Ichigo clutched his hands in front of him. His head sunk lower than his shoulders as his mind finally caught up with all that had happened. The murder, the escape to the rooftop, and finally Chizuru's death, followed by her permanent death by his hands. It had all happened in less than thirty minutes and not without consequences. His mind was taxed, haggard even. He wasn't tired, but his eyes felt droopy and felt like they would close shut without his consent. He eyed his friends with a sideways glance. Keigo was fidgety with every sound 'they' made, but he kept quiet as a nervous grin crossed his face from time to time. Mizuiro's eyebrows were furrowed in deep thought as his eyes looked at his cell phone screen. His look of consternation, despite its seriousness, gave Ichigo hope. It meant that they were willing to fight.
But as he turned to Orihime, he wondered if she would. He looked at her intently, his eyes scanning her soft features. The scared look had melted away, leaving only the calm state that was brought on by deep, dreamless sleep. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders gently and color had returned to her plump lips. Ichigo blinked, wondering what the hell was wrong with him as he stared at the girl. He wasn't some freak that stared at unconscious girls. Yet, he couldn't deny her beauty. He sighed violently, figuring it was all the hormones running through his system. Now was not the time to have fantasies, especially since right now it could cost them their lives.
He sat there in silence, well, as relatively silent as you could get with reanimated corpses constantly trying to barge in. That's when he noticed something. They were quiet. At least, in reference to the banging. They didn't seem as fervent, though there were obviously some that were still at it. He looked through the observatory and noticed that some were milling around. Their moans still sent chills down his spine, but to see them wander around aimlessly... it gave him hope.
A soft sound made its way to his ears. He looked up to see Orihime stirring in her sleep. Her lips smacked a little as she opened those transfixing orbs. At first her eyes were staring off to the side until she quickly adjusted herself, apparently remembering why she fainted. She looked about frantically until she saw Ichigo's gaze.
"Are you alright?" Ichigo asked. The girl stumbled over her reply, unsure whether to be embarrassed that he was talking to her so freely or to ask if everyone was alright.
"I-I'm fine Kurosaki-kun." Her eyes dipped down before returning. She tried a tentative smile, but noticed a solemn frown on his face. She saw him look away, and wondered what had happened.
She looked around, this time more carefully. Where was Chizuru? A knot formed in her throat. She found that should didn't have the resolve to ask the question that everyone else knew she wanted to ask. She could feel the salty liquid forming around her eyes. Her head hung as a wave of sadness and guilt overcame her. She clutched her skirt, her nails threatening to rip the fabric. She didn't want to bawl out, but she couldn't help it. Chizuru had been her friend, her important friend. All the memories she had came rushing to her and all the fun times. She began quietly sobbing, each tear a memory of a friend she would never see again.
Then she felt something a warm land on her head. Through the tears and her disheveled mind, she didn't register what it was for a moment. "I will take care of you. I promise." The voice whispered into her ear. She stopped sobbing before it was like a damn broke loose, her body moving her towards Ichigo and crying into his shirt. She let loose all her sorrow to the boy she loved, and right now, she didn't care how he saw her. She cried even harder when Ichigo wrapped his arms wrapped around her, their position a little awkward even if at the moment they didn't care. He held her dearly, like he would his sisters when they were torn or saddened.
Reality had its own plans though. 'They' began with their attack anew, hearing Orihime's crying. The poor girl stopped her tears immediately as a panic seized her heart. Now, it seemed 'they' were trying even harder to get to them. Ichigo cursed his situation as he took Orihime and looked her in the face. "Orihime. We have to get going now. Do you think you can run?"
The girl stared, mucus and tears mingling as she tried wiping it away. The sense of urgency in his tone seemed to shake that hold fear had on her.
"No offense Inoue-san, but you need to make up your mind. That barrier doesn't look like it's going to hold." Mizuiro stated when he returned. The barrier was just around the corner. Mizuiro had noticed the table was beginning to fall apart.
"Y-Yes! I'm ready." She hastily stood up, Ichigo having to catch her as her legs didn't quite agree with her. Their eyes met once more and a warm feeling filled them both. One of them already knew what it was. The other one was too confused and worried to figure out what it was and pushed it to the back of his mind.
"What do we have that can help?" Ichigo began looking around. He saw a firehouse stuck against the wall. His eyes widened as he remembered the demonstration the firefighters had shown his class when they came. Those things were powerful.
Powerful enough to knock 'them' far away, maybe even permanently kill them.
"I see." Mizuiro's features lightened as he realized what Ichigo's plan was. "Come on, help me Keigo-san." The jittery boy quickly got up with a quick, "Yes!" before they began unwrapping the heavy hose. Once the task was complete, Ichigo hefted the nozzle, desperately calling on his mind to remember what he'd seen. It finally came to him, and not a moment too soon as 'they' broke through the barricade. He braced himself, turned the nozzle on, and nearly fell over. He cursed, but reigned in the wild hose. He aimed it towards 'them' and watched them roll away while some simply ceased to exist. Their bodies, some already weakened by multiple bites and injuries, simply flew apart at the seams leaving them as bodily stumps with only heads remaining.
Orihime, after regaining her legs, left the relative safety of the observatory. She gasped, a deep cold running down her spine as she saw Chizuru's caved in head. She spun away, tears stinging her eyes once more. Keigo flashed her a look of guilt before looking away.
"It... had to be done." He said as he looked at Ichigo's progress. The fiery teen stepped down the stairs slowly, hosing down any of 'them' that tried to get back.
Orihime swallowed. "I... know." She resigned, knowing full well that he had too. Regardless, tears continued to spill as she walked over to the body. Bile rose to her throat, but she forced it down. She didn't know what she was doing as she placed her hand over Chizuru's heart, but in a strange way, it calmed her.
"I'm sorry." She apologized to the corpse. From an objective view, it wasn't a particularly normal thing to do. These weren't normal circumstances; however, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the screwdriver Chizuru had given her. A nagging feeling entered her mind, telling her that maybe this wouldn't have happened if she'd just let Chizuru have the weapon. Maybe it might've made a difference and her friend would've still been here, fighting alongside with them. She clutched the tool, now weapon, in both her hands in front of her chest. It was a rather dangerous thing to do considering the edge was so near her throat, but for the moment it was the only object that connected her with her now dead friend. She let out a hiccup as she realized that tears were rolling down her cheeks again.
"Hey." Orihime turned with tear-stained eyes towards the voice that spoke to her. Keigo, in a rare instance of seriousness looked at her empathetically. "It's time to go."
The girl wiped away her tears, her chest heaving as it the tears stopped. She eventually composed herself and was able to get up.
The group with Ichigo wasn't the only one with problems, though. "Hurry up Matsumoto-sensei!" Tatsuki urged.
"Really? You expect me to run in heels? I'm not a tomboy you know." Matsumoto, the voluptuous nurse of the school that made more boys feel sick with love than any other teacher, said.
Tatsuki couldn't help but feel the comment had been directed at her. "Just hurry up! If you don't, you'll end up getting eaten!"
"Alright, alright!" Matsumoto pouted, her eyes twinkling deviously despite the carnage that surrounded her. She reached towards the bottom of her long skirt, ripping it quite easily. A smooth, glossy thigh peeked through the opening that would've made men's hearts run wild. She grinned at the young martial arts girl when the tomboy shook her head.
"You didn't have to be dramatic about it. No one's watching." Tatsuki said in a deadpan.
Matsumoto shook a finger at her. "You can never be too sure!"
Tatsuki rolled her eyes before one of 'them' walked in front of her. Lightning quick, she let out a flurry of punches that sent it skyrocketing backwards. At first she had been dismayed that her combat skills were relatively useless against someone that was already dead. Then she realized her conditioning and strength was not entirely for naught. She could push back any one of 'them' with ease, whether they towered over her or not. 'They' weren't exactly lightning quick and that made it all the more easier. It wasn't like she needed to defeat each and everyone one of them. She just needed to push them just enough out of the way so they could get through. Quick kicks to the head seemed to do the trick quite nicely.
"You know, if you keep flashing your panties like that, what will other guys think?" Matsumoto commented after Tatsuki roundhouse kicked one of 'them' off their path and into a wall.
"Grr, just where are you looking at?" The girl fumed at the older woman, who giggled delightedly at her.
Tatsuki clicked her tongue in annoyance as another one walked in front of her. This time she leaped into the air, Matsumoto's words momentarily filling her mind as she pulled her skirt downward.
"I guess you are a little bit lady-like." Matsumoto teased, earning the girl's ire.
Tatsuki blew out an exasperated breath before they continued. She only wondered if Ichigo and the others were fairing alright. He knew Ichigo would be with them, and while he was no Martial Artists, he was a hell of a fighter. As she blasted through another walking corpse, she wondered why they hadn't hung around recently. Something had been taking his time, and he didn't want anyone to know about it. But now was not the time to think of such things as she narrowly missed being bitten by one of the bodies that lumbered out from a corner and spotted them. She juked to the left and threw a left cross that sent it out a window, surprisingly.
"I take back my lady-like comment." Matsumoto quipped up again. "That kind of strength is definitely gonna scare the guys away." She nodded.
Tatsuki didn't pay any heed to it when she heard a scream. She followed it to the source. Two girls were about to be made lunch as 'they' closed in. At this distance though, she wasn't going to make it. Not all was lost though as Ichigo rounded the corner just then, followed by everyone else. Ichigo immediately grabbed the first one by the collar and pulled him away while kicking the other one square in the jaw. It rolled to the side, but got up with its unshakeable determination to feast on human flesh. Thankfully, Ichigo had taken care of the first one with a sure-kill hit to the head. It flopped away, leaving a trail of blood where it had been bitten on its leg. Ichigo turned to the other one, anger and determination on his face. He yelled out as the second one turned out to be a bit faster, maybe because it looked like when it was alive it belonged to the track team. Whatever the case, Ichigo hadn't expected such a quick lunge. He ducked underneath as it went for a grab and Ichigo let its momentum carry it over his shoulder. Its back hit roughly against the wall, enough to have made a normal person go unconscious. But 'they' didn't have a conscious. 'They' weren't even alive at all.
"Now!" Ichigo said as he pulled away. Mizuiro, the quicker of the two, lunged with his crowbar and caved its face in. Bone jutted out as gray matter and blood mixed into a sick river that flowed from its broken face.
"Heh, guess I'm just too slow huh?" Keigo felt embarrassed that he froze instead of helping.
"That's alright." Mizuiro replied as he shook the excess blood from the crowbar. "You're the comedic relief in this story."
Keigo's eyes widened thankfully as he nodded. "Ha, guess I am. How about that?"
Ichigo looked at the two, feeling glad that they were coping with all of this. His eyes flicked over towards Orihime, who was smiling once again, but her eyes looked like they hadn't slept in a week. She was tired, the emotional stress more than just getting to her. He couldn't place how he knew, but he felt like she was barely standing on her feet as it were.
"Ichigo!" The one-who-protects turned around and saw a long-time friend racing over to him along with a rather sensuous woman behind her.
"You made it out alive!" She smiled at him, relief filling her chest as Mizuiro dealt with the terrified girls Ichigo had just saved.
"You didn't think I'd go down easily did you?" He replied.
Tatsuki put a hand to her hip. "Well, you did cry in Karate class when I kicked your ass."
Ichigo looked at the girl and shook his head. "That was a long time ago." He sighed.
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. His spirit seemed a bit deflated despite his ability to handle 'them' quite easily. "What happened Ichigo?" She asked, knowing right away that something was eating at him. It didn't help that 'they' were trying to literally eat them as well.
"Nothing. I'm fine." Tatsuki was going to have none of it. She was going to force it out of him even if she had torture him. She would've done it too if Matsumoto hadn't interrupted.
"Oh? Who's this nice fellow? You're boyfriend Tatsuki-chan?" She eyed Ichigo, who looked at the older woman with slight confusion. Matsumoto gave Tatsuki a thumbs up and said, "I like your choice in men!"
Aggravated, Tatsuki hissed back, "It's not like that!" She blew out an exasperated sigh, wondering why the woman's mind was always in the gutter.
Ichigo looked at Tatsuki, not understanding what was going on. "Isn't she the nurse? What's she doing here?"
Tatsuki took a moment to regain herself as she explained why she was being followed by the crazy teacher. "She said that the micro busses were outside and that she had the key to one of them." Of course, she failed to mention to Ichgo the entire story behind how Matsumoto acquired such keys, but she would leave that for another, less insane time.
Ichigo accepted the explanation without question. In fact, that was a major relief. If they could get to one of them, then they could escape and possibly go somewhere safer. If it were that simple. Regardless, the group would learn true hardship once they made it somewhere 'safe.'
"Then, what are we waiting for?" Ichigo's eyes lit up with that same fire Tatsuki was used to. She shook her head, almost wanting to smile. When he got down on the dumps, he really got down. But once he had even the slightest hope, he would almost always kick into overdrive.
Matsumoto elbowed her in the side. "Really, that's a good man there." She winked at the girl. Tatsuki shook her head, but thought to herself that really, Ichigo was a good person. Of course, she wasn't interested in him in that way, but that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate him.
Not that this childish woman would listen.
The group ran down the corridors, the girls they had rescued in tow. However, in their excessive gratefulness for being saved they failed to realize that they were being too loud. As a result, they had to permanently deal with some of 'them' that had been within earshot.
"There's so many." Orihime's voice trembled. All at once they were surrounded, not being able to comprehend how since they'd been walking through a hallway where the only directions were forwards and backwards. Then again, the hallways did have doors, but now was not the time to think.
One of the girls they had rescued suddenly screamed, having distanced herself from the group, she was far behind them. She peddled backwards in an effort to escape the deathly hands, but in her fright she couldn't keep focused on her walking and tripped. She fell, her back hitting painfully against the ground. Two of the walking corpses trodded and began to reach for her until Keigo used his weapon for the first time to puncture it through the forehead. He kept pushing, not having penetrated deep enough since it still kept moving. The thing was horrendously strong, and was actually pushing him backwards. Yet, this ended up being a blessing in disguise because as he was pushed backwards, the sharp metallic end sunk deeper into the bone until it broke past it, killing it.
There was still the issue with the other one, but Tatsuki took care of it for the meantime, knocking it backwards with a powerful kick to the chest.
"T-Thanks..." Keigo trembled as did his pole. He had never killed anyone in his life before. While it was true he hadn't actually killed anyone, the effect was still the same. His adrenaline was spiked and his body was filled with the energy it brought. Also due to his anxiety, he shook like a leaf.
Tatsuki contemplated the boy, who looked like he was about to cry. "Hey, don't sweat it. We're all in this together." She offered a subdued smile due to the seriousness of the situation, but it brought relief to Keigo.
"Yeah. One down and a billion to go huh?" He grinned.
"No offense, but we could use some help over here." The two turned around to see Ichigo and Mizuiro fighting off a group of at least 12 of 'them.'
"Shit!" Tatsuki hissed as she darted off with the speed of a racetrack runner. She crossed the distance in but a breath with a shoulder-check to the leading creature. The resulting blow knocked it back and bowled over the ones in the back like bowling pins, giving them ample time to deal with the ones still standing.
"Much better." Ichigo stated, his features locked into a focused battle scowl. There was only one thing he needed to do at the moment, only one thing he cared about: Defeating 'them.'
He made a sweeping motion with his leg, knocking over the first two in front him. He rained down hit after hit, caving their skulls in. Blood gushed out, staining his bat and his pants as he turned to face another two that were approaching him. One of them was near enough to reach out for him and grab his shirt, but he would have none of that. With a growl, he grabbed its hand and pushed away with all his might. Thankfully he had been the stronger of the two and as a result, the hand was successfully pushed away but not without taking a chunk of his shirt. He hefted the bat overhead and swung it down with a reckoning force. Its body crumpled to the floor, along with its brethren. The duo of Tatsuki and Ichigo was seemingly an unbeatable pair, coupled with friends that were willing to help. It seemed like everything was going to be alright.
"Help!" Ichigo turned around, the action proving costly as in a second, he was swarmed. His face took on a look of shock and fear as foul breath stung his eyes. Mutilated faces and empty eyes stared at him with singular intent. In his fear, he found the strength to push back. He grunted, his muscles protesting what Ichigo demanded of him. But he needed to live, he needed to be there for his friends!
With a fear-induced yell, he pushed with his legs and threw 'them' away. His lungs ached and his body burned, but as he turned around towards the source of the scream, it was too late. One of the girls they had rescued had been pulled away by her hair, and now she was the unlucky feast of those hunger-driven creatures. Keigo, whom had felt good about protecting one of them earlier, was utterly torn at wanting to rescue the girl that was being eaten or staying to protect the one that too was about to get swarmed.
"Damn it, you guys! We're too far apart! Stay closer to one another!" Tatsuki yelled out. She was getting tired, a handicap that 'they' didn't seem to have. Not only that, but while her attacks were faster, and stronger, they weren't killing blows. She did not have the power to penetrate a skull with her fist or feet. She was merely swatting 'them' away, which was inevitably proving futile since they would get back up.
Mizuiro was doing his best to help out, but he didn't have the benefit of training like Tatsuki did, or the street body that Ichigo honed. He was already worn out. He could only swing every once in a while, Keigo being the only one with enough strength between the two because he hadn't done much other than run. Keigo finally noticed this as well. His feelings of inferiority started bubbling to the surface, making him go into a mania that ended up helping the entire group.
Keigo lashed out, the staff giving him the reach no one else could afford. He knew where to hit now, and with the metal pointed end of the broom stick, he did just that. Whether it was luck or skill, he penetrated one in the eye and he could feel the stick rattle in the brain, the sloshing sound reverberating through his stick. He fought back the urge to puke as he pulled out, but he lunged again for the next opponent. He wasn't so lucky this time as his attack landed on the forehead. At least this time, he knew what to do. He let the creature push him back, let the pointed end sink in. Then, bracing his legs, he too gave one strong push that permanently ended its unlife.
Orihime, throughout all of this, was looking on in fear. The smell of blood, the sound of flesh being sliced and bones been torn, it was too much for her. And after what she'd seen happen to Chizuru... she didn't want it to happen to her. She stayed close to Ichigo, propped against a window. The group seemingly formed a protective barrier around her, and she didn't want to leave it. She bit her lip in an attempt not to cry as she pulled out the screw driver, reminiscing on it. She had a weapon, and yet she was too afraid to use it. She was practically useless and despite it, her friends were still willing to protect and risk their lives for her. She clutched it, tears stinging her eyes as she simply willed the horrifying sounds of death to go away, but to no avail.
Through her bleary eyes, she saw something that froze her heart. Terror-stricken, she realized that Tatsuki and Ichigo were facing opposite directions. This led to one of 'them' sneaking by, gunning for Ichigo's neck. Beset by the decisions she needed to make, she chose to act. Time seemed to go by slowly for her as Ichigo swung, completely unaware of his impending doom. Only Orihime saw it as she closed the distance. The screwdriver was clutched tightly in her hand, making sure the pointed end was facing away from her. It opened its mouth, an unsightly scene of malignant blood and saliva. She thrusted with her hand, moments before the mouth reached Ichigo's shoulder, and pierced it through the temple. The creature let out a low, guttural sound as if realizing its death. Then it fell, quietly amidst the sounds of battle.
Orihime let it fall, along with the screwdriver in its head. All at once, the battle died, the group being victorious.
Everyone paused, desperate to catch their breaths and regain their composure. They all looked around, fidgety eyes searching for even the most remote sign of danger. Despite the loss they had just taken, everyone gave a brief, tired, humorless chuckle.
"Well, that was a workout." Matsumoto said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes at the buxom woman. "You didn't do anything." She gritted her teeth.
The older woman said nothing, knowing the signs of exhaustion. "Oh yeah, I guess I didn't huh? But hey, there's faculty office just further down. We can take a break there." She smiled, taking the role of being the understanding and always calm nurse.
A break sounded like heaven right about now. Everyone was panting, sweat dripping down their foreheads and arms. Blood was caked onto their pants, and sometimes their arms as well. Orihime let out a small cry when she realized her hair had been bloodied.
"Hey, hey, Orihime! Calm down!" Tatsuki immediately went over to her friend. She hugged her, trying to soothe the terror-stricken girl. Ichigo looked on, his own heart echoing the sorrow Orihime's crying brought on, but without the benefit of being able to release it. He needed to be stronger, tougher, better. He grit his teeth, almost painfully.
Then he felt a smooth arm snake around his shoulder. "Hey, if you're that jealous, you could always try me."
Ichigo blinked, looking on at the feisty nurse. She grinned seductively, a slow, rubbing motion making its way further and further down his back. He was too tired to react though, too angry that he had lost someone else. The girl hadn't been his friend, but that didn't mean he hadn't failed.
"Sorry, I'm not into older women." He said testily. He broke from the hold and turned away. Matsumoto tilted her head, considering the boy. The stress was beginning to break him, and if that happened the result would be disastrous. Then she saw him notice something beneath him. One of 'them' had a screwdriver in its head. She was curious as to why he would pull it out and look at it almost... in surprise? She saw his gaze go over to the two girls hugging, but she wasn't sure which one he was looking at specifically.
Ichigo walked over to the girls, the screwdriver in his hands. "Orihime." He whispered out, his voice tired. The girl heard it though and looked at him through tear-stained eyes. She sniffed, wiping away her tears so she could actually see him.
"Y-Yes?" She asked. When he posed the screwdriver in front of her, she knew what he was thinking.
"When did you use it?" He asked, feeling terrible that he hadn't realized she'd been in danger.
"Ah." She sniffed again, her body still trembling and weak. "T-There was on of... 'them' going towards you. I... attacked it." Her voice seized in her throat, the fleshy sound of skin being torn echoing in her mind. She closed her eyes, and tried to will the image away.
It worked, but only because she realized someone was grabbing her hand. She opened her eyes and saw the hand belong to Ichigo. Her mouth opened slightly in a gasp, the boy she loved putting the screwdriver back in her hand.
"Thank you." It was all he could say, his brain still set in a battle-like trance. But it was all she needed. She looked at her hand, the warmth of Ichigo's fingers still lingering. She held it close once again before tucking it away. In his gesture, the girl found some strength to continue on. Same with Tatsuki's knowing smile. The darkness of fear was a shadow in her heart, but with two people she loved as her light, she was starting to feel much better.
Once they finally made it to the room, Ichigo sat down and brought his face to his hands. All at once exhaustion overtook him. Inside the room provided a tranquility that he missed, even though it'd been little more than half an hour since humanity's fall began. It was already a rare sort of comfort, one that he appreciated greatly. However, it wasn't all comforting. Now he had time to think. What of his sisters? How were they fairing? How was his mom doing? What if they'd been infected? And as he thought about it deeper and deeper and his features became marred with a horrendous scowl, he wondered if he would have to kill them if they indeed had been infected. The thought swirled around his mind like a vicious cyclone, threatening to consume him in a blanket of insanity.
In a furious movement, he leaned back into the comfortable rolling chair. It squeaked as it bounced on its hinges while he rolled back a little.
"He's certainly happy." Matsumoto said. Her lips were turned in a way that displayed worry and concern for the boy. She knew the type. She knew he had assumed to role of protector, even though the others proved to be quite capable of handling themselves, aside from Orihime. But even the girl proved she could do something if need be.
Matsumoto turned her attention towards the girl. Her features were alight with a false happiness, trying to stay happy because the girl knew she was being a burden to everyone. Yet, Ichigo and Tatsuki did not once view her as such. Still, the auburn-haired girl felt compelled to keep it all inside and would only cry when it was too much for her mind to handle. She was adapting though, a resolve forming in her. She raised an eyebrow since that resolve had only arrived after receiving a caring touch from Ichigo and his little gift.
She too sat down, feeling bad that she hadn't done anything. She pursed her lips, thinking of how she could only stand by idly while these kids protected her. Now that she wasn't thankful, but it was the adults that were supposed to lead the younger generation, to raise them; not the other way around. She'd just stood there as an observer, not really panicking, but also not doing anything.
She shook her head, wanting to clear her thoughts. She turned on the TV, which was still working. This was good, it meant that the power plants had yet to be hit. That or the school was running on the emergency generator in the basement. Either way, she wished she hadn't turned it on when more bad news spilled from the TV. Video feeds were suddenly cut off when corpses in body bags began to stand up and people began biting one another. One broadcaster commented they were having technical difficulties, but everyone in the room knew the answer.
"They're hiding the truth so the entire country doesn't go into a state of panic." Tatsuki mumbled to herself, but everyone ended up hearing.
"So it's not just here." Orihime's expressive eyes sucked in every bit of news she could get. A grim reality formed in her mind. What if there was no where safe? What would they do? She ran a finger through her hair, seemingly caressing it before she brought a few strands in front of her and played with them. She twisted and splayed them, bringing them apart. It didn't help and she ended up leaving her hair alone. She clutched her skirt, staring at the white floor beneath her. Thoughts raced through her mind, an incessant droll of negativistic ideas.
Quiet descended on the room, the ceiling fan being the only thing that was making any noise at the moment. Then, one of the girls the group had saved came up to Ichigo. She was fairly pretty, with short, black cropped hair. She was kind of petite, but polite as she bowed in front of Ichigo.
"Thank you so much for saving me." She looked at her savior, offering a curious smile.
Ichigo looked up at the girl from his sitting position. He merely nodded. "Sure." He closed his eyes as the blood pounded in his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your friend."
The girl politely shook her head. "I didn't know her. We'd just met after... everything happened."
"I see." He replied, trying to find some strange relief in those words. But he couldn't.
That's when he felt something soft plant itself on his cheek. He opened his eyes in time to see the girl pulling away.
"I... don't know how to thank you." She whispered to him, and only to him. "But... if you happen to think of anything, I'll let you do anything you want."
She turned and walked away, the implied meaning ringing inside Ichigo's mind. Yet, he found himself staring at Orihime, viewing the bright box in front of her that only filled her mind with more terrible news. He frame was droopy, as if with each frame more energy left her. Her shoulders drooped low, weary from everything. Ichigo couldn't even comprehend why he even did that, yet, Matsumoto knew.
Matsumoto's interest in Ichigo grew ten-fold. She didn't hear what the girl had said, but that swaying of the hips that only a woman was capable of when she was interested in a guy told her everything she needed to know. So why was it that Ichigo looked at Orihime?
Her eyes widened when it hit her. So that's how it was? But from the look of things, Ichigo had yet to come to terms with his own feelings. Hell, he probably didn't even know what he was feeling. She crossed her legs, a flash of silk panties revealed to the world. She would get them together. She got the feeling that love would be a precious commodity in this torn up world.
Keigo rubbed the back of his head, this tense atmosphere getting to him. Finally, having enough, he stood up and turned off the TV, saying rather lamely, "So this guy sells some dry ice to another guy. The other guy then asks, 'So if I let this melt in my pool, will I be able to swim without getting wet?' "
The silence was damn near deafening, all eyes turning towards him. Then, one by one, almost like magic, grins started forming on gloomy faces and before long, everyone started laughing.
"W-What kind of lame-ass joke was that!" Tatsuki laughed and began spitting, earning a tittering laugh from Orihime who sat next to her.
Ichigo gave a short, rather controlled laugh, but the corners of his eyes crinkled in true amusement. Even Mizuiro let out a chuckle.
Matsumoto saw an opportunity. "Well, now that we're all in better spirits, what do you say if we hijack a bus and get the hell out of here?" She stood up with a confidence that seemed almost awe-inspiring. The group looked at each other.
"I think, despite what the news was saying, there is some hope out there." Mizuiro also stood up, addressing the group. "And we're going to find it."
"Yeah, even if we have to beat 'them' back to death!" Tatsuki raised a fist to show how serious she was.
Ichigo blew out a sigh, but regained some of his strength with his friends' words. He pulled himself off and said, "Who is ready to go?"
One by one, everyone stood up until everyone was in agreement. Then they left before the confidence and hope that was implanted in their hearts died to that dreaded TV.
So once more, the group found themselves bustling down the corridors. While they hadn't forgotten their troubles and it sure as hell hadn't simply disappeared into the depths of their mind, that joke had relieved the enormous tension that filled them. They were still worried, still scared, but with each encounter they survived, they began to build more and more confidence in each other and in themselves.
This time, the group hugged close to one another. It was a tight formation, guarded from all sides. Ichigo was lead man. Tatsuki hung behind the group, being the one that could dish out the fastest attacks to let them get away. Mizuiro and Keigo were the wingmen, protecting from any flank attacks. The rest of the girls acted as spotters, looking out for any hidden dangers that might lurk in the shadows.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo asked. Currently the group had made it to the lockers and was taking shelter behind the corners the hallway provided. There were a few, maybe six of 'them' loitering around the lockers. Mizuiro had quietly wetted a tissue he found on the floor using the water fountain. He rolled it up into a ball and squeezed it.
"I've noticed something about them." He replied quietly. With a hefty throw, he launched it at one of 'them.' For a brief moment, everyone's heart seized. What if that caught the attention of it?
The tissue landed without a sound on top of one of 'them.' Yet, the creature didn't even seem to register it, its moan being a dull droll instead of that fear-inspiring one. Even though the group couldn't hear it from this distance, the napkin landing on the floor must've made a sound because the creature seemed to register it and looked at it.
"See? It seems they can't see or feel, but only react to sound." Mizuiro explained to the group. But he rubbed his chin. "I think they might also react to heat, but I don't have anything to test that out."
"I see." Ichigo's mind began forming a plan. Could they possibly sneak out of here undetected?
"Wait, what are you doing Ichigo?" Tatsuki demanded with concern. Ichigo almost seemed ready to go out there.
"I'm going out there, to see if I can make a path." He replied, confirming her fears.
"You don't have to prove anything!" Tatsuki knew that Ichigo would always try to prove something when he was brooding. Maybe it was over that girl they'd lost, or the simple stress of the unlife walking, but she had to talk some sense into him!
"I know. I'm doing this because I want to protect everyone." He said with a rare, gentle smile. Tatsuki looked at the boy, something genuine radiating from him that made her pulse speed up a little. She shook her head, not being able to come up with the words to convince him not to go with this crazy plan.
Ichigo waited until one of 'them' disappeared behind another set of lockers. He spotted many shoes littered on the ground, probably those of students who were in a rush to escape. He picked one up and threw it as far away as he could from their path. He planted himself against the locker as one of 'them' walked by. He clutched his bat tight, ready to break its head open and make a dash for it when it turned to look at him. Yet, it didn't do anything as their eyes met and kept walking towards the shoe. He steadied himself, realizing his body was shaking, and focused his mind.
He treaded cautiously towards the door and opened it, motioning to the group. They followed quietly, everything going smoothly. They took turns holding the door open until at the last moment, Keigo's pointed end banged against the top of the door, echoing across the stretch of land they had to cross. All of those empty eyes and bags of rotting flesh turned towards them as they bellowed out that dreadful moan.
"Shit, RUN!" Ichigo yelled and the group booked it. The group, however, was only as fast as their slowest runner which turned out to be Orihime. Ichigo, by chance, happened to turn around and notice that Orihime was lingering away from the group. He whispered a curse before he pulled back, cutting between the group.
"Ichigo, what are you...?" Tatsuki let the question hang when Ichigo simply hefted Orihime on his back like it was nothing. Even with the added weight, he managed to make it to the front of the group once more.
Thankfully Matsumoto already had the keys ready. She slid open the door, but refrained from starting the engine lest they attract more attention than they already had. Ichigo dropped Orihime at the entrance and stood guard at the entrance of the bus along with Tatsuki. A worried Orihime glanced at Ichigo before turning to go inside the bus. Ichigo was already guarding the door; she didn't want to give him the added burden of having to watch over her as well.
Just then another group exploded from the entrance of the school. From the looks of it, a teacher and five other students were about to join Ichigo's merry group. "C'mon, we have to help them!" Before Tatsuki could rely, Ichigo had already darted off. He knocked back one after another, battle flowing through his veins. Despite the insanity of it, despite the horror, his warrior heart burned with a strange excitement. It was but a wisp right now, but with each one of 'them' he felled it seemed to grow bigger and bigger. Ichigo failed to notice why he wasn't so bothered with fighting 'them' anymore, he simply just did.
In his battle fury he didn't see the gruesome atrocity the teacher committed. One of the students had fallen and instead of helping, the teacher simply smashed his foot into the students face. Finally, after a grueling minute, the remainder made it. Ichigo, being the last one to enter, closed the door and almost immediately Matsumoto started the engine. She forcefully stepped on the gas and watched as she simply crushed or ran over the corpses that dared enter her path.
"I'm going to break through the gate! Hold on to your seats!" Matsumoto floored the pedal, the engine roaring as the bus tore through the gates and entered an entirely different world.