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Skylor ran a hand through her long dark red hair that was thrown over her shoulder. With a hair tie in her mouth, she pulled the hair up with her hands, preparing to put it in her signature high ponytail. Taking the hair tie she held the hair in place.
Leaning closer to the mirror, Skylor fixed the small details. Fluffing up her side bangs, pulling loose strands out. Skylor took a moment to look at herself.
She liked the updo, it was just how she preferred it. But Skylor still felt there was something missing, or rather something was wrong.
The memories of seeing her father as a young man popped up in her head. The rare moments Chen had actually spent time with her than rather just manipulating her and forcing Skylor to train herself to her limits, were mostly spent bragging about himself.
Skylor admitts he didn’t look bad back then, but even then he had a snake like deception in his eyes. She was grateful now that her facial features mostly didn’t resemble his, taking after her mother instead, which she also only knew from old photos.
The only thing she had inherited after her father, was his dark red hair.
Skylor narrowed her eyes as she stared at her reflection. It was perhaps a little strange to dislike your hair color for that reason, but lately it had bothered Skylor. She didn’t appreciate resembling Chen in any form, either it was personality or looks. Personality was something she could change, something in her control. She could always dye her hair, and maybe she should.
She felt she has come a long way, distancing herself from Chen. The only thing that was left to remind of him, was her hair. And her back tattoo, but normally that would be hidden.
Skylor twisted the loose strands with her fingers. To dye the hair would take extra effort maintaining it, not to mention the damage it would cause over time. Skylor shook her head.
It was just hair, she told herself.
-
The buzzing sound of conversation and commotion from the kitchen was echoing through Chens Noodle House.
The sun setting sent a pretty glow through the restaurant, shining at Skylor as she cleaned the counter.
The bell rang as the door opened, signaling someone entering. Skylor glanced up, and smiled at the sight of the fire ninja coming her way.
“Hey,” Kai leaned forward on the counter, a confident grin plastered on his face, “I’m looking for a very pretty red haired woman who owns this place, do you know her per chance?”
Skylor smirked, “Sorry, I’ve never heard of her.”
“Oh wait!” Kai faked a gasp, “I think I found her.” he quickly leaned in and kissed her.
“Hi Kai,” Skylor flung her cloth over her shoulder, “What’s the occasion today?”
Kai took a seat on one of the bar chairs, resting his head on one hand, “Can’t I just come to see you without a reason?” He said with a playful glint in his eyes.
Skylor hummed, “Guess not.”
“When does your shift end?” Kai asked.
“Around an hour.”
“Can we hang after then?”
Skylor chuckled, “Sure” she tilted her head slightly, “Want something to eat?”
“Since you’re offering.” Kai shrugged, too innocently.
Skylor turned towards the kitchen, “You still have to pay you know, I can’t spoil you every time.” she said teasing.
“Is only ‘I feel sad’ exclusive?” Kai sighed dramatically.
Skylor laughed, “Yup.”
“You know, I’m suddenly feeling pretty down…” he started, batting his eyes at her.
She shut him up with a swift kiss.
“Or maybe I’m fine.” Kai smirked.
Skylor smirked as well, “I’ll go get your food.”
-
The restaurant slowly got empty from costumers as the hour passed.
Kai was in the middle of explaining a resent criminal he had caught trying to steal something.
“It was so weird, like- who wants to steal a stupid teapot?” Kai said while slurping his noodles.
Skylor was only half listening, busying herself with fiddling with her hair. She stared at the strands, the color.
“Sky?”
“Hm?” Skylor glanced at him.
“Is there something wrong? You look- distant..?” Kai’s eyebrows were knitted together in a slight worried frown.
She shook her head, “It’s nothing. Only…” Skylor looked at her hair again. “Do you think I’d fit another hair color?”
Kai looked surprised, “You want to dye it- why?”
He then quickly backpedaled. “It’s your choice obviously!- I just mean, your natural hair fits you so well, why change it?”
Skylor smiled faintly, then shrugged. “It’s just, doesn’t feel right.”
“Well I love it just how it is.” Kai reached his hand out and gently pulled some of it back her ear. “We kinda match right? You know- I’m the red ninja, and you got the red hair!” He grinned.
Skylor blinked. Then smiled. “Yeah, guess we do.”
“Like if you dye it- what am I supposed to do? Change my color scheme?” Kai continued to joke.
Skylor chuckled. “Yeah, we can’t have that happening- can we?”
-
It was quiet, the faint sound of Kai breathing being the only sound. His warm arm draped around her torso.
She glanced up at him from his lap, and saw he had eventually fallen asleep during the movie they were watching. Kai wasn’t an elegant sleeper, he looked rather funny.
Skylor chuckled to herself. Picking pieces of her red hair to fiddle with, something Skylor is beginning to realize is a habit.
Kai’s dark red hoodie almost blended with her hair. His words echoed in her mind.
“We kinda match right?”
Skylor smiled, they indeed did. She closed her eyes and let out a content sigh.
She wasn’t going to dye it. It was her hair, not her father’s.