Chapter 25: Kareoki Suprise

"The nerve!" Todd muttered sympathetically, having witnessed the entire scene.

"Pardon me?" Ayeka started still stunned, turning to look uncomprehendingly at him.

"Sounds like sour grapes if you ask me!" He added brightly, adjusting the strap holding the cam he was carrying.

"I-I'm afraid I don't..." Ayeka stammered, still in a kind of shock.

"Well, its kind'a obvious!" Todd continued smoothly, really wanting to cheer her up. "I think the girls around here should just 'wake up', smell the coffee and realize he's made his choice!"

The princes blinked, continuing to stare, Mihoshi's comments having severely rattled her cage.

"W-What would YOU know about it?" She asked finally still somewhat confused, thinking. "Who is this person?"

"Plenty!!" Todd exclaimed smiling. "I, may be breaking 'the men's club' rules here," He leaned even closer, only sheer surprise held the princess in place as Todd's voice then fell to a whisper. "But little lady, one guy can tell when another gets... 'That look'." He nodded knowingly. Perhaps it was just his tone or maybe, the simple timing of the whole situation. Whatever the reasons Ayeka suddenly gasped, seizing the cameraman by the shoulders!

"What! What look?" She demanded. "What do you mean?"

"W-Why, when he's found the woman he loves of course!" Todd stammered more than a little bit rattled by her sudden animation. He was more amazed when she began to shake him violently by the lapels!

"How do you know who Lord Tenchi has chosen?" Ayeka raged, shaking Todd like a rag doll. "Did he tell you something? Where did you obtain that information?"

"Help!" Todd moaned pitifully, firmly in the grips of the green eyed monster.

"Tench." Kiyone called, quietly falling then into step along side him as they crossed the clearing. "You really shouldn't stare like, that it'll only encourage her."

"Well, she looks good like that!" He Admitted, looking to where Mihoshi and Tony where apparently discussing their next shot. "Guess I'm concerned about her hanging with those photographers." Glancing at Key he was rewarded with a dark look. "Just as much as you are." He added.

"She's a big girl!" Kiyone sniffed, obviously unhappy. "If she wants to make an ass of herself, let her!" Tenchi stopped completely, waiting as she passed before turning to finally glance back at him.

"OK! Yes, I'm worried!" Kiyone answered the look he was giving, before finally giving a helpless shrug. "She's already made up her mind! Won't listen to me!"

"How about a few shots over here?" They heard Mihoshi remark.

"Well, it's quaint, I'll grant you." Tony paused to consider the temples modest rest stop.

The small well manicured building, only slightly less ancient than the shrine itself, had borne the indignities of recent years with the same quiet dignity it had always served it's vital, if somewhat less than publicly celebrated function. Providing all visitors in its humble way, the chance to 'freshen up', before making the long final climb up the mound. Recent years and increasing interest, had seen the roadway close by 'widened' to accommodate a few meager parking spaces for those visitors choosing more modern conveyances than the traditional country lane approaching through the foot hills. In short all, of the signs that the modern world soon would irrevocably intrude.

"Rustic, to be sure." Tony continued, smiling at where Mihoshi was leaning against the building. "Spanpebble does represent a lot of different products Miho."

Tony paused, smirking ever so slightly. "I just don't think toiletries are among them!"

"Oh." Mihoshi quietly nodded, feeling a little silly for even suggesting it.

"We could paint racing strips on it!" He offered, wanting to recapture her mood. "Slap on a set of slicks!" He gestured to ether side of the rest stop.

"I can see it now!" He indicated an imaginary marquee in front of the old building while sliding his arm around Mihoshi's shoulders. "Spanpebble! The sign could say!" He announced. "We're full of crap!" Mihoshi could not help from giggling in response.

"Tony!" Someone suddenly called. Searching for the source, they saw Michele as she hurried up the short path from the roadway. Glancing behind herself at the rest stop then at the on coming make up artist, nodding, Mihoshi quickly stepped to one side.

"What's the matter?" Tony asked as Michele came to a halt before him only slightly out of breath.

"Did you take the blue outfit out of the garment bag?" She asked. "You know the one a lot like Miho's wearing?"

"Hell no!" He answered without pause. Tony then stopped, trying to remember if he had even packed the second outfit.

"Well, it's gone out of the caravan!" Michele complained loudly. "Right along with that big 'pom-pom skirt!"

"Whoo!" Tony wrinkled his nose. "Well, no big loss there!" Fanning the air with a hand as if catching 'a whiff' of something ripe, Mihoshi again glanced almost reflexively behind her at the rest stop.

"After all," He rasped, "They were about embarrassing as those giant 'galloper romper pants' that one idol was wearing last week!" the old photographer visibly suppressed a shudder.

"I mean yuck!" Tony continued, rolling eyes before looking over at Mihoshi. "No girl, with a ounce of sense or class would be caught dead wearing..."

Suddenly a blast of feed-back cut him off while echoing through the quiet hills, causing birds to take flight and all heads to turn in time for a nova, bright as the midday sun to explode in their faces!

"What the hell?!" Tony winced, amid the general outcry. Multicolored spots were just beginning to fade from their dance when spotlights of similar hues suddenly switched on! Accompanied by a blast of noise which only after the initial fright, one could begin to identify as music.

"ALL RIGHT!!" An amplified female voice suddenly boomed. "ITS SEVEN HOURS TILL SUNSET! BUT THE STARS GONNA SHINE RIGHT NOW!!!"

High atop the long flatbed silhouetted against the colored lights a figure launched into a disturbingly familiar song.

'I'm stuck out in the wilderness.

With this retarded crew-oo, oo.

Didn't know how fuck'n lost I was, till I found you!

I'm complete, Can't be beat!

I been had, I was sad and blue.

But you made me feel, Yeah ya made me feel.

All Shinny and nude!

Like a vir-gin,

HEY!

Touched for the very first time!

Like a vir-er-er-gin, with your heart beat next to mine!.

If one word would describe the crowd's present state, agog fit the bill nicely. A feeling which only intensified, when the stage's flood lights finally switch on. 'Fore lighting brightly enough to reveal identity of the prancing figure.

"YUBA!" Todd attempted to yell over the din. "HAVE YOU GONE LOCO?!"

"Well, at least we know who took the outfit!" Michele drawled loudly.

"WHAT?" Tony asked, over the din.

"YEAH!" Mihoshi yelled excited. "It's a party!"

"This is awful!" Ben gasped / shouted. "She shouldn't be up there doing that!"

"Yes I know!" Wataru agreed, grimacing. "She tone deaf as a post!"

"And not union certified to rig lights!" Ben informed angrily shaking his head. While the assembly looked on Yuba began to play with sledgehammer subtlety to Tenchi's location in the crowd. The object of her attention standing, staring completely bleary eye off into space, vaguely wishing Kagato or some other more handy space type villain would attack right about now.