Chapter 1

Z Day 4,

The group had left the broken down Humvee back behind them on the overpass but the group continued along the highway for now. Luckily there were not too many of THEM sharing the road and half of those were in the other lanes and so 'they' were separated by the concrete road barrier.

"The police station my father works at isn't too far away normally it would be an hour or so walk but with THEM in the way I am not sure." Rei had a concerned look on her face at the situation.

The shambling corpses many times could be avoided but other times car wrecks restricted movement or there would be a clump of the undead together. In those cases the group would dispatch the walking corpses that blocked their advance.

Kohta stopped to look down the road through the scope mounted on his rifle. "Takashi... I think I see a problem ahead." The note of concern got the groups attention.

The young leader that been selected just that morning by his fellows went over to the gun Otaku, "Whats up?"

Kohta hands over his rifle. Takashi wordlessly braced the big rifle against his shoulder. "Down the road past the next off ramp is a pile up you can't miss..."

Then Takashi could see what Kohta was talking about, a section of road barriers had been removed. From the construction vehicles the road must have been under repair when this all started. This opening allowed the dead to cross the lanes. This created a challenge but the threat that got Kohta's attention was the multiple car pileup around the road repair site that blocked a good deal of the road. For good measure dozens of THEM were meandering around aimlessly. After looking around to be sure that there was no way to get around the obstacle of the undead Takashi let out a sigh, "We are going to be taking a detour."

One of the nearby girls whirled to face Takashi, her pink hair bobbing with the motion as Saya was about to speak her face took on a scowl of annoyance. Then she stopped. Hirano and Takashi had seen the danger up ahead. So instead of biting their heads off she asked, "What's the problem?" If the threat wasn't serious she could THEN bite their heads off to point out the mistake to the two baka.

Ms. Shizuka as always had a slightly confused and spaced out look about her but sometimes she had something important to say. Just as Zeke started to bark she gave her own warning, "More of THEM are coming up behind."

Takashi glanced to the rear and answered Saya's question, "Wreckage and THEM, too dangerous to try to push through."

Saeko turned to face the threat, a half dozen zombies had closed the distance behind them. A gleam entered her eyes at the prospect of battle. A gleam that quickly faded as Takashi shook his head in negation and then pointed towards the off ramp up ahead. Reluctantly the would be samurai took her hand off the hilt of the katana at her side and nodded agreement.

Rei caught the wordless byplay between Saeko and Takashi and grinded her teeth in frustration but now wasn't the time for this particular problem.

Ms. Shizuka nudged little Arisu towards their new path and the rest of the survivors continued on their way. As they headed to the streets below the highway Saya took a moment to look around at Tokonosu City from the highway. She noted the smoke plums rising from dozens of fires across the city, much like the day before but something bothered her about the scene.

Tokonosu International Airport

It had been a few hours since Tajima had died his fiery death when the fuel tanker exploded as part of the effort to destroy the zombies out on the runway. Word arrived that a JSD transport was going to be landing at the airport. It would be an American built C-130 and while some people might need to sit on the deck everyone at the airport could leave at least those still alive. Which added up to her duty to defend this place against the zombies would soon be over.

"I wish I could say it's been fun inspector but I must be on my way." Rika stood at attention before the senior police officer left in the airport.

The haggard man was at first confused and then slowly said, "Mean to say you are leaving and not coming with us?"

Ever so slowly Rika gave a nod of her head and tried not to wince at the hurt look in her superiors eyes. "I have some out there, she is still alive and I need to find her. My orders were to help defend the airport and as soon as the transport lands that task is complete." There was no hesitation in her voice.

The inspector deflated slightly at the announcement, things had been getting worse and the past few days had taken their toll on the man. He took a breath and gathered himself to make an attempt to get Rika to stay, "We all have people out there but we also have our duty... these people NEED you Sergeant."

Rika kept her voice firm but respectful, "These people will be protected by the JSDF and my friend needs me too and as to duty. It's all coming apart sir besides the dead walking about looking for the flesh of the living someone set off a nuke this morning. It's THE END, who knows what the next few days will bring let alone the next few weeks. I have to try to find her now if I am going to have any hope."

For a moment it looked like the inspector was going to try to continue the argument but then the fire went out of his eyes, "You are right, it is the end and central authority is breaking down. I got a report that the survivors of the prefecture riot police mutinied, killed their officer and fled into the countryside. At least you told me you are leaving and I suspect that the only way to keep you is to threaten you. Someone would no doubt suggest I arrest you or even shoot you as a warning to others but to many have died already for me to do that. So all that is left is for me to say..." He held out his hand, "Good luck Sergeant and I hope you find your friend."

Rika gave a firm shake and then stepped back to give her superior a bow of respect. "I will wait for the transport to arrive before I leave but I am going to gather supplies in the meantime."

"Understood and we have more weapons than we can use so take whatever you can carry."

The group moves down the street with Takashi in the front. The young leader with his brown black spiky hair cradles his shotgun. The streets are not totally deserted but all too often the group is sharing the streets with more of THEM. People that have died, comeback and now crave human flesh. An example of such is just ahead of the group, grey skin with chunks ripped off the left arm, clothing in tatters and of course the sightless and lifeless eyes stare towards nothing.

The group goes quietly past the zombie and leaves alone. The street ahead is blocked so turning a corner the group is confronted by an entire street filled with dozens, perhaps hundreds of the walking dead.

Ms. Shizuka lets out a gasp at the horde but she muffles the sound with her hand and her breasts sway as she and the rest of the group come to a sudden stop.

Everyone stops and just looks on at the horde with a terrible fascination. Then Saya is the first to snap out of the trance and she taps Takashi on the shoulder, with a little more force than needed to get his attention and the look she gives him calls him a baka without uttering a sound and once the pink haired teen has his attention she nods towards a nearby building.

Nodding in agreement Takashi waves the group in the building to look for a path to avoid the horde.

A few minutes of searching the dimly light building bring the group to a hall way, the ceiling is badly damaged, burned and just about all of the tiles destroyed. Wires dangle, exposed and the floor is littered with empty shell casing and blood stains. At the end of the hallway is a double door chained shut. Written on the doors is 'do not open dead inside.' Then the doors open as much as the chains allow and dead hands reach out.

Striding forward Saeko looks calmly at the door for a moment, then satisfied that it will not collapse ignores the zombies trapped within. "It's clear this way." Then the purple haired kendo champion advances down another corridor.

A few more minutes of walking brings the group to a door.

Hirano steps up with his rifle ready, Takashi waves forward Rei to the other side of the door. The rest of the group stands back with Saeko ready if one of THEM appears from one of the side rooms. After a quiet countdown Takashi opens the door and the group is greeted by sunlight and a mostly empty street.

The group resumes its advance but they get less than half a block down the street when while walking past a pair of wrecked cars there is a series of barks from Zeke that give Ms. Shizuka and Arisu a split seconds warning as a zombie reaches out for them from the wreckage.

Everyone is startled but Hirano spins in place, braces his AR-10 sniper rifle against his shoulder. Letting out his breath as he squeezes Hirano fires the rifle. The 7.62mm bullet impacts the center of the forehead of what was once a lovely woman and then blows out the back sending a shower of blood, rotting brains and bone flying. The shot from the big sniper rifle echoes up and down the street. Every zombie that hears the sound of the shot starts towards the group.

"FUCK!" Takashi yells as he waves the group forward.

Within moments zombies are stumbling into the street. Saeko races forward drawing her Katana and starts her dance of death, slicing through their enemies and her lips turn up into smile as she does. Rei and Saya push Ms. Shizuka and Arisu forward while Takashi and Hirano fire away at any of THEM that are threat.

The group is advancing but the rifle and shotgun are making a huge amount of noise, attracting more and more of THEM. Soon zombies are starting to fill the street and block their escape but then a door opens up and a voice cries out. 'In here!'

Wasting no time the group dashes into the offered sanctuary. Takashi stands off to the side, waving his friends into the door and covering them, then as the last of the group goes in, Takashi follows and slams the door behind the group.

Inside the building the group of teens is panting from exertion. Standing off to the side are two people that opened the door and got them off the street. A tall woman wearing a blue blouse with blond hair, looking to be in her 40s is distraught. On the edge of breaking down into tears, in between sobs she says, "We're dead, all of us because of YOU!"

Then teens look at one another their rescuers with a confused expression. Takashi says, "I don't understand..."

Saya has a realization and is about to say something when the sweaty slightly overweight man with black hair speaks first. "You know the key to surviving is? Tip toeing, not shooting up the streets like it's the O.K. corral."

A third person joins the crowd in the hallway. "Every one of THEM for miles heard you guys popping off rounds."

The blond says between near sobs, "You just rang the dinner bell."

At that moment there is loud banging as the zombies on the other side are beating on the door, trying to get at the living flesh on the other side. For a few second all eyes are locked on the door to the outside. Then one by one people look away. The adults of the new group of survivors look over the high-school students and their collection of weapons.

Hirano is about to speak as it was his firing at the zombie that set the incident off but Saya cuts him off. The pink haired teen plants her fists on her hips as she glares up at the adults, "A zombie was about to attack two people in our party. Their screams would made noise and once we were forced to be fighting those that the screams attracted we would be using our firearms no matter what." The tone Saya uses is confrontational.

The adults glare back when a fourth person joins the discussion from the darkness of the hallway. It's a man, tall with black wavy hair, several days' worth of stubble and wearing a police uniform. "We can discuss this but we should move upstairs where it's clear. No need to keep providing noise to attract those outside."

At once the other adults quiet-down, several look sheepish around the officer. Meanwhile the officer is looking over Takashi's group. Then the officer turns around and walks back into the gloom of the hallway. The adults fall in behind and after a few moments so does Takashi and his friends.

A few minutes of travel gets everyone to the third floor of what was once an office building. The group of survivors has moved aside a number cubes, desks and setup rollout futons on the floor. One section of wall has supplies stacked up, 5 gallon jugs of water, boxes of dry food and the like. Once everyone is in the office the officer sits down on a chair and again looks over Takashi and his group. "So where did you kids steal the firearms?"

The teens let out groans at the question, they had just gone through this at the Takagi estate on a few hours before. Hirano haven proved himself several times is especially indignant and all but growls back at the officer his own question, "Someone might ask you where you got the supplies."

The policeman's eyes narrow and looks at the lone adult in the group Ms. Shizuka and then back at Hirano. "I take it you are in charge of this group of delinquents?"

At which point Takashi steps forward, "I am in charge, Takashi Komuro, as to our weapons we picked them up along the way. Sorry for making all the noise outside but like Saya said it had to be done."

The officer gives a fractional nod of his head by way of acknowledgement and then says, "I am Officer Sheen Warushu of the prefecture police."

Rei steps forward and her voice is eager, "My father is inspector Tadashi Miyamoto out of the East Police Station. Have you heard of him or know what's going on there?"

Officer Warushu mostly ignores Rei's question, "I don't but I am sure he wouldn't want his daughter using illegal firearms. You are all going to have to surrender those weapons to me... Now." The officer points at a spot on the floor before him. Everyone in the room knows an ultimatum has been given. Despite what they have been through the last few days they are still young and so when given an order by a person in authority it's difficult to just ignore that and so Hirano actually starts to comply while tears come to his eyes.

Takashi while keeping his eyes on the officer puts a hand on Hirano's shoulder stopping his friend. "Sorry we need these weapons and we are NOT giving them up. We have our families to get to."

Hirano and Rei look at Takashi in shock while Saeko and Saya are pleased and of course Ms. Shizuka and Arisu have no idea what is going on to cause the sudden tension in the room. The adult survivors of the police officers group are shocked by Takashi's push back. The blond woman that had ranted at the teens when they first meet says in a shocked voice, "You are just kids! Kids shouldn't have guns!"

The officers eyes narrow and his lips are pressed together, he is clearly not happy and his voice turns formal as he drops into police speak, "This officer can arrest you, all of you and he will. Last warning turn over those weapons."

Letting out a sigh before he replies Takashi stares directly at the officer, "Officer Warushu we are grateful for the help but we aren't turning over our weapons."

"This officer is sorry it came to this kid." Warushu reaches for his side arm but before he can even draw it part way from his holster Saeko has reacted. With a whirl of her purple hair and a slight 'zzzzz' sound as the Katana comes free from the scabbard Saeko has the tip of the blade at Warushu's throat.

No one in the room moves or says anything, the only noise is the faint 'moaning' that the dead on the street below make and it's carrying though an open window. Till now Saeko had been largely passive but with the sword in her hand and a clear threat she has transformed. There is an eager smile on her face and perhaps an edge of madness to her eyes. Officer Warushu has his eyes locked with hers, like prey caught in the gaze of a cobra and the officer is helpless to move.

Just as a few beads of blood well up on the officer's throat the spell is broken by Takashi as he speaks. "I am sorry too but like I said we need our weapons. We don't a fight but don't push us." Turning to Saeko and in a much more gentle voice, "Thank you Saeko-chan, ts done, let him go."

Off to the side Rei flushes in jealousy at the tone in Takashi's voice.

The adults of the officers group are backing away from the teens with overt fear in their eyes if not horror. Clearly they are all wondering what type of teens are these.

Saya plants her hands on her sides and strides up to Takashi, "You are going to just leave it like this? He threatened us, you can't leave him with HIS gun."

Takashi is shocked by the words of his childhood friend and tries to fumble a response but Saya doesn't let him get any words out. "BAKA! We have crossed a line here Takashi, we can't just pretend this didn't happen."

The teen leader looks between the officer and his friends. He takes a silent poll and seeing nods of agreement. "Your right..." Takashi takes the pistol and holster-belt from the officer and then hands them to Hirano. A brief search turns up a half full box of ammo.

"A Smith and Wesson five shot revolver." Hirano expertly opens the cylinder and his voice rises in excitement, ".38 caliber but it's a Model 60 in stainless steel rather than a Model 37 air-weight done in Aluminum." There is a slight CLICK as Hirano turns on the safety and then puts it away in the holster, "Two speed loaders with five rounds each and twenty five more in the box." Hirano concludes and puts the officer's gun and accessories with the Model 37 the group already has.

Saeko draws back and with the spell broken Officer Warushu picks up a tissue and places that against the wound on his neck. There is now wary respect in the officers eyes mixed with anger but the other adults are horrified at the turn of events. "As your friend said there really isn't any stepping back from this. I would just ask you to hand the gun back before you leave as I need it to protect these people."

Takashi nods agreement. The two groups then move to opposite sides of the office floor.

Hirano is at a corner window looking down on the street and alleyway, checking to see how dangerous the streets are. Arisu is playing with Zeke with Ms. Shizuka nearby looking on. The other four sit silently. Rei and Saeko set themselves up on either side of Takashi with Rei resting one of her hands on her former boyfriends lap. Out of old habit Takashi gives the offered hand a squeeze.

Across the office the disarmed Police Officer sit's and watches the teens, his face an unreadable mask now.

"Takashi we need to be smarter about how we do things." Saya says and her voice for once doesn't have a condescending tone.

"We DID make too much noise, we got out of the school at the end by just being quiet." Takashi says but left unsaid is what happened when one of the other teens they had been with DID make noise and the panicked flight to the mini-bus that followed. "Hirano you saved Arisu and Ms. Shizuka, we just need to be sure we HAVE to open fire when we do."

The gun Otaku looked down from his perch ready to argue but stays silent at a glare from Saya and then nods agreement and then changes topics, "Street is still busy we should see if the other streets are as bad."

Saeko stands, "I will check." Takashi is about to say he will go with her when Rei jumps to her feet first, "I will help you." There is some slight tension at the comment but Saeko smiles and nods.

The two young women explore the floor of the office building looking for windows onto the street and making sure it is indeed clear as the other group of survivors claimed. After a few minutes they come to a room that is exactly on the opposite side of where everyone else is at. Saeko checks the street and causally asks, "We are alone now so you can say what you need to say."

Rei joins the other woman but before speaking searches her face for any hint of feelings or thoughts. The casual smile is what greets Rei. Finding no clue Rei goes forward anyways, "Ms. Busui..." Remembering the brief talk before at the Takagi estate about using her first name Rei corrects herself, "Saeko, you know what I want to talk about."

"Of course, you have been putting your heart on display, you want to talk about Takashi." Is the calm response.

Rei had thought of all sorts of things should could say but now that the moment is here to say them the words escape her. Instead the teen hugs herself and looks down.

Slowly Saeko asks, "Is this really the time to talk about this? Perhaps later would be a..."

"Better? When is the world ever going to get better? We could all be dead tomorrow and one of those things." Rei points at two of THEM just standing there on the street below waiting for something to attack.

Saeko bows in acknowledgement.

Slowly Rei continues on the edge of tears, "I made a mistake before, a number of them and now Takashi might be all that I have left. I can't lose him too..."

Saeko nods and as she speaks her cheeks blush, "All we have left is each other and I can't lose` 1 him either...'

Rei looks up sharply at Saeko's statement.

"I need him to keep going, he gives me focus and purpose, without him..." Saeko's voice trails off and she turns away from Rei unable to continue.

For a few moments neither teen speaks and then Rei asks, "So what do we do?"

There is a knock and the Saya enters the room, "I know you have some stuff to work out but Takashi has an idea. Are you done?"

Rei stands to leave, "Yes we are done."

The three then head back.

When the three girls enter the room it's much as they left it, their group in one corner and the adult survivors in another, the police officer quietly watching and waiting.

Takashi waves the girls over, "I was talking to Saya about how those things..."

Hirano interjects, "Zombies."

"...Zombies behave, they only react to sound. They don't see or feel anything. What we need to do is thin out the number and just walk quietly past the remainder." Looking at the girls Takashi asks, "So how is the other side? How many... zombies there?"

The adult survivors are interested in the conversation and listening with interest.

Rei and Saeko attempt to talk at the same time, they stop and look at one another. Saeko nods and Rei speaks, "Not as many on this side, easily half as many or perhaps only a third."

Pleased Takashi smiles at the information, "That's great news!"

At the praise the two girls blush.

"We just need for there to be a way out on that side." Takashi looks at the group of adult survivors, "Is there a door on the far side of the building?"

The adults look at one another for a few moments and then at the police officer who frowns. He lets out a sigh, "Yes there is a door on the far side of the building. If you open the door you run the risk of letting those things inside. If you wait they will just thin out on their own."

Saya frowns, "That will take time..."

"Time we need to spend getting to our parents." Rei adds.

Takashi nods his agreement, "So yes we can't wait. What I have in mind is this. A bunch of these windows open up. We can make some noise, throw things on to the street, whatever. It will attract them to where we want. Even open windows to lure them along the way. Use a fire hose and drag it along the outside wall. Like a fish lure."

The blond adult frowns, "That's going to bring more of them to this area."

The teen leader shrugs, "But to the area were we want and as the officer said just wait long enough for them to disperse. You are set for food and water." Takashi points at the stockpiled supplies along the one wall.

The adults realize that they aren't in control and really have no choice but to go along with the teens plan. So to make to make the plan more effective and to get rid of the dangerous teens the adults agree to help out.

It took a lot more time than Takashi first thought but in the end they managed to lure the vast majority of the Zombies to one side of the building.

Rei and Saeko opened the door to the street and carefully looked around. The street was clear. The teens step out onto the street with Takashi the last to go. At the door way Officer Warushu waits. Takashi takes out the gun belt and pistol and hands them over. Warushu takes the pistol, checks to be sure it is loaded and then points it at Takashi's chest. "Now, I need all of you to hand over those firearms."

The teens are shocked at the turn of events.

"I thought we worked this out?"

The officer shakes his head, "As your friend said you crossed a line before, did you think I would just forget about and we all head off our separate ways?"

Takashi frowns before he answers, "Do you think your people are going buy whatever BS you cook up to explain why you have all of the weapons?"

"It won't be bullshit, I saw a group of walkers take you all down and I collected the weapons. Now you can just leave the weapons and run off or..." Officer Warushu pulls the hammer back on the pistol that finishes with a CLICK.

Rei steps forward slowly, she puts the safety on her rifle and takes her hand off the trigger gripping the stock and with the bayonet gleaming. She hands the rifle toward Warushu and when he reaches for it Rei lunges into rifle and drives the bayonet deep into his chest. The blow drives Warushu back inside the building and the pistol goes off, going wide of Takashi. Rei holds onto the rifle as Warushu goes down, then stabs him again, "Damn you, for making me do this Warushu! This is not who I am!"

Warushu tries to speak but only coughs up big globs of blood and gurgles as he drowns in his own blood.

The teens are shocked silent, only Rei's quiet sobbing making any noise, Takashi reaches out and holds her and she places her face on his shoulder. From inside the hall way is a gasp of shock, the blond steps out into view and looks at the dying Warushu. "What did you do?" The teens say nothing as she drags the body all way back in and closes the door.

In a low voice but tinged with concern Saeko says, "We have to leave now..."

Hirano collects the weapons laying on the ground. Behind the group some of THEM have been drawn to the sound of the confrontation and so the teens leave behind the other group of survivors.

Baka – fool

Onna Bugeisha – Female Warrior

Otaku – geek or nerd or having an obsession with something