Given a second chance to relive her life, Shizuru is more than determined to live her life and protects Natsuki in the world where there is no order and where the undead roamed. "Natsuki, if your love is all I had in this life, that would be enough till the end of time."
It was near the end of December now and was supposed to be the peak of winter season, where temperatures were expected to drop close to zero degree celsius. Yet the Sun hung bright and hot in the sky, raising temperature up to unbearable level, scorching practically everything on Earth.
A group of ten people were travelling on the hot desert plain with no transportation or whatever so. It would have been cooler to travel at night. But more dangerous though. They had been walking on the hot sand with their bare feet for many hours. Some of them were having blisters beneath their feet. Yet they continued to push on for fear of their lives. They had lost track of the number of hours they spent walking. Their clothes were tattered and dirty, barely covering their stick-thin bodies. Their hairs were dry, uncombed and frizzled, falling all over their face. And their cheeks were slightly sunken and pale and it was obvious that these travellers were close of malnutrition.
Feeling of despair was thick in the air, a shackle on their spirits. And amidst the despair, there was a sense of uneasiness and fear, slowly spreading among the travellers, eating away their sanity.
Their aim was to travel past this vast desert to arrive at the largest human settlement in the north, where many humans were rumored to have gathered.
Three days ago, they had started off as a group of hundred people travelling from the city up north. But within the short span of time, the group of hundred people dwindled to a mere ten after rounds of attack by the Undead and Anomalous Beasts.
The whole group would have been completely decimated by the attacks if not for their group leader, a strong Wielder leading the group to safety.
Despite the fact that there was a strong Wielder in their group, they still lost hundreds of people within a matter of three days. How many would survive until they reach the settlement? One? Or none?
The group of ten people struggled along the desert with the Wielder heading the group and the others trudging along behind him in single file. And struggling at the back were two girls, with their hands around each other shoulders, hanging on and supporting each other through the difficult journey. What would have been once consider beautiful mane of hair were now dirty, frizzled and matted to the scalp.
"Leave me behind Natsuki..." Shizuru muttered through ragged lips were cracked from the lack of water. Days of drought had left them with no water and they had finished the last drop of water two days ago. Her face was pale and sunken, worsen by illness. "Go Natsuki. Go! Leave me behind. Go with him. He… He will protect you..." Shizuru spoke the words through cough.
"Shut up Shizuru! What nonsense are you talking about." Natsuki scolded. "You are going with me!" Natsuki smiled as she bit her lips and once again pulled Shizuru's arms over her shoulder and trudged behind the group. There was a smile on Natsuki's face but her eyes were brimming with tears. "I will not leave you behind. Stay with me Shizuru. We promise each other that we will survive and together we will reach the settlement. And it is not possible between him and I. You know! You know who I love." Natsuki looked straight into Shizuru's eyes.
Shizuru reached out her hands to caress Natsuki's face and shook her head and gave a bitter smile. She looked away. She was not in anoy position to promise Natsuki anything. She could feel her life draining out of her body slowly.
Why bother Natsuki? I more than anyone doesn't you to be with him. But this is world end! Neither of us has any power of defend ourselves, let alone survive! What's more now that I am sick and you had to struggle through the desert with me. I can't drag you down anymore. Shizuru thought as she stared longingly at Natsuki's face and came to a final decision.
The temperature fluctuates greatly in the desert. The temperature can go as high as forty-five degree celsius during the day and as cold as zero degree celsius. And any remaining water was now frozen into ice. Everyone was trying to cover themselves with anything they can find and huddled together to keep themselves warm. But in the middle of the group was a small tentage, the tentage used only by their group leader - the only Wielder in their group.
Natsuki hugged Shizuru close and together laid at the corner. Natsuki pulled Shizuru closer, and stared blankly at the sky.
Shizuru knew her body the best. She knew that at this rate, she would not last any longer.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over the two of them.
"Natsuki." A low timbre voice. "Have you thought about what I told you earlier on?"
Natsuki raised her head and for a moment looked blankly at the man in front of her.
The man was in his early twenties, tall and muscular, looking healthy despite the ordeal these past few days. His dark black hair was combed backwards, with a few strains falling over his forehead, giving his a slightly boyish look. But the boyish look was offset by the scars on his left cheek, giving him a dangerous aura. He stood in huge contrast to those travellers who looked stick thin and malnourished. And he was their group leader, Masashi Takeda. And he was also the only Wielder in their group.
Both Shizuru and her were able to survive up until now thanks to him. They had no power nor ability to survive in this world end if not for his determination to keep both of them alive, they would have been dead, killed either by the Undead or Anomalous beasts. Or perhaps even worse, turning into sex slaves to men.
Natsuki bit her lips hard.
There was silence but still Takeda stood there waiting patiently. His dark green eyes deepened in anticipation and something more.
"Will you keep to your promise and save Shizuru if I agree to your request?" Shizuru had been having high fever for the past three day, she cannot wait any longer. At this rate, she was going to lose Shizuru. To lose her when they have not even started.
Takeda's eyes lighted up in joy when he heard Natsuki's question. "Hai!" Takeda promised. "I will promise you anything as long as you become my lover."
"Hai..." Natsuki said and then bit down hard on her lip. She tightened her fists, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh, leaving deep imprint on her palms. She took in deep breath and said, "I will become your lover." The moment the last word left her mouth, tears rolled down her pale cheek.
Takeda's eyes grew wild with joy.
She knew the road she had taken. But there was no other options. She won't allow Shizuru to die. Even if she had to sleep with Takeda, she would do it so that Shizuru could live. She knew Masashi Takeda had feelings for her, but she had no feeling for him. It was only a one way admiration.
"The medication?"
Takeda motioned to his men to pass Natsuki the pills.
Takeda watched patiently for Natsuki to finish feeding Shizuru the medication before he bent down and scoped Natsuki gently into his arms and lifted her up.
"Wait…" Natsuki placed her hand on Takeda's arm. Natsuki bent down and pulled the miserable piece of cloth over Shizuru and left with Takeda to the tentage.
There was no such thing as a good person in this chaotic world. She had accepted this man's help in exchange for her body. Takeda promised to save Shizuru and in return, Natsuki had to offer up her body - an exchange.
Alone in the dark, Shizuru pushed the cloth away Natsuki placed on her. Shizuru shivered in the cold air. A cruel smile on her face as tears rolled down her face.
Gomen-ne Natsuki. I wasn't having a fever all this while. Three days ago, during the fight with the Undead, my wound came into contact with some Undead blood and it had seeped into my wound. I will most probably turned into an ugly Undead soon… Shizuru thought as her mind grew foggy. Forget me ne Natsuki… So sorry I wasn't brave enough to tell you I love you.
Gomen-ne Natsuki.
Dawn came as Natsuki emerged from the tentage.
She struggle her way passed other people, stumbling along the way with her clothes in disarray. Some of them gave her a smirk knowing what went on in the tentage. Others looked at her in disgust.
It did not matter to her what others thought of her. Only Shizuru matter to her now.
"Shizuru… " Natsuki kneeled down next to Shizuru, her hands stretched out towards Shizuru's face, fingers trembling. "Ne Shizuru..."
Shizuru's face was cold to touch and pale as paper.
At that moment, everything within her crumbled, shattered in pieces.
Shizuru was the reason why she persisted that long. She was her pillar of support. How could she survive without Shizuru?
Natsuki reached over and pulled the now cold and stiff Shizuru into her arms and gave an anguished cry and sobbed silently.
She was completely alone now.
2020 Summer, the end of human civilization and the start of world end.
It started off with a large scale high magnitude earthquake in many parts of the world and without much chance for human to react to the catastrophe, many countries were faced with three days of continuous rainfall. And subsequently, malaria and other viruses spread fast and furious across the continents. And like the movies, there was a deadly and contagious virus strain that spread quickly among the human and many of those who died from the virus subsequently returned as Undead.
Hot weather followed immediately after the 3 day long rain and trees died as a result and soil erosion quickly occurred. Acres of land quickly turned into desert, covering even the cities. Collapsed of the food source coupled with the Undead nearly threatened the survival of humankind.
Not just the Undead, even animals evolved to become stronger and more deadly! And human called them the Anomalous Beasts . Those beast appeared together with the Undead, making it harder for human to survive in this planet where resources were becoming increasingly scarce.
Law and order crumbled within days when faced with the growing numbers of Undead and Anomalous Beast. The line between right and wrong blurred and only people with brute force had the final say. And very the very fabric that holds the society together was gone. Humans were no longer guided by values and religions and only the strongest survive in this new world order. The law of the jungle holds and there was little that could differentiate a human from an animal.
Even though there was an attempt by the government to establish some form of law and order in the country, but the collapse of the transport system and communication system eroded government's ability to manage the situation. The hope that government could save the people diminished as time passed and fears spread across the country as people slowly lost faith in the authority and individuals begun to arm themselves in this dangerous time.
Brute force rules the world and government gradually lost control of the situation.
World end arrived.
There was complete darkness. That was the only thing Shizuru knew.
Shizuru wasn't sure how long has passed before she regained awareness and her senses began to work. But she found herself to be in a rather peculiar situation. Her mind was active even though she could not see or move. She could not quite describe it but it was a feeling one has to experience for oneself.
Is this what death feels like?
There was complete silence and endless darkness around her and Shizuru could not tell how much time has passed. And she wondered how long this situation was going to last. The feeling of being immobilized in a complete silent and dark surrounding while you mind was active could drive anyone insane. It was a miracle for her to stay sane in this situation.
Just as her mind wandered, Shizuru felt something cool brushed across her skin, occasionally fast while at times slow.
The sensation had Shizuru renewing her efforts to open her eyes and move her limbs. It failed the first few times. But Shizuru noticed that it got easier and easier to move with each try. And finally Shizuru's eyes fluttered open to see a herself surrounded by endless depth of blue. A dark blue so dark it seemed like black. For a moment, confusion filled Shizuru's eyes.
She knew she was dead and she died during the World End. A death that was certain as she remembered how coldness slowly seeped in as her heartbeat grew weaker and weaker. If she was dead, then why was she here? What was this place?
It felt like she was floating in a vacuum, with currents moving around her. She could not move even though she knew and felt that that nothing was binding her.
She tried to open her mouth but no sound emerged. It seemed she could only moved her eyes.
Where is this place? Shizuru wondered again. The only thought that occupied her, preventing her from going crazy.
Is this Hell? Where is the devil then?
Any longer of this emptiness and she would most likely turn crazy. She did not regret dying though, much as she missed Natsuki. Their relationship had not started. So it would be less painful for Natsuki. Perhaps.
She could still remember vividly the feeling of death. How the whole body felt as if it was wrapped up in ice, slowly seeping through all parts of your body, from the tip of the fingers to the body. And even deep down to the soul. And there was nothing you could do about it. It was pure agony. It had been less painful if someone ended it fast and quick for her. Shizuru thought bitterly and wanted to sigh. But there wasn't any sound.
As Shizuru laid in this vacuum, her mind wandered to Natsuki again. Her heart ached the moment she thought of her. She wondered how Natsuki is. She never meant to push Natsuki to anyone, let alone that Masashi guy. But there was no other options left in this world end. Two girls with no power would easily fall prey to others. Natsuki needs a man to protect her in order for her to survive in this era. And even if Shizuru survived, she would be a burden to Natsuki. So Shizuru decided for the both of them. To end her own life so that Natsuki could better survive under Masashi Takeda's care.
Shizuru began recalling the incidents that led to the world end. There was a spike in the number of natural disaster in the recent years all over the world. Every once a few months, there would natural disasters from tsunami to earthquake to volcano eruption to typhoons to droughts. Human panicked initially. But as times went by, they got used to the frequent disasters. If there is a disaster, there is government to manage the situation. Government would step in to manage the problem. And slowly, people's sense of danger eased.
Six months before the apocalypse started, extreme weather conditions became more prominent. Summer became longer and daily temperature hit a new high. Natural disasters became even more frequent. Yet human remained apathetic towards what was happening around them and went on with their daily lives. Perhaps there were some who attempted to save the environment and lives affected by the natural disaster but often too little and too late.
And liked everyone, Shizuru and Natsuki too, were too preoccupied with their lives prior to the apocalypse. Both of them were orphans and it wasn't easy for them to enroll into university and both of them were working daily to fund their tuition fees and to pay for daily necessities. They were busy with school and part time jobs everyday and they hardly had any time and energy left to worry about climate change.
But a major earthquake struck followed by three full days of rain signalling the arrival of apocalypse.
Shizuru sighed as she stared up at the black 'sky'. Days after the apocalypse struck, the earth turned into a living hell.
Immediately after rain, human started falling sick and hospitals were fill with patients. And like the movies, humans turned into Undead and that was the start of the collapse of human civilisation.
Law and order collapsed immediately. No food, no law and order as the Undead roamed freely amidst screams and pleas heard from the streets. Day after day, night after night, Shizuru and Natsuki hugged each other to sleep praying that everything would be ok the next day. But lucky for them, they had bought and stored some food when they sensed that things were getting uncertain and these had helped to sustain them for a while. Not long, but at least for three months.
What was scarier than was not the Undead and Anomalous Beast. But the human.
The two of them had hid in their home, refusing to open the door to anyone despite knocking. They would most likely ended up dead if they opened the door. It was not easy for two girls with hardly any attack capability to survive in this world where there was no law and order.
Any form of communication with the outside world was cut and they had no ideas what was happening outside until one month later when they finally gathered the courage to open the door to a group of people combing through the area for food. Shizuru and Natsuki decided then to give up their food in exchange for their protection and help to escape the building. Their food will run out fast and it would be better for them to gather in larger groups to hunt for food and for safety.
And it was through them that they realized that majority of those who fell sick after the rain turned in Undead while another large number of human died from illness and a few minorities awakened with supernatural power and was later on called the Wielder - wielder of supernatural power.
Wielders were stronger than the normal human being. Some of them had the ability to control elements such as wind and water, while others had superhuman strength or speed, or metal hard skin, resistant to physical attack. And the Wielders has the capability to kill the Undead.
And the ones who saved them, the leader of that group, Masashi Takeda, was a Wielder. He wielded the power of ice, an Ice Wielder.
Shizuru knew the moment she saw Takeda, that they were safe. Because Takeda was in love with Natsuki.
Shizuru knew that they were taking advantage of Takeda and it was wrong. But when there wasn't anything they could do in this lawless world.
Takeda had chance upon the two of them while he was in the process of gathering food and drinks before embarking on a trip to the largest human settlement up north.
And after much effort and sacrifice, the group managed to escape the city infested with Undead and travelled up north.
Shizuru recalled her past as she instinctively tried to turn her body but was stuck. She had forgotten that she was immobile.
Just then, the 'sky' burst up in flame and the flame grew brighter and brighter until Shizuru could not bear it and closed her eyes against the bright lights.
But even so, the brightness of the flame seemed to have been etched into her mind. It seemed that she could 'see' the flame burning in the 'sky' even with her eyes closed.
The flame spread and encompassed the whole surrounding, spreading far and wide into the vacuum.
Just when she thought it was over. A bright silver light shone through the flame and pierced directly into her body. And immediately, there was a sharp pain shooting through her body, causing her to curl up in pain.
And Shizuru thought, dying was a painful process. The pain was excruciating. She was dying. Shizuru could feel her mind slowly fading into darkness.
I guess this is the end for me.
Unaware to Shizuru, the silver light that pierced into her body started to grow brighter and slowly encompassed Shizuru, bathing her in a sea of silver.
The silver light brightened and then dimmed. Brightened and dimmed. Brightened and dimmed. But as it dimmed the brightness, the edge of Shizuru's body began to fade until Shizuru faded completely out of the vacuum.
Shizuru disappeared.
Opened and closed. Opened and closed. This process was repeated again and again as Shizuru stared blankly at the white ceiling in her bedroom. And abruptly Shizuru sat up straight on her bed.
What just happened?
Shizuru took in a deep breath as she recalled the scene before she fainted into darkness. The sharp pain that pierced through her body. Everything was real. She released her tight fist and let out her breath.
Apocalypse, world end, Undead, death and endless darkness. Everything that happened had challenged her limits and her understanding of the world.
What else could she not accept?
She had been reborn! She was alive!
She looked down at her hands. This pale and smooth hand, totally the opposite of what it was like during the world end.
Shizuru looked around and took in her surroundings. The familiar walls, the soft and comfortable bed, the fresh air from the morning.
All these looked familiar yet so foreign. This was how life was like for her long long time ago.
Shizuru cupped her face and gave a soundless laugh as tears dripped through her fingers, falling onto the bed sheets.
Just then a white puppy jumped onto the bed and struggled its way towards Shizuru, tumbling and tripping itself along the way until it finally succeed in reaching Shizuru. "Woof woof!"
Shizuru stared blankly at the puppy. "Duran…"
Duran was a puppy picked up by the two of them while they were out having supper. They fed and took care of it before the apocalypse. But when the apocalypse started, they were unable to take care of it and had let it free.
Realizing that Shizuru had no intention of picking him up, Duran whined and rubbed his head against Shizuru's hand.
Shizuru blinked and recovered from her recollections.
Right! Time! Time! What time is it now? Where is Natsuki?
Shizuru scrambled around for her phone and pressed the home screen.
Immediately the screen brightened and Shizuru's eyes widened.
2020 October, the start of autumn.
And three months before the apocalypse.
She had gone back to the past! The phone slipped through her hand.
Nothing had happened yet! She could still make it in time before the apocalypse!
Shizuru let out a long sigh of relief.
At the same moment, Shizuru heard a voice outside her room. "Duran? Where are you duran? Damn you! You better not be in Shizuru's room! I am gonna skin you if you are! You better not be disturbing her! She is sick and resting."
As if understanding the words, Duran immediately dug beneath the blank and hiding his head underneath it leaving its white bottom in the open, its tail wiggling frantically.
The door to Shizuru's room opened.
And Shizuru's eyes widened.
"Oh you are awake now? Are you feeling better?" Natsuki asked as she walked in and touched her palm against Shizuru's forehead. "Hmmm… fever has gone down. But I think you should rest a bit more. I will…" Natsuki paused in mid sentence as Shizuru grabbed her hand.
"Natsuki…" A whimper. "Natsuki…" And tears flowed down Shizuru's cheeks once again.
It was hard to describe what she was feeling now. This mixture sense of joy, relief and grief overwhelmed her mind when she saw Natsuki standing in front of her, in her usual shorts and tank top, exposing her toned midriff. Her midnight tresses draped softly over her shoulders as she bent towards her, a frown on her face. A young lady in the prime of her life before the apocalypse arrived and squeezing everything out from her.
"What happen Shizuru? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" Worried by this sudden outburst from Shizuru, Natsuki squat down in front of Shizuru and started touching her face. Still a bit feverish. "Are you feeling sick again? I will bring you to see the doctor. Hold on…" and with that Natsuki stood up and turned to get her purse but Shizuru's hand stopped her.
"Kanina Natsuki… I am fine. Sorry for frightening you." Shizuru gave Natsuki a reassuring smile. "I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed after waking up from a fever."
"Hmmm… you sure about it?" Doubt obviously evident on Natsuki's face. "We could still see the doctor again. You might feel better after that."
Shizuru smiled. It was indeed good to be back. "I am sure." Shizuru replied and gestured Natsuki to come closer to the edge of the bed.
Natsuki obliged.
Natsuki yelped.
"Shizuru!" Shizuru had reached out and grabbed hold of Natsuki around her waist and pulled her down onto the bed.
And there was another indignant yelp coming from the puppy who had tried to hide himself underneath the blanket earlier on. Natsuki had landed on him.
"What… what are you doing Shizuru?" Natsuki stuttered, ignoring the yelp from her dog. Her face turning a bright red from the close contact with Shizuru.
"Just lay still for a moment Natsuki." Shizuru whispered as she moved herself to lay comfortably next to Natsuki. She kept her hand over Natsuki's waist and her legs tangled with Natsuki's and snuggled her head against Natsuki's shoulder.
"What… Shi… Shizuru…"
"Shiiii…" Shizuru raised a finger and placed it over Natsuki's lips. "Just lay down with me for a while." Shizuru whispered against Natsuki's throat. She could see goosebumps forming on Natsuki's skin. Shizuru smiled. She had not intention to be complacent this time round. Shizuru thought as she rubbed her cheek against Natsuki's shoulder.
But first let her take a nap first.
Natsuki laid on the bed with Shizuru. She could feel the warmth emitting from Shizuru and her breath against her neck. Natsuki swallowed as a suspicious red hue appeared on her cheeks. Her lips were still tingling from Shizuru's touch.
There was something different about Shizuru today but Natsuki couldn't quite put a finger to it. But her attention was distracted by Duran dancing around the bed near Shizuru, protesting against Natsuki's 'brutality' earlier on and ignoring him after that.
"Woof woof!"
Natsuki glared at him. "Still Duran!"
Duran whimpered, obviously upset by his owner's lack of compassion and turned to show Natsuki its bum and laid down, ignoring Natsuki. Duran had decided not to talk to Natsuki for a while, until she apologised. It decided before drifting off into his little doggy world.
Natsuki smiled as she shook her head. Duran was getting more spoiled with each day.
Natsuki rubbed her chin against Shizuru's head and she too slowly drifted into sleep with Shizuru in her arm.
Shizuru could feel Natsuki's breathing deepened and she slowly opened her eyes, all intensed.
Things were going to change, Shizuru decided. She was going to take charge of their lives. They were going to survive the apocalypse. And they will be together. There was no way she was going to give Natsuki up the second time. Shizuru decided as she clasped her hand over Natsuki's and raised her head to give Natsuki a peck on her chin, before laying and and took a nap. A satisfied smile on her face.
A beautiful picture indeed as two beautiful girls laid on the bed. They tresses intertwined with each other. One of honey blond and the other of midnight blue. And their limbs tangled with each other in a comfortable manner, that showed of long time familiarity.
A/N:
Sorry guys... I know I have two other stories to finish but I just couldn't help myself. I just have to write this. Forgive me! Let me know if you like this story. If you like this story, I will upload the next chapter on New Year (1 Jan 2018). In the meantime, for those who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas. If you don't but it is a holiday for you, Happy Holiday. If it is neither, never mind, enjoy your weekend!