A/N: This is my first ever fan fiction. I haven't got a beta so please ignore any grammar or spelling errors. I wrote this ff cuz there were so few ff stories about Sumika and Kazama, and I personally wished there was more action in the anime/manga.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sasameki Koto or any of the characters.
A loud sigh escapes Kazama Ushio's lips. She turns to look at her best friend Murasame Sumika staring blankly out the window, her head casually resting on her right palm. Class was even more boring than usual as she sneakily continued admiring pictures of adorable teenage girls in a magazine she bought the day before.
'Why is it so hard to find my soul mate?' Another sigh.
Finally the bell that signifies the end of the day rang piercingly throughout the silent classroom. Everyone hurriedly rose to leave the classroom. Sumika, however, took awhile to realise the bell had rung.
"Murasame-kun! Tonight's Girl's Club meeting will be held at your place okay?" Tomoe asked, or rather demanded.
"No." Sumika responded quickly, her mind going over the plans she already had for the night.
"We'll invite big boobs..."
"In fact, we already did Murasame-kun. Now, you really can't expect us to-"
"I have plans tonight. Aoi's parents are going out of the country to take care of some family issues so they asked whether she could stay with me."
"So?"
"SO! I don't want you weirdo's, with the exception of Kazama, to freak her out on her first night at my house." Sumika stated in a matter-of-fact tone, standing up with her bag slung over her shoulder.
"Who're you calling a weirdo? You giant monster!" Miyako howled.
"Who do you think midget?" Sumika replied with the same level of (playful) irritation. And as per usual, the two start pulling at each other's hair in their usual skirmish all the while Tomoe is deep in thought.
Shortly after, Kazama joins the trio, smiling as she watched Sumika argue with Miyako.
"I still don't see the problem Murasame-kun." Tomoe finally said.
"What problem, Sumi-chan? Is it about tonight? If it's troublesome, I can always just go home." Kazama suggested innocently as Tomoe and Miyako grinned victoriously.
"Ahh, ah, it's nothing really. I just... Well. Aoi-san is..."
"Murasame-san, are you ready?" Azusa Aoi rushes over to look expectantly at Sumika.
"Ready... for what? Sumi-chan?" Kazama asked. 'Weren't we going over to Sumi-chan's house today? Tomoe-chan never mentioned Aoi-san..."
"Well, Aoi-san's parents are overseas... so Aoi-san will be staying with me for awhile..." Sumika nervously scratched the back of her head, "But it's okay, the more the merrier right? But only if it's okay with you, Aoi-san."
"Huh? Of course! I'm already causing you so much trouble with my intrusion, how could I possibly say no?"
"Don't say that. There was nothing you could do and my dad's more than willing to help-" whatever Sumika said after that was cut off as a fighter plane flew dangerously close to the school building at top speed.
The 5 girls stood silently as the plane sped past, leaving a feeling of ill omen amongst them.
Sumika was the first to break the silence, "That was probably the 8th plane I've seen fly past our school today... What do you think is going on?"
A moment of silence followed.
"Whatever it is, we'll find out on the news today. We better start moving now. Before it gets dark." Tomoe said and they all nodded.
In Sumika's house
The quiet chattering of voices echoed throughout the house. For once, there were no battle cries from the dojo next door because all the members of the Murasame dojo were at one of their rival's dojo, the Gyofukan Dojo, competing in an impromptu challenge.
Only one member stayed behind, preferring the company of her friends to ditching them to beat the pride of bulky men to the ground; though the latter was very tempting.
Finally at 9pm, Tomoe decided it was time to head home and now they all stood at the front gates of the Murasame household. The dojo members still hadn't returned.
As they were bidding their farewells, the most unexpected happened.
Several jet planes flew past their heads just as multiple thunderous, earth-shattering explosions occurred all around them. The girls were thrown backwards to the ground as rubble and pebbles were flung towards them. Fires roared to life, giving the night skies an ominous crimson colour. Screams sliced through the serene night like a nightmare come to life.
Groaning painfully, Sumika lifted herself on her arms. Her head was throbbing and she could feel something damp running down her face and arms.
"Sumi-chan...Are you okay?" a terrified voice asked from below her. Slowly opening her eyes, she realised Kazama was underneath her.
Ignoring her previous question, Sumika panicked, "Kazama! Are you hurt? Do you feel pain anywhere? Oh my god, is that blood?"
"Sumi-chan, I'm fine... It's..."
"You're not fine, you're bleeding!"
"It's not my blood, Sumi-chan, it's your blood." Carefully, Kazama extended a hand to move Sumika's bangs to the side, revealing an ugly gash on the top right side of her head where she must've accidentally landed on.
"Oh. Don't worry. It doesn't hurt. Come on, let's make sure the others are okay." Swiftly rising from atop Kazama, she offered a hand, which Kazama gladly took.
"Murasame-kun, are you- Oh my..." From the rubble, Miyako, Tomoe and Aoi emerged. All were covered in scratches, grazes and ash. However, Tomoe's knees seemed to have sustained the worse damage of them all.
"I'm fine. More importantly, what the heck's going on?"
Sirens were wailing in the distance along with the eerie sound of horrified screeches. More planes flew past and a deafening sound could be heard nearby... the sound of gunfire.
"I don't know. But we best go indoors for now."
With that, they all shuffled inside in a hurry. Sumika locked the doors behind them just in case.
"Electricity's out. Do you have any candles?" Tomoe asked.
"They're over here. Matches are in the drawer over there." Sumika replied.
Kazama, Aoi and Miyako were huddled together in a corner of the dining room while Tomoe and Sumika hurriedly tried to seal the windows and doors around the small dining room with shaking hands. Kazama and Aoi were rapidly messing with their phones as they desperately tried to contact their family members.
"Can you get anything?" Aoi whispered, her voice quivering with fear as the earlier explosion continued to ring in her ears.
Kazama shook her head, "There's no reception. Miyako-chan, maybe your phone..."
Miyako gingerly took out her mobile phone. She pressed a few buttons and her phone came to life, "No signal on mine either."
"T-this is bad. W-we can't call for help at all! We can't even contact our family! Unless! I can access the internet on my phone. Maybe that'll-"
"Well, Aoi-san?" Kazama asked, hope filled her very being at the prospect of knowing her brother was alright.
"There... there isn't a single wireless connection in the area. Why isn't there any reception? Or internet? What's going on?" Aoi began to panic. Her family was overseas but she still wanted them to know that she was okay when they heard about the explosions on the news. Or perhaps she just wanted to hear their comforting voices.
"Aoi-san, there's no electricity in my house and all the houses I can see from here. And judging by how dark it is everywhere, we can safely assume that the whole city doesn't have power." Sumika explained as she and Tomoe continued to check every corner of the room.
"Without electricity, this city will have nothing. No phone signals, no internet, no TV and no radio. Nothing." Tomoe continued. When she and Sumika finished surveying the little room, they returned to the other 3 girls with a lighted candle in one hand.
"Not to mention my houses' central heating is down." Sumika added as the sound of gunfire slowly crept closer. Sumika and Tomoe shared a look, both knowing exactly what was on the other's mind.
"Alright, listen up you 3, you are to stay here and stay hidden. Understand?" Tomoe ordered.
"Blow out the candles the moment you hear someone nearby." Sumika told them as they handed them 2 candles.
"Whe-where are you two going?" Kazama whispered, eyes full of fear.
"We need to lock up the doors and windows around the house." Tomoe said as Sumika nodded, refusing to look at Kazama's worried filled eyes. Knowing that once she did, she would never leave the girl's side again.
"But it's dangerous Tomoe-chan!" Miyako cried.
"Ssshhh, I'll be fine. I have the great Murasame Sumika with me right?" With a wink, the two left without another word.
They quietly maneuvered through the house, shutting and locking all windows, sealing and barricading doors and entrances with whatever furniture they could lift before they collapsed on the floor, panting.
"How bad?" Tomoe asked as she tried to catch her breath.
Sumika looked at her, confused at first before realising what she meant, "Not too bad, the cut on my forehead has clotted up but the grazes on my elbows and forearms are starting to sting. You?"
"Same, my knees are killing me. What should we do? Stay here, go look for your dad or go to my house?"
"Stay. It's too dangerous out there. Have you heard those shootings?"
"Yeah, and they're coming closer too."
"Oh God... I totally forgot! Noe-san!" Sumika exclaimed in a hush tone, scrambling to her feet, "She went out to get some groceries but..."
"Murasame-kun! In the short time I've known Noe-san, I am certain she is fine. Now is not the time to worry about our families. We need to go get some clothes and blankets for the others."
"Right, sorry. Come on, we can get those in my room." Sumika instructed as she led the way upstairs.
"Murasame-kun, I was wondering if I could borrow some of your clothes. Miyako would start to worry if she sees my wounds."
"Oh, sure." Sumika said as she draped all the blankets she could find over her shoulder. Going over to her desk to retrieve the first aid kit, she glanced outside to see shadows moving sluggishly in the street in front of her house.
Squinting her eyes, she gasped aloud before quickly blowing out her candle and staggering backwards.
"Ha-Ha-ha-hachi..." Sumika whispered.
Pointing towards her window with wide eyes, Tomoe soundlessly blew out her candle and approached the window cautiously. Her eyes widened as she saw the figures but remained calm for Sumika's sake.
"This had better be one of those sick, reality TV shows. Let's go downstairs. Fast!" With that, the two sprinted down the stairs to the dining room as quietly as possible before Sumika and Tomoe slapped a hand across Aoi and Miyako's widening mouths. Successfully halting any words from escaping.
"Put out those candles now, Kazama." Sumika whispered. Kazama did exactly as she was told and they all were surrounded by darkness once more.
"We're going to let you go now, Azusa-kun, Miyako. But you have to remain quiet understand?" Feeling them nod, Sumika and Tomoe released them.
"Tomoe-chan. What's going on?"
"There are... people outside...dangerous people. We don't want to catch their attention by making ANY sound or sign that we're in here. Also, I think the guys with guns are actually the good guys... " Tomoe tried to explain. 'The sounds of firing guns are even closer now... Hope they reach here soon.'
The soft sound of movement told her that they were nodding. Satisfied, she moved over to sit next to Miyako.
"Sumi-chan, does it hurt?" Kazama whispered faintly. Her voice was full of concern and distress, Sumika noted.
"Most of the pain is gone already. You don't need to worry." Sumika assured her.
"You're lying."
Sumika sighed, she was definitely her best friend, "It's just a slight throb and sting every time I try to move. Really."
Now it was Kazama's turn to sigh silently as she carefully leaned against Sumika's shoulder, "Once we're out of this, I'll treat your wounds and you can't complain. Okay?"
"Sure." 'If we even get out of this mess... But those... those things. They look human, but they definitely were not human. I need to speak to Hachi in private as soon as possible.'
More footsteps were heard outside. Loud and fast. Like the sound of hooves on gravel. Shortly after, the booming sound of gunfire started. Aoi and Miyako cried in surprise as their hands instinctively moved to cover their ears. Kazama had thrown herself onto Sumika's chest and the taller girl wrapped her injured arms around her best friend protectively.
Sumika closed her eyes as she tried to listen to what was happening outside. Tomoe was doing the exact same thing. Both of them thinking 'Hopefully the gunmen will take them all down.'
Sumika was completely focused on the sounds outside. It was a skill she mastered while doing karate. The ability to concentrate on the details of her surroundings and right now, she was focused on all the sounds she was hearing outside. Besides the gunfire, there were groans, moans and the sound of shuffling feet being dragged across the tar road.
But then there were also the painful screams of men, clawing and gnawing sounds as if an animal were biting off chunks of flesh. Tortured cries of agony filled the air.
Slowly but steadily, the sound of guns were reducing. 'This is not good, they're losing. Maybe there weren't enough of them.' A battle cry reached Sumika's heightened senses then the sound of running boots on gravel, more gunfire, several things fell with a dull thud before there was silence again.
"Sumi-chan?"
"Murasame-kun, now's not the time to be zoning out."
"Hey stupid giant. Wake up."
"Murasame-san..."
Several whispered voices reached her ears as she focused her attention to those around her. Opening her eyes, she was shocked to see her dining room in a mess. Pots were scattered all around her, her friends hunched over to stay low and avoid the stray bullets.
"Hachi... I think they won. We shou-" A faint sound brought her attention back outside. 'Someone ...or something's trying to enter through the front door!'
Panicking, Sumika leaped to her feet, whispered a quick "I'll be right back" then bounded for the front door. Peering cautiously from one of the multiple bullet holes in the wall, she was pleased to see it was one of the humans who were trying to get inside.
Several others were behind him and they were obviously injured. She gathered her courage and spoke, "Excuse me, can you please stop that?"
The man stopped pushing against the door, startled. "Uh, my sincerest apologies ma'am. But as you can see, my men are severely injured and we really need some shelter right now. Could you please let us in?" His voice was commanding and husky yet polite. Sumika didn't know what to do.
"Who are you? How do we know we can trust you?" To Sumika's surprise, Kazama was the one who spoke up.
"Good gods, how old are you kids?" He seemed genuinely concerned. Turning to Tomoe, Sumika started to discuss with her as Kazama answered the man's questions politely.
In hushed whispers, Tomoe said, "We can't trust them! Not only do they have guns, they are all full grown men and we are all teenage girls!"
"Then what do you propose we do? Leave them out there to die? They took out a whole hoard of those... things!"
"We wait."
"What? They'll die!"
"I wasn't finished, we wait and question them first. And based on their answers then we'll decide whether we can trust them or not."
"...Fine. You take the lead." Nodding, Tomoe approached Kazama and beckoned for her to step back.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Kakashi. My men and I are part of Japan's military of defence. We have our badges and uniforms to prove it."
"Why did you choose this house? There are so many houses everywhere."
"Because my men are injured and it would be inconvenient to move around. The other houses nearby either have been damaged by the rubble and explosion or are on fire. Anything else?"
"What were those things?"
"That is highly classified information ma'am. However, I know that you will not let us in unless you get all the information you want, so I shall tell you this much. They were humans that have been used for illegal experimentation by a scientist who has already been arrested."
"So why do you need shelter? Why not call for backup or an airlift? Why here?"
"..."
"Why here?"
"...Because." The man was extremely hesitant, "Because all our units have been dispatched. No one is available to 'pick us up'. We take care of ourselves."
"And what were those things?"
Tomoe felt a light tap on her shoulder before Sumika whispered into her ear, "Hachi, I can hear groaning sounds outside. I don't think those things are all dead."
"Ma'am my men are in desperate need of medical attention!"
"I am aware." Peering through the bullet hole, Tomoe could vaguely make out some movement on the Murasame front porch where some of the soldiers laid. It was too dark to decide whether they were dead or just injured.
"I cannot share any more information with you. You are a civilian and I am not obliged to share any more classified government information with you. Now open this door at once!" He was getting impatient.
"And I am not obliged to follow your orders. Your job is to protect me however I will throw a first aid kit down to you. Since you are so insistent on treating your men's injuries."
Kakashi sighed, "That will not help with our situation at all ma'am."
"And why is that?"
"The mutated humans became like that because of a genetically modified virus that the scientist invented. He wanted to create a cure for Alzheimer's by using that virus to boost the brains power. However, it did the complete opposite by taking over the human's brain causing the human to die an agonising death. However, that mad man did not stop. He continued changing the virus, trying to figure out what was wrong and then trying it out on humans. All those humans died."
"...Died? What do you mean died? They're wal-umphh!" Miyako screamed before Sumika placed a hand over her mouth to shut her up.
"For God's sake, be patient and keep your voices down!"
"Why?" Tomoe resumed her questioning after casting Miyako a serious glance.
"The virus continued multiplying in the human's brain, spreading to all parts of the body but apparently, for some scientific shit reason I don't remember, the virus was able keep the human's brain alive as the rest of the body begins to decay rapidly due to the virus using up the nutrients. The scientist was not aware of this until it was too late. He had kept all those bodies in his lab where no one would find them but slowly, one by one, they came back to life."
"Sir, I fail to understand how any of this is relevant to you seeking shelter here."
"Because, those 'zombies' as I would call them are being controlled by the virus. And what do viruses do? They search for a new host to invade."
Tomoe was confused, she wasn't that big a fan of science. In fact, all this talk about viruses was boring her to death, "What do you mean-"
"The virus can be transmitted to another human being. How? By droplets in the air? Orally? Contact? Blood? How?" Sumika said, getting louder as she reached the end of her sentence.
"Once they bite you, you're gone."
"So, anyone out there who gets bitten by those things become one of them?" Kazama whispered.
"That's horrible..." Aoi murmured.
"And that, ma'am, is why we need shelter. Some of my men have been bitten and although I have already put them out of their misery, there are others out there. Please."
"How do we know you're not bitten?" Tomoe asked.
"Because if I was I would be screaming in agony as I thrash around on the floor. My brain would be deteriorating as we were conversing earlier. Now please, let us in."
Turning around, Tomoe looked everyone in the eye as she whispered, "What do you think?"
"We let them in." Sumika said
"I agree with Murasame-san" Aoi whispered.
Kazama and Miyako both nodded.
"Fine we'll let you in Kakashi-san. Murasame-kun, help me with this."
"Thank you so much."
Sumika and Tomoe moved the furniture out of the way before opening the door. Kakashi was supporting a man who was hopping on his left leg. Two more men entered. Both were covered in ash and blood.
"That is all of us. Lock the door and barricade it again." Kakashi instructed. "Then, cover all the windows and bullet holes with something opaque. We will light some candles in here and we do not want those things seeing any source of light."
"Who do you think you are? Giving orders like that?" Miyako challenged, hands on hips.
"Miyako, just do as he says. He knows what he's doing." Tomoe said. All 5 girls moved around the house, looking for the slightest ray of moonlight and its source before covering it up. Once they were done, it was pitched black. Sumika being the only one who knows her houses' layout at the back of her hand, found the matches and lit a candle.
Once everyone was inside the candle lit dining room, Kazama and Aoi handed the soldiers the first aid kit and proceeded to help them with their wounds. They sat at one end of the room while Sumika and Tomoe stood nearby with Miyako sitting in the middle of the room.
"Those are scratches made by human nails." Tomoe commented. Most of the soldiers had removed their shirts and some folded up their pants so Sumika and Tomoe could clearly see their injuries. "How is it that if they were close enough to scratch you, they didn't bite you?"
"Honestly? We have no idea, man. We were fucking lucky." One of the soldiers explained as he dabbed antiseptic on the cuts on his arm, "Oh fucking hell! That burnsssss!"
"Quit being such a baby, Ray." Another soldier said, grinning.
"Ray is right though, we were lucky to not have been bitten." Kakashi said, "Since we are probably going to be staying a while, boys, introduce yourself."
"The names Bradley 'Blitz' Barrass, and I'm a real Ladies man! Although I don't usually date younger girls, I could always make an exception if you fine ladies are interested. Oh and please just call me Blitz." He introduced before flashing a grin and a wink and using his hand to push his messy blonde bangs to the back of his head.
"Oh please, waddaya shittin' about? Blitz here dun got no girl since he joined da bloody army! Funny thing is, he joined the army to get ripped an' get all 'em ladies! Hahaha- OWWWWWW!" Ray wailed as Blitz dripped some antiseptic on his wound. "You bloody sucker! Imma kill you man! I kill you! Ahh, Okay, okay! I won't kill ya man! I'm only kiddin' witcha!"
"Ray, Blitz. Is this how you behave in front of others? We represent this country and this is how you act?" Kakashi sighed. "Well, you already know my name is Kakashi, this is Ray and Blitz and finally, this is Shadow. Each of them are specialised in one particular field of weaponry and I am their Commanding Officer."
"Specialised?"
"Hell yeah, Four eyes! I'm the King of Bombs! Gimme anything and I'll make one helluva explosive for ya!"
"And I'm a long distance shooter. Give me a roof and a sniper rifle and I could kill a man from a mile away!"
"They are both exaggerating." Kakashi stated with a slightly humorous tone.
"Am NOT!" Blitz and Ray said simultaneously.
"Shadow, introduce yourself." The man who was limping earlier had jet black hair cropped short and dark brooding eyes. All this time he had been tending to his injuries with the help of Kazama.
Looking up, he met all 5 girls gazes with a bored expression, "My codename is Shadow. My accuracy is second to no one and should anyone approach me with the intent to kill, I will not hesitate to take him or her down. I am skilled with a sword, a handgun, rifles and my own fists. Also, I find Ray and Blitz irritating and loud."
"Fuck man! Kakashi, he did it again!"
"He broke the rule Kakashi!"
"Rule?" Tomoe asked with a raised eyebrow.
Kakashi seemed like he was having a migraine. Blitz and Ray were whining on his left while Shadow looked content with himself as he continued to wrap his injuries up.
"Yes, rule. Shadow has a habit of downgrading these two whenever we have company and due to their continuous complaining, I made it a rule for Shadow to refrain from insulting them in front of others."
"But that little bitch never stopped! Wit the rule or not!" Ray grumbled.
"If you'll excuse us, I would like to have a word with Murasame-kun in private." Tomoe stated as she gently pushed Sumika out the door.
"See Shadow! Now the ladies can't even stand being in the same room as us!"
Finally out of earshot the two friends started their own private conversation.
"What is this about Hachi?"
"They're idiots. Nothing more than a bunch of idiots!"
"Sure they're a little lose in the head but what are we supposed to do?"
"...I know but they're just very... bizarre!"
"Haha, tell me about it. So what should we do right now? Get some food for them?"
"Yes and see what else they are willing to share with us about those... zombies."
Walking back to the dining room, Kazama and Aoi finally finished patching them all up.
"Thank you so much beautiful." Blitz said to Aoi who blushed profusely.
"It's nothing really..."
"You kiddin' me? I feel so fucking good now! No mo' dried blood and zombie guck. Thank you so fucking much, er.."
"Ushio. Kazama Ushio."
"A pretty name for a pretty little lady."
Sumika felt a flare of anger rise and she clenched her fists tightly. Causing the scratches on her palm to reopen.
Tomoe noticed this and whispered in her ear, "Don't make a scene. It's best they don't know about our sexuality."
Stunned, Sumika looked at Tomoe, anger briefly forgotten. Tomoe wasn't one to keep her sexuality a secret.
"We don't know how they would take it and we can't risk finding out so it's best to keep them out of it."
Sumika nodded and decided to remain quiet.
"Is there any chance we can contact our families?" Aoi asked.
"We do have a radio but it only receives radio transmissions. So unless your family members know how to work and are able to find a zombie-free radio station, I am sorry but we won't be able to contact them." Kakashi said, watching the girls with sad eyes.
"So would you gentlemen like something to eat?" Kazama asked, quickly bouncing back to her happy and worry-free state.
"We really don't want to- " Kakashi announced before being cut off by Ray and Blitz who howled with delight at the mention of food.
"YESHH Oh HELL YESH! I'm starved!"
"Me too. Me too!"
"Why am I stuck with these idiots?" Kakashi massaged the bridge of his nose trying to stop the headache from forming.
Kazama only smiled, they're antics reminded her of her own friends though they were all too shocked by recent events to behave like the usually do.
"I'll go see what I can prepare in the kitchen. Aoi-san, could you help me?"
"Oh ah, sure."
"Please do not cook anything. Erm, Kazama was it?", Kazama nodded, "Yeah well, cooking something will give off fumes which may attract those zombies so just be careful whatever you are preparing hasn't got a strong scent okay? Thanks."
"Understood." With that, Aoi and Kazama left to the kitchen leaving Miyako, Tomoe and Sumika with the soldiers.
There was a moment of awkward silence as the two groups of allies studied each other carefully.
"You never told us your names." Kakashi's voice boomed in the noiseless room.
"I'm Murasame Sumika."
"Tomoe and this is Miyako."
"It is a pleasure to meet you girls. And I am so sorry to have dragged you teens into this chaos." Kakashi apologised. Even Blitz and Ray looked solemn as Shadow continued to stare at the corner of the room.
"You didn't drag us into it. Everyone in this entire area has already been dragged into it." Tomoe explained as she and Sumika finally sat down. "So what else attracts those things?"
"So far, we know they rely on their eyes and ears. We are told they have a horrible sense of smell and their taste buds are practically useless. Though I would rather not take the risk." Kakashi described.
"They also crave for raw human flesh and blood. Which is what causes them to attack humans in the first place." Blitz added.
"Though they victims die 'cuz of that bitch virus and loss of blood... they still come fucking come alive whether their flesh has been gorged out or not."
"That's... disturbing." Sumika whispered.
"How do we kill them?" To everyone's surprise, Miyako was the one who asked. Tomoe looked at her lovers face. A mixture of pure fear and anxiousness. Tomoe sighed and moved over to put an arm around Miyako. Who immediately curled into her hold.
"You blow their brains to bits."
"You can use whatever weapon you want."
"Ya juz gotta make sure you shred that fucking sucker's head into bloody fragments!"
"That's a little..."
"Horrifying?"
"Gruesome?"
"Impossible." Shadow stated from his corner of the room, "Do you think you could actually beat those things? We lost 6 men just now. 6 trained men. Don't ask unnecessary questions, little girl."
"Shadow, you don't need to be so harsh. They're barely out of high school, they haven't seen the world yet so leave them be." Blitz defended.
"I am not a little girl." Miyako murmured.
"What's that you little brat?" Shadow said, rising from his position on the floor.
"Miyako, please don't." Tomoe insisted. Blitz, Kakashi and Ray were all watching Shadow carefully as he limped over to where Miyako sat in Tomoe's arms.
"No Tomoe-chan! Who does this guy think he is? I'm not a little girl! I've seen the ugly side of this world! You don't know me so don't you dare speak as if you do!"
Shadow laughed menacingly. His throaty chuckles filled the room and Sumika tensed from where she sat beside her friends.
"Let me ask you something. All those times you've 'seen the ugly side of this world' what happened? Did your beloved Tomoe-chan come to your rescue? Your relatives? Parents? Friends?"
"Of course! All my friends and family lov-" Shadow laughed out loud again, "What are you laughing about?"
"Then you haven't seen shit little brat. You've never been in a situation where you were alone, surrounded by dead comrades whom you trusted to protect you. You've never been forced into a situation so horrifying suicide was like a vacation when compared to it. You've neve-"
"Enough!" Miyako yelled. Tears pooling at her eyes. "No, I have never faced death nor have I seen the death of my friends. However, I have experienced things your puny little brain would never understand. You think you're so smart,"
"Taema, that's enough." Kakashi said but the girl ignored him and continued.
"Treating all your allies with hostility and boasting about your expertise to us but guess what? You're the one who was injured the most! Your wounds are far more severe than the others!"
Blitz and Ray's eyes were wide. Shadow was seething with anger. All the members in the room could feel the tension.
"Shadow..." Kakashi's tone was cautious and demanding. Sumika saw him tense and she too followed suit. Her palms laid flat on the ground, all the muscles in her arms and legs were tense, ready to push herself of the ground at any second to defend Miyako. Knowing full well that Tomoe would take the hit for Miyako. Shadow started laughing again.
"You're absolutely right. I am the one who's most injured here... But that's going to change - right now!"
"Shadow!" Blitz and Ray screamed, scurrying onto their feet to stop their comrade but they were too slow. Shadow lunged forward, hands clenched into fists. Ready to beat the hell out of Miyako for wounding his pride so severely.
Everything slowed down. Tomoe twisted Miyako in her grip. Turning her back to his approaching fist. Blitz, Kakashi and Ray had their arms outstretched, trying to pull Shadow backwards. Sumika on the other hand, was more than ready for him to strike.
Releasing all the tension in her arms, she pushed herself up and towards Shadow. Once her weight was off her arms, she shifted her weight once more to her left leg and brought her right leg up in a curved high kick to Shadow's stomach, effectively pushing him back.
Shadow staggered backwards before forcing himself forward once more, out of the grasping hands of his comrades. Sumika moved in front of Tomoe and Miyako in a defensive stance.
Watching his movements vigilantly, she expected a kick and lowered herself instinctively. What she didn't anticipate, was his backwards kick using his other leg. Her hands moved to block the kick aimed at her chest, grabbed his foot but her whole body was forced backwards as her back slammed painfully into the wall behind her.
Pain rushed through her like nothing she had ever experienced.
Crying out in shock and agony, her first thought was to look down at Tomoe and Miyako. Worried she had accidentally crashed into them, she was relieved to see that they were unharmed, Tomoe still protectively covering Miyako on the floor.
Regaining her footing in a split second, Sumika crossed her arms around his foot to hold it in place. Preventing him from any further movement due to the awkward position he was in. The pain was excruciating but as long as she maintained her focus she would be okay.
The tug of war between him and Sumika was cut short when Blitz and Ray grabbed Shadow, forcing him to stop moving. Gingerly, Sumika released her death grip on his foot and he slowly lowered it to the floor.
No one said anything. Not even Kakashi who looked both furious and panicky. Sumika breathed slowly.
"Erm... Is everything okay?"
Everyone turned to the doorway where Aoi and Kazama stood awkwardly . Both holding trays of canned food, snacks, some leftover dinner and bottles of water. Still, no one said anything until Sumika started coughing.
Slowly at first before she fell to her knees and doubled over in pain. Her arms encircled her chest as if she were trying to keep her lungs from leaping from her chest as she coughed violently.
Kazama dropped everything she was holding and ran straight to Sumika who had begun spitting out blood but her fit was slowly going away, replaced by a regular tremour. Kazama knelt in front of Sumika and started rubbing her back soothingly; asking what was wrong.
"What... Did... you... do.. to me?" Sumika wheezed, glaring daggers at Shadow who only looked away. Kazama had never seen Sumika this angry. "Answer me! You...ughh.." Sumika clenched her teeth, the pain although receding was still agonising.
"Kazama, I think you better take all your friends upstairs. It has been a long night. You can leave the food at the doorway. Take whatever you want and leave us be." Kakashi ordered. Beckoning his men to give them some space.
Kakashi and Kazama helped Sumika to her feet. The karate prodige didn't even try to support herself as wave after wave of pain crashed through her. Miyako and Tomoe followed closely behind.
When Sumika was at the doorway she said quietly, "You're name... what is.. your real name?"
"Shun 'Shadow' ...Souken."
'Souken... I knew it. Souken meaning 'my Soul is in my bow' I knew the feeling of an arrow going through me wasn't just my imagination.' Sumika thought.
"Are you afraid? Murasame Sumika?" Releasing the hold Kakashi and Kazama had on her, Sumika turned around to face Shadow's smirking face.
"I am." Shadow sneered while Kazama and Aoi gasped in surprise, "But should you ever threaten to harm my friends again, I will wipe that smirk off your face."
Shadow lost the grin. 'Geez, when was the last time I saw that look in someone's eye. You really are an interesting one, Murasame Sumika' Shadow thought.
Turning while grimacing, Sumika sluggishly made her way towards the stairs. Once they all made it into Sumika's room, Sumika limped over to her futon and crumpled onto the cushions.
The others went to blacken out the windows so those creatures don't see the candlelight. Sumika was softly whimpering to herself in her curled up position. Her chest was burning, her head was beginning to hurt and her arms still needed to be treated.
"Hey four eyes..." Miyako called. Sumika just opened one hazy eye and looked at her in the dim candlelight. "Thanks... you saved me and Tomoe-chan from that freak. Thank you." she looked away, blushing.
Sumika smiled slightly, "Don't.. worry about.. it. Anyway, you guys... can sleep... in my brother's... or dad's.. room if you want. I doubt... we'll all... fit in here..."
"Geez, if you wanted to share a bed with big tities here, all you had to do was ask! No need to be so polite about it." Miyako teased, though she didn't expect Sumika to merely smile at her before closing her one open eye.
"Ah, Sumi-chan! You need to get your wounds tended to! Tomoe-chan too! ...Sumi-chan? Sumi-chan!" Gently shaking Sumika's shoulder.
"Mmm?"
"Kazama-kun. Why don't you treat her injuries as she sleeps? The 3 of us will sleep in another room where Miyako will take care of my injuries. How's that sound?"
"Oh, okay."
Tomoe and Miyako opened the first aid kit, took some bandages and medication before the 2 of them moved to another room. Aoi stood by the doorway as Kazama cautiously removed Sumika's glasses.
"Um... will Murasame-san be alright?" Aoi asked.
"Sumi-chan's really tough so she'll be okay. Just needs some rest."
"Oh, okay then. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
They exchanged gentle smiles before Aoi closed and locked the door behind her, giving the 2 best friends some privacy. Kazama looked back at Sumika who was breathing raggedly, her face frequently twitching from the pain.
"Sumi-chan, I'm going to remove your clothes now okay?"
Receiving no answer she moved to sit on Sumika's lower abdomen, encircled her arms around Sumika's prone body and gently lifted her, with some effort, before allowing Sumika to lean on her own body.
Pushing the jacket Sumika was wearing off her shoulders, Kazama clumsily flung it to side and moved to pull Sumika's T-shirt off. Once that was off, Kazama finally realised their positions and her face turned beet red.
Shaking her head roughly to chase away her wild imaginations, she cautiously laid Sumika back onto the futon. Kazama's face turned several shades redder as she took in Sumika's torso clad only in a simple white bra.
Her embarrassment vanished the moment her eyes rested on the ugly purplish green bruise on Sumika's chest, spreading from below her collarbones to her breasts and disappearing under her undergarment.
Her eyes moved to scan the rest of Sumika's torso, from her toned stomach to her shoulders and finally arms. Sumika's arms were covered with dried blood. Lifting her arms for closer inspection, Kazama could make out several gashes on her forearms where she landed on, trying to protect Kazama from the explosion.
'You big dummy, why'd you do something like that?'
"Because she loves you." a voice said inside her head. Blatantly ignoring the voice, Kazama rose to get a washcloth and basin. When she returned, Sumika was awake and was unsuccessfully trying to get up.
Kazama rushed over and placed her hands on Sumika's exposed shoulders, tenderly pushing her back down. Upon realising who it was, Sumika allowed herself to lay back down.
"You shouldn't get up Sumi-chan. You're badly hurt. Just go back to sleep okay?" Kazama blushed, glad the dim candlelight was the only source of light in the room.
"Where are... the others?" Sumika asked, her eyes closed. Kazama now knelt by her side and was delicately cleaning the blood off Sumika's larger hands.
"They're sleeping in your dad's room I believe."
"Oh. I see." Opening her eyes a tiny fraction, she watched Kazama as she continued to wash the blood off with some difficulty. "Kazama, that blood has been there for the past few hours already. I should just go take a bath. Soak my arms in water and the blood will come off by itself."
Kazama looked troubled, she was indeed having trouble removing the blood but won't it be very inconvenient for Sumika to move about?
"It isn't inconvenient. I just need some help getting up... Could you push that chair over here?"
Kazama immediately pouted, "What? You don't think I have the strength to lift you?"
"It's not that, I- it's... I'm much taller and heavier than you Kazama, it won't be wise to..." she sighed, "Very well, Kazama, could you help me up?"
Kazama's face lit up again. Moving on top of Sumika again, with her legs on both sides of Sumika, she once again lifted Sumika's torso up. Unbeknownst to Kazama, Sumika only then became aware of her lack of clothes and add on the intimate position they were in, her face was glowing red. If it weren't for the pounding pain in her chest, she would've fainted right there and then.
Kazama fastened her arms around Sumika's torso and asked, "Ready?" Sumika nodded, raising her knees to help push herself off the ground. "On the count of three Sumi-chan, One, two, three!"
The two of them pushed off the ground however, Sumika was right. She was too heavy for Kazama and the two toppled back onto the futon. Sumika gasped in agony as she landed with both her weight and Kazama's weight on her back.
Clenching her teeth so as to not cry our in pain and screwing her eyes shut, she tried her best to overcome the fresh waves of pain.
"Haha, my bad Sumi-chan, looks like you were... Sumi-chan? Are you okay?"
Finally noticing her pained expression, Kazama's mind raced 'Oh God, what have I done? Sumika was kicked into the wall! If her chest is that badly bruised, her back must be too. What was I thinking?'
"Sumi-chan, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot your back injury. I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay. The shock of both our weights on my back hurt but the pains all gone now..." Sumika opened her eyes to see Kazama sobbing on top of her. "Kazama, it's not your fault. Even I forgot about my back. So don't cry okay? Please? Please don't cry, Kazama. I hate it when you cry."
"Why Sumi-chan? How can you not be mad?"
"Mad? Why on earth would I be mad at you for trying to help me?"
"Because *hick* you're only injured because you *hick* were trying to protect *hick* me and Tomoe-chan and Miyako-chan. And *hick* now I go ahead and do something so reckless *hick* and inconsiderate." To Kazama's surprise, Sumika smiled through sleepy half-lidded eyes and raised her clean right hand to wipe away Kazama's tears.
"Kazama, do you ever wonder why I'm so tall, strong and skilled at Karate?" Kazama shook her head. "I have. And at first, I thought God had made a mistake or was trying to punish me." Kazama was confused with the last part of Sumika's sentence.
"Punish? Why would you *hick* say that?"
Realising her mistake, Sumika tried to come up with an explanation, "Ah, it's nothing. But anyway, recently I've realised why I was born to become who I am today. It's so that I can protect those precious to me, Kazama. So I don't regret anything that I have done for Hachi, Miyako or you. In fact, I'm glad I was able to protect you 'cuz I know I would blame myself if any of you got hurt while I was nearby."
Kazama's tears welled up again but this time not from sorrow or guilt, more from the feeling of joy after hearing Sumika's cheesy yet touching words. Kazama started weeping once again, burying her head onto Sumika's chest, careful not to put any pressure on the bruise.
Sumika was in heaven. 'Oh how I've dreamt of this... the feeling of Kazama's face and hands on my chest, her hair tickling my shoulders... oh my god, is this really the right time to be thinking about such things? More importantly, I need to get this blood off before going straight to sleep. I'm sure Kazama must be exhausted.'
While deep in thought, Sumika's hand had moved up to caress Kazama's hair soothingly. "Kazama?"
Raising her head and wiping away her tears, "Yeah?"
"How about that chair eh?" Sumika smiled.
"Oh right. I'm so sorry, I'm so forgetful right now." Returning the smile, Kazama moved the chair over to Sumika's side.
Using it as support along with Kazama's help, Sumika finally got to her feet. Still slightly unbalanced, she nearly toppled over but Kazama quickly steadied her.
Blushing at the close contact, Sumika couldn't help but notice how cold Kazama's hands were where they rested supportively on her stomach and back.
Once they reached the shower, Sumika leaned against the wall while Kazama dashed back to bring the wooden chair from earlier for Sumika to sit on.
Once they were both settled, Sumika on the chair with Kazama on the stool and a large bucket of cold water between them since there wasn't any electricity to heat the water first, Sumika bent over slightly and placed both arms into the water. The cold water was refreshing and her wounds had previously been burning up.
"Ahhh, that feels good." Sumika sighed. Kazama merely smiled and set to work to rub the blood off Sumika's submerged arms. With nothing better to do, Sumika watched Kazama work.
'She's still in her school uniform. Guess I'll lend her some of my clothes to sleep in later. Wonder if she can fit... Did she just, shiver? Is she cold? But she's fully clad in clothes... then again, with no electricity my house hasn't got any electrical heating so it must be freezing. And now her sleeves and clothes are damp with cold water. What should I do?'
"Kazama?"
"Hhmm? Does it hurt?"
"Wha- no. Not at all, I was just wondering, are you cold?"
"Ah, all done!" Kazama flashed Sumika her infamous smile and Sumika's heart melted in her chest, a light blush rested on her cheeks.
Removing her arms from the now red water, Kazama used a hand towel to delicately pat her dry. Revealing several bright red lines around her elbows and moving up her forearm to her palm where there were smaller cuts as well. Proof of how brutal the tar road is.
"Sumi-chan?" Kazama now stood directly in front of Sumika, her hand holding the damp white washcloth that was now pink in colour. "I need you to close your eye and try not to move too much okay?"
"Huh?"
Kazama used her left hand to push Sumika's bangs to the top of her head and used the washcloth to wipe the caked blood off the right side of Sumika's face.
Sumika closed her eyes and tried to ignore the pain when the cloth made contact with her wound by focusing on Kazama's cold hands on her face.
'I should enjoy myself now, being as exhausted and sore as I am now, I haven't even got the strength to be thoroughly embarrassed by the close contact. Who knows when an opportunity like this will come arou-'
Both girls were interrupted from their thoughts as a few groans were heard from outside. Kazama unconsciously moved closer to Sumika while Sumika brought her attention outside.
'One pair, no two pairs of feet... Two zombies outside. Moving along the street... Headed for... Kazama's apartment. Phew... safe.' Sumika sighed.
Opening one eye to look at Kazama's face in the dim light, Sumika's breath hitched in her throat. The warm glow made Kazama's hair turn a gorgeous bronze colour and her extraordinary chestnut brown eyes had a golden tint to in.
'Kazama... if only I could tell you openly how beautiful you are.' Sumika looked away just before their eyes could meet.
"Don't worry, They're moving away from us, Kazama."
"...Right" Kazama continued mopping her face until all the blood was gone.
"There, I can finally see your whole face now!" Kazama smiled, proud of her work. Sumika smiled back. The two then proceeded to move into the bedroom again where Sumika sat back down onto her futon.
Kazama however, went back to the bathroom to clean herself up. She came back wearing only her white dress shirt and skirt, damp sleeves rolled up her arms.
"Kazama, do you want to borrow one of my shirts?"
"Ah, no it's okay." Kazama started applying some medication on Sumika's arms.
Wincing, Sumika persisted, "Kazama, your hands are freezing."
"What about you? Why're you so warm?" Kazama challenged, now beginning to wrap her arms up in bandages.
"That's... I'll tell you later."
Kazama looked at her curiously, almost accusingly but decided to let it slide as she moved closer to tend to her forehead injury. Grimacing slightly, Kazama quickly finished up and placed a band-aid over it. Her eyes then wandered to the bruise on her chest.
"Sumi-chan, I need you to lie back down so I can apply some ointment on that bruise."
"Actually, could you put some on my back first?"
"Oh, right! I forgot."
'GAHHH, why am I so distracted! I've seen Sumi-chan naked so many times before! This shouldn't be too different!' Kazama yelled in frustration to herself.
Slowly, Kazama massaged the ointment onto the large bruise on Sumika's back. Sumika didn't expect it to feel so soothing and thought, 'Perks of having a dojo as part of your house, we get the best medicines for any injury, especially the usual cuts and bruises. Aaahhh...'
Kazama hit one particular sore part and Sumika accidentally moaned. The sound brought shivers rolling down Kazama's back. Shivers she knew wasn't caused by the severe cold. However, both girls kept their thoughts to themselves.
Downstairs
"You nearly killed an innocent civilian! AN INNOCENT TEENAGE GIRL!" Blitz spoke loudly, but still soft enough so that the girls upstairs wouldn't hear them. He was furious, at Shadow and himself for being unable to stop his friend.
"She crossed the line." Shadow defended.
"No, YOU crossed the line!"
"You fucking bitch Souken only wanted to scare 'em right? But Sumika kicked you away wit a speed that was at yo fucking level, ya couldn't take it could ya?"
"She asked for it."
"Don't you get it you stubborn, selfish, stuck-up asshole of a Souken? You. Nearly. KILLED. Murasame. Sumika. An INNOCENT civilian!"
"We the army fucker! We die everyday tryin to protect them people! And what didja do? Ya go ahead and try to kill 'em! Fuck!"
"Enough. Shun Souken. If you ever try something like that again, we will not hesitate to put a bullet through your head. Understand?" Kakashi growled.
"Yes, sir." Shadow grumbled.
Upstairs in Sumika's room
Half an hour later, Sumika was all wrapped up like a mummy. While Kazama had gone to clean up the mess, Sumika pushed herself off the ground with the help of her desk and walked over to her closet before removing her undergarment and putting on a large long-sleeved sweater. Changing into a comfortable pair of shorts, Sumika also pulled out one of her pyjamas that she'll lend Kazama.
'This should be warm enough for her.'
Hearing Kazama walk out of the toilet, Sumika said, "Here Kazama, put this on."
Kazama gladly took the garments and went into the toilet once again to change. Sumika then laid out the spare futon she had next to her own and grabbed some spare blankets for Kazama and herself.
'This fever should keep me warm all night long. Or at least until the sun rises.' Settling onto her own futon, Sumika waited for Kazama to finish. Leaving her clothes hanging on the towel rack, Kazama entered the room and was slightly disappointed to see two futons instead of one.
Chasing away those thoughts, Kazama blew out the candle and tucked herself in."Goodnight Sumi-chan."
"Goodnight Kazama."
Kazama could vaguely make out Sumika's face in the dark. She had left the candle lighted in the toilet. 'She looks so exhausted. Poor Sumi-chan.'
An hour later.
Kazama laid wide-awake on her futon as she heard, or imagined, the sound of shuffling feet and inhumane groans echo through the frozen night. A dog howled in the distance. A sorrowful howl. Glancing at the alarm clock, it read 2:58am.
Silence reigned. For a brief moment, everything was quiet, before a woman's ear-piercing scream sliced through the still night sky. Kazama's whole body shook then tensed up from both the cold and feeling of complete unease and fear.
She couldn't take it anymore. counting to 3, she shoved her blankets to the side and scurried over to Sumika's side where she started shaking the dozing girl's shoulder.
"Sumi-chan" Kazama whispered. "Sumi-chan, please wake up. ...I'm scared Sumi-chan."
"Mmmmmm." Sumika's eyes lazily fluttered open. She rested on her right shoulder since both her back and front was sore. Looking up, she saw her best friend and secret crush's teary face looking down at her. Fear and worry cleared the sleeping fog dwelling there as she tried to rise while asking, "What's wrong?"
Kazama pushed Sumika onto the futon and opened her mouth to explain her worries but another blood-curdling scream filled the air. This time, a man's. Kazama's body clenched up and she sat straight up. Eyes wide with fear.
"Kazama, Kazama, look at me. I need you to stop thinking. Look at me. Kazama, put those morbid thoughts away." Kazama looked like she was going to cry. Sumika winced as she scooted over in her futon, trying to make some space for Kazama. "If you want, you could sleep with me tonight? But only if you want to!"
Kazama immediately dove under Sumika's raised covers and buried her face in her hands on Sumika's chest. Sumika placed the covers over Kazama's body, making sure she was warm.
"Sumi-chan? How can you be so warm when it's so cold right now?" Kazama wondered. She could feel her fear and panic from earlier slowly dissipating as she laid cuddled up to her protective best friend.
"Truthfully? I'm having a fever right now." Kazama turned to look into Sumika's eyes. Worry written all over her angelic face. "Don't worry, it's really mild and it'll be gone by morning."
"Why... How..."
Sumika chuckled at Kazama's confused expression, "It's one of the side-effects of taking Shadow's kick full on."
"Huh?"
Sumika laughed heartily again. Her feverish arms draped over Kazama's frosty body, "The Souken family's martial arts style is practically a legend to us Karate practitioners. There are very few members of the Souken family who are capable of using the technique but those who can are formidable fighters. Or so I've heard. When I was a kid, I tried my best to read as much about Karate as I could. One day, I came over an ancient entry about the Souken family technique."
"Technique? What sort of technique Sumi-chan? I didn't see anything particularly unique about the way he was fighting." Kazama whispered, head still turned up to look at Sumika.
"First, close your eyes and try to sleep. It's late and we're both worn-out." Kazama did just that and Sumika unconsciously placed her chin on Kazama's head. Both enjoying each other's company.
"The name Souken means essence and soul but it could also mean 'my Soul is in my bow'. It was believed that the Souken's were able to partially solidify their internal energy. Their soul's energy or chakras. They are then able to transfer this energy to any part of their body and use it to enhance their attack power to a near fatal level. However, the energy doesn't take a physical form and is invincible to the human eye. It isn't seen. It's felt."
"Wait, Sumi-chan, I'm confused."
"Let me use Shadow and myself as an example. His kick was indeed very normal however he was concentrating his energy on his leg. When his foot made contact with my arms, he sent the energy into my body."
"Is that why it hurt so much?"
"Not exactly, you see he made his energy to be shaped like an arrow so that when it went through me, it felt as if he had stabbed me through with a real arrow. My body feels the pain and automatically accepts the fact that 'I had been stabbed' and so it responds instinctively.
"Those unaware of such an attack would immediately believe their body, convincing their brains that the Souken warrior's attacks are on a whole different level. If they succumb to their body's predictions, they will die. If not, then they would still be vulnerable to their opponent. Either way, they would be defeated."
"But you were aware right?"
"Yeah. The moment I felt the arrow charge through me, I recognized the attack immediately. Though it took a lot of concentration to beat the pain with rational thought."
"Sumi-chan, you really are amazing."
"No. I'm just lucky I knew about the Souken's martial arts style. Now go to sleep Kazama."
"Mmhm." Cuddling even closer, Kazama tangled her feet with Sumika's, seeking her warmth. Sumika was blushing abundantly as she tightened her arms arounc her secret love.
Soon after, the two fell asleep. All their fears, worries and pains dissolved into the chilly night air as they slept in each other's arms for the first time in a long time.
A/N: There you go. I hope you enjoyed it? I wrote this while having my exams so yeah.. go easy on me. I hope it isn't too draggy.. but I think that's just the way I write :/ I tried cutting it down several times already. Anyway, please Review, I would really appreciate it!