A/N this is the sequel to To protect and love. You don't have to read it but in order to get some of the finer points it would be better if you did. With out further ado here is chapter one of The difference between living and surviving. I don't own High school of the dead. I own Johnathon Knoll.
John remembers that day ten years ago when his daughter Annette was born he had just returned from a mission to the outside world which at the time was finally clear of the blood thirsty zombies, he had found his wife laying on the bed in pain. He looks back to the time when he first met Saeko. At the though of her name a tear drops form his eye and he stifles a cry, due to the lack of proper medical equipment she had died giving birth to their daughter. John stand and move to the back bedrooms and opens Annette's door, he watches as she sleeps peacefully with out a care in the world. He smiles and shuts the door behind him, never having regained his voice John had relied heavily on his translator, he steps through the house and plops down on the couch and covers his eyes with his hand. Sighing heavily 'Saeko I wish you were here' but in the end he berates himself for wishing for things to change that he knows won't.
He looks up at the door as it opens revealing Alice who had grown up to be a fine young woman, she followed in her father's foot steps and became a journalist. Even though she was old enough to live on her own she has stayed with her adoptive father, she knew that when her adoptive mother died he took it hard. Even though he says he's ok she knows the truth; even ten years later he is still beaten down by it; yeah he does puts on a good show for Annette and herself, even with her death he has been the best father her could possibly be. She looks down at the though of John being a better father to her than her real father was, she looks up and smiles moving over to him she sits next to him and snuggles close to him like she used to do as a little girl.
He pulls her close 'Something wrong Alice?"
She shakes her head "No. Just worried about you and Annette."
He chuckles 'Is that why your still sticking around?"
She hits him "Partly, and because you need help around. And most of all I love you and Annette too much to leave you two alone."
He smiles and hugs her tightly 'Both of us are happy that you decided to stick around. Only god know how much help you have been to us, If only your mother could see you now."
She smiles "Thank you daddy."
He smiles back 'Now off to bed with you and goodnight.'
She smiles at him and kiss his cheek "Good night daddy."
He smiles as he watches her go off to bed, but turns toward the TV he just stares at it no thoughts really passing his mind. Feeling a little nostalgic he move to the gun case, fishing the key from his D link he opens the case revealing his repaired claymore, broadsword, Ninjato, knife, and Glock 17. He smiles at the weapons before looking to the final article, lifting the sword out of the case he studies the well made Katana. He draws the sword and studies it, he kept it in perfect condition after she passed and on her death bed he made a promise to give it to Annette on her wedding day. He sheathes the sword and places it back into the case before locking it back and moving to the couch. He sits down and stay there thinking about all the time he had spent with her getting ready for the baby, going out after the outbreak had been officially declared at an end.
He yawns and look at his watch '10:30' he stand and moves to his bedroom, closing the door behind him he strips his shirt and pants off, he crawls into bed and rests the back of his head on his hands. He start to think about after Saeko died and how Rei Miyamoto well Rei Komuro now would and still does show up frequently to help him out, though he couldn't careless about all her ranting about how he needs to let go of Saeko and move on with his life, of course he gets it from the others except Saya and Takashi. Now that he thinks about it he does get it from Saya just in a more subtle way, though what else should he expect from his boss. Saya Takagi never married and took over for her parents when they retired and now John works directly under Saya, the hints to move on are subtle but they are there and hence the difference between Saya and Rei. Rei is always trying to fix him up with some friend she has, and every time John turns it down 'I have two full time jobs, one is overseeing the new police force and its activities and the other is taking care of Annette.' The hints he gets from Saya are 'John you need a break take the day off go out and do something' he always declines and gets back to work.
He has had thoughts of dating again but never finds the time; well that's the excuse he always tells himself, but in reality he just doesn't want to get hurt again like he did with Saeko. Though that can't be blamed on him or her it was just her time to go, he sighs again for the hundredth time that day he wants to move on but he is afraid that by doing so he will have betrayed Saeko's memory. He has never voiced this thought aloud and is very sure that he will get a tongue lashing from both Rei and Saya. He closes his eyes prepared for sleep but thoughts of Saeko fill his mind making it impossible at the moment, he gets up to go into the kitchen for some knock out juice aka 'Wild Turkey' he pours a full glass and downs half of it the liquid burning his throat on the way down. Finishing the glass he replaces the bottle and moves back to his room, but something makes his stop at Annette's door. He watches her little chest rise and fall with each breath, her long dark blue silk hair shining in the little light given off by the bulb in the hall. He watches her until he thinks he hears Saeko's voice "John if you don't move on for my or your sake, do it for her" John shakes his head 'I'm either going crazy or the alcohol is getting to me' he closes the door silently and goes to his room.
He repeats the process of getting into bed and laying down, and he stares at the ceiling thinking about tomorrow. Having to give Saya a report on pacifying the final areas of Japan, from Tokyo to Kagoshima to Sapporo have restored order and they are in the final stages of getting rid of the final insane survivors. With there being no point in thinking about work this late at night his thoughts shift back to Rei and Takashi well Takashi in particular, after John's lessons he finally stepped up to become a man though John still holds that threat over him. Takashi and Rei were married shortly after reaching the station and now have three children, all of them refer to John as uncle Jay. He chuckles at the thought and he drifts to Kohta, as far as anyone knows he moved into the mountains and haven't heard from him since. But all the reminiscing brings bad thoughts to John, John, Saya and her parents have though about what to do if another outbreak occurs so they set stringent plans in place just in case. John closes his eyes as exhaustion hits him full force, before he drifts off the voice comes again 'Move on for our daughter' and sleep rolls over him like a warm blanket.
John wakes up to something bouncing up and down on his bed, he groans opening his eyes he sees the little ball of energy know as his daughter. He looks up at her and smiles he points out of the room and she nods sadly but does as instructed, he slides out of bed and goes to get cleaned up. He turns on the water and steps in letting the luke warm water run over his well managed body, up until the time Saeko passed he never really worked out but he started after, though not to get bulky but to stay in shape so he could be ready if another outbreak occurred. And all of his hard work has paid off he can run down the fastest criminal, contend with professional fighters, and most importantly of all he smiles 'Be a jungle gym to my little girl' he chuckles at that last though and finishes his shower. He remembers the day of the Emp years ago when there was no running water and how he felt when he finally got to take a shower after weeks of using bottled water and hand towels to get clean. It had felt like heaven, but with Saeko gone its just another thing. He steps out of the shower and back into his room with the towel wrapped around his waist; moving to the closet he pulls out his uniform and lays it on the bed, his uniform consists of dark blue pants, a dark blue shit and a black vest. Dawning his uniform he rolls up the sleeves of his shirt and laces up his boots and he attaches his translator to his wrist, he steps into the hallway and lifts his nose into the air he sniffs and his stomach growls loudly.
He moves into the kitchen to find Alice cooking breakfast and moves to look over her shoulder, she whirls on him with the spatula pointed at his chest. Holding his hand up in defeat he smiles mouthing 'Don't hurt me' she smiles motions for him to sit down and he does. He sits patiently as she cooks breakfast until he hears Annette trying to sneak up on him he smirks and just as she gets close he turns around and puts her in a head lock. She squeals and struggles to get away but Johns firm but gentle grip, applying little to no pressure he holds her.
"Daddy let me go" she screams playfully.
He grunts in retort before leading her to the couch, he throws her down and advances on her with a smirk.
Annette knowing what's coming tries to escape and plead for him to stop "Dad please no" she looks to Alice "Sis a little help here?"
Alice looks to her and shrugs "You got yourself into this mess, and you can get yourself out. I'm not going to help you" she smiles and goes back to the stove.
Annette look to John "Dad please" she is cut off by John tickling her.
He starts to tickle her and her screams for him to stop just make him tickle her more, after having tortured her enough he chuckles as she gasp for breath. She jumps up and hits him as she runs for the table and sits down, he moves to sit across form her. He smiles at her and looks to his keypad.
'Good morning sweetie' the mechanical voice sounds from the device 'How are you? Did you sleep good?"
She nods "Good morning daddy, I'm good and I slept like a baby."
'That's good. So what are you doing in school today?'
She thinks for a moment "Oh we are doing greatest common factors in math, comparing and contrasting stories in language arts, studying potential energy in science, and world war two in social studies."
John nods 'I remember most of that form my days in school, but that was a long time ago. Have you been studying what I asked you too?'
"Yes daddy, I have. I study Japanese history in school and you teach me American history here at home."
'I just want you to know the other half of your heritage.'
She smiles "I know daddy" she hugs him and knocks the hair form over his right eye "And dad you need a hair cut."
He chuckles sarcastically 'Not in this life time. Now eat up.'
They start to eat breakfast and John turn to look in the mirror near the table he kept his hair style, where his light brown hair covers his right eye and brushes his face just above his lips. He turns back to breakfast and once done he moves to the gun case unlocking it he opens it and pulls out his Glock, thigh holster and his utility belt. Putting his utility belt on he secures his thigh holster and places his gun in it and secures it, he checks the three clip holders finding the clips there he steps away and locks the cabinet. He moves back into the kitchen to find Alice and Annette doing the dishes, he smiles at there team work and moves to the door.
'Come on you two lets go. I have to drop Annette at school and Alice at work.'
They dry their hands Alice runs to get her folders and Annette grabs her book bag, they follow John out to the SUV, being a silver GMC Yukon with brush guard. He added that just in case another out break occurred. They get in and John starts the engine and starts toward the school, he listens to the conversation running between Alice and Annette. They talk about school what Alice does at work, but when the topic of Saeko rises the mood turns solemn. John pulls up to the school and lets Annette out letting her know he loves her and she does the same before darting toward the school. He watches as she disappears and pulls away to drop Alice off at work. He pulls up to the station and Alice hugs him before stepping out and heading into the building, he pulls away and heads to work himself. Pulling into the parking lot he steps out and locks his car, as he nears the building he gets salutes from the younger officers being that he trained most of them. He moves into the building and steps into his office where he finds an envelop addressed to him. He opens the letter and reads it, groaning he steps from his office and heads toward Saya's.
He knocks on her door hearing a "Come in" he opens the door and looks at her, she motions for him to shut the door and he does. She leans back in her chair looking over some document he leans against the wall and just stares at her and a thought enters his mind 'Now that I really stop to look at her she is rather beautiful' he studies her long pink hair which is tied back into a pony tail rather than her normal twin pigtails, and her outfit similar to his but with out the vest and with a skirt, he shakes his head and wonders where that came from. She looks up to see him staring and she smiles.
"Ah John glad to see you got my message."
He nods 'What do you need Saya?'
She looks at him innocently "What? I can't talk to an old friend?"
John shakes his head 'Its a free world, but if I know you and I do there is more to it.'
She smiles "That is true. I was just going to tell you that you have the day off."
He shakes his head 'I figured that was coming. And the answer is no, I have a lot of work to do.'
She frowns "John its time to move on. Saeko is gone your working yourself into an early grave, please."
He growls 'My answer is no Saya. I don't want to meet any of these floozies that Rei is trying to set me up with."
She smiles at the thought of getting somewhere "Then what is it your looking for in a woman?"
With John getting rather frustrated and his composure slipping 'You really want to know?'
She nods "Please continue."
He types out his answer and she just listens as the keypad speaks for him. Once done 'Is that good enough for you?'
She nods "There is a girl I know that fits that description to the letter. I call her and set up a lunch date."
John cuts her off 'No! If I was to take any woman out to lunch the only one besides my late wife would be you' he stops for a moment realizing what he had typed out.
She smiles and leans forward "A bold statement to make to your boss. But I can see your honesty, come by here to get me on your way to lunch."
He givers her a confused look 'Why?'
She gives him a gorgeous smile "You offered to take me out to lunch. So its a date."
Feeling bamboozled he agrees 'Alright, see you at lunch time' with that he leaves her office and heads back to his own.
He smiles somewhat as he sits down surprised that he is actually looking forward to his lunch date with Saya. The smiles spreads across his face and stays plastered to it as he starts work, and for some strange reason he has a new bounce in his step. He finishes his report around lunch time and decides to take a few to relax 'That report was hell, and now I have to deliver it to Saya' he wonders if she will go along with his plan on dealing with them. He looks up at the clock and stands grabbing his wallet he steps out of his office and heads toward Saya's, finding the door ajar he taps on the glass to catch her attention and he looks in. She looks up with a smile on her face she says a goodbye over the phone and hangs up, she grabs her purse and moves over to John. He closes the door behind them as the leave.
'Who's car are we taking?'
She smiles "Yours, mine is too small."
He nods and leads her to his SUV, opening the passenger door he helps her in before closing the door and moving around to drivers side he climbs in. He brings the car to life and pulls away and she gets curious where they are going.
"So John where are we going for lunch?"
He smirks 'Its a secret.'
She hits him playfully "Your a jerk." They laugh as they continue toward the restaurant.
A/N *Dawns riot gear ready to fend people off* I know I killed off Saeko but it will go toward John's development in this story. So please bare with me.