cramped and overcrowded party rooms - there was even one a few blocks away - so "The Nightred" was the perfect place to have fun. But Sakura was no stranger to this stay either, she even knew the owners of this place, the Hyuuga family. She and Ino knew the two siblings Neji and Hinata as early as kindergarten age.“Hey, you two!” Neji slowly approached the two girls. "Fancy a bit of a party again?" He asked, glancing especially at the blonde. “Yeah, Neji Hyuuga, I already know you're looking at me!” She patted his shoulder and grinned. "Where's the Hinata?" Asked Sakura. Until now, she had not yet discovered her long-time friend.
"Oh, it'll come later. Had to fill out a few more forms about deliveries for tonight."
Sakura nodded.
"So, make yourself comfortable. See you!"
And so the black-haired man disappeared between the crowd.

"Come on, let's have a good time tonight!"
After the Haruno was dragged across the room by her friend and they sat down at the nearest table, the two immediately discovered a person they did not know. "Hinataaa !!" The addressed turned around abruptly. "Hi!"

"Well, how are you? I'm sure you have a lot to do today, right?", the Hyuga was asked as she sat down with her two friends." Yes, of course. Neji is working at the bar again today. I have to pick up the waitresses, so we'll probably see each other later, as soon as Tenten shows up for a shift change. "The Hyuuga smiled.
"So, what do you want to drink? It's even on the house.", Hinata added with a wink and stood up. It was very often the case that the Hyuugas would take the two girls out for a drink every now and then. In return, Sakura often brought delicious, homemade cookies with her, which Hinata loved more than anything, when she stopped by them. Neji, on the other hand, did not admit it publicly; but secretly he was downright addicted to these pastries. But as I said, he wouldn't admit it, that was more or less against his image as a cool bartender.

"I would like a martini." "And I would like a Cosmopolitan, please."
Hinata nodded. "Come on now!", She trilled happily as she left and left the two friends alone.Sakura had to smile when she looked after Hinata for a moment. “She's really changed, don't you think so?” Ino agreed; put her elbows on the table, and put her chin on her hands. "Yes, of course, and it's probably because of this blonde guy, this Naruto."
“Do you think so?” Sakura knew Naruto all too well, after all, he had been in a class with her. She liked him; he was always happy, helpful and a bit clumsy, which she actually found pretty cute. Most of all, she admired him for his incredible determination.

It had not escaped her that Hinata had a secret crush on Naruto. Although the Hyuga had not yet said a word to her friends about it. "Should we maybe ask you?", It came thoughtfully from Sakura; Ino just shrugged.

A little later Hinata came with a tray and put the desired drinks on the table. "So, here you go!""Is really nice of you!", Ino thanked her friend and hugged her. "No problem!"
The Yamanaka let go of Hinata, who said: "But I have to go on now, I'll sit down with you again later!"
And so the girl disappeared and went to the nearest table - apparently occupied by a couple - to take their order.

~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~

The atmosphere in the restaurant was very pleasant. Every now and then more and more young people visited "The Nightred"; chose a seat and chatted exuberantly. Just like Sakura and Ino. After the two had danced extensively (Shino was the DJ), the two sat down on one of the many sofas - each with a drink in hand - and laughed a lot.

"I can't believe it! Is that really true? Kakashi was really naked and panicked around his apartment because he couldn't find his" Flirt-Flirt-Paradise "?" Again the two burst out laughing."Oh my god, I don't even want to imagine ...", Ino said with a giggle and wrapped an arm around Sakura's neck. "Do you think I? But I would have loved to see Naruto's face for that!" Giggles from both sides.

In the hustle and bustle of party guests, however, nobody noticed the boy, who unobtrusively sat down a little further back in the restaurant and leaned back on the couch. He wore sunglasses, a black leather jacket and matching, faded jeans. He ran his hair through his black hair and looked at the stage.

"Ladies and Gentleman!"
The conversations as well as the happy laughter ceased; all pairs of eyes were now on the girl with the brown hair, which she had tied up at the back, and waited eagerly for her announcement. Ino and Sakura also turned their attention to the girl now.
"So folks, today we have come up with a very special event! Tonight you - our dear guests - have the chance to perform a song of your choice!"There was whispering in some corners.

“Singing?” Ino's gaze involuntarily wandered over to Sakura. At that moment the Haruno knew exactly what her best friend was thinking; she - Sakura Haruno - should go forward and sing a song!
"Oh no Ino, I'll n ..."
"Oh yes, darling, definitely !!", the blonde cut her off. "This is the chance to let everyone here hear your beautiful voice!"
"But I..."

“Why not, Sakura?” Shino, who suddenly joined the girls, grinned. "I would like to hear your voice."
"I ..." A light pink tinted Sakura's cheeks. She hoped this couldn't be seen through the dim lighting at "The Nightred".
“Come on, come on!” Ino gave her friend a stub aside and