From: "P. Rico" Hello! After accedently desubscribing my self form this list (P.Rico no baka!) I'm back with a new story. (If your wondering why you didn't realize I WAS gone, it's because I was only unsubscribes for at the most 12 hrs. The most horrifying 12 hrs of my life ^-^) I hope I didn't miss much. Anyways, a great big THANK YOU to every body who read and commented on my fics. The following is another instalment in what I'm now calling my "Stepping Stones" series. Disclaimer: I don't own them; you don't own them. Why don't we all have a good cry? P.S. Miss, Thanks for the great idea for the College Adventures. I'm going to try to get together with my friend (aka partner in crime) to see what we can throw together. Of course you'll get credit ^_~. Yes there is a fic here. It's just below this line. Enjoy! ******************** A Hairy Ordeal By P.Rico Seventeen year old Shinomori Aoshi pushed a long strand of unrulely hair behind his ear only to have it fall back in his face. Sighing, he gathered up his hair and quickly secured it at the nape of his neck with a string. He tried to go back to his research, but for some odd reason, found himself thinking about his hair. It had been at least to his shoulders for as long as he could remember. The truth was, he never really decided to let it grow out, he just never thought about cutting it short. When he was studying to become Oniwabanshuu, hair was the last thing on his mind. Occasionally, Okina would comment about the length and the sit him down and give it a trim. But Okina probably assumed he wanted it long so he never cut it too much. While long hair wasn't uncommon in the Oniwabanshuu when he was younger, today, most of the men wore their hair short. "I should just cut it off, too," he thought. "It just gets in the way, anyways." Making his decision, he pulled out a knife and preceeded to completely cut off his ponytail. A split second later, he heard an ear-piercing scream. ----- Okina placed a pot of tea and some rice cakes on a tray. Aoshi had been doing research all day and Okina thought he could use a break. As he began to climb the stairs, he noticed Misao running by. "She's probably going to see Aoshi," he thought. "He could probably use the distraction." He reached the top step just in time to see Misao enter Aoshi room. Suddenly, he heard her scream. Fearing the worse, Okina ran to the door, somehow managing not to drop the tray or any of it's contents. He sighed with relief when he saw nobody was injured. Misao was standing a few feet in with her back to him. A confused looking Aoshi was kneeling by his desk with a knife in one hand and a bunch of hair in the other. "Misao?" said Okina. Misao turned to him, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "Aoshi-sama...Aoshi-sama..." she tried to choke out, but unable to speak, she ran to and threw her arms around Okina as tears began to flow. "What did you do, Aoshi?" Okina asked the young man. Aoshi looked at the knife, his hair, the back at Okina and shrugged. Okina placed a hand on the distraught child's shoulder. "Misao, tell your Jiya what's wrong." "It was so pretty," she said between sniffles. "And he just cut it off." Okina smiled slightly when he realized what had happened. "Why did you cut your hair, Aoshi?" "I...I just felt like it," muttered Aoshi. "It was so pretty," repeated Misao. Aoshi placed the knife on his desk, rose to his feet and walked over to Misao and Okina. "Gomen, Misao-chan," he said softly. "I didn't realize it would upset you so much." Misao looked up at him, then at the hair in his hand. She reached out and began stroking it. "Would you keep it for me?" asked Aoshi. "Just in case I want my hair long again." Misao giggled. "Aoshi-sama no baka. Once it's cut you can't put it back on." A small smile tugged at Aoshi's lips. "I guess you're right." She took it from his hand. "But I'll keep it for you anyways." "Arigatou, Misao-chan." "Well, now that that's settled," said Okina. "Why don't you take a break and have some tea with Misao, Aoshi?" "Please, Aoshi-sama," said Misao with wide, hopeful eyes. Aoshi nodded. "It would be my pleasure." ******************** Was Misao being too emotional for a seven-year-old? I can't remember any details from when I was seven and I don't make it a point to hang out with seven-year-olds now. (In fact, I make it a point to avoid them all together ^-^.) If she was, I guess I can just say that she's always emotional when it comes to her Aoshi-sama. Thanks for reading. --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU! Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons! Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------