A/N: Here it is! Chapter 4! Okay, this chapter took a LOT of time for me to write and I really, truly need your opinions on this one! Whether you liked it, hated it, anything, PLEASE TELL ME and I'll do my best to change it and make it better! So that's it from me, read away! Don't forget to review! PLEASE! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Sasameki Koto. (if I did, Sumika would be a secret agent and Ushio would be a ninja assasin... or maybe not.)
The night was a brilliant shade of black with endless blue streaks breaking the solid pattern. The moon drifted high in the sky, illuminating the destroyed town in its eerie white light. It casted shadows on the zombies decaying faces as they scoured the streets in search for fresh victims.
South of the centre of the town, on a hilll that stood out from everything else, was a house where tiny hints of orange candlelight escaped the heavily barricaded windows and doors. No zombies came near this area. There simply was nothing there an undead could or would eat. Or so their infected brains assumed.
"Oww! Can't you be any gentler?" Shadow squirmed underneath Blitz's grip.
"Sorry ya motherfucker! But the fact that ya fucking beat up a girl like that for the SECOND TIME? Juz dun sit well wit me!" Ray cursed.
"Ray, it's really okay! I needed to vent my anger somehow... Plus, he was holding back while I didn't. At all... So it's kinda my fault... Sorry." Sumika apologised. Her bruises were being treated by Kazama who seemed 100% focused on Sumika's wounds though her mind was elsewhere.
'The last time I saw her cry was... I don't even remember ever seeing Sumi-chan cry...Now I'm worried about Onii-chan. I hope he's okay. The apartment building wasn't damaged at all so he's most probably okay. But... how do I be there for you, Sumi-chan? She's probably already locked up all her emotions again. Putting on that fake smile so that no one will worry about her... Why won't you let me in?'
"Because she loves you." a voice inside her head said. Kazama was about to ignore it like she usually does but she was confused by it.
'What do you mean? Sumi-chan won't let me in because she loves me? That doesn't make any sense!' Kazama was met with silence. 'Is that the only phrase you can say? 'Because she loves you.'? Oh my god, I'm talking to myself...' Kazama giggled at that last thought.
"What's so funny?" Sumika asked when she noticed that Kazama was chuckling softly beside her.
"Oh, it's nothing." Recalling what the voice in her head said, she asked out loud, "Say, Sumi-chan... Do you love me?"
The whole room fell silent.
Sumika was shocked - her jaw was locked in position and her eyes wide behind her thick lenses. A million thoughts raced through her mind within the next milisecond.
'Why the sudden question? What on earth was she laughing about earlier? Does it have something to do with her question? What kind of love does she mean? Love love or just love? As in like love? Not the real love love? What the hell am I doing? Say something!'
All eyes were on Sumika who had suddenly grew rigid. Sensing the atmosphere, Shadow tried to break it by yelping loudly as if in pain. That worked effectively as everyone was distracted by the sudden noise.
"Ahh, you know what Ray? I'll tend to my own injuries! Blitz. Carry that kit! Ray. Get me some food! Kakashi. Carry me upstairs!" the 4 men hurriedly excused themselves, instantly realising their comrade's intention.
Unaffected by all the commotion, Kazama turned back to Sumika with a serious look, "So Sumi-chan? Do you love me?"
"O-o-of course!" Sumika managed, nervously scratching the back of her head with her free hand. Tomoe was observing the 2 carefully. Trying to figure out Kazama's abrupt question's intentions while secretly hoping that Sumika will accidentally say something wrong.
'A slip of word right now would be nice, Murasame-kun' Tomoe smirked, crossing her arms in anticipation of Kazama's reaction.
"I see. What kind of love, Sumi-chan?"
"Er, you know! The kind..." 'where you fall madly in love with someone and can't stop thinking about them regardless of what you're doing or where you are.' Sumika wanted to say but instead, she continued with a little hesitation, "2 best childhood friends share?"
A little disappointed Kazama decided to stop her weird questions.
'Of course. Sumi-chan loves me because I'm her best friend! So that's what the voice in my head meant. Gosh, what other kind of love could there be ... Oh no. Was the voice referring to... No, no! What am I even thinking about right now? Sumi-chan and I! No way, she's the polar opposite to cute! Or...'
Kazama's heart begun to race. Lifting her gaze, she looked at Sumika who was now talking to an unusually irritated Tomoe. She felt her heart skip a beat every time Sumika's lips curved upwards into her trademark apologetic smile, kind eyes shimmering in the dim orange glow.
Her eyes widened as she made sense of everything she had been feeling recently. The tightness in her chest when Sumika was protecting Aoi and speaking to her so intimately at the store and petrol station respectively. The ache in her heart when Shadow had called her by her first name. All the silly things fell into place and Kazama's smile faded.
'But... it couldn't be.' Kazama whispered mentally.
Images of Sumika's bloodied face above hers when her best friend had used her body to protect Kazama from the explosion flashed across her mind. She was reminded of how her heart had raced and her cheeks had flushed when she was treating Sumika's wounds back at the Murasame house.
How lonely she felt when she wasn't in the same car as Sumika. The feeling of dread and concern as she watched Sumika cry and then fight Shadow, unable to do anything to help.
'No.. it couldn't be... Why Sumi-chan? Why now? Since when have I...?'
"HAAAAA!" Everyone turned to see Tomoe marching around, one fist planted on her hip while the other massaged the bridge of her nose, "I can't take this anymo-"
"Ding dong~" all heads snapped to stare at the front door in confusion and fear.
"Was that..." Aoi muttered, uncertain.
"No doubt about it." Sumika breathed.
"Someone... or something's outside." Tomoe finished.
The girls leaped up to retrieve their guns as they cautiously made their way to the front door. The men upstairs had rushed down upon hearing the doorbell.
"Everyone stay low and keep quiet. Do not fret, it is most probably a survivor. No walking undead creature can ring a doorbell. We'll handle this." Kakashi commanded as the doorbell sounded again.
"F man. This is exciting!" Ray cheered under his breath.
"Blow out those candles. I'm going to take a peek outside." Blitz said, slowly moving towards the windows that had been covered by layers and layers of blankets. Using two fingers, he gently moved the cloth to the side and peeked outside, "It's too dark but I can roughly make out 2 people outside. One's carrying the other who seems to be unconscious. Let them in."
At his order, Shadow and Kakashi unbolted the front door after motioning the girls to stay back, "We don't know if they've been bitten or not so just stay behind." Shadow said before making his way out with Ray and Blitz following as back-up.
The girls could faintly hear the conversation between the survivors and soldiers outside. They seemed to be having an argument before Kakashi's gruff voice silenced them all.
A minute later, the sound of a lock and chains being moved around reached the girls ears.
When Kakashi came back in, he looked troubled.
Once everyone had entered the house with the front doors locked behind them, Kakashi relit the candles and the dim orange glow illuminated the faces of the two new occupants of the room.
Tomoe's eyes narrowed as she took in their new comrades. The one who was unconscious now laid on the floor. She was covered in blood. Her clothes were tattered and torn revealing several claw marks and...
'Bite marks.' Tomoe realised with horror, 'Which will explain the morbid looks on the guy's faces.'
Looking over to where the men were gathered, she felt pity for the girl's friend, 'I hope you guys'll be able to figure out the best way to break such news to her...'
Raising her eyes to the kneeling girl beside the body, Tomoe saw that she was glaring at the ground as she fought against her tears.
'A strong spirit eh?' Tomoe frowned sadly.
Taking a moment to observe her, Tomoe noticed that she was a mess herself, her white shirt was stained red, she had a long black cloth tied around her right arm. Probably a makeshift bandage. Her light brown hair was short, spiky and scruffy. Her baggy dirty, white pants strangely resembled a Karate uniform. Tomoe opened her mouth to somehow break the silence but she stopped when Sumika spoke first.
"Yabase-san?" Sumika exhaled, unable to believe that out of everyone in their entire city, her rival and friend knelt on the ground before her. Hearing her name, Yabase looked up to see a familiar face after the past few days of pure horror.
"Sumi...ka?"
"It really is you!"
"Heh, I'm insulted Sumika. A bit of blood s'all it takes for ya to not recognize me?" Yabase gave them a shaky smirk.
"You know her, Sumi-chan?" Kazama asked. 'Sumi-chan's never mentioned her before...'
"Yeah, Yabase-san and I practise Karate together every once in a while." Sumika's smile turned into a frown as she easily saw past her friends tough exterior.
'I knew that was a Karate uniform!' Tomoe thought.
"Hey Sumika, whaddaya standin aroun'fo? Introduce us!" Yabase exclaimed, shoving all her worries and sorrow behind her large grin.
"Ah, right. Yabase Takemi is a friend and also a rival. She's 19 this year making her 3 years older than us and 1 year older than Hachi. Yabase-san, these are my friends, we attend the same high school. Kazama Ushio, Hachisuka Tomoe, Taema Miyako and Azusa Aoi."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Yabase stood and they bowed to each other.
"Sorry to cut short your friendly introductions but I would like to have a word with Yabase-san. If you would please join me in the kitchen, Yabase-san." Kakashi ordered.
The other 3 men stayed behind as the two made their way to the kitchen at the back. Silence echoed through the empty house.
"Poor lad. Her whole Karate team had been in town to take part in an annual competition between her school's team and some other school team." Blitz explained.
"Everyone else in her team's dead. She's the only one left who's still human. Apparently she had spotted our car and tried to follow us while carrying her friend around." Shadow said tilting his head to the girl who laid motionless on the floor.
"She's lucky no zombie was attracted to her. Probably 'cause of her friend's odour." Blitz nodded to himself.
"Wait what? Odour?" Sumika repeated.
"Didn't we mention before?"
"Yeah, how an infected human gives off a certain smell that only those zombies can detect? So that they know who to kill and who to leave alone!"
"You said they had a horrible sense of smell!" Miyako argued as the others nodded firmly in agreement.
"I guess we really didn't say so eh?"
"NO!" the girls yelled together while the soldiers laughed nervously. "Geez, you guys are usel-"
"NO FUCKING WAY!" A voice shouted from the kitchen before Yabase ran out to stand protectively in front of her fallen comrade. Eyes fierce and deadly. "You're lying. Yer just want her outta the way so that she dun slow you selfish soldiers down!" Yabase spat in a voice full of malice.
"We can understand how difficult this is for you however it has to be done." Kakashi said in a tired voice.
The other occupants in the room were at a lost for words. There was, after all, no easy way to tell someone you needed to kill their friend for the sake of all their wellbeings.
"It is only a matter of hours before she wakes up with the urge to kill and devour human flesh." Kakashi explained, eyes full of pity for the furious girl.
"No. I ain't gonna let you touch her!" Yabase persisted, her tears threatening to overflow.
Sumika slowly made her way towards her friend. Her footsteps echoed loudly in the quiet house. She towered over Yabase with her back to the others. Placing a hand on both her shoulders Sumika hunched over so she could look directly into Yabase's eyes.
"Yabase-san, they're telling the truth. Your friend... she's gone. I don't know what kind of person your friend was though I'm sure that if she were here, she would tell you to end her life completely right now. No one in their right mind would want to turn into those monsters and start attacking fellow friends and family.
"I understand that she was your driving force to keep you going. That's why you carried her up this hill in the first place. Take a look around now, Yabase-san." Stepping back, Sumika waved one hand around the room, "You're among friends and allies. You're no longer alone. Let Kakashi-san do what needs to be done. After that, we'll give her a proper burial. How's that sound?"
Yabase turned to stare at her friends unmoving body. 'Sumika's right. I... I need to let go.'
Yabase huffed then knelt down on one knee. With her other hand, she gently caressed her fallen friends bloodied face and whispered her apology before standing straight up, "Do it somewhere I won't see or hear." she stated before walking out of the room.
Sumika released a long sigh as the soldiers began moving around.
"Thank you." Kakashi nodded.
"How're you going to do it? Outside?" Sumika asked instead, massaging the bridge of her nose.
"Yes. Shadow, how is it out there?"
"All clear. We'll move the body outside now." Shadow said.
"You girls go get cleaned up. Fortunately, the house has water thanks to the massive water tank outside. We'll take care of things around here."
"Finally. I really need a shower." Miyako states as they started going up the stairs.
"Mmhm. A shower sure sounds nice." Kazama murmured, stretching her arms over her head. Before she disappered upstairs she turned back and asked, "You coming, Tomoe-chan, Sumi-chan?"
Flashing her a grin, Tomoe called "We'll be with you girls in a second. Go on ahead without us."
Once they were gone, she turned to see Sumika emptying her bag before stuffing some food, water and the first-aid kit into it.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tomoe asked.
Sumika looked up, "Ah, you should go ahead and freshen up upstairs. I think I'm gonna keep Yabase-san company for a while."
Swiveling on her heel to head for the kitchen, she was yanked by the hood of her jacket by Tomoe. "Gah!" she yelped before landing painfully on her bum, "What was that for?"
Lowering herself to one knee, Tomoe repeated, "I'll ask you again, Murasame-kun. What do you think you're doing?"
Making sure no one else could hear their conversation, Sumika replied in a soft voice, "If you're referring to what I said earlier then nothing. Kazama doesn't think about me like that. She doesn't so much as even look at me like that. So why should I get my hopes up only to have my heart broken... again."
"Then where are you going? Kazama-kun is that way, not this way."
"I'm going to keep an injured friend company, I think we can both agree she's been through a lot."
"That goes for all of us." Tomoe muttered before standing up to walk up the stairs.
Sumika stood and straightened her clothes. Grabbing her bag, she headed out the back door to the garden where Yabase now sat with her arms resting on her knees on the grass under the vast, open sky.
Approaching her slowly, Sumika dropped the bag next to Yabase to announce her arrival as she peeled off her jacket and drapped it over her friends shoulders. Yabase kept quiet as Sumika sat down on the overgrown grass beside her.
Both took a minute to stare at the beautiful, glittering starry night sky. A sight both girls rarely saw because of all the artificial city lights. But when their town was overrun by zombies and had no electricity, the divine wonder of nature emerged as if to urge them forward; to show them that when something ends, something wonderful is always close by.
Lowering her gaze, Sumika observed Yabase from head to toe.
"Did you use your black belt as a bandage?" Sumika felt herself smile.
"Heh, yeah. If my sensei were ta find out, I'd be skewered in a flash!"
The two shared a laugh before a comfortable silence settled between them.
"Oh, how could I forget?" Sumika gasped before rummaging in her bag and pulling out a bottle of water and an energy bar. "Here. You must be famished."
Taking the bottle of water first, Yabase gulped it all down in a matter of minutes. "Thanks. I needed that." Yabase said as she took the energy bar and slowly bit into it. Savouring the taste of real food for the first time in days.
"Can I treat your injuries?" Taking out the first aid kit, Sumika offered.
"Sure. Though I think I should shower first to wash the dried blood off."
"True. I'll tend to them later then. Can I remove your 'bandage' though?" Sumika said, using her fingers to make quotation marks in the air.
"Yes please. It's starting to get yucky." Offering her right arm to Sumika, she continued eating as Sumika carefully unravelled the belt wrapped tightly around her friend's entire arm.
"What happened?" Sumika asked once the belt was off. Her eyes scanned over the deep gashes that ran down the length of Yabase's arm. It was at least 30 - 40 centimetres long, starting from her shoulder downwards.
"It's quite a funny story, if you ignore the results of it. Okay," Shifting her sitting position so that she faced Sumika, she started telling her story, "Here goes. It happened yesterday. We were camping at an abandoned house at night, quietly discussing things and tending to each others injuries when somehow, those creatures found us and were trying to get in. We had to escape right?
"So we ran out the back door but those monsters got in and were following us. We were starting to gain some distance between us and them until we ran straight into another mob of them. We fought, obviously. And they managed to kill almost every single one of us. But that's that. So this one zombie came at me with its glowing red eyes right?"
Sumika nodded, smiling slightly at how animatedly Yabase was telling her story, "So in return, I deliver a high kick aimed straight at his head and then pop! Its head fell off!"
"What?" Sumika laughed. Trying to imagine that happening.
"Yeah!" Yabase was on her knees now, lost in her excitement. "I had to hide the urge to laugh but then while I was distracted, it used its nails and clung onto my arm right here. I panicked and yanked my arm away. Oh lord, the pain was vicious after that. And then the others were calling me to retreat and so I did.
"We ran but when I looked back, I saw that headless thing walk straight into a pole before crashing into another monster behind it! I swear, it was like something out of a comedy TV-show! Best part was, headless clutched onto the one it bumped into and refused to let go!" Yabase re-enacted that bit out by grasping Sumika's arm and started shaking.
"They were like struggling and pushing and pulling and clawing at each other until headless was shoved into the ground!" With that, Yabase pushed Sumika and they landed on the grass cackling with Yabase on top of Sumika. They stayed like that for a while even after their laughter had died down.
"I'm surprised you didn't run into a pole yourself, Yabase-san."
"Well, " Yabase hesitated, "I wouldn't say pole..."
Sumika turned her head to look at Yabase who had her head hidden at the crook of Sumika's neck. "Are you serious?" And the two started snickering again.
"Say, Sumika. Yer got another one of those bars?" Yabase whispered. Through their close contact, Sumika could feel Yabase's stomach growl quietly.
Chuckling lightly, Sumika said, "As a matter of fact, I do. Come on, get off me so I can get it." Pushing herself off Sumika, Yabase waited patiently as Sumika produced yet another bar from her bag and tossed it to her.
"Ya know, you girls sure are lucky to have those soldiers with yer." Yabase said, her invincible, defensive walls rose behind her eyes once again. "Have ya been travelling together all this time?"
Lying down next to Yabase who rested her left hand behind her while she ate, Sumika nodded. Her head was resting on the palms of her hands.
"Have ya lost any team members?"
"Fortunately, we haven't."
"I see." finishing her granola bar, Yabase turned to tower over Sumika with a serious look, "Yer weren't wit yo family?"
Sumika's face fell instantly, "No. My dad and brothers were competing at the Gyofukan dojo. I found out earlier today that the dojo was ...destroyed in one of the explosions two days ago."
Yabase nodded solemnly then asked, "And that live in housekeeper of yours?"
"I don't know. Noe-san was out buying groceries when it happened." Raw emotion was beginning to built up inside Sumika and she started taking deep measured breaths.
"Do yer think..."
"I don't know, Yabase-san. All I can do is hope right?"
"Indeed." Lying down on her back, Yabase was reminded that she wasn't the only one suffering, "I'm lucky in the sense that I know my family's safe an' sound back in Osaka. If this hadn't spread that far..."
"You don't have to worry, the government has locked this town down completely. The virus won't spread anywhere else. Your family is safe." Sumika confirmed.
"That's a relief. It's just me but I got the feeling that yer old man wouldn't go down so easily. And your 3 idiot brothers are really fast runners, especially when it comes to escaping a challenger! Noe-san's gotta be one tough cookie if she managed to take care of you Murasame's for so long, dontcha think?"
Regardless of how silly Yabase sounded, Sumika couldn't help but feel like there was some truth behind her words. Feeling much better, Sumika smiled gratefully, enjoying the surge of hope growing inside her, "Yeah. You're probably right."
"Whaddaya mean probably? I'm always right! Let's go back inside'kay? I don't know about'chyou, but I'm freezing out here!"
"Lead the way."
Packing up their things, the duo unhurriedly made their way inside.
Just before they entered through the back door, Yabase whispered, "Thanks Sumika. For being here with me right now." and then she beamed genuinely.
Unbeknown to either of them, Kazama and Tomoe had been watching them the entire time from the bedroom upstairs.
'Murasame Sumika. How can you ditch Kazama-kun for that Karate meathead? Or are you just distracting yourself by hanging out with that girl? Seriously, what do you want? Here I thought giving you a friendly 'shove' would result in the two of you finally ending up together and yet... this happened.' Glancing at Kazama's quivering form, Tomoe sighed, 'You are such an idiot, Murasame-kun.'
Placing a hand on Kazama's shoulder, Tomoe was surprised by what she saw, "Kazama-kun. Why are you..."
Tomoe's mind began reeling, 'Could it be that I miscalculated? Could it be that all this time... Kazama-kun... Kazama-kun was already aware of her feelings for Murasame-kun? No, I can't jump to conclusions like that. I have to be sure.'
"Kazama-kun... Why are you crying?"
"I... I... Tomoe-chan... I... I think... " Kazama whimpered.
'Please God. Please let me be right!' Tomoe thought.
"I think I may... have... have feelings for Sumi-chan." she finished.
'BOOYEAH! FIST-PUMP! I WAS RIGHT!'
"What makes you think so?" Tomoe spoke, her voice calm in stark contrast to what she was feeling inside.
Wiping her tears away, Kazama explained, "I.. I... I'm not too sure. It's just, I've been having weird feelings lately and when I thought that maybe it was because I was in love with Sumi-chan, my heart started racing and suddenly, everything just kind of...clicked. If that makes any sense..."
"It makes perfect sense."
"It does? But, what am I supposed to do now? Sumi-chan isn't like that. And I can't stand having her think I'm disgusting! Sumi-chan's the most important person to me and if... if she were to..." tearing up again, Kazama couldn't contain the tears from overflowing once more.
Enveloping her in a hug Tomoe consoled her, "Sshh, Kazama-kun. Stop thinking so hard. Just do what your heart wants to do. What your heart desires right now."
"But... What about Takemi-san..."
"No, Kazama-kun. Don't think about Takemi-kun. Think about Murasame-kun."
"Sumi-chan?"
"Yes. Now tell me, what do you want to do right now?"
"I... I... I don't want to do anything, Tomoe-chan."
"Wait, WHAT? Ack, sorry. You just took me by surprise." 'No, no, no, no, NO! This is all going too well to fail right now! Damn it! Why do these two have to be such difficult and troublesome elephants!'
"It's just... Sumi-chan's going through a lot and we're all trying to survive this crisis. Last thing I want is to complicate things between us."
'Of course...*face-palm* Yeah. I give up.' Tomoe thought. "You sure about this?"
"Mm."
"Nothing I say would change your mind"
"Why would you want to change my mind?"
"No reason, I'm going to take a shower now." Tomoe announced, making her way out the door. Entering the other room where Aoi was happily humming to herself as she dried her hair, Tomoe asked, "Where's Miyako?"
"Oh, she's showering." Aoi answered, pointing to the closed bathroom door.
"Thanks." Without another word, Tomoe made her way to the toilet, knocked twice before entering. Sliding down to the floor with her back to the door, Tomoe released a massive sigh, "Mi. Ya. KO!"
"Tomoe-chan? What're you doing in here? Have you finished talking to the titty monster?" Miyako called from behind the shower screen. Sighing again, Tomoe rose and removed all her clothing to join Miyako in the shower.
Wrapping her arms around her lover's petite waist, she sighed, "Kazama-kun's in love with Murasame-kun as well."
Leaning into her lover's embrace Miyako asked, "That doesn't really explain why you sound like you just got run over by a truck."
Another sigh, "Kazama-kun doesn't want to 'complicate things between them' so she won't confess. Also, she thinks Murasame-kun is either straight or likes Takemi-kun. What's more is that she doesn't dare confess for fear of being called disgusting apparently."
"How stupid can they both get?" Miyako turned around in the embrace. Standing on her toes, she reached up to kiss her lover full on the lips.
"Tell me about it... Though it will be interesting to see how things progress from here." Tomoe whispered huskily into Miyako's ear before nibbling on it.
"Tomoe-chan, don't you dare leave me."
"I would never leave you, Miyako."
And the couple shared another heated kiss, both eager to make the most out of this rare opportunity where they were alone and won't be bothered by anyone.
Downstairs
"OWWW! Gosh, you really are violent, Violent Murasame!" Yabase howled, wrestling with Sumika for the shower head.
"Stop being childish! Your arm's already been infected! I have to clean it before it gets worst!" Sumika scolded. She had been trying to clean Yabase's wounds for the past 15 minutes already and instead of the injured being wet, she was soaked from head to toe. Irritation was radiating from her very being right now.
"You know, Yabase-san. With your injuries so severe, you're gonna have to get that arm amputated!" Blitz babbled. He had offered to help treat Yabase's wounds since he was bored and had the most medical experience.
'Besides, judging by Sumika's own bandaged arms which are now drenched and covered in dirt, I highly doubted that Sumika knows how to take care of injuries. Properly, anyway.' Blitz thought.
"SAY WHAT? Yer ain't gonna amputate nothin' Sumika! Lemme go!" Yabase wailed, twisting in Sumika's slippery grip.
"You're NOT helping Blitz!" Sumika roared. Trying to keep Yabase's arm in place without actually hurting her, "No one's going to sever your arm! And do you boys have nothing better to do? SHADOW! What are you grinning about? "
"Ah, just the fact that you look like you're having a blast!" He mocked.
Sumika glared.
Shadow then cleared his throat and said, "Hey Yabase-san. I honestly thought you were a tough cookie earlier. What with your stoic face and confident voice. Guess I was mistakened."
"Shadow!?" Sumika scolded before realising that Yabase had stop squirming in her hold. "Yabase-san?"
"Hmmph! I was just acting! Can'tcha tell the difference, pretty boy?" Yabase claimed. Snatching the shower head from Sumika, she stuck it directly above her right arm where pus and blood was oozing from.
"Yabase-san, that's not how you do it! Are you trying to make yourself bleed to death?!" Sumika yelled, once again fighting over the shower head.
"I gotta prove to that snob that I am tough! No one messes with the Yabase Takemi!" She boasted.
"Ahh, yeah yeah. If you haven't noticed, Shadow's gone already." Sumika pointed out, grabbing the shower head and wash cloth as she began, as gently as she could, to scrub the pus, dirt and blood away.
When she was done, she ordered Yabase to follow Blitz to the dining room to get her arm dried and wrapped up. Making sure there wasn't any blood left in the toilet, she tried her best to dry herself off to no avail.
'I could use a bath right now.' Sumika thought as she resisted the urge to remove her heavy and soaked through shirt.
As Sumika walked upstairs with her bag stuffed with clothes again, she began undoing the soggy bandages around her arms. Making sure to not drip any blood on the steps.
The water had caused the hardened scab to soften and she had begun bleeding from some parts where the cuts were deeper.
'I should ask Blitz or Kazama to help me with them later on. But right now, I need a shower.'
Walking into the nearest room, she saw Aoi blushing bright red as she stared out the window. She was about to ask what was wrong but once she got nearer, she realised why and flushed red as well.
'What the heck do those two think they're doing? In the bathroom no less! I was going to shower in there!'
Soundlessly, she backtracked and dashed into the second bedroom door before realising those 2 rooms had joined bathrooms. Swivelling on her heel, she left the room and walked into the last available room and there, by the window ledge, sat Kazama.
Her hair was luminous in the silver moonlight though her eyes seemed troubled and puzzled.
'Did something happen while I was with Yabase-san?' Sumika asked herself, 'Kazama will definitely talk to me about it if she's so bothered by it. Anyway, I need to get out of these clothes asap! It's freezing!'
"Hey Kazama." Sumika greeted. Kazama inhaled sharply as she leaped to her feet. "S-sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, Kazama."
"Oh, Sumi-chan! Guess I was a little lost in my thoughts earlier... Hehe."
"Right. Could I use the bathroom?"
"O-of course!" 'Sumi-chan's all wet... I wonder what happened just now.'
"Thanks." shutting the door behind her, Sumika immediately pulled off her shirt and slowly began unfastening all the guns attached to her belt. Once she was done, she stepped into the western style shower stall. There was no hot water but Sumika was glad there was a steady spray of water to shower with.
Taking out a bottle of shampoo and soap from her bag, Sumika thoroughly enjoyed her shower. Taking her time to scrub her arms meticulously with soap.
When she was satisfied, Sumika towelled herself dry and pulled out some dry garments from her bag. Pulling a white V-neck shirt over her head and slipping on a pair of dark jeans, she redid her belt, hung up her wet clothes to dry and exited the bathroom.
Kazama was still sitting by the window ledge so Sumika went over to join her. Placing her bag and guns on the floor, she took a seat opposite Kazama who smiled sweetly. A light blush resting on her adorable cheeks.
"Have you showered?" Sumika asked as she reattached her guns and dagger to her belt and thigh. Unaware that Kazama's eyes had been following her every move.
"Yeah, I did. Earlier. The water was so cold." Kazama complained, turning back to look at the night sky through the window once Sumika was fully equipped.
"Not used to a cold shower?" Sumika chuckled, "You should join our Karate training sessions, Kazama. After each lesson, a cold shower really just washes the heat off you instantly!"
"Maybe. I do feel left out every time you guys go off practising Karate. Leaving me all alone." Kazama pouted while thinking, 'After telling Tomoe-chan... I really don't know how to act around Sumi-chan... How did I behave before?'
"Sorry, Kazama... If I had known earlier, I would've-" Sumika blushed bright red and snapped her mouth close.
Kazama had leaned in close to her until their faces were inches apart. 'What is she doing? God, I can't stop staring at her eyes!' Sumika screamed inside her head.
"Ka-ka-kazama? Is something wrong?"
Shaking her head slightly, Kazama backed away, much to Sumika's relief, "I just wanted to see what colour your eyes were. On normal days, they're grey but tonight, they seem to be a shimmering silver. Must be the moon's effect."
"Oh, right..." Sumika sighed, "But, isn't silver and grey the same thing?"
"Of course not Sumi-chan!" Once again, Kazama leaned over and reached for the hand gun strapped to Sumika's hip, giving Sumika a peek of her shapely bust.
'Oh Lord, does she even know what she's doing to me? I think I may just combust.' Sumika thought as she forced her eyes to look away.
"You see this part, this part's silver! While this is grey!" Kazama explained, pointing to various parts of the gun. Sumika still couldn't see the difference except that one was more lustrous compared to the other. She was more focused on getting rid of the blush on her face.
A sudden voice caught her attention, "Hey Sumika! Your jacket." Yabase tossed a black garment at Sumika who caught it clumsily, "Dinner's ready." Yabase smirked, a knowing glint sparkled in her eyes for a second before disappearing.
"Right. We'll be down soon. Kazama?" Sumika called as she folded her jacket and kept it in her bag. Kazama seemed to be staring at the jacket. A faraway look in her chestnut brown orbs. "Kazama?"
Kazama blinked and her seraphical smile returned, "Come on, Sumi-chan! Dinner's ready and I'm starving~!" Jumping up all of a sudden, Kazama clung onto Sumika's arm and dragged her out of the room.
Everyone was downstairs, chatting, eating, laughing. Taking their seats opposite each other, Sumika took the chance to whisper in Tomoe's ear, "Did something happen with Kazama while I was with Yabase-san?"
Staring blankly at Sumika, Tomoe merely shrugged. Suddenly, Sumika recalled the events that happened earlier in the first room she entered and she backed away, blushing furiously.
"Is something wrong, Murasame-kun?"
"No. Nothing at all!" Sumika said a little too loudly.
"Ngaww, Sumika's all red! What didja do to her Hachisuka?" Yabase teased and the whole table burst out laughing causing Sumika to turn an even darker shade of red.
"She did nothing! Now shut up Yabase-san!" Sumika barked, throwing the raisins on her plate at her friend who only guffawed even louder.
Kazama who sat opposite Sumika thought, 'Sumi-chan's really cute when she's embarrassed like this. Though I think I prefer it when she's being her usual heroic self... Heh, that doesn't even make sense, I thought I liked cute things only? Oh my gosh, what's going on with me? I only realised my feelings for Sumi-chan a few hours ago and I'm not entirely sure about them, but I'm already wondering about things like this?'
The rattling of a chair being pushed back caught Kazama's attention and her eyes went to their leader at the head of the table, "Everyone, I would like to officially have a toast to welcome our new comrade and ally into our ranks, I mean team." Kakashi corrected earning a few snickers, "To the young and talented Yabase Takemi."
Everyone raised their bottles, bumped them with each others and exclaimed in unison, "Cheers!"
"To Blitz and Ray who prepared dinner!"
"Cheers!"
"To the soldiers who have helped us so much!"
"Cheers!"
"To you girls who have made this journey so fun and exciting!"
"Cheers!"
"To our survival!"
"Cheers!"
After clearing up, everyone retired to the rooms upstairs except for the soldiers along with Sumika and Tomoe who remained behind to discuss certain matters first.
"So what's happening tomorrow?" Tomoe inquired.
"We wake up at 4 and leave at 5 am as per usual. Though I get the feeling we will leave a little later..." Kakashi explained, casting a glance around the house where clothes and other valuables have been strewn about.
"If we're not gone by 6 am, we'll stay another day. This neighbourhood is the last place we'll be staying for a night."
"You mean, if we leave tomorrow, we'll arrive at the borders before the day ends?" Sumika concluded.
"Yes. Which is why we should leave long before the sun rises!" Blitz grumbled. Had they not agreed to the burial ceremony, they'd have nothing to worry about.
"We could easily get everyone to pack up right now..." Shadow offered.
"It has been a long day. Let them rest."
"How far away are we, exactly?" Tomoe asked.
"It would take us about 5 hours by road to reach the outskirts of the town where the farmlands are. And from there, it is a 1-2 hour trek through the fields. And then we come to the last obstacle, a little village just before the forests that lead to the walls." Kakashi conveyed.
"WHAT?" Tomoe and Sumika demanded together.
"You guys have never mentioned forests!" Sumika pointed out. "Seriously, what's with you people and leaving important information out!"
"It was most definitely not our intention. Our informers had miscalculated our location and misinformed us. Only earlier today did we realise the path we had meant to take was different from the one our base had assumed we would take."
"If you look towards the walls from this hill, you'll be able to see what we're talking about."
"But, you girl's are worried about the wrong thing. Although the forest's pretty dense, what we're worried about is the community before the forests."
"No doubt that it's got shitloads of 'em zombies."
"There is doubt Ray, the town's miles away from the lab. We're either extremely lucky and the village is completely clean or we're not so lucky and the settlement's already been affected."
"What about the forests? Aren't those dangerous? It provides a dense cover for the zombies to lurk in."
"Not at all. Once you've entered the forests, you're safe. The entire military has the whole forest under their watch. It's the second last line of defence against the zombies. The wall and fence being the last. The place is full of mini cameras and snipers. The moment they spot us, they'll come to our aid within seconds. Unfortunately, whatever goes on outside the forests, isn't worth their time." Shadow clarified.
"If they have the forests under their control, why don't they move in and kill as many zombies as possible?"
"Because the military is already very spread out around this entire area. They cannot afford to send any more units into the battlefield."
"That's just stupid."
"Perhaps. But the government does not think so."
"Doesn't make it right."
"When it comes to a battle between 2 different groups of people, is there ever anything that can be considered as being right?" Kakashi challenged.
"Don't answer that Murasame! I'm exhausted so is there anything else we need to talk about?" Blitz whined.
"No, that will be all. You girls better get some rest too. Shadow and I will have first watch. Blitz, Ray. You have 4 hours so you better make it last!" Kakashi instructed.
"Ray, Blitz, we're taking the two smaller rooms. You can have the big room on the left hand side." Sumika said before Ray and Blitz disappeared up the stairs.
"Okay, thanks. Good night, everyone!"
"Nighty-nights ladies!"
Now, just 4 of them remained downstairs.
"Could you guys give me a hand in folding these things?" Sumika asked, moving to gather all the stray items everywhere.
"Of course."
The 4 set to work to clear up the mess. Packing the food and water into the baskets to load into the cars in the morning and sorting the weapons and other items based on their owners.
By the time they were done, an hour had passed. It was now 12 am and Sumika was beat. Mumbling a 'good night' to Shadow and Kakashi, she and Tomoe made their way up the stairs. Upon reaching the hallway, Sumika spotted her bag outside one of the doors while Tomoe went to the other door.
"Good night, Murasame-kun."
"Night." Sumika hummed as she entered, closed and locked the door behind her. The room was illuminated by one small candle. Looking around the empty room, she saw Aoi and Kazama both sleeping on separate blankets they had spread out on the floor.
The whole house was like this. The only piece of furniture the place had was the dining table and chairs downstairs.
Soundlessly, Sumika pulled out her black jacket and put it on. Using the blankets she brought from downstairs, she drapped them over Aoi and Kazama.
Pulling out another shirt from her bag, Sumika folded it into a neat rectangle then gently lifted Kazama's head to place the makeshift pillow under her. Kazama shifted in her sleep, mumbling something that sounded like 'Meanie and Sumi-chan'.
Sumika smiled and shivered slightly as a light breeze blew in from the ajar windows. Laying down on the cool hard wood beside Kazama, she crossed her arms across her chest in a faint attempt to stay warm.
Allowing her eyes to drift close, she hoped that sleep would come soon. Something about the way Kakashi had glanced at his men when she asked about the army not being mobilised to help civilians trapped in the city made her insides flip.
Disregarding those thoughts, she turned over and faced Kazama's defenceless sleeping face.
Using one hand Sumika tenderly carressed her secret crush's smooth and warm cheek, secretly wishing she could place a kiss on that very cheek. Tucking a stray strand of hair on Kazama's face behind her ear, Sumika whispered into the chilly night air, "I promise to protect you, Kazama. It'll all be over tomorrow. Tomorrow."
Sumika fell asleep seconds later.
Groggily opening her eyes, the first thing Kazama saw was Sumika's curled up and quivering form.
She frowned as she saw the layer upon layer of covers over her own small body. Scooting over, she hastily drapped her blankets over Sumika who continued to tremble.
Wrapping her arms around Sumika and pulling herself closer to the taller girl, she tried her best to ignore how cold Sumika's skin felt and how the dark-haired girl continued to shiver in her arms.
'Sumi-chan should learn to be less selfless.' Kazama thought as her hands began rubbing Sumika's back, trying to produce some heat. 'Sumi-chan's sleeping face is so cute! ...I wonder, should I be doing this? I mean, would Sumi-chan really want me to hold her like this? Of course not! She doesn't like me that way! I'll...I'll let her go once she's stopped shivering!'
It was only seconds later when Sumika finally relaxed into Kazama's embrace so as promised, Kazama extracted her arms from around Sumika and shifted away slightly.
Unconsciously, Sumika extended her own arms around Kazama's waist and abruptly pulled the source of warmth back against her body causing the other girl to yelp in surprise.
Bodies pressed tightly together, Kazama's face turned beet red. She could feel the strong arms holding her in a secure embrace and she easily leaned into her best friend's embrace.
Not knowing where to put her hands, she innocently rested them on the taller girl's shoulders, where the nape of her neck curved downwards to her shoulder and arms.
Using her fingertips she delicately traced the soft, exposed skin, enjoying how the coiled-up muscles underneath tensed and relaxed under her feather-like touch.
'Sumi-chan's body is so... hard. She must be the only girl that isn't soft and squishy.' Kazama concluded, prodding her own face for good measure, 'Every time Sumi-chan moves, I can feel her muscles tighten too.'
Kazama blushed, 'Oh god, should I really be doing this? Isn't this considered sexual harrassment on my part? But I don't wanna move and Sumi-chan was the one who pulled me against her in the first place!' She argued with her conscience.
'It's to keep us both warm! Nothing else!' Kazama concluded at last, ending the little internal battle.
Shifting in her best friends protective arms, she whispered, "I'm glad you're the one I finally fell in love with, Sumi-chan. Because even though my love has always been unrequited, I don't mind if it's with you...because I know you'll never leave my side.
"You're the only person who has stuck with me for so long, watching me fall in and out of love so many times... Supporting me every time my heart gets broken... So maybe, you won't call me disgusting?
"However, that's exactly why I can't tell you how I feel. If I do, I know that you'd either realise how sickening I am and leave me... or force yourself to like me and I don't want that... I just want to stay by your side like this forever."
Kazama trailed off. Closing her eyes, she promptly fell asleep in the warm embrace, subconsciously snuggling closer to Sumika.
A/N: And there you have it... PLEASE REVIEW! I SERIOUSLY NEED TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON USHIO REALIZING HER FEELINGS! PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! IT WON'T TAKE MORE THAN 5 MINUTES! *insert super pouty, adorable, begging face*
Besides that, next chapter: more gore, more action, and there'll be a surprise as well ;D
Thanks for all your support!