Chapter 38: That's a wrap

"Tenchi?" Kiyone whispered urgently.

"Uh?" he attempted, then embarrassed at the slight lapse, swallowed the portion in his mouth. He'd been concentrating on his meal, desperately avoiding eye contact with Sasami while ignoring Ayeka's periodic flinging of visual daggers at her sister.

"What's on your mind Key?" He whispering at diminished volume.

"Is, they're something wrong with your Grandfather?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"Would you mind?" Ayeka muttered, annoyed as Kiyone leaned further over.

"I said, do you know what's up with your Grandfather?" Key dropped her volume even lower. In response to her inquiry Ryoko, Tenchi and Ayeka all swiveled gaze towards table's head, to behold Lord Katsuhito sitting, starring off into space, face set in sort of a pleasant absent-minded smile.

"He's been doing that off and on for at least the past twenty minutes!" Kiyone whispered. Off to one side Tenchi noticed Washu, apparently more than aware of the situation and resulting progressive scrutiny.

"Psst!" She hissed out one side of her mouth, voice cupped to a loud whisper, trying to rectify the situation covertly as possible.

Unfortunately, it seemed the head of the Masaki clan had achieved a plateau upon which even more than mere mortals weren't allowed to tread.

"Yosho!" Washu hissed again, straining to keep her voice low, trying desperately to avoid a scene. Her latest attempt, using his actual name appeared to finally impact, as Katsuhito's pleasant grin became an outright smile.

"Maybe he's got gas?" Ryoko ventured, winning a glare from both Ayeka and Key.

"What?" she asked unperturbed.

"Yosho!" Washu repeated, slightly louder augmenting her efforts, resorting to mildly prodding with a foot. This time Katsuhito finally looked at her, his face still pleasantly vacant."What's wrong with you?" she asked seeming to have his attention, his eyes focusing on her concerned face.

"I was just thinking how wonderful water looks beading on such young skin." He murmured still apparently in some kind of daze.

"What?" Washu mouthed, trying without success to understand. Glancing toward Tenchi's side of the table searching for family assistance, when she noticed several of the girls on the film crew taking an interest.

"Is the old dude ok?" Yuba asked in an amazingly rare attempt to be civil.

"I'm sure he'll be fine!" Washu smiled. Reaching under table covertly.

"Uh!" A grunt issued from Katsuhito suddenly animate.

"Must just be all the excitement we've had here today!" Washu supplied, playing to the crowd.Katsuhito continued to stare with some mild hostility for several seconds before seeming to regain some of his usual composer.

"Yes." He then whispered loudly. "The excitement, that must be it." Righting himself Katsuhito wiped his brow. "That and the oddly fluorescent rice." He added under his breath.

"Be nice." She admonished quietly. "After all, it pays to be patient with budding young scientific types." She added, mildly regarding her own bowl's day-glow content. Washu then leaned close, counter-pointing her statement by batting her eyes.

"Certainly," He nodded gravely. "I vividly remember some of your colorful culinary attempts."

"Monster!" she hissed, but not seriously. "So, now I've got your attention what was it's got you so distracted?"

Later perhaps." He said, again nodding. This time toward the lower portion of the rest stop. Glancing in that direction Washu sighted 'The Bullet's' compact form swinging gracefully into the rest stops gravel pad. Indicating Mihoshi and the missing photographers at long last had decided to rejoin.

"Well, that's certainly a relief!" Kiyone mildly grumbled.

"Looks like your sister, daughter, lover finally showed up." Ryoko baited, prompting Key's eyes 'knifed' her way.

"Sweet peach," Ryoko added smirking.

"Yoko pick'n fights!" Mayuka observed, before Key could fire the retort she'd prepared.

"Ryoko." Tenchi commented sourly.

"Doh, fine!" Ryoko instantly deflated, looking away dejectedly. Remaining till his hand gently brushed her side under the table.

"Its ok you know?" He told her mildly, when her gaze upon him was centered. Delighting at how her eyes went round.

"Have I missed something?" Ayeka asked. Gazing at their exchange

Ryoko turned, looking at where the princess was leaning forwards, about to deliver some remark, heavy on the sarcasm. As per usual. Upon locking eyes directly with Ayeka it sort of died in her throat.

"No more than usual." Ryoko added quietly, looking away feeling ... well, more than mildly ashamed.

"What?" Ayeka asked, confused.

"Miho!" Mayuka shouted, catching sight of the blast of 'honey spun gold' erupting in to view as Mihoshi got out. Jumping down from her place, she ran that way.

Tenchi beamed proudly at his daughter while the whole group watched the tardy trio making their way over to the assembly.

"What the heck dose 'Blondie' have on?" Ryoko muttered as the child met them about half way.

"She was posing." Kiyone supplied sourly.

"Come again?" Ryoko asked.

"That man and woman were taking photographs of her in that lurid attire!" Ayeka supplied.

"Huh," Ryoko grunted, absorbing it. "Leave the house for a few hours and they move all the furniture."

"Hey!" Tony called as they finished arriving. "Hope you guys saved us a bite I'm starving!"

"Well, there's still plenty!" Sasami called smiling. "I even covered you some stuff on the warmer!" Catching Tenchi in direct eye contact she used a finger to tug the neck of her shirt down an inch.

"I know how to serve it hot!" She added saucily. Tenchi's jaw set of its own accord as out of the corner of his eye he could see Ryoko's mouth fall open.

"Uh, Sasami?" Ryoko blurted, amazed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Making an ass out of herself." Ayeka grumbled under her breath. Ryoko's eyes widened further as she swung gaze ever so slowly around toward the princess.

"She's not the only one." Ryoko then muttered. Thinking back to the incident this morning.

Ryoko cleared her throat, about to ask Ayeka 'just what had crawled up her corset when a hand, much larger than hers grasped and gently squeezed.

Tenchi held her eye for a moment, flashing a smile.

"Oh Shi..." Ryoko melted, feeling intense butterflies. It was more than enough to drain the fight out of her.

"Yes!" Tenchi thought triumphantly. He'd managed to diffuse the situation! Maybe he was finally getting the hang of this? Even as his other hand was softly captured beneath the table in a both of Ayeka's signaling, clearly his troubles were far from over.

A desperate glance around also confirmed a frown creasing Sasami's face as she surveyed the developing situation.

"Hi everybody!" Mihoshi called as she was siting Mayuka down.

"What have I ever done to deserve this?!" Tenchi begged the quiet invisible, imagining however that somehow, he could hear his ancestor's roaring with laughter.

"Something wrong with the food there, Tench?" Washu asked with a knowing smirk apparently having 'spotted his predicament.

"I!" Tenchi groaned, shooting her a hostile glare.

"Ashu!" Mayuka quipped, now standing again, tableside.

"Leave daddy lone! His hands busy!"

Time seemed to slow to a single moment. Burning itself forever into Tenchi existence as both Ryoko and Ayeka glanced, first at each other then, leaning back almost in unison, under the table.

"Oh boy..." Tenchi moaned, looking finally towards Kiyone hoping for a reprieve from the pending detonation.

Kiyone, for her part, sat uncharacteristically mute. Dividing her attention between the antics of the love triangle, or was it a square? And the foot of the table where Mihoshi sat between the Photographer and Make up artist. The three of them chatting quietly amongst themselves. Smiling occasionally giggling, seeming to share a very special secret all their own.

"I must apologize again for the misconduct of my associates." Wataru intoned, now standing upon the last rise of the ancient steps, bowing deeply to Katsuhito. With Washu standing respectfully a few paces behind.

"And it is my deepest hope, you will find it within your grace to forgive any shame we may have brought upon the name of the shine!"

"They are a lively bunch." Katsuhito intoned graciously, responding in kind. "And as I have said, it seems the way of young people these days. It is our quest as their elders to show them the way by example."

"No more need be said of it." He finished. As he straightened relief almost visibly levitated the film director.

"Oregoto!" Wataru breathed gratefully. "Domo Oregoto Katsuhito Sama!"

"Mater of fact." Washu drawled with a snap of her fan. "Why don't cha all consider yourselves invited back for the spring festival?" Her smile only deepening as Katsuhito's already erect posture visibly stiffened even further.

"Uh." He coughed quietly under his breath. "Yes."

"I'm sure the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom by then" She added with a wink.

"I," Wataru stammered, surprised. "We, would be honored!" He corrected, bowing again so quickly he almost fell on his face. With the director's gaze thus averted Katsuhito took that moment to shoot Washu a hostile glance.

"And make sure ya bring all your cameras!" She added defiantly.

"We will!" Wataru exclaimed backing away, bowing repeatedly to the point he almost fell down the lower steps.

"Ha!" She cackled lightly. "That bunch is more fun than a barrel of monkeys on stimulants!" Before realizing her companion was no longer by her side. "Hey?" She asked, turning to see Katsuhito making way up the long stairway.

"Oh," She smirked. "You gonna be pissed at me the rest of the day?"

"It's been many years since I witnessed one." He offered over his shoulder, feeling it was beneath his dignity at present to turn. "But even the righteous hanging of a woman is still a distasteful spectacle."

...

Further down, the rest stop was again the sight of activity, as the crew doggedly attended to the final packing of their gear.

At the distant caravan Yuba, carefully checked the positioning of various satchels. Taking a moment then to eye the large white tote in which the pom-pom skirt she'd 'borrowed' had been returned. Not without an amount of disgust. Wondering what the hell she had been thinking? Before, shaking her head then lowering and locking the hatchback. Catching sight right about then of Sara Small, in the act of lifting the carry along generator back upon the flatbed, balancing a spotlight case with the other hand.

"Gezzzz." Yuba Drawled loudly enough to be heard. "With those fuck'n biceps you should be a man!"

"I was thinking the same thing about your voice!" Came the calm reply.

...

Over at the minibus, Todd was busily about his part of the reload, when he chanced to glance up. Noticing Andarka carrying a large box of cables.

"Please! M' lady allow me!" He announced with flourish, then reliving her of her armload. "A sweet flower of woman hood such as you mustn't so burden herself!"

"Oh, how gallant!" She sighed, blushing and smiling relinquishing her hold. "But soft kind sir!" Andarka then responded her eyes shinning brightly. "Certainly such manly prowess as yours must be reserved for thing more pleasant as well?" Todd paused, drinking in the sight of her.

"I love you lots!" he finally sighed.

"Oh no!" Andarka gushed batting her eyes. "I love you lots!" To the side Mikito, Still nursing her broken nose, eyed their wooing and cooing with some open disgust and badly concealed envy.

"Whood ya shop id?" She rasped sourly. "Duh tah ud ya er ach'n ma uke!"

...

Towards back of the vehicle, Yoshi, helping Michele pack her many cases into the rear, paused yet again. Casting another longing look towards where Tenchi stood in the distance. The older woman observed, slowing shaking her head but choose to say nothing. While over at shrine's lower flight, The object of Yoshi stare politely nodded as Wataru passed on his way to the caravan.

"What a day!" Tenchi sighed taking a moment to stretch. He was beginning to think the film crew would never leave. It wasn't he didn't like visitors ... But this bunch was about as loony-toony as they came! Also, much as it gnawed at him, they reminded him of...

"Little too much like old times?" Kiyone asked suddenly.

"Well," He mildly startled, glancing her way.

"Yeah I know," She muttered. "All that hair pulling and jumping about'll rattle anyone's cage."

Tenchi shook his head, letting the thought trail off, no point in going on about it. Wondering when Key had become a mind reader? Today had, had its share of unpleasantness already, especially after the blowout back at the lunch table!

"Easy..." Kiyone told him sympathetically reading his look perfectly.

Tenchi glanced again, eyeing her perplexed.

"You've hardly said two words since." She shrugged. "Wasn't that hard to figure out, besides," She added. "Mayuka kept them apart."

"Barely!" He breathed then fell silent for a moment. Even as miffed as he was, it was comforting to know Ryoko and Ayeka always used restraint around Mayuka even when letting off steam, still...

"This has got to stop." He said finally, announcing with a long sigh. "I just can't take it anymore."

"I know this doesn't help," Kiyone began, quietly touching his arm.

"I'm sensing a but." Tenchi told her, tiredly rolling his eyes in response.

"But," she affirmed, smiling tightly. "You better do something soon. I don't think I have to tell you it's coming to a head." Through their mild contact Kiyone felt him stiffen.

"Gezz key!" Tenchi snapped after a moment. "Thanks for stating the fucking obvious!" He stood eying her angrily, despite the softness of her words, suddenly seething.