Fourth chapter up! I've been motivated to write this because of my first reviewer.

Thank you so much!

Here it goes…

Disclaimer: I don't own Pot… (pouts)...Takeshi-san does.

"A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows and bubbles all around."-Carolyn Birmingham

Chapter 4:Hairdo

Dedicated to:

Twinklejade-chan

Shizuno Ayaka chuckled as she watched her daughter play with her hair in front of the mirror. Ayane let out a frustrated sigh. "At this rate I'll never make it on time, and considering my wonderful sense of direction….of course, I'm dead!" She groaned yet again. "'kaa-chan, can't you just help me out here?" she pleaded. Ayaka laughed lightly. "It looks fine anyway you wear it, honey."

"You're not helping." said Ayane narrowing her eyes at her mother. "Well…then, you can go with your 'lucky' style, seeing as this is your first time shopping with Chiako-chan."

Ayane considered it. Maybe. No. Yes. No. 'What if it looks silly on me now? No…it isn't…but…' "Aah! This in killing me! I should just go with a pony." She shouted, exasperated. Ayaka sighed. "Just come downstairs when you're done and if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen.", she said getting up from the bed.

She'd just finished putting back the dishes when she heard Ayane come down. Her face broke out into a smile as she saw her. 'So she decided to go with it at last.'

"I'll be back by four." Ayane said as she put on her shoes. "Ja." Ayaka watched her as she went out. 'Ayane…'

FLASHBACK

Her eyes went wide as she stared at the pink yukata that her father held up. It had sakura prints all over it. "Sugoi! Arigatou ne, 'tou-san." She shouted in glee. "I'm glad you like it Aya.", said the man as he ruffled her hair. A woman in her late twenties entered the room and sat down next to her husband. "Seiji, you're spoiling her.", she said, rolling her eyes. "She threw that vase into the fish tank again. That's the third time this week and you're not helping the situation either by laughing at it." He chuckled. "See…there you go again." "She'll stop it as soon as she finds it boring. Don't worry." He said, grinning. Ayaka sighed and got up. "The festival starts at five, Ayu." said Seiji. "Mm."

Ayaka lifted Ayane from the bed. "Okay, bath-time, young lady." She said smiling as Ayane squealed at being lifted.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ayane pouted. "I wanna tie my hair different this time." She said indignantly. Ayaka sighed. Suddenly the smell of something burning wafted into the room. "Oh no! The tofu." Ayaka ran out of the room. "Seiji, could you please help Ayane with her hair?" she called out.

"Hmm…not what seems to be the problem?" he asked, sitting down next to Ayane. After she explained, he smiled at her, "Well…let's just fix that."

"Voila!" exclaimed Seiji, "So what do you think?" "Hai! Sugoi!" she yelled. Ayane proudly showed her mother her hair, which was now parted into two and tied on either side with a ribbon, grinning.

END OF FLASHBACK

A small sad smile slowly found its way to Ayaka's face as she stared at the sakura tree which was now covered with green leaves.

Japanese Words

Hai - Yes

'kaa-chan - Mother

'otou-san- Father

Yukata - a kimono; usually light colours

Sakura - Cherry Blossom

Okedokee! Chapter's done! I know it's kinda short but............Please read and review? :(..