Chapter 45: 'Mayuka Attacks!'

"Sasami?"

Sasami turned and looked seeing nothing at first but counter the 'gauged' direction of the small voice. She moved away from the range till door to the dinning area was visible, framing Mayuka holding her teddy bear, regarding her cousin expectantly.

"What is it now yah little bugger-head?" Sasami asked.

"Can I have som'a water?"

"Huh?" Sasami smiled. "Sure thing kiddo." She said already turning.

"I see, ya figured how to pronounce my name again."

"That just game I play." Mayuka said fidgeting. "You mad at me?"

"Nah," Sasami smiled, getting down a plastic glass. "It's all in fun."

"Just annoying as hell in front of company." she added privately, But figured, if she didn't 'let on about it, Mayuka would eventually get bored of playing it. Completing her walking over to the fridge Sasami opened and peered inside.

"You sure you want water? Got some nice O.J. 'grape' or if you want to try my secret juice blend?"

"Uh..." Mayuka seemed to hesitate. "What in that?"

"Well, some pomegranate some mango a little shot of pineapple, some apple." She smiled singsonging off ingredients till a pair of chubby hands waved a halt.

"O.J!" Mayuka sighed adamant.

"Suit yourself." Sasami sniffed. Glancing over at Ryo-chan. "Doesn't know what she's missing, right?"

"Meyow!" Ryo-Ohki nodded, until Sasami glanced back at Mayuka. At which Point she silently clawed the air about her throat grimaced and stuck out her tongue, causing Mayuka to giggle. Sasami whipped her face back Ryo-chan's direction and was greeted with a sweet innocent smile.

"Hmmmm." She miffed suspiciously while filling the glass.

"Hey sugar-bug?" Sasami asked as she closed the fridge and handed Mayuka her juice.

"You wanna give me and Ryo-chan a hand making supper?" Sasami smiled watching the child's eye go wide as she drank. It took a moment or two while Mayuka finished before Sasami got an answer.

"Uh uh." Mayuka told her. "Wanna watch Red dog, Blue dog!"

"Wow." Sasami shook her head. "I'm amazed Ryoko let you watch a kiddy show like that while her afternoon soap's on." Mayuka had powers that just didn't quit!

"She not care." Mayuka said holding out her glass again. "Her'n Aka in the batroom!"

"Oh." Sasami nodded. Taking the glass. "You want some more?" She asked turning around.

"Uh huh!" Mayuka nodded. Sasami had the door open and was pouring when suddenly it hit her. "What?"

"Meyow?" Asked Ryo-chan, looking up from her magazine.

"Uh Mayuka?" Sasami asked, holding out the full glass. "Did you just say Ayeka's in the bathroom With Ryoko?"

"Uh huh." She nodded taking the cup and bowing. "Arigato!" With that she turned and walked away leaving Sasami looking at Ryo-chan.

"Me..." Ryo-oki shrugged. "Yow?"

Walking to the stove and turning off burners Sasami seemed suddenly concerned.

"Mumtin wong?" Ryo-chan tried to say.

"Maybe." Sasami muttered. "I just got a weird feeling. I'd better go see."

Curiously, both of them padded through the dinning room. Sasami paused looking about.

Mayuka looked up from her spot on the wrap around sofa.

"I used coaster!" She snipped. Pointing at her glass on the table. Sasami again glanced at Ryo-oki and saw her own growing concern mirrored there.

"Mayuka?" Sasami asked. "How long you been by your lonesome out here?" In response the child's brows furrowed deep in concentration.

"It been since I woke up after nap." She said. "I watched 'Tiny little men' then Red dog Blue dog come on." She paused then pointed.

"That on now!" She added making a shush gesture.

"When did you see Ayeka?" Sasami asked slightly annoyed at the dismissal.

It seemed a plausible question as her sister's embroidery hoop and kit were nowhere to be seen and this was usually her evening haunt. Considering the days events Sasami was more surprised Ayeka was out and about. There was something here that just wasn't Kosher.

"Mayuka?" Sasami asked. Immediately the toddler's annoyed face swung her way.

"Now what?" She asked crossly. "You gonna make me miss show!"

"When did you see Ayeka Sweetie?" Sasami repeated.

"I did not!" She huffed. "I know she in dere! Cause I hear them singing!"

"That does it." Sasami mildly snapped. Turning on heel she zipped around the sofa and out into the main hall with Ryo-Ohki in pursuit. Leaving a miffed two years old and a big smige toddler in their wake.

"I have to shut up when you show on!" She huffed indignantly.

Sasami stopped with her hand on the door's handle, not certain if this was the thing to do.

"Mewaybe oo uld ock furst?" Ryo-chan murmured. Sasami blushed slightly realizing Ryo-chan was acting more sensible than she was.

"Heh heh," She smiled. "I was just gonna." Ryo-chan shot her a dirty look.

"I was!" Sasami responded.

Carefully Ryo-Ohki extended her hand and rapped firmly.

"Mellow?" She called, both listening intently ... Nothing.

"Maybe they aren't in there now?" Ryo-chan signed. Taking a breath Sasami gave the door a tug.

"No, it's locked!" She said, then knocked. "Hey sis!" Sasami called. "You in there?" No response.

"I'm getting worried! Ryo-chan!"

"We could break it down?" She signed.

"Knuckle head!" Sasami rasped reprovingly. Reaching up from behind a picture frame she produced a long thick metal wire. Then deftly before Ryo-chan's startled eyes tripped the door's safety feature by inserting the wire in to the center of the lock. CLICK!

"There!" She said smugly. Replacing the wire. She then glanced at Ryo-chan and slid the door open.

2

At first Sasami thought the room was indeed empty, until her eyes sweep across. From the can pile of almost two six packs worth of cheap sake on the vanity to the sight of her oldest sister's naked behind shining roundly from the tub!

It was one of those rare visuals. Like a rhinoceros riding a tricycle. Her mind simply couldn't fit the image in quickly enough to allow more than just staring in utter amazement. It took both Sasami and Ryo-chan several moments to adjust. They'd even failed to see the mass of hair spilling over the tube's sides belonged to Ryoko, laying face up under the nude princess.

"Uh..." Sasami mouthed.

"Meeeeeeeyow..." Ryo-chan whispered just as agog.

Right about then a noise issued from the vicinity. That specifically 'pitched' miniature snoggling, so familiar. Sasami had heard it so many nights even though Ayeka insisted that she never snored!

"What a relief!" Sasami breathed.

For the briefest of moments she was beginning to entertain some horrible notions. Not that the thoughts currently replacing them were too spiffy. Knowing nothing else to do, she gingerly moved to touch Ayeka's shoulder.

"Uh sis?" She asked. "hey, SIS!" she added when the only response she got was a groan even while Ryo-chan was reaching under the prone princess, attempting her own particular revival.

"Mom?" She murmured, tugging on Ryoko's arm. Sasami paused, glancing for no other reason than it was the first time she'd ever heard Ryo-Ohki openly reference Ryoko in that fashion. That and being certain it wasn't a slur of speech.

Standing back for a second, Sasami considered their options when distantly she heard the phone.

"Oh great timing!" She snapped. Started to turn then stopped. "Let the damn machine get it!" Sasami added irritably.

Still studying the problem Sasami was considering their best options when the auto greeting of the answering machine cut out and the caller on the other end's amplified voice cut in.

"HEY! Everybody!" She heard a familiar voice say. "I didn't have to make as many revisions as I thought! I'm at the station at Buto! Looks like I'll be home for dinner for a change!"

"HOLY SHIT! " Sasami Suddenly swore. "THAT'S NOBUYUKI!" Barely hearing the click when the answering machine switched off.

"Moe?" Ryo-chan shrugged wonderingly.

"HE"S TWENTY MINUTES AWAY FROM THE DOOR!" Sasami stormed

"MEYOW!" Ryo-chan yelped with sudden realization. Like runners hearing a starter's gun, both of them grabbed their respective 'zombie' and started shaking.

"SIS!" Sasami loudly cried. "GET YOUR FAT, ROYAL ASS OUTA THAT TUBE!!" while Ryo-chan pleaded and pulled.

"MOM! WICK YOU DWUNK ASS YUP!"

Unfortunately, Ayeka was limp as fresh squid and Ryoko weighed ... Well, a hell of a lot more than she appeared. After a few minutes of tugging, pulling, shaking and begging Sasami came to a decision.

"Ryo-chan!" Sasami cried. "Give me a hand with Ayeka!"

"Bwut abwout?" Ryo-oki asked pointing at Ryoko.

"She's got her clothes on!" Sasami snapped. "Besides even if Noboyuki got pictures of her nude, she probably sell'em on her Ramen cart!"

Still uncertain, Ryo-chan dutifully nodded, grabbing Ayeka's feet. Sasami leaned in and took hold

under her sister's shoulders. Glancing up at Ryo-Ohki with a nod.