Hetalia of the Dead

Hi. Sorry I was a bit late posting this. A lot of stuff came up and I had no time to write. But here we are, the quarter quell chapter x

Also, I'm sorry that this chapter is so long. I under estimated how much space each section took up. So I guess this a bonus extra material chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Alfred blinked, his arms still wrapped around Arthur. Confused and delighted at the same time, he engaged the other in another kiss. Arthur let out a shocked mewl before replying to the kiss by tugging the American closer to his body, fingers digging into Alfred's shirt.

Simultaneously, they broke apart. Eyes closed, Alfred rest his forehead against Arthurs. Breathing heavily, he asked. "What?"
Staring at Alfred's closed eyes, Arthur said, "I finally show you that I like you and that's all you can say?" He laughed. "How bloody romantic."

Alfred opened his eyes, blue into green, his heart thudding in his chest. "You like me, as in, romantically?"

Arthur chuckled nervously, pulling away slightly, his hands flat on Alfred's chest. "I don't go around kissing people I don't like." Arthur muttered. He then blushed, facing away. "I just thought you should know. I'll understand if you don't-"

"Are you kidding?" Alfred shrieked, wincing when his voice echoed. He continued in a lighter tone. "Artie, dude. I've kind of been in love with you for years. I think everyone here knows apart from you. I tried telling you the last time you kissed me but you were so apologetic that I decided not to."

Surprised, Arthur reconnected their gaze. "You? In love? With me? Since when?"
Alfred scoffed. "Since I helped you out with those bullies outside the cinema."

Arthur laughed. "That was when we first met each other."

"Exactly," Alfred smiled, kissing the Brit's forehead. "Fuck, I didn't know you liked me back."

"I didn't," Arthur confessed. "Not until a few weeks ago. And those feelings only escalated due to this hellhole we're in. If you've been in love me for years, why didn't you tell me?"

Alfred placed a palm on Arthur cheek and smiled warmly at him. "I'm telling you now. I love you, Arthur."

Blushing red, Arthur kindly pushed the younger teen away. "This is getting too lovey-dovey for my liking," he said.

Alfred grinned. "I don't care how lovey-dovey we get. I feel amazing now that I've told you how I feel and now I'm on top of the world because you feel the same way. I could die tomorrow and I wouldn't care."

Arthur shook his head. "I bloody would. Don't you dare leave me now that I've finally got you." He dropped his head and shyly glanced away. "It's late, we should go to bed. If . . . if you want, you can stay with me tonight. You know, sleep in the same cell . . . together."

Alfred smirked and raised an eyebrow. Arthur suddenly realised what his words sounded like and tried to confirm what he really meant. "Not like that!" he spluttered. "Geez, with Peter sleeping next to us, even I wouldn't stoop that low. I meant just sleeping next to each other as a couple for the first time."

Alfred grinned and grabbed his new boyfriend on a light hug. Just thinking of the word 'boyfriend' sent tingles all over his body. He lay his chin on Arthur head and spoke around his blond hair. "As appeasing as that sounds, I promised I'd stay with Mattie tonight. Talking about Mattie, am I allowed to tell him about us?"

"I suppose," Arthur grumbled into Alfred's shoulder. "But by default, you'll be telling the frog. And you know what he'll say when he finds out."

"I know," Alfred muttered. "Every third word will be sex. Or something very similar."

"Along with tips about positions we can do it in. He'll basically be our very annoying, unwanted karma sutra," Arthur sighed.

Alfred had to muffle a loud laugh in Arthur's hair, the light blond strands caked with sweat, dirt and blood, just like everyone else. Arthur's stomach did satisfying back flips as he joined in the laugher.

"I'll ask Mattie to not tell him," Alfred said between chuckles.

Arthur turned his head and kissed Alfred's neck. "I don't care who knows," he replied. "My guess that when we tell everyone, their only reply will be 'finally'."

Alfred's face burned like fire as Arthur lips connected with his neck. His skin tickled as goose bumps rose all over his body. He had to stop before something else rose.

"W-we should get to bed," Alfred stuttered, taking a small step backwards. "We have to get up nice and early to face the day and the zombies."

"If there were medals for the worst mood killers, you'd get gold," Arthur giggled. "Alright, point made. Good night, Al."

Alfred nodded and leaned in for another kiss before they parted for their separate jail cells.

Arthur was woken up by two things the next morning. The first reason was the strong sunlight that was shining into his face through the small window that was high on the wall, thick bars over it. The second reason was the movement of Peter waking up and putting his shoes on his feet.

"Morning," Arthur mumbled, his eyesight blurred. "It's unusual for you to wake up before I do."

"My stomach rumbling woke me up," Peter grunted as he tied his left shoe. "I hope we have enough food to have breakfast."

"Yeah, we do," Arthur yawned as he sat up and stretched. "Although it'll only be a small meal like last night I'm afraid."
"That's ok," Peter replied, finished with tying his shoes and standing up. "I'll kill for a mouthful of anything right about now."

Arthur chuckled and when he heard a cheery Alfred wake up Matthew and Francis in the cell next to theirs, Arthur was reminded of last night. Of Alfred's lips on his own, his hands in his hair and his scent in his nostrils. He didn't realised he was grinning until Peter pointed it out. With a sigh, he asked Peter to sit next to him for a moment.

"I've got something to tell you," he said. Deciding that he shouldn't dance around the subject, he told his brother straight up. "I'm dating Alfred."

Confused, Peter's brows knitted together. "Dating as in kissing and hugging dating?"

Arthur nodded. "Yeah, that kind of dating. Not that there's any other kind. So, what are your thoughts?"

Peter shrugged. "I like Alfred. He's like you but a load lot better. Uh, no offense."

"I'll take all of the offence but carry on."

"I'm just surprised. I mean, why would Alfred ask you out?"

Arthur blinked. "He didn't. I kind of initiated it."

Peter frowned. "But the girl doesn't ask the boy out!"

"What? I'm not a girl!" Arthur growled.

"Well, Alfred's not the woman in your relationship is he?" Peter spluttered, eyes wide. "He's too manly for that."

"There's no woman in our relationship. That's the point of a gay couple, that there's no woman. Whoever taught you about homosexual relationships has gotten their information all screwed up."

"You're not gay though," Peter said. "You're that other thing. Not straight but that thing where you like both boys and girls."

"Bisexual?" Arthur offered. "I still am even though I'm with another male. When we get out of here, I'm going to have to re-educate you about all of this."

Peter looked horrified. "Not another bird and the bees talk! I got one off mum and dad and another one when I accidently walked in on Alistair and his girlfriend. I don't need a third one. The penis goes into the vagina and a baby comes out. I know all of this!"

If possible, Arthur was more embarrassed than Peter was. "Alright, fine, shut up already. Everyone heard you."

"Just promise to not give me the talk," Peter asked. "Alistair scarred me for life when he talked to me about it. He left no details untold!"

"I can only image the horror you went through," Arthur said, remembering that he was lucky enough to be given the talk by his father. Knowing their eldest brother, he knew Alistair would tell the young boy everything he knew about sex and relationships. The Scot would have been as close to showing porn that you could get without actually showing it. "Alright, I promise. You seem to know enough."

"So, you and Alfred . . ?"

"No! Bloody hell, we only got together last night." Arthur defended. Never in a million years would he discuss his sex life with his younger brother. Even talking to him about just being in a relationship was embarrassing enough. "Go on, go and get some food. I'm sure we're all awake."

As soon as Peter left the cell, Arthur flopped back onto his back, his arms supporting his head. After a few moments, as his eyelids began to get heavy, he heard Matthew in the next cell scream, "WHAT?"

Sitting up with such speed that he almost gave himself whiplash, Arthur was about to investigate until Francis stuck his head around the corner of his cell and smirked. "I heard that someone decided to resolve their sexual tension last night. I'm so proud of you, caterpillar."

"Shut up, snail breath" Arthur growled. "No tension was resolved last night. We're not like you."

Francis scoffed. "Despite my reputation, I can restrain myself and abstain. Not once have I made an advance on Mathieu since this whole zombie infestation happened. But you don't need to know that, of course. If you ever want any advice, I'll be hanging around like usual."

"And that's why I didn't want you to know," Arthur snapped, getting to his feet. "I don't need you to be my sex therapist. Go away."

Francis laughed. "But it has been a long time since you got any action, non? Are you sure you remember what you need to do?"

"I'm giving you one warning, Francis," Arthur growled. "Fuck off. Or you'll remember where my foot goes."

The French teen frowned. "Oh, I know you're serious when you say my actual name. Fine. I'll leave. Buy don't come crying to me when one of you can't get it up." There was a French laugh as Francis left before he could be on the receiving end of Arthur's wrath.

Arthur got to his feet, probably to find the French boy and possibly punch him or some other form of bodily harm, but as he was leaving his cell, he bumped into someone. With a grunt, he stepped back and was about to apologise until he saw sky blue eyes watching him. With a grin, Alfred spoke first.

"Morning," he beamed.

Arthur smiled, "Oh, good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Alfred shook his head. "I couldn't sleep," he admitted. "I couldn't stop thinking about last night. I didn't want to sleep because I was scared that when I woke up, it would have been a wonderful dream."

Arthur looked confused. "Last night? What happened last night?"

The smile fell from Alfred's face. "What do you mean what happened? Don't you remember? We were talking and you tried to tell me something but Toni interrupted us and then you kissed me and told me you liked me."

Arthur's brow furrowed further. "No I didn't. I was asleep all night. You must have dreamt it."

"No, I didn't," Alfred pouted, stamping his foot like an angry child.

"Then you imagined it," Arthur said. "I didn't kiss you last night. I haven't kissed anyone since we left school."

He moved to leave, to follow Peter and get some breakfast. Alfred didn't move or say a word, his eyes filling up with tears. Had he dreamt it after all? Or imagined it? As he turned to follow the Brit, he felt a hand on his arm. His gaze followed up the arm and into the face of Arthur who was smiling. The Brit let out a chuckle before leaning up and placing a sweet chaste kiss on the Americans lips.

"Fooled you," Arthur whispered as he leant back.

Alfred gasped, the tears retreating back into his eyes. He grabbed Arthur in a weak headlock and playfully ruffled his hair. "You bastard!" he laughed. "You had me there for a second."

"Sorry," Arthur giggled once released from the others grasp. "I'm sorry but I couldn't resist. You're too gullible."

"Don't do it again. I almost had a heart attack," Alfred smiled. "Or burst out into tears. Most likely the latter."

Arthur chuckled. "So, you told Matthew and Francis about us?"

Alfred blushed and nervously scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I told Mattie but Francis was there too. You . . . you don't mind do you?"

"No," Arthur told him. "I'm not bothered who knows. It's not illegal or dangerous. I told Peter too."

"How did he take it?"

Arthur shrugged. "Fine. He looks up to you so he doesn't mind. And Matthew?"

Alfred chortled. "The first thing he screamed was what and then finally."

"I guess the only people who didn't know we liked each other were us," Arthur deduced.

Alfred laughed and kissed him, more lightning bolts running up and down his body. "We're not oblivious anymore."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Breakfast was a quick affair, no one willing to talk or strike up a conversation. Toris, Feliks and Raivis noticeably sat away from the rest of the group, heads bent together and talking in hushed tones. Every now and then, the Polish teen would glare angrily at Ivan, but luckily, the tall Russian didn't notice.

Vash and Lilly took it upon themselves to investigate the whole of the police station, hoping to find something useful, but when they came back, their search was fruitless.

When asked about their watch, Alfred and Antonio both confirmed that nothing suspicious had happened over night and any zombies that did come near did not stick around for long.

Once fed, packed and ready, Vash asked if anyone needed the bathroom before they left. No one needed to but Ludwig stepped forward, Gilbert trying and failing to stop him.

"I have something I want everyone to know," he said, his voice strong and determined. Silence was his reply, all faces turned to him and waiting. Gilbert once again tried to interfere but Ludwig simply raised a hand which stopped his brother. With no guilt, he lifted his left trouser leg, showing everyone the bite on his ankle, the skin red and green.

Gasp soon followed, some of the people next to Ludwig took a step away from him. Gilbert started pleaded for his brother but was interrupted by Vash.

"When were you bitten?" he asked, no emotion on his face or in his voice.

"Does it matter about when and how?" Ludwig mumbled. "I'll end up dead either way."

Vash shrugged." You're right but I'm not going to say a word. I'm tired of being seen as the bad guy. Do as you like."

Shocked that he wasn't being cursed out by the Swiss teen, Ludwig only nodded in thanks. But soon, there was a screech and a fist weakly hit him in the chest. He looked down and saw Lovino angrily punch and kick him. "You bastard! Feliciano died to save you and this is how you thank him?" the Italian screamed. "His death is worthless now! He could have lived if you had said earlier that you were already bitten."

"I'm sorry," Ludwig sighed. "But I only realised I was bitten a few nights ago. I'm not sure when or where I was bitten but I think it was back at the school before Feli saved me. If I had known I was bit before he saved me, I would have made sure he didn't attempt to rescue me. But unfortunately, that was not the case."

"I fucking hate you," Lovino growled, no sign of sadness on his face, just pure rage. "But you knew that already. But we're going to find the cure and that way Feli's death will not be in vain. If you dare try and give up now, I swear to God I will kill you right now."

"You . . . you want me to get the cure?" Ludwig asked, confused.

"Not really, but Feli would want you to be cured." Lovino spat. "Do it for him if not for yourself."

"We'll get the cure," Gilbert added softly. "He'll fight this disease for your brother's sake."

"You better," Lovi growled. "Or I will take your axe and slice your fucking head off."

Ludwig smiled gently. "I promise. For Feliciano."

"Everyone, we better start going," Kiku said from his place next to the door, katana ever present in his hand. "We only have a few hours of sunlight."

"Kiku is correct," Yao added. "Ludwig, thank you for sharing with us your condition but we can't waste time standing around discussing it. We have to leave."

"Yeah," Ludwig agreed. "I've taken up too much of our time."

"Don't worry about it," Alfred piped up. "You think that a stupid bite is going to stop us trusting or caring about you dude? Now we have more motivation to find civilisation and find possible medicine."

"You all don't mind that I'm infected and travelling with you?" Ludwig asked the group.

"We can't afford to lose one of our best fighters," Arthur replied. "And you're part of the team. We're not going to give up on you"

"I kind of guessed that would be peoples answer," Ludwig smiled. "I'm glad I told you."

"This is nice and all but we seriously need to get moving, or were you all ignoring my brothers?" Mei interrupted moodily.

Ludwig shook his head, breaking himself out of some kind of trance. He looked at the Asian girl and nodded mutely. He turned to the others. "Alright, let's go."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"If you're going to kiss, don't do it in front of me, jerkface," Peter growled as he pushed past Arthur and Alfred and took his seat at the front of the minibus.

Red faced, Arthur, whose hands were on Alfred's shoulders, glared at his little brother. "I'll kiss my boyfriend whenever and wherever I like."

Peter snarled. "It's gross. And not because you're both blokes. I'd think it was gross if you kissed a girl. It's gross because you're my brother and I'm not supposed to see my brother kiss. Ever."

"Give them a break, Peter," Matthew laughed. "It's took them so long to finally admit they like each other. Let them have their moment."

Peter glanced at the Canadian. "Since our brothers are dating, does that make us related now?"
Matthew thought about it for a second. "A little. They're not married but give it time-"

"Thinking a bit ahead there Matt," Alfred retorted once taking his place behind the wheel. "We've been dating for less than a day."

"I think it's sweet, "Lilly piped up from somewhere near the back. "Finding love despite all of the mess that is going on around us."

Peter laughed once the bus started moving. He turned in his seat and looked the blonde girl straight in her eyes. "Oh no, Arthur has been pining for Alfie for ages."

"Shut up, Peter," Arthur hissed next to him. "Or I'll throw you out the window."

The younger boy chuckled. "Go ahead, I'd like to see you try."

Arthur rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Cocky little shit."

"But anyway," Peter continued, speaking directly to Lilly, glad to finally be able to talk to her. "It was no secret that they liked each other. I mean, did you see the way they looked at each other before? It was enough to make me sick."

Half of the mini bus laughed, the other half bemused. Before Peter said another word, Arthur grabbed his brother and forced him to sit down and to remain silent.

"One more word and I' swear I'll make Alfred stop this bus and I'll kick you off," Arthur warned.

"Why? So you can be here all alone with your boyfriend?" Peter lightly mocked.

Arthur glanced up at Alfred who was trying to mask his laughter. They locked eyes for a second and Arthur smiled. "Yeah," he answered Peter. "Sure, why not? If you don't shut up, you'll hear us being all lovely dovey up here, right sweetie?"

"Sure, sugar," Alfred replied. "Oh Arthur, your eyes are as green as grass on a summers morning."

"Stop it," Peter snapped.

"Alfred dear, your hair is so lovely. Do you wash it in sunlight?" Arthur cooed.

"The same sunlight that is dim against your smile," Alfred chuckled.

"Alright," Peter shouted. "I'll stop talking. Point made."

Alfred let out a cackle and mussed up the boys hair. "Sorry little dude. We're just messing with you."

"You're as bad as mum and dad," Peter told Arthur. "They would sit in the back garden at night and just say lots of nice things to each other. " He sighed. "I miss them so much. Man, I even miss Alistair and Tom."

"I know," Arthur replied sadly. "I miss them too. We don't even know what has happened to Maggie and Pat."

"Maybe Ireland is safe?" Peter wondered, wide eyed. "Maybe America is the only place over run with zombies?"

"Here's hoping," Francis added, watching the scenery through the window. "Both my mother and little sister are in Paris. I hope they're safe and healthy. I'd love to contact them and tell that that I'm alive and well."

"Our father is still in Switzerland," Vash mumbled. "Our mother died two month ago. I'm eighteen so I was allowed to keep Lilly."

Peter looked around at everyone. "Sorry guys, I didn't mean to make everyone sad. We've all lost people who we love."

"I lost everyone when I was born," Raivis muttered. "My mother abandoned me when I was born. I was looked after by the orphanage where no one wanted to take me. I grew up there."
Feliks sniffed. "I miss my dad. He was the only one in my family to accept me, the person who I am. He was a great man."

"I hate to interrupt," Alfred said. "But I can see buildings. We're in the city."
"How does it look?" Yao asked, craning his neck for a better look.

"Not sure," Alfred answered. "I don't see any zombies but I don't see people either."

"Deserted maybe?" Arthur commented.

"If it's deserted then there's a reason why?" Francis answered. "People don't abandon a whole city for nothing."
"If there are no zombies or people, it should be easy to find somewhere to make camp for the night," Vash answered.

"Night is hours away, dude," Alfred replied as they entered the city.

Tall buildings surrounded them, looming like grey ghosts. Lone vehicles cluttered the road, some on fire and some still with the engines going, left empty. Blood and bodies painted walls and pavements, the odd zombie here and there, their pale lifeless eyes following the two vehicles as they passed. A black and white dog, all skin and bones, tore into the flesh of a bisected zombie, the zombie trying to crawl away by using its arms, it's legs nowhere to be seen.

"I guess this is the same way home is," Mei concluded as she watched two zombies fight over a severed arm. "Monster invested."
Suddenly, the bus did a sudden screeching halt, more curses flying from people's mouths as once again, they were thrown from their seats. In front of them, the truck reversed, spun, and sped down a narrow street.

Motionless for a second, Alfred glanced ahead to see what the reason was for their sudden diversion and what he saw made him pale.

About two hundred feet ahead were at least a hundred zombies, clustered around a car whose alarm was blaring. A few from the hoard had seen them in the distance and had broken free from the crowd, slowly hobbling down the road towards them.

Following the truck, Alfred didn't let them leave his sight, mimicking Gilbert's movements. At every turn, a group of zombies met them. They reached a clearing and as they sped down the road, they reached a lone house, where they parked outside. From all sides, there were zombies following them. Boxed in, led by Gilbert, the truck full of people made their way into the large house, Gilbert struggling with the door. As the people from the mini bus joined them, they managed to get inside, a large bookshelf in the way. Replacing it, the group looked around. The entryway was the same size as most of their houses.

"There's too many to fight," Gilbert muttered, going around and shutting all of the curtains. "And we'll never get through them. We just have to hope they pass by. Everyone keep watch."

"I'll search the house," Kiku volunteered, joined by Mei as he headed up the large curved staircase.

"They saw us enter here," Alfred told Gilbert. "They'll surround us. We should have carried on."

"Did you not see how many there were?" Ludwig snarled. "We'd never get through them. They'd overwhelm is in minutes. Our best bet is that they move on and give us a clear pass."

"We've been on the road for an hour," Alfred snapped. "An hour! We'll get nowhere if we take shelter in every safe house we come across."

"If you don't like it, you know where the door is," Gilbert retorted. "It was a mistake coming here. A huge city was obviously going to have thousands of zombies."

"Sshh," Lilly growled, glancing out the curtain. "There's a load of them outside. They'll hear us."

Suddenly there was a scream from up stairs.

Both Alfred and Ivan ran upstairs, racing each other to the top. They reached the first room and their eyes bugged from their heads. Kiku was on the ground, flat on his back, unable to move due to the person on top of him, waving a knife in his face. Mei was trying fruitlessly to drag the person off her brother, tears in her eyes and screams echoing around the room.

Alfred aimed his gun at the long haired attacker. "Drop your weapon before I shoot."

The person looked up, dark blues eyes wandering all over the Americans body until her eyes met with the gun. She snarled and then laughed.

"Silly American, I'm not afraid of you," she said, her accent thick and European. "I'll kill you next."

Alfred didn't budge, the girls voice sending chills down his spine. He cocked the gun but suddenly it was thrown for him hands.

He glared at Ivan, but the Russian was not looking at him, but instead at the girl who was getting nearer to slicing Kiku's throat open.

Ivan cleared his voice. "Natalya?"

The girl froze, her eyes wide and she slowly raised her head. She stared at Ivan, no one in the room moving or making a sound. The girl silently mouthed words and then she dropped the knife in her hand, stood and leap into Ivan's arms, burrowing her face into his large chest, crying words in a language the others did not understand. Ivan replied in the same language, his words muffled since his face was buried in her hair.

"You know her, Ivan?" Kiku asked, slowly sitting up.

Ivan nodded. "She is my little sister, Natalya."

"Sister?" Mei mumbled. "Explains why she tried to kill my brother."

Natalya glanced over her shoulder. "You were intruding," she spat, her voice deep and husky. "That was why I was trying to kill you."

Mei glared and addressed Ivan. "You told us your sisters were dead?"
"I thought they were," Ivan answered, his arms still around Natalya. "I saw Katyusha killed in front of me. Natalya goes to a different school and I automatically presumed she had perished."

"No monster can stand between my brother and I," Natalya responded. "And Kat was always the weak link."

Alfred could only watch in confusion. Although he used to be friends with Ivan, he had never met Natalya before. He heard she had to be schooled somewhere different due to certain behavioural reasons which Ivan had not shared. The girl's school uniform was clean, not a speck of dirt or blood in sight. Her grey jumper and matching skirt had no crease whatsoever, showing no signs of trauma. Wherever Natalya had been during the outbreak, she had had an easy break.

"I tried to get to you," Natalya told Ivan, finally out of each other's arms. "But there were zombies at every turn. I've been holed up here for two days."

"All by yourself?" Alfred asked.

She glared at him. "Do you see anyone else here, you gun toting idiot? Of course by myself."

Alfred raised his hands in defence, about to give her a scathing reply but sounds and screams and glass smashing came from down stairs.

Immediately in actions, the group upstairs ran and joined the rest of their group as the zombies fought to get inside. Gilbert and Lovino held back the front door as zombies crawled through the windows. Everybody with a weapon fought to keep the monsters out. Alfred joined, shooting a zombie in the head as it was about to latch itself onto Francis's arm. The French boy nodded in thanks and slammed his foot down on the head of one monster that had fallen to the ground in front of him.

Peter had a small coffee table in front of him, using it as a shield as Arthur defended him, arrows flying and slicing through heads. Matthew was doing well, smashing skulls open with his hockey stick, his glasses smeared with gore. Heads flew in all directions as Ludwig swung his axe around quickly and skilfully, dispatching the beasts with ease.

Saving on bullets, Vash and Lily chose to punch and kick the ones that got close to them. Once or twice firing if one got to close to biting them.

Natalya fought like an Amazonian warrior, her knife a blur as she beheaded foe after foe, her clothes now showing signs of the apocalypse. Ivan too was fierce, his steel pipe serving better than most guns.

Eliza and Antonio stood back to back, covering one another when a monster got too close. The Spaniard swung his makeshift spear in his hands like a professional while Eliza's frying pan was enough to keep her safe.

"There's a clearing!" Gilbert shouted over the battle. "Quickly, everyone get to the vehicles!"

Everyone did just that, killing any zombie in their path. Alfred grabbed Raivis who cowered in the corner with nothing to defend himself with. Together, they jumped over the ledge of the window, being some of the last to escape the house.

He practically threw the Latvian boy into the back of the bus and with only a split second to look around at who was inside, he started the bus and slammed into any zombie that was unfortunate enough to get in his way.

The path was smooth since they followed the truck that was making easy work of getting through the hoard. Once free, they sped down the road, avoiding any lone zombie in their path.

"Yao!" Mei screamed in horror. "Yao is not here. We have to go back!"

"Mei," Kiku said softly, but out of breath due to the fight. "We can't go back. We barely all escaped. Yao is most likely dead."

"He's our brother!" Mei screeched. "How can you say that? We need to turn around and get him."

"Kiku is right," Matthew said, wiping the blood from his glasses. "Yao probably was grabbed by them and taken down. It's too dangerous to go back."

"No," she cried, reaching for the handle of the door. "I'll go back for him if none of you will."

"Mei," Kiku spluttered, holding her back. "Listen to me. Yao is dead! He carried no weapons so there is no way he survived. He's at peace now with Yong-Soo and Lee."

Without another word, she spun and buried her face into his chest, sobbing.

Alfred frowned. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't count how many got in here before I drove off. I should have noticed he wasn't in here and waited until he found us."

"If you did that, we'd all be dead," Natalya spoke up, sat at the back with Ivan.

Antonio turned, confused. "Who is she?"

"My sister," Ivan answered. "Natalya. She was upstairs of the house we were in. She's a good fighter, she's a worthy addition to our team."

Natalya did not introduce herself, uncaring when Antonio stretched out his hand in welcome. Ivan nudged her and grudgingly, she shook it.

"Peter, Alfred, are you both alright?" Arthur asked from the back, having just jumped into the bus. Not caring where.

Peter nodded, tears streaking his young face. "We lost someone again," he wept. "So no, I'm not alright."

Arthur looked the boy up and down, happy to not see any bites or scratches on him. He turned to Alfred for his answer.

"I don't know dude," the American replied, his hands shaking on the wheel. "Yesterday Eduard, today Yao and someone else tomorrow. I guess I'm surprised that we only lost one person. But fuck, when we lose someone it's no longer a shock, you know? I wake up every day, look at everyone and think – who are we going to lose today? Death has become a daily occurrence now."

Arthur didn't reply, just placed a hand on his shoulder. Alfred reached back and twined his fingers around Arthurs. Arthur gave Alfred's hand a slight squeeze and kissed the back of the Americans hand.

"I know love, but we'll get through it. We've got each other, that's all that matters. Matthew and Peter are both safe and we've got each other. It'll work out, just you watch."

I know the ending was a little rushed but I wanted this chapter finished before it got too long. Once again, sorry that this is late. But yes, Yao is no longer with the group. I originally had a different plan for him but it didn't fit with the rest of the story. Also, we needed more women, so I added Natalya. She's pretty badass and will show the boys a thing or two :P

Also, please let me know if the USUK is being cheesy, as I'm not too good at writing romance scenes. Hopefully they come across as loving and sweet.

Next chapter will be posted on Christmas Day.

Keza xXx