Chapter 3: Rule #3: Never Take Your Shoes Off

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With the light of the sun fading and dusk quickly approaching, Ichigo hastened to get their makeshift security alarm up and running. His hands couldn't stop shaking as he tied empty plastic bottles and cans together with string and tied it to the light poles in front of the store. If any zombies crossed, they'd be alerted.

Although he knew there was a sliding garage door, he could not find the key to the chain to lock it in place, so the added security never hurt. Ichigo was losing light fast, and he knew he couldn't stay out for much longer. So with one final tug of the knot, he headed back inside and reached up for the garage door.

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Looking around the abandoned streets, he could feel his anxiety rising. It was disconcerting to be met with complete darkness. He was aware of the dangers that lurked in the cover of the night; but this was the world they lived in now, and he was going to make damn sure the two of them survived it.

While Ichigo nibbled on his dinner of peanut butter sandwich with milk, Orihime hovered her flashlight over their backpacks once more, looking to make sure everything was safely secured and accounted for.

"Pretty sure that's the seventh time you've checked those bags," Ichigo murmured. Orihime looked up, startled at his sudden response.

"Ah, you noticed?" Inoue sheepishly replied.

"Kinda hard not to notice… you've been doing it for a good hour if I had to guess," Ichigo said before taking one last gulp of his milk.

Taking his backpack away from her, he pat it down roughly before laying his head down to rest on the makeshift pillow. Stretching his legs out, he looked to her and saw a small smile creep up her face before she started to do the same.

He watched as she undid the bun on top of her head. Her hair fell in waves, tumbling down her shoulders, settling on the small of her back. Ichigo stared, wondering how even in the piss colored lighting, her copper hair still glowed beautifully. She was deep in thought, mindlessly running her hands through her hair, straightening out its tangles.

"It's been awhile since we've had a sleepover, hasn't it?" Orihime asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the last one was when we crammed for Ochi-sensei's anatomy final back in high school," Ichigo answered.

"I remember that night very clearly because even with my help, you managed to fail anyway."

"Then you obviously remember that I graduated with you the next week, so I wasn't a completely lost cause." Ichigo smirked as Orihime's laughter died down.

"None of that would have mattered anyway, would it?" Orihime whispered. Ichigo watched as she finished combing and folded her hands over her lap.

"I don't think either of us could have predicted a zombie apocalypse coming, Inoue."

"Well, duhhhh," Orihime said, rolling her eyes. "I was talking about you being a photographer!"

The room was suddenly pitch black as Orihime turned the flashlight off and flopped down onto her pillow. With awe, she wondered aloud, "Who knew you'd be a world renowned photographer?"

Even in complete darkness, Ichigo refused to meet her gaze. "Although in hindsight, I should have seen it coming; you always were messing around with your mom's camera."

"Yeah, well, who knew you'd quit law school and decide to open up a cafe… with home baked pastries… that YOU bake!"

"Just because I have an eccentric palate doesn't mean I can't turn my crazy combinations into something good. Don't think I didn't see you order an extra lavender, thyme muffin on opening day."

An easy silence fell upon them, both relaxing despite their circumstance. Knowing Orihime was falling asleep, Ichigo had to ask one more time, just to make sure, "Are you sure you're okay with going up to Hokkaido?"

Turning on her side to face him, Ichigo felt Orihime's hand grab a hold of his own. She squeezed softly, unknowingly calming Ichigo's sudden tremble.

"I'm sure, Kurosaki-kun. It's only logical. The wedding was supposed to be this weekend, so that's where everyone will be." Orihime softly replied. Taking his silence as an agreement, Inoue let her hand go.

"Goodnight, Kurosaki-kun."

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Ichigo woke up with a jolt as he heard the unmistakable noise of rattling cans.

"Inoue." Ichigo whispered harshly. His arm quickly reached out to rattle her awake, but to his shock and terror, he was met with air. Opening his pack, he felt for his flashlight and turned it on, spinning wildly around.

"I'm right here!"

Ichigo turned his light to the corner and found Inoue crouched down, ear pressed against the metal garage, pocket knife in hand. Crawling over quietly, Ichigo tried to suppress the growing anger bubbling in the pits of his stomach.

"Wha-"

But then he heard it.

A deep voice, followed by the rattle of the garage door. Then another voice, not as deep but still very much threatening. Humans attempting a break in. Whoever it was rattled the door once more, and Orihime backed up quickly, her eyes wide.

If the outsiders were smart, they would have figured someone was in here because of the barrier. Ichigo wasn't going to risk it; they had to leave quickly.

Luckily for him, Orihime was one step ahead. She had grabbed her backpack and was headed for the storage room where there was a back entrance. Hauling his own bag onto his back, Ichigo followed.

Another rattle came from behind followed by a muffled yell. They both turned to look when suddenly a sliver of moonlight peaked from below the barely opened garage.

"It's not locked!"

The deep voice was clearer now.

Move.

Pushing Orihime forward, Ichigo closed the storage door behind them and locked it. As he turned the lock, they heard the garage door slide open at the same time. With ragged breaths, Ichigo pulled himself together and ran to the back door, slightly opening it. His ears strained to hear the surrounding area, but only heard the faint voices from behind.

"Ahh!"

Orihime shrieked as the door behind them violently opened and fell to the ground with a loud thud, the hinges forcefully ripped from the wall. Ichigo turned and saw a heavily muscled man at the doorway and felt his blood run cold. The sight of the man didn't scare him.

But the gun in his hand did.

"What happened?!"

Suddenly the other man appeared in front. He was smaller than his companion, but just as heavily muscled. His eyes glanced to Ichigo before straying down to Inoue and stay there. The stranger moved forward, and Ichigo could see the leer in his eyes. Ichigo's blood began to warm, dangerously reaching to a boil every time the stranger's smile began to widen.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The malicious smile from the smaller man was unsettling, the tone of his voice lewd and suggestive.

Without warning, he reached forward to grab a hold of her, but Orihime was quick and lunged to the side, grabbing hold of a shelving unit. Pulling with all her strength, the unit fell on top of the man, causing him to yell in pain. She then turned and pushed Ichigo back.

"RUN!"

She didn't have to tell him twice.

Ichigo heard the other man's strangled yell and a door slamming shut, but he dared not look behind him as Orihime sped past him swiftly. With the adrenaline pumping through his veins, he forced his legs to run faster.

Looking behind her, Ichigo caught her frantic look and yelled, "Go, I'll catch up, I'm right behind you!"

He had forgotten how fast Orihime could be.

But really, he should have known: she was always hard to reach.

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"You okay?" Ichigo gasped, taking his backpack off. His legs wobbled a bit as he hit the wall behind him and slid down. Orihime nodded, her breath already steadying. They ran for quite awhile, putting at least two miles between them and their muscled foes. He had followed her blindly, and she had led them to a gas station. They were safe, for now.

Orihime looked around and grabbed an unopened bottle of water. She drank a bit before handing it to Ichigo. Drinking the rest of its content, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and leaned his head back. He was crashing quickly, the events of the last half hour overwhelming him.

"You should rest a bit, Kurosaki-kun," Inoue softly said, "I'll take first watch."

Sliding down next to him, she placed her head on his shoulder. Leaning his head on top of hers, he asked, "How much sleep did you get back there?"

"I never fell asleep… you probably got about an hour before I heard the rattle," she paused to take a breath before continuing. "I thought at first it was just a zombie that triggered it, but then I heard the voices. You woke up when they started to untie the alarm."

Ichigo closed his eyes and tried not to think about how close they both were to danger. Especially Orihime. He couldn't shake the face of that leering man away from his thoughts. He had to be more careful.

Or take lessons from her. She was brilliant.

The least he could do was take first watch and let her get some much deserved rest. Except that his calves felt like they were on fire, and his feet… he could swear they were numb.

"God, my feet hurt."

"Umm…."

His eyes shot open at that, but he was met with the sight of his very dirty socks. His head whipped over to Inoue's feet to find her pair of boots securely laced on.

"Why the hell am I shoe-less?!"

"Did you take them off before you went to bed?"

Silence engulfed the two for a moment before a disgruntled groan escaped Ichigo's mouth. Orihime took it as a yes, and forced his head back down to her shoulder, patting his thigh in comfort.

"We'll look for a pair in the morning. But hey, at least now you know to sleep with them on!"

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a/n: there's no excuse for how late this came out. i hope you enjoy it though! i appreciate all the comments and faves, they really, really do put a smile on my face.

this chapter was a little serious, but the tone will be much lighter next chapter.

happy holidays, and stay safe out there!

xo,

lovelycollision