A/N:
Okay, so this one was annoying me for a while. I really wanted to do a piece on this tradition, but I really couldn't figure out a way to do it. But, in the ends, I managed to do it.

Leave your thoughts in a comment, and I'll see you again tomorrow^^

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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 13 - Pretty in a dress

"Hand me that wand, would you?"

Gaara stood still, ignoring his brother's request on purpose.

"Aw, come on. Don't tell me you're still mad about it."

"..."

"Geez, really Gaara? I know you don't like being social and stuff, but really, man. Put on the dress. It's Christmas."

The boy, that so many feared, looked up at brother with disgust in his eyes. Who was the one who had invented this tradition? That was what Gaara wanted to know. If he was still alive… Well, then he wouldn't be for much longer.

"Well, make sure you're the one to tell Temari, okay?" The older brother shrugged his shoulders and then he left his sibling alone in the room.

Irritated, Gaara let his fingers feel the white fabric underneath his fingers. What would have obsessed a man to impose such a holiday; a holiday where all, males as well as females, had to wear a dress?

"Uhm, Gaara?"

He turned around as he heard his student approach.

"You should get dressed soon. I don't think it's long until we're going..."

At first the sand ninja was unsure what to reply. The whole idea was idiotic - and especially here in Konoha; where they knew nothing about the tradition to start with. Still, they used to do it back in Suna… He took a look at the girl. Just as Kankuro, she had dressed up in a white, long tunic but instead of wearing the strange cone shaped hat with golden stars and a wand, she had a silver band around her head and a lit candle in her hand.

"Gaara?"

He quickly averted his eyes and turned back toward his own getup. Letting out a sigh, he lifted the fabric up and jerked it down over his head in one motion. If he had to do it, then he would like to get it over with as quickly as he could. He turned back towards the girl and passed by her, too embarrassed to look her in the eyes.

"Fine, let's get this over with..."

"Your hat!" The girl called out as he opened the door to the outside. "Here," She quickly caught up with him and handled him a cone shaped hat of his own. "And here is your wand too."

Gaara murmured under his breath but accepted the item in her hand. He was still uncertain whether to go through with this so, before he could change his mind, he walked through the door.

They met up with the older sand siblings outside the back door of the local beef restaurant. Earlier that week, Temari had contacted the owner and they had gotten permission to enter that way. A man let them inside and showed them to a private room that led out to the restaurant.

"Are you guys ready?" The tall girl asked as the man left them. She looked at her friends in turn, receiving nods as she looked at them. As her eyes fell on Gaara, there was no confirming nod, but being his sister, Temari knew that if he was wasn't going to participate, he would already have left. She turned back front again and took a deep breath. "Okay, guys. It's time." She opened the curtain that separated them from the restaurant's main room, and as she did, she started to sing.

Upon this brilliant sea, a star of silver,
Across the gentle waves, the wind is sweeping.
Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

All eyes followed them as they entered the dining area. It was particularly full today. The sand siblings had made sure to invite all their friends to share a meal. They had, however, not expected the entertainment. The Sand villagers walked slowly in a row. First came Temari, dressed in a white dress with a red sash for a belt, and with a crown of pine tree holding six burning candlelights on her hair that she has worn loose today. Behind her, Kankuro followed, leading Gaara and Matsuri.

A sea that is so calm, a wind that's playful,
A sailor's guarantee, forget what ails you,
And he shouts from his heart, with all affection,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

They walked down between the rows of the guests. As they passed by, they could hear mumbling and questions, and some of their friends even waved in their direction. Still, their performance had not reached its end, and they ignored their surrounding crowd.

Each hour to linger more, this lovely evening,
Each breath is filled with air, so fresh and welcome,
Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

The song was coming to an end, and as they made their way to the part of the restaurant where they had seen their friends sitting. When they had finished they all stood still. For a moment it was silent, but then Sakura put her hands together, and the others followed. Soon the whole restaurant applauded them.

"Temari? What are you wearing?" Naruto asked as the group sat down at the table..

"It's a crown of lights," She answered, grabbing a menu. "I'm the leader of the group, the Santa Lucia."

"Okay? But what's up with your hair? I mean, I don't wanna be rude or anything, but I don't really-"

"It's a custom!" She snapped, cutting him off. "Besides, I don't want my hair on fire..."

"Sorry!" The blonde boy waved his hand apologetic in front of him.

"Nevermind.." She focused on the menu again. "Waiter!"

It sure was different spending the holidays away from home. Still, it seemed as the Konoha ninjas weren't costumed to the Luchia celebrating. Did that signify that she might get introduced to some new traditions as well?

A/N:
Hi, you guys. I know that not all of the tradition that I mention in my stories are known to everyone, so I've chosen to include a little information part here in the bottom for those of you that are unfamiliar with today's theme:

Lucia of Syracuse is also known as Saint Lucy and Santa Lucia, was a young Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. Lucy's feast is on 13 December, in Advent. Her feast once coincided with the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year before calendar reforms, so her feast day has become a festival of light.

This is particularly seen the in Scandinavian countries, with their long dark winters. There, a young girl dressed in a white dress and a red sash (as the symbol of martyrdom) carries palms and wears a crown or wreath of candles on her head. In both Norway and Sweden, girls dressed as Lucy carry rolls and cookies in procession as songs are sung. It is said that to vividly celebrate St. Lucy's Day will help one live the long winter days with enough light.

Oh, and then there is the song. I've never read the lyrics of the English one before. I mean, why would I? I'm raised with the Norwegian one - and I think that it's great that I can the first stanza of the original Italian one. Anyway, in the search for an English one I found this one that is as close to the original Italian one as it could while still working with the melody. It's kinda fun actually, because the lyrics are totally different from the Norwegian one. In our version we sing about a Lucia walking around in our homes lightening the candles to comfort us, while this one is about a boat. Still, I think that it's really fun that I learned something new.

Please leave a review with your thoughts, okay?
it will help me write better in the future^^

And then I guess I'll see you guys again tomorrow^^

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