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Chapter Nine

"I'd like to sell this." She said from under her baggy jacket and hat. She made sure the only skin that could be seen was her hands.

The woman behind the counter look bewilderedly at her, but nonetheless took the bag of hair. She opened the bag and gasped. "My, this is very beautiful hair! Such a beautiful color!"

Sayuri imagined her brother telling her otherwise.

"Well, this should be enough for it," the woman said, opening the cashier and wrapping the money in a rubber band. She gingerly handed the money to Sayuri, not knowing what was on her hands or where they had been. Inside the woman's head, she thought, who would be so desperate as to sell hair this beautiful for money? She must be in some kind of trouble.

Sayuri took it and walked out quickly, making sure the fluorescent lights above did not reveal her face. She walked out as fast as she came in, the woman noted.

Once Sayuri stepped out of the small building, she took the rubber band off and counted the money. Her heart dropped when she noticed that the incredulous amount of paper stacked was just full of dollars--one's, a few five's, and a ten.

Twenty-five dollars.

She wrapped the money in the rubber band once again and continued on her walk to school.

Sayuri had woken up at three in the morning to walk for thirty minutes, all the way to the deserted part of the village. It was full of homeless people, lonely kids, and outgrown businesses.

The Hokage did try to help the people there as much as possible, but many businessmen intervened and took the money that was meant for them.

Now, I'll have to walk thirty minutes back to the apartment, take a shower, and dress up for school, she inwardly grimaced as she held herself tighter in the cold weather. The frosty air seemed to have wrapped around her in a tight blanket, turning her skin pale. At least it's better than staying home.

On her way back to the center of the village, a group of small kids ran towards her. A woman behind them shrieked and ran after them, shouting, "Kids! Don't leave! Get back here!"

The kids ran towards Sayuri nonetheless, asking for money. Sayuri looked down at the money wrapped in the rubber band.

"One day, I'm gonna run away from here...so far away...so that I wouldn't be so much of an embarrassment to everyone. To Kakashi."

She held in a sigh and kept the smile on her face, although it looked strained. How could I be so selfish? She thought. Selling the only thing that reminded me of mom for money? These kids...they deserve it better.

I'll get the money another time.

"Here, kids. Take it and spend it wisely." She sent a smile to the woman, who caught up to the kids. The woman smiled and took the money, thanking her greatly. Sayuri then returned on her way back to the apartment.

Another time.

...---...

Sayuri frowned from the back of the classroom, eyes darting to the clock every thirty seconds.

Five minutes until school ends.

She inwardly groaned, and shoved her face into her crossed arms, her fingers digging into her skin. She closed her eyes and blew out a sigh.