A Music For Our Home

Chapter 1 - To Ninjago Centre

Warning: This story uses the name of various Ninjago characters and places but the events are not the same as on the show. The characters often act as they would do on the first few seasons of the show as they are just 20 here. Finding themselves.

This story is inspired by a dream of @fatgumlovies on tiktok. (They have Dr. Cyrus Borg as their profile picture)

They will have powers here. (Eventually, kinda like kpop demon hunters in a way).

In the first few chapters though, I will focus on the days when they weren't as big as NSYNC yet and introduce parts of Kai, Jay, and Cole's story. But eventually, they will have an unexpected manager and hit the big milestones they were trying to hit.

Will the popularity get into their heads? Or just like any other artist, struggle on keeping their stage life with their personal one?

Chapter 1
The soft rain pattered on the small rusted windows at the top of a condo. Yet the air conditioner was still on and the musty scent of the room collided with fresh mint induced by the several grown mint plants around the room.

Jay closed his eyes, leaning back on the chair before sighing heavily. "You know, I'm starting to think that the path we chose for our careers is not good." he said, brushing his hair back anxiously.

Silence seeped between the friends. Kai kept strumming his guitar, not really listening to his friends. He was so deep into the music he was trying to make that he got shocked when he realized Cole was tapping his shoulders, pretty hard.

"Ow- Cole!" Kai seethed. That is so gonna bruise later. "What? We've been calling you since 10 minutes ago. Jay is kind of right.. We're not really doing anything that could land us on a stable gig."

Another silence stretched among the friends. "By the way, maybe we should visit the kid. We owe Koko some visit in a while anyway." Kai grunted and stood. Slinging his fixed guitar on shoulder as he said so. He aimed for the door, leaving his friends behind. Jay and Cole stared at each other knowingly.

The smell and soft patter of the rain in the bus stop filled the night air. After a while, the three finally hopped on a bus. They were at the far end of the city. And to visit a certain someone- they had to go to the Ninjago centre.

"So...he's in his own trance again." Jay murmured towards Cole. "Who?" Cole asked not looking up from his phone.

"Oh, I'm not sure, maybe the cuckoo bird beside you- OF COURSE I'M TALKING ABOUT KAI!" Jay said exasperatedly- looking between Kai and Cole a few times to state his stance before settling down.

"Aah.. Yeah, I know. I know. He doesn't really like talking about it. Besides, since we're going to the city centre. He's about to see his little sister again.." Cole looks apologetically at Kai before turning to Jay.

"Besides, we just gotta make sure he stays cool. You get me?" Cole said as he rested his head at the window, crossing his arms and brow furrowing.

"If you say so.." Jay leaned back and face towards the other side. Staring at the blur of cars and lights out the window.

After a while. The three is finally at the Ninjago Bus Station. Bright neon lights covered the station- no the entire city. The cooking of barbeque produced so much smoke that it could grab unto your shirt. Fresh cong hua mian bao covered the air with the various foods being sold.

Red lanterns were also around and everyone was awake. Nighttime is more lively these days.

"Finally at the NBS.." Cole couldn't hide the excitement in his tone, looking around all the food stalls.
"Want to grab a bite?" Kai took off his earphones and asked with a knowing grin. His brows finally relaxed after being furrowed the whole way to Ninjago centre.

"Let's try the new noodle shop everyone's been raving about!" Jay said squealing in excitement. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Cole asked in a quiet excited note. "Chen's Noodle House!"

Both of them practically skipped. Kai shook his head with a small smile. "You guys are leaving me out!" Kai said teasingly as he jogged with the other guys. "What's this shop all about anyway?"

"Oh my goodness Kai. Sometimes I think you're getting too old for even a tv." Jay turned to him with a challenging look.

"Ay whatever. Don't you guys start. Anyway, Do you remember Gayle Gossip? On the tv, at ninjago centre last night?" Kai raised his brows at Cole's do you remember yet? gaze.

"No.. not really.. was busy-" "was busy on making a song for our band." Jay finished and Kai couldn't help but sigh. Jay's right. I don't remember the last time I've tried to hear what the outside world has to say.

Chen's Noodle House is apparently a restaurant. It was just any other typical resto though. Soft warm lights, an oval sushi conveyer belt, few potted plants hanging on the walls, and a- a bunch of noodle option to choose from with popstickers on the side for every noodle dish. Okay.. That's totally not weird. Kai caught up to Jay and Cole again, chopsticks already in hand.

"Wow, seems like you guys are excited.. for a bunch of noodles that'll taste like any other noodles.." Jay heard Kai's statement and became offended.

"Don't you dare insult the food without trying it. Have you ever looked at a fried chicken and immediately said it isn't good? Huh?! Huh?!" Jay retorted on Kai's face.

"Yeah, uh, keep your distance from my face though yes Jay?" Cole looked between the two of his friends bickering and smiled. Finally the guy's chilling out now. His head is out of the trance.

The metallic door chime kept ringing inside the restaurant as more people come and go. Multiple dishes piled on the three friends table. A loud burp emerged from one of the three.. Followed by an echo of laughter.

After they finished, the friends went on their way to Koko's house. Another wait at the bus stop under the shadows and lights of the tall buildings. The rain has finally stopped too but instead of the mild earthy smell, it smells of rat pee and garbage. Where is that bus- "finally.." Kai said exasperated.

The ride to Koko's was quiet now, who in the right mind would be in transportation at 3 am? It started raining again at the next bus stop- wait isn't this?... Cole abruptly stood up and shook Jay and Kai.

"Guys, we're here! Wake up sleepyheads!" He whisper shouted at the two. Cole's shaking made both of the friends open their eyes instantly and let Cole pull them off the bus.

With Jay and Kai still groggy, he carried the two like a sack of potatoes and went to the elevator. "Urgh..." Kai and Jay grunted and wiggled a bit on Cole's shoulder.

Cole could only sigh and tell the two that if they weren't so groggy, he would've put them down by now. As the elevator ding and came to a stop, Cole was surprised to see Koko. They both stared for a while.

"Ah hahahaha.." Cole let down his two friends gently to the floor. Right.. We didn't tell Koko..

Cole cleared his throat and looked towards Koko.. "Surprise?.." A brief silence drifted before Koko laughed. "You guys always come back home unexpectedly. Erm.. Lloyd's asleep by now.. I was about to get groceries for breakfast tomorrow."

"Ain't it too late for late night shopping Mrs. Koko?" Cole remembered they were still at the elevator and pulled his friends with him off the moving box.

"Well, if I don't- there won't be anything to eat tomorrow.." Koko looked at the three. AND I definitely need to buy now, since the food back there is only sufficient for 4 people. And that's just some cereal and pancakes.

"I'll buy it Koko, you go bring Kai and Jay to the spare room." Cole reassuringly stated with a small smile. The dim lights at the hall illuminated his broad features but the shadows hid the tiredness in his eyes.

"But-"

"Please, Koko?" Cole pleaded and huffed in relief as Koko could only agree. She could tell Kai and Jay were too groggy to even go in at the right condo.

To be continued...