Hey ya'll here is the first chapter rewrite of to protect and love Let me know what you think.
Saeko Busujima moans lightly her head throbbing from an intense yet dull pain that seemed like it wanted to crack her skull in two, daring to open her eyes risking more pain if by chance the sun is shining into the room she resides in. Before her eyes can open a sound tickles her ears one she has not heard in quite a while; childish giggling and laughter but kept to a minimum level of noise, of course not to lure 'them' close to us. As all of her senses began to function properly things start to become clear, such as the laughing and giggling is proceeded by whispers as well as the sound of clothing moving on a body; gathering her courage she finally opens her eyes sighing blissfully as there is no sunlight to aggravate her already pounding head. Along with her senses her memory reboots letting her know the small voice belongs to a little girl, the tale tell voice of Alice Maresato. Saeko's growing curiosity about Alice's unknown companion starts to grate on her nerves, shifting she tries to sit up never hearing the sounds of someone moving toward her. Before she can get half way up a pair of strong hands come to rest gently on her shoulders keeping her in place, of course this action causes her to fight against it only to be stopped by the pain rebounding inside her head forcing her to lay back down.
She moaned loudly as the pair of hands slowly lowered her back to the floor to rest, before she could express her gratitude of being gentle with her the sound of water being rung out and back into a bucket caught her attention. Seconds later a cold rag that seemed to absorb the pain was placed on her forehead with kind and caring hands, smiling lightly she opened her eyes which came to rest on a young man that was maybe a year or two older than herself. He smiled gently at her causing her to blush a little, she watches as he stood and cross the room; she could only make out a few sounds as he dug in a pack for something. The first thing she recognized was the sound of a pill bottle rattling and being set off to the side; the second was the opening and pouring of water into a glass, not willing to risk loosing the cool rag that fought back her migraine she waited until he came back into view holding the glass of water and what she only guess were pills. He sat down setting the glass to the side before helping her lean up using his right arm he supported her as he showed her the two pills, understanding what his intentions were she opened her mouth allowing him to feed them to her. She swallowed the two pills reaching trying to take the glass he retrieved wanting to kill the taste of the medicine in her mouth as quickly as possible only to have him yank the glass away and give her a glare.
She sighed lowering her hand and in turn he gave her a smile slowly bringing the glass to her lips, he tipped the glass letting the fluid flow into her mouth as she hungrily took the water into her body. When the glass was emptied he let her back down set the glass off to the side removing the towel on her head he repeated the process of refreshing the towel before standing and moving away. Before long a familiar face came into view causing Saeko to smile, Alice smiled down at her before kissing her cheek. Saeko closed her eyes trying to remember what had happened to leave them in a place like this with a strange man caring for them both, not that she wasn't grateful but she didn't know who he was, or why he was doing it. Alice seemed to sense her discomfort about it "Is something wrong big sister" she asked, and Saeko could help but envy her childish innocence's.
"No" she lied "nothing is wrong, little one" she reached up stroking her fragile face, but her lie earned her a snort from the man.
Alice looked to him then back "Big brother says your lying" she chirped in a sing song voice.
"I am not" she denied, earning another snort.
Alice having put it together "Are you worried about Big brother?"
Saeko gave in "Yes."
"Why."
She groaned trying to think on how to explain to a child about the dangers of strangers "Alice we don't know his name, we don't what he wants or why he is helping us."
Alice merely smiled "Big brother's name is Johnathon Knoll."
Saeko was about to retort but a name, how could she have gotten his name. She couldn't have been out more than a few hours "Alice, how long have I been asleep?"
"I don't know, but he does" she said pointing to John.
"Could you ask him?"
She nodded and turned calling his name to which he merely turned with a raised brow, Alice asked him something, Saeko followed her eyes to see him standing in front of a work bench. He raised a brow in question before Alice spoke, he held up two fingers before she turned back "He says two." Saeko was confused "Two days?"
Alice asked to which he shook his head, Saeko asked "Weeks?"
She spoke again only having him nod this time and turn back to the bench, she couldn't believe it she had been out for two weeks. No wonder Alice knew his name and there was no telling just how much she had learned about him and the only way for her to find out is to ask "Alice, what can you tell me about him?"
She smiled "He was a College student getting ready to go into the United States Marine Corp. He was visiting picking up a sword being made by the 25th Masamune."
That threw Saeko for a flip "A sword by the 25th Masamune isn't there a five year waiting list" she turned her head toward him. She studied him finding what she was looking for the precense that true swordsmen hold, he exuded power like cologne his body showed extensive training. Turning back to Alice "what kind of sword did he have made?"
Alice shook her head "I don't know" pausing for a moment she turned and asked him something. He turned his head to her then back to the table before showing a sword it had fairly wide blade, it was a medieval English broadsword, the handle was long enough for two handed use and the butt was adorned with a red gem. Saeko was to say the least impressed "Alice does he have any other weapons?"
She nodded eagerly before saying something in turn he nodded giving a little show of the arsenal he carried, weapon number two was a what she could only describe was a claymore, number three was a as far as she could tell was a Glock 9mm, but the last weapon seemed innocent enough but the fact it suited him so well it scared her, it was a hunting knife. She could only watch as he turned back to the work bench, it wasn't long before something occurred to her he hadn't said a word "Alice" she looked down "Yes?"
"Does he speak Japanese?"
Alice just shook her head "He doesn't talk at all."
That confused her "He doesn't talk" she chewed on that thought before asking "does he understand Japanese?"
She nodded "Yes. Well at least a little bit, I have been teaching him."
John sighed cleaning the weapons he knew when he helped them that there was going to be a language barrier but to his surprise the little girl was bilingual, which so far had proved to be helpful as he was learning the language well to understand it anyway. Though his translation skills still left something to be desired he was getting better about it, which is how he knew she was lying, chuckling at the memory trying to disguise it as a cough feeling the glare on his back. But the one topic that has not left his mind from the beginning of this ordeal how he lost his power of speech, with a heavy sigh he turned his attention to the ceiling searching for answers ones that it just didn't hold as that horrific day replayed in his mind.
John had arrived in the city looking around taking in the sights his first time in Japan he couldn't help but be excited, he loved videos games, anime, and manga so he adored the Japanese culture. Though it wasn't until this week that he was able to make it here, especially since he place the order for the sword five years ago he didn't speak the language so he relied heavily on his translator book of course he tried asking directions from a couple of girls at one point accidentally saying the wrong thing and getting slapped. He sighed but laughed soon after just enjoying the sights and smells of the city, the cab he had been riding in finally pulled up to the little shop, he paid the driver to wait while he ran in. He slid the door open and was bombarded with the smell of steel, incense, and fire he found it strangely soothing.
Closing the door behind him he made his way to the counter smiling as the young attendant looked up "Yes" her voice thick with an accent.
Reaching into his pocket he pulled the order form his pocket and laid it on the counter "I'm here to pick up my order" he pointed to the paper "Johnathon Knoll."
She read the paper and looked back up to him smiling "Johnathon Knoll, I be one moment" she said before scurrying into the back.
He took a seat near the door trying to be patient but was finding it to be rather difficult, and the sirens that started threating to tear his attention away from his current business. But the sirens faded into the distance leaving only faraway screams, it was at this point that he started to become concerned because the sirens were headed the other way. But what happened next left him in a panic, the girl that he had spoken to earlier began to scream and against better judgement he stood rushing into the back only to stop mortified at what he saw. The master of the shop stood there pale skin eyes rolling in different direction and silent moans escaping his mouth, which was dripping with blood pieces of flesh stuck in his teeth the very sight made him want to retch. Pained cries drew his attention to the floor where he found the young girl cradling her arm that had a chunk of flesh missing, blood flowing from the wound relentlessly though her cries drew the man upon her, John watched as well as heard as his teeth sank into her throat before ripping it out.
John gasped backing into a wall filled with swords that came crashing down around him drawing the attention of the creature before him, it rushed him with inhuman speed but to him everything came to a screeching halt. His mind processed that a sword was in hand telling him to use it, the world seemed to speed up as he gripped the sword bringing it around effectively decapitating him with a single stroke. Watching the body flop to the ground he sighed heavily another mistake as the girl on the floor stood rushing him just as the man did, only he brought the sword down from an overhead strike splitting the poor girls head in two. He slid to the floor after the body fell the sight of both halves of her brain sliding on the floor force him to retched spilling the contents of his stomach over the floor.
Feeling completely drained he sat there on the floor while his mind rebooted trying to process the events that had just transpired, staring at the sight of the headless man and the young girl whose head was split like a rotten piece of fruit as well as the copperish smell of blood almost led him to retch again. He had to get out of there, forcing himself to stand he got to his feet unsteadily before making his way back into the reception area before collapsing into a seat, his right arm felt oddly heavy with a quick glance revealing the sword he had used. He wondered why it was still in his possession and faintly recalling that he never released it, to his surprised it was the sword he had ordered but the sight of blood on the blade made him recall taking two lives. The sound of approaching gunshots forced him to gather what strength he could and rush outside and attempt to yell for help, after the shock of the event had started to wear off his body had grown a bit stronger as he quickly darted out the door and onto the street where he was met with a sight that rocked him to the core.
There were dozens of people ambling about grabbing for others trying to bite them, while others ran in fear panicking wishing to escape the crazed inhabitants. John spotted a police officer standing with his back turned and tried to call out, to his shock he made not a sound not even a whimper escaped his lips. He doubled forward grasping his throat trying everything he could to speak to make some kind of noise, unknown to him the cop had heard his footfalls and turned slowly moving toward him arms out stretched like waiting, wanting to embrace a long lost lover. Barley noticing the moans elicited from it John whipped his head up eyes going wide at the gaping wound in the man's neck, thrusting the sword forward on instinct it pierced his heart but the body didn't stop as he continued to reach for him.
John quickly pushed the man away and brought the sword around effectively destroying the once man by removing his head, it was around that point when his mind finally rebooted and understanding set it. He kneeled down studying the creature pale skin, milked over eyes, bloody wound caused by a bite, and flesh stuck in the teeth he wanted to panic but for some reason he was extremely calm. All the horror films he had seen in his youth led him to one conclusion, zombies. With a name to these things his survival training kicked in, S.T.O.P came to mind situation, threat, observe, plan. His situation surrounded by the walking dead, threat one bite means death and there are a lot of them, observe: buildings would provide some protection, they were slow and he knew how to kill them, plan: he had to get back to his hotel room and gather his equipment. With a clear head and set path and plan he implemented it making his way toward his goal.
Since that day John has felt that something in himself had changed as he destroyed them he found himself becoming more and more barbaric, but the most sobering thought he had was the loss of his voice. The one thing that should have given him comfort; and his ability to work things out he did as most do work things out by talking to himself or others and to comfort himself. He no longer had that, and sighed heavily placing his hands on the table he lowered his head staring at the bench, though he was thankful for the fact that those things were attracted by sound and because he couldn't speak allowed him to move around them without drawing their attention. He was so wrapped up in his internal musing he didn't notice the fact that Saeko had gotten up until she placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to turn and frown wondering why she was up.
She smiled at him and looked to the table seeing her sword picking it up she removed it from the scabbard staring at the blade in confusion, the mars in the steel had been removed and the blade sharpened "Did you fix my sword" not looking at him forgetting he doesn't speak. She tried again "Did you do this" she asked pointing to the blade giving him a flat stare, he nodded causing her to get rather irritated. She wanted more of a response other than a nod or facial expression "Would you say something" taken aback he looked to Alice who translated. John sighed not wanting to do this for a couple of reason, one it would prove he really had lost his voice, and two they would probably think less of him. Holding out his hand she gave him a confused look before placing her hand in his, she watched as he lifted her hand to his throat letting her wrap her hand around his vocal chords, as he tried to speak she felt the air passing through his voice box.
By the look on his face she could tell he was ashamed, hurt and confused, she took his hand and patted it lightly giving him a reassuring smile. He returned it and turned back to the bench, Saeko turned around and looked to Alice who smiled. There was something on her mind and the only two people could tell her but only one could answer, she sat down in front of her "Alice, how did we survive the accident?"
Alice placed a finger on her chin "Big brother rescued us."
"He did" Saeko gave her a confused look "how?"
She perked up smiling "He came after us..."
The group had been driving down the highway grateful for a few moments of peace without having to deal with them, Takeshi, Rei, Saya and Khota were inside the Humvee resting while Ms, Shizuka drove. Saeko and Alice rode on top enjoying the feeling of wind flowing through their hair, smells of spring cherry blossoms without blood in the air, but it wasn't to be as a shout from inside the vehicle drawing their attention to the front. There was a horde of them ambling about in the middle of the road, the engine roared as the busty nurse floored the gas plowing into the blockade of dead. Saeko dropped covering Alice with her body as the dead flew over them "Alice don't worry I'll protect you no matter what" she tried to reassure the child.
Truth being she was scared with the numbers of dead continuing to rise it was only a matter of time before the humvee broke down due to damage, though up ahead she saw it a clear alleyway. "Ms, Marikawa take a hard right" she yelled. Saeko failed to grab on to the rail for as the Humvee power slid the two occupants that rode atop of it were thrown from the vehicle, having realized her mistake too late she tucked Alice in her body to protect her. Only upon impact she lost consciousness, Alice rolled from her grip and at the sight of them she screamed drawing them to her like a moth to a flame.
Khota had seen the fall off from the corner of his eye and with a sharp turn of his head he saw them land with Saeko not moving and Alice screaming "Stop, Saeko and Alice fell off" he roared. Jumping through the top ignoring the sudden jerk of the car coming to a stop he aimed the rifle, pulling the trigger every bullet found its mark the dead falling littering the highway. Two draw backs to his shooting he drew them upon the car as well which he had to fight them off as well as trying to protect the two. Takeshi, Rei, and Saya stepped out to fend them off but they were being overwhelmed, Khota noticed something amiss. A man strode through the horde of undead without a care in the world making his way toward the two girls, he watched as the man stop in front of the two pull a huge sword from his back and with a single swing took out seven.
Khota continued to fire trying to keep the growing number of dead to a minimum but his efforts were in vain, the man on the other hand was having more success as the dead continued to converge on the car. He saw movement from the man waving them on, Takeshi was about to protest but Khota cut him off "Get in we have to go there is nothing we can do." Saya backed up his argument, Rei and Takeshi grudgingly got back in before Ms. Shizuka flood the gas. Alice failed to notice the mans approach but the sound of the dead hitting the ground near her made her look up, she watched as the man brought down body after body. When he had destroyed enough of them he waved the others on, Alice was about to protest when he kneeled and placed a finger to her lips telling her to keep quite, pointing to the number of them moving about. She understood staying silent watching him look Saeko over studying her for injuries, when satisfied he pulled her limp form off the ground and over his shoulder, he motioned for Alice to follow as she did staying silent following him through the throng of them.
Saeko was entranced by the story, as Alice finished she looked to him his back to them at first she wondered how he was able to move among the dead without drawing attention then she remembered he couldn't speak. That made things easier but the question remains why did he risk his life for them, she stood moving to him before tapping on his shoulder. He turned his eyes questioning, she noticed his eyes were a beautiful blue, his light brown hair parted over his right eye covering the left and brushing his jaw just above his lips. Tearing her attention away from his handsome features "Why did you save us?"
Of course he had asked himself this question on many occasions mainly when he was out tracking the girls group leaving when Alice was asleep and returning before she woke. But in answer to her question he gave her the best answer he could which was a shrug. At this Saeko became annoyed thinking he didn't care "If you don't care why did you rescue us" her voice booming. John covered her mouth with his hand and glared at her, he placed a finger to his lip motioning her to be quiet. With a sigh he let her go smiling gently to let her know he does care, she saw the hurt in his eyes after she yelled at him lowering her head "I'm sorry" she apologized to which he smiled in return. He walked to a window and stared out before letting the curtains cover it, he moved back to the bench gathering his weapons he placed them on various parts of his body. His two swords went on his back in a criss cross shape, his knife went to his left hip, and his pistol to his right thigh, Saeko mirrored his actions only tying her sword to her left hip knowing he was getting ready to leave.
He turned to her and raised a brow asking if she was well enough to go, she smiled nodding turning to Alice "Are you ready to go?" Alice smiled and surprisingly she ran up to John's side. He turned smiling pulling the two in for an embrace, which he did with easy even though he was close to six foot, while Saeko was around five two. She was stiff until he kissed her forehead causing her to melt and nuzzle into him searching for comfort, after a moment he release them and opened the door knife in hand. Saeko and Alice begin there new adventure with a mute American who had saved them, and cared for them, Saeko's Japanese pride made her wish to repay him, but he had asked for nothing in return, even though he doesn't ask for anything she will find a way to repay him she though swearing on her honor.