Right, I'll start this off by saying that English isn't my First language. I'm Dutch, but I'll do my best to use proper grammar and construct correct sentences. If you notice mistakes I make repeatedly don't hesitate to tell me.

Secondly, I am a Saeko / Takashi fan. So that's what this story will be. I'd like to add that I don't hate Rei at all but I just don't like to see her ending up with Takashi that's all. This story is set Right after the group leaves the Takagi manor. Following the events that have occurred in the anime I'll take up the story from about where season 1 ends, where they exit the humvee to see the hordes of 'them'. . I apologize to the people who have read the manga but I won't follow it. Though the group will go to the mall, I will change it, and overhaul it completely. That's not because I don't like the manga, it's because I'd like to let my fantasy go loose.

I do ( obviously) not own Highschool Of The Dead. All rights belong to their original writers and animators etc. One last thing, ( yeah I know I'm annoying.) I'm not a fan of overpowered characters. I know H.o.t.d. isn't like dragonball Z or whatever. But in my humble opinion it'd be a bit more intense when I downgrade all characters a bit, and upgrade the zombies a bit. ( Now don't fret, Kouta will still be a crackshot, Saeko a beast, etc…

Act 1: First step towards the dead.

The risky sounds that were coming from the engine faded away as Ms Shizuka turned around the keys of the car. As they were crossing the bridge, they found themselves being stopped by a throng of the dead, the infected. But they preferred to call them –them-.

She smacked the wheel with her head and let out an annoyed sigh. "Not again. I'm hungry and I feel dirty." The pink haired genius next to her looked at her and couldn't help but to agree. She grinned and looked behind her. She saw her good friends doing their stuff. The small girl by the name of Alice had slumbered to sleep on the lap of that fat nerd, Kohta. The guy himself was clearly awake. Both shocked and excited about the danger ahead. Though he wasn't one for fighting, he definitely was one for adventure. He looked to his right, where Rei was getting ready to do what they most likely would have to do.

On top of the truck were the remaining members of the group. The enigmatic and reliable Busujima Seako. And their clumsy, yet more than capable leader Takashi. The sudden stopping of the vehicle had shaken them out of their conversation. "Well, I don't think we can avoid them this time.. but I do not like fighting them on a bridge." He spoke to the girl whom was sitting next to him. He stood up and offered her his hand. "We can try walking through them, but one mistake and we'll be surrounded." Saeko responded as she took his hand. Takashi smiled. He felt her soft hand grabbing his and looked at the girl in front of him. The mere feeling which it gave him send a soft shiver down his spine. At this point he didn't know what exactly he was feeling for her. But he did know that he felt attracted to her. Every time he would look into her ocean blue eyes he would feel his body warming up. And if he weren't that oblivious about it he might have noticed that he felt a lot more for her than that he was willing to make himself believe. "Thank you, Takashi-kun." She said as she smiled at him. It were those very smiles. Those simple, yet real smiles which would make him laugh inside as well. "It was my pleasure!".

At this point Rei climbed up from the hatch. "Takashi, what must we d-d-d…" Her eyes twitched as she saw the two standing there. "Rei! It's good you're here alr… what are you staring at?" He saw her eyes gazing towards him. But not at his head. He followed her eyes, and as he turned his head he noticed that the blue haired girl next to him was doing exactly the same. Their eyes looked down towards their locked hands, and in the blur of the situation she pulled her hand back, out of his grip. "*cough*" She felt herself blushing and couldn't help but to stare to the ground. "D… errmmmmmm! That was not what you think it was!" were the words he spurred out in panic. His head reddened. Partly because of what had just happened, but also because he actually enjoyed it. He put his hand behind his back and tried to act as normal as possible. "UHm… right. Rei, could you call the others please." He looked at the girl next to him and smiled one last time before he turned his attention to the matter at hand.

He saw them on the bridge. Standing there, aimlessly. Some stragglers were moving towards them, attracted by the sound the engine had produced. He was surprised that they weren't already all coming towards the humvee. `Kohta, Takagi, Ms Shizuka-san! Please come here!" The red head yelled. Which turned out to not have been the best idea and she realized it the moment the words had passed her lips. She placed her hands on her lips and looked around, only to see some of the lifeless heads turn towards her. She then looked at Takashi. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..!" He gave her a chuckle. "It doesn't matter Rei. We all make mistakes…" Feeling a bit offended, she was able to stop herself from interrupting him. "… and besides, there are only a few coming this way." He tried to reassure her, and he did that with success. It wasn't easy at a time like this to not get irritated over these little things. But he knew better than to go against Rei. He liked her, a lot. At least, that's what he believed, and still felt. Yet something had changed the last few days. In fact, everything had changed when she had started dating his best friend, and after that his worst nemesis as well. Hisashi. He felt devastated back then. But he couldn't get himself to love another girl. He had always loved her, ever since kindergarten he had loved her. That promise, that dreadful promise, is what had made the past few years the way they had been. He had his friends, and he had his chanced for another girl. But nothing could replace the feelings which he had for Rei. Which he wanted to have again. The feelings which he tried to make himself believe in. Yet… something had changed miserably. Something was replacing those feelings at this point. And he liked it. It made him feel elated.

The only other male of the group climbed up now as well. Everyone chuckled softy at his clumsiness. That very clumsy character treat of his was what made him the way he was. He was followed by Takagi Saya, the brains of the group. She was a genius, a wonder child might actually have been a better choice of words. At least, that's what Takashi had always seen her as. He had known her for practically his entire life. And she was easily one of his best friends. Though they never really showed that friendship to themselves, let alone to others. It was there, and it would never go away.

"Takag… Saya, Shizuka-san. Keep an eye out for Alice and be prepared to hit the gas as soon as needed."

"Hai!" Both of the women responded.

"Kohta, I'll need you to watch our backs. But only shoot when absolute…"

"…tely necessary. I know I know." He said laughing. He and Takashi had built up quite a bond in the short time they had known each other by now.

"Haha, good. Make sure to keep an eye out on those two inside. We don't want them to… y'know. Distract you?"

"Kohta-sama is never distracted! He is the hero, the rescue…"

"Oh shut it you fat nerd!" Came from the pink-haired genius inside the car. Kohta raised his arms and smiled.

"Almost nothing will distract me? Haha."

Takashi returned the smile and nodded. "Right, as for the rest of us. Saeko-san, if you're willing… Uhm, could you take the front?" he asked whilst laughing. He hated asking that question. For he knew all to well she would say yes. For she was the best fighter in their group bar none. But every time he would ask this of her, he was sending her to the most dangerous place to be. And though he knew the answer, he always expected a no from her.

She turned her head and smiled.

"Of course I don't. It's my pleasure." Her laughing face reassured him. He had seen her in action. Chopping and slicing them down with her agile, swift and above all, merciless cuts from her katana. As long as she was okay, the group had the biggest chance of survival. As long as she was okay… he'd feel better. Not because he'd like the others to fall victim. But because she was his source from which he'd gain happiness, hope and laughs these days. He could do that with all of them, but with her it was different. It was new.

"Rei, you stay with Kohta and guard the car. I'll follow you Saeko-san, and take care of any remaining… uhm… of any of them who will remain." He saw the blue haired girl nodding at him. He then turned towards Rei, but before he could add anything she opened her mouth.

"I want to come with you!"

"Rei… you know…" He looked behind him, and saw that they were coming closer and closer. Though they were slow as hell they seemed to be able to teleport every time you would look away from them.

"We both know that we are capable fighters! I'm better with a spear than with a gun!"

"Rei, keep your voice down." He spoke strictly. "You're staying here, it's for the b…." He was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. For a minute he was scared, for everything that came at him without knowing it would scare him at these times. That feeling of fear was quickly replaced by a big grin and a pumping heart. "Saeko-san."

"Kumo… takashi-kun. We need to get … started." She said. He saw the change in her eyes. He knew her secret, he knew that she was looking forwards to fighting them. Infact, she was awaiting it. Every chance she would get, she would take, just so that she could feel the adrenaline rushing though her body, the fear in her head and the joy in her heart.

It turned her on. But no matter how much her eyes would change, that deep marine blue would take a hold of his heart every time he'd look into them.

"Yeah, you're right." He looked at Rei and nodded. He knew that she didn't like it when he and Saeko were together. But by now he had learned to do what he wanted to. Besides, it was not as if they had a whole lot of choice in the matter right now.

"Be careful Rei. You too Kohta." Were his last words before he jumped from the car. He looked up, and wanted to give the girl a hand down, but before he was able to she had already jumped off and stood next to him. Their shoulders touched, and they shared one last caring smile, one loving smile, and one reassuring smile. He felt her hand stroking over his for a mere second, but this was most likely just an accident. Nevertheless, he blushed a little. This isn't the time to think about this. We've got a job to do.

Saeko felt excited. More than that, she felt that extreme urge to kill yet again. But, just as was the case with Takashi, she had felt her hand touching his. It was nothing more than a simple touch. She as well, wanted that he did it on purpose, but quickly came to realize that this most likely wasn't the case. After all, she didn't feel that she was worth it. Takashi… Please be safe.

Rei saw them. She couldn't see their hands nor shoulders, but she knew all to well that they were standing so close. She did indeed, not like it. In fact, she hated it. Even though she had said that she couldn't live on if he would ever love another girl, he was still flirting with Sempai? It made her mad. Not at Takashi, not even that much at Seako. She didn't really know on whom she was mad, she simply was every time she'd see them together. But for now she'd do as she was told and cover their backs.

"Seako-san, are you ready?" He didn't get a response in words. But he felt, even though it was only for a brief moment, her fingers running though his. This time it was obvious though, that she did it on purpose. He was surprised, and pulled his hand back a little bit. Only to respond by grabbing her hand firmly this time. They looked at each other. Both blushing, and both deadly serious.

The time was there now. She was going in, and he was going to protect her with his life. Even though… she was most likely going to be protecting him in the end. She lifted her leg, and as soon as her foot had made contact with the ground after her first step, it was on.. It was the first step towards the dead.