I do not own Highschool of the DEAD or its characters.
Again, I also do not own the British and US Marine characters in this chapter. They are the property of MarshalZhukov and are from her wonderful New DEADs Order story as well as several of her long running British Marines series. I thank her for the loan of them.
Updated: 10/19/13
Once Takashi and Saeko rejoined them, they finished the walk through the rest of the house. The kitchen was in a separate section in back, with the bath attached to one side of it; all were connected to the main house by a covered porch.
"This design facilitated the use of the kitchen fires to heat water for the bath," Saeko explained. "Also under the bath house should be a place for a fire to keep the soaking tub warm. This would be lit several hours before the lord of the house used the bath and kept burning until no longer needed for the day. I see where this has been set up to use gas or wood. You said the gas was not working correct, Sakamoto-san?"
She nodded, "Phillips says the gas is there, but with the pumping stations shut down, the pressure has bled off."
Saeko nodded, "It should not be any problem to light the fires and have hot baths this evening."
Tomasa simply nodded as they walked back into the main house. Pausing in the main living area, Takashi knelt down beside the sand pit hearth in the center of the floor. "This is bigger than the one we had in the other house," he said. "I'll look forward to sitting by it in the evening."
Noticing Sakamoto's puzzled look, the boy explained, "We've gotten into a habit of sitting together after the sun goes down and talking about the day. The last house we stayed in had a hearth like this and we enjoyed it greatly."
As they started toward the front of the house they heard someone calling them. Once on the porch they found Giba and Shion looking in awe at the house.
"You need us?" Rika called out.
Giba turned to face them, "Yes sergeant! The vehicles are unloaded except for the box truck. Everything has been parked in the motor pool."
"We'll be there in a minute," Rika said as they all sat down to put their boots back on.
000
Arriving back in front of the supply building, Rika started organizing the troops to move into the barracks. Saeko and Takashi entered the building to find Saya and Rei standing at the counter writing on notepads, while Shizuka and Yukari inspected boxes.
Looking around, Takashi asked, "Where's Alice?"
"She and Masahiko followed Kohta and Toda-san down to the armory. They're getting the ammo and extra weapons unloaded and stored," Saya explained.
Takashi nodded and excused himself to check on them, while Saeko told the other girls about the house.
000
Walking into the armory, he found the kids sweeping the floor while Kohta was moving and stacking ammo boxes.
Toda, sitting at a desk, looked up from some papers he was working on, "Eh Komuro-san, do you need any shotgun rounds?"
Takashi shook his head, "I haven't used any since we left the warehouse in the city."
Toda looked around at Kohta who had just finished, "I guess that's it then, Hirano-san. We can close up and go check in."
"That's one reason I came," Takashi said. "They're starting to move personal gear into the barracks."
"Ah good! I'm about ready to kick back and get some down time!" Toda said.
As Toda closed the door Takashi asked, "Are you going to lock it up some way Toda-san?"
Toda shrugged his shoulders, "Who's going to steal it? Everyone here is either a cop, soldier or Marine. Anybody needs anything all they got to do is say 'I need this'. Besides, most have better weapons than what we have in stock anyway. I'll find a padlock and put it on a little later."
Saya met them as they arrived, and started shoving bedding into their arms to take to the house. After they had stacked everything on the porch, Saeko asked Takashi to light the fires in the kitchen and bath.
It didn't take long before the kitchen and bath was warm and cheery. Looking in, Takashi could already see the steam rising from the soaking tub. As he closed the door, Saeko called from the main house for him to come to supper.
Supper was much the same as lunch, but Takashi noticed Saya got gravy on her fries. He chuckled as they sat down to eat. They were seeing a lot more of the American Marines and engineers now since it was starting to get dark and work was winding down. There seemed to be about fifty or so Americans overall.
As they finished their meals, Phillips and the other Brits came in and sat down with Tomasa and Rika. As the teens started out the door, Yukari excused herself and walked over to where Sakamoto and Clayton were sitting with a couple of other Americans.
"Excuse me, Sergeant Sakamoto?" she said as she bowed.
"Er, yes?" Sakamoto replied as she looked up at the woman she only knew as one of the convoy medics.
"My name is Yukari Dean and I am the wife of an American Marine that was stationed on Okinawa. I was wondering if there is some way I could find out where he is, I have not heard from him since the outbreak."
Sakamoto paused a moment and then nodded, "Give me his information and I will ask when I call in my daily report tonight. They're doing pretty good in keeping up with everyone so it shouldn't take too long to find something out."
Yukari handed her a sheet of paper with the needed info and thanked her again before joining Shizuka at the door.
Sakamoto stared at the paper as Clayton sighed. "Maybe, just maybe it will be good news," he said without much conviction.
She frowned at him and stuck the paper in her breast pocket.
"I've got patrol, Sergeant," Clayton said as he stood up. "We're Marines. Semper Fi."
Takashi leaned over to whisper to Kohta, "What's that mean, anyway?"
Kohta replied, "Its Latin. The full phrase is semper fidelis. Means 'always faithful' and from what we've seen, it's certainly true."
"Oorah, Clayton," Sakamoto said softly.
000
Once they got to the house, Saya quickly had everyone move their bedding and other items to the rooms they had picked to sleep in. Completing that, they started baths as Takashi prepped a fire in the living area hearth.
When Rika, Tomasa and Sakamoto arrived, after calling in reports, Shizuka dragged the women to the bath under 'doctor's orders'. Tomasa laughed and sat down with Paddy and the boys to await their turn. Takashi got the fire started while they waited.
"Everything ready to shut down for the night LT?" Kohta asked.
Tomasa nodded, "Everyone's fed, patrols are set, and guard rotation posted. I've got you two set for daytime duty for now, so be sure to check the schedules in the morning. They're posted in the mess hall till we get more organized."
The boys nodded as the girls came back in from their baths. They were all wearing kimono robes and had their hair pined up, except Rika who was in her biker shorts and t-shirt.
As the guys started to the bath, Paddy stopped in front of Rei and leaned over to her. She blushed as he whispered in her ear, "You're so beautiful in that!" before heading to the bath.
Thirty minutes later, they were back to find the girls had made tea and everyone settled down around the hearth.
Tomasa sat at one end with Shizuka to his left and Rika next to her. Kohta, Saya, Alice, Masahiko and Yukari with Sakamoto on the other end. To his right were Paddy, Rei, Takashi and Saeko. Zeke was belly up between Alice and Masahiko being petted.
Saeko looked over to notice Sakamoto with her head hanging looking embarrassed. "Is something wrong Sakamoto-san?" the girl asked quietly.
"Ah…well you see…it's just, even though I'm part Japanese, I've never worn anything like this before."
Takashi smiled, "Let me be the first to say you look quite lovely and it suits you."
She flushed even redder and mumbled, "Thank you." as the others joined in, in agreement.
Zeke woofed as there was a knock on the door and Saeko excused herself to open it. There she found Corporal Clayton and Sergeant Phillips.
"Come in and join us, gentleman. Would you take some tea with us?" she asked, the perfect hostess.
They thanked her and then both froze as they turned toward the hearth. Clayton leaned over with a strange look on his face. "Sergeant? Is that you?" he asked the glowering Sakamoto.
"And what if it is?" she growled.
"Well…nothing…" he said. "It's just that…you look really…nice in that…"
"Was there a reason you showed up, Corporal?" she snapped.
"Huh? Oh…ah…yeah!" Clayton stammered, turning to Tomasa. "Lieutenant, a message came for you and we thought you should have it right away." He stepped over and handed over a sheet of paper.
Tomasa opened it and read while Clayton took a seat beside Sakamoto and Phillips next to Saeko.
Takashi almost snickered as he noticed Clayton sneaking glances at Sakamoto out of the corner of his eye.
"Anything important?" Rika asked as Tomasa folded the paper and stuck in in a pocket.
"We are getting fifty more troopers assigned to us tomorrow. They will be arriving around noon by helicopter," he said.
Rika nodded, "We can use them. More warm bodies we have, the better we can spread our people out and not overdo anyone."
Saeko, Rei and Saya served the tea, and then settled back in with the rest.
Looking to Phillips, Saeko said, "Sergeant Phillips, we understand that you have become guardian to a couple of our school mates."
Phillips nodded with a grin on his face, "Ah yes my girls, and I do think of them as my daughters now. I'll be the first to say though, they can be a handful."
"Are they doing well?" Rei asked. "I was in spear club with Kinoshita-san."
He frowned slightly, "They have had their adventures for certain. Alex got shot in the leg in Osaka, but that has healed now thanks to the good doctor aboard Ark Royal. Misa is trying to help get the school on Ikei up and running."
"Eh?" Rei exclaimed. "Shot? How did they end up in Osaka?"
Phillips chuckled, "Well it all started with Misa deciding she needed some books…"
000
Later, after an evening of stories, Saeko sat on the porch outside their bedroom. Takashi entered from the hallway and came to sit down behind her. He wrapped her in his arms, as she leaned back against his chest.
"It's peaceful out here isn't it?" he said.
She nodded and sighed as the moon rose in the distance, "It was almost this peaceful at the other house. Have you made your decision about joining permanently?"
"I want to talk to the others in the morning, but I think it's the way to go. What about you? How do you fell about it?"
"No matter where you are, I will be by your side, my love," she whispered to him. "Remember what I told you. I never want to go another day without your arms around me."
Takashi smiled as he held her close. Glancing to his left he could see Kohta, sitting in the moonlight on the porch a couple of doors down. As he watched, Saya came out of the room and leaned over to speak to her boyfriend. Takashi was surprised when the pink-haired girl suddenly sat down in Kohta's lap facing him, wrapping her arms and legs around him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Saeko giggled quietly at the scene, "Saya-san has certainly changed in these last couple of weeks."
Takashi shook his head, "I don't know if she has changed or has just mellowed."
"I bet she doesn't realize we are here, let us slip inside and leave them in peace," she whispered.
They quietly slipped inside and slid the door shut. The room was lit by a single candle and a small brazier to keep the unseasonable chill off.
"So what now?" Takashi said with a smirk. "It's still early."
Saeko tended the brazier and turned towards him, her robe falling slightly from her shoulders, "Oh I'm sure you can find something to do with your time - my lord…"
000
Kohta was sitting on the porch outside the room Saya had picked for them. Each wing of the house had five rooms, that were accessed from either the inside hall/porch, or the outside porch. The walls between the rooms could also be opened, and make a large room out of two or three others if need be.
Saya had picked the middle room in the right wing, because the inner door opened on the courtyard where the wings joined the main living area. The outer door looked over the gardens that, while needing some upkeep, were still beautiful.
Kohta was simply relaxing, sitting cross-legged, listening to the night sounds around him. Behind him he heard the inner door close and footsteps padding across the floor.
Saya leaned over and looked at him, "What are you doing?"
He looked up and smiled, "Waiting on my angel to come and make my day complete."
She just looked at him for a moment before opening her robe and suddenly sitting in his lap, facing him. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and pulled him close, as he slid his arms inside her robe to hold her tight. Laying her head on his shoulder, she sighed in contentment.
"How did you get to be such a sweet talker?" she asked.
He shook his head, "I'm not, I just say what's in my heart for you."
"Just keep it up, lover boy," she said as he chuckled.
"Everyone get settled?" he asked.
She nodded, "Shion and the other women from the convoy showed up a few minutes ago. Giba is on patrol tonight so Shion is going to bunk with them in a room across the courtyard. The LT, Shizuka-sensei, Rika-san and everyone else have bedded down for the night. I was just checking the fires one last time to make sure they were low enough not to be a danger."
"So what do you think about this place?" he asked.
"I like it. Saeko knows more about traditional homes than I do, but I like the way it's laid out. The courtyard and gardens can be beautiful again with a little work. I do wish it had a Koi pond though. Alice loved that so much at the other house."
Kohta thought about it for a bit, "Well I guess we could dig one. I know Saeko knows a little about raising them, and I bet one of the older troopers like Toda-san has some knowledge."
Saya smiled, "You like Toda-san, don't you?"
Kohta chuckled again, "He's like a grandpa. He has a lot of knowledge and I catch him watching the younger ones as if he's making sure they don't mess something up. By the way, did you ever get to talk to Rika?"
She shook her head, "No I'll do it tomorrow. I've cooled off a bit about it also. It will be alright. I feel sure they are safe and in control where ever they are."
"What do you think they are going to say about us?" the boy asked.
"I feel they will be fine with it. After what papa asked you at the house, and then seeing the picture of us beside each other from the airplane, they should have figured something out."
They sat quietly for a while until Kohta heard Saya's breathing get softer. She opened her eyes as he kissed her on the forehead and he said, "Come on Angel, we need to get you to bed, I'm betting we have another big day tomorrow."
She nodded and got up. He followed her to their futon and removed her robe leaving her in her shorts and tank top. After getting her settled, he closed the outer door, and checked the brazier before crawling in the bedding with her.
Snuggling close she whispered, "I love you." before slipping off to sleep again.
He lasted a few minutes longer, cuddling, with his head against hers; he drifted off to the smell of apples from her hair.
000
Morning came to the camp and everyone was up early. They could smell the breakfast cooking from the mess hall.
"Ahhhhh…that's bacon!" Kohta said as he stood on the porch inhaling the scent as Takashi laughed.
Sakamoto came out and said, "Good morning!" before stepping off the porch, heading for the gate. She was met halfway by Corporal Clayton. They stood and talked for a minute as Sakamoto read a note Clayton handed her. Turning, she came back and stopped before the teenagers.
"Ah, could one of you go get Mrs. Dean? I need to speak with her on a personal matter. While you're at it…maybe you should find Nurse Marikawa also," She said, a dark look on her face.
Takashi and Kohta glanced at each other. "I'll get Dean-san, Kohta, you find sensei," Takashi said.
They were back a minute later with the women in tow. Takashi, Kohta and Shizuka stood inside the door of the living area as Yukari stepped to the edge of the porch. Sakamoto and Clayton snapped to attention and saluted before Sakamoto began to speak.
"Mrs. Dean it is my regretful duty to inform you that your husband, Sergeant Jonathan Dean, passed away on the second day of the outbreak while defending the civilians of Okinawa from the undead horde." She stepped forward and handed the note to Yukari, "This is the official notification. I…I can't tell you how sorry I am to have to bring you this news."
Yukari stood looking at the note for a few moments before raising her head, "Thank you, Sergeant. At least now I know." The woman turned and started back inside, but only made three steps before she collapsed.
"Catch her!" Shizuka cried out as Takashi and Kohta grabbed the fainting woman from each side.
"Mama! Mama!" Masahiko cried as he ran to her. Shizuka caught him in her arms.
"Take her to her room. It's alright Masahiko, she just fainted, she will be fine in a little bit once she has some rest," the nurse told the child as she hugged him close.
Looking out the door, Masahiko saw the two Marines standing with their heads down. He froze for a moment before saying, "It's…dad isn't it? He's dead isn't he?"
Shizuka nodded as the boy began to weep. Alice ran up and wrapped her arms around him also as Shizuka started him toward the bedroom.
Takashi and Kohta lay Yukari on the futon so Saya and Rei could cover her and try to make her comfortable.
Everyone stood outside in the hall as Shizuka checked Yukari. Masahiko lay down beside her as Alice sat down next to him and stroked his hair while he hugged his mother's arm.
Shizuka came out and closed the door behind her.
"Well? Is she alright?" Rika asked.
Shizuka shrugged her shoulders, "She just fainted. She should be alright, but it will take a few days for everything to sink in. She had already told me she was afraid he was gone, but this just confirms it. Best thing right now is rest."
Rika nodded, "We better go on to breakfast then, we got a long day ahead of us. What are you going to do?"
"Alice and I will stay here with them. Bring us something back please. I'll make some tea and be waiting when she wakes up," Shizuka said.
The others nodded and headed out to start the day.
A/N: To learn of Alex and Misa's Osaka adventure please read MarshalZhukov's A Simple Kind of DEAD Year Zero.
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