He's Alive! I know right. For those of you who have read this story, it's been far to long since my last update. I'm not gonna make any excuses. But updating should never take that long again, at least not until the end of the summer.

The unofficial poll that's been going on is now ended. Officially this story will be TakashixSaeko. Sorry all of you Rei fans. Saeko won hands down.
That being said now I'll have to come up with something to do with Rei. I had considered killing her off, but I think that would be in bad taste, so don't worry. She's here to stay.

(Rant Start, the following contains nothing important)

You know what I hate? When authors write a romance story and then take three quarters of the whole thing to get the romance set up, have the characters finally admit their feelings for each other, and get their first kiss, only for the story to end three chapters later. That's almost as bad as actual anime for Christ's sake! Whats the point of having a pairing if the characters aren't actually paired for the majority of the story? It's just a waist of flipping Time! Get on with it!
I will NOT be indulging in such, in my opinion at least, idiot behavior. That's not to say stories that take forever with a pairing can't be good, I just find that part of them an utter wast of the reader's and the author's time. That's why my last chapter included some forplay for both girls. Lets face it. Everyone knows that Saeko and Rei have the hots for Takashi, taking another five chapters to arrive at that forgone conclusion is not how I want to spend my time writing.
In other words, the pairing starts now I what I think to be a believable, in a post apocolyptic setting anyway, manner. So yeah just wanted to get that off my chest. I've been wanting to write that rant for a while

(Rant End)

One last thing. I have to give credit to my best bud for writing a joke in this chapter, the only joke. You'll know it when you see it.

And so

1000 Suns

DEAD Quiet
Fighting them was awful, and running away was even worse. There were times I wondered when we would all just go bat shit crazy. When one of us would just fly off the handle and...
But the worst times of all? Those were the days when we did nothing ,when we stayed locked into where ever we happened to be at the moment; with nothing but our memories for entertainment. I remember seeing Hisashi's grey corpse, hearing the rapist from the gas station cry for mercy, tasting Rei's tongue brush against mine, feeling Saeko's alabaster skin beneath my hands, smelling the smoke and rot at the fire of Takagi manner. The hanging man, the broken cop, every mistake, every what if, every shattered smile and empty stare. They will remain with me for a long as I live . To this day I'm not sure how I managed to keep from drowning in it all.

xXx

Rei was curled up in a red chair, her face buried in Shizuka's shoulder as the Buxom nurse comforted the young woman. Rei's eyes had long since run dry, leaving them read and puffy. But still she trembled, unable to contain the horrors of the day. Saeko sat cross-legged on the floor, sword resting across her lap, eyes hidden from sight by glimmering purple bangs as she slowly ran her fingers across the lacquered sheath. Komuro sat on the edge of the bed, face resting in his palms. Of the three, he was the most still, his slow, heavy breaths, the only indication that he was alive at all.

The rest of the room was just as quiet, Saya and Alice sitting silently on the other bed. Hirano stood off to the side, gun in hand as if the rifle could ward off all the troubles in the world. Around the room several backpacks lay on the floor, filled with everything they owned. Those who had remained at the hotel had gathered their supplies together, making ready to leave as Takashi ordered, only to find that the other half of their party would return in no condition to go anywhere. Rei shattered, Saeko detached, and Komuro, their fearless leader, as dead to the world as the monsters that shambled through the streets. It had been adrenaline and will power that gave him the strength to make it back to their base. Now, safe for the moment, both sources had run dry, leaving Takashi spent, exhausted, and world weary.

Of the three Saeko was the most collected. It had been her that had informed the rest of the group about the brief expedition in hushed tones, speaking quietly so as not to agitate Rei any further. But even she was closed off. Her words were as guarded as her emotions. And no one else could tell what was going on in that head of hers; if she were angry, sad, frustrated, exhausted, or perfectly fine. She sat on the floor, deep in meditation, and utterly closed off to the outside world.

The trip to the police station now fell under the category of taboo, never to be mentioned again. Several such moments fell under that category, instances that would not be spoken of, ever. It had become unspoken law in their small family, and everyone knew the memories that were not to be remembered. Just as everyone shoved those memories deep down inside their psyche, burying them under lock and key.

But out of sight did not mean out of mind.

Takashi stood, his movement sudden, shattering the stifling stillness of the room, as if driven by some unquenchable resolve to move and break the stupor in which he found himself. His gaze met no one, his steps jerky and uncertain as he made his way to the door. With a mumbled, 'I'll be on the balcony' he was gone, the thick oak thudding shut behind him. Gone too was the motivation, and silence reined for a brief second more before Saeko rose, her movements infinitely more graceful and poised then their leader's though she followed in his footsteps. When the door closed a second time no one else had the strength to break its strangling grip.

Khota watched them leave, vaguely wishing one or both of them had stayed to breathe life into their shattered comrades. He ran his fingers over the length of his rifle once more, sighing. He was a marksman, probably one of the finest shots in all of Japan. But when it came to problems like these, where he couldn't just pull a headshot and make the problem go away, he had no idea where to start.

And the silence continued to slowly suffocate them.

The Balcony
The sun still cast its light over the horizon, though its touch meant much less to Komuro these days. In some ways it was just a painful reminder that day wasn't over yet, that there were still more challenges to face. At best it could be called late afternoon. Being summer, there were still several more hours left of daylight. Those hours could be used productively, or he could simply try and survive them. Another choice, another burden.

In this world there was no 'six of one half dozen of the other'. Each choice held more importance than he might ever realize. And there was no easy way out, no 'if life gives you lemons make grape juice'. You had to work with what you were given, make the best of every situation. But there was one thing Takashi was beginning to understand. Lemonade would really suck if you didn't have any sugar.

He shook his head, clearing the useless thoughts as he leaned against the balcony railing. In truth, he didn't really know why all of these pithy little aphorisms were swirling around his mind. They served no purpose, but in a way they helped him draw his thoughts together. He needed to make a choice, to stay at the hotel for another day and hope to recover. Or bury the troubles they had encountered thus far once more, and push forward.

He remembered Saya's remarks from this morning, their group was lucky, having practically every skill set they could desire. He could choose to push that luck, it might end up benefitting them in the long run. Or it might just get all of them killed faster.

Behind him the door to the balcony slid open, Saeko stepping out next to him. She rested her katana carefully against the door frame as she took her position by his side. Komuro didn't turn as she came to a stop, neither one of them acknowledged the other. Yet Saeko leaned into his arm ever so slightly, letting him know that she was there. She was there not for herself, but for him, if he needed her. It was odd how the end of the world changed people. Before she had never even spoken to Takashi. Now she was almost constantly by his side. If Saeko were true to herself, she preferred the world where she was next to him.

Takashi sagged against the railing, head drooping, tawny eyes halfway closed. "Do you need something?" He asked, voice quiet, bordering on listless.

"No," She replied calmly, "I am here in case you do." She turned her soft blue eyes to them. "Even our fearless leader needs to share his burdens occasionally." She said, a sad yet playful smile gracing her lips.

His eyes widened slightly at her remark, a dry chuckle escaping him. As the two turned to face each other she took a step closer, easily within reach, only an inch or so separating the two of them. She rested her hands lightly on his chest. "You were there for me when I needed you Komuro," She said quietly, "Allow me to do the same for you."

A lifetime's worth of emotions flashed across his tawny eyes as he took in the violet haired beauty in front of him. She could have written a book on his eyes, so expressive were they, drawing you in with tantalizing glimpses of the soul that lay beneath.

He reached out, strong arms wrapping around her, and she melted into his embrace. He buried his face in her hair, breathing deeply the scent of lilacs that filled the air around her.

"Komuro-kun," She murmured, gripping the front of his jacked with her long, slender, fingers. She pressed herself against him, leaning into the crook of his neck. He shuddered at her touch. Light as a butterfly's footstep. "Komuro-kun, I am here for you."

Her melodic voice seemed to break something inside of him. He drew back slightly, tilting her chin upwards with his left hand. "Saeko," He breathed. His eyes were like molten gold, boring into the depths of her soul with their intense heat. Their faces were close, so tantalizingly close that Saeko could feel the warmth of his breath. She knew what he was asking, what he needed. Unlike their first kiss, it was Saeko who leaned forward, pressing her lips against his as one of her hands snaked up to the back of his head, burying her fingers in his hair.

His lips were firm and they parted hers gently, allowing his tongue to slip into her mouth. It ran along the inside of her teeth, causing her to shiver. She kissed him back with equal fervor. She licked his lips massaging his tongue with her own. Somewhere along the way his hand had found its way to the small of her back, holding her close.

When at last they broke apart Saeko tugged at him gently, leading him back towards the door of the balcony, pulling him back inside the hotel as he picked up her katana. Words were unnecessary as he pulled his room key out of his pocket, opening the door silently. They slipped inside, Saeko easing the door shut behind her. Then she was in his arms again, Takashi planting butterfly kisses on her neck.

Saeko moaned lowly, showing her approval as his lips fluttered lightly across her skin. Their lips met again in a passionate kiss, tongues caressing each other, teasing with every flick. She traced her fingers along his chest, slipping them beneath the hem of his T-shirt to run across his firm abs. She smirked into his lips as he gasped at her ministrations.

Growling he pushed Saeko backwards onto the nearest bed. She pulled him down on top of her, wrapping one of her long, supple, legs around his waist. His mouth left hers, trailing kisses down her jawbone, along the alabaster skin of her neck. Komuro bit down on her, a startled gasp escaping her lips before she could rein it in. "Harder, Takashi," She whispered out, pleading for his bite. His lips found their way to her collarbone. Where's the first was a lovers bite, this was more feral as his teeth nipped at her skin, threatening to draw blood. She loved it.

Trembling, her own hands began to undo the buttons on her uniform. This was quickly spiraling out of their control, out of her control. But she found herself caring less and less as Takashi began trailing kisses down her chest, his hands reaching behind her to unclasp her bra. She allowed him, throwing the purple lace off to the side the moment he was done.

Komuro froze, eyes widening as he drank in every inch of her. "Do you like it, Komuro-kun," She asked shyly, not quite able to meet his gaze. She could practically feel his hot eyes devouring her, and she couldn't help but be afraid of disappointing him.

"Saeko," he whispered, tilting her face towards him. His golden eyes were on hers now. A soft, gentle smile flickering on his lips. His had caressed her cheek causing her to blush lightly. His eyes held something akin to worship, something that she could not comprehend until he spoke. "You're perfect," He stated, as if there could be no questioning that fact. Her breath caught in her throat. That the man above her could believe so completely in her perfection even after knowing the darkness she held within. Her eyes grew moist as she leaned up to kiss him. Allowing him to dominate her with his tongue. She drew him into her mouth, Thank you she thought.

His jacket was gone, she noted. Saeko had always been a firm believer that actions spoke louder than words. She decided to show him how much his words meant to her. She yanked his shirt over his head, pulling his chest to hers roughly as she wrapped her unbelievably long legs around him.

And they knew of nothing else for a time.

Saya's Suite
A soft tap came to the thick door, accompanied by a soft ,"Someone care to let us in?" Khota crossed the room and opened the door quietly, allowing Saeko and Komuro to enter. Takashi nodded in thanks to the chubby marksman, putting a hand of his shoulder. "How are they?" He asked, his voice a whisper that carried no further than Hirano's ears.

"Rei's the worst." Hirano replied in kind, "The rest of us are in pretty good shape. What's the decision?" He asked.

Takashi sighed, "I need to check on Rei first. I can't put our family in danger if one of us isn't up to it." Khota nodded, agreeing with Takashi's logic. He stepped aside, allowing Komuro and Saeko to enter the room. From where she was perched on the bed Saya noticed that Takashi's shirt was on backwards. Saeko's scarf was looser than usual, and from the looks of it the top button of her uniform was undone as well. Saya's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. But she knew that now was neither the time or place to be jealous and voice her suspicions. Their group needed Komuro. And if Rei knew that the two had done what Saya suspected then her trust in him would be shattered. That was the last thing they could afford in this new world. She would leave it to Saeko and Rei to sort out their ever more confusing love triangle.

Takashi walked slowly over to the chair Rei sat in. His childhood friend sat next to Shizuka-sensei, her head resting on the blond woman's shoulder. Her eyes were closed, breathing regular. She almost appeared to be asleep. Reaching out one hand, he rested it gently on her shoulder, "Rei," He called quietly, "How are you feeling?"

Her brown eyes opened slowly, coming to rest on Takashi with a smile, "I'm okay," She replied, sitting up straighter. Seeing his somewhat incredulous gaze she added, "Really I'm fine, I just needed to let it all out." He glanced at Shizuka, who nodded in agreement with the girl next to her. Takashi sighed in relief, one less thing he had to worry about.

Turning to face the rest of the room he said, "We're moving out. Staying here longer won't do us any good." He took a deep breath before continuing. "We'll be heading east. My house isn't far from here, hopefully we'll be able to stop there for the night."

Chances were, nobody was in his house when everything went to hell. His father was out of town (AN: At least I think that's what he said about his father, sorry if I'm wrong.) and his mother was probably still at school. A school that, like so much else in the city, had burned two nights ago. He tried his best not to think about that.

At his words everyone nodded, standing up quickly and gathering their belongings. They were all thankful for a new direction to move in, a new goal to pursue. If they had stayed there another night they might have drowned in all the past memories. Now they merely did their best to shove unwanted thoughts to the side, bury them in the action of the moment like so many times before.

Within minutes they were packed and ready, moving quickly and cautiously down the stairwell to the parking lot. It was almost routine now, moving to the humvee and loading it as efficiently as possible. Everyone but Komuro got into the vehicle, Shizuka starting it up promptly.

The noise of the engine attracted one of them nearby and it shambled haphazardly towards the jeep. Catching sight of it Takashi stepped away from the humvee, brining his shotgun to a more ready grip. A hand reached out and snagged the back of his jacket. Turning around he was surprised to see Saya glaring at him over her glasses.

"You aren't going to do something stupid now are you?" She asked.

Komuro chuckled, "Relax, I'll be fine." Reluctantly she let go of him, still glaring at their baka of a leader. The zed was about ten yards from the vehicle now, and the entire group watched Takashi silently as he made his way towards it.

Alice wondered what her big brother was doing as she looked after him with wide eyes. Why was he going towards the bad thing? Those things chased her and daddy all over the city, and they scared her. Still, she knew Onii-san would never leave her. So more than anything she was curious. She watched as he slammed the butt of his gun into its neck, causing it to topple over, landing out the ground with a thud. He cocked his shotgun, aiming it at thing's head calmly. He pulled the trigger. And Hirano-oniisan's hand covered her eyes as the gun's retort sounded throughout the parking lot.

Takashi jogged back to the jeep, quickly climbing in and shutting the door behind him. He gave a weary smile to the rest of the group and Shizuka hit the gas, taking them down the road towards Takashi's home.

Island Airport
"... I see," said the severe looking man in front of her. "Rika- san, are you sure you wish to go through with this?"

Rika nodded to her commanding officer. "I was in contact with them via cell phone when the H.A.N.E. went off, so they were alive at that point." She paused. "Respectfully sir, you don't need me here any longer. The several police officers that arrived with the last group will be more than enough to keep the peace, especially now that we are screening everyone who comes onto the facility."

The man in front of her sighed. "The airport had a line set up with the Takagi patriarch. We communicated several times before the lights went out" He said. "A day prior to the H.A.N.E. he informed me, on a side note, that his daughter and a group of her friends had safely reached his manor." He paused, unsure if he should continue but too committed to back out now. "One of whom matched the description of your friend, Shizuka Marikawa."

Rika tensed, eyes widening slightly, of course she knew about the fire of Takagi Manor.

"Are you sure," the man continued, "that going to look for them is still the best course of action?"

Rika took a deep breath. She knew her friend had found the guns stocked in her apartment. From the few brief minutes of conversation with Shizuka she gathered that the kids were capable. It just boiled down to if she was willing to risk her life for a friend who man not even be living. Not to mention the fact that she didn't even know where to start.

They had her humvee, which was proofed against E.M.P.'s, so they stood a decent chance of escaping the fire. But that also meant they could be anywhere in the city.

Rika looked towards the ground before straightening her shoulders and meeting her superior officer in the eye. "My earlier decision still stands sir!"

He smile ever so slightly. "Good luck Rika." He replied quietly, "And God bless."

With a salute Rika left the office, gathering her kit for a jaunt to the mainland.

Komuro Residence
It was an average looking house, the street outside empty of life, a single wrecked car crushed against the light post on the opposite sidewalk, blood stains splattered on the asphalt. No movement remained, no life, no light.

"The obviously didn't have All State to protect them from mayhem like me. That's All State's stand, are you in good hands?" Mr. Mayhem's head receded beneath the fence line. (AN: sorry, I had to. *Ahem* anyway)

Inside the house bodies lay, still as tombstones, silent as graves. Two motionless forms sat huddled in a corner, another sprawled artlessly in the center of the room. Inside as out, no light, the shadows of the room concealing what might have been seen. The back door was shattered, pieces of broken glass laying on the tile floor of the kitchen within, cupboards open, drawers overturned.

The entire neighborhood was silent, even the newest denizens of the city growing quiet in the darkness of the night. Of the true night, with only the stars above to light the way as had not been for hundreds of years. The days of true darkness that had begun with the fire of Takagi manor, casting this part of the world into darkness. For those that still remained the darkness was expected now.

The silence of the night was shattered by the growl of an engine, a beam of light slicing through the darkness that swathed the road outside.

Within eyes shot open, a figure scrambling to its feet, dragging others into consciousness with a rough shake, questions that would have been asked silenced by another growl of the engine. Light cut through the window, briefly illuminating the dark room. Shuffling, hands snatching up improvised weapons, a well established routine taking place once more.

Three figures crouched by the doorway as the car outside drew in front of the house, slowing. A whispered Are they stopping? drifting through the air. A terse nod and the tension in the air redoubled. Eyes peeked out over the sill as the growl of the engine was cut, lights vanishing. Thuds of car doors, the tapping of footsteps growing closer to them. Figures, less than three steps from the door, a flash of moonlight from behind distant clouds revealing the dark metallic weapons two held. Guns. A small figure within gasped, stepping backwards in fear. A foot came down on something fragile.

SNAP!

The people outside froze, eyes ducked back out of sight, glaring at the perpetrator of the noise. Alerting the ones that approached.

The three figures within readied themselves, not one of them brave enough to look back out the window. Hand tightened, muscles tensed as they waited. On the outside silence was their only answer.

Seconds dragged by. Suddenly the sound of retreating footsteps could be heard. The vehicle outside sputtered to life once more, taking off down the street, leaving the house in darkness once more.

Those within slumped, relief replacing the tension that only moments ago was thick in the air. Arms lowered, one figure peaked out the window once more. A glance revealed nothing but an empty street, devoid of life as it was before.

All three made their way towards the middle of the room, the first one to wake facing the two he had woken.

"So that's it?" one of them whispered. "They just drove away?" Disbelief colored the voice, wanting to be grateful for the good fortune but having survived too long to simply take it at a glance. Suspicion lingered in the air.

The first figure shrugged, "Hopefully" they spoke, before turning to the smallest form. The other's posture showed unhappiness at almost giving them away, fist balled at the sides revealing anger directed inward at the foolishness. "This time it was okay," The first figure said. "Just make sure you learn from your mistake next time," A pause, followed by a short nod of understanding, eyes bright with determination not to fail again.

A shadow moved forward from the periphery of the room. Eyes widened a warning springing to the first's lips. An action that was mirrored by the one standing across from him. "Behind-!"

A sharp cold needle pricking into the back of the first one's neck stopped those words in their tracks. The figure could see fear in the eyes of the one opposite of him as the barrel of a shotgun dug roughly into the back of their head.

As one the shadows spoke, "Don't move,"

A Few Minutes Earlier
Takashi, Saeko, Rei, and Khota approached the Komuro house quickly, eyes turned outward, looking out for them. Behind them Saya, Shizuka, and Alice remained in the humvee, also on the lookout and ready to make a quick getaway should things take a turn for the worst.

Takashi taking point, the other three followed close behind as he made his way to the front door. Far above them, the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, giving them a brief moment of light.

SNAP!

The four outside froze, Takashi's eyes latching onto the window where he caught a flicker of movement before, silence. He started at his house, brow knitted as his mind rushed through all the possibilities. Suddenly he became aware of how loud their footsteps had been, not to mention the Rika's monster of a car.

When the door didn't burst open with a flood of them Takashi stepped backwards slowly, taking great care to keep his feet quiet. Drawing close to Rei, he put a hand on her shoulder and leaned in next to her ear. "Take Hirano back to the car, drive once around the block." He whispered, giving short succinct instructions. "Tell her to park it in that one hidden spot over by the fountain. When you come back the door should be open."

He leaned back, looking Rei in the eye. She nodded once, tugging Khota on his sleeve the two walked back to the humvee, making no effort to mask their footsteps.

Takashi signaled quickly to Saeko, the two moving silently around the side of his house, reaching the backyard just as the humvee sputtered back to once more, taking off down the street. Takashi saw that gate to his backyard was unlatched, hanging open when he knew for a fact that it was close when he left for school all those days ago. Pulling Saeko closer so he could whisper he outlined his plan "Who or whatever's inside has to be in the front room. The sliding back door leads into the kitchen. Once we get inside I'll go around to the right door to the entryway, while you wait by the kitchen door. Give me fifteen seconds, then we move in together from opposite sides. If they're alive try to get them to drop their weapons."

Saeko nodded, but they came across a stumbling block when they reached the sliding door to the kitchen. The glass was busted inward, laying across the wood floor. If either of them accidently stepped on a piece it would crack, alerting whatever was inside.

Takashi frowned, wondering if they should just leave his home behind. But it was dark, and he was so close. Now he understood what Rei meant at the police station.

Saeko put a hand on his shoulder, drawing Takashi's attention. She leaned into him, placing her lips a bit closer to his ear than was strictly necessary and whispered, "Step exactly where I do," She moved to the sliding door, crouching just outside. Her eyes were trained on the floor picking out the pieces of glass they would have to avoid. Once more the moon came out from behind the clouds, its silver light falling on the wood floor of the kitchen, reflecting off the glass.

Standing again, Saeko motioned Takashi closer as she readied herself for this ordeal. Standing just outside the broken door, Takashi watched with keen eyes as Saeko slowly entered the house. One step at a time she made her way into the kitchen, placing her feet gracefully in gaps between the shattered glass. Reaching the middle of the room a few seconds later she motioned for Takashi to follow.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, mentally going over each step he had to take. He lifted his leg, putting his right foot inside of his house. Slowly, and much less gracefully than Saeko, he crossed the floor, carefully putting each foot exactly where Saeko had placed hers.

As he neared her Saeko reach out, grasping his shoulders to guide him the last two steps. Once across they nodded to each other, Komuro going into his house, Saeko standing out of sight by the door to the entryway.

Takashi moved quickly but silently into his house, counting in his head as he went. He reached the other door, mercifully open, at the ten second mark.

He took another breath, readying his shotgun.

Five, four, three, two, one, now!

He moved around the door, seeing three people standing in the center of the room. One had their back to him. Moving forward swiftly, he placed the barrel of his shotgun in the back of their head just as two of them shouted "Behind-!"

They froze and Saeko and Takashi spoke in unison, "Don't Move,"

A moment of utter silence ensued. Taking charge of the Situation Takashi commanded, "Drop your weapons and move to the center of the room."

They complied, two baseball bats and a pip thudding to the floor. "Saeko, door," Takashi said. She moved opening the front door quietly, allowing some moonlight to enter.

Takashi took in the three people who were camped out in his home. Two teens, a boy and a girl, and a young boy who looked to be nine or ten. The child and the girl looked related, sharing the same snow white hair and soft blue eyes.

All three of them were tense, fear evident in the girl's eyes, anger in the child's, and desperation in the boy's. All emotions that could lead to someone dying from rash action. Takashi didn't know who these people were, they just happened to be unlucky enough to have picked his house to squat in. But he was still human, he didn't want to kill them if he could help it.

Taking a step back he lowered his shotgun. "Relax," He said, "Nobody needs to get hurt."

The three looked at him wearily, still on edge. In the end it was the child, anger overriding his fear, that spoke first. "Who the hell are you?" He asked, his voice angry, bitter, as if Takashi was to blame for all of his problems. Not the tone of voice one would expect from a nine year old.

Takashi chuckled sadly at the outburst, "I suppose names are a good place to start." He said. "The lady by the door is Busujima Saeko. My name is Komuro Takashi."

Recognition flashed over the boys face, he must have read the name on the mail box. "Well shit," he murmured. The girl elbowed him in the side, shooting him a sharp glare. "My name is Akiyama Yukiko." She said softly. "This is my little brother, Shun,"

"I'm Hashimoto Isou." The other teen said.

It was then that the rest of Takashi's group arrived at the house. Entering quickly through the open door, Saeko shutting and locking it in their wake. "Well," Takashi said, "Looks like we have some decisions to make."

xXx

Truthfully, I never expected to see another living person after the fire. I thought that everyone would either be long gone, or dead. I assumed the few that remained would be crazy gangsters that I would have no trouble shooting. It's almost sad, how easy it is to kill now. Now there were three normal people before me, no more or less innocent than my own family, that had survived the madness by some stroke of skill or some god given luck. I could be their doom, and they could just as easily be ours. I know longer knew if we could afford to be saviors. And yet...

High School of the Dead
DEAD Quiet

And that's a wrap. A very introspective chapter, even if I do say so myself. Sure most of my story is like that, but this chapter has to have the least amount of dialogue out of my whole story. meh, whatever.

Tell me what you think. The scene at Komuro's house, too much cloak and dagger?

'Till next time,
Argentorum