~Zombie Irony~

Chapter 2: Something's Not Right

The credits began to scroll up the screen and then the theater was filled with the sound of enthusiastic clapping as the lights brightened. Ayumi was the first to speak, her voice hushed, "That was amazing." Wordlessly, the other girls nodded their heads in agreement, eyes widened. Sure, none of them were real fans of zombies, or zeeks, as the creatures in World War Z were called, and didn't enjoy when people got their faces eaten off, but the previews indeed made it look professional. Oh, and Brad Pitt was in it! There was no way they would miss it if it had Brad in it! There was rustling as Kagome and her three friends began to gather their trash and find where they misplaced their purses. Once they located their bags, all four teenagers simultaneously rose from the cushioned theater seats and made their way out of the room. One of the theater employees held the door open for the girls, holding a broom and a dustpan. He had a deadpan look on his face, and his shirt, which was black and red, was a little too small, showing a little skin of his belly. He waved boredly to the teens as they passed, and then entered the room to begin the process of cleaning up the spilled popcorn or spilled soda. Yay! Seems like so much fun, right?

"So, who's glad we came?" Eri spun around on her heel and began walking backwards. Kagome, Ayumi, and Yuki all gave her a look. Eri blinked, obviously not catching on, "What?"

"How can you ask that?" Yuki threw up her hands, "That movie was amazing! I'm so glad we went to see it! And I'm sure they agree too!" she pointed to the other two walking with them, but Kagome and Ayumi were quietly talking. Frustrated, Eri stopped, and the girls had to stop or they would've collided with her, and caused an embarrassing scene. Kagome looked at her with skeptical eyes as Eri leaned closer. "What are you doing?"

"I was referring to you two, and you just ignore me!" Eri pouted, and then grabbed Kagome's lips, putting a few fingers on the top, and a few fingers on the bottom, so that when she moved them to make it appear Kagome was talking, she said, "Yes, Eri. It was wonderful!" in her best Kagome voice. The real Kagome, however, wasn't fazed. Her eyebrow ticked and she removed Eri's fingers from near her mouth. "Don't do that again." she heard snickering and glared at Yuki and Ayumi, "You guys have something to say?" and the two victims just burst out laughing, the previously angry girl joining them after a few moment's hesitance. Once they had recovered from their fits of laughter, Kagome pointed across the street at their favorite restaurant: WacDonald's. "Let's go get a bite to eat!" and without waiting for her friends, began to run across the street. She heard protests behind her as her classmates rushed to follow.

What she wasn't aware of, however, were the various helicopters flying overhead, and far-off sirens wailing an unfamiliar signal.

The friends sat in their usual booth, the one near the window, and Ayumi took their orders before going to the front of the red and yellow fast-food restaurant to actually order. Kagome leaned against the marble table, putting her chin in her hand as her elbow made contact with the table. "So, did I change your minds about the zombies?" she teased, delighting in the brief look of fear that passed over her friend's faces. Yuki dislodged Eri's death grip on her arm and scoffed. "Of course you did. I can't believe we thought they were real."

"I told you. There's no such thing." Kagome confirmed and glanced out the window. Ayumi returned seconds later with their wrapped burgers and drinks, struggling to hold the load with both arms. Once safely sat down, the girls dispersed into pointless chatter. Kagome unwrapped one of the hot burgers and bit into it, a little bit of grease leaking out the bottom. Geez, it was almost 7:25. Inuyasha was sure going to have a temper tantrum when she returned. He always got ticked off when she returned later than normal. She didn't know why. 'Oh,' she mused, 'I'm the Sacred Jewel Shard detector.' She sighed rather loudly, drawing the attention of her three friends.

"What's the matter Kagome?" Eri probed for answers, and Ayumi added, "Do you miss your two-timing arrogant boyfriend?" Oh God... She remembered everything she said about Inuyasha. Kagome sweatdropped and put on a smile. "No, nothing's wrong." Two-timing.. Err... The arrogant part she didn't really mind a whole lot. He was rather arrogant when it came to her and her time.. But that's not his fault. He's only allowed through the well because.. Wait. Why is he the only one allowed through the well? Could it have something to do with the God Tree's power of having him sealed and then having the scar still remain 500 years later? Hmm that could explain something. Or maybe it's the rosary. She smirked. He hated the rosary. Although -

And all of a sudden there was a rather loud noise. It sounded like the whirring of a fan, but a lot louder. The tables began to shake and the glass windows rattled. Everyone jerked their heads up in alarm. Outside, six helicopters flew in a V position, passing by the fast-food place. Everyone stood stock still, afraid to move. Kagome never saw helicopters in Japan. Why now? She looked to her friends for answers, but their faces were blank, white as a sheet. A few minutes passed... And then a few more. Kagome opened her mouth to speak, blood rushing through her ears and her heart going a mile a minute.

"EVERYONE OUT! NOW GO!" A man from the military burst through the glass door and began shouting at everyone, "Go home and lock the doors! If you can, board up the windows! Now! Go go go!" In a panic, everyone exited the building.

"I'll call you guys!" Ayumi shouted in the fray, and Kagome and the others found themselves nodding, being pushed along the street by impatient and frightened people. Tension blanketed the atmosphere, and from all directions men and women from the army ushered everyone to their houses, shouting commands all the while. Kagome parted with Yuki and Eri farther down the street, and finally pulled a soldier aside. Not by a tap on the shoulder or anything. Literally, pulled him aside by his camouflaged collar, despite his protests. He was a buff black guy (A/N: Racism not intended. I like black people.) who had green and brown camouflage gear on and wore two dog tags. His gun was poised at the ready on his shoulder, but he moved it while he spoke to the girl.

"What's going on?" She ground out through clenched teeth.

"I don't know exactly, miss. Look, it's classified. I'm really not supposed to tell you anything." He paused as an earth-rumbling boom sounded. Some ways off, smoke billowed up into the sky. The soldier's eyes narrowed, "We got a message from China about some type of rabid disease." He forcefully turned her around and pushed her along the street, which was still swamped with people. Cars were honking and dogs were barking. "Go home, miss." He commanded, and then gave her another shove. Kagome, knowing she wouldn't get anything else from the soldier, began to run as fast as she could. What about her family? 'Mama! Sota! Gramps!' Just what the hell was going on?!

500 Years Back In Time

A very annoyed half-demon began to fidget in the wood and straw hut, tapping his fingers restlessly on his red-clad arms. Kagome was late. Not like the fifteen minute late, like, really really late. The sun was going to start going down soon; where the hell was she!?

500 Years In The Past

"Inuyasha, stop it already." Sango pressed her own fingers to her temples, rubbing in small circles. The demon slayer was fed up with the half-demon's antics and if he continued she was going to do something violent to him. And if a certain monk didn't stop his own ministrations along her rear, he was really going to get it. A few seconds passed and the rubbing still did not stop. Irritated, the flustered demon slayer whipped around and met guilty deep violet eyes. Without hesitating a millisecond, Sango drew her arm back and slapped him -Shippo and Kilala both flinched - across the cheek, leaving a large red handprint. Miroku's head swiveled with the contact and he used his cursed hand to rub the back of his head awkwardly, "Oh dear Sango, I am so misunderstood."

"Don't touch me!" The demon slayer sputtered. Honestly, almost everyday he had to go and inappropriately touch her. Sometimes in public too! You may wonder just why the two haven't gotten together. Some say it's because Miroku fears her having to live alone once the Wind Tunnel tears open and sucks him inside. Some say it's because Sango is too stubborn to admit she even likes him. Both are true! Why, we know they have feelings because one time -

"I'm going for a walk." Inuyasha abruptly stood up, staring at the straw hanging door, with everyone staring at him. The fire flickered and in a flash the silver-haired half-demon was gone. 'I'm going for a walk' is another way to say 'Gonna go haul Kagome's butt back.' Knowingly, the group grinned at eachother. He simply couldn't stay away, could he? Although, Kagome had said before that if he keeps on following her, he would be sat. Seems like a stupid reason right? But everytime Inuyasha went, he complained about her uselessness and all groaned simultaneously. What was he going to do this time?

Inuyasha leapt from tree to tree, the feeling in his gut getting worse and worse as he neared the well. Kagome was never late. But she did say something about 'World War Z' or something... So maybe he should just wait. But still! She was the Sacred Jewel Shard Detector. If she hadn't cracked the Jewel and the pieces hadn't scattered, this wouldn't be happening! He stopped his frantic leaps and stood on one of the branches. Well... He can't say he regretted the Jewel being broken. It was rather... Nice? Damn, he's not really the one to get all mushy and soft. Although sometimes, we'll catch him in one of his affectionate moments. And not with Kikyo, with Kagome. He did love Kikyo in his earlier lifetime, but he doesn't know if he still does. She had despised him... And he, her... Before they learned of what Naraku had done. Impersonating them both, striving them to accomplish one goal: Killing the other. And in the end, in a way, it worked. Inuyasha ended up sealed to the God Tree by a Sealing Arrow, and Kikyo had died of wounds inflicted by Naraku, who at the time was disguised as Inuyasha.

If the Jewel never broke, he wouldn't have met all his friends. These friends were people who accepted who he was, and it didn't matter if he was half demon and half human. He was Inuyasha. He resumed his jumps through the trees and landed in the clearing near the well. The grass tickled against his ankles, and the wind sighed softly as he walked to the molding brown structure: The Bone Eater's Well. This is what connected him to Kagome's strange world. He sat down and leaned against a side, resting his sword, Tetsusaiga, against him as he waited.

500 Years Into The Future

Kagome dashed up the steps, her legs a blur under her. Another booming noise sounded and the world shook. She fell onto her knees and scraped them onto the stone edges of the stairs. Ignoring the little bit of blood dripping from her knees, she forced herself upright and continued onwards to the shrine, to her home. She had to know if everyone was safe! Climbing the last few steps, she stopped a few seconds, taking in a few needed gulps of air. She hesitantly turned around. And immediately wished she hadn't.

Tokyo was aflame. Buildings were collapsing, and in the distance the helicopters she and her friends had seen in WacDonald's were firing at something. Smoke rose into the air. Not the typical light gray smoke. This was really dark gray smoke, almost black, but not quite. One of the helicopters spun out of control and crashed into the city. Shrieks of pain, terror, and confusion assaulted her ears. Forcing herself to turn away from the horrible scene, she raced to the sliding doors of her home. "Mama! I'm home!" she shouted as loud as she could. Immediately she was embraced by a pair of arms, which were squeezing the life out of her. Her shoulder became damp, and Kagome realized that her mother was crying. "Mama? What's wrong?" she asked softly, and wrapped her arms around her mother. Mrs. Higurashi pulled back and smiled. "You're okay. I was so worried you turned into one." and new tears filled her eyes.

"Into one? Mama, what are you talking about?" Concern colored Kagome's voice. But before her mother could reply, another smaller pair of arms wrapped themselves around her legs. "Sis! You're okay!" It was Sota. Kagome reached down with one arm and patted his head. "I'm fine." she responded, her voice cracking a little. "Now what is going on?" she demanded. Her mother brushed away tears and took Kagome's hand. "Follow me. I'll show you." and she dragged Kagome to the living room, where the TV showed a long red strip that said 'Warning Message Incoming.' And apparently it was blaring news about the "Zombie Apocalypse".

Just in: More countries and cities are falling victim to this crisis. We don't know what has happened but we recommend that you all stay indoors and please keep calm! The military and the President are analyzing this case. Another thing, sound draws them to you. Please keep quiet and don't let anyone you don't know inside. Board up everything if you can. If there's a market near you, go there and get things. This is not a drill. People are going mad and eating chunks of other people like a buffet. If you are bitten, you will turn. Please be very careful, ladies and gentleman.

Sound?! Oh no! Kagome grabbed the remote and fumbled with the buttons, turning the TV low enough that they could hear if they were in the room. "Mama.. I saw World War Z..." Kagome hiccupped, and tears sprung to her eyes. She was scared. All that talk about zombies was meant to be reassuring, teasing. But now it was live. Now zombies were roaming the country, killing people. Oh, the irony.. And then something hit her. "Mama, where's Gramps?!" She was met with silence. And then she heard it. The pounding of an angry person against a door. "Mama?" Her mother refused to look at her, so Sota decided to spill it. "He turned sis! He got bitten!" No.. Gramps? Bitten? "What's he pounding on?" Kagome asked dangerously quietly. Sota glanced at her with wide eyes. "The glass outside..."

"Glass?!" Oh no. No no no! This is bad! So bad! "Mama, that glass is going to break! We have to - !" the glass shattered. Sota winced and clung to her legs, trembling violently. "Mama, we have to sneak upstairs." the teenage girl whispered desperately. Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. "You and Sota have to escape." she withdrew a kitchen knife from her pocket. "I'll handle my father.." she looked up at them with tear tracks down her cheeks, eyes filled with sorrow and pain. Kagome choked, and reached a hand out to her. "No. Mama.." she fought down her own tears, "we have to stay together."

"Mama, Sis is right! We can't leave you." Sota pleaded with her, but Mrs. Higurashi's mind was made up. The said woman stood up stiffly, not removing her eyes from the direction where the glass was heard breaking. "Go." and then she turned to look at them briefly. "I love you guys." With that said, she took a stance near the doorway. "I'll hold him off, please Kagome, try to get Sota to safety!"

"Mama.. No.. N-No.." Kagome began to sob, her tears not wanting to stop. Sota dug his nails into her leg and gasped. Gramps had entered the room. He was still dressed in his white and brown attire. Although, blood drenched his entire front, and his eyes had a wild look to them. His neck was torn open and bone was visible, the tissue ripped away. His eyes were bloodshot too. Without hesitation, he launched himself at Mrs. Higurashi. She blocked with the knife, and grappled with him to the floor, wrapping her legs around him so he couldn't go after her precious children. She made eye contact with Kagome as her own father tried to kill her, snapping his jaws and clawing at her, ripping apart her cooking apron as blood was dripped onto her face.

"Let's go Sota!" Kagome grabbed her brother's hand, dislodging him from her leg, and pulled him after her. Gramps's grunts and inhumane howls were heard as Mrs. Higurashi fought to fend him off. Kagome led Sota straight to her room, and began throwing things into the bag. Clothes and some spare snacks... And she stopped when a portrait caught her eye. She picked it up and new tears were brought to her eyes. Her father was in this portrait. It was a family photo. They all stood underneath the God Tree on a beautiful summer day. The summer before he died. She stuffed the photo into her bag, realizing time was not on her side. She snagged the Sacred Jewel shards and put them inside too. She dashed to the window and unlocked it, Sota a frozen statue at her side. And then..

There was pounding. Of feet against the stairs. Panicking, she put the bag on the roof first and went out herself. She reached for Sota, and the door burst open at the exact same moment, feral noises heard as the wood splintered. Sota shrieked, and the zombies who were once Mrs. Higurashi and Gramps limped to them. Kagome refused to look at her mother, she would not... She couldn't... This zombie was not her mother. No way! A strangled cry of pain sounded from Sota, and Kagome gasped. Gramps had Sota in a headlock, ready to bite into him. Kagome's eyes widened and she instinctively kicked out at the mutant beings, causing their grip on Sota to loosen. Sota leapt towards her and made it out the window before Kagome closed it again. "Sota! Go down the tree!" she commanded, holding the window shut, praying that it wouldn't shatter. Sota, being the small boy he is, stood dumbfounded a few moments before obeying, gripping the trunk and sliding down, wincing. Kagome leaned over the roof and made sure he was safe before releasing her grip on the window.

Slinging the backpack over her shoulder, she slid down the tree too, and ran towards the well, along with Sota. Once again, the now-familiar sound of glass shattering met her ears, and she ran faster, tears running down her face. Sota was crying too. They made it to the shrine! The zombies were on the ground now, sprawled out before convulsing and leaping up, sniffing for them. Kagome opened the shrine doors rather loudly, and the zombies began to dash for them. No! They can't go to the Feudal Era! She closed the wooden doors again and glanced back. Her family was halfway across the yard, and closing in fast. Praying Sota would be allowed through the well, Kagome grabbed his hand once again, and jumped, not letting go.

The familiar blue light surrounded them and Kagome began to cry more freely. From relief her brother wouldn't be left behind... And from sadness...

To be continued...

A/N: Ah geez.. Another short chappie.. Sowwy.