When I woke up this morning, Lady Sorano was still in my room, and in my bed, sleeping. Her servant, whose name I finally learned was Chiharu, is already up, and getting dressed, and after changing in my bathroom I join her in front of my mirror. She looks over at me for a second, before starting to comb her hair.

"Your clan made the offer, you know." I nod, they told me as much last night. "It's just a surprise that you're back so soon, they said you would probably be gone a few months."

"I would have, but… something happened, and I had to come back."

"So you're a ninja?"

"Yes, most of my clan is." I look at my hair, still not quite sure of whether I should comb it today or not- I've decided to get another haircut. Currently it's in that "fashionably messy bed hair" state, which might be interesting to wear for a while, if I didn't have the cut I do. "Is Lady Sorano still training?"

"Oh, yes!" Chiharu says excitedly. "I mean, of course she can't run like you ninja do, but I've heard her training is going well. She said something about a leaf just the other day…" A leaf? As in, the leaf exercise? That's impossible, she can't be that far along in only a couple weeks. "Do you think maybe you could come along to her training someday? That might help you two get to know each other."

I'm not quite sure what to say to that. "...Sure. It'll be interesting to see how she's doing. But, I think I'm going to get my hair cut first, this morning. What training field is she usually at?"

"Ah, I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but it's the one with the river going through and a view of the mountains." So that's the Third Training Field, which is the same one I use. I just hope Lady Sorano hasn't found the small clearing. Lady Sorano gives a sleepy moan, and decide to go before she wakes up.

"Alright. Well, I'll… see you two later." Chiharu nods, and I step out as I hear my sheets begin to rustle. There are a couple barber shops in Konoha, but before doing so I stop to get a steamed meat bun for breakfast. The cart starts its route a good distance from the barber shop. Though not my usual morning fare, today is about trying things I don't normally do, and besides that I just really wanted one right now, and its very warm and soft and tasty.

The two barber shops in Konoha, though not strictly limited, serve the civilians of Konoha, and the ninja. The one serving the ninja is of course more expensive, and aside from the price I'll be going to the one that usually takes civilians, just in case I meet someone I know at the other. I get a couple few looks of amusement and disbelief from the patrons when I walk in, and remember my current hairstyle is a pretty unflattering one for most females. I keep my eyes fixed on the lady at the front desk, and walk forwards. "And how can I help you today, miss?"

"I- I would like a shave..."

"A shave?" The large woman asks skeptically. "But you don't have a mustache, girl!"

"...I meant my hair…"

"Aaaah. Well, it ain't gonna be much, just a shave is three-fifty ryo." I nod, and get the change out and pay- this probably would have been at least twice as much at Lady Li's, the other barber shop. "Alright, let's get you situated in a chair…" The chair closest to the counter is empty, and I'm led there. She put a collar around my neck, and then starts up the clippers. She's doing this herself? Well, I guess it won't take long… "Now, you sure you want to do this, miss? You wouldn't look half bad if you just cut the tail off and got things evened up."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Okay then. Just lean your head back for me…" She starts at my forehead, quickly working her way back. Barely even a minute later, the short hair on the sides and the long hair I left in the back are gone. "Okay… let's get you lathered up…" I hear something spray, and a moment later my scalp is rubbed with the shaving cream. It feels so odd for the back of my neck and head to be this light, and at the same time, despite being so brief, this cut and shave is weirdly comforting. Not much longer than the haircut, soon the woman has my head shaved, and is wiping it down with a wet towel, and then a dry one. "Alright. Take a look…" She hands me a mirror, and I stare at myself. I'm so used to having hair, it's a big shock.

"Wow…"

"It's hot out, so make sure to wear a hat if you're going out on the town."

"I will. Thank you, ma'am."

"No problem, miss. You have a good day now, ya hear?" I smile and nod, and the woman takes the collar off, and I step out. This took so little time and was so cheap, I think I'll go get another steamed bun. I'm almost skipping right now; I feel very, very good...