A/N:
Time to decorate the tree^^

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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.»
This has yet to be beta'ed.

Chapter 22 - A heavy burden

It was early in the evening on the 22nd of December in Konoha that our friends decided to get together to finish the last preparations for the coming Christmas party. All had gathered and, leaving the boys to decorate the tree, the girls had disappeared into the kitchen.

"How long until the rice is ready?" Maturi asked as she with one hand poured the measured milk into the boiling sauce while stirring with the other.

"Ten minutes." Tenten looked down at one of the two pots in front of her. "And I guess the vegetables could do with seven or eight. Nine maybe, but not more than that."

"It's seems as we're as good as done. Great work, girls." Ino wiped her forehead. "Now, if only the boys are done with-"

A loud crash from the direction of the living room cut Ino off, and all the girls looked up from their station.

"What the hell are they doing in there?" Ino leaned over the counter in an attempt to get a glimpse of the boys.

"Ah, they're probably just trashing the place." Temari commented as she turned her focus back on cutting the meat.

"W-what?" The Hyuuga heir widened her eyes in panic. She had had to ensure her father, the lord Hiashi Hyuuga, that they would treat the property with care. In the end she had been granted free usage of the guest building that also served as the Sand's female ninjas' during their stay.

"Relax, Hinata." Sakura put a hand on her friend's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "It was a just joke. I'm sure they're not trashing the place." She gave Hinata a reassuring smile, but as soon as the shy girl turned back to her cooking, Sakura's eyes shifted nervously. The boys weren't making too much of a mess, were they? Sakura knew from experience that boys had their own talent to make mess out of nothing - and that counted double for a certain teammate of hers…

"Ehm, Hinata..." A brown haired head looked around the corner. "You don't happen to know if there's a dustpan and a broom here?"

"Great... " Ino let out a sigh. "What did you break, Kiba?"

"It wasn't me!" He insured shaking his head as held his hands in front of them. "Really, it wasn't. I'm just cleaning it up."

"Guys… I swear. Every time I try you get close to anything connected to preparing-"

"Hey! Don't blame me!"

"Whatever." Ino turned towards her friend. "Sakura, do the rest, will you" She then got rid of her apron and placed it over the back of a chair. "Let me see what the fuss is about."

"I'll join." Tenten hurried to remove her own apron and followed the other into the living room.

"No, Lee. Stop that. It's gonna break!"

Chaos met them as they walked in. On the floor were Christmas ornaments, some of them smashed to bits. In the middle of it all stood the tree, overloaded with all sorts of decorations and with no system to it. And, on the top of a ladder leaned up towards the tree they could see no other than the beautiful, green beast.

"I disagree, my friend." He said, arguing with Kankuro. "The tree looks so youthful that I'm sure it could handle-"

"Lee!"

The sound of the sharp, female voice made the room turn silent.

"Oh, hi there, Tenten! Have you prepared the food already?"

"Not entirely, but never mind that." she answered. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Why? I'm decorating this lovely tree of course."

"With Gai's exercise equipment?"

"Well," the boy nodded, understanding his teammates confusion. The silver colored ball in his hands was at a size that he had to use both arms to hold his grip on it. "I know it's not the ideal choice, but there is to be a star on the top of the tree."

"You know that there's a star here, right?" Ino had seen a golden star of the counter and picked it up to show the older boy. "Are you guys blind or something?"

"We tried to tell him, but-" Kiba tried.

"The Christmas star is supposed to be the symbol of youth and possibilities. It's likes have never been heard of!" Lee proclaimed in a strong voice. "Do you now understand, my friends, why I couldn't not allow all that be represented by a mere dented piece of metal?"

"So you chose to find something that fitted the symbol better?" Tenten thought out loud, the years spent with her team had made her able to understand the tracks of his thought. As she thought of it, she had to admit to herself that his words made sense - although in a twisted way. Still… Tenten looked up at her friend. "I know what you mean, Lee, but the truth is that the tree isn't as strong as you think it is, and that if you put Gai's equipment on top, it would just tear down the whole tree."

"But-"

"No, the tree will not grow stronger if you give it a pep talk..." Neji cut in, the annoyance in his voice clear as crystal.

"What?" Ino looked over at the Neji. "He tried to give it a pep talk?"

"I..." Tenten tried to think. "I think you should get down from there, Lee. The tree can handle it on it's top, but I don't see anything wrong with placing the equipment underneath it..."

A smile spread across his face and Lee hurried down the ladder. "That's a great idea, Tenten!" He bend down a let the heavy ball fall to the floor with a heavy clunk.

"What was that clunk?" Sakura looked around the corner, and behind her they could see a nervous Hinata. "Is anything wrong?"

"Nah, it's fine." Ino answered. "Nothing too bad, at least not for now..."

Sakura nodded relieved, but behind her Hinata's expression was still the same. There was more than enough time for something to go wrong than she liked.

A/N:
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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