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Chapter Twenty

I haven't been around much and I apologize for that. This chapter is short but I'm setting a reminder to post the next one soon! I hope you enjoy! :]

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Sakura watched as Sayuri made her way to the bathroom to take a shower. Her emerald eyes studied the girl's form. After spending so much time with Tsunade, who was a friend of her parents, she learned that Sayuri had many things she needed to fix.

Her frame was a thin, skinny one. Sakura saw the girl as a walking stick--her friend Ino once tried starving herself, and it didn't end well. Sakura's concern grew.

Sayuri's pale skin wasn't a good sign either. Not only that, but Sakura caught the marks on the pallor of her skin when she once rolled her sleeves to do the dishes.

Sayuri's hair was cut short above her shoulders--much like Sakura's, but only shorter. And from the way she saw it, Sakura could tell Sayuri cut it herself. But Sayuri's hair looked luscious and silky, why would she cut it?

Tired eyes that were boarded up so that no one could see her emotions. Dark plum lips. Pale skin. Bony arms and legs.

What's happening to you, Sayuri?

Once the door closed, Sakura's eyes snapped back to the textbook she was supposed to be studying. But even as her eyes read the words, her mind wandered. Why is this happening to Sayuri? What's doing this--Who's doing this? How? Why won't she tell me?

"You're my only friend."

When she finished her thoughts, she realized she didn't understand the last five pages she read. By the time she snapped out of her thoughts, Sayuri finished showering and changing. She stepped out of the room and let out a shy smile at the pinkette.

Sakura noticed the small smile, and couldn't help but think it was cute. She then had an idea.

"Hey, Sayuri, you wanna go get lunch?"