With the little girl safe, for the time being, with the gate still holding secure from the large crowd of zombies pressing themselves against the gate. Akio and Takashi crouched down and with the girl for her comfort and relief and stared down at one corpse with her…A man who's dress shirt was stained with his own blood and lay there motionless.
"…That's…That's my dad…" She told them.
Akio looked over at Takashi, then looked over towards a patch of small pink flowers, then the girl's dead father again…Looking over towards Takashi, he nodded lightly, and nudged his head towards the flowers, and Takashi nodded back in response for what they could do to honor the man's courage to protect her daughter.
"…What are you…?" The girl murmured.
Takashi stood up and walked over to the flowers and carefully picked one out of the patch. He took down a dress shirt hanging in the yard, and covered the father's body. He held up the flower towards the girl
"He died trying to protect you. He was a brave man." Takashi said.
The girl took hold of the flower and quivered with tears in her eyes as she lay it on her father's body.
"…D-Daddy…"
She pushed herself towards Takashi and tightly hugged him while she let out all of her tears. Akio watched and felt a cold run through him, and a whistling in the Force that he could feel through the light wind, that blew on the petals slightly, almost feeling like an essence of the departed father, was trying to tell him to care for his daughter, and to give her strength and courage.
There was something else…There was a certain fear and curiosity running through the girl, and it had something to do with him…A Jedi Knight…Someone who had the skill with a lightsaber and was connected to the Force, and came to her aid when she least expected it. Especially when it seemed impossible for a Jedi to run through the streets in the modern day and age.
After a few more minutes of crying, Takashi reminded the girl that she needed to keep herself quiet or else they have more drawn towards them, as if there wasn't enough trying to breach the gate already.
"Hey…Mister…?" The girl hesitantly looked at Akio. "Are you…J-j-j-j-Jedi…?"
"I am…" Akio responded.
"Don't worry, he's cool!" Takashi smiled.
"Da…" The girl began to shiver and held back her tears with best effort. "Daddy said you were good people…You are good people. Thank you so much!"
"I'm afraid you'll need to thank someone else." Akio preferred to Takashi. "He motivated me to stand with him on this rescue."
"Ah come on!" Takashi chimed. "I didn't do everything. Dude…I would just do about anything to be you right now. I wish I could send them flying with just a push of a palm. That's like…That's…AWESOME."
"Be proud of yourself Komuro." Akio said. "It's because of you that she's still alive. You made the call, I only followed alongside you."
Takashi looked over to the zombies, still having a hard time breaking through the gate, which they weren't going to anytime, and sighed.
"We've attracted too much attention to ourselves…."
"How are we going to get out?" The girl wondered.
"The street is impossible. I can't attract more attention than there already is." Akio stated. "I could easily cut through all of them, but I don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention towards ourselves."
"Yeah you're right…" Takashi agreed.
"I do however…Believe there is another solution…"
Akio pointed up towards the little narrow edge on top of the stone wall that extended out towards the street.
"…Oh boy…" Takashi gulped, but then exhaled calmly. "LET'S DO IT." He boomed.
Akio went first and jumped up on top of the wall with a single leap and looked back at Takashi, while holding his lightsaber in one hand, while continuing forward. He waited for Takashi to climb up with him, then he led them down the edge of the wall, slow and steady, keeping himself balanced on the top, avoiding any trips into the zombie hoard below.
Takashi's only challenge in balancing the wall is the fact that he was slowly trying to carry the girl, who they yet to learn of her name, and the dog in his jacket, but Akio was free so he had to be ready to use the Force or his lightsaber in case anything went wrong.
"We're…We're gonna make it…" Takashi stuttered.
"You're doing fine, just…Stay on course…" Akio said. "Stay focused…"
"Akiooooo…"
"Huh…?"
Akio just heard the feminine toned voice he had heard previously once more, but didn't allow it to become a top priority and still focused on getting Takashi towards him… He saw Takashi almost losing his balance as a zombie was able to tug at his shoe lace, but with the Force, he was able to keep Takashi up, and was able to hold back the undead from reaching up towards Takashi and himself.
"Thanks man!" Takashi sighed with relief.
Takashi managed to keep continuing and to balance himself out to reach Akio. Behind Akio, both him, Takashi, the girl, and the dog heard the slight hum of a vehicle, and took notice of the Humvee parked outside of Shizuka's friend's apartment, and it was accelerating at top speed and Saeko was on top of the vehicle, holding her Bokken held at the side, and Kohta was underneath her standing through the turret ring, holding the Itacha Shotgun, pointing the muzzle towards the front of the vehicle.
The one who was driving the vehicle, Shizuka, made the vehicle skid on its side, and knocked over half of the zombies down. Kohta, under the instruction from Saya as requested, told him to "Buy them some time" and fired one shot, which resulted in half of the zombies that were standing, be knocked over from the impact of the shotgun's blast radius. As Kohta cocked the shotgun, Akio took a leap backwards high into the air, landed right in front of the Humvee, and activated his lightsaber and readied himself.
Everyone almost became disoriented of the sight of Akio facing the entire zombie crowd, holding his blue lightsaber proudly at his side but they soon broke themselves out of their fixation and concentrated at the objective at hand, letting Akio protect them, and dozens of zombies going down in a cluster of blue lights.
"KOMURO! GET TO THE VEHICLE!" Akio shouted as he cut through one more.
"Right…" Takashi exclaimed.
As Akio continued to slice through every single one of them that made contact with his lightsaber, the more burnt, decaying pieces of zombies that lay in the street, Takashi finally was able to jump onto the vehicle.
"Come on Akio, you too!" Saeko called out.
Deactivating his lightsaber, Akio jumped backwards and landed on the vehicle's haul, right next to Saeko.
"Amazing work." Saeko complimented.
Akio nodded, then Shizuka accelerated the vehicle forward, quickly gaining distance away from any zombie in the vicinity.
Later down the road, everyone became comfortable and found themselves a seat inside the Humvee for rest. Rei, Saeko, and Takashi all sat side by side together in the middle, while Kohta and the girl rested alongside each other, with the dog curled up close to her.
The only two people who remained awake in the group were Akio and Shizuka, which Akio sat on the front passenger seat looking up at his lightsaber and also noticing that his friends were generous enough to retrieve his backpack and put it in the front.
"This isn't over..." Akio grumbled.
"It is for now…" Shizuka stated. "Get some sleep, it's not healthy if you try to keep yourself awake after hard work."
"Maybe that was a mistake…People are going to know…" Akio shivered, placing his lightsaber in his backpack. "I shouldn't have used my lightsaber."
"GET SOME SLEEP." Shizuka sternly said. "If people are going to find out who you are, they will know that you used it for the safety of others. Stop being so hard on yourself, you did a great job…You deserve a break, take the opportunity and just rest."
"…Maybe…" Akio murmured.
Akio still however did not do as Shizuka had pleaded him to do and continued to remain awake as Shizuka submerged the vehicle into the bay, and due to the height of the Humvee and haul design, the vehicle was able to withstand the water, and was able to still be driven however, the speed that the Humvee was going due to water resistance, it was going to take a while before they would make it to the other side.
Akio eventually succumb to his tiredness and began to drift away into sleep. He dreamt of nothing…It was just pure darkness. His mind was still remaining active and focused on the memories that him and Mizuki shared…
The two seemed inseparable…Even though they would fear Akio's father would disapprove of their growing bond and relationship, they were still able to have the feeling they had for each other and try to expand and pursue it, even though it would be dangerous for Jedi to do so.
It was only one picture of a memory…Just the static image of him and Mizuki in their first year of High School, their arms around their shoulders, Mizuki's head resting on Akio's shoulder, looking down at Tokonosu from a distance as cherry blossom leaves blew through the air.
The image suddenly cracked and something else began to take form…The Dark Side…A man concealed in a hood, torturing and twisting Mizuki with these machines…then Mizuki's face slowly fading away, a dark mask taking its place.
"I'm coming for you."
Akio suddenly shot up after he heard the feminine mechanical voice, and slowly breathed in and out, then sighed as he noticed the sun was high in the sky, and he could hear the sound of Kohta and the girl he had yet to learn of her name, singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" outside. He looked back and saw someone standing up through the turret ring...From the small black shorts the person was wearing…He guessed it had to be Saya.
Then he suddenly heard Kohta sing his own abridged version of the song with his passion for guns…Which was sung like this:
Shoot, shoot, shoot your gun.
Kill them now!
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Life is but a scream!
After he sung the song, he heard Saya slam her fist on the vehicle's haul, and heard her scolding Kohta about teaching a little girl a song like that. Shizuka called to the people who were still asleep, Takashi, Rei, and Saeko, told them to wake up and that the other side of the river was close.
He turned back to focus on the front as Rei was the only one who apparently heard Shizuka's call. In a few moments, they were able to get themselves onto land, and find themselves time to scan the area.
"There's no one…" Saya confirmed.
Stepping out of the vehicle, with his bag, and briefly depth concentrating in the energy through the Force, Akio could only sense more of the dead than the living…It's what was shrouding his senses…Pain and death…
By the time he was released from his phase wrapped up in the Force, everyone had stepped down from the vehicle, and he could hear Rei telling Takashi and Kohta, and him of course, to not look at them while all the girls change clothes. Respectfully, he went behind cover so that their vision to the girls may be obscured while they focused…Kohta had something in mind to keep themselves occupied.
"Who is she?" Takashi asked.
"The little girl's name is Arisu Maresato…" Kohta answered. "Her father is a newspaper reporter…Well…Was."
"The mother?" Akio asked.
"Well, she said that her father told her, that her mom was supposed to meet with them later." Kohta sighed.
They then heard the girls giggle, who were currently trying to pick out some clothing that Shizuka brought along.
"Well guys, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!" Kohta exclaimed, giving a thumbs up while putting his right hand on Takashi's shoulder.
"I don't want to die just yet!" Takashi responded.
"And we won't!" Akio jumped in. "Give them some privacy." He groaned.
"That's what we're doing." Takashi responded. "Don't get so worked up."
The dog that they rescued along with the girl barked while wagging its tail, while looking up at them.
"Wow…you're a spunky little guy!" Takashi said, picking the dog up.
"But don't bark too much Zero!" Kohta said.
"Zero?" Takashi and Akio questioned.
"Yeah, like the plane! The Reisen, the one's we used when we got our asses handed to us in the Pacific War!" Kohta explained.
"Ah yes, the Zero Fighter! Small and fast!" Akio understood.
"Just like this little guy!" Takashi added.
Kohta then presented Takashi with the shotgun they found in the apartment. "Here Komuro, it's a shotgun, all you need to do is aim around their heads, you'll hit 'em!"
"Perhaps you would like to teach me how it works as well?" Akio asked.
"Sure! But you have two laser swords dude!" Kohta responded.
"If I ever lose them, I may need an alternative." Akio explained. "Something else to use if I can't maintain the Force."
"Fair enough. Powers are bound to be exhausted eventually I guess…Never know." Kohta sighed. "Alright!" Kohta pulled the pump of the shotgun and started explaining. "There are cartridges. Each shell is a casing filled with pellets, you only have to adjust the sight, find your target, and pull the trigger! You can blast their heads off with this!"
"What if I run out of bullets?" Takashi asked.
"When that happens, open this gate!" Kohta said, holding a shell, putting it in. "Like this."
"Seems simple!" Akio nodded.
"Oh and, you can only load four bullets and have one in the cartridge chamber so keep that in mind!"
Kohta then handed Takashi the shotgun, and Takashi put the strap over his shoulder.
"I have to warn you, the recoil on that thing is pretty powerful!" Kohta said.
"In the worst case scenario I'll use it as a club!" Takashi responded.
"You are so hopeless!" Kohta growled.
"No, he'll learn." Akio assured.
"Alright, I guess it's settled then." Kohta said.
Arisu then called out to Takashi from behind the vehicle. The three went around the truck to see that the girls were all in their new outfits. They looked onto them exceptionally, liking the looks of the clothing they had on.
Saeko had a pair of dark boots, along with dark stockings and kept the uniform top, and she had a sideless dark skirt.
Rei had also kept the uniform top, only she didn't have the bow tied on the shirt. She had the M1A1 rifle strapped around her body, and some pads on her elbows and knees, and she was wearing a striped green skirt.
Saya was wearing a white jacket with an exposed black tank top, and had a green skirt.
Arisu didn't change as she kept the same clothes she had when she first met the group. Shizuka kept her white buttoned skirt, but she wore a brown checkered skirt.
"What? Got a problem?" Rei asked Takashi.
"Uh…no, you look good with it!" Takashi said.
"Agreed." Akio nodded. "Can you even shoot though?" He then questioned.
"Well… I'll just ask Hirano to teach me and if worst comes to worse, I'll just hit them with it." Rei said.
"I'll be delighted to teach you!" Kohta said. "Oh, and did you perhaps notice the standard issue bayonet?" Kohta then asked.
"Alright, we're going to bring up the Humvee, Hirano, Komuro, check it out…" Saya ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" Kohta cried.
Akio tried to follow along Kohta and Takashi, who were going to scale the little hill to get on to the street top.
"I didn't say you!" Saya barked, grabbing Akio by the shoulder.
Akio simply complied with Saya and he was dragged back to stay alongside the girls, without any resistance, while they entrusted Takashi and Kohta, and the dog, Zero, for scoping out the road for any signs of the presence of anyone or anything. Akio didn't even turn himself around to face his female companions, just focusing on his other friends' progress.
He could sense literally feel the amount of remorse and concern behind him and he wished that he could speak right now but...He wasn't ready to talk, he was more ready to fight and protect his friends no matter what, yet he wondered how could he if he could potentially put his group at risk for just who he was and what he was capable of.
Moments later, Takashi had called down to them to signal that it was safe for them to drive themselves up the hill. Shizuka got into the car while everyone watched her guide the vehicle precisely up the hill to land it perfectly on the road safely. The girls alongside Akio, trudged up the hill to scout the area with Takashi and Kohta and develop a plan to move forward. Despite every single set back of hope, thinking about if the Police are still alive or...Maybe Jedi...Jedi that have been accepted with a group of people, out of hiding, exposed, like Akio had been. Takashi had a solution.
"Your house is in the Higasghisaka district, right?" He asked Saya.
"Takagi's house is the closest." Takashi said. "But..."
"I know..." Saya sighed. "I'm not really expecting anything but I..."
Saya then turned her attention towards Akio and thought briefly for a moment in the case if her parents were still alive...
"You'll be fine." Saya told him. "Don't even think about leaving us!" She pleaded.
"I'm not going anywhere..." Akio promised.
"You promise?" Arisu asked.
"I promise." Akio vowed.
"Let's go." Takashi said.
Everyone who could fit inside the vehicle, hopped in the vehicle to squeeze. The ones who chose to stay outside to sit on the top haul of the vehicle were Rei, Takashi, and Akio.
As Shizuka drove the vehicle more directly into the nearby neighborhood, Akio kept himself balanced on the vehicle while gaining the courage to carry his lightsaber, clipped on his side out in the open, seeing as to how everyone seemed to be pushing and encouraging him to do so, as it was essential for everyone's survival, and keeping the identity of Akio alive and un-tainted, especially what he had done for Arisu, he couldn't just conceal that part of him anymore.
Hello readers!
I have a small favor...I was wondering if you could leave a review on what you think about the revamping. Tell me if you like the story more or less! I really appreciate it!