All of them stared wide eyed as they stared down into the courtyard where they had just watched Saya's father behead one of his own men that had been bitten and turned, in a show of what needed to be done to survive in this new world. When he had walked away from the scene all of the group watching on the balcony heard Hirano scoff next to them.
"Hey Hirano are you ok?" Takashi asked. "You don't look like you're doing so well over there."
"Tch, swords are incredibly inefficient." Hirano said quietly.
"What?" Takashi asked not knowing where this was going.
"You want to run that by me again." Ichigo said narrowing his eyes at the gun nut.
"I said they were inefficient!" Hirano roared at them. "A Japanese sword can break if it hits bone, it's useless after slicing three or four people." He told them, swinging his arm out, not knowing of the rage in Ichigo's eyes.
"You can't say that for sure Hirano." Saeko said. "Even in the way of the sword, numbers determine your strength. The swordsman's technique, the quality of his sword, his mental strength. If these three elements are at high levels, you won't lose your fighting strength, no matter how many people you have to fight against."
"But once the sword has blood on it then it's impossible too..." Hirano said before Takashi cut him off.
"Hirano, man that's enough." Takashi said placing a hand on the teens shoulders noticing how agitated Ichigo was getting at Hirano's disrespect of sword play.
"Don't touch me!" Hirano snapped shrugging his shoulder to get Takashi's hand off him. "And don't interrupt me! You can't even shoot a gun properly!" He growled making Takashi take a step back at the attitude his new friend was showing.
"Hirano you need to back off!" Saya yelled at him before they all heard a clatter and everyone's head turned to Ichigo who had dropped his crutches, which were now lying on the ground at his feet, his head down with his hair covering his eyes.
"You say swords are inefficient?" Ichigo questioned his head lifting up and they could see the cold dead look in his eyes as he glared at Hirano, who took a step back in fright, only to back into the railing of the balcony. "Shizuka, take Alice and Karin inside."
"What?" Karin asked. "I thought you said I could make decisions on my own now." She said, Ichigo glanced at her and nodded his head.
"Shizuka, take Alice inside. She doesn't need to hear this." He said and the blonde woman frowned but nodded her head and took Alice by the hand.
"Come on, let's go get you and Zero something to eat alright?" Shizuka said, Alice looked over everyone else and nodded her head before both walked inside. Hirano simply kept his eyes on Ichigo as he glared at him. He felt severely unsafe now that he didn't have his guns on him.
"Let me ask you a question Hirano." Ichigo said. "If swords are inefficient, then I'm guessing you are saying guns are more so?" He questioned but didn't get a response. "I asked you a damn question!" He snapped making Hirano squeak.
"Y-Yes!" His eyes shot wide open as Ichigo made a lightning quick movement, even with his bandaged bruised ribs, Hirano was now looking down the barrel of Ichigo's 9mm, the same one Saya had handed him earlier out on the grounds below them.
"Ichigo!" Everyone shouted at him but Ichigo didn't even look in their direction, his sole focus was on Hirano. The only two who didn't shout out were Saya and Saeko. Both for entirely different reasons. Hirano was visibly shaking as he stared down the barrel of the gun and into Ichigo's hard eyes that showed no emotion whatsoever. If Hirano would have to compare it to anything he would have to say he looked like a killer from a TV show or Movie.
"What makes this even more efficient than a sword Hirano?" Ichigo questioned gesturing to the gun he was holding. "Is it the speed behind the bullet? The power that pushed the bullet out sending it at killing speeds?" Hirano just stood there shaking as Ichigo continued to speak. "Go on, what makes this more efficient of killing 'them' then a sword does? Zangetsu is still in top shape, I couldn't even count how many I killed before I got knocked out the other day and it doesn't have a damn dent in it's blade." He narrowed his eyes even more. "So tell me how a gun tops that."
"I... it... ah..." Ichigo pushed the gun forward to Hirano's forehead making him gulp.
"It doesn't does it." Ichigo continued. "You know what I think? I think that since you know all about guns, you think you know everything else about weapons. I don't know shit about guns and I don't care. Because in my books they're inefficient. But unlike you. I actually have a reason. You want to know why?" Hirano just nodded once before a resounding click made everyone gasp as Ichigo pulled the trigger. "Because once you're out of bullets. You're dead." He said lowering the gun and placing it in the back of his pants. "That's why guns are inefficient. Don't try and start an argument that you can't back up."
"But..." Hirano said shakily.
"No." Ichigo said coldly cutting him off. "What happens when there are no bullets left. When they have all been used up. None are going to get made any more. What we have now is what we got." Ichigo's glare hardened once more. "So when the ammo finally runs out, and if you don't pick up a weapon and fight..." He shook his head. "You'd be nothing but dead weight." Eyes went wide at that.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Ishida snapped grabbing Ichigo by the shoulder and swinging him around before sending his fist straight into Ichigo's face sending the orange haired teen to the ground. While the entire commotion was going on Chad placed a hand on Hirano's shoulder, the still shaking teen looked up at him.
"Go, get yourself cleaned up before anyone notices." Chad told him, making Hirano look down to see the large wet spot from where he had wet himself just moments before hand. Hirano nodded his head in thanks, not able to trust his voice and ran off towards the nearest bathroom.
"What is your problem?" Saeko asked looking up at Ishida from where she was kneeling next to Ichigo who was holding his nose, blood clearly present.
"Don't." Ichigo told her. "I knew what I was doing." He said pushing himself up from the ground, his ribs flaring in pain as he did so. He pulled his hand away from his nose to show the blood that had now stopped flowing, he wiped away the excess blood with the back of his hand before he simply picked his crutches up, once again ignoring the pain in his ribs and walked back into the room before picking Zangetsu up and leaving the room, leaving everyone on the balcony quite shocked at what had happened in the last few moments.
"Ichigo didn't do anything wrong." Saya said surprising everyone as they all looked at her with wide eyes. "He's right." She continued.
"Saya, how can you say that!" Takashi shouted at her.
"Tell me what's wrong about it then!" Saya snapped back at him. "Ichigo's not thinking about just now. Guns will become scarce the more we use them. We shouldn't rely on them to get us through every day. The only person here with gun experience is Hirano. If something happens to him, we wouldn't know how to care for a gun properly. What if it jams what do we do then?" She shook her head. "I will admit Ichigo went about doing it the wrong way but he got his point across didn't he?"
"Will Hirano see that though?" Karin asked, still a little shaken from how she had seen her brother just act. "Or should we explain it to him?" She questioned once more.
"If we explained it, Hirano wouldn't have learnt anything." Rei said softly. "I agree with Saya, Ichigo went about doing it the wrong way but he did get his point across. Hirano has to see that."
"I should probably feel bad about hitting him." Ishida sighed, rubbing his now bruising knuckles. "But I really don't."
"That's because he has been asking for it." Tatsuki huffed, the slightest twitch of a smile at her lips. "You probably enjoyed it more then you should have."
"Probably."
"Why is everyone fighting?" Orihime said softly. "We were getting along so well but now... everyone is fighting with one another..." She continued wiping away stray tears that were threatening to fall. "What changed?" She questioned.
"This world Orihime." Tatsuki said softly wrapping her friend in a hug. "This world is changing, and we have to as well." Orihime wrapped her arms around Tatsuki and rested her head on her shoulder.
"I don't want us to change Tatsuki." She whispered.
Ichigo grunted as he sat down underneath the shade of a large tree, laying Zangetsu across his lap as he massaged his aching ribs. Even in this now god forsaken world, Ichigo could still enjoy the pleasures of a light breeze underneath a tree with no one disturbing him. He placed both hands on his knees and closed his eyes before steadying his breathing.
"That's a fine form." A voice said making Ichigo's eyebrow twitch. "And a magnificent blade."
"It will be in your gut if you don't leave me alone!" Ichigo snapped not opening his eyes to address the man who had spoken to him.
"Is that how you address the man who is giving you a roof over your head?" The voice questioned making Ichigo crack an eye only to stare at the illuming figure of Takagi's father. Ichigo's eyebrow twitched at his own stupidity, he should really think before he speaks.
"Well, I'd say the same thing to my old man." Ichigo told him, closing his eyes once more. "So yeah, that's how I address the man giving me a roof over my head." Just because he should think before he speaks... doesn't mean he would start now. Ichigo's eyes opened again when he heard the man laughing.
"Oh it has been a long time since someone other than my wife has spoken to me like that. Boy, let me ask you. Do you know who I am?" He asked.
"Former Lord of Tokonosu or something right? Saya mentioned it earlier." Ichigo shrugged, not really caring.
"So even though you know who I am, you still treat me as someone else. I find you an amusing boy." He laughed once more.
"Names Ichigo not boy. Ichigo Kurosaki." He told him.
"Souichiro Takagi." The man greeted in return sitting in front of him, in a similar position except his sword was laying by his side. "So you came here with my daughter?"
"Sought of." Ichigo told him. "We were separated before we got here. We left the school together though. She and the others arrived here a day before us."
"Ah, you were the one who was injured. Hence the bandages. My wife spoke of you. May I ask how you received those injuries?" Ichigo sighed but nodded his head.
"We were attacked by another survivor. They caught us off guard and held us captive." Ichigo said clenching his hand. "Both Saeko and myself dealt with them. We got here, barely."
"You are strong to make it here in such a state." Souichiro said. "Only the strong, will survive through this. I see you already know this."
"I know what has to be done." Ichigo told him and he nodded his head as both stared at one another.
"May I?" He asked, gesturing to Zangetsu. Ichigo nodded and passed it over to him making his eyes go wide. "This is... the Zangetsu blade..." He said in awe.
"You know of it?" Ichigo asked slightly surprised as Souichiro nodded his head and drew a small portion of the blade to show it.
"Just as the legend says... black as the night." Souichiro said softly. "You know the legend correct?"
"Yes." Ichigo told him.
"Said to be once in the hands of the great warrior Tensa Zangetsu." Souichiro started as he continued to draw the blade from its sheath. "For decades the warrior fought against demons of the night and other worlds, alone in his solitude he became cold and dark." Ichigo nodded his head in agreement. "On one of these darkest times, Tensa Zangetsu split himself into two, his darkness and his light. It was said that the two battled for even longer than anyone could comprehend. When the final battle struck, Tensa Zangetsu was able to slay his darkness and pierced the blackest of hearts. His own blade absorbing the darkness turning it black, just as dark as the heart it had pierced."
"How is it that you know the legend?" Ichigo asked as Souichiro continued to stare at the sword.
"My mentor, he taught me of ancient blades. He was very fond of the story surrounding this one." Souichiro told him. "How is it that you became to possess such a rare sword?"
"It's been passed down in my family." Ichigo told him. "When I hit fifteen my old man showed it to me, told me that it was mine. He didn't want to wait until he was gone to pass it on so he let me have it."
"You are very fortunate then." Souichiro told him, sheathing the blade and handing it back to Ichigo. "I was glad I was able to see a well crafted blade such as this one." Ichigo placed Zangetsu back on his lap. "I heard from Yuriko that you have been nominated the leader of your group you are with."
"Yeah..." Ichigo trailed off.
"I do not know much about you Ichigo Kurosaki, but it seems that they are in very capable hands. I'm glad that my daughter has found a strong leader to follow." Ichigo looked up at him and sighed.
"Look, I think you should know our plans." Ichigo said. "We do-" His words were cut off as shouts came from the side. Both looked to see a large group of men surrounding something in a small circle, all shouting downwards. Ichigo physically felt Souichiro stiffen and heard him grunt in annoyance as he stood up. Ichigo following, albeit slowly as no not cause him a lot of pain. When they reached the group Ichigo saw that Hirano was on the ground holding all the guns from Shizuka's friends locker as the men around him tried to take them from him.
"What the hell is all this!?" Souichiro shouted as he walked up to the group of people surrounding Hirano.
"Master! He's just a kid sir, he doesn't have any business with these guns." One of the men shouted out.
"I'm Souichiro Takagi, former lord of Tokonosu, what is your name young man?" Souichiro questioned as he stood before Hirano and stared down at the teen in front of him who was wide eyed as he stared up at the illuming figure of Saya's father.
"K-K-Kohta Hirano, I go to Fujimi academy, I'm in class 2b roster number 32!" Hirano cried out clutching the guns to his chest.
"Something tells me you have spirit, I'm quite sure you went through a lot before you made it all the way here. I take it you don't intend to hand over your weapons." Souihciro said with slightly narrowed eyes.
"No sir! I don't want to! Without the gun I'll go right back... to the way I was before! They will make fun of me again! I don't want to go back there! I finally found out what I can do!" Hirano cried out, tears running down his cheeks.
"What exactly can you do? Tell me!" Souichiro ordered making Hirano stutter in fear of the man.
"Well I... Well I can... I can... I..."
"He's been protecting your daughter alongside myself and other members of our group." Ichigo said walking up beside Souichiro before walking towards Hirano who stared up at him, tears still streaming down his cheeks.
"Ichigo..." He whispered out.
"It's true Sir." Takashi said, walking up. "He's been protecting your daughter with these guns. We all have, we work together."
"Komuro." Hirano whispered out. "Thank you... thank you both."
"Komuro? Interesting. Yes I know that name, you have been friends with my daughter since she was little, am I correct?" Souichiro asked.
"Yes sir." Takashi nodded in agreement. "Hirano has been the one to show us all how to use these guns. He keeps the guns."
"Kouta!" Alice cried as she ran over with a barking Zero.
"I'll have you know I've seen his bravery with my own eyes." Saeko said walking over as well.
"Me too Daddy." Saya said walking over with Saeko. "He's just a loser military nerd, but without him I would have been one of those zombies by now Daddy. That's right, he's the one that's been protecting me! He did your job!" The others of the group walked over and stood behind Takashi and Ichigo supporting them.
"I see." Souichiro said. "Very well then. You can keep the guns, my men will no longer bother you."
"But!" A man started but a glare from Souichiro stopped the man in his tracks and he just nodded his head as Souichiro turned and walked away.
"You alright?" Ichigo asked kneeling down next to Hirano who nodded his head eagerly. "You did a good job keeping the guns away from them, I might have said that there insufficient, but that doesn't mean we don't need them in the times to come."
"Yeah." Hirano smiled. "Sorry about earlier."
"Don't worry about it, I should be the one apologising, I did shove a gun in your face." Ichigo replied awkwardly but Hirano shook his head.
"It's fine, you were trying to explain something which I hadn't come to terms with yet. Thank you Ichigo."