Chapter 2

We took some time out and rested underneath the bridge, out of the way but still on alert. The zombies were still out there. No where was safe, only safer.

Miss Marikawa suggested that we spend the night at her friends place, an apartment nearby. Part of me wondered why she hadn't mentioned this before, but I guess it wasn't in the plan so it hadn't been necessary information.

We walked there quickly, and on the way I sidled up to Rei.

"Rei? Thank you for earlier… you saved my life… If there's anything you ever need from me, it's yours."

She turned to speak to me, but I'd already moved away, she was unable to refuse me.

Komoro looked at me and smiled warmly. He'd heard what I'd said to Rei, though what he was thinking I couldn't tell. My thoughts were interrupted by Miss Marikawa who pointed to the apartment with a Humvee in the attached parking spot.

Making our way inside, Kohta locked the door behind us all as Takagi discovered the bathroom. She squealed in delight, her squawking causing the other girls to look her way.

It looked like we would all have the chance to get clean tonight then. I would be glad to get out of these clothes, I was all hot and sweaty, not a pleasant thing at all! The boys went upstairs to explore and steam flowed out of the bathroom as Takagi and Rei stripped off just inside the door. Busujima followed them into the room, but Miss Marikawa vanished.

The nurse returned a few moments later with some bottles of something bubbly.

"Let's not let this go to waste!" She grinned, slipping past me into the large bathroom. I followed them reluctantly.

Japanese bathrooms are not something I could ever get used to, being naked in front of people was not something I normally did, so this was going to be hell…

Four bottles of pop and a tub of hot water later I was giggling away with Rei in the bath. We were making fun of Miss Marikawa's assets and everyone seemed to be comparing chest sizes.

The worries of the day of hell were behind us, we had the night to relax and have a little fun for once in this journey.

My head was spinning and I clambered awkwardly out of the bath and wrapped myself in a towel, made my way upstairs followed my Miss Marikawa. We were drunk, very drunk, but at least I had the sense left to pull some underwear and a t-shirt. She flopped naked on the floor making Komoro deal with her in that state.

I curled up in the large bed and stared at the roof for a while, barely able to hear Rei staking her claim on Komoro. Kohta was on the balcony, ever the watchful young man; he did his best to keep us safe.

I got up and pulled on a pair of cargo pants that I'd found in one of the drawers next to the bed, and then stumbled out to see what was holding his attention. Komoro followed me out and we watched as a man tried desperately to protect his daughter and died for her. Komoro's teeth ground together as he watched, and heard the little girl's cries.

I turned to talk to Komoro, but he had vanished.

I heard the front door open and watched the boy race off down the street to save the child.

"Back him up Kohta, I don't care if Busujima said not to. Just do it, then get down to the Humvee as fast as you can."

I ran into the bedroom, and pulled two handguns from the locker the boys had broken into. Two Glocks, 17's if I remembered correctly. I strapped the holsters to my legs, midway down my thighs, and packed my bag once again.

Tonight would not be a night for more death.

I dashed down the spiral stairs and hit the ground running, flinging open the door and dashing to the Humvee. Rei and Busujima were packing up already; I gave them a hand, launching bags and suitcases into the back before climbing in myself.

Takagi sat and glared out of the window, complaining about lack of sleep and such. Hey at least she was clean, that was something to be happy about. The engine roared into life and the doors slammed as everyone got in. We were raced down the road, knocking a good few of the undead out of the way; Komoro was on the edge of a wall, the little girl on his back.

I clambered onto the roof, past Kohta and held my arms open to catch the pair as they leapt onto the roof. Saeko leapt back inside and we set off once more into the dark night.

The moon gave way to the sun, and we learned of Alice's tale, her mother and father, and all of the scary things that had happened in the last two days. Kohta became like a big brother to her, adn looked after her as we continued to go, goodness knows where!

It was before mid-day, of that I was sure when we stopped on the river bank, and the girls and I found out some new clothes to wear, and equipt ourselves with weapons.

I kept the Glocks, but also took a long hunter's knife and stuffed it in my boot.

Damn, we looked good!

The boys went on the look out up the hill, and everything seemed clear, no nothing or nobody.

Could it be over? I wasn't sure, but it brought a sliver of happiness into our bleak lives once more. As long as we had each other, I just knew we could get through anything.

(AN: Yo! I told you I'd update! Chapter 3 is in the works and will be up asap, toodles!)