Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Pottery 101 ❯ To Hiko's house we go ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, sure wish I did, but I don't so don't sue me okay.

Okay people I'm back after a very long break. I'm very sorry that I took so long to update but my `wonderful' brother decided to upgrade the computer and then he didn't install Microsoft office so I just had to wait forever for him to actually install it after much nagging on my part.

Well I'm back and I'd just like to warn you that this chapter might be short so don't kill me. I'm still afraid of one particular reviewer who has threatened me with a whip. I am very happy that you all love it.

Special thanks to all my wonderful reviewers who just are so nice to me. I promise that I'll update faster from now on because you lovely reviewers seem to love this story so much.

Again I will like to state that I have the name kuroi-sakurapetals on fanfiction.net and j_mame-chan on mediaminer.org so don't go reporting me okay and the last chapter had some errors in it I will like to apologize for because I usually take time to spell check every chapter as best I could even though when I read it over when they are posted I still see errors in it.

Okay lastly I will like to ask your help because I know nothing about Japanese pottery making so if any of you know anything about it feel free to email me and tell me about it, also I am open to your suggestions on what you would like to see in the story.

Well I'll thank all my reviewers personally at the end of this chapter so well as I like to say ON WITH THE STORY.

Chapter 7

Misao woke up from the most wonderful rest she ever had in her life. She didn't know why, because the day before was pure hell, but she just felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Then she realized that today was the day that she would be leaving for Hiko's to learn how to make pottery for her beloved Aoshi. She hoped with all her heart that Hiko was a good teacher and actually knew how to make something other than sake jugs, but he had to be great if he was the master of the Hiten Mitsurugi technique and shishou of Battousai. She was sure Kenshin must have grinded on Hiko's nerve with all his oro-ing and his overly kind ways. The man was a complete push over.

She got up and started to gather her things together. She wasn't leaving until mid day but she wanted to be ready. She was a little scared because Okon and Omasu had packed her clothes so she was pretty sure that she had a lot of kimonos in her things and they tied up the bag pretty tight so she couldn't re-back anything. She made a mental note to terrorize them when she got back from her so call vacation though she doubted that she would get to because she would have so many questions about Hiko-sama to answer she wouldn't have the time or heart.

Slipping on her outfit for the day, she made her way to the kitchen to get something to eat. It was then she realized that it was probably around six or seven in the morning. She never got up so early unless she had something really important to do. She grabbed some left over rice balls from the night before, sniffed them to see if they were any good and happy that they were not spoiled, headed out to the garden to eat her breakfast. She sat under her favorite cherry blossom tree and quietly ate her food all the while admiring the beautiful scenery. She didn't notice the figure quietly come up behind her as she was so far off into her own little dream world.

Suddenly two very warm hands covered her eyes. She didn't know who the hell it was covering her eyes but if they tried anything she would be ready. She reached for her kunai in her obi but was stopped when the stranger spoke up.

"Now there's no need to use those kunai of yours. Can you guess who this is?" asked the very familiar voice. There was only one person who had such an incredibly sexy voice, Aoshi. She shivered when she felt his warm breath on her ear and neck. "Are you cold? Why are you shivering?" he asked again.

"A-Aoshi?" he obviously didn't know what he was doing to her. Her whole body was starting to heat up from his close proximity, especially her face which was a red lovely shade of red now.

He moved impossibly closer to her. He loved how she was acting. Her innocence was one of the many things that he was attracted to in her. She was so pure just like an angel. "Are you sure this is Aoshi?" he teased. He was practically hugging her from behind. He pulled away to sniff her hair a little. It smelled of flowers.

"y-yes I'm sure this is Aoshi, no one has a voice like that" she stuttered out. He had moved impossibly closer to her, his lips were almost touching her skin. She felt all warm and fuzzy again like she did when she woke up.

"A voice like what?" he questioned again. He moved away a little, afraid that he would lose control and do something he would regret. She mumbled something. He still caught it though. He had to fight back a blush himself. She thought his voice was beautiful.

Misao had turned crimson when she had mumbled her reply. She hadn't meant to say it aloud but damn her and her big mouth. He removed his hands from her eyes. She turned to look at him but instead she caused their faces to come even closer than before. She hadn't realized he was still so close.

She looked absolutely beautiful with her face all flushed and he had to fight to keep himself from closing the distance between them and kissing the life out of her. He was blushing a little himself. ` she must think I'm on something, to be acting like this but what she doesn't know is that she's the one causing me to go crazy' he thought to himself. He reluctantly moved and then sat beside her looking straight ahead like if nothing happened.

After a few seconds of staring at Aoshi with wide eyes and mouth agape, Misao finally came out of her stupor and asked the question she had wanted to ask him since the beginning of his weird behavior. "Aoshi are feeling okay? You just seem to be acting different lately"

`If you only know how badly I want you and how you are driving me crazy, then you would understand my odd behavior' he thought to himself. "No nothing is wrong Misao, I'm feeling fine actually."

`Sure could've fooled me, he definitely is acting more like a normal person than before. Must be the tea' she thought to herself. "Well that's good to hear."

"I leave today for my vacation at noon."

`Why is she leaving so early? I thought she was leaving next Monday.' He was starting to think that she was hiding something from him. It all sounded fishy. "Hmn" was all he said.

`Just great he's back to his old responses, and here I was thinking he was starting to act normal' she thought bitterly. She could have sworn only moments ago that he was high off something the way he was acting but he suddenly went back to his one word answers. "Yes I want to get an early start, you see it takes a day to get to Hiko's" she explained. She saw him watching her funny. Did she say something wrong? She went over what she had just said to him in her head. All she had said was that she wanted an early start because it took a day to get to Hiko's. She realized her mistake. `Shit! I just told him I'm going to Hiko's, now he'll know that I'm planning something' she needed to come up with a lie quickly to get herself out of this one. `Me and my bloody big mouth!'

Then the inevitable came. "Why are you going to Battousai's master house Misao?" he really was getting annoyed. She was leaving out important details on purpose. He was not told that she was going to Hiko Seijuro's mountain shack for anything. He wondered what she could possibly go there to do.

After a few moments of silence she answered him, "you see Okon and Omasu want me to drop off something for him since I am passing that way. I gladly accepted because they have helped me so much over the past few months and I wanted to repay them anyway I could." She wasn't really telling a lie because they had told her that they were sending a package for her to give him in order for him to teach her how to make pottery.

He looked at her good, she wasn't acting like she would when she lied but it still didn't seem like the whole truth and if he tried to ask her more she would just evade the questions. "You would think that any chance they got to see the man they would take it" was all he said.

` okay it seems as though he bought it but I can see it in his eyes that he still is suspicious' " yes I was surprised myself that they didn't want to go up there themselves, they usually jump at any little chance they could to see the man."

They sat there in silence for another few minutes until Aoshi stood up. "Well I have some business I must take care of now, I hope you enjoy your vacation, you need a break"

"Yes, thank you and well since I may not see you before I leave, I will say goodbye now." She stood up next to him and they looked at each other for a few minutes before she worked up enough courage to give him a peck on his cheek. "Goodbye Aoshi" she whispered into his ear. She was about to move away when she felt him wrap his arms around her in an embrace.

He stood there holding her for a few minutes and then he whispered into her ear "goodbye Misao, you will be missed." With that he let her go and made his into the house and out of the Aoiya all the while holding is cheek thinking ` such soft lips, I long for they day when I will get to kiss them.'

Misao who failed to notice that little detail was still standing in the same spot with the cutest looking blush on her cheeks and wide eyes. Someone coughing brought her back from la la land.

"Isn't that just sweet, the icy ex-okashira gave Misao-chan a hug." Okina had seen the whole little exchange and he didn't miss the part when Aoshi left holding his cheek like it was made of diamonds. He found it rather amusing that the usually stoic man was now acting like a sixteen year old boy.

"Talk about a moment spoiler, what do you want Jiya?" she asked in an icy tone. The old bat could just never quit. He always had to make a comment, he could never keep his mouth shut.

"Can't an old man just have some fun? Don't answer that question. I wanted to ask you about Aoshi's birthday party, do you want me to invite Hideki-san from down the street? Or how about Saitoh Hajime?" he felt like being evil this morning. Besides she wouldn't be there to harass him for whole month and was going to miss her, he wanted to get one last little fight before he left.

"Are you crazy? Those two in the same room together, do you want us all to die? And then you wouldn't be able to chase girls around Kyoto again." She knew he didn't like Hideki-san either, Shiro mentioned something about her having a crush on Okina.

Okina stroked his beard in thought. Never getting to chase those pretty girls around Kyoto was scary. His face took on an odd look. He remembered Hideki-san had a thing for him. He shuddered at the thought. "Well Misao-chan are you ready for your trip? After all I don't think those short legs of yours will be able to last long with the amount of time you will be walking." He barely missed a punch she threw at him. There was a silent understanding among family and friends of Misao, never say anything about her braid, never call her a weasel and then never ever say anything about her being too short. Okina just broke the last rule.

"Why you old bat, I'll make you pay for that one dearly, I'll show what these short legs can do" she shouted as she chased him around the garden. It seemed that he was going to escape but she magically appeared in front of him when he went to open the door. "Not this time old man, its pay back time." She grabbed him by the beard and dragged him back outside. Okina was heard shouting "please Misao-chan not the beard!" from down the street.

It was finally time to leave the Aoiya and head to Hiko's. Misao was a little scared because she was not sure if this whole plan was going to work. She wasn't even sure if he would agree in the first place. She hoped with all her heart that Okon and Omasu had planned something great.

" Misao are you ready?" asked Okon who was holding a package in her hand.

"Hai Okon, I'm ready. What's that in your hand?" she asked. `That must be the package I have to give to Hiko. I wonder what is in it.'

"That is the package for Hiko-sama, make sure to handle it carefully. This is what is going to get him to teach you okay. So handle it with care" said Omasu.

"What's in there that I have to be careful with it?" she was very curious.

"Well we can't tell you what the gift is, but there is a letter in there as well." They both had flushed faces.

"Well if you two are acting like that then I don't want to know what's in there." She was sure it was something she didn't want to know about.

"Here are some rice balls, Shiro-kun made them for you."

She turned to Shiro and gave him a brilliant smile. "Oh you're the best Shiro-kun!" she gave him a hug. The man had the most awful blush on his cheeks.

"Oh it was nothing Misao." He said while scratching his head in embarrassment.

Next to Omasu was Okina, who had an assortment of bandages all over his face and body was looking like if someone was dead. Misao seeing his face only smiled.

"I'll be fine Okina, don't worry. It's not like if this is the first time I'm traveling on my own."

"I know, but who will I have fun with around here when you're gone? Those two will be talking about Hiko and Shiro will be off trying to get some action and well Aoshi that's like talking to a stone, don't even mention Kuro he'll be gossiping with Hideki." A round of " hey" was heard from everybody.

"Why don't you and Shiro go girl chasing together?" asked a very amused Misao. Okina was acting like a ten year old.

"He'll only cramp my style." He quickly had to hide behind Misao for protection. Shiro didn't like that comment to much.

"Well I think it's time I leave. Don't want to get there too late." With that she said her goodbyes and started to walk down the path which lead to Hiko's shack. She turned around to wave again and what she saw almost made her faint. There stood Aoshi, alone in front the gates of the Aoiya looking at her. He had come to see her go off. She smiled to herself and waved at him. He waved in return. She continued walking for a while until she spun around again to see if he was still there. He wasn't. `Oh well at least I said goodbye already this morning.' She tuned back around and continued on. What she didn't see was Aoshi reappear from behind the gates and look at her with a sad expression on his face. He sure was going to miss her presence more then anyone else would. He stayed watching her until he couldn't see her anymore.

"I see I'm not the only one who I going to miss Misao-chan dearly." Okina had a way he could sneak up on you.

"Hmn" was all he said as he turned and made his way inside the Aoiya.

Okina only smiled. Aoshi really loved her more than anything. He could see it clearly in how he was acting lately. It was about time he realized that he needed her. Oh and he needed her badly, if you know what I'm saying. Okon and Omasu suddenly appeared behind him.

"Aren't those two cute" was all the said as they started to giggle. They obviously didn't miss anything either. All three made their way to the kitchen for some much needed lunch.

Meanwhile….

Misao was walking like a mad woman. It was six in the evening and it was starting to get dark. She didn't want to get stuck in the forest all by herself. She was almost there. She was walking incredibly fast. She didn't like this area at all. Then she saw a little dog. She walked over to it and went down. The thing was incredibly skinny. She took out a half eaten rice ball after a battle within herself to give away Shiro's tasty rice balls to some stray dog. She put it down on the ground next to the dog. The dog inhaled it. She got up to leave but the dog started to jump on her.

"Hey I can't give you anymore little boy, I've got to go now." She started to walk away but the dog ran in front of her and started barking. "Would you quit it already, I said I can't give you anymore, geez will you back off" she yelled. Some how the dog seemed to be taken aback by her raised tone. He didn't seem too happy about her outburst because he started to growl.

"But I never, I give you some food and this is how you treat me, you ungrateful little mongrel" she yelled back. She soon regretted her words. The dog howled and then started to growl and snap at her.

" now little doggie you move out of the way so I can make it to Hiko's before it gets too dark." She started back up a little when the dog walked forward. It was then she noticed that it had most of its teeth missing. She started to laugh. "You plan on attacking me and you have half your teeth gone?" she stopped her cackling when she heard something coming. It sounded like paws clicking. She swallowed. It seemed the little dog call for backup. She backed up even more. Then she saw four pairs of glowing eyes on her.

Misao didn't know what to do. It seems that dogs could understand what humans could say because they were pissed off. She needed a plan for her escape. She pulled out her trusty kunai and flung them as hard as she could. A few yelps were heard but then more growling followed. She didn't have time to waste, she started to run like if all of Kyoto was after her.

She jumped into some trees now and then but they still chased her. They were literally hounds from hell, piss one off and you piss the whole punch. She saw Hiko's shack come into view, she ran like ran she never ran before. She finally made it to the clearing with the shack. Within a matter of seconds she burst through the door, shut it behind her and plopped down on the floor holding her chest. She was getting tired of running from things. She was interrupted from her much needed rest by laughing.

"Well, well it seems that dogs don't like cats and weasels. Now tell me what are you doing here itachi?" Hiko Seijuro said in his deep voice. She turned and glared at him.

"Don't call me weasel!" she shouted back.

"Okay itachi, now answer my question, what are you doing here, shouldn't you be chasing around that ice block Shinimori?" he had his infamous cocky grin plastered on his face.

`Well here goes nothing, lets see if this is going to work without him laughing his laugh off.' " Iwantyoutoteachmehowtomakepottery" she said in a rush.

"Do I need to go get those dogs outside to make you say something understandable weasel? What did you say?" he had clearly heard what she had said, he was the master of Hiten Mitsurugi after all, but she just had to be joking.

"I said that I want you to teach me how to make pottery" she squeaked out. He looked at her amazed for a few minutes and then burst of laughing with tears coming out his eyes. Misao looked at his went over form and shook her head and sighed. She knew this was a horrible plan. What did she get herself into now?

TO BE CONTINUED.

How was it? Did you like it? Only way for me to know is to for you guys to go click that little purple button down at the bottom and review like crazy.

Well here go my many thanks to my reviewers.

Fallen Dark Angel: you always make me laugh with those reviews of yours. Sorry I didn't update as soon as you wanted. I'll try harder next time. Oh and please lay off the sweets. Maybe send me some.^_^

Katsumi Sagara: glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing my story you made me happy.

KenshinKid101: glad you thought it rocked. I hope you like this chapter too! ^_^

Chibibunny: I'll try to write more chapters for you. Enjoy the fic!

Ww3000: hope I put enough Aoshi and Misao moments in there for ya!

Canitan-queen: please put the whip away, I promise I'll update faster from now on.*hides under bed*

Living Impared: thank you so much for your review.

Spirit Demon: just can't let them get together so soon but I hope you like all the fluffy moments.

Yaoi Yaoi Yeah: omg you're one of my favorite authors, glad you liked it.

MiraiGurl: glad you liked the fish fight and the big kiss scene.

Minsada: thanks for your wonderful review, its folks like you who keep me going

And well all my other reviewers I didn't get, sorry I'm getting tired. Thanks a million for your support.!