Joan Jett's "I love Rock and Roll" was playing over the apartment's stereo system as Sakura finally got around to opening Sasuke's present. Ino kept trying to sing along but Kiba was interjecting with lyrics to Weird Al's "I love Rocky Road" to mess with her.

"No way, a CD Player?" That finally caught Hinata's attention. Sure enough Sasuke had bought her one of those new disc players, played media through an internal laser instead of magnetic tape or audio needles. Sakura gave him a big bug and a kiss on the cheek, Hinata did her best to look happy but she was still trying to process her roommate/girlfriend and her professional rival as dating.

The short exchanged that followed Sasuke entering the apartment had consisted of: everyone wondering what history was between Sasuke and Hinata, Hinata mentioning Sasuke's record of frustrating cases on opposing sides of the court from each other, and Sakura not realizing Sasuke was "That Uchiha Bastard" from Hinata's stories because Sasuke had never really given his last name. Kiba's threat to tell Hinata's father about her "language" was shot down by an ice cold glare.

To his credit, Sasuke was a wizard with the cables and got the CD player hooked up to the apartment's sound system in record time. He even pulled a couple of CD's from his jacket and started playing one.

"I got this advance copy of an album, don't think you've heard of her before but Whitney Houston is going to be big." Flashing a smile, Sasuke put in the CD. In the corner of her eye, Hinata saw Shino eyeing Sasuke oddly. Apparently Shino wasn't the only one with contacts in the music industry.

It didn't take them long before they were all dancing along to "I wanna dance with somebody (who loves me)". But as Sakura bumped into Ino at the end of the song she raised her hands and got everyone's attention.

"Okay I think it's pretty clear that we're all in the mood to dance, but this apartment is just not big enough for that. If you want to stick around for the rest of the night, we're heading out." Making a quick run to the bathroom, Hinata quickly checked her makeup and let Ino and Sakura take their turns. Ino adjusted her yellow and orange cocktail dress while Sakura slipped into a bright red halter top dress. Still in her work clothes after the gym, Hinata decided to quickly change up her look and put on the sheath dress Sakura had gotten her last year. The dark purple with light blue stars dress was form fitting but perfect for a night out dancing.

"So what is it really between you and Sasuke?" Ino asked Hinata.

"Bit of a work rivalry you could say. We've been on the opposite side of one too many cases."

"And now he's dating Sakura? Do you have a problem with that?"

"I'm not the one dating him; Sakura can make her own decisions. But I will say I think it's odd that he didn't give his last name from the start and that she wasn't able to put it together that he's the one I've mentioned before. Not about to get suspicious, but it's a little weird."

Coming out of the bathroom, Sakura had finished her makeup and gave a knowing look to say she heard their conversation. "I get that you don't like him Hinata. He does come off a little strange, but I kind of like him. Let's just have a fun night, okay?"

Agreeing with a smile, Hinata took her friend's hand and nodded. Finally ready, the girls came out into the hallway to find Kiba and Sasuke were arguing about which Club they should go to.

"There's no way we're getting into the Casanovas this time of night. Especially with that cheap Kenneth Cole knockoff suit you're wearing." Sasuke always did come off as a bit of a dandy, so his criticism of Kiba's suit didn't feel out of place. "Besides, I'm pretty sure nobody here wants to go that far uptown."

"And I'm telling you we're not taking the girls to that Club Deuce dive. Tourist season hasn't ended yet and that place doesn't get decent until May." Kiba fired back, seeming to be his usual self again.

"Shame this isn't like High School. You remember all those nights we snuck into Scaramouche or Alexandre's at the Omni?" Sai chimed in.

Finishing a call on his cell phone, Shino retracted the antenna and nodded. "We've got a booth at Gambits, but only if we get over there in the next 15 minutes."

Sasuke and Kiba's argument ended just that fast, with Sai letting out a slow whistle. "Nice catch Shino, we'll need to take two cars though."

Splitting up, they drove a few blocks towards the airport to reach the small club in time to meet Shino's bouncer friend. A few heated looks from the people waiting outside made gave off just the right clubbing vibe, that making others jealous with just a look feeling.

Taking their seats Shino talked to the waitress, "I don't see George tonight."

She answered with a wink, "No DJ tonight hon, George is on vacation so we got a local band to do a few sets for us." A round of applause started up in the club as five young men got up on the stage, "Here they are now, they're actually pretty good, but they're certainly different from the usual Club or Disco scene we get in here."

To the side, Kiba nudged Shino in the ribs. "Shino, the name on their drum set. Aren't those?"

"Yeah, the band wrongfully blamed for the Fontainebleau murder, G-"

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen!" The lead singer's voice sounded in the microphone, his spiked blond hair was the only physical feature clearly visible on his face as white makeup with thick black whiskers marked his face. "We are Gold Fox and it is our pleasure to play for you this evening. The dance floor is open, so if your feet start grooving please don't deny them a good time because we're going to be rocking the house all night. Hit it."

"If these guys are some kind of KISS tribute band I don't think they're going to do well in this venue." Sai commented right before they started the first song of their set.

A distinctive guitar strum joined the lead singer's voice as he started,

"Josie's on a vacation far away

Come around and talk it over

So many things that I want to say

You know I like my girls a little bit older.

I just wanna use your love tonight

I don't wanna lose your love tonight…"

For a first song, it was pretty straightforward powerpop, but as their set went on it was clear that their sound was a mix of Glam and New Wave.

"They look like KISS, but they sound more like Blondie with a male lead." Sai remarked as he came back to the booth from the dance floor with Ino, Sakura, and Sasuke. As though summoned by Sai's comment, Gold Fox's drummer started a riff that immediately led the band into "Call Me".

"You've been quiet since we came here Sasuke. What's up?" Sakura asked as she lifted a blue drink that had been waiting on the table for her.

"Something's familiar about the lead singer. Can't quite place it though."

"Lead singer wasn't one of the ones arrested last month was he?" Kiba asked Shino, who had a better memory for small details.

"No. Rhythm Guitarist, Drummer, and Keyboardist were tall taken into custody. Bassist and Lead Vocals were not at the hotel. Apparently he had work the next day after their gig and turned in right after the show."

Over at the bar, Hinata was only half-listening to the adoration of a young Cubano professing his love for her. It had been a long day with a lot to think about. Sasuke and Sakura seemed to be getting along well, so she decided it best to keep things polite. Having drunk only enough alcohol to get the relaxing benefits and not enough to get intoxicated, she stayed in control of her emotions; at least that was her intention. More than once she found herself looking at the band's lead singer and felt a heat in her face that she remembered from earlier that day. It wasn't until the band finished their energetic rendition of "Call Me" that it finally hit her. The lead singer removed his shirt, showing a pair of abs that was all too familiar.

"You're kidding me," her sudden comment shocked the young man speaking to her. "He's the fireman." The world was officially too small.