6 HOTD: A Nice Hot Bath

A Nice Hot Bath
     

     Takashi woke with a start.  He was so sore, and he had not meant to actually sleep.  Pulling his cellphone from his pocket he rubbed his eyes as he looked at the time.  The clock on the phone read one twenty-eight in the morning.
     "No way!"  He shoved the phone in his pocket and jumped out of his recliner.  Grabbing the pistol, he stuffed it in his waistband and then shook Shizuka awake.
     "Mmmmm.  Just a little longer, I won't be late, I'm sure."  Shizuka pushed his hand away from her shoulder.
     "Shizuka, wake up!  We've been asleep for five hours!"  Takashi pushed on her hard.
     Shizuka sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with her grubby hands, "Oh goodness, the others.  They will be so worried Takashi-san."
     "I know.  Look, there's no reason for both of us to go back.  I can drive the truck and pick the group up.  Stay here, and get some things ready for when we get back."  He was already rummaging around in her purse for the keys.
     "Oh, yes, I'll get some towels for the shower, and make sure the beds are all made up."  She seemed to want to go on, but Takashi was already heading for the door.
     "Just make sure you keep it as quiet as you can.  Keep things locked up.  You'll know that it is us, so don't go anywhere or anything."  Takashi was a little worried about leaving her alone, but he was already slipping out the front door as he finished his words.
      Shizuka was digging through the linen closet, making a pile of clean towels to take into the bathroom as Takashi stood on the front step checking the street below.  The crowd of walking corpses had indeed thinned a great deal.  It should be easy enough to get into the Hummer and head back along the river to the house where the others were waiting.  Kicking himself for falling asleep, Takashi just hoped they had not gotten too worried.
     Back at the "safe-house" Wolf was sitting in the front yard.  Having smoked most of his pack of cigarettes, he was now looking up at the stars.  Dark whisps of clouds were moving past them.  He had heard several large vehicles moving on the highway, and someone speaking on a bullhorn off in the distance toward the bridge, but it was impossible to make out what the voice had been saying.  Real smart he thought.  Just calling more of Them to feed making all that racket.  Hearing the doorknob turn quietly, he looked up.  Saeko came outside, it was chilly for mid-spring, but she did not feel like sleeping.  She was worried, it had been too long, she felt, for Takashi and Shizuka to have been gone.  
     Sitting next to Wolf, "What time is it?"
     "A little past two."  He answered without looking at his watch.
     She looked at him, her blue eyes almost black in the low light.  Wolf felt like some cosmic judgment was being made about him as he gave a slight smile at her scrutinizing gaze.
     Saeko wanted to ask him questions but the sound of another big truck came rumbling to them from the highway.  Wolf stood up, and climbed onto a flower box he had moved to be able to look over the wall.  A big, shiny green, Hummer rolled to a slow crawl a couple of houses away.  The noise from the engine was an invitation to every walking corpse in the city it seemed.  The big military SUV stopped with a jerk in front of the house next door.  Wolf looked down at Saeko who was waiting, looking back up at him, he just shrugged at her.   Suddenly Takashi pushed his head through the gun port in the roof of the truck.  Wolf flicked his lighter and waved, Takashi waved back, a huge grin on his face.
     "That's our ride, let's get the others quick.  It's already summoning Them from the surrounding yards."  Wolf offered to help Saeko up, but she was quick to get to her feet, and they were both inside quietly rousing the rest of the group.
     Saeko escorted Saya and Rei out through the gate, while Wolf grabbed his pack, and sleeping bag from the floor and followed Kohta out the door.  Corpses were shambling towards the big rumbling sound of the idle engine.  Takashi was waving at everyone to hurry up.  Rei and Saya climbed in back followed by Saeko.  Takashi indicated the driver's seat to Wolf as he popped back down into the interior of the vehicle.  Kohta climbed in the front, and was changing places with Takashi, as Wolf sat down behind the wheel.
     "I don't have much experience driving on your roads Takashi."  Wolf pushed the truck into drive and turned back around on the highway.
     "Hehe, neither do I."  Takashi laughed, "But, I bet you've driven one of these before, right?  Besides, it's not like you have to worry about obeying the traffic laws."
     "Good point.  Ok, well, just say when and where to turn.  You had me worried there big guy.  Everything ok back at the fort?"  Wolf gave the truck gas and they were heading back towards Shizuka's friend's apartment.
     "It's great, we just fell asleep is all."  Takashi was a little embarrassed to admit that to everyone, but it was out there now.  All he got for it was a slap on the back of the head from Saya.  "Hey!"  He exclaimed, "I'm sorry, we were tired.  It is a very nice, safe place.  I promise."
     "Well, don't make us worry like that, idiot."  Saya was charming as always.
     The journey back to the duplex was fairly uneventful.  They made roadkill of a half dozen walking corpses, but it was nothing the hummer could not handle.  When they reached the driveway of the apartment, Wolf cleared the street in both directions filling the front grill of the hummer with gore.  Backing into the carport, Takashi and Saeko jumped out and got the gate so the others could get into the down stairs courtyard as quickly and safely as possibly.  It was around three thirty in the morning when everyone made it through the front door of the apartment.  There was cheering, and some crying as everyone looked around at their first sight of a safe haven in two days.  Takashi and Kohta gave Wolf back his weapons.  The girls were all chattering about what to do first.  Shizuka had managed to put towels in the bathroom before she had a couple of glasses of wine and had gone back to sleeping on the couch.  Seeing how peaceful the nurse was, sleeping deeply without care, made the others all realize just how sore and tired they still were.  It took little time before they had all found a place in a bed, or chair, or on the floor to get some good, solid, and safe sleep.
      Nobody stirred in the duplex for the entire day, except for the occasional drink of water, or bathroom stop.  There was the sound of snoring, and some of the companions talked in their sleep, their dreams a mix of the horror of the past few days, and the hopes they still carried for the future.     It was well after noon when the first of them actually got up.  Shizuka was the first, she saw that the clock in the bedroom said two fifty.  She yawned, and stretched, she hurt everywhere.  Saya and Rei were curled up in the bed with her and they both made waking noises as they sat up and rubbed their eyes.
     "Please Shizuka, tell me the water heater is working, so we can get clean."  Saya picked at her blouse making a disgusted face.
     "Oh, yes, and I have already put towels in the bath for us.  Though, I guess we will want to try and conserve the water, and there's only the one bathroom so we may as well all bathe together.  Won't that be fun?"  Shizuka giggled in her special way.  Shizuka was not a "bimbo", nor was she immature, she was just very young at heart and the events of the past days seemed to roll off her more easily than the others.  She understood the dire situation they were all in, she just liked to look at the world in a "cup half full" sort of way.
     "Come on you sleepy heads.  Let's go find Ms. Busijima and we can all go have a nice girlie bath."  Giggling again, she was already heading down the stairs.
     "Oh brother."  Saya, more the "cup is half empty" type made a disgusted face as she pushed Rei off the bed, and grinned evilly.
     "HEY!"  Rei jumped up and tried to grab Saya, but the younger girl was already racing out of the room towards the bath.  A pillow in her hands, Rei was right behind her.  Launching the pillow from the top of the stairs she bopped Saya square in the back.  Saya turned and stuck her tongue out playfully as she disappeared into the bathing room.  Rei raced down the stairs, she too could not wait to get clean.  Shizuka found Saeko asleep on one of the sofas downstairs and they entered the bath along with Rei.  
     "Do you mind!!  I don't want those perverts seeing me thank you very much!"  Saya hollered, already half naked as her three companions joined her.
     "Not even Khota."  Saeko teased Saya, ducking the younger girls filthy skirt as it flew past her.
     "Bah!"  Was all Saya was willing to offer as a response.
     "Oh, I hate being this filthy."  Shizuka said, stripping out of her stained and torn clothes.  She had started the tub filling with hot water and added some fragrant lavender bubble soap.  As the tub filled the bath smelled better and better, and the girls immediately began to relax.  "Here's a little something fun for us to enjoy also."  Shizuka opened a cabinet that had several bottles of different types liquor and cups to drink it from.
     "Uh, I've never really drank much."  Saya looked at the others.
     "Me neither."   Rei grinned as she took a cup of sake from Shizuka, "I think I'm going to have some now though."
     Saeko made a short bow as she also accepted some rice wine from the nurse.  "Thank you."
     "Oh, don't worry girls.  It will be good for you.  We all need to relax after the last couple of days and this will help us do that.  I would say it is even better than taking some medicines."  Shizuka cooed as she eased herself into the large tub of hot water and bubbles.
     In the other room Takashi and Khota were looking at the two locked storage units in the downstairs office.  They had been awoken by the girls loud banter.
     "It will be tough but that big pry bar you have should do the trick."  Khota was checking the frame of the metal doors.
     "Yah.  Well, I guess we should see what's in there.  Too bad Shizuka doesn't have a key for these too."  Takashi got the pry bar from the other room.  
     Wolf peeked in on them, "Need any help?"
     "Maybe."  Takashi was looking at the two ends of the pry bar, judging the better for the job they were attempting.
     "Well, I'm gonna wash up.  So holler if you do."  Wolf had his dirty duster,  and BDU jacket in hand, tossing them into the kitchen he pulled his sweat stained t-shirt over his head and went to the sink.  Stripping out of his pants he started the water running, filling one side of the sink.  While the sink filled he put his dirty clothing in the washing machine and turned it on.
     Takashi and Khota forced the end of the pry bar between the frame and door of one cabinet and then put their weight against it.  The cabinet door creaked some and the metal began to bend.  It was not long before they had the first one open, the door bent thoroughly, and the lock destroyed.
     "Jack-pot!!"  Khota yelled.  "Look at this, holy shit man!  Boxes and boxes of ammo.  Let's see, there's .308 caliber, LOTS of .308.  Shotgun shells, YAH!, 4/0 buckshot.  And 7.62 military grade ammo, and a bunch of .45 and 9mm handgun rounds."  
     "Yah, but no guns."  Takashi had slept as long as the others, but he still felt tired.
     "Yah, yah, ok, so those must be over here in this one."  Kohta prodded Takashi into picking up the pry bar so they could get the second case open.
     The sounds coming from the bathroom had gotten extremely boisterous.  There were lots of girlish screams, giggles, howls, and some cursing that was not so girlish.
     "Wanna go have a peek Takashi?  You know we are suppose to right."  Kohta was having a hard time with all the screaming, mixed with the idea that guns would be in his reach in a matter of moments.  He felt like he was going burst, or pass out.
     "No, I don't wanna die just yet.  Let's try to get this one open."  He pushed the end of the bar between the frame and the door like the other and Kohta helped him start to work on opening it.
     Wolf had found a few towels in the laundry room, he used one to wash himself, head to toe, and he was now rinsing his long, dark brown hair.   As he bent over the edge of the sink, he heard Khota yelling in the other room.  It was a sure sign they had gotten into one or both of the cabinets.  He dried his hair, and put it in a ponytail.  Pulling his extra pair of BDU pants up and his t-shirt, the word ARMY in bold black letters on the front, he tucked into the pants.  Barefoot he took his wet clothes outside and hung them on the stair rail to dry, instead of using the dryer in the laundry room.
     His MOLLE gear he lugged into the "gun" room and smiled, "Hey, nice job."  Kohta was busy instructing Takashi on how to use the scoped shotgun they had pulled from the second cabinet.  A shriek followed by huge laughs from the bathroom turned all three of their heads toward the door.
     "Boy, they sure are having fun.  Wonder what's in the shampoo they are using."  Wolf grinned at his companions.
     "I don't know.  I want to find out, but Takashi already shot the idea down."  Kohta smiled back.
     "Those shrieks would turn into vile, shouted curses, and I saw the number of bottles and glass candles they have in there.  We'd be killed for sure." Takashi continued to be against invading the bathroom.
     "Yah, but what a death!"  Kohta had picked the M1 back up and was checking it over thoroughly.
     "What do we have for ammo?"  Wolf started to look through the cabinets.  "Ah damn, no 5.56, huh?"
     "It's such a small rifle caliber anyways," Khota said.
     "Yah, but I can carry twice the number of rounds at the same amount of weight as you can for that M1."  Wolf, saw the pistol rounds and pulled all the 9mm boxes out.
     "Yah, well, ok."     Kohta, sat down and began counting magazines, Takashi sat down too, very much out of his element.
     "At least there's plenty of pistol ammo."  Wolf dropped the magazines out of both Sigs, and then pulled eight more magazines out of the two hip pouches on his gear straps.
     Takashi and Kohta looked at the number of pistol magazines Wolf carried for just his two pistols.  "You sir, are a god."  Kohta bowed and smiled.  Wolf laughed as he began putting rounds into the empty clips.
     Takashi took a pair of binoculars from the gun safe and headed out on the balcony.
     "Nothin' good to see out there.  I'm pretty sure that it's too early for bikini weather."  Wolf joked.
     "Yah, well, maybe the neighbors are doing something interesting."  Takashi's voice was tired sounding, but he tried to play along.
     Wolf kept pushing 9mm rounds into his magazines, "Takashi's a big pervert eh?  Remind me to keep the blinds closed if we ever find private residences again."
     Kohta grinned as he too kept loading the magazines for the rifles.
     Squeals and laughter boomed out of the bathroom, and Kohta said, "They should maybe keep it down."
     "No, I realize that They are attracted to sounds, but the girls aren't drawing any attention right now."  The distant sound of an amplified voice could be heard from the open balcony door.  Kohta got up to go see what Takashi was talking about.
     Wolf put a full clip in each pistol, holstered them and then put the other eight clips in their holders.  He stood up and headed for the stairs.  "Be back in a few gents."  He called over his shoulder as he left the room.
     Takashi was disgusted by what he could make out over on the bridge.  "I can't watch that anymore."  He handed the binoculars to Kohta and went back inside.  Slumping down at the foot of the bed, Takashi pushed a shotgun shell back and forth with his fingers.
     "Turn on the television."  Kohta called inside, "Find some news."  Kohta came in and sat down next to Takashi, putting the binoculars on the floor beside him.  The room was lit only by a light on a bookcase next to the door.  The television made shadows jump on the walls of the room as the two of them sat and watched in horror the scenes being reported from the bridge.  Just as the live feed cut to a "Please Wait" signal, Kohta jumped up and yelled as two long arms were stretching over Takashi's shoulders.  It was only Shizuka, but it had really startled Kohta.
     Wrapping her arms around Takashi's neck she began to kiss him on the cheek and paw at his crotch.  Takashi, not sure what was going on, pushed her hands back, and then reached up to push Shizuka back, managing to place one hand on each of her massive breasts.  To both young men's surprise she was only wearing a towel, poorly wrapped around her body.
     Takashi made horrified and incomprehensible sounds as he pulled his hands from Shizuka's sizable chest.  "Uh, um….Sorry about that."
     "Whoa!"  Kohta sat down hard as Shizuka crawled towards him, licking her lips.
     "How about you Kohta, will you come play with me?  Mean ol' Takashi won't let me ride his bike it seems."  Shizuka purred at Kohta as she flung herself at him, and stuck her tongue in his ear.  Kohta just drooled and mumbled.
      "Shizuka, are you drunk?"  Takashi pulled the nurse off of Kohta.  The answer was in her breath as she blew kisses at both the young men.
     "Only a little bit."  She giggle, and even snorted.  Takashi looked at Kohta, who now lay on the floor staring at the ceiling.
     "Ok Shizuka, let's go find you a nice place to lie down.  Kohta is losing all the blood in his brain to feed his third leg."   Takashi stood up from the floor.
     "That's very funny Takashi-chan, but I don't want to go.  It's been really scary, and I want to stay up here.  I will not let you take me anywhere else."  Ignoring her outburst Takashi reached down and pulled the nearly naked Shizuka up on to his back and shoulders.  Reaching around to support her, he found both his hands full of her bear fanny.  
      Kohta murmured her words from the floor, "Yah….stay…no take…uuhh."
      Shizuka squealed, "OH Takashi!  Your touching my butt!  You are a naught boy.  I think I might have to give you some spankings."
     Wolf came bounding up the stairs to find a nearly naked Shizuka upon Takashi's back, Kohta seemingly passed out on the far side of the bed, and Takashi blushing deeply, "Yee-HAW!  Ride 'em cowgirl!  Was I really gone that long?  Man, you guys move fast.  Oh, hey, is Kohta dead?!"  Wolf was trying really hard not to fall down laughing.
      "You know if it was any other time in my life, this might be enjoyable."  Takashi started past Wolf towards the stairs.
     "Hell son, you should be enjoying it."  Wolf guffawed.  
      "What is it everyone should be enjoying?"  Rei suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs.  A large wine bottle in one hand, she was leaning heavily against the railing.
      "Uh-oh."  Wolf covered his mouth, tears had began to roll down his cheeks.  This whole show just kept getting better and better.
     "Oh, look, we could all play spin the bottle."  Rei was wearing a pair of panties, and a pink night shirt that was too tight, and too short.  She giggled as she sloshed what little was left in the sake bottle.
     "You've been drinking too?!"  Takashi exclaimed too loudly, shifting Shizuka's weight on his back.  The nurse purred into his ear as he was forced to fondly her ass to keep her from falling onto the floor.
     Wolf could not take anymore and burst out laughing.  Rei frowned at him, she did not seem to see what was so funny.  Takashi ignored the laughter.
     "Just a little.  I…I am so exhausted Takashi."  Rei went from giggles to tears as she stumbled at the top of the stairs, "And I miss Hishashi."  She collapsed and began to sob.  Takashi gave her an exasperated look and passed her by, heading down the stairs with Shizuka trying to pinch his nipples.
     Kohta moaned, and Wolf saw that he was crawling out onto the balcony.  Taking the bottle from Rei, he sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.  Rei turned her face into Wolf's shoulder and cried hard for a few minutes.  Wolf tilted the bottle back and finished the wine that was in it.
     "Why does he always act like that?"  Rei sobbed.
      "He's got a lot of on his shoulders right now."  Wolf chuckled.
     "It isn't funny Wolf."  Rei's tears were making a wet spot on Wolf's shirt.
     "No, seriously Rei.  Takashi is trying hard to keep us all together, while not losing his own mind."  Wolf set the bottle aside and put both arms around Rei.
     "No, he's always been like that.  He never wants to talk about serious stuff."  She sniffed, and turned her head so she was resting her cheek on Wolf's chest.  Wolf wiped the tears from her puffy eyes and red cheeks.
     "Ah, so, then you two dated?"  Wolf asked.
     "Yes."  She answered sullenly, "Stupid pinky swear."
     "Hmm?"  Wolf leaned his head against the wall as Rei began to tell him about how long she and Takashi had known each other, and the promise they had made when they were kids.  Wolf closed his eyes, rubbing her shoulder, he just listened.
      Takashi found a couch downstairs where he deposited the now sleeping Shizuka.  On the opposite couch Saya slept restlessly, making small noises now again.  Takashi noticed the tight fitting clothes on Saya, and caught himself admiring the slow rise and fall of her nearly exposed chest.
      Running his hand through his dark, unwashed hair, he thought that he was going to go crazy with all the estrogen filling up the house.  The smell of something good cooking caught his attention and he followed it into the kitchen.  There he found Saeko, dressed only in a black bikini thong, and an apron fixing foods for several meals.
       "HAH!  Uh, boy, that sure does smell good."  Now Takashi found himself staring at Saeko,'s well formed legs and ass.
      "I'm making dinner, and something for lunch tomorrow too."  Saeko noticed that Takashi was staring at her, and she smiled at him.  He blushed and suddenly found his shoes very interesting.  "I'm very sorry Komuro-Kun, it is very disrespectful I know, but this is all that would fit me until the laundry gets finished."  Her blue eyes widened as her smile grew across her face.  She looked away from Takashi and picked up her glass of wine, taking a long sip.
      "Oh, heh, no, it's ok Senpai.  I mean, you look good, er, fine…you look just fine in that.  I was just thinking I should go check the doors and windows, make sure everything is locked up is all."  He tried to look comfortable by leaning against the door frame.  Saeko, however, knew he was anything but.
      "Ah, you and Kohta have been really good about looking out for us Takashi, and now Wolf too.  Maybe you are right about him."  Saeko poured another glass of wine and then slinking over to Takashi, she leaned over and placed it on the table nearby, leaning farther over than she really needed to put the glass down.  Takashi made a squeaking noise but she ignored it, "Here, sit down.  Keep me company while I cook, won't you please?  Besides, I really want you to know just how much it means to me, the way you've been looking out for me, for all of us."  As she turned back to the stove, she tossed her hair, the length of her dark strands brushed against Takashi, she knew it, and she continued to smile her feline like smile.
     Takashi, more uncomfortable than he had ever been, thought, 'Fuck it!  Maybe a drink will take the edge off', as he watched Saeko strut back to her cooking.  He liked the way her long muscular legs moved, and her ass……"Yah, a drink would be nice."  He finally sat at the table and took a long drink of the wine.
     "So, what's going on with everyone?"  Saeko stirred some noodles into a boiling pot on the stove, and then turned to chop vegetables so she could look at Takashi while they talked.
     "Well, Shizuka accosted me and Kohta upstairs, but she's passed out on the couch opposite Saya, who is also sleeping.  Though I worry about Saya, I'm pretty sure she's having nightmares."  He coughed as his second drink burned going down.  
     "That's to be expected Takashi.  These things we are dealing with now, they aren't easy to process.  It is going to leave scars, physical and emotional, on all of us."  Saeko was proving how good she was with a chopping knife, just as she was with her bokken.
     "Yah, I guess so.  I left Kohta passed out on the floor upstairs, or nearly.  Wolf was having a good time watching my pain as I tried to balance Shizuka on my back, and then Rei came up and started sobbing about Hisashi."  He took another drink, he was starting to feel the wine already.  "I wish she would SHUT UP ABOUT HISASHI!  IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT HISASHI!"  He was shouting now because what he was saying, he really wanted to be saying to Rei.  "WELL HE'S FUCKING DEAD DAMNIT!  I SHOULD KNOW, I KILLED HIM, AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO JUST GET THE FUCK OVER IT!"  He slammed his fist down on the table almost knocking over the wineglass.
     Back upstairs, about the time Takashi was finding Saeko in her near naked state of cooking, Rei had gone quiet and was resting against Wolf.  Kohta was suddenly cursing out on the balcony, "Ah jeez!  No way."  Wolf sat up, Rei looked disappointed, but allowed herself to be pulled to her feet, still unstable, Wolf simply grabbed her up forcing her to grab around his neck, and wrap her legs around his waist.  Carrying her like a child out onto the balcony he asked Kohta what it was that he was watching now.
     "Over on the bridge, it's total chaos.  The police are driving the bulldozers into the crowds that they haven't let through yet.  Driving the people back into the hordes of Them, and the people are rushing the lines.  Police are just shooting anything moving.  Horrible, it's gotten so horrible."  Khota turned to hand Wolf the binoculars, carrying Rei as Wolf was, it had forced her underwear to crawl up the crack of her butt, showing off both firm, round orbs.
     "Ok….." Kohta said meekly, turning away as soon as Wolf had the binoculars.  Picking up one of his new rifles, he used the scope to continue watching the insanity that had begun on the bridge.  Wolf set Rei on the balcony rail so he could take a look.
     "OOO, that's cold." Rei chirped, so he put his hand under her butt, "Much better.  Nice an' warm."  She wiggled he butt against his hand playfully.  She still had her arms around his neck and she put her head on his shoulder while he used the glasses.  
On the bridge, what Khota had said was sadly too true.  The barricades were down now.  Ruined by the insane mobs, there were only a few police still shooting, most had either fled, or been trampled as the crowd fled the walking corpses from the other side of the bridge.
     "Well, lovely, so three days for a total collapse of society."  Wolf tapped Kohta on the shoulder with the binoculars and handed them back.
     From downstairs came Takashi's outburst.  His words echoing out of the kitchen, and up the stairs, easily.  
     "Wow, he uh, had to kill Hisashi?"  Wolf tried to look at Rei, but she was crying against his shoulder again, arms locked around his neck.  
     All she could do was nod her head.  "It was because he was turned, changed, into one of them."  Her sobs shook her whole body.  Rei sat up suddenly, Wolf clutched her waist afraid she was going to fall back over the rail, and she yelled, "FUCK YOU TAKASHI!  YOU GO TO HELL!!"
     Khota kept his back to the whole thing.  Having lowered his rifle, and hung the binoculars around his neck, unable to watch the disaster on the bridge, or the one that was taking place amongst his friends.
     "Ok now, time out."  Wolf pulled Rei down on her feet, and then started to turn.
     "Where are you going?"  Rei demanded.
      "Look Rei, Takashi is just venting.  You both need it badly.  He doesn't hate you, he's just been forced into situations that none of us were prepared for in any way, well, except Kohta maybe."  Wolf's attempt at a joke went over poorly with the young woman.  Though Wolf did see Kohta give him a thumbs-up out of the corner of his eye.  "So I'm just going to close the door to the room."
     "Yah, well, but…he's talking with Shizuka, or Saeko."  She stood akimbo, her face a mix between rage and anguish.
     "It's not important who he's talking to.  Takashi could be talking to his dick, it doesn't matter.  He just needs to talk this stuff out.  Let the wound bleed a bit so it can heal.  Make no mistakes, this isn't highschool anymore, and I'm not running down there to supposedly defend your honor, or any nonsense like that.  The group needs to survive, and I won't let any of us tear it apart.  We may as well just jump into a throng of Them if we are willing to let that happen."  Wolf could see she was tensed to bolt past him at any moment, but he held her there with his gaze, keeping his voice level.  "Together we all have a chance of coming out of this alive, messed up sure, but we can heal if we don't give up on each other."
     "I want to go have this out with him now then.  We can start healing then, right?  Isn't that what you just said?  Besides he's being a goddamned bastard"  Rei tried to get by Wolf, but he stepped in her way, keeping his green eyes locked with her dark brown ones.
     "No, that's not going to make things better Rei.  You have been drinking, and neither of you is in any condition to have anything meaningful come out of a conversation right now."  Wolf took a step towards Rei, and she tried to make a run past him.
     "Rei, NO!"  Wolf grabbed her arm and spun her back towards him, he pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers.  She was breathing fast, and tried to resist with her forearms against his chest.  Wolf kept hold of her, gently encircling her waist with his hands.  Resistance fading, her lips parted, and their tongues met.  Rei wrapped her arms around the American's neck and pulled herself to him.  He increased his hold on her waist, pulling her close.  Wolf straightened up, forcing Rei onto her toes as one fire in her was now replaced with another.  Her breathing slowed, but Wolf could feel her heart pounding in her body as they broke their kiss.  He gently eased her down onto the heels of her feet and their eyes met again.  The rage that had covered her face moments ago was gone.  She pressed her cheek against his and hugged him tight.
     "There, now, will you please let me go and close the door?"  Wolf whispered into her ear.  Dropping her head she said, "Yes.", very quietly.
     Not letting her go, Wolf kept hold of her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, as he walked calmly over to the bedroom door and closed it.
     In the kitchen, Saeko continued to cook as Takashi continued his rant.  He was so frustrated, and angry, and confused, and why the hell did he have to have all damn answers.  The wine was making him tired, and making it harder for him to think.  Already having finished one glass, Saeko had poured him another.  Saeko was a good listener.  Takashi liked the huskiness in her voice.  It did not matter what she was talking about.  Tired, and drained, he finally just put his head down on the table.  Saeko had told him that things would get better if they could just find another haven like this one, but in a safer place.  Maybe then some things could be more normal.
     "Why don't you go clean up Takashi.  You will feel so much better after washing.  Don't take too long though, dinner is going to be ready soon."  Saeko was still chopping, and peeling, and stirring her foods. "Yah, I think I will go wash.  Thanks for listening to me Busujima-Senpai."  He stood up slowly.
     "Saeko, I would like it if you called me Saeko, Takashi.  That's what my friends call me."  She smiled at him.
     Stammering her name a few times, he finally got it out, "Saeko?"
     "Go on and wash.  You can call me it after you have practiced it a while."  She grinned at him, and he smiled back before leaving the kitchen.
     Takashi washed quickly, he found it improved his mood, and the wine had relaxed his frayed nerves to the point he did not really care that he too was now clad only in a towel, wrapped securely around his waist.  They woke Shizuka and Saya so that everyone could eat while the food was fresh and hot.  The larder had been well stocked, because Saeko was able to build a feast.  The mood was somber amongst everyone, since the once couple had slung their verbal barbs at each other.  Shizuka and Saya picked up on the changed mood in the house, but they did not question the reason for it.  Everyone was completely impressed with Saeko's cooking, and she had to threaten to beat several of them if they did not stop thanking her.  Everyone ate alone, or in twos or threes, all in different places in the apartment.  The occasional crack of a gun would be heard, but they paid little attention to it as they filled their bellies happily.
     Kohta took everyone upstairs so they could all get a look at what had happened on the bridge nearest their part of town.  Rei and Takashi kept their distance from each other, not looking or speaking to the other at all.  
     Up on the balcony, Shizuka cried at the sights around them, "Oh, it's just so horrible."  She went back inside and opened another bottle of wine.
     A look of understanding passed between Takashi and Saeko as Shizuka fled from the upper rooms.  Even Takashi's anger at Rei was tempered as he witnessed the hideousness of what people were doing to one another, with Them all around.  A little black and white terrier was seen for a moment running up the street and disappearing into a yard.  Eventually everyone got tired of the horrors of the world outside their safehouse and found someplace inside to rest.  The place was dark now, except for the ambient light from outside.  Saeko had made the suggestion that lights meant there was a possibility of safety and that they would only attract the desperate.  Everyone, hating to admit it, agreed that they were in no way prepared to take in everyone on the street, nor could they fight the entire city of Them that was now out there.  However, they also agreed that once they had a solid plan, they would help as often as they could afford, without jeopardizing themselves or the group.  What had been expected to be a time of rest and recuperation had ended up being another day filled with stress and horrors unimagined.  Still, they were full of good food, clean, and they had the knowledge that they were at least for the time secure in the dwelling.  Shizuka and Saya returned to their couches in the sitting room.  Khota took the bed in the master bedroom since Saeko and Takashi were sitting in the kitchen talking, and Wolf had refused to take the bed.  He was sleeping in the master bedroom though, on the floor, on his sleeping bag, Rei curled up next to him.  Takashi and Saeko talked until neither could keep their eyes open anymore, and then Takashi returned to his chair, and Saeko went upstairs to the guest bedroom and slept on the futon in there.