I'm really sorry it's been over a month since I updated. So much has been going on lately that it's been difficult to focus on my two stories. Thank you so much for the reviews and alerts for this story! It is greatly appreciated. And for those of you that also follow my other fanfic, there will be an update this week.
Enjoy!
Chapter 4: CDC
The following morning, a dreaded feeling was covering the whole camp. I found myself physically and emotionally exhausted as I stretched since I had only slept 2 hours. My arms and clothes were covered in dirt and blood, making my tent smell somewhat unpleasant. I really needed to bathe. I grabbed my pack and I made my way down to the lake, quietly since I didn't want to alert the others. I needed some time to be by myself.
I couldn't help but be curious about the sword as I continued to walk. Part of me was hoping that a walker would just come out so I could see how the sword would act with me.
I knew that a long time ago I had pulled the Tetsusaiga out of its pedestal. Theory was because of me being human. So far Tenseiga hadn't given me any signs of rejection and for that I was grateful. Besides the quiet stone hanging from my neck, this sword was the only thing I had left as a link to my past.
I finally reached the lake and I took off my clothes as fast as I could, just staying in my underwear. As I went in the water, goosebumps appeared all over my skin, the cold water covering my entire body. I scrubbed as much dirt and blood as I could with a rag. The water was freezing and I could feel my teeth chattering. Once I felt clean enough, I got out. I took out a dark green short sleeve and put it over my head. I didn't care if I got it wet, I just needed something to try to help me keep warm. The shirt was long enough that covered my butt, so I slipped out my dirty panties and put some clean ones on. I grabbed a pair of loose fitted jeans and put my boots back on after I slipped some socks on. I grabbed the clothes and just shoved them in my bag. I could always wash them later.
I really wondered what we would find at the CDC. Would the military be there, defending it? Would they be taking in people? I prayed that it was still up and running and that they could help Jim. We had already lost enough people.
The snapping of twigs drifted me from my thoughts and I tensed. Behind me, a walker came into view. It had been a woman with long black hair. Clothes torn and dirty, a fouls stench coming from it. Its movements were jerky and desperate as it tried getting to me.
Here's my opportunity.
I unsheathed Tenseiga and waited for the walker. I first sliced one arm. It fell to the ground and it became ashes right in front of me. My eyes widened in surprise. The walker continued on like it hadn't lost a limb. It then tried getting me with its other arm, but I ducked and kicked it low, making it fall. I wasted no time and I used the Tenseiga to stab it right in its head. There was a low glow from the sword, and the body of the walker was nothing but mere ashes, fading in the slight morning breeze
I stared at the sword on my right hand. Even if my spiritual powers weren't coming back, I could still defend myself with this. I didn't need my spiritual powers to feel the strength of this sowed. It's remarkable. My heart was pumping with excitement as I continued to stare at it. This definitely made my day a bit better compared to all the gore I saw the previous day.
However, with even more reason I had to be careful when I used it.
As I got back to camp I noticed a devil's claw on the floor. I reached and picked it up and put it in my bag. Jim was already bitten and this was no cure, however, it would help ease somewhat of the pain. As I finally got back, I noticed everyone packing up quietly. Daryl was getting the last of his things in his old beat up truck. Lori and Rick were close together, whispering to each other as they put things in another car. From behind them, I could see Shane giving them a look. He was annoyed. Probably because no one was in for the long trip to Fort Benning. Besides, Jim would have a better chance at the CDC.
As I looked at everyone packing and such, I realized that I hadn't figured out who I was going to ride with.
Part of me wanted to go in the RV with Dale and Glenn. They were good people and they had received me with open arms. The only thing was that Jacqui and Jim would be riding there, I wouldn't want to get in the way.
There was the car where Rick was going to be driving but that would be one tight car ride since Carol and Sophia were currently putting their things inside it.
Same with Morales. The car barely fit his family.
T-Dog was riding with Andrea in his van but the back of it was filled with supplies. That only ones left were Shane and… Daryl. I was still surprised that he had followed me after my slight breakdown after the walkers invaded our camp. He hadn't said anything, but just stood there and watched over me. There was also the fact how he'd reacted to when the gang got me.
I rather ride with him than to be in the middle of the camp's love triangle.
I quickly put all of my things away. Once I knew everything was packed, I walked over to the RV to give Jacquie the herb. As I stepped inside, Lori and Rick were checking on him. All of them turned to look at me and I slightly blushed.
"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. I just came here to give this to Jacquie for Jim," I dug in and held out the devil's claw, "Put it in a hot cup until it's made into a tea then give it to him. Should help with somewhat of the pain."
Jacqui gratefully grabbed it, "You're so kind Kagome, thank you."
"How do you know that it will help?" Lori curiously asked. Before I could answer Rick beat me to it.
"She has knowledge of medicinal herbs. That's how we were able to negotiate with those guys we met up in Atlanta."
A little more of small talk was made and I finally stepped out. I looked around and I found the next person that I wanted to talk to.
Daryl.
He was currently making sure that the motorcycle was properly secured on the bed of the truck. I guess I'm loud on my feet because I wasn't even there yet and he had turned around to look at me. Sweat was dripping down his eyebrows and he used a rag to clean them off. Once I knew I was close enough I spoke.
"Hey Daryl,"
He nodded.
"So I was wondering something,"
He raised an eyebrow at me, his blue eyes just waiting for me to continue. Geez. Thanks for making it easy for me buddy.
I stepped closer to him. I didn't want the whole camp listening to our conversations.
"I was wondering if I could ride with you," I whispered knowing he would hear me, "Everyone else is already set with their space. So it's either you or Shane. I don't think I want to be stuck in the middle of their love triangle."
He snorted and rolled his eyes. He looked at me and nodded.
"You can put your stuff on the back and secure them already."
I beamed at him, "Thank you! I promise not to annoy you much."
"Too late for that."
Just when I was about to say something back to his smart ass, Rick and Shane started calling everyone over. They went over the rules and how the caravan was going to be going. Just then, Morales shocked everyone when he declared that him and his family would be going their own way. I couldn't help but feel a bit sad. He was a good man, and cared deeply for his family. As everyone said goodbye to them I gave him a strong hug.
"Keep everyone safe chica," he whispered before he let go.
Rick handed him a gun and bullets. From my right side I noticed Daryl giving them an annoyed look. I almost understood why. We had guns but at the same time we were limited.
Everyone started to get ready to get in their cars when I noticed Shane walking up to me. He had a small grin on his face and was carrying some arrogance in his aura.
And to think I used to like the guy a lot. Not romantically, as a person. Now I wasn't sure.
"Hey Kagome, wanna ride with me?"
I shook my head, "I'm riding with Daryl. But thank you."
His demeanor automatically changed. He stared at me and then behind me, probably at Daryl.
"Are you sure you wanna ride with him? I can keep ya safe."
"Yes I'm sure, he's my friend." I started walking towards the truck.
"Besides he'll watch my back if it comes down to it," I added in.
Once I reached the truck, Daryl was already inside on the driver's seat and he had an amused look on his face.
"What'd ya tell Walsh? He looks fuckin' pissed."
I sighed as I sat on the passenger's side.
"He wasn't happy that I wasn't going to ride with him."
He snorted but didn't say anything else.
I don't know where it went wrong. We had been on the road for a while when the RV broke down. Just when we were figuring out what to do, Jacqui tells us that Jim wasn't going to make it.
It wasn't fair. We were losing another good person. But that's what he wanted. He wanted us to leave him be right there on a tree on the side of the road. I couldn't watch everyone saying goodbye to him, so I lingered far enough. He made eye contact with me and smiled. I smiled back and walked back to the truck.
How many more were we going to lose?
The car ride with Daryl had been quiet. He doesn't say much but I know he was listening to what I was saying by his body language. It made me feel somewhat better that he wasn't the chattering type.
Being with my own thoughts, it made me remember about his reaction to me being kidnapped and what T-Dog and Glenn said about him. As I thought of everyone in the camp, Daryl had a closer relationship with me than anyone else. He would listen, and sometimes even tease me with his eyes or his words. Maybe because I actually take the time to talk to him? Or maybe it had to do with the fact that I wanted to go and get his brother back. I wasn't sure, but I was grateful to see that the quiet Dixon was opening up to me. I knew he was someone that I could trust.
Nightfall was slowing coming down upon us when we reached the CDC. There were military bodies all around combined with civilians. The stench of death was everywhere and I couldn't help but gag. A small tap on my shoulder distracted me. Daryl was handing me a rag for me to cover my nose. I gave him a grateful smile and he nodded at me. I took deep breaths and then I got out of the truck and started walking towards Rick's car, with Daryl right behind me.
Everyone slowly got out to stare at the battlefield in front of us. I tied the rag around my head to cover my mouth and nose and then I raised my bow and arrow, ready to fire it at anything non living. We had the rest of the women and the children in the middle of the line. Rick was at the front guiding us with Glenn not too far behind him. On one side it was me and Daryl, carefully looking around us with Shane directing everyone on the other side.
The smell kept getting worse the more we walked towards the entrance. Flies were everywhere eating the flesh of the corpses.
So many bodies…
When we reached the doors, they were completely sealed shut. Rick and Shane were trying to get them open while me and Daryl had our bows raised, ready to fire.
My blood went cold when some of the bodies were rising and making their way towards us. Panic went through me as more bodies rose.
"Walkers!" Me and Daryl shouted at the same time. Fear and panic went through the group like a wildfire as soon as the word came out of our mouths. Without wasting any more time, me and Daryl fired.
"He led us into a graveyard!" I heard Daryl say from my side. He marched towards Rick but Shane got in between.
"He made a wrong call,"
"Well no shit!"
"Guys stop!" I yelled at them.
Rick started pounding the door when he suddenly yelled.
"The camera moved!"
"It's an automatic!" Shane yelled at him.
"Guys, we have to get out of here!" Glenn exclaimed, fear evident in his voice as he looked at the walkers approaching us.
Just before we made the run towards the cars, the metallic sound of the doors opening reached our ears.
We quickly went inside, with our weapons raised as we carefully looked around. Then, a loud voice was heard.
"Is anybody infected?"
Rick quickly answered, "One of our group was. He's not with us anymore."
The man stepped from the shadows. He was tall, his blonde hair messy, and his eyes were narrowed at us, his wrinkles becoming more pronounced the more he studied us. He was holding a shotgun on his hands and was pointing it at us. He carefully eyed us when he turned to me.
"What do you want? Why are you here?"
"We need a chance sir. A chance for the children. For us."
He analyzed what I said for a couple of seconds, "You will all submit to a blood test."
He then motioned to the doors.
"If there is anything you need from outside, get it now. Once those doors close, they ain't opening again."
All the men, with the exception of T-Dog and Dale, went outside and grabbed our bags from the cars. I gratefully grabbed my bag from Daryl, and we started following Dr. Edwin Jenner. He had introduced himself to us the moment the doors closed.
He led us down a long and dark hallway to an elevator. It was a tight space since it was so many of us and our belongings. As we piled up inside, I was pushed towards the back, my face landing on a hard chest.
My eyes widened when I realized I was being pressed against Daryl.
And I couldn't move.
"I'm sorry," I whispered as an embarrassed blush graced my cheeks.
I heard him grunt but didn't say anything. My head was right under his chin and as I tried looking at him, I could tell he was looking anywhere else but me.
I wondered how much longer we had to be like this. I was clearly making him uncomfortable. As I shifted, I could feel more of his body heat and I couldn't help but blush more, my heart hammering in my chest.
Just when I was going to attempt to push whoever was behind me so I could have some space between me and him, the doors finally opened. Once I didn't feel anyone behind me, I stepped back and I fully looked at Daryl. He looked at me and then quickly away.
I gave him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I couldn't move at all."
He shrugged his shoulders, "It's fine."
We stepped out together to see that we were now in another hallway. The more we walked, the more pressure I was slightly feeling on my chest. Carol finally asked if we were underground and Jenner replied we were.
At least we were far away from the walkers.
He led us into huge control room. Computers were all over the place but I couldn't help but wonder why there was no one else.
"I'm the only one left," Jenner replied.
I guess Rick asked since I was thinking and not paying attention.
The drawing of blood wasn't painful. Maybe a bit uncomfortable but not painful. All of us stared as Andrea was the last one to get tested (which I still couldn't understand why, we weren't bitten). When she got up, she stumbled and Jacqui quickly caught her.
"We haven't eaten for a while," the woman informed Jenner.
His eyes widened, "Why didn't you say so before?"
He then guided us into another area of the CDC. My eyes widened and I could hear my stomach growling loudly. I'm pretty sure everyone else heard it.
Right in front of us was the cafeteria.
He led some of the women to show them what the cafeteria still had. Lori, Jacqui, and Carol quickly got to work while me and the kids were pushing tables together so we could all eat together.
As we were setting down the plates when the rest came in, Sophia called my name.
"Kagome, can you tell us the fairy tale that you promised us?"
My eyes widened a bit, "You want to hear that now?"
Lori's voice from behind me made me jump, "A story? I want to hear it as well. Maybe forgetting about the current world will help our mood."
"And I found the wine!" Jacqui happily exclaimed from behind Lori.
"I don't think anyone wants to listen to it now…" I murmured as I stared at my hands.
"Listen to what?" Rick curiously asked as he sat down as Lori served him some of the wine.
"Kagome promised me and Sophia she would tell us a fairy tale, but I told her that was for girls," Carl said, expecting for the men to agree as they all sat down.
"Now now Carl," Dale started, "Fairy tales are not only for girls. I'm sure everyone wants to hear it."
As I looked around, everyone was nodding their heads in agreement. Even Daryl looked curious as he sat on the counter across from me.
I sat down and looked at them again, "It's a bit long."
"Honey, time is what we have now." Lori said encouragingly.
I took a deep breath. Here we go.
"Well, the story starts hundreds of years ago. In Feudal Japan, demons existed," there was an excited gasp from Carl as I continued, "They were feared by every human all over Japan. The higher ranking demons were able to have a human form, while the lesser ones stayed in their true form, all ugly and disgusting looking. Villages were constantly terrorized by them. However, there were holy beings, priests and priestesses, that sometimes were called to a village to exorcise a demon that was causing trouble. There was one priestess that was very powerful and kind," I took a deep breath, "Her name was Kikyo. She was beautiful, but besides the fact that she was powerful, she was the guardian of the Shikon No Tama, also known as the Jewel of Four Souls."
"What was so special about it that she had to guard it?" Glenn asked.
"You see, the Shikon No Tama is able to grant great power and one wish to whoever held it. If a demon were to grab a hold of it, the jewel would become corrupt. The demon would then become so powerful and cause chaos all over. Many wanted it to destroy the human race. If a wish was made on the jewel that was pure, it would disappear forever. But there was one demon that wanted that jewel to change himself."
"Why would he change himself?" Sophia asked.
I turned to softly smile at her, "He was no ordinary demon. He was half. Half human, half demon. His parents fell in love and went against all odds. The night he was born, his father died fighting to protect him and his mom. He was one of the most feared demons in the land and ruled the West, but he held a compassionate heart for humans. However, the young boy grew into a cruel world. Neither village, human or demonic, wanted him. He was only able to live in a human village for a few years because of his mother, but then she passed away. After her passing, the villagers kicked him out and after, he was on his own. He traveled and every village he encountered, they would outcast him, some even injured him. Just because he was different."
Lori let out a small gasp, "That's so horrible, to do that to a child."
I nodded in agreement, "Years passed and he would keep to himself until he heard about the Shikon No Tama. He went to search for it since he wanted to get rid of the human part of him and become a powerful demon. After many encounters with Kikyo, he started noticing that she never finished him off. He had asked her and her reply was 'We are both lonely, and different.' Eventually her and the half-demon fell in love. However, as long as the jewel existed, she would never have a normal life."
I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. It has been so long…
"She then told him that the only way they could be really together was if a pure wish was made on the Jewel. If a pure wish was made, the jewel would no longer hold any power. She convinced him to use it to change into a full human, then they would both be normal and live a normal life."
"If she loved him, why did she want him to change who he was?" Andrea asked.
I smiled at her, That's exactly what I said.
"Because he loved her. The date was then set. However their happiness didn't last long. Kikyo had been helping a badly burned bandit during the time that her and the half-demon met. The bandit started having feelings for her and wished for her to be his. He heard about the half-demon and about the jewel. He then sold his soul to multiple demons in order to get the jewel to himself. The day that her and her beloved were going to meet, the bandit (with his new power) transformed himself into the half-demon and seriously injured Kikyo. He then transformed himself as her and started attacking the half-demon. They were both led to believe that the other betrayed the other and vice versa. The real and injured Kikyo went after the real half-demon, who had attacked her village in order to get the jewel from the sacred shrine she kept it in. She pinned him to a tree with an arrow, casting a spell on him. Not later, she died from her injuries, but asked her younger sister to burn the jewel with her body."
Everyone was extremely quiet when I got to that part. They patiently waited for me to continue.
"Now this is where it gets confusing. So try to keep up. 500 years into the future, a young schoolgirl was leaving her home to go to school. She was excited and happy because she was finally fifteen. As she passed the well house of the shrine that her family owned, she found her brother calling their cat Buyo. Apparently the fat cat," I heard someone giggle, "Had walked down the steps of the well house and her little brother refused to go down there because he was scared."
"See Carl! Not all boys are brave!" Sophia pointed an accusatory finger at him. He stuck his tongue out to her and everyone laughed.
"The girl went down to retrieve the cat, when the well opened. She felt some arms wrapped around her and pulled her into the well. The girl screamed as she tried getting away. The arms belong to a Mistress Centipede. The demon glowered at her and demanded the jewel. The girl was confused and with one fierce cry, she pushed the arm of the demon away. There was a glow from her hand and the demon's arm came off, letting her go. She landed harshly on the bottom of the well and started calling out her brother but she got no reply. She got out, only to find herself surrounded by green grass and trees. She was no longer in the Japan she knew. Lost and confused, she spotted the sacred tree that was on her shrine and made her way over. There, she found the body of a young man, clad in red, pinned to the tree with a single arrow."
Rick's eyes widened, "The half-demon!"
I stifled a giggle at his excitement and continued.
"Yes. She curiously went up to him and rubbed his ears-"
"Why would she do that?" Daryl surprisingly asked.
"Ah well you see, the half demon was a dog demon. In his head, he had two dog ears instead of regular human ones, so that made the girl curious. Not long after she rubbed them, she was taken prisoner to the nearest village. An old priestess approached her from the murmuring crowd. They called the girl a demon but once they figured out she wasn't, more confusion was brought to the village as they stared at her. The old priestesses took her to her home and asked her where she had come from. The girl knew it was risky to say she was from the future so she said she was from a far away village. They were interrupted by chaos from outside. The same centipede demon was killing anyone, yelling for the sacred jewel. The girl realized it was looking for her, so she took off running towards the direction of where she had found the half-demon. When she reached the clearing, the half-demon was awake but could not move because of the arrow. He mistook the girl from being Kikyo until he realized it wasn't her. The centipede came and attacked the girl, throwing her up in the air and biting her left side. From within the girl, the Shikon no Tama came out. The boy growled at the girl to remove the arrow, but by this point the old priestess had reached them and begged her not to. The centipede demon used her long body to wrap itself around them to crush the girl and the half-demon when finally, the girl reached up and removed the arrow. The half-demon was finally free and it killed the centipede demon after it had swallowed the jewel. The girl grabbed the jewel from the disgusting remains and purified it, shocking the village's priestess. But then the half-demon attacked her to get it. Thanks to the old priestess, a necklace was placed on the half-demon's neck to subdue him with a word."
Everyone was at the edge of their seats when I heard Daryl speak.
"What was the word?"
I grinned. "Sit. Ironically because he was a dog demon. He then stopped trying to attack her since he knew he couldn't do anything as long as he had the necklace around him since he couldn't take it off. The priestess revealed to them that the girl was Kikyo's Reincarnation. That explained the girl's spiritual powers. When the girl had come out of the well, it had been fifty years after the passing of Kikyo. The half-demon was shocked to know she had died but then brushed it off. Now that the half-demon wasn't trying to kill her, she got to know him more. He was hot headed, strong, and was in occasions insecure. The girl stayed for a few days when eventually, word got out that the jewel was back. A crow demon got to the jewel. It swallowed the jewel and started transforming into a bigger and terrifying demon, making its body merge back together if it were to get injured. The crow demon attacked the village and took off with a child. The girl had tried using arrows since Kikyo had been a master at archery but it did not work. The half demon sliced the crow's foot, making the child fall into the river. Back then, people didn't know how to swim. So the girl jumped into the water and swam towards the child, saving him. The crow was too far up in the sky that the half-demon could not get it. The girl noticed the crow's claw on the back of the child she rescued. She tied it to an arrow and aimed it at the demon. The arrow would hit straight on because of the power of the jewel helping the demon to regenerate, and it did. However, when the arrow struck the demon, it also struck the jewel with her spiritual powers, making it shatter and scatter all over Japan. The half-demon and herself had to work together in order to get all the pieces back, specially because she was capable of sensing the shards. Even a single shard could still give someone with a dark heart immense power. By accident, she found out that she was able to go back to her time through the well. However, the half demon was able took through as well. And so their adventure started. She had to manage her duty in restoring the jewel and going back home and study for the days she would miss. Her grandpa took the liberty to come up with the weirdest diseases to explain her absence in school In the road, she found out that he had an older half brother that despised him. He was a full dog demon that was looking for one of their father's sword that was capable of defeating a hundred demons in one strike. He had been left with a sword that was able to bring back to life someone that had died but wouldn't kill anything living and he despised it. The full blooded demon used another demon to transform into his half brother's mother. The hidden entrance to the grave of their father had been placed in a black pearl, which was located in the half demon's eye. . The older brother then opened the portal and went through. However the half demon and the human girl weren't gonna let that happen. The two brothers fought on their father's grave ready to kill one another. Neither of them was able to remove the sword from the pedestal and that added to their fury."
"Reminds me of the movie Sword in the Stone," Sophia said.
I giggled, "You can say that. Anyways, eventually the older brother had the upper hand and was about to throw his last attack when the girl screamed and got a hold of the sword, successfully pulling it from its pedestal.."
"How was she able to get it if neither of them could and she's human?"
"The older brother couldn't because he's full demon. Their father had created that sword to protect all life forms, humans included. The youngest had yet to learn that. Theory is she was of a pure heart and human, making her worthy enough to pull it.. Anyways, she handed the sword to her companion but the sword wasn't doing anything to his brother. The full demon then transformed into his true form. He was huge! Blood red eyes, long white fur, and humongous fangs. He snarled at his younger brother and attacked. Inuyasha then told the girl to get out of his way so he could protect her and that's what triggered the sword to transform into a beautiful and huge fang. He then attacked his brother and cut off his arm."
"Woah!" I heard the children exclaimed.
"So that's the half-demon's name? Inuyasha?" Rick asked.
I felt my heart drop to my stomach and my eyes widened. I felt my body tremble and I clenched my fist from under the table. Dammit. The whole time I had tried so hard to not reveal any more names besides Kikyo! It was a painful memory, specially his. I looked at Rick and cautiously nodded.
"Does the story continue?" Carl anxiously asked.
"Yes it does," but before I continued, Carol announced that dinner was finally ready. I felt like getting up and giving the woman a kiss!
"Another time Carl," Lori softly said, "Let's eat dinner and relax."
The whole time that we ate, my heart was still painfully hammering in my chest. My nerves were all over the place, and I kept holding back the tears. I couldn't properly eat and enjoy the meal. There was a reason why I never spoke of my past. There was a reason why I never said his name. But I had promised the kids a story... I just became so distracted as the memories went through my head that it slipped.
My thoughts shifted a bit as Carl tasted the wine and was utterly disgusted by it. I smirked at his face but I couldn't bring myself to laugh. I then heard Daryl teasing Glenn, but I wasn't paying attention anymore. I got up and as I was walking out I accidentally bumped into Jenner.
"I'm sorry," I apologized quickly, "Where's the bathroom?"
He slightly furrowed his eyebrows, "Keep going straight then make a left. Second door to your right."
"Thank you."
Once I made the left and I knew no one was behind me, I took off and rapidly closed the bathroom door. I let the water fall from the sink and splashed it on my face as desperate tears fell down my face. A choking sob escaped my lips and I tightly shut my eyes. The sorrow and pain were immense. Memories were playing over and over my head. I couldn't stop the voices either.
Kagome!
Kagome, you're back!
Did you bring any ninja food?
Pain…
Inuyasha… Can I stay by your side?
"Why does it hurt so much after so long?" I harshly whispered to myself in the mirror.
I stared at my reflection and now I could really see how much I've changed. Cheekbones were more defined, my lips fuller. My hair was so unkempt but at this point I really didn't care much for it. But the main thing that surprised me were my own eyes. The grey was much colder than the last time I had really look at them.
Is that what 10 years of sorrow does to someone?
A knock on the door distracted me. How long had I been in the bathroom?
"Kagome?" Rick's voice was heard from the other side, "You ok?"
I splashed more water to my face and placed the most fake smile I could muster as I opened the door.
"Hey Rick! What's up?" My voice a bit too chirpy.
He gave me a concerned look before continuing, "Jenner is showing us where we can sleep. I came to look for you. Are you ok?"
I nodded, "Yeah, I guess it's just the thing with being underground. Makes me feel a bit claustrophobic. Let's go, I'm ok."
Such a pitiful lie.
He didn't ask anything else and just led the way.
Jenner went on about the slight rules since we were staying. Couches and cots were available as we pleased. Plenty of rooms were available, there was a library, and showers. At the mention of the facility still having hot water, it rose the spirits of everyone.
Apparently Shane had been a buzzkill after I had left and the mood had dropped with everyone until now.
The idea of finally having a proper shower made me smile, a true smile.
I waited my turn since there were only two showers that had hot water available. Once it was finally my turn, I was in the process of removing my shirt when the sound of the door opening froze my acts.
"Fuck"
Right behind me was Daryl Dixon.
There's chapter 4! I hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know what you thought. I'm going to try to update soon again. Just these past couple of weeks have been stressful but unfortunately it's going to get worse. Thank you for the support for this story! And if this feels slow, please understand that I do not want to rush anything, specially the relationship between Daryl and Kagome. There will be scenes here and there but nothing too intense (yet... that does not mean I will write a lemon though. I'm still debating about that.) So just be patient and enjoy!