2.08
Ayeka stood, slightly stooped over eyes closed, totally out of breath. Slowly, methodically the princess began taking deep 'lung-fulls' of air. Sara, at that moment being the closest to the stairs stood blinking at the young woman's sudden appearance. Glancing then back along the ancient flight to a curious a trail of dust still spiraling, linking the front of the distant house to the top step of the shrine.
"Who is that?" Yoshi asked voice brimming with awe, still standing over where she was clutching Tenchi's jacket even tighter. "Huh?" she mouthed blinking in surprise. Realizing that was the only thing, she in fact was clutching! Her state of shock only deepening when noticing Tenchi was now standing over by the old well pump, busily talking to Mikito.
"Now make certain you spread the water evenly with the dipper." He was telling her. "Oh Ayeka!" Tenchi added brightly, waving as if just noticing before proceeding causally over to the new arrival.
"Ho, ho!" Tony laughed knowingly. Standing beside a hastily erected tent, which served as 'changing room', slash 'makeup studio'. "Now I'm betting, that's that young fellow's girl!"
"What makes you so damn sure?" Michele asked having been too busy to witness the last few minutes of 'As the shrine turns.'
"Guess you didn't see how fast he shed his skin when she showed up!" He said with a grin. "Ah, to be young again!"
"Speak for yourself!" Michele said scowling. "I had three older sisters who constantly beat the shit out of me!" Looking down then on the layout table, her scowl only deepened. "YUBA!" She yelled, so suddenly Tony caught the webbing between thumb and finger in the shutter control of his camera.
"Youch!" He whined, eyeing the make up artist ruefully while in the distance Yuba was startled out of the melodrama for a moment.
"Yes!" she gasped, gazing stupidly up at the makeup artist for a moment. "What?"
"Where is the silver reflector?" Michele fumed. "You unpacked it didn't you?"
"It's over by the rail!" Yuba called mildly annoyed. Wondering if the old bat was blind?
"Well, I don't see it Hon!" Michele informed her.
"What is this?" Wataru was saying, Gesturing at a coyly posed Ayeka, the director was displaying his best gallantry. "Holding out on us again Mr. Masaki?"
"Since you unpacked the thing dear," The makeup artist continued after a moment's wait during which Yuba hadn't moved. "Why don't you be a good girl and get it for me rather than make me waste my time?" She added with a hint of anger.
"But I'm busy!" Yuba shot back, glancing back towards the festivities under the Torii.
"Doing what, exactly?" Michele asked impatiently. Cornered, Yuba about-faced and marched over without rejoinder, grumbling all the way to the railing, spying the missing reflector. Having slid just down the hill slightly, hanging in some bushes.
"That wind must've caught it!" she called vaulting the rail and descending easily, disappearing from view.
"I won't hear of it young man!" Wataru stormed playfully at where Tenchi was standing. "Quickly now, introduce this ravishing creature!" Tenchi had frozen in his tracts, in the act of speaking, scanning in turn the demanding faces of the girls surrounding him, which were the least of his problems! Ayeka was regarding him evenly as well and he knew that look! That sweet placid gaze, masking a glare. With the events from yesterday cascading down upon him, one thing for him was for certain.
"Got to nip this in the bud!" He was wildly thinking. Sliding suddenly behind where the princess still stood blushing, Tenchi gently slipped hands possessively onto her shoulders.
"This is Ayeka!" He announced firmly to the assembled group. Hoping in that instant, maybe, just maybe to head off yet another of the princess's jealous episodes. Remembering also, glancing again at the selection of girls surrounding, the last time he'd seen those kinds of looks, he and father had started building additional rooms on to the house! He then stopped cold, a feeling of ice gripping his spine. The realization, he did not have a clue what to say had suddenly settled in. "She's my... Uh…." Tenchi stammered, panic rising! His mind having gone completely, totally and irrefutably blank.
"His fiancée!" The princess said suddenly. Reaching up, capturing his left wrist in both of her slender hands, drawing them possessively downwards as she then leaned back against him. Time for Tenchi seemed to have frozen, much like the vacant smile marooned upon his face. Ayeka's words ringing like a pistol shot in his ears. It felt like someone had just dropped the entire shrine on his empty noggin! Some vestige of self found the presence to direct his eyes, as flickered from face to face. Noting with a bizarre kind of clarity in his peripheral both Grandpa and Washu observing. Katsuhito's eyebrows raised, his features stretched with surprise, in such a fashion his speckles were in danger, of sliding off end of his nose. Washu apparently returned from whatever errand she had earlier run, merely looked on. Her face wearing a curious mixture of her usual smirk and some more than mild disapproval aimed directly at Ayeka.
"I'm still not accustomed to hearing those words myself, darling!" The Princess was continuing. "I'm certain once we are finally married," She added, a certain gleam in her eye giving his 'quaking', increasingly limp hand a none too gentle squeeze. "You will have less trouble announcing it so publicly!"
"My god! What have I done?" Tenchi heard someone scream, fortunately it was only him, contained with the confines of his fevered mind. In reality he just stood there, glassy eyed, smiling grotesquely. Picture A jack o lantern with its candle blown out and you will about have the general idea. At some point, before he knew it she had reached out, capturing his other hand placing it with the other now resting both upon her stomach. This had the deliberate effect of making him stoop over. Ayeka then turned her face slightly more towards his.
"I'd advise you to play along Lord Tenchi!" She whispered sweetly.
"What do you think you're doing?!" His reply no less hushed than hers. He felt paralyzed, never in his life more aware of his forearms than at that moment. Specifically the point where he felt an amazing yielding firmness, pressing through her robes!
"It's obvious you've managed yet again to get you're self in over your head!" She scoffed quietly.
"Aw, isn't that nice?" Wataru beamed at the young couple, noticing Petra conveniently in range, nudging the actor in the ribs.
"Look at 'em over there!" He continued fondly. "Cooing like doves!" Rubbing the spot of contact with an angry glance at his director, the actor's enthusiasm was predictable.
"Woweee!" Petra drawled, sticking out his top teeth. "Maybe gramps over thar kens lorn 'em a buckboard so'sen dey ken go neck in da cornfield!" Wataru stared disbelieving, glancing between the young couple and Lord Katsuhito.
"Shut your hole!" he snapped.
"Hey thar little filly!" Petra continued unabated suddenly to Ayeka. "You an that young stud set a date whenst ya gonna jump the broom?"
"P-Petra I'm warning you!" Wataru growled, agog as the actor resumed as if he had not spoken.
"If'n so," Petra pressed, refusing to be stymied. "Y'all make certain ya's invites me to the hootenanny!"
"Let's start the square dance right now!" Wataru snarled, angrily mashing down on Petra's foot with his heel.
"What an oddly, rude, little man." Ayeka thought, wincing slightly from the loud yelp as the actor began a painful hopping dance.
"Actually good sir." She smiled, attempting to ignore the antics. "My beloved has not, as of yet, set a date for the blessed event!" Ayeka's eyes shifting subtly, gazing side long into Tenchi's "I'm certain just to build the sweet anticipation, of things to come!" She whispered loudly, enough to carry while holding his eye's with a dark, almost malevolent look to her features. "My Beloved would never be so unkind as to make a girl wait!"
"I..." Tenchi gasped.
"Or two, for that mater..." Ayeka added under her breath, smile widening.
"I…" He repeated pitifully.
"Never giving a clear answer!" She concluded coolly, allowing him to paused and painfully swallow.
"This, is what you call help?" He whispered hoarsely.
"What was I supposed to do?" She reasoned softly sarcastic, muttering out side of her mouth. "Announce I was your Cousin?" She had seen how they were all looking at him! She simply would not have it! Choosing that moment to straiten, turning then within the circle of his arms to face him. "I'm very certain such an announcement would have gotten those she wolves off of you!" She continued covertly.
"Here ya go!" back over at the prep table, Yuba said smiling, if a little forced, returning with the nomadic device, Sparing then a mildly hostile glance back towards the arch. The older woman sighed eyeing young grip a little sadly as she received the reflector.
"Sweetie?" Michele added after another long moment. "You're wasting your time!"
"Huh?" Yuba asked stupidly, glancing at Michele then the reflector. "What do ya mean?" Watching as Michele pointed over to where Tenchi stood with Ayeka.
"Even from way over here I can tell that sweet young thing is a lady!" Michele paused a moment, hopeful her words might be sinking in. "Through and through!" She continued emphatically. "She's got poise, grace, natural beauty and no telling what else in her little feminine arsenal."
"Yeah?" Yuba shrugged, glancing yet again. "So?"
"Well," The older woman resumed, trying to be gentle. "All and all, perfect traditional Japanese bride material!" Urgently she turning the reflector, 'silver side round' facing Yuba. "Now, what does your little streetwise self have to compete with that?" She concluded. Startled, Yuba stood for a moment staring at her own reflection, looking at her short wild hair and mismatched surgical scrubs, suddenly registering a solid impact!
"OHMGOD!" Came the thought, making her jaw drop. "The old bat's right! I'm a fuck'n mess!" Towards the reflector's dark side meanwhile, Michele was sorry. Desperately wanting to mend the deep, if well-intended gash she just knew she'd inflicted in Yuba's young heart.
"Now honey, don't get me wrong!" She soothed. "I'm sure you have many fine qualities!" She paused, worrying over the silence. "I just don't think your country bride material." She waited, still getting no response. "Do you see?" Michele ventured tentatively as the interval of quiet noticeably lengthened.
"Stupid old cow!" Michele berated herself. "Now you've gone and tramped all over the poor thing!"
"Yuba dearest?" She asked, as with a gentle hand Michele slowly lowered the reflector. "Are you ok Hon?" She added cautiously before the sight of Yuba's distant back running full tilt for the stairs made her heart plunge. "Oh the poor thing!" She sighed despondently. "How could I have been so cold?"
"Where the hell are you going slacker?" Todd yelled indignantly as Yuba shot past the assembled group in a blur.
"Comfort break!" She called over her shoulder, far from upset determinably taking the stairs two at a time, thinking... "No little dipshit 'rice patty princess' is gonna show me up goddamn it!" Thoughts of Ayeka's long shimmering tresses, pale skin and large luminous eyes were enough to send Yuba's blood to the boiling point! "Ok!" She reasoned as she rapidly descended. "I got fuck'n poise, goddamn grace and shit loads of fuck'n charm!" And, from what she had heard coming out of the broads own mouth, there still might be a chance to show 'stud muffin' what the big city had to offer! "Better get ready little miss cornpone!" She fumed nastily as she ran. "Yuba's gonna show how we do things downtown!"
"You need to stop for a moment and think this through!" Kiyone begged, so miffed she barely noticed Yuba flashing past her and Mihoshi. "You're obviously not thinking rationally!" When her partner continued their ascent in silence, it was more than enough to make Kiyone finally explode. "Damn it! Mihoshi! Will you please talk to me about this?"
Four steps above, Miho stopped suddenly and turned. Flaring the pink miniskirt, she wore in the breeze, causing it to hike well above her thigh for a moment.
"What is there to talk about key?" She asked curiously gesturing down at herself. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a grown woman."
Kiyone paused, momentarily taken aback, unprepared for the steel flashing suddenly in Mihoshi eyes or the quiet conviction in her voice.
"What's come over you?" Key almost whispered. "This it just so, sudden! Really not like you at all!" Mihoshi's expression softened, becoming more her usual self.
"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "Key," She continued, her tone softening even further. "Maybe this is just something I want... maybe I just 'need' to do, ok?" Raising a hand to her friends startled face, Mihoshi traced gently along her cheek. "So just stay out of it. Don't interfere." She added gently then turned and began moving again up the steps.
"As ranking officer and your direct superior." Kiyone began, causing Mihoshi instantly to halt. "I could order you not to do this."
"Don't." Miho told her back still turned. "You'll just have to file an insubordination report." She then turned. "Then you'd have to explain it to my grandfather." Now that Mihoshi was again facing her, Kiyone saw tears welling up in her partner's eyes. "Who'd just use it as an excuse to do something else to you." Mihoshi's eyes fell. "And neither of us wants that!"
"So..." Key began, almost pleading, triggering a sharp intake from Mihoshi.
"Kiyone, My mind is made up!" She said firmly, a touch of exasperation notable in her voice. "It's decided! Discussion's over! Case closed!"
"Ok." Key finally sighed, waiting as Mihoshi turned again. Remaining almost motionless until her long time partner and occasional curse had climbed ten steps. "Guess I'll just catch the pieces when they fall." She muttered sadly.
"You do that so well!" Mihoshi sighed sweetly, glancing at Kiyone sideways a smile materializing on her lips. Waiting until her reluctant partner decided to catch up, then together, they made the final ascent.
Still in the grips of a despondent muse, Kiyone found herself jarred back to reality or at least what passed for it here bouts, by the sudden impact when she ran into strait into Miho. When her long time partner slammed to an astonished halt.
"Well... What?" Key began, understandably 'miffed' whatever she might have said next died in her throat as she leaned around a mutely astonished Miho. Only a few feet distant, surrounded by the gazes of curiously bemused to out-rightly-hostile on-lookers, Tenchi and Ayeka stood intimately entwined.
"The hell..." Kiyone finished, totally astonished, making a fast study, noting a certain wild and all too familiar 'look' about his eyes, as Tenchi seemed to be helplessly scanning. Looking in turn at the expressions, running the gambit from surprise bemusement to disappointed envy surrounding him. Finally returning to Ayeka's expectant gaze, he felt frozen in the grip of those lovely eyes! The proximity of her face to his was troubling enough! She had place her arms over his when she had turned not given him the option of straightening short of being directly forceful. Consequently, both his hands were hovering only inches from her royal posterior! Still looking slightly up at him, it seemed to him her lips were trembling.
"It is not wholly improper, my lord." She whispered, averting her eyes. "For a young man to touch his beloved in such a fashion."
"Huh?" Tenchi started, but before He had a moment even to think of a way to respond she had pressed his hands fatefully downward.
In spite of initiating contact, a gasp still escaped her when his hands touched her most sensitive zone. Ayeka's was not the only revelation in progress; Tenchi was for all his shy indecisiveness was still a man. Many had been the dreams during which he had explored the possibility of... Of touching her…
"God! Her ass feels wonderful!" His thoughts exploded. It was true, something deep and primitive in him wanted to squeeze those sweet Jurian peaches until she screamed! "Stop! What the hell are you thinking?!" His mind exclaimed. "The hell with that! WHAT AM I DOING?!"
"Ayeka!" Tenchi pleaded, his eyes desperately seeking hers, wanting it to stop and not, all at the same time. "Have mercy!"
"Is touching me so, distasteful?" She asked, eyes growing hard. Secretly wanting to beg him, to never let go! Part of her wanted to leap on him! Wrap her legs around Tenchi! Demand he finally give her…
"No! It's not that!" He pleaded softly, face redder than autumn leaves. "This is too much! We're in public! P-people are watching!" Indeed, he could see Kiyone's eyebrows were in danger of being lost under her headband! Mihoshi beside her could rent out her mouth as a spare hanger for Yugami. To say nothing of what those not in his direct field of view might be doing! For the second time in a few minutes, Tenchi heard a gasp escape the princess as something inside her just snapped.
"Would it be different if I were Ryoko?" She asked coldly, loud enough to be overheard. The mention of her name was all it took to send a shot of icy resolve shooting up his spine. Gently as he could under the circumstances, Tenchi forced his arms apart. Against such insistent pressure, Ayeka had little choice but release her hold. Her face displaying a mixture of shock and hurt, she stood ground, glaring at him until he suddenly seized her angrily by the hand.
"Excuse us for a moment!" He brusquely addressed the crowd almost dragging her along.
"You simply must forgive us!" Ayeka added, secretly somehow excited by Tenchi's sudden forcefulness as he pulled her away. "We just can't seem to keep our hands off each other!" At his insistence the princess followed to the far side of the priest quarters. Once there, out of sight to the immediate on lookers Tenchi released her hand and seized her firmly by the shoulders.
"What has gotten in to you?" He demanded. Then stopped, grimacing, realizing his temper was flaring and he was being far too rough, released her and stepped back. "Especially in front of strangers!" he added tersely. Each word felt almost like a physical blow to Ayeka, made worse by knowing he was absolutely right! For all her teasing and innuendo Ryoko had never fondled him in mixed 'unknown' company.
"Still," She thought, defensively. "This is a war of love!" the lingering excitement of Tenchi's brusqueness, of his physical proximity still energizing her. Moreover, she had far too much of her mother Misaki's blood in her to allow a clear 'tactical' advantage to slip away! Or as Lady Funaho might put it, 'That would simply not do!'
"I concede your point lord Tenchi." She whispered, truly feeling some measure of shame at her actions, wondering briefly if living around Ryoko had not finally eroded her morally? "Yet consider," Ayeka continued, coolly, finding her steel. "Under the circumstances you have little choice except allow me to be your fiancée..."
"Uh?" Tenchi started.
"For today at least!" She then added quickly before pausing speculatively. "Otherwise…" Ayeka continued suddenly poignant. "To salvage what is left of my... Tarnished reputation?" She emphasized, averting her eyes. "I would have little choice except to report on the sad state of this household!"
"Sad state?" He gasped uncomprehending. "What are you talking about?"
"How the honor of the holy shrine has been... Besmirched?" The princess ventured. "By the misdeed of its most trusted acolyte?" She punctuated this with a sigh as Tenchi felt himself going limp. "Or… How the soon to be anointed junior priest?" Ayeka continued sweetly. "Has lured so many young females to live in sin in the shadow of that very holy place?" Now he was gaping, almost unable to believe what he was hearing, almost.
"Y-You." Tenchi stammered, eyes widening even further. "You wouldn't dare!" Ayeka looked up at him coolly, an evil grin then settling on to her perfect features.
"As the earth saying goes, lord Tenchi." Ayeka smiled, her voice falling to an almost sarcastic growl. "Try me!"
"This is blackmail!" He snapped loudly.
"Another earth expression." She cooed darkly. "And an ugly one. I prefer extortion!"
"Fine!" Tenchi whispered harshly after a moment. "Have it your way!"
"At last!" Ayeka sighed privately triumphant. watching him mute with anger as her face positively lit up. She finally had him where she wanted! "In your face Ryoko!" She thought blissfully then paused. "At least I think that's how the expression goes?" Ayeka amended with a mental note of concern before realizing the space formerly occupied by Tenchi, had been vacated! Her astonished eyes catching sight of him then, already several paces away rounding the corner, heading back toward the shrine.
"How rude!" The princess sniffed, running then to catch up.