A/N:
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Disclaimer:
«I do not own any of the following pictures, music, characters or the original universe. I only own the story itself the main character and to the idea.»
Thanks a lot to Lightning Bee for betaing on this story.

Chapter 12 - The Christmas Star

"Welcome."

"I-" The young boy looked up at the tall girl in front of him. He might have been somewhere around five years old, and his big chocolate eyes made Ino like the boy instantly. "I want a star!"

Ino smiled back at him.

"A star?"

"Yes! " The boy confirmed. "Mom said you'd give me a star."

Ino wrinkled her forehead. What could the boy be talking about? A star… a star… Ah!

"Did she say a 'Christmas Star'?"

"Yes! A star! I want a star!"

Ino smiled and nodded to the boy and went over to the window display. The 'Euphorbia Pulcherrima', commonly known as the 'Poinsettia', was one of the most popular flowers to buy in the winter holiday. It was because of this that it was often referred to as 'The Christmas Star' by the locals. The plant was a shub and and bore dark green dentale leaves, and another layer of leaves that people often mistook for flower petals because of their groupings and colors. This year thay had a big variation of colors. Orange, cream, pink, white and the always popular red.

"Did she say what color it should be?"

The boy stumbled over to her and leaned so close to the plants that his nose almost touched the plant. He let his eyes wander from flower to flower, studying all of them in turn.

"Just take your time, okay?" Ino walked over to the cashier's desk again and looked down on what she'd been doing as the boy had entered.

"Christmas food in 7 letters..." her mumbled to herself. The Yamanaka girl had never been good with crosswords. Normally she didn't even bother to pick it up, but during Christmas, she always ended up doing the one in the newspaper. It wasn't so much for the fun of it, no, Ino could think of many things she'd rather do than sit inside with a dictionary. No, the reason she was doing it was because the Hokage each year gave two weeks worth of vacation to the winner of the crossword.

"I want pink!" The boy shouted out, making Ino jump in surprise.

She got off her seat and picked up the flower the boy was pointing at.

"This one, right?"

"Yes!"

They walked over to the counter and Ino found a box to put the flower down in.

"Here you go," she smiled as she handed him the box. "Be careful on your way home, okay?"

The boy nodded enthusiastically and, with his other hand, he handed her a couple coins.

"Is that enough?" He asked nervously.

Ino looked down and counted the money.

"It's more than enough," she gave him one of the coins back. "Here is your change. Now, make sure to go right back to you mom, okay?" She helped the boy with the door and waved as he waddled down the street.

"Such a cute kid..." She smiled to herself as she let her eyes follow him as he disappeared down the street and around the corner.

"They really are cute at that age."

Ino jumped, she hadn't realized that she wasn't alone. Behind her stood a beautiful woman with brown hair.

"Oh! I didn't see you there, Kurenai." Ino hurried to open the door to let the genjutsu specialist inside.

"Thank you, Ino." The woman entered the shop and looked around herself. "I see it's been quite a while since I last visited. The shop is really looking beautiful this year." Her eyes fell on the paper stars glued to the window. "Did you make those?"

"Hmm?" Ino let her gaze follow Kurenai's finger, and her cheeks turned a little red. "Yeah… They're looking kinda silly aren't they?"

"I don't think so. I really think it makes a positive change."

Ino mumbled her thanks and closed the door behind them.

"So, I guess you're here to get the usual?" She asked, referring to the jounin's yearly Christmas visit.

"Yes," Kurenai sent her young friend a smile. "And this year I think I'll buy two."

"Two?" Ino inquired.

"Yes, one red and one white." She walked over to the plants and picked out two of them. "Could you give me a card too?" Kurenai asked as she placed them on the counter.

"Sure, here you go." The girl handed over a card together with the change. "Merry Christmas."

"And wish Asuma a Merry Christmas from me." She teased as the woman opened the door.

Kurenai's face flushed up, but then she nodded and left.

Inside the shop, Ino smiled. Asuma would love the flower.

A/N:
So, if you're unfamiliar with this flower - or maybe you just wanna learn some more? Here are some facts and background for today's chapter.

The association between the flower, Poinsettias, and Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.

Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America. They are available in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores. In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.

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