I do not own Highschool of the DEAD or its characters.
Updated: 10/25/13
Takashi awoke the next morning with his eyelids feeling like they were glued together. As he pried them open, he could feel Saeko wrapped around him, her naked body warm against his. Looking down he found her watching him with a smirk on her face.
"Ohayo husband," she said.
He thought a second before he smiled and responded, "Ohayo wife."
Her face split in a huge grin as she climbed on top of him. She lay on his chest and nuzzled his neck as she said, "Say it again."
Hugging her close he repeated the phrase, "Ohayo wife."
Saeko laughed as she stroked his cheek, "I will never get tired of hearing that, my love."
Takashi felt a twinge of pain as he moved his head to kiss her, "Oww, why does my head hurt?"
Saeko giggled, "You don't remember drinking sake with everyone last night?"
Takashi thought for a minute as he remembered the night before. Everyone had been sitting together when the couple announced their engagement. Rika had come out with a bottle of sake she had hidden from Shizuka, and everyone had a small drink. After the first one, the teenage girls and Yukari had abstained while the men, along with Rika and Shizuka, finished off the bottle.
"Wait," Takashi said, his brow furrowing. "I remember something about dice. Did we play dice?"
Saeko giggled again, "You were playing Cho-Han with Rika as the dealer. You were betting penalties instead of money when I decided you had had enough. Well that, and Sensei wanted you to dance in your underwear…"
Takashi winched as the memory came back. His eyebrow went up as he felt her wiggle slightly against him, "Don't we have to be up to go into town?"
She smiled lecherously, "Your 'little dragon' is angry this morning. I think he needs to be calmed before we go. Plus they cannot go without me anyway."
Even with his slight headache, Takashi smiled.
"It's not that little," he murmured into her ear, earning a giggle from Saeko.
000
They entered the living area as the others were heading out to breakfast. They fell into the rear of the group with Kage and Sergeant Kurita.
Listening to a conversation between Shizuka and Tomasa, Saeko turned to her father, "What are Sensei and Tomasa-san debating, father?"
"The Doctor wants to go with you today and the Captain is not really in favor of the idea, though I'm not sure why," he told her.
"Ah," Saeko said. "Well even though they are not a couple they are…close I'll say."
Kage thought on this for a minute, "Hmm, I see, but I think the Captain is also thinking about the fact she is your only real doctor. I'm sure he just wants to ensure her safety." He moved forward and got closer to the couple, "Doctor, may I ask why you feel the need to go on this expedition?"
Shizuka glanced back at the older man, "They are working primarily with swords this time, Commander. While I'm sure Busujima-chan would not put blades in the hands of incompetent people, I think I should be there in case someone gets badly cut. I'm sure you know as well as anybody, minutes on a wound like that make the difference in living, dying or losing a limb. Once they have some more training under their belts I will not worry so much about it."
Saeko stepped closer, "Captain, I have to agree with the doctor. This is the first time these troopers have met Them with blades, and while I have faith, accidents might happen."
"If it will still your concerns Captain, I will personally guarantee the doctor's safety," Kage told him.
Tomasa thought about it for a minute more before nodding, "Alright you've convinced me. But I want you to be careful and pay attention to the Commander!"
"Yay!" Shizuka cheered as she hugged Tomasa, who blushed under the onslaught, while the others laughed.
000
The next problem came when it was time to load up.
"Kurogane-san?! Won't you let me drive please?! I need to keep in practice!"
The young private recoiled in fear as Shizuka leaned close to him, a big smile on her face.
"Ah…eh…you can drive, Marikawa-san?" he asked, while looking at Kage in desperation.
"Yes I'm a good driver, right, Saeko-chan?!" the woman said as she beamed at the girl.
Saeko was able to choke back a laugh before replying, "Sensei is a competent driver, Private. I have ridden many kilometers with her at the wheel of a bus and a Humvee and survived, but it is up to you."
Kurogane knew he was in a losing battle so he meekly held out the keys.
Shizuka pinched him on the cheek and then jumped in the driver's seat to adjust it to her height.
Kage leaned close to his daughter, "I though she broke the last Humvee she drove?"
Saeko snorted, "She was fine till she ran over so many of Them it broke the suspension. I will just make her promise not to do that today."
Kage raised one eyebrow and frowned as Shizuka cheered when the engine started.
000
Onohira was only a kilometer and a half from the ocean as the raven flew, but a little over two by the winding road. Once you left the little niche in the hills where the base sat, the road wove through the forest with spots of buildings clustered together along the roadside. Half a kilometer from their destination, homes and businesses suddenly become tightly packed together.
Kage watched the scenery go by, noticing the only undead he saw were trapped behind fences or gates. Though They tried to get out as the vehicles passed by, they could not and the troopers would not waste bullets on them.
"Father, I meant to ask if you got the letter I sent with Colonel Nakajima," Saeko asked as they passed a business that looked to be a maker of wrought iron gates.
"No, I did not see him before I departed for the safe zone," he replied.
She nodded, "In it I asked if you could find a smith who could take the sword blanks we have and finish them. We have several hundred that need to be polished, sharpened, have habaki, tsuba and handles mounted to be completed. Toda-san is knowledgeable in some gun smithing, but says fire and forge is beyond him."
"As soon as I get back I will put the word out you need one," he said. "Onohira is getting priority right now on things like this, so if there is one available, we will find him."
Stryker 2, in front of them, slowed and turned right. Shizuka carefully followed and they found themselves on the main highway along the shore. The beautiful white sand beach was on their left as they pulled to a stop across from a small shopping center. The Humvee following them, pulled past, and stopped further south of the APC. They sat in the Humvee for a few minutes as the scouts scanned the area.
'You can exit the vehicles now,' they heard Takashi say over the radios.
Getting out, they walked up to where Giba was leaning over the side of the Stryker. As they passed, Takashi lowered the ramp at the rear.
Once everyone had gathered, Giba spoke, "We can see several walkers coming this way already. Kurogane, on top of your Humvee and set up for distance sniping. Doctor, I want you to come up on top of the Stryker, with me and Shion. You will be able to get down quick enough if you are needed. Commander, you may do the same if you want. Team one in the other Humvee will set overwatch to the south, but let as many as you want through, Busujima-san. Komuro, you'll be backing up the blade welders. Clean and careful, everyone, I don't want to take any wounded or dead home."
Everyone went to their places as Saeko gathered her students around her.
"I will go first so watch how I approach Them and strike. Pay attention to your blade edge and remember my sword is doubled edged where yours are not. Everyone feel okay?"
Even though a couple looked apprehensive they all nodded.
"Remember everyone," Takashi said. "I'm right here with my gun." He held up Saya's MP5. "If I call out to you, get out of the way. I'll only fire if you get surrounded or in a bind."
The students checked their equipment as Takashi and Saeko walked a little closer to the figures shuffling toward them.
"You feel okay?" he asked.
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, my love. I had one exercise I love this morning, but now I'm ready for the other."
Takashi blushed and she laughed at him before he fell back, letting her draw her sword and stretch before stepping forward to meet the first undead.
Her sword flashed and the creatures head fell away. Looking back at her students she spoke, "The best way is to remove the head. You need a fast, strong stroke and remember to follow through with your slice. Hesitate and your blade might become stuck in the neck bones."
Glancing back over his shoulder, Takashi noticed a couple of the students looking a little green. Hazakura and Toujou though were paying strict attention.
Saeko waited as the next walker got close. She side stepped it and slashed across the back of its legs, severing the muscles and causing it to fall first to its knees and then to its hands. Its head swiveled and snarled as the katana flashed downward, removing it.
"If you have the time and space, crippling the enemy first may be the best before dispatching it."
She turned to the next one and thrust her sword straight up through the bottom of its mouth and into its brain pan. "This thrust also works well, but be careful not to let your blade get into a bind when the weight of the body drops on it." As if on cue, the zombie spasmed, and she quickly pulled her blade free as it began to fall.
Cleaning her sword on one of the bodies, she took note where the other zeds were before calling out, "Hazakura-san, you first."
Nodding, the man glanced at Toujou before stepping forward and drawing his sword. Taking a deep breath, he moved in and made a careful, but powerful slice on his first target, cleanly removing the head. He went with the thrust for the second target, but almost lost his sword when the body twisted as it fell.
Falling back to Saeko, he grimaced and said, "Blade needs to be sharper, Sensei. I'm sorry, I should have attended to it."
Saeko nodded, "Something we will need to work on. Back up Toujou-san for now." Nodding Hazakura fell in behind his friend.
Saeko and Takashi watched as Toujou quickly cut down three undead and then fell back beside Hazakura, sucking air.
Takashi glanced at Saeko as she made a 'Tch' sound. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Saeko frowned slightly, "She is using a lot of power in her swings. This will cause her to tire easily. In a way she reminds me of Schweiger-san, much power, but not much finesse. This is also something we will have to work on."
Over the next thirty minutes or so, all the students showed Saeko how they performed as the undead continued to trickle toward them in two's and three's.
As they watched, one of the lower ranks suddenly slipped on some blood and landed at the feet of one of the creatures. Before anyone else could move, Takashi had the MP5 to his shoulder and with a muffled pfft!, shattered the monsters head, knocking it away from the swordsman.
The trooper waved his thanks as he got up and moved back to catch his breath.
"Very good, Komuro-kun," Kage said as he stepped up beside the couple. "That was quick and clean. Do you think you have the information you need to further their training, daughter?"
"Yes father, I believe I know enough about each one now to progress from this point."
"Good. There is a group of twenty or so coming from the north. I feel the need to stretch my muscles some, so will you join me on my right? We will give them a short lesson on team work," he said with a smile.
"Certainly father," she said. Keying her throat mic she said, "Corporal, my father and I will finish up with the group to the north. Any undead to the south you may dispose of as you see fit."
"Roger Busujima-san," Giba replied before keying his mic again, "Fire Team One, suppressed weapons free, finish off any you see to the south at will."
The fire team acknowledged and a series of soft pops started.
Saeko called the students to stand near Takashi as she and Kage advanced on the larger group of undead. They drew their swords and with a nod to each other, cut loose.
If Saeko was like a ballerina, then Kage was a bulldozer. While the girl danced and spun through her targets, Kage strode forward at a slightly faster than walking pace slashing his targets down with blows so powerful it picked the creatures up and threw them aside as he struck. One handed, two-handed, left or right, it did not matter. In less than a minute, every zed in the group was down.
Takashi smirked as he saw Toujou staring open-mouthed in shock.
"She can do that and I challenged her to a duel?" the woman said as Hazakura grinned.
"I tried to warn you, but you would not listen."
Saeko and Kage walked back to the Stryker and looked up at Giba.
"I think we are done for today Giba-san," Saeko said.
Giba nodded as Takashi walked up, "Corporal are we going to do anything about the bodies? If we want to use this beach they're going to stink it up for quite a while."
Giba grimaced, "Gee Takashi, thanks, you're just a barrel of laughs today. I tell you what, you organize that. Put them off to the west side of the road over in the shopping center parking lot. We'll come back later and burn them."
Takashi shrugged, "Figures, leave it to the cadet to clean up after the sword fight!"
The others laughed as he got to work.
000
It only took an hour to clear the road of corpses. They had earlier devised a system where they used a length of rope to put a loop around the feet of the bodies and drag them to the side of the road. The heads also had to be picked up and carried aside.
They returned to the base, and after the standard bite search, Sergeant Kurita presented Kage with a message.
After reading it Kage said, "Tell the air crew we will be leaving right after lunch." Kurita nodded and left to do his commanders bidding.
Turning to Saeko and Takashi, Kage said, "I have to go soon. There is a meeting of the Allied forces heads and the Emperor wants me to be there."
"I'm sorry you have to leave so soon, father, but I understand your duties call," Saeko told him with a sad look on her face.
Kage lowered his head and stood for a moment as if thinking, "I came looking for my little girl who I had feared lost in the horror of this new world. I found a grown woman with a strong man, who loves and supports her, beside her. I could ask no more in the old world as well as the new."
Looking up he smiled at the couple, "Let me know what you plan to do. Even if it's just a civil ceremony I'm sure the Emperor will let me come for a few days."
Glancing at Takashi, Saeko said, "We have not even begun to think or talk about any of that. To be truthful father, I am in no rush. We are comfortable with how we are and signing a few pieces of paper will not change that."
Kage smiled, "I understand, and agree. Since Captain Tomasa is the justice of the peace for this area, he can fill out and file the marriage papers. But, I do want you to come for a visit when you can. Everyone needs to get away once in a while and we have a very nice hot spring at the palace."
They laughed as everyone else began to arrive for lunch.
000
"The helicopter destroyer Hyuga is on station just north of Tanegashima, which is about half way. We will refuel there and should have no problems arriving on Tokashiki by early evening," the Blackhawk pilot was saying as the teens with Rika, Tomasa and Shizuka walked up.
"Good," Kage replied. "We will be leaving momentarily."
The pilot bowed and turned toward the helicopter where his crew chief and Paddy, with help from Alice and Masahiko, was doing pre-flight checks.
Kage turned to Tomasa and Rika. "Captain, you and the lieutenant are doing an excellent job here. Please keep up the good work and the palace will do everything it can to support you."
They both bowed to the older man. "Thank you, sir," Tomasa said. "We hope you have a safe journey."
Looking to Saya and Hirano, Kage said, "I'll let your parents know the two of you are doing fine. It was a pleasure to meet you and I think you have picked a fine young man, Takagi-san."
Saya blushed and replied, "I know I have oji-san."
Kage laughed and bowed to Shizuka and Rei, "I am pleased to have been assistance in getting the two of you home. Doctor, please take care of everyone." They bowed back before he turned to Saeko and Takashi. "I think I've said it plenty of times now, but once more, I'm proud of both of you. I look forward to hearing from you soon."
Saeko stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek before he and Takashi gripped hands.
"Oji-san! Oji-san! Can I go with you to see the Emperor?" Alice asked as she and Masahiko ran up.
Kage laughed and bent down as the engines of the Blackhawk fired off and the blades began to spin. "Not this time, Alice-chan, but maybe one day you can come and visit me. Right now I want you to do everything you can to help your oldsters and be a good girl and you a good boy, Dean-kun."
"Yes sir!" they both said as he and Sergeant Kurita bowed to everyone once more before heading to the aircraft.
Kage patted Paddy on the shoulder and said something in his ear before climbing aboard and strapping in. They all waved as the ship lifted off and turned southward, disappearing quickly in the distance.
"Well what now?" Takashi asked Saeko as they walked arm in arm, following the others.
She smiled, "Tonight we rest and tomorrow we start anew. I feel things will settle down now and we can really start building for the future."
Takashi nodded and smiled, his heart joyful just to be alive and with the one he loved.
A/N: Another chapter down and another in the works. As always, please leave a Review and/or Favorite.