You Can Sleep When You Are Dead

by Gazdav

Version 2: A young inexperienced contract killer sets off to make a name for himself in Japan. Only for the world to end before he could start. With no way home and a swordswoman at his side, will he survive and create a new life for himself. Or will he have to become what he trained to be. this is version 2. AU as i will not be following cannon.

11. Chapter 11

I do not own Highschool of the dead I make no money from this it is a fanfiction and not for profit.

You Can Sleep When You're Dead

Chapter 11 Sparring

The day started well…. with the Girls winging, about their only being one sink to wash in, in the small bathroom and the discomfort of the sleeping arrangements .well what did they think that they would find in a workshop a 5 star top of the line hotel? I think not. Besides it was only for a night or two, depending on when we can get things rolling again.

With the moaning about the accommodation finished, the group all sat or crowded around me as I carried on working on the Hummer to discuss the day's business.

"How long until the car is ready to go?" I was asked by Takashi.

"It will start and run around lunch time. But the wheel baring is another matter, I reckon with the way it is, you may get if you are lucky, another 20 miles out of it and I mean lucky." I replied not looking up from striping out the fuel lift pump.

"What could happen if we don't fix it now?" was the next question.

"The wheel will fall off, possibly smashing the stub axle. Or if driving fast flip the vehicle, both are not a good result if we are stuck with lots of them about." I told him still not looking up.

"Dam." he then turned to the resident genius "Saya any luck in finding a place for parts."

"I have found a place about half a mile away, in this industrial park. It looks like a major parts supplier for western cars, according to its advert in the phonebook. I have already marked up the map as to where it is." she said sounding somewhat pleased. Fuck she learns fast no wonder she is the team strategist.

"Good work." Takashi told her, then continued. "If you lot give me some time, we will come up with a plan to get the part we need. Until then, James keep working on the Hummer take anyone you need for help, Saya come with me and help me plan, sensei anything you need?"

He turned to a bewildered looking nurse. "I was able to restock some of my things. But if you can when you're out try and get more from any first aid equipment you come across and antibiotics if you can find them." As she spoke she was drifting in and out, whilst tapping her mouth with a finger.

"We will see what we can find." Takashi promised her

"Kohta.., what about weapons? How's it looking?"

"I have some good news and some bad." Was his answer causing me to stop and look up from my work now interested in my surroundings? "The bad is we only have 6 shells for your shotgun left. Also all the holographic sights are now not working because of the EMP. I have replaced the M1's red dot, with a x3 optical from one of the P90's, so it can be aimed again and added a laser pointer, that was in a safe so it can be aimed better.

All other weapons are good for ammo as James-san had a fair amount. But some of his guns are no use to us as they are not suppressed and will be too noisy.

To replace your shotgun for the time being, you are getting his Hk 417 it is supressed and has an ACOG 6x48 and a laser pointer that works too. That is until we can get some more ammo for your shot gun."

He then looked to us all sternly. "The last thing is, remember that ammo is not endless. We have a finite amount and when it's gone it's gone, so if we come across anything that is abandoned, we will have to take it."

If we can we will have to go to more common bullets like 5.56mm, 9mm, and 7.62mm. James what you have in the way of 5.7mm is all you have for yours and Saeko's weapons. We will probably not find in Japan it was never adopted here and finding hens teeth would be easier the 2 G18's are suppressed but don't have subsonic ammo one will be given to Sensei the other I will have."

All I could think was grate that's me fucked. Also this kid is good at his guns and knowledge of their use.

With Kohta finished, Takashi then asked if anyone had anything to add. He was starting to become a good if reluctant leader, asking those with the skills in the right places for the information he needed to make the choices needed.

It was Seako that then asked. "How long will we be here for?"

"Well." scratching the back of his head Takashi answered "Saya and I discussed this last night. I hope to be gone from here tomorrow morning, then hold up in a house or something near our homes. So we can go look for our parents, check Saekos' home and see if we can find Miss Shizukas' friend. Over the next few days to a week, using the plan we had but modified it a bit. After that we will leave the city, for something less populated with them. But that is in the future."

Everyone looked relieved at that idea. Staying in the city would only become more difficult as time went on, Increasing the chance of getting mobbed or death.

Takashi then finished his brief. "Any way we will meet back up at lunch time by then we will have a plan on what next."

At that point to a chorus of yeses and nods and a "Gotcha you bastard." from me, all pleased with myself as I held up the fuel pump triumphantly. Only for everyone to laugh and shrug at me, then moved to go about their jobs, for the next few hours. Everyone's a critic! I thought to myself well back to work.

0000

I was going to go and train for a bit, as I had nothing to do. But instead found myself watching James work on the Humvee. He was cursing and swearing in English and an odd accent, as he would catch knuckles or fingers on parts in the depths of the engine.

I knew he was uncomfortable talking about his past. But I was curious as to how he knew about this stuff and that curiosity got the better of me so I asked him. "When did you learn about this? The mechanics that is?"

He looked to me with some surprise then hesitantly started speaking.

"Well If you are going to ask… then you can help. Here hold this and don't move it" He indicted to a tool that was holding a pulley still and spoke as he worked away "started at about age 6 when my dad would let me in his garage as he worked… He was a mechanic and proud of it, wanting me to take over his business later in life.. But well you know he died so I never got the chance." as he finished he had a small flash of pain in his eyes but continued on. "Thanks now turn that a quarter turn" turning the pulley round the required amount he continued.

"Anyway after I moved to the states, when I stated growing up and got interested, in what I would do after school, I wanted to carry on with it. But then I found out what it was my uncle did." He paused for a few moments looking at me.

"That's good now hold it still again… Well I thought I would do the same work as my uncle instead. Like all teens growing up it sounded adventuress and badass. So I started to pester him to teach me. It took me two years to convince him, to let me though. But the first thing he said to me was, find a job that you love doing, as you will need it for a cover and that is where I went and became a mechanic. ok you can let that go now"

we took the parts that he removed over to a workbench placed them down as he retrieved some more bit and bobs.

He was now working with a small tool bending some bits of pipe.

"What is that?"

"It's a pipe bender I'm making new injector pipes. What about you? What's your life story Saeko? I mean I have told you more about me than any other person short of my two closest friends. So I would like to get to know you a bit better?" He asked me whilst tinkering away.

I was not surprised that he wanted to know, as he asked last night. So I just started to speak.

"I was born in a hospital not far from here grew and up in this city. I was brought up by my father. My mother died of a pulmonary embolism a few days after giving birth to me. She had some complications and needed a C-section then a clot formed and well." I stopped, with some sadness at this, as I remembered my own possible predicament. He must have caught me as he replied to me.

"Don't worry you'll be ok.. It's not certain yet." he stopped what he was doing and then held my hand.

I looked to him asking in all seriousness "But what if I am?"

"I already told you I'm here to stay promise." He then told me, but it was not that I wanted to know.

"I know you will stand with me… it's… just what if.."

He looked to me in thought for a moment and answered.

"I know very little about giving birth, after all I am a man and not equipped for it. But if you're not sure ask Shizuka-san, I'm sure she can tell you everything you need."

He was right and if I am, I will need to talk to her as soon as I know. I smiled at him, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "Would you mind, if we conclude this later?" I asked him back to my calm self.

"Only because you ask then we will." was his short reply.

Then giving me a kiss and rubbing some dirty grease on my cheek he stated laughing at his handy work.

"Hay!" I said as I punched him on the arm playfully, while rubbing my cheek.

"Sorry I needed to do something to cheer you up" he was laughing harder now. The laughter had started to infected me, as I too started to laugh.

As I started to recover I told James "I'm going to train and practice now."

Still smirking "Ok you go blow off some steam Saeko." was his reply as he turd back and continued to fight more with the Humvee.

0000

I was finally finished the work on the fuel system of the hummer. It had fired up well ahead of time and ran as it should. I think I was trying to pull a Scotty, by telling the captain it would take longer than it should, I had also got the wheel off and striped down the hub assembly. Things where looking up. The result of all this hard work , was a bit of free time.

As I washed my hands, I saw Saeko going through her routines and katas.

She looked as if she was dancing graceful and elegant. She had gotten back her bokken. Her face was a mix of relief, joy, concentration and determination. Although I knew what was troubling her.

I do not know what came over me, but I suddenly had a thought. I went to my stuff at the back of the shop looking for something. Upon finding it I picked my wooden ninjaken that I practice with as I walked up to her. I challenged the dancer. "Mind if I have this dance my lady."

She looked over to me, and then looked at the length of wood instantly recognising that I wished to spar with her.

"I would not if I was you. But if you so wish then yes." came her serious reply.

"Oh I do so wish my lady." was my reply dripping with charm, as I bowed deeply to her.

Her answer was short and to the point. "Very well. Free swords, first to three points."

At this point unbeknown to me, the whole work shop stopped what they were doing, to watch the Baka vs the violet swordswoman.

I was feeling confident, as my SCA and Kenjutsu faced off against what I thought was just Kendo.

How wrong was I. Well very as it turns out. Finding out later, it was a family art. That had been used for generations of Busujima's guarding the emperor, of which she was its greatest student.

So there I was facing off against her, hoping that brute force will overcome speed and agility, I was probably overconfident no I retract that I was overconfident. Let's face facts here her training has lasted since she could pick up a sword, so she has far more experience, next to my 7 years of training but sod it I like a challenge.

We stood facing each other a small smile on each of our faces "I will not go easy on you." she told me blatantly.

"I would be upset if you did" I replied adding "So who is going to start this off."

At that moment I heard someone shout "get on with it."

0000

As the shout finished Seako kicked the ground, jumping high in the air at her pray, bringing her sword down. Only to be defected by his attempt to block. James immediately went on the attack much to his misfortune, she thought as she was now of to his rear right.

Saeko brought her sword round her front swinging with its momentum she landed her first point to his left kidney.

"Point." Saeko shouted, it was too easy. This was going to not last long or so she thought, as they refaced off at each other.

This time there was no go it was a free style match after all.

James was first to move, he launched himself at her. Predictable he is using strength; she lifted her cherry Bokken above her head thrusting it back down again on only for him to surprise her by pulling off a parry, with his deflecting of her movement using what she though was multiple fighting styles not just Kenjutsu a fighting stile she had not seen before more a European style of fighting.

As the swords locked in front of them both, she did not try to push back. As his strength was grater, she just waited for her moment. As he pushed forward she used the momentum to back flip away from him, only to twirl round dropping low under his defence and ram the tip of her blade, into his chest.

"Point" she cried out again to his cry of "fuck sake".

This time James thought I will do something different. The faced off again.

Again he rushed in this time he used a faint left. Using the momentum of the faint to kick off the ground to her right where she was not expecting. When he moved past her and he changed to a left grip, swinging the blade backwards. Only to slap on her left ass cheek with an audible crack.

"Point." He finally got to shout. Only to turn and see a woman possessed, looking at him his thoughts of "fuck this is going to hurt" running through his mind as she came at him her sword high in the air. He made to defend himself as her sword met his, Over and over, only for her to drop down kicking his legs out from under him. As he fell backward, she used the momentum carried on through the motion twisting her sword round, for her it to hit his side he fell to the ground in a heap.

On looking up, she was already advancing on him. The point of the bokken was swinging down to his face, only to stop mere inches from his nose.

A cheeky and excited grin looked down on him and said in an excited voice "Point and match".

He relented "I believe you win my lady." He struggled to get out the words. He then croaked out "Ouch"

"We should do this again." was her excited reply.

"Not for a while." James croaked still on the floor.

0000

I was on my back hurting not just in body; as my pride had taken a big dent as well. I did however start this and took my punishment as painful as it was.

Looking up at her happy and smiling face, she told me that we should do this again sometime. Realising that I was completely out matched, all I could think was I am in no hurry for that but some lessons would not go amiss besides I originally came to japan to learn swordsmanship.

I was staring at Saeko from my point on the floor still not aware of our audience, as she put out a hand to help me up. Having taken her hand I then pulled her down onto me to try and have some fun. This however backfired as her knee landed squarely in that spot that quite literally cripples all men. Again my pride took a hit as she started an uncontrolled practically busting a gut laugh at my expense as the pain exploded in my groin

"You deserved that" she managed to get out.

"Possibly" was all I managed to squeak out, as I looked around, to see the group watching us on the floor?

Saeko then noticed the others watching as well. It then must of dawned on her as to where she was as she turned a bright red.

Takashi then broke up our moment "if you two have finished we have a plan set up. Be ready in 5 minutes."

All I could manage was a croak of "Yes Boss…..but I may need a bit longer owwwwwwww."

0000

After I recovered from my nut shot and was finally siting in the rest room. Tea had been made, fucking awesome Downing my first hot brew and quickly refilling. Takashi started a run through of what was going to happen.

"We need a part for the Humvee, as it our only mode of transport. Waking over anything past a mile still has a lot of risk and we will need it to get out of the city at nearly 30miles, so it is worth the risk. Also we need a second vehicle any ideas on that."

I spoke up at this point "well it needs to be a classic, but because of the shakan road worthiness inspection being so strict, it will prove hard to find something. Another diesel would be a great help so we don't have to find multiple fuel types and if it has a mechanical fuel injections system it can run on vegetable oil in a pinch."

Saya added "We could try places where the military have been and get another Humvee so we can look on the bridges, around hospitals and government buildings to find one."

Takashi nodded to her. "Ok, we will do that when we move from here tomorrow morning. But first… let's fix what we have... Seako, Rei ,James, Kohta and I will play a part in this."

"Kohta you will stay on the roof of the workshop and watch over us as we go to the far end of this street where the parts shop is." he was pointing to the map showing him where we were going.

"We will move down here on foot as quietly as possible, no stop offs as it is a straight line Seako you will have the front, James on the left, I will be on the right and Rei at the back in a small diamond shape. This should give us all cover and help each other." Ok now that was impressive that he had thought this through so much.

"After we get there, James you will go in as you know what to look for. Rei will be behind you, Saeko and I will keep the front clear."

I interrupted at this point looking to Rei "Sorry to interrupt you, but Rei can you help me, as I don't read Kanji that well. I have the part number from my books, but if it's in Kenji it will take me forever.

Looking me up and down then simply answered "Sure I can."

Takashi then continued his plan. "Ok so Rei help James out as much as you can, once we have the part we will come straight back any questions."

He then looked to each of us there were none so he went on "If we get mobbed then we fight our way back try not to get split up, if you get bitten then well you know what will happen. If anyone is hurt, then James will give first aid until you are back here, when Miss Shizuka will take over." He paused for a moment "We leave as soon as everyone is ready." It was a good plan the kid had taken his lesson well and I was glad for it.

I was checking my kit when I see Kohta with my L96. "I would rather you did not use that." I said to him sternly. "It's not zeroed to you."

He looked at me a bit upset "but it's my first real sniper rifle… I can adapt after my first shot."

"Fine" I huffed out "as it is silenced. But we will take a few practice shots and zero you in to it before we go I don't want your first shot to be extremely off." I said giving in. Besides it's the best rifle we have for this job.

Up on the roof I was stood with Kohta the others waiting for us. I had my spotting scope looking at a cross road sign about 100 yards away that's the target I indicated to him.

He was lying down with the rifle in front of him bipod down and the butt held in a bench vice , the bolt was removed as he adjusting the sights to bore sight the rifle. "You know I have a zeroing laser? and who taught you that?" I asked him.

"I tried the laser it's not working… so I went with the old fashioned way I learned from a retired colonel that works for Blackwater."

"He taught you well…" was all I could say. "But Blackwater now there is a shady bunch" was my next thought, having had dealings with them in the past.

"Ok once you are ready, five rounds at the centre of the black cross for your group. I'll give you the correction after."

A very excited "Ok" came from my feet.

He fired his five rounds, in a perfect group about an inch in size. "High Left, adjust 3 clicks Right 4 Clicks down, then try again."

"Roger" was his reply I looked down to see him dial in the correction to the sights.

Again he fired making only a small putt noise as each round fired. "on, on, on" I called out as each round found its mark. "Good work lad that is spot on" I patted him on the back feeling more confident that actually the kid was an exceptional shot, considering the very limited training of four weeks that he's had.

With Kohta and myself finished I walked over to the others. "Fucking good shot isn't he" I proclaimed to the others laughing.

"Well let's get going" Takashi added somewhat upbeat.

We made our way down the ladder into the ally and moved to the entrance.

Stopping I grabbed Saeko by the hand; she placed her forehead on mine, as I whispered what was now our prayer to her. She smiled back kissing me gently.

I looked over to see Rei and Takashi having their own moment as they embraced each other. looking Seako as I cleared my minded, walked to the entrance and focused on the job at hand.

"See you on the other side."