Chapter 28: The incident

Several minutes, and as many buckets of soapy water later. The female contingent of Wataru's crew had almost restored the mini to showroom condition. While Sara, Mikito and Yoshi worked, the interval also witnessed Yuba's final tentative re-emergence from the caravan.

"Now, Yuba dearest." Michele attempted to console. "Everyone has a moment or two of dementia now and then."

"My god!" Yuba wailed, as Michele steered her sullenly towards a rest stop bench. "I really showed my ass!"

"If that was all." Mihoshi snapped, already siting there dejectedly. "You got off light sister!" She surveyed the entire scene gloomily.

"I ought to be helping clean up the car!" Mihoshi muttered. "After all it's kind'a my fault!"

"No dice Miho!" Tony did a double take then shook his head emphatically. "I would like to delay my first coronary if you don't mind." Thoughts of her bending over the car in that suit all covered with soapy sudsy ... Tony suddenly slapped his hand over his face.

"Getting a little heated there chief?" Michele looked at him sadly.

"You can just shut the hell up!" Tony snapped. His voice munchkin-ized on count of having to pinch off his nose.

"I'm sorry Tenchi." Sasami said sadly holding a food caked jacket in front of her. "I was so excited I didn't realize what was going on!" Over at the roadway, Tenchi sat striped to the waist on a stepping stool borrowed from the caravan.

"Heh," He laughed, good-natured as always, especially when Sasami was around. "This wasn't your fault sunshine. I got ... a little distracted," He paused thinking about what he had seen.

"Whoa," Tenchi then added, shaking his head. "And shoved too hard that's all." He added with a sheepish grin.

"But your jacket's ruined!" She moaned, not willing to accept him taking the blame. "There's no way these stains will ever come out!"

"It was old anyway!" Tenchi told her. "Sasami, just forget about it ok?"

"Besides, young lady?" Ben said slowly, walking over to where Tenchi was sitting. "It was actually my fault." He added, looking very embarrassed. "I put those bentos up under there figuring they'd be out of the way until lunch time." He shrugged helplessly. "Then just plain forgot!"

Straitening he slid hands into pockets regarding them both. "You sure your ok Mr. Masaki?"

"Tenchi," He told the older man. "Just call me Tenchi. And yes, every thing's fine after all no one got hurt."

Tenchi took a minute to glance around, considering.

"I say we should just laugh about the whole mess and move along." He added, laughing mildly himself.

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Ben agreed smiling. "Just wish that Yokohama fellow could learn from your example!"

Both Tenchi and Sasami nodded. After all the commotion died, the irate actor had jumped to his feet, literally shrieking that 'HE QUIT!' Then started, literally 'stomping' down toward 'Butto' in a huff.

"I'm gonna check on Todd." Ben told them turning, walking away. "And try to figure out what were gonna have for lunch."

"Nice man." Sasami said quietly after a moment.

"Yeah, Tenchi agreed." Sure seems to be." She stood for a moment eying the surroundings. Maybe just noticing they were alone for the first time.

"You still got stuff all over you!" She laughed.

"Well, I did take a ski through the equivalent of a small buffet!" He told her taking a sponge from the bucket in front of him.

"Where?" He asked. Sasami reached around taking the sponge from his hand then promptly began wiping off his broad back. She found herself giggling.

"You know." Sasami told him, tracing her name on his shoulder. "You never let me do this in the bath."

"And you know the reasons." He told her without looking as Sasami slid forward leaning on his back.

"Do I?" She sighed towards his ear. "Maybe you should refresh my memory?"

"It's not proper for a girl your age, Sasami." He said quietly.

"You bathe with Mayuka?" She told him, moving the sponge in gentle circles. "But you wouldn't with me, even when I was nine."

"She's my daughter Sasami." He said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice.

"And I'm not really your sister." She told him evenly. "So tell me, Tenchi Masaki ... When's my turn gonna come?"

Tenchi sighed, feeling truly miserable. Things were just getting more and more complicated! He dearly loved Sasami! Always had, maybe since the first time he had seen her, like the sweet little sister he'd never had! Then, as he had awakened to his power, coming to understand that their very souls were connected. That, in a very real sense the two of them were one.

Tsunami, if there was a rival to his affection for Ryoko it would be have to her!

And of course that made matters just that much more painful whenever he acknowledged the truth.

Sasami was Tsunami! Even looking at her now it was plain, to anyone who knew the truth to see 'what' or more precisely 'who' she was becoming.

Tenchi's mind reeled as it always did when considering the possibilities! Had he made a mistake?

There was Ayeka, pure and noble then Ryoko wild and free! The taste of her lips, the touch of Ayeka's skin. The feel of both their bodies pressing against him, frail and delicate, trembling ... God damn it! It just wasn't fair!

He suddenly realized he was enjoying the feeling of Sasami's breasts pillowing against his back! Of her young body against him!

"What is wrong with me?" He thought, suddenly standing up.

"Tenchi?" Sasami asked tentatively. "Are you ok?" Thinking.

"Oh my god! Now I've done it!"

He turned, looking at her with an intensity that both concerned and thrilled.

"He's so huge!" She thought, her eyes softening, looking at his powerful bare chest. "And so beautiful."

Without warning, he grabbed her arm in a firm yet gentle grip. Pulling her then, along un-protesting behind him, walking to the roadside of the truck. Using the huge flatbed as an effective screen against prying eyes, he paused regarding her.

"What am I gonna do with you?" He almost pleaded, with just a hint of sadness in his voice. Looking hard into those incredible eyes, Tenchi could feel his spine again already turning to so much paste.

"Sasami you're still so young!" He told her emphatically. "I'm not the only man on the planet you know!"

He grimaced mildly at that, thinking it was an utterly stupid way to say it. Considering who or more importantly where, this not so little girl was from!

Sasami closed her eyes and stood smiling that way, rocking back and forth.

"On the earth or in the entire universe!" She said, batting then those pools of cherry and carnation. "You're the only man for me!" Sasami added joyfully.

"You shouldn't say things like that!" He almost begged.

"Why not?" She gasped. It's true!" Throwing her arm wide, she suddenly cried.

"I LOVE TENCHI MASAKI!"

That is the trouble with living in a valley you know? Noises like that echo for miles. Hell! With his luck they probably heard it in Butto! In a panic, not knowing what else to do, Tenchi clamped a hand across her mouth. Searching about frantically, wondering who in the more immediate area would take an interest.

He didn't have long to wait seeing Mihoshi, then Kiyone glance out and around the flatbeds rear left corner. This seemed to Herald, appearance of Mikito a few seconds later followed by Yoshi then at last Sara as the three female grips eyed curiously the source of the commotion. His own eyes then rolled back to where another pair peered at him amused and equally curious over his hand through which he could feel the grin. Peeling his fingers away only served to confirm it.

"Well," Sasami said, flashing a decidedly naughty little smile. "I suppose that's one way to shut me up."

"Sasami!" Tenchi moaned, now doubly embarrassed due to his blind reaction, stammering. "I, I ... ohhhhhhh!" before finally slumping over.

"This is the other!" Sasami sighed, sliding against him bringing her face to within inches of his. Before Tenchi could so much as frame what was happening let alone do anything about it, Sasami kissed him, fully and deeply.

"WHOA!" Mihoshi yelled, hair standing on end for a split second.

For Tenchi time had stopped, everything a whirl contained in that instant. The taste of her lips, so unlike Ryoko's. Sweeter perhaps? Noting she also closed her eyes ... Wasn't that supposed to mean something? The guilt that it was happening, AND THE FACT HE WAS ENJOYING IT!! Mixing free and wildly with the sheer shock of the moment.

Sasami ended her first, 'in her opinion' legitimate kiss with a sigh of contentment, gently holding the only face she had ever dreamed it would be.

"I love you so much!" She said dreamily, gazing deep into his eyes a moment longer before stepping away suddenly energized.

"You guys don't worry!" She addressed their audience. "Tell Mr. Ben that I'll make a big 'o lunch for everybody!"