2.23
"WHA?!" A just arriving Ryoko yelped, suddenly finding her self standing at finger point, while Tenchi, among others blinked in surprise.
He however was the only one suddenly very aware of the pressure Ayeka was exerting on his arm as just to the other side of the Princess, certain galactic law officials where sizing up the pending predicament.
"And now it gets really interesting!" Kiyone thought glumly. Not, without an appropriate amount of sympathy for Tenchi to be sure.
"OH!" Andarka startled, smiling then at the new arrival. "And who might you be?"
"Button your lip sister, that's my line!" Ryoko snapped, covering she had just had the living shit scared out of her by turning belligerent.
"Tenchi! Who the hell are these people?" She added angrily.
"Well." Tenchi began, clearing his throat.
"They're a team of exorcists!" Kiyone suddenly blurted. "Here to rid the shrine of the demonic influence that has plagued the good people of these lands!"
The statement echoed through the air, leaving everyone startled, confused and dumbfounded. Well, that is except…
"T-THE HELL YOU SAY!!" Ryoko stammered loudly, angrily rolling up her sleeves.
"WELL, I'M NOT GOING WITHOUT A FIGHT!"
"DAMN IT KIYONE!" Tenchi swore rising from his seat. "SHUT YOUR FLAPPING HOLE!! RYOKO! JUST CALM DOWN!!"
"BUT SHE JUST SAID!" Ryoko stormed, angry and confused.
"THEY'RE A FILM CREW!!" Tenchi bellowed. "HERE TO DO A DOCUMENTARY ON THE DAMN SHRINE!!"
"Daddy's gotta potty mouth!" Mayuka observed, getting up from the table.
"What the hell was all that about?" Wataru wondered aloud, watching Ben Ofer shrug as little girl was running over to the just arrived woman, squealing with undisguised joy.
"YOKO!" The child shouted and leaped, her arms opened for her infamous 'hug attack'.
Over where she was still standing framed by the lake, Ryoko looked confused perhaps a little embarrassed. More than anything however she was ticked off! About to toss some choice words Kiyone's direction when Mayuka's charge melted it all away in an instant.
"OH HO!" Ryoko spouted playfully sidestepping, catching the child by back of her bibs and hoisted. Mayuka suddenly found herself inverted, with Ryoko starring pensively up at her.
"And just what kind of an attack was that sugarplum?" Ryoko teased sweetly.
"No Fair!" the little girl pouted.
"Ya left yourself wide open kid!" Ryoko finished with a rasp.
"Damnation!" Todd muttered quietly. His initial thoughts of "Another hottie?" All but canceled watching Ryoko hoisting the toddler over head effortlessly in a one handed grip? The girls sure were 'healthily' here about!
"Ryoko!" Tenchi complained, from the table. "She's not a sack of potatoes!"
"Take a chill-pill daddy dearest!" The ex-space pirate sneered, gently flipping Mayuka upwards, plucking the giggling child out of free-fall in an instant, cradling her in an undeniably a playful hug.
"So how's my favorite student?" She whispered as Mayuka wrapped arms about the ex-space pirate's neck and squeezed.
"Yoko!" She sighed.
Ryoko took a moment, flashing Tenchi a 'See? Told you so!' look, shooting then a suitably more scathing one Kiyone's direction.
"Daddy?" Yuba mouthed wonderingly, then rolling her eyes speculatively at Sara.
Who like each of the girls on the crew were rapidly re-evaluating the situation here abouts?
"Oh, me and you are gonna party later flatfoot!" Ryoko added as she approached the table. Nodding succinctly at a seemingly unperturbed Kiyone.
"Que Sera!" The detective shrugged, making a cocking motion with her left hand.
"I'll bring the party favors!"
"No fight!" Mayuka complained, just as Ryoko was setting her down. Clearly deciding enough was enough! Taking hold, the little girl started pulling her towards the table.
"Yoko, come sit with daddy!"
"Now you're in trouble!" Kiyone softly sang, smiling staring apparently into thin air across the table. Refusing to see the harsh looks, both Ayeka and Tenchi shot her direction. Knowing most likely they could have felled an ox.
"Remind me to kill you later!" Tenchi muttered glancing toward impending doom.
"Scoot your ass down one click princess!" Ryoko suddenly gruffed, having only just noticed the seating arrangements. "You're in my spot!"
She had apparently been looking around somewhat confused at all the unfamiliar faces.
"I beg your pardon?" Ayeka returned sweetly, not even bothering to look. "Obviously preparing Raman all morning has scorched what little brain you have!"
Ryoko responded by stepping back, sliding her left foot into launch position,
"I SAY NO FIGHT!" Mayuka suddenly yelled. Immediately forestalling pending posterior assault and commanding everyone's full attention as the little girl gestured at her side of the table.
"ALL YOU!" She said, pantomiming the required motion. "SCOOT DOWN!"
While mouths were busy dropping open, Mayuka reestablished her hold on Ryoko's hand.
"YOKO! SIT HERE!" She said, urging the stunned woman toward where she had been siting when Ryoko had first appeared.
"YES MA'AM!" Tenchi, Ayeka and Ryoko said in unison as everybody that side hurried to comply.
"She's Smart as a whip!" Ben said, clearly impressed. "How old is that little girl?"
"Better than halfway to three years old." Washu supplied, between bites. Seeming to take little interest in the almost brawl just averted.
"Uh huh!" Mayuka said, taking immediate interest whenever she was the topic of conversation.
"I this much!" she added as if her next words were the most important thing she would ever say, holding up two chubby fingers.
"And a big smidge!" She finished flashing five then three fingers with her left hand.
"Holy Hirohito!" Ben gasped a family man himself almost falling over with shock.
"THAT is amazing!"
"Not so..." Ayeka cooed. "If you consider her lineage."
"Let's just thank god your mutation skipped her generation." Ryoko said quietly.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Ayeka asked hotly.
"And she didn't crawl out of your shallow end of the gene pool either." Kiyone sighed softly.
"I'll kick YOUR ass!" Ryoko shot back.
"Yes! I'm very proud!" Tenchi laughed elaborately.
"And I'll just bet!" Ben agreed gazing at Mayuka, attempting to assist ignoring the crossfire. "You can say the name of everyone in your family!"
The little girl paused, she had been avidly watching the on going exchange. Now she turned, scrutinizing the older man.
"Why should?" Mayuka squinted up at him, instantly dubious. "You stranger!"
Ryo-Oki stopped where she was still assisting Sasami in serving their guests. Her eyes narrowing as she too regarded the engineer from across the table.
"So, that's what one looks like!" She nodded firmly to herself.
"Well that's right of course!" Ben told Mayuka smiling. "You shouldn't talk to strangers!" He added sternly.
"But, your Daddy's right there!" He then nodded at Tenchi. "And if he says its ok?"
"Hmmm." Mayuka frowned, hands on hips glancing at Tenchi her self, brows furrowing.
"It ok to tell?" She asked, then waited while Tenchi considered.
Most of the people of the surrounding areas knew about Mayuka's little 'ho ho, play pretend'. It certainly made it easier than trying to explain all the dynamics of what not to say to a two and a big smidge little girl.
"And..." Ben added grinning, after seeing Tenchi slowly nod, enchanted with the intensity of her stare, reaching into his pocket. "What if I give you this?"
"WHOA!" Mayuka's ruby eyes almost popped out of her head as the midday sun flashed on the surface of a five hundred yen coin.
"But!" Ben continued, making the coin vanish from small fingers already reaching. Simultaneously dotting the precocious toddler's button nose.
"Only if you can say everyone's name!"
"Well." Mayuka began, rubbing her nose slightly cross, wishing adults would leave it be! Glanced around for a second then back. "I already said, you stranger!" She then pointed over at Wataru.
"But I hear him call you Ben!"
The director just about lost it right then and there along with most the table as Ben's face froze in shock.
"I meant, just you're family sweetness." He added slightly red with surprise.
"Serves you right!" Wataru gasped cheerfully.
"Hey!" Mayuka interrupted, pointing again. "Who you?"
It took the director a moment realizing the child was indeed addressing him specifically. Surprised he glanced around the assembled group then back, never losing his grin.
"Oh! Well, I'm Wataru Higomi!" He told the child. Making a show of extending his hand, which after another glance toward a nodding Tenchi, Mayuka grasped.
"I make movies!" he added buoyantly.
"Good!" She answered. "You shut up now! I talking!"
"Mayuka!" Tenchi gasped, amid the resulting blast of laughter erupting almost drowning his admonishment.
"Would you care to comment again about her social development?" Ayeka glared as Tenchi grimaced, scratching back of his head, amid the dying snickers and wheezing.
"I Mayuka Masaki," the little girl indicated herself, having waited out the storm of laughter. "I ninja!" She continued, bowing at the waist to Ben.
"She my Auntie Yoko!" Mayuka then said pointing to Ryoko.
"That's me alright!" Ryoko smiled and waved.
"She wanted on twenty-six planets," Mayuka continued. "That cause she space pirate!"
"Wah?" Wataru mouthed, looking at the child strangely.
"Space pirate?" Todd muttered, glancing briefly from where Andarka sat positively beaming at the little girl.
"Lots of kids build little fantasies up and around their family members!" Ben whispered quickly, leaning close. "Nothing wrong with it."
Wataru shrugged, as the cameraman nodded, sparing a glance Kiyone's direction. Thinking this was starting to sound strangely familiar.
"She also..." Mayuka continued, pausing to concentrate on an unfamiliar word.
"An all-key-hall-lick." She finished with a definite nod.
"WHAH?!" Ryoko gasped as the table again erupted.
"Mayuka!" Tenchi snorted, unable to keep completely from laughing.
"Oo-boy..." Ben muttered, suddenly wondering if this had been such a good idea?
"And he, my daddy!" Mayuka continued after another moment. Indicating Tenchi with a chubby extended digit. From the continued cross expression, it was clear she didn't like waiting for the bursts of hilarity to subside. After all her fortune was at stake!
"Him Tenchi Masaki!" She then paused, at a sudden additional thought.
"But me just call him daddy for short." She added as Tenchi positively beamed with renewed pride, while Ryoko sat, muttering.
"Dang mouthy munchkin!"
"Out of the mouths of babes." Ayeka tittered uncharitably.
"Bite me!" Ryoko snapped.
"Daddy love to draw." Mayuka continued brightly. "That why he think he might be arc-key-tech someday like papa Yuki his daddy."
"How nice." Ben told her.
"But he also study to be pest." Mayuka added with a nod. "Jus like grampa."
"P-pest?" Ben blinked, glancing first at Tenchi then over at Katsuhito.
"Oh!" he suddenly reasoned. "I think you mean 'priest' honey."
"Sounded right the first time!" Washu laughed as Katsuhito's eyes darted her way.
"Hey! Kick your own damn leg!" She added angrily.
"Yeah but he think he might also be farmer." Mayuka told him, ignoring the mild 'tiff'. "He not sure, auntie Aka say that because he Indian.'
Ben again paused, just about to urge the little girl to continue, taking a moment to glance again the direction of her Father. Noting Tenchi well as Ayeka were studying the child curiously. The engineer reasoned Tenchi had the healthy if slightly darker completion common to the region. His mind did stray for a second, wondering how much time Ayeka spent in doors to vary that much.
"Now sweetie, I think you're confused." He then told Mayuka. "Both you, your daddy and grampa are definitely Japanese!" He didn't add, he had no clue as to Ryoko or the Bronze skinned babe that was hanging with Tony and Michele! The odd 'snicker' heard in the air just then also eluded authoring.
"But auntie Aka say daddy Indian-sigh-sieve!" Mayuka complained, while Tenchi's 'beam' swung angrily over, threatening to burn a hole in the princess's face.
"Out of the mouth of babes!" Ayeka repeated, grinning with embarrassment
"Would you know what a mutton head is Mr. Ben?" Mayuka suddenly asked.
"Uh..." The engineer coughed his response. "Why don't you tell me about the rest of you family first honey?"
"Oh? Well, that there, my auntie Aka!" The child continued oblivious while Ayeka waved weakly. Smiling with equal enthusiasm.
"And she first..." Mayuka paused, looking suddenly worried, glancing again at her father. "You sure?"
"Long as you know what's pretend honey." Tenchi told her, wording it carefully. Wondering now if he was making a mistake but seeing no way to stop this without appearing out rightly rude.
"She first princess." Mayuka continued, glancing again Ayeka's direction.
"Oh?" Ben asked the child, believing he understood, grand visions aside.
"So, she's the Woman of the house?"
"Ho!" Ryoko snorted suddenly. "As if..."
"Not know." Mayuka told him, genuinely scratching her head as Ayeka shot a glare Ryoko's direction.
"But Auntie Yoko call her miss bossy boots." She added.
"Among other things..." Kiyone muttered as Ryoko snickered totally unrepentant.
"Silence cretins." The princess growled under her breath, turning then to the child.
"Now Mayuka?" She then continued in tones dripping with honey. "Little Ladies aren't supposed to gossip."
"Yeah honey," Ryoko laughed. "Leave that to the resident wind bag!"
"To whom are you referring?" Ayeka demanded, glaring as Ryoko elaborately shrugged.
"So your Auntie is a real princess huh?" Ben interceded, hoping to 'move the situation along' before fatalities started to occur. "Well, I must say she certainly looks the part."
"Uh huh." Mayuka nodded. "She most beautiful woman in whole Jeri-Ryan Empire."
(Resistance is futile!)
Again the child paused, seeming to concentrate even as Ayeka smiled and shyly blushed.
"At least that what she told me." Mayuka added.
"Oh lord!" Kiyone gasped, burying face in the cradle of her arms, shoulders quivering as she laughed into the tabletop while beside her the princess stared blankly into space.
"The kids on a roll!" Ryoko howled as Tenchi glared briefly her direction.
"N' she Key-o-knee!" Mayuka continued, gesturing at the slumping detective.
"Uh, Guess it's my turn!" Key grimaced, forcing her self to straiten.
"Uh huh." Mayuka acknowledged with a slight nod. "She gal-axe-see police!"
"And I'm Luke Skywalker." Todd muttered under his breath.
"Todd?" Andarka asked, looking, curious as to his tone as Kiyone glanced at him tiredly.
"Sorry." He told her softly. "I'll explain later."
"Daddy say she grad-aided top her class!" Mayuka continued smiling.
"Wow!" Ben nodded himself, clearly impressed.
"From the Far, far away galaxy of Tokyo MPD Academy." Kiyone supplied, evenly.
"So you really are a cop?" Wataru asked, looking at her a little warily.
"Detective." Kiyone smiled warmly, "Freelance." She added, noting a mildly sharp glance from Todd's direction.
"Yeah, But Auntie Yoko say she couldn't catch cold." Mayuka told them.
Key glanced, then slowly turned from Mayuka, registering the toothy grin, which faded as Ryoko rolled her eyes up, tongue firmly in cheek.
"Pow." The detective muttered cocking and firing her finger pistol, at the menace.
'Wow." Ben enthused, again wanting to press on. "So you got a Pirate, a Princess and a Policewoman! All living in the same house."
"A positively prodigious passel of pertinent personal." Washu snickered.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Katsuhito muttered tiredly.
"Relax." She smiled slyly leaning towards him. "Might just have a plan that'll save your beacon!" Washu whispered, her cherub face registering pleasure as Katsuhito's eyes slightly widened.
"Least ways now you got a legitimate reason to ride that train tomorrow." She smirked as his expression hardened.
"I resent the insinuation." He grumbled darkly.
"More like you resemble it." Washu volleyed quietly. "And we both know Tenchi's nonsense about having to go more than two prefectures over to buy an new pump just doesn't hold water." She paused, speculatively. "Or would that be a pun?"
"Now honey," Tenchi was gently reprimanding. "Ayeka's right, You shouldn't go round repeating what people say."
"Why not?" Mayuka asked, her eyes shining innocently.
"Well," Tenchi cleared his throat.
"Cause you don't want to see Auntie Yoko with a fat lip right?" Kiyone supplied suddenly. Batting her eyes elaborately positively dripping with false earnestness as Ayeka uncharacteristically snorted. Immediately raising a hand to her face, frozen with a look of mild shock.
"Drop on down sister!" Ryoko challenged, enlisting the little girl to giggle.
"Oh, yes." Tenchi eyed the detective and 'demon' receptively. "THAT'S a BIG help, Thanks!" He nodded disgustedly.
"What the hell did I do?" Ryoko wanted to know.
"Yoko gonna eat soap..." Mayuka warned, shaking her head sadly.
"Its never easy is it?" Ben asked Tenchi with a laugh.
"You don't know the half of it." Tenchi muttered, glancing over the where Ryoko was hefting one fist with an extended knuckle, choreographing with the other 'standing in' as her desired victims face. Then over to Kiyone, in the act of pulling the lower lid of her right eye down with a finger. Her thumb, in her ear fanning fingers as she stuck out her tongue.
"Sometimes I lose track of how many kids I'm raising." He added gravely
All three women froze, Ayeka in the act of admonishing Kiyone.
"Stop touching me!" she groused, a pause and then...
"HEY!"
"What the!"
"Lord Tenchi?"
They cried fairly in unison.
The old engineer shook his head, feeling a mixture of sympathy and envy. There wasn't one of those women he would personally 'kick out of bed for eating crackers' as the saying used to go. Ben then snorted, thinking again, it sure seemed like a good idea! Looking nervously at the current glare factory he now wondered if he had just instigated a war.
"And I thought I came from a dysfunctional family!" Turning back towards the child, Ben found Mayuka looking at him expectantly.
"Why I do this if you no pay attention?!" She demanded crossly.
"My deepest regrets dear lady!" Ben bowed apologetically placing hands together in supplication. "I'm an old man!" He elaborated. "My attention wandered!"
Mayuka studied him for several seconds, wondering why adults needed to carry on so?
"S'ok." She then chirped, brows furrowed. "Just not let happen again!"
Turning from a smiling Ben Ofer, Mayuka then gestured at the head of the table.
"N' that my grand pa!" She announced proudly, as Katsuhito's eyes seemed to sparkle.
"An she, little Washu." The child continued with a nod, pointing at 'the young girl' seated beside the old man. Mayuka then paused for a second, then looked away. Evidently looking for her next 'victim.'
"What?" Ben asked, obviously taken aback. "Nothing else to tell about them?"
"Nope." Mayuka told him flatly. "Washu say if I don't button lip when we come down here she turn me into hamster!"
Ben glanced, catching Katsuhito and Washu grinning and making victory signs.
"Uh…" He mildly stammered, deciding not to pursue the issue.
"Oh, ok! You're almost there!" He directed Mayuka's attention instead over to where Ryo-chan was standing next to Sasami. "So who are those pretty young ladies?"
Have followed her progress along with everyone else, it came as no shock both subjects of current scrutiny were gazing back their way with interest.
"That's Sesame!" Mayuka told him grinning and pointing. The effect was almost instantaneous.
"GRRRRR!" The second princess swore setting down her tray, to mildly glare. "Mayuka?" She stated slowly, emphasizing every word. "It's SASAMI! Please say it right!"
The old engineer had started slightly at the outburst, glancing between the young woman and Mayuka respectively. Ben noted the tiniest little sneer had settled about the corners of that tiny angelic mouth.
"So-sue-me?" Mayuka asked carefully and so help him it sounded deliberate.
"ERRRRRRRRRGH!" Sasami growled.
"Mayuka?" Tenchi warned. "Now we've talked about this."
"Kay..." The little girl deflated, slightly pouting in a fashion bringing an instant smile to Ben.
"Daddies girl." He muttered. No doubt about it.
"Huh?" Mayuka glanced at him sharply.
"Nothing sweetheart." He chuckled, thinking she had excellent hearing too! "Please go on!" He added.
"Well, she kina' my ant..." Mayuka then paused, frowning. "But she also sort'a my great-grama."
Ben's eyes widened ever so slightly with surprise.
"Huh?" Wataru suddenly quipped. "Sweetness, you're confused!" He told the child indicating Sasami. Both he and Ben then looked back, managing to just catch Mayuka gazing at her Father while Tenchi was making curt chopping motions in the air before him his mouth repeatedly forming the word 'no'.
"Honey, there's no way that pretty girl could be your grandmother!" Andarka suddenly supplied as out of the corner of his eye Todd could clearly see Sasami, bristling.
"So I no say bout goddess in training?" Mayuka asked her father.
"PUT A SOCK IN IT!" Sasami bellowed suddenly. Causing everyone at the table to nearly jump free of their skin.
The shout had an odd... 'Echo' for want of a better descriptive, for some seconds it seemed to be... 'Bouncing?' Repeating amid the trees it's dying cadence like the rustling of leaves. The moment of her outburst imperfectly synced with an unfelt wind, that set branches all about to gently swaying.
"WHOAH!" Mayuka gasped. "She grumpy today!"
"Yeah, I kind'a noticed..." Ben muttered, clearing his right ear with a finger.
"Wow..." Todd muttered, unable to tear eyes away from Sasami for several second. The blaze of her eyes the set of her teeth. The train of her hair gently fanning out behind. All had combined to hold him riveted, till a mild elbow from Andarka brought him back to earth.
"Wha?"
"You need to concentrate on me Mr. Runnion." She told him softly. Favoring him with a tiny smile. The cameraman froze with a look of total surprise which melted a second later in to the silliest of grins.
"Cool!" Todd smiled, the previous moment irrevocably lost to him.
"Ok!" Ben pressed doggedly on ward, banishing the shinny new coin "One more! and you got the gold Sweetie!" Bright smile aside inwardly he was mildly depressed.
Mostly he had wanted to know more about the cute little cat girl!
"Uh…" Mayuka stammered looking around. "No, that not everyone!" Looking back at Kiyone the child looked puzzled. "Miho not here!"
"Well, I'm sure that..." Ben began, hoping to get on through this, considering the mess it had unintentionally caused when suddenly the little girl cut him off.
"Uh uh!" Mayuka almost panicked. "Miho special! She bests friend in whole wide world! She TV pal! She crawl under bed with gun and tell monsters to clear out or she gonna blow their weenies off!"
"Uh…." Ben's gaze moved from the child back to table where the Masaki clan was participating in a group shrug.
"That's my partner." Kiyone sighed.
"It's ok honey." Ben then told the child, patting her head. "Mihoshi is doing something with Tony and Michel." Leaning down he looked her in the eye.
"I'm sure they'll be along any time now!" He told her. "Now, you got one more!"
Ben then pointed at Ryo-chan. "Now, who is that?"
"That Ryo-chan!" Mayuka said smiling. "And she my other best friend in whole world!"
"MEYOW!" Ryo-oki agreed, throwing her arms excitedly into the air.
"She warm! She nice!" Mayuka continued. "She smell good! She love carrots!"
"Meyow! Meyow! Meyow!" Ryo-chan rapidly elated.
"An!" Mayuka added, jumping to run around and over before throwing her arms about a smiling Ryo-oki.
"She look just like mommy!" Mayuka joyously shouted. The statement echoed, like a pistol shot as everyone film crew and family exchanged glances.
"Oh my god!" Washu muttered under her breath.
"She remembers that much?" Katsuhito asked quietly, drawing her eyes to him.
Washu did not answer, seeing a look of mild sadness, hinting at a deeper sorrow.
"Good lord." Tenchi breathed, now unable to keep from staring almost seeing Ryo-oki anew.
"How could we have been so blind?" Ayeka whispered.
"So what's the big woop?" Ryoko wondered quietly, sparing a single glance the direction of her long time partner.
"Well even you have to admit," Ayeka replied softly. "There's more than a passing resemblance.
"Between your face and my behind?" Ryoko snickered, though it instantly faded. The second she realized how serious they both were.
"Hey, cut your self some slack your highness." She added, openly concerned how her little jab hadn't even rattle Ayeka. "Nobody else noticed."
"No one else in this household grew up around paintings and books with depictions of Yuzuha!"
"Well, that's not exactly true." Tenchi reasoned. Nodding the direction of Sasami with out actually looking, deciding not to temp fate as it were.
"Yes," Ayeka murmured only moderately glancing herself for similar reasons. "But her dual nature aside," The princess continued. "Sasami was quite young."
"Well, I guess someone has something coming to her." Ben Ofer suddenly said standing to stride over to where Mayuka and Ryo-chan stood. Producing and showing her the coin, the little girl's face seeming to 'light up' as she gestured for it excitedly.
"Well let's eat!" Tenchi told them, hoping to break the moment.
"No point in waiting till everyone's food gets cold!" Amid sighs and nods of agreement the various members of the group began sampling while Mayuka claimed her prize.
"I do good?" She asked.
"You do excellent!" Ben told her smiling. Sneaking a peek up at Ryo-Oki, Ben was startled when she didn't look away this time but instead regarded him warmly.
"You don't speak much do you?" He asked. Uncertain if it was the right thing to do.
"Yah man't yeak oo ell." She said flashing him a sweet little smile.
"But she can sing!" Mayuka told him.
"Meyow!" Ryo-chan gasped at the child.
"Oh really?" Ben grinned, causing Ryo-chan to startle shaking her head.
"OH yah ant!" She gaped, physically beginning to back away. Glancing around in a rising panic her eyes landing finally upon Sasami.
"Help!" Ryo-chan signed frantically. "Bail me out sis!"
"You are on your own!" Came the verbal response.
"Little Miss snicker, when I'm being called names!" Sasami added angrily.
"Awwww come on!" Ben wheedled. "Let's hear you sing!"
"You know." Washu whispered to Katsuhito while Ryo-chan desperately bolted, doing what came naturally to any good starship under fire. She took evasive action!
"You should really stop blaming yourself for what Yuzuha did." Washu informed him pointedly.
"It was because of her feeling for me that she…" His voice trailed off, his eyes seeking refuge in the tabletop.
"So many years, so many regrets." Katsuhito thought, glancing toward Washu. Noting the intense color of her eyes.
"So beautiful." He murmured.
"What?" she asked not quite having heard. "Did you say something?"
"I was saying what a beautiful meal Sasami has made for us!"
"Fucking coward!" Ryoko muttered between bites.
"What was that?" Ayeka gasped. Leaning around Tenchi.
"I said, it's a good thing you showered!" Ryoko answered loudly.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Ayeka snapped. "Insinuating that I smell?!"
"Would you turn the dental drill down a notch Princess?" Kiyone asked, cupping her ear closest to the outburst.
"AND YOU, SHUT UP!" Ayeka shot back, then turned.
"Lord Tenchi!" She demanded. "Are you going to sit there while I'm being verbally assaulted?"
"That's about the size of it." He muttered, not wishing to get in the middle of yet another three-way bout. The effect however was a little like pulling the pin out of a grenade.
"HA HA HA HA!" Ryoko exploded. Unfortunately expelling a portion of the rice cake in her mouth directly on to Washu's plate. As Washu launched into a spiel about how having such an uncultured slob for a daughter must be a burden for some poor woman. Tenchi noticed Kiyone looking away from the commotion.
"You ok Key?" He asked amid the din.
"Fine." She affirmed, glancing about. "I was just suddenly wondering where Mihoshi is?"