2.22
Their arrival at stair's end was not at all disappointing. As usual, Sasami had pulled out all stops preparing lunch. The largest permanent table in the rest stops area covered with bright linen. Even from where they stood, the aroma was sheer heaven.
"You know Sasami," Kiyone was saying, while they looked on. "You're going to a lot of trouble for just a lunch!" Watching as the second princess was finishing a few last touches with Kiyone holding a box, on which Sasami balanced. "We don't really need to hang lanterns!"
"But Key!" She wined in response. "Its no real trouble, only takes a second and I want our guests to feel welcome!"
"Hey." Kiyone shrugged. "Suit yourself." Glancing down at where the older woman stood, Sasami took on a speculative look.
"How long do you think he's going to avoid me?" She asked nodding to where Tenchi stood carefully portioning food onto Styrofoam service trays. Shooting Sasami a look, taking in the angelic face and emerging figure Kiyone looked back over at Tenchi, happening to catch him sneaking a glance in their direction. Managing as he did to ladle hot chili sauce on to the back of his hand.
"EEEEEEEYOWWWW!" As he wailed, Key shook her head sadly.
"How's next year's Startica sound?" She replied, causing Sasami to sigh.
(The Jurian summer star festival. (Ref-Daughter of darkness) )
"Why is he making things so difficult?" Sasami mummered angrily. Kiyone almost lost her balance, Just managing to keep the box and her-self from tumbling.
"He's making things difficult?" She half stammered. "As I recall, Tenchi wasn't who decided suddenly to play lip-sumo!"
"Well, yeah!" Sasami blushed and fidgeted. "But you gotta admit, he's just so darn dense some times!" As Kiyone nodded begrudgingly, Sasami straitened, staring resolutely at the horizon. "I just wanted to 'clue him' it was time to get with the program!"
"Ahem!" Kiyone bristled tiredly. "A burned match found in a fire place is a clue, Colonel Mustard! Setting the damn house on fire is a little closer to the stunt you pulled!"
"YOU'VE BURNED YOURSELF!!" Ayeka suddenly cried, running to Tenchi's side as they watched. Capturing and fondling his injured limb as well as her own bandaged hands permitted.
"It's not that bad!" Tenchi told her, surrendering his hand. However, his expression clearly displayed mild discomfort at her making such a fuss.
"Don't be a fool!" She gasped passionately. "It will blister! We should put ice on it right now!" Looking around however, only served to remind Ayeka, being this early in the year there was no reason to bring a cooler.
"I said!" Tenchi complained, though raising his voice only slightly. "It's all right!"
He reversed his hand, gently taking hold of her right wrist and lifting. Now looking down, he saw a look of wonder pass across Ayeka's features watching, her eyes grow moist, making him very uncomfortable. At some point during the clasping of their hands she abandoned all thoughts of first aid and instead drew closer. Smiling, sighing as she leaned against him.
"You need to stop worrying about me all the time and take better care of yourself!" He said with some amount of genuine anger.
"Yes sir!" Ayeka whispered, reaching up and brushing some stray hair from his eyes. It was right then, that something just clicked. Tenchi saw her smile slowly fade away, replaced by a look of astonishment.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked suddenly concerned. Meanwhile the princess's mind was in a whirl, for Ayeka had, as they say, an epiphany.
"I've never told him how I feel!" She thought, totally amazed. "Ryoko is so unbridled! and Kiyone? much like her! I see it so plainly now!" Realizing, at that point she was staring Ayeka looked away. "Mihoshi, naive and innocent like Sasami! Yet, they speak their hearts as well! and I …" She thought with rising distress. "I refuse to share!"
"Ayeka?" He asked, when she failed to respond.
"Could it be that simple?" She wondered, looking at him anew, this time deeply into his eyes, amazement evident upon her lovely face.
"Uh." He ventured, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the intensity of her stare.
"No!" She thought suddenly, remembering what Sasami had said, Yet thinking of their confrontation, words harsh and horrible lent Ayeka a kind of wild strength, rising from within! "If I am to lose him, it will not be because I remained silent!"
"I love you!" She suddenly blurted. "Oh gods!" Ayeka then gasped unbelieving to herself. "I've said it!"
"Wha?" Tenchi mouthed stupidly, feeling the hairs rise on back of his neck and a weird fluttering sensation in his chest, as his mind went completely blank.
"I," Ayeka stammered hardly believing it was her own voice. "I said, I love you!" Still gazing into her eyes Tenchi saw tears starting to flow.
"I know." He told her gently, suddenly hoping it was the right thing to say. Then, not resisting the urge, wanting only to comfort her Tenchi drew the princess to him, wrapping his arms around her shivering form.
"Aww Tenchi..." Key muttered sadly, feeling his pain or at least wishing she could. She glanced around, specifically at Sasami gazing at the scene unfolding. Couldn't these girls see this was ripping him apart? Melting in his embrace, Ayeka's felt a measure of peace. In Her mind, she had finally said the one thing that mattered, she had come halfway and that was enough, for now.
"Ahhh!" Said a voice to their left, Each relieved in their own way something had broken the moment both Tenchi and Ayeka looked at Andarka. Sitting a few feet away rested her chin on her left hand regarding them.
"Love is in the air!" She sighed. With her right hand clasped firmly over Todd's it was obvious she wasn't referring specifically to them.
"This place is truly magical!" She added glancing shyly sideways at Todd who by his beaming expression, clearly seemed to agree. The two had been cozy ever since his fall from the flat bed. Only the large lump, evident on top of his noggin detracted from the picture perfect couple.
"Yeah!" He gushed happily. "Ain't it grand?!"
"Barfaroni!" Yuba grumped under her breath, now dressed again in her scrubs. The rumpled idol singer outfit was back in the caravan, showing additional signs of high mileage. "It may be months past Christmas," She added sourly. "But bah! fuck'n humbug anyway!"
"Uust shut da hell uhp!" Mikito snapped. Thanks largely to an ice pack from the Misaki-kitchen, by this time some of the swelling in her nose had abated.
"Gezz!" Sara swore quietly nodding at Andarka, glancing at each of the girls beside her in turn for confirmation and support. "She must be really desperate!" she continued to mutter. "I mean come on! Todd Runnion? What a jerk!" Getting a nod from all except Yoshi whom quietly turned the lapel of her 'borrowed' coveralls down so Todd's name was no longer visible. She was wondering if they would ever find all her clothes, and there was no way in hell! She was going back into those woods without an escort! Glancing around then she tried snatching yet another quick glance at Ryo-chan.
"Hisssss!" Ryo-Oki sneered before getting yet another 'bonk'.
"Behave yourself!" Sasami scolded.
"She's really something!" Ben nodding wonderingly at Ryo-chan from some distance away
"Shut your ass Ben!" The producer, slash director, slash man at the end of his rope snapped in response nervously glancing around. "Were just lucky Lord Katsuhito doesn't know about all the crap that's gone on!" Wataru grumbled, despondently. "He might just have us all arrested!"
"Now you're overreacting!" Ben laughed.
"How do you figure?" Wataru moaned. "First 'Commander banana' makes me look like a rank amateur in front of the priest!" He continued, nearly wailing. "Then my senior grip gets herself possessed by Janis Joplin!" He paused angrily. "Minus the talented part! Finally! To top it all off the most level headed member of my film crew decides to commune au natural!" Wataru glared at his engineer. "Now, would you mind rolling THAT back to the part where I'm overreacting please?"
"As to anything which might have occurred." Came a quiet voice from behind them. "There is no need for concern." Both men turn to see Lord Katsuhito walking slowly toward the assembly, Washu and Mayuka in tow. "I assure you," The elder priest quietly nodded. "Nothing has happened today that shouldn't be chalked up to simple youthful over exuberance."
"Domo! Katsuhito sama!" Wataru gasped, rising only to gratefully bow to his host. "Domo, Arigatou!" Straightening he then shook his head. "Its just things usually tend to go a little smoother!" He added looking extremely embarrassed. "I have no idea what caused all the weird behavior today."
"It's this place." Washu shrugged, chiming in. "Believe you me, the Masaki bloodline is about the most powerful weird magnet in the known universe!" Noticeably, Katsuhito cleared his throat shooting her a glance.
"Speaking of which lord Katsuhito?" Ben asked gesturing to his immediate left. "I hope you don't think me rude sir, but what's the story on the little cat girl?"
"Meyow?" Ryo-chan responded ears perking up, literally.
"BEN!" Wataru wheezed, waving his arms.
"What?" Ben asked defensively "I think she's damn cute!" So saying he then waved at Ryo-chan. "Hi ya little cutie!" He added totally unashamed, as Wataru gaped.
"Ah," Katsuhito began solemnly as Ryo-chan blushed. "That is quite a tale."
"Oh boy." Washu smirked, mildly shaking her head.
"Fourteen years ago..." Katsuhito pressed on, seeming at least to ignore her. "On the very night of the summer solstice, We found our young shrine child." Katsuhito paused suddenly aware that everyone was looking at him. "Ahem," He continued mildly gesturing down the gentle hill. "Floating out in the center of that very lake." He stopped, grimly noting several individuals in the group, including some family member were looking over at the indicate location.
"In a ladies hat box." He finished gravely.
"And all with a straight face..." Tenchi murmured wonderingly, sideways to Ayeka
"With ability to spread such quantities and quality." She drawled under her breath. "Is it any wonder the lands around the shrine are so fertile?"
"Meally?" Ryo-chan asked, eyes going wide walking over, adorably holding a pan with bright orange carrot shaped potholders regarding Katsuhito with awe.
"Yes." Katsuhito confirmed, firmly starring directly into her eye as he patted her head.
"Wow!" Wataru said. "That's some story!"
"Isn't it though?" Washu added with a fresh version of the same smirk.
"HLAME!" Kiyone coughed, having moved closer, enough to 'net' her an immediate punch in the shoulder from Tenchi.
"Dick." She hissed under her breath rubbing her arm.
"Less." He shot back smirking, drawing looks to both of them from Ayeka.
"Since then we have done our best to raise and educate her." Katsuhito continued ignoring the various mild outbursts.
"With spectacular results sir!" Ben told him looking with unmasked admiration at Ryo-chan who received it by modestly averting her eyes.
"What are you?" Wataru whispered to Ben, leaning over. "Some kind of furvert?" this drew him a look from the engineer.
"Don't you watch any anime?" Ben asked seeming genuinely dismayed.
"Nuku! Nuku!" Mayuka chirped.
"I make films!" Wataru stated haughtily. "I don't have time for that stuff!"
"Hey everybody!" Sasami announced, interrupting the relative calm. "Ahz we liken tah say out hair in da sticks!" She added exuberantly. "Cum in git it! Vittles is on!" The aftermath of the announcement found everyone sliding up and settling in, Katsuhito, naturally choosing the table's head with Washu to his immediate left, Mayuka then Tenchi. Kiyone, in the act of taking a step toward the next empty space found herself suddenly presented with a view of Ayeka's back.
"This seat is reserved!" The princess fairly sneered over her shoulder. "Constable." She added, icily tacking the word on to her statement.
"Hope you get splinters in your ass." Kiyone muttered quietly.
"WHAT?" Ayeka gasped, turning a full three quarters.
"I said, I hope the spicy food doesn't give me gas!" Kiyone replied quickly but only after Tenchi shot her a look, before then sitting down. The rest of the assembly seated themselves in loose order about the rest of the table. Todd and Andarka choosing to sit opposite of Tenchi with Yuba, Mikito and Sara then Yoshi to their right. Wataru seated himself at the foot of the table using a folding chair with Ben to his immediate left. While the timeless ritual of passing plates, portions and condiments were observed, Andarka seemed more interested in snuggling than sustenance.
"Mmmmm." She sighed thoughtfully, looking over at where Tenchi sat with Ayeka. "It's such a wonderful thing."
"I beg you pardon?" The princess asked curiously.
"Raw fish again?" Kiyone muttered quietly, looking with some dismay at the fillet of pinkish white. This was one of the few problems she had living in Japan. Well, that and squid. "And what the heck is up with this rice?" She managed to keep that last to herself, but thinking the bowl in front of her could stand in for a nightlight!
"Yeah I know," Sara Small interjected, siting just across from Key.
"If you had served that in my home town," She laughed. "They would have called a swat team!"
"A what?" Kiyone looked at her oddly.
"Finding love?" Andarka continued, ignoring the cross exchange choosing that as her moment to take possession of Todd's unprotesting appendage.
"And in such a fitting place." She purred.
"I couldn't agree more!" Todd affirmed looking into her eyes. Finding himself in gratitude for almost cracking open his skull! "Your like a dream come true." He told Andarka earnestly.
"Ahem!" Washu interrupted from behind her own tray. "You seem to be forgetting, that love had nothing to do with the founding of this shrine."
"Oh, I'm quite aware of the history of the mound!" Andarka replied brightly turning with a gleam in her eye, only to halt, actually seeing Washu for the first time. "After all," She continued sounding slightly perplex at what she saw. Such a precocious young girl! "I'm gathering material for my doctoral thesis on ancient myths and legends!"
Washu blinked then slowly smiled. From where Kiyone was sitting, she could almost see the hackles rise on Katsuhito neck.
"Ahem." He quietly grumbled.
"Soooo." Washu continued slyly, ignoring the foot prodding her under the table. "An expert huh?"
"Yes indeed!" Andarka said confidently, rising to her feet. Todd reluctantly released his hold but sat beaming as she straitened her shoulders and addressed the table. "As a matter of fact," She continued brightly. "I have been doing extensive research in to the backgrounds of many of the legends that pervade this very prefecture!"
"Indeed." Katsuhito commented. It did not take a detective first class to deduce the young woman now had his fully attention. "I would be interested in what you have learned." He informed her warmly.
"You would?" Washu gaped, slightly surprised.
"Of course." Katsuhito assured. "It is so rare these days to find young people who are mind full of the past." Tenchi grimaced, chewing his lip. Hoping grand father was not about to have a relapse, especially after their talk this morning.
"I have personally mastered many of the ancient local kanji." Andarka added proudly. "Just so I could read the various ledgers and family registers!"
"Wellll, someone's been doing their home work!" Washu remarked.
"Not at all." Andarka smiled, totally missing or choosing to ignore the sarcasm. "As most people know, there have been many attempts to 'formalize' the various Kanji into a unitized form. Even in the present day, there are still many recognized subsets. "And there are many things which can be learned through careful study of the more ancient forms!"
"Oh?" Washu bantered. "Such as?"
"Well, among other things," Andarka continued. "Forensic handwriting analysis is an interest of mine."
"For-whosea-mah what?" Mikito asked suddenly gazing blankly at Andarka.
"Using someone's hand writing to divine their personality traits." Tenchi told her casually, managing to deliver the statement just as Kiyone was opening her mouth.
"A, Actually Mr. Misaki?" Andarka apologized. "That's graphology, which I'm afraid is a pseudo-science at best."
"Dumbass." Kiyone muttered under her breath, enlisting an instant glare from Tenchi. The situation made worse by a slight snicker from Washu.
"Forensic analysis of handwriting however," Andarka then added. "Is a tool used to identify specific individuals through detailed comparisons."
There was an odd sound issued from the head of the table just then. Tenchi would have sworn it might have been of someone spitting tea violently back into a cup.
"Oh really?" Washu commented. "Now that sounds interesting!"
"Exactly right!" Andarka Continued brightly. "Which is why it is so fortunate I was able to get this job here! It has allowed me to make observation and take some photos of the ancient texts with Lord Katsuhito's kind permission!"
"Ah," Katsuhito mused gruffly. "I was under the impression, your interest was in the inks and materials used?"
"Among other things most honored sir!" Andarka replied. "All the ancient texts and registers are precious irreplaceable documents! It only make good sense gather a broad spectrum of data types when they are available thus minimizing their exposure to possible harm!"
"It is most unfortunate then that the registers I have here are recent copies." Katsuhito spoke levelly. "Only going back a few generations at best."
"But still invaluable honored sir!" Andarka nodded. "Specifically when I compare them to the archived originals!" The statement hung in the air about the table, which seemed to grow unusually still for a moment, that stretched until Katsuhito spoke again.
"I was unaware that college students had access to such ancient government documents?" Now it was Kiyone's turn for her eyes to widen, detecting a subtle note of panic evident in Lord Katsuhito's voice.
"Well normally no." Andarka said slightly blushing, apparently oblivious.
"But I've done an internship over the last two summer breaks at the Odoku shire ruins." Turning then away from the group, seemingly more embarrassed. "And my uncle Samu is a Lower House member."
"Say!" Washu shot off suddenly. "I seem to remember part of a legend saying 'The legendary warrior' had dealings with the Odoku priest sometime after his battle at the mound!"
"Exactly so!" Andarka elated. "And it is my belief, that comparison of the ancient documents there will conclusively identify the hand writing of Yosho himself!"
"Among other things..." Kiyone breathed softly the reasons for Katsuhito's alarm becoming all too plain. If the handwriting between ancient Yosho and Modern Katsuhito matched...
"Impressive." Washu breathed, while turning three-quarters and opening her fan with a snap. With the lower part of her face thus shielded, she looked poignantly at Katsuhito. "Kid's good," She grimaced quietly behind her fan. "Want me to carve you a paddle? You just might be up shit creek!"
"Wow!" Todd sighed looking at Andarka, the young man was obviously star struck. Looking upon the young woman, Katsuhito however was suddenly feeling every one of the seven hundred years he had been on planet and gain insight to what a rat caught in a trap must feel.
"Wonderful." Tenchi said, suddenly beginning to understand the panic he was catching from grandpa. "So what is it exactly that you are researching about our family?" He asked. "That is if you don't mind?"
"Not at all!" Andarka told him, seeming surprised at the question.
"I've been working up material that will show conclusively that the legend's surrounding Masaki shrine was caused by the strike of a double cored meteorite!"
"Oh!" Katsuhito almost slumped with relief. "That's quite fascinating young lady." He said slowly. "But I feel that digging too deep into the mysteries behind ancient myths only leads to further deeper questions."
"And answers we certainly may not want!" Washu quipped. Katsuhito blinked, then leaned over carefully.
"Would it be possible for you to kindly shut up?" he whispered uncharacteristically terse.
"With all due respect, honored sir!" Andarka persisted, slightly bowing Katsuhito's direction. "I deeply believe it foolish to let superstition stand in the way of discovery!"
She then straitened eyes burning intensely, focused on the horizon.
"Are we to ignore all that the past has to offer future generations?" She continued passionately.
"Do I deny the light of ancient knowledge?" Andarka's arm shot out, pointing for effect. "Just because some one screams, LOOK IT'S THE DEMON?!"