DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto!!
Guys I totally apologize for not updating!! My laptop is being a butt wipe because I had to get a new battery cause my old one went out, then the new battery won't charge, and all this foolishness that I don't want to deal with so…I have to use the desktop computer. Guys I'm really sorry I known you've been waiting SO long and I truly am sorry. Anyway sorry about my ranting!! On to the story!!!
A New Look
Sakura pushed the front school doors open, intent on escaping this nightmare. She was oblivious as to why she was treated so badly. She just couldn't figure it out.
She released a laden sigh that she'd been holding in for the past several hours, and began her brisk walk home. She ran a hand through her uneven, short, pink hair. Just touching it made her remember all the horrid things Karin had said about her, and she was starting to believe it. Sakura did have bad taste in clothing, pink hair was tacky, her green eyes did seem to resemble slime, and her forehead was the size of a cow, she couldn't deny it, because it was true. Her father and siblings had always said she was beautiful, but she was starting to doubt them.
Thinking of her father she had to do something about her hair, if he saw her like this he'd be worried about her, thinking on her toes she needed an excuse. She could tell him that she accidentally fell in the hall, that would explain the clothes, and it seemed pretty realistic, considering that her father knew that she was quite the klutz, but what about the hair? Her father was no fool, so he'd know by just looking at her that she'd been in a spat with someone.
Sakura started to panic. "What to do, what to do? I got nothing." She thought disappointed. Maybe she should just tell him the truth. No she couldn't!! She couldn't tell him, "Hey Dad, I know your probably wondering what happened to my mid-thigh length pink hair, so I'll give you the details. Well I accidentally bumped into my tormentor (that you know nothing about) she got angry, then chased me through the halls with her posse of sluts, they broke my glasses, pushed me down two flights of stairs, put gum in hair and pulled it, and last, but absolutely not least they cut my hair off, resulting in this. Oh yeah, did I mention that she overturned my backpack sending everything that was in it on the floor, no didn't think so. I also forgot to tell you about the insults, broom closet, and dirty looks. I'm gonna go get a snack from the kitchen ya want anything?"
She couldn't say that, he'd look at her like WTF, why didn't I know about this.
Sakura was almost home, just several blocks away from her neighborhood, but a cheery face blocked her path.
That cheery face belonged to a young woman. The young woman had long brown hair that flowed just past her shoulders, and very light caramel colored eyes. Her outfit consisted of a nice pair of dark denim jeans, a red, blue, and green crinkled plaid elbow-length shirt, and simple pair of black flats. She also had several sparkly metal bracelets on her left wrist. From what Sakura could tell this woman had light makeup on. Her complexion was a warm honey.
"Hi there! My name is Season, and I just opened a salon, right over there," Season pointed towards one of the several shops that Sakura had passed on her way home. "I really don't mean to bother it's just I saw you and I was like, maybe she would want a haircut, no offence It's just whoever cut your hair did a very poor job." Sakura just gawked at the woman that was, may I say, much taller than little Sakura. Season gave Sakura the puppy eyes with a full out pout on her lips, mumbling several "Pleases" under her breath. Sakura, not wanting to upset the woman any further, gave a simple nod. "Yea! That's great! Come on let's go" Season yelled. She then began to drag Sakura over to the small shop, obviously happy that she got a new client. Season yanked Sakura through the doorway. "Well welcome to Season's Salon! Kati, I got a new client, but since I pretty much dragged her here, I'm gonna give a HUGE discount." Kati, who Sakura assumed was the other young woman in the room, was currently wiping down the hair stations. She just looked up and smiled brightly and got back to the task at hand.
"Alright take a seat right here." Season pointed to a cushy black chair that had a foot pump to raise and lower it. Sakura, doing as she was told, took a seat. "Alright down to business." Season mumbled. She began playing with Sakura's pink locks, using her imagination to picture what would look best on Sakura. "It's perfect! Oh, wait a second, I forgot to ask you your name." Sakura having very poor social skills decided it would be best to write her name in the air with her finger. She then began to write the letters/kanji of her name slowly, so Season could easily know what her name was. Season, picking up on what Sakura was doing concentrated on the spaces and then added up all the letters/kanji creating the name Sakura. "Your name is Sakura?" Sakura gave a short nod, confirming Season's answer. "The silent type I see…well Sakura let's get things started and wash your hair."
Season then led Sakura over to the wash station, Sakura sat down, and Season told her to lay her head back. Season then turned the water on, adjusting the temperature to get it just right. She then grabbed the extending hose and began wetting Sakura's hair. After wetting it thoroughly, she then opened a small cabinet overhead and pumped a generous amount of shampoo into her hands, and began to lather the substance into the pink locks. Season once again turned the water on and rinsed out the shampoo, and repeated the shampooing process once more. She then opened the overhead cabinet once again and pumped a hefty amount of conditioner in her palms, and ran them through Sakura's locks, making sure to leave no strand untouched. Season massaged in the conditioner and then rinsed it out, she then grabbed a medium sized towel and gently patted down Sakura's soaking hair to a damp. "Alright, looks good so far." Season commented.
Sakura was still so freaked out. Why, you may ask. Because she's never ever gotten her hair washed at a salon, nor styled. She was nervous, this was her first haircut. Sakura was doing much better than she honestly thought. She thought she'd be in tears by now. But, she did have to take into account that washing was the easiest part she still had to make it through the cutting.
Season led Sakura into a styling chair, Sakura sat down. "Well… Sakura since your hair is pretty jacked up…I'm gonna have to cut it really short.
Sakura's eyes widened immensely.
"Wait! Wait! Hold on a second I'm not gonna shave you bald or anything like that. I'm just gonna have to cut some hair off, so you can chill."
Sakura still wasn't too happy about getting her hair chopped. It was short enough, if Season cut even just a little off, it'd be boy-short. Sakura and boy-short don't go too well together.
"Just breathe Sakura, when I'm done with you, you'll look even more beautiful than you do now."
Season grabbed the scissors and began cutting whatever was left of Sakura's shield. Sakura could no longer hide or cry, people would see. Sakura needed to take this leap of faith whether she was ready or not.
Be brave my dear...
Sakura closed her eyes tight, not wanting to see this. All she could hear was the snip snap of Season's scissors cutting her hair. Season then stopped. Sakura, thinking that the cutting was over, opened her eyes.
Bad mistake.
Sakura saw it all her pink hair on the floor, bringing back the recent memories of Karin and her friends butchering her hair. Season then once again began the cutting. "When will this torture be over?" Sakura mentally questioned herself.
Chop, chop. "Done. Hope you like it."
Season spun the chair so that it was facing the mirror. Sakura's head was downward. "Sakura, look in the mirror we're done, and you look stunning!" Sakura, painfully slow, lifted her head. And for the very first time in her whole life Sakura saw herself. She saw herself for the very first time in her entire life.
The hairstyle itself was quite short. Sakura's hair is now boy-short, but it looks super cute! Her hair touches her chin, and her bangs, now trimmed up, scoop towards her left eye. The back of her hair goes accordingly with the rest of her hair. (A/N: For more of a visual, think about Haruhi from Ouran, or Ein from Phantom. I know about Ouran because I've watched it, but I know nothing about Phantom, I only saw a picture. Please don't be angry I thought it would look cute.)
Sakura touched her hair, pretty much amazed at how short it was, but it looked super good, with her hair framing her face.
"OMG! You look hot, Sakura!" Season exclaimed. Sakura just blushed hotly at the compliment. She'd never gotten one so she never really knew how you should feel if one was given, so she merely bowed her head in thanks.
Season removed the smock from Sakura's neck, and led her to the shelf. "Sakura I have one thing to say…thank you for basically letting me experiment on your hair! Since I pretty much harassed you on the street, I wanna give you some of the shampoo and conditioner I used on your hair. Also your haircut is absolutely free of charge!" Season snatched a bottle of shampoo and conditioner from the hair product shelf that customers can buy from, and stored them in a small bag with Season's Salon on it in large curly font/characters. Sakura once again absolutely grateful for everything Season had done for her gave her a full 90 degree bow.
"Bye!!!!" Season and Kati yelled. Sakura in return gave a wave and exited the salon.
The sun was setting and the street lamps were already lit brightly. Sakura almost fainted. She needed to get home and fast. She bolted down numerous blocks, intent on getting home, the last thing she wanted to do was worry her father. She continued to bolt down blocks until she saw that she was almost home free. "Almost there!" She thought. Coming into view was Sakura's average two story that she shared with her father, and sometimes her siblings when they come home.
She paced up the driveway, panting and breathless. Sakura took a few seconds to calm her breathing. She knew her father was home, she could just tell. She had to face him, already knowing he'd be upset with her. Sakura walked toward the front door of her home, and opened it. She wiped her feet on the doormat, opened the door, stepped inside the house, locked the door, then took off her shoes.
He was there. Sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. He then folded the newspaper and said, "Nice to see you how was your day." A jumble of words fell from his daughter's mouth, but he understood exactly want she was saying. "Well…I have only one thing to say. "Where the hell have you been Haruno Sakura?" Once again Sakura answered in a jumble of words. "Haruno Sakura, call me, text me, just get in contact with me if you're going to be coming home late! I was worried sick about you! That's the reason you have a cell phone! I'm sorry for yelling it's just I care about you, and I hate being worried about you." "Anyway you said you got a haircut…may I see?" A small smile crawled up her face, her father could be so weird sometimes. Sakura set her school bag down and walked to the couch. "Wow! I like it, it's cute, it suits you, and I can also see your pretty face now." Sakura smiled and then looked towards her father. She mouthed 'I love you' and an he mouthed it back. "Well sorry to crush this father/daughter moment, but I've got dinner to make, you want anything specific?" She shook her head no.
waltzed into the kitchen, ready to prepare dinner, and Sakura went upstairs to her room, to review her homework.
20 minutes later…
"Dinner's done!" yelled. Sakura came down the stairs, she grabbed a plate and settled her food unto it. Sakura and her father gave their thanks for the food, and began to eat. Throughout the meal simple conversation was swapped and Sakura's father was laughing at his own jokes, causing Sakura to sweat drop anime style. After they finished their meal, Sakura set her plate in the sink, and began to wash dishes. "Sakura if you need anything I'll be in my study." Her father announced. Sakura gave a simple nod, confirming that she heard him. Sakura continued to wash the few dirty dishes that littered the kitchen; she wiped down the table and counters, and also swept the floor. "Whew, all done." She thought. She flew a hand across her forehead to signal her exhaustion.
Since the kitchen was clean, it was time to bathe. Sakura headed up the stairs and towards her room, she opened her bedroom door and then closed it. Sakura then opened the bathroom door that was connected to her room, and stepped in the bathroom.
The bathroom was a lovely shade of green. It had a simple ivory sink with space unit, and a shower and tub combined that had a light pink curtain, there was also a large mirror, the same size of the sink with space unit that hung above the sink, and we can't forget the toilet, and the light pink plush rug that matched the curtain.
Sakura flipped the curtain back and turned the water on hot. Steam burst in the small room. Sakura rummaged through one of the cabinets, and found her shower cap. She nestled the cap over her hair, and stripped herself of her clothes. Sakura stepped into the shower. Hot water poured all over her body. She stood there for a good 30 seconds more then decided it was time to wash up. Sakura grabbed her green shower puff, and squirted some shower gel onto it. (A/N: In case you didn't know a shower puff is those sort of fish-netted things that usually have a little rope somewhere on it so you can hang it up.) She scrubbed herself clean then rinsed off. Sakura then turned the water off and stepped out the shower.
She grabbed her big, fluffy towel from the rack and wrapped in around her petite body. Sakura got out of the bathroom and walked towards her dresser, intent on finding her baggy pajamas. She cracked open the drawer, but didn't see any, she even searched twice as hard, but came empty handed. The only pajamas in the drawer were those pajamas that her father bought her, yet she hated them with a burning passion. "Don't give up yet, check the laundry room." She thought. She then threw on a bathrobe from her closet and walked down the stairs, seeing as her father was nowhere in sight, she assumed he was still in his study, or his room. She slipped into the laundry room and checked the dryer. Nothing, but a few of her father's shirts, and that was about it. "I guess I'll have to use my last resort." Sakura thought. Sakura once again climbed the stairs and went into her room. She cautiously approached the drawer and opened it.
There they were. She grabbed the pajamas and set them on her bed. She applied lotion to her arms and legs, and then slipped into the dreaded pajamas.
The pajamas weren't ugly, not one bit, they were form-fitting. Sakura loved her baggy, way-too-big pajamas, but apparently they were scarce at the moment. She could manage for tonight, but only for tonight, if she doesn't find those pajamas, she just might freak.
The time was currently 6:45 plenty of time before she would be tired, so Sakura grabbed her laptop and then laid on her bed. She was doing nothing important just surfing the web.
Little did she know that a few friends, we going to come for a visit.
Finally! Guys I apologize for updating so late, please forgive me, it seems every time I write a new chapter I'm apologizing.
Also don't worry the Populars will be involved much more in later chapters. Updating shouldn't take this long anymore, so I'm sorry about that. I know now it feels to read a story that you like and the person who writes it updates really slow, or doesn't even update at all, so guys for the last time I'm gonna say I'm sorry.
Two more things. One, about Sakura's dialogue always saying 'mentally said or thought' you have to remember that she has poor social skills, and at the table Sakura wasn't really talking…more like mumbling.
Two, I'm sorry that this chapter sucks so bad, but it was the only thing I could come up with, please don't be mad.
Last thing, I wanna give my thanks to Strayedwolf94, ByakuganLove, LoveReaper, '-CherryBlossom1997, MissFrenchie45, and broken beyond repair once again. Thank you guys so very much, your comments really help, and it feels nice to know someone actually reads this. THANK YOU!!!
Peace, Love, & Pocky, StrawberryLotus.