Kagome and Rick's relationship started to grow despite Lori's growing belly and demands. Lori tried for months to win Rick back, but it didn't work. She finally realized halfway through winter that all hope was lost when she saw Kagome and Rick kissing and holding hands when they thought the others weren't watching. Her spirit finally broke; they stayed in a house, and she saw them in the other room holding each other. They were whispering and laughing quietly. A tear ran down Lori's cheek when she saw how happy Rick looked and how his eyes filled with love for the woman in his arms. She had never seen his eyes filled with so much love, not even for her.
After that, Lori kept her complaining to a minimum and even let Kagome examine her when it was necessary. The only good thing they had during the winter was that no one got sick. Kagome told the entire group about her past and what she had been through; they didn't believe her initially, but when Rick cut his hand, and Kagome healed it, they were convinced. If she could that, she did have the power to purify demons and travel back in time. So Kagome was able to keep them healthy with her healing powers and herbal remedies.
As Winter turned to Spring, and Lori's time was getting closer, the search for someplace more permanent became more urgent. They stopped on the side of the road to take stock of what they could do next. Amy, Carl, Sophia, and Dale surrounded the vehicles to keep a lookout, while Rick and the others looked at the map to discuss where to go next. "We've got no place left to go," T-Dog said as he looked at the map.
"When this herd meets up with this one, we'll be cut off; we'll never make it south."
"What do you say? It's about 150 head," Daryl asked.
"That was last week, could be more by now," Kagome answered.
"This river could have delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through this." Hershel informed them.
"Yeah, but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way," T-Dog added.
"So, we're blocked," Maggie said.
"Only thing to do is double back at 27th and swing towards Greenville," Rick told the group.
"We picked through that area already; it's like we spent the winter going in circles."
"Yeah, I know. I know. At Newnan, we'll push west. Haven't been through the area. We can't keep going house to house. We need to find a place we can hold up for a few weeks."
"Lori's time is getting close, all this moving around isn't helping," Kagome said, "I can deliver the baby if I have to in the car, but she told me that Carl was a c-section and she thinks that this one will be too."
"Can you prevent that," Rick asked.
"I can try, I can't cure everything. But it would be better if we did have someplace where I can do the surgery if we need to."
Rick kissed Kagome head, "I know you can't, Baby. I know you'll do your best."
By this time, everyone had accepted that Rick had moved with Kagome, and they were all happy for him. After all, he deserved to be happy, and it was apparent to everyone that Kagome and Rick made each other happy. The group felt bad for Lori for a while, but after everything she tried to do to get Kagome kicked out, sympathy didn't last long. They tried hard not to treat Lori like an outsider, but sometimes it couldn't be helped. The only one that kind of empathized with Lori was Carol and Dale. Everyone else felt uncomfortable around her.
"Alright. Is it cool if we get to the creek before we head out? It won't take long. We gotta fill up on water; we can boil it later," T-Dog asked.
"Knock yourselves out."
"Hey, while the others wash their panties, let's go hunt. That owl didn't exactly hit the spot," Daryl suggested to Kagome.
Kagome and Daryl leave the others to go hunting. They follow some railroad tracks and come upon a prison surrounded by Walkers. Daryl looked at the prison and sighed, "Damn shame."
"I don't know, I see potential," Kagome said.
Daryl looked at her, "Let's go back and get Rick."
Daryl and Kagome brought Rick back so that he could take a look at the prison. He smiled and hugged Kagome, "It's perfect."
They got back to the others, and Rick told them about the prison. They all get back in the vehicles and head towards the prison. When they get there, Rick cuts the fence with a pair of pliers and ushered everyone inside. They quickly wire the hole close and make their way down the alley towards the main entrance. Rick looked over the yard that was full of Walkers.
"If we can shut that gate, prevent more from filling the yard, we can pick off these Walkers. We'll take the field by tonight."
"So, how do we shut the gate," Hershel asked.
"I go, you guys cover me," Glenn volunteered.
Maggie shook her head, "No, it's a suicide run."
"I'm the fastest."
"I'll go," Kagome said.
"No," Rick said, "No. You, Glenn Maggie, Amy, and Beth draw as many as you can over there, pop them through the fence. Daryl, go back to the other tower. Carol, you've become a pretty good shot, take your time; we don't have a lot of ammo to waste. Hershel, you, Dale, and Carl, take this tower."
"Rick, I'll go, I can purify them they won't come near me."
"No. I'm not letting you go."
"I wasn't asking."
"I'd rather have you up in the tower covering me than risking your life."
"Fine."
Rick cupped Kagome's face, "Thank you," Then he kissed her, causing Lori to look away.
Everyone got into positions, and Rick got ready by the gate. He nodded to Kagome, who quickly opened it, and Rick slipped in behind a turned over bus. When Some of the Walker went after the others by the fence, Rick made his run. He was quick and light on his feet. Rick kept running while the other picked off the Walkers that would come after him. He paused once when a bullet hit too close to him.
"Sorry," Carol yelled.
Kagome, Carol, and Daryl continued shooting at the Walkers while Rick made for the fence. He kicked one Walker back in and slammed the gate shut, locking it. Carol smiled and looked at Kagome, "He did it."
"Okay, light it up."
With that, they began to put down all the Walkers that were still in the field, taking them out quickly. When the Walkers were all taken care of, Kagome and the others joined Rick inside the courtyard. Rick smiled at Kagome and hugged her, lifting her off the ground.
They all revel in the amount of space they now have, "Oh! Oh, oh! We haven't had this much space since we left the farm!" Carol said, then laughed as she hugged Sophia.
Later on that night, everyone settled down around the fire while Daryl kept watch at the gate, and Rick walked the perimeter, making sure that there were no holes in the fence. Earlier that afternoon, Kagome and Sophia had gone out hunting and brought back several rabbits and squirrels. She told Sophia that later they would make some nets and cast them in the creek to catch fish and maybe some crawfish.
So, for the first time in a long time, the group ate well and in relative safety. Kagome prepared and seasoned the rabbits with the herbs and spices that she had with her; Hershel and Amy skinned the squirrels and roasted everything over the fire. They ate their fill of food and talked while Amy took some food to Daryl.
"Tomorrow, we'll put all the bodies together. We want to keep them away from that water. Now, if we can dig a canal under the fence, we'll uh have plenty of fresh water," T-Dog told the others.
"The soil is good; we could plant some seed, grow some tomatoes, cucumbers, soybeans," Hershel Looked at Rick, "That's his third time around. If there were any part of it compromised, he'd have found it by now."
Beth turned to Lori, "This will be a good place to have the baby. Safe."
As they all sit around the campfire trying to relax a bit. Hershel asked Beth to sing. She begins to sings, and they all realize that Beth is very talented. Beth continues to sing, and Maggie joins her. Their singing gets Rick's attention, and he goes back to the others where he sat down behind Kagome and pulled her into his lap. Rick kissed Kagome's temple when she offered him a bowl of food. He doesn't even look at Lori.
The girls finish singing, and everyone claps, "Better all turn in. I'll take watch over there, we've got a big day tomorrow," Rick informs the others.
"What do you mean," Glenn asked.
"Look, I know we're all exhausted. This was a great win. But we gotta push just a little bit more. Most of the walkers are dressed as guards or prisoners; it looks like this place fell pretty early. Could mean the supplies may be intact. They have an infirmary, a commissary."
"An armory," Daryl asked.
"That would be outside the prison itself, but not too far away. Warden's offices would have info on the location. Weapons, food, medicine, this place could be a gold mine!" Rick said excitedly.
"We're dangerously low on ammo. We'll run out before we make a dent." Dale said.
"That's why we gotta go in there. Hand to hand. After all, we've been through; we can handle it, I know it. These assholes don't stand a chance."
Rick finished his meal and was about to go walk the perimeter again when Kagome caught up to him, "Rick, I'm going in with you tomorrow."
"No."
"Rick, you didn't let me today, but you're not stopping me tomorrow. I'm going whether you like it or not."
Rick sighed and hugged Kagome, "Alright, but you be careful."
"Always, besides, I have a trick up my sleeve that I've wanted to show you."
Rick looked at Kagome mischievously and held her tighter, "Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"Not what you're thinking."
Rick playfully pouted, and Kagome slapped his chest, "Alright, then get some sleep, we'll start first thing in the morning."
Kagome kissed Rick and went to the camp to get some sleep. The next morning. Rick, Daryl, Kagome, Glenn, and Maggie gathered at the gate with knives in their hands, while the other moved towards the opposite to get the attention of the of as many Walkers as they can and take care of them through the fence. Rick and the others form a tight circle and start taking out the Walkers that approach them. They walk, and they see another courtyard filled with Walkers. They hide behind a wall. Two walkers come out from behind a vehicle dressed in full riot gear. Two others come out from behind the wall; Kagome kicked one.
T-Dog tried to kill it, but his blade glances off the helmet. More Walkers in riot gear come at them, and Maggie stabbed one through the neck, and the others do the same thing to other Walkers. Rick made a run for the gate and closed the courtyard that is filled with Walkers. After that, they finish the remaining Walkers in the courtyard and then let the others inside.
"Looks secure," Glenn said.
"Nothing will lead to that courtyard over there. And that's a civilian," Daryl pointed out.
"So the interior could be overrun by walkers from outside the prison," Kagome said.
"Well, if there's walls down, then, what are we gonna do? We can't rebuild this whole place." Glenn pointed out
"We can't risk a blind spot. We have to push in."
Everyone nodded and got ready to push into the interior of the prison. Rick and the others wind up in an empty cell block and start looking out for walkers. Rick goes upstairs, he saw a dead guard and took his keys. He opened the door leading to all the cells, and they went in; Maggie saw a dead prisoner in one of the cells. Kagome went upstairs; Rick joins him. They hear noises, turn around, and see Walkers in the cells. They kill the Walkers and throw them downstairs. T-Dog carried a body outside. The others arrive and take a look at the place.
"What do you think?" Rick asked.
"Home sweet home," Glenn said as he brings some of their supplies into the cell block.
"For the time being," Rick told him.
"Is it secure," Lori asked.
"This cell block is," Kagome told her.
"What about the rest of the prison," Hershel asked.
"In the morning, we'll look for the cafeteria and the infirmary," Rick informed him.
"We'll sleep in the cell," Beth asked.
"I found the keys on some guards. Daryl and Kagome have set too."
"I ain't sleeping in no cage, I'll take the perch," Daryl said, So Amy decided to get a cell closer to Daryl.
Everyone started picking out cells. Carol ushered Lori towards a section to share one in the meantime. Beth asked Sophia if she wanted to share, and she agreed; Hershel and Dale decided that they wanted to share one as well, at least until they felt comfortable there. Kagome picked a cell a little further away from the rest for her and Rick.
As Rick walked to the cell that Kagome had picked out, Lori reached out and placed a hand on his arm, "Thank you."
Rick merely nodded and kept walking. He walked into his new room that he would share with Kagome and saw that she was laying out the sleeping bag to make the bed more comfortable. Rick wrapped his arms around Kagome's waist and kissed her temple. She turned around in his arms and kissed his lips, "You look so tired."
"So do you," Rick countered.
"Here, let's get you undressed and get some sleep," Kagome said.
"Someone should keep watch."
"I think we'll be alright for one night."
Rick nodded, and Kagome started helping him take off his shirt, then his boots and pants. She sat on the bed next to him and began to massage his shoulders, pushing a little of her healing powers into Rick so that he would relax. Rick's eyes closed, and he sighed; once he had relaxed enough, Kagome got undressed down to her bra and panties, got into the sleeping bag, and Rick laid down in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed his back.
"I love you," Kagome told Rick.
Rick lifted Kagome's hand to his lips, "I love you too."
Soon the cell block was quiet, and everyone had fallen into their first restful sleep in a long time.
The following day, Rick decided that Kagome, Daryl, T-Dog, and Glenn would go further into the prison to look for the cafeteria. Hershel asked Rick if he could go as well, and Rick reluctantly agreed. But as they're about to head out, Carol came over to Kagome and got her attention.
"Kagome?"
"Everything alright," Rick asked.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about," Carol told Rick.
Kagome followed Carol to the cell where Lori was sitting, "What's up, Lori?"
"It's the baby; I think I lost it."
"You haven't felt it move," Kagome asked.
"Nothing. And no Braxton-Hicks. At first, I thought it was exhaustion and malnutrition."
"Are you anemic?"
"Yeah."
"If we're all infected, then so is the baby. So what if it's stillborn? What if it's dead inside me right now, what if it rips me apart?"
"Let me feel, Lori," Kagome said.
Lori moved her hands, and Kagome put her hands on either side of Lori's belly. Kagome infuses her hands with her powers then closes her eyes. It takes a few minutes for Kagome to open her eyes. She smiles at Lori, "It's fine, Lori, you're baby is doing just fine. You're right; you're only exhausted. You need to rest, and when we get back with the food, I'll make you something to eat, okay?"
Lori nods, "Thank you, Kagome."
"You're welcome, Lori."
Kagome got up and joined the other that were getting ready to head into the interior of the prison. Rick gave Kagome a machete while he had the other one. Once everyone was armed, Daryl unlocked the prison door, and they cautiously made their way into the prison.
It was dark, eerie, and silent; the only thing that could be heard were the sounds of their footsteps as they slowly made their way through the hallway. The group advances very carefully in the corridors; there are dead bodies on the floor. Glenn traced arrows so they can find their way back. Maggie jumped with fright when she ran into Glenn by accident. Suddenly, they saw a lot of Walkers as they turn. They all go back running, followed by the Walkers.
"Go back, go back, move! This way!"
"Come on, come on!" Glenn cried.
"Come on! This way!" Daryl shouted
Maggie, Glenn, and Kagome are ambushed, as walkers have arrived just in front of them, they can't go either way. The Walkers are closing in on them, and Kagome quickly threw a barrier up around her, Maggie and Glenn.
"What are you doing?!" Glenn shouted.
"Don't move," Kagome said.
The minute the Walkers touch the barrier, it was a chain reaction. They all turn to ash. Glenn and Maggie stare at Kagome, "How did you do that?"
"There's something evil about the Walkers that my powers can purify them. I haven't figured it out yet, but it works on them as if they were Youkai."
"Thank God," Maggie said and hugged Kagome.
Come on, let's find the others.
Meanwhile, Rick and the others are looking for Kagome, Maggie, and Glenn. They're quietly calling their names. Hershel walked, and a Walker was sitting on the floor; it seemed dead. But Hershel when walked near it, the Walker grabbed his leg and bit him. Hershel screamed, Rick arrived and shot the Walker. Maggie, Kagome, and Glenn arrive.
"No, no, Daddy, no!" Maggie screamed.
The noise attracts more Walkers, and Rick picked up Hershel and started running with him. Kagome stayed behind to give them a chance to get away, "Kagome!" Rick screamed, "Come on!"
"Go! I'll be right behind you!"
Kagome summoned her bow and began shooting spiritual arrows at the Walkers, turning them to ash. She then turned and ran after the other. When she got to the room where the others are, she saw Rick raise his axe to cut off Hershel's leg, "Rick, don't!"
"It's the only way to save his life!"
"No, it isn't, move!" Kagome shoved Rick out of the way and kneeled next to Hershel and started pushing her healing powers into Hershel. Kagome concentrated on the infection trying to spread, and slowly, she began to purify it. Once she felt the disease destroyed, Kagome focused on healing the wound. But she couldn't close it entirely. She started getting dizzy and fell back.
"Kagome! Kagome!" Rick screamed.
"I'm okay, but we need to get Hershel back. I need to sew the wound close."
At that moment, Daryl noticed the men standing on the other side of a counter, "Duck," He whispered to Rick.
Rick ducked, and Daryl stood up with his crossbow aimed at the prisoners. When he did that, T-Dog pulled out his gun as did Glenn and pointed at the prisoners who only stared at them in shock.