R&R longer note at the end

Asuka pulled her coat closer fixing her scarf against the cold bite of the winter air, it was new year's day and that meant one thing to the shinobi it was time for the first shrine visit of the year a tradition she would usually experience with her team however they had come down with a cold and were unable to attend.

After much discussion she had been convinced to attend alone eventually reaching the shrine she looked up the large steps hearing the noise of a crowd above, she let a smile cross her lips as she placed her foot on the first step ready to begin the climb.

"Asuka?" an excited voice called out to her as the brunette turned she was greeted with a rather warm hug from her blonde shinobi friend from Gessen "I thought it was you, happy new year".

"Happy new year to you as well Shiki" Asuka chuckled hugging the younger shinobi as she looked around a little puzzled "The others aren't with you?" Releasing the hug Shiki smiled shaking her head slightly as she explained how her team had come down with a similar cold to the Hanzō girls, after a small pause the two nodded deciding to enjoy the trip for them all.

XXX

Reaching the top of the stairs the two girls panted finding a bench to rest at for a few moments to catch their breath, looking around they saw the large crowd they had heard from earlier families chatting and laughing as they queued up for their turn to offer up their new year's prayers.

Feeling their energy return the two shinobi stood fixing their coats as they headed for the back of the line waiting their turn as they talked about the events of the past year, the battles they had endured and the friends they had made along the way slowly the queue began to move as the two reached their turn they smiled. Tossing a few coins in the two clapped their hands closing their eyes as they began to pray, neither said a word as they smiled walking away to collect their new year's fortune.

"Let's see what I got" Shiki said as she unrolled the paper in her hands smiling "Good luck in health and friendships". The blonde looked over at her brunette friend as she tilted her head confused by the rather sullen look in the other's eyes, she moved closer peering over the others shoulder reading the paper in her hands 'bad luck in love'.

"Well that's not fun but I guess it can't be helped" Asuka said smiling slipping the paper into her pocket "It's not like I can't turn my luck arou-". Before the brunette could finish her sentence she felt a warm sensation at her lips as she closed her eyes giving into the feeling as she kissed the blonde back, the two remaining still for a few moments before breaking the kiss a grin appearing at the blondes lips.

"Well would you look at that" Shiki said softly with a wink "Looks like that bad luck turned around after all".

The beginning of S and the beginning of the new year, weird how this chapter happened to be a new year chapter...Yes very strange coincidence, completely not that I hadn't thought of anything until it was close to the new year and wrote it for that particular time

Anyway this happy coincidence is brought to you by Shiki of Gessen. Happy new year everyone and see you all in he next S chapter