Disclaimer: Mai-hime belongs to Sunrise.

A/N: Hello everyone, this is my first story. This story has been in my head for quite a long time now and I only got the courage to post it now. This is also my first time writing a story so I hope I don't disappoint you. Please review and let me know if this story is worth continuing. This story is inspired by H.O.T.D. and Finding Nemo.

Warning: Character death. Which one's already dead, which one's going to die... I don't know yet. But it's a zombie story therefore, someone is definitely going to die or already dead.

CHAPTER 1 - Rise of the Dead

The world was always betraying me. I had always lived thinking that. What I had inside me was revenge to those who snatched everything away from me. That was the only reason I had left to live.

I didn't know it, but I had been like a sharpened knife. But before I knew it, you guys were around me. Shizuru was there, Mai was there, Mikoto was there, and then, the smiling was there.

Shizuru... the feelings you had for me...

Back then... I was not able to realized that I had the same love as you are...

Now... it might be too late. However... I will never give up...

As long as I'm alive... I will never ever give up...

So wait for me... Shizuru...

I promise... I'll find you...

**BANG!** A high caliber bullet pierced between the eye of my target, a man, a walking creature, however... I did not commit any murder as the man I shot was already dead... yes a living and walking dead... My dessert eagle was so powerful that my bullet pierced into two more corpses. Unfortunately I need to waste another bullet as the third walker was so tall that the first bullet was not able smash his brains out.

My gloved hand pointed the gun to the right and a single bullet caused the 'walker' as they were called, to stumble upon the floor tripping a few more walking corpses down. It's now my chance to run away from these mother fuckers. Oh yes... I'm a hell of a shot but my bullets were limited and if I continue to waste more ammo, then I might not survive for the next day.

**BANG! BANG!**

I made a few more shots as jumped backwards where there were no signs of the walker.

**BANG! CLICK! CLICK!**

A lone bullet escaped the gun and two clicks means that my gun ran out of ammo. "Shit!" So much for saving bullets! I didn't realized that I have emptied a whole cartridge. Fuck! Instead of reloading, I holstered my gun and ran towards the closed gate hoping that there's no walker to surprise me on the other side of the gate. I bent my knees and used the momentum of my run to leap over the gate. Great! The place's seemed to be abandoned. But I can't let my guard down yet, I need to secure the area.

I panted hard as I caught my breath. My free hand was supporting my chest as I looked around for walkers inside the gate. My skinny denim jean was ripped and dirty. My boots were full of blood and brain matters. My jacket and inside top were also covered in blood. I was carrying a medium sized back pack that contains basic survival kit. A single knife was holstered in my right boot. Ammunitions were clipped into my waist as well as two dessert eagles. And last but not the least, a samurai was placed on my back. Oh hell yeah! I looked like one of the character in the zombie movie that was one of my favorite and I sure hell look like a bad ass! Too bad I don't have my favorite Ducati with me. It will surely add more effect. Poor thing blasted into pieces when I crashed it few hours after the outbreak. I was lucky to be able to stand with only few scratches and sore muscles.

However, while I was securing the gate, a hand manage to slipped below and pulled her feet. "Damn!" On an instinct, I drew my weapon only to realized that I'm empty. Great! This was really so fucked up! If I still have my HIME power, I will definitely not ran out of bullets! Hell! I'll even freeze those assholes then have Duran blast them into pieces. Heh... thinking of my powers made me remember the other HIMEs... Mai will surely burned them all using her gigantic bird and Nao will probably slice them into pieces using her threads and I... I will be able to ride Duran in search for Shizuru. Damn it! Damn it all!

Shit! Another pair of hands were trying to pull me. So much of my reminiscing... I need to focus on my situation! I re-holstered my gun and drew the samurai on my back. Using the samurai that I got, I sliced those hands that were trying to pull me. Ha! Serves them right! I did not sheathed back my samurai as I still need to survey the area. A walker or two or maybe a herd might be inside the house or at the back. When I saw that the yard was clear, I proceed to enter the house.

The lights were all closed. I assumed that the residents must have tried to evacuate. For all I know, they might already be one of those things waiting outside. The house was fairly small on the inside. I can clearly see that there's no sign of life, be it living or dead. However, I still can't let my guard down as I learned my lessons the hard way be being almost eaten by one of them. I secured the lock on the door and proceed to lower the blinds. I can't let anyone or anything knew of my presence. As I walked towards the kitchen, I can see two more doors... one might be the back door and the other might be the toilet. After securing the back door lock, I proceed to check the toilet... one can never be sure. Readying my sword, I slowly reach for the handle and opened the door. I released the air that I was unconsciously holding when the I saw that it was empty.

**Thud!**

I spun to my left towards the direction of the sound, ready to strike, but stopped when I saw the cause of the noise.

**Meow!**

A white with orange stripe cat must jumped from somewhere towards the side table causing the small vase to fall. If I wasn't alert enough, I might have sliced the poor cat in half. "Shhh!" Poor thing was growling like crazy. It must have been very hungry. I'll make sure to feed it later after I secure the place.

I roamed around the house and went towards back door. I already secured the lock but I needed to be extra cautious. I pushed a table and placed a chair over the table for added resistance. I then walked back towards the main door and used one of the single couch to block the door. My emerald eyes peeked from the window to observe the condition outside. I sighed as I watched those living dead surround the house. With tough luck, the gate will be able to hold it's place until those walkers become distracted with something else.

Now done securing the first floor, I proceed to check the second floor. My gripped to my sword tightened as I slowly took little steps up the wooden stairs. My breathing was slow as my heart beats faster than normal. This is not good. I can't explain it but as I journeyed towards the second floor, I got this scary feeling that I wasn't alone. I can already feel my sweat running through my face and I can clearly hear the beat of my heart. Good thing I don't have any heart conditions or else I'll be long dead.

As I reached the final step, I saw that there were only four doors. One of them must have been the master's bedroom, two for children and the other was for the bathroom. Great! Not much to check.

I walked towards the first door to the left and read the plates outside. 'Yumi'. It was written in a wood that hung in the door. I slowly opened the door and was relieved to see it empty. Good! three doors to go.

I proceed to walk towards the opposite door, I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding upon finding the room empty. However, there's another door inside the room. Must have been the bathroom. I closed the master's bed room's door and proceed to check the bathroom. I sighed as I find it empty.

As I was about to exit the bedroom, I noticed that clothes were scattered to the floor. I remembered that the first room that I checked was in the same state. They must have really tried to evacuate towards a safer place. Part of my wished they made it, but a big portion of me believed that they were already amongst the dead. Gah... I need to stop being pessimistic.

Now, I proceed to check the door at the farthest and confirmed that it was indeed a bathroom. I closed it and proceed to check the last door. My heart started to beat faster and the hairs at the back of my neck screamed danger. I leaned towards the door and heard scratches from the other side. "Fuck!" Something was there!.

I took a deep breath and positioned myselft in a fighting stance, ready to attack. If there were only one or two of them, then I can handle, but more, I don't know. People can think crazy stuff. I might be wrong in assuming that the people who resides in this place evacuated, hell they might even commit suicide in that room without knowing that they'll turn into them even without being bitten. I swallowed a big lump in my throat as I proceed to open the door. Here goes nothing!

**Meow!**

Another cat, this time a pure grey one, suddenly jumped into me. I was ready to attack anything that walked with two feet but was not ready to confront a feline. I stumbled backwards, lost my footing and a loud 'thud' echoed the hallway. I hoped that I didn't caused too much noise and prayed that I didn't sprained my ankle of hurt anything from the fall.

**Grrrrr!**

The feline that landed on my chest showed her fangs and observed it's prey, which is me at the moment. The cat stared intently towards my emerald orbs while it's ears were erect and forward, twitching it's tail at the same time. The cat hissed as it arched it's back and it's claw began to dug deeply towards my chest. If I wasn't wearing double clothing, then I'm sure that my chest will already be bleeding. I groaned at the pain but decided to fight the cat using my famous death glare.

And it was a success. The cat slowly relaxed and jumped from me, running towards the first floor. "Phew..." I decided to released my body that was leaning upward towards the cat, and placed my hand towards her head, closing my eyes in the process. Damn cat! This was why I like dogs better. But can't blame it. It must have been left there and was already very hungry just like the first cat. Thinking of the hungry cat, I can't help but smile upon remembering Mikoto. That runs like cat and was always hungry, and the funny thing was... she really loves Mai's voluptuous breast.

I slowly pushed myself up and closed the last door, and made my way back to the master's bedroom. I locked the door behind and sheathed my sword. Knowing that this place was safe for a while, I placed my back pack and samurai to the wall and stretched my aching back. A nice warm bath will surely soothe the pain. I carefully placed all of my weapon on top the table and stripped myself.

Bare feet touched the cold tiled floor as I entered the bathroom and it was a nice one. There's a shower at the right side beside the urinal and a tub on the other side. I opened the faucet and let the water fill the tub. After that, I proceed to the shower. A silver necklace was the only remaining item attached to her body as I let the warm water washed away all the dirt from her tired body.

When I was satisfied that I had cleaned myself enough, I made my way to the tub which was now almost full and buried myself under the warm water. I leaned back and noticed that the roof was transparent. It was already dark outside but the moon and stars brightened the sky as if everything was still normal.

I played with the pendant of my necklace as I let myself to succumb to sleep. But before I completely subdued to tiredness, weariness and exhaustion there's only one word that left my luscious lips. "Shizuru..."

After the carnival, everything went back to normal. The seniors managed to graduate despite the appearance of the school. Mashiro and Nagi both returned to the place where they really belonged. Fumi became the headmistress of garderobe, Midori went somewhere around the world with her professor. Akira accompanied Takumi to US in order to have a surgery. Shiho managed to accept that Tate only has feelings for Mai. Mikoto was finally reunited with her Aniue which was Reito. Yukariko was happily married and was already expecting a child. Nao and Alyssa together with Miyu worked at the church. Yukino was appointed by Haruka to become the new executive director. Akane was happy to be with Kazuya again. Mai had accepted Tate's feelings despite Mikoto's protest. And I managed to avoid skipping a year, thanks to Sakomizu and Shizuru who was summoned back to Kyoto by her parents to continue her study and at the same time trained under her parents in preparation for her future.

Shizuru left Fuuka with a heavy heart. She didn't want to leave. Even though she knew that my love for her was different from hers, she was satisfied. Mine and everyone's forgiveness filled her heart. It gave her strength to move forward. She was relieved to know that Mashiro also managed to revived the lives that she took from the first district. Even if the building remained ruined, the lives that occupied it was able to be restored.

It was only a few days after Shizuru left when I felt lonely. Yes, I had new friends... I even managed to hang out with Nao who was now in high school, but still something was wrong. I was missing something or rather someone... Yes I was missing Shizuru... Without her I realized that my life was incomplete. It took me more than a month to finally realized that my life was empty without the presence of my best friend. I missed her smile. I missed her touches. I missed her a lot.

One long weekend, I decided to jump on my bike and decided to give her a surprise visit. I already knew where she was staying, she told me all of the information before she travelled back to Kyoto. I decided to park a few blocks away from her house, but I needed to make sure that she's at home so I decided to call her while walking towards her house. It only took two rings before she answered.

"Ara... Natsuki... It's just been a month, did you miss me already?" She answered in her most alluring voice. Oh I missed her voice so much. Just hearing her voice drove me crazy.

"Shi-shizuru!" I barked at her and I heard her giggle. Goodness! There won't really be a day that she won't tease me. "Anyway... okay... yes... I admit... I missed you so much." What the hell... I was never really a smooth talker. Epic fail Kuga! "What are you doing right now?" I asked before she teases me again. I made sure not to ask her location as not to ruin my surprise.

"Nothing much... just cleaning the house and doing laundry." Nice! so she's at home. My smile widened at the though of seeing her again after a month! Oh God I do really miss her. I then noticed that I was already skipping towards her house.

"Oh... I hope I didn't disturb you." I dead panned. I tried to control my emotions and acted like normal as I reached her front door. I tried my best to wipe the stupid grin on my face. I might be really looked like a fool right now. I just hope no one noticed.

"My Natsuki can call me anytime she wanted. I will drop anything for my Natsuki." Gah! there she goes again. Shizuru and her sweet talk. I can felt my blood ran to my face. I'm sure my face was not as red as a tomato.

**DING**DONG**

I pressed the doorbell.

"Ara... Natsuki, it seems like I have a guest. Can you hold on a few minute so I can drive away whoever that was disturbing us." Hah! Success! I can practically hear her footstep towards the door. She must have been running... surely not so Shizuru... the elegant and ever poised ex-Kaichou... running towards the door... priceless.

Her eyes widened when she saw me by the door. "Natsuki!" It took her a moment to absorbed that it was really me in flesh that was standing in front of her. I never realized that I'll witness the day that the great Shizuru Fujino became speechless.

"Hey!" I said while doing a mock salute. It was then that she lunges herself towards me crushing me into tight embrace. I really missed her but I can tell that she missed me more. Oh at this moment, I really wanted to confess my new found feelings but I still chickened out.

From that day on, we decided to compromise and see each other every two weeks. I'll visit her and she'll visit me. Sometimes we go to places where couples do even if we aren't a couple... yet.

It was then that I promised to myself that I'll gather all my courage to confess to Shizuru and surprise her on my next visit... which unfortunately didn't come.

I was lying under the tree with my eyes closed when Mai came. "You know Natsuki... There's really no reason for you to skip class anymore." It was our favorite spot to eat lunch. Mai was carrying a large picnic basket knowing that Mikoto's appetite became larger.

"I'm not skipping Mai. Yuko-sensei called in sick and there's no substitute, we were told to study by ourselves." I replied while opening my eyes and proceed to sit.

"Mai! Natsuki!" We both turned and gazed at the direction of the sound. It was Mikoto, followed by Nao. The two of them was placed in the same classroom unlike me and Mai.

"Oiiii!" Mai waved at the duo while I yawned. And as always, Mikoto sprinted towards Mai and landed on her big chest. This act always made Tate jealous, good thing he needed to practice Kendo for the upcoming tournament. With Takeda gone, who went to Tokyo University due to the fact that I rejected his feelings again for the nth time and convinced himself that distance will help him recover, Tate became the new captain of the Kendo club.

We were enjoying Mai's wonderful cooking when we suddenly felt the ground shook. The tremor was so strong that we spilled our food. "What the hell?" I growled when my mayo sandwich hit the ground. "An earthquake?"

"Seems so..." Mai replied. "It was so strong!"

"No it's not." Mikoto disputed. "I felt it... it's like some explosion from the underground." Mikoto, who lived in the mountains most of her life before entering Fukka has senses better than normal people.

We looked around and everyone seemed to be shocked by the incident. Mikoto then climbed the tree and observed the environment. "I don't see any smoke anywhere." She said then went back.

"It's probably a drill of something." Mai said. "Let's finish our food. Lunch's almost over." She added.

Mai's right... it's probably nothing... but why am I having this crazy feeling?I though. I looked at Mikoto and I can tell that the feline girl's face was full of worry. It was the same expression that I saw during the carnival. Not only that, but Nao was also giving an anxious look.

Little did we know that this was going to be out last lunch together.

**Crash**

The sound of a broken glass woke me up. I wrapped herself in a towel and took both my gun from the table. Then another sound of a breaking glass was heard. But since I'm already awake, I knew that the sound came from the outside. Using the edge of my gun I took a peek from the window and saw a group of walkers making their way to the house across. What lured the walkers to that house, I don't care. If there were any survivors out there, she don't care. Releasing back the curtain, I sighed as I placed my gun back to the table and began to search for new sets of clothes, hoping that something will fit.

Luckily, the lady of the house was somewhat same built as me. I wore a skinny dark blue pants and a black t-shirt. I also took some extra shirt and placed it near her bag to be packed later. A nice change of clothes will compensate for lack of bath. I holstered my knife, gun and ammunitions back to my body and journeyed my way to the kitchen. I was famished. I have not eaten since morning, and I only had a piece of bread the night before. With today's situation, eating has became a luxury.

Knowing that I was still safely barricaded inside the house, I went downstairs and saw the two cats sleeping with each other. I took a not to leave them little food. Opening, the fridge, I was delighted to see that it wasn't empty. In fact there's a large variety to choose from. The lady of the house must have gone grocery shopping before this thing happened. I opened the freezer and took a frozen hotdogs. I also took some eggs from the fridge, however, I frowned when I didn't find my favorite food... mayo.

Too bad the bread in the table already got a lot of molds. Hey, it has been five days since this pandemic happened, so it can't be helped. I sighed as I went to find something else. My frown was replaced by smile when she saw the cupboard full of cup noodles. I took one and proceed to prepare my dinner. For surviving alone... this long, I need to pamper myself for today. Who knows I might die tomorrow. And it hit me. "Shit!" I can't be thinking of dying! I need to find her... but what if... I shook myself to removed the image of zombie Shizuru in my mind. A lone tear fell from my emerald orbs when I saw a box of green tea by the kitchen counter. It was Shizuru's favorite.

Am I really too late? I don't know. I proceed to eat her dinner because I will need all my strength in order to survive another day.

TBC