15: Rescue

"I'm going" - Cloud said as he ran in the direction where the father and daughter duo were.

"Wait, take this" - Kohta replied as he tossed him a pistol - "Do you know how to use it?"

"Yes, Soichiro taught me how" - Cloud replied as he holstered his gun and ran back to where the little family was.

* * * * *

"Dad... I'm hungry, my legs hurt" - mumbled a pink-haired girl - "I'm sleepy..."

"Just a little more, Alice-chan, we'll soon reach a safe place" - said a brown-haired man. He had a common appearance, like every man you could find anywhere in Japan, it's just that he was lucky enough to get married to a famous news broadcaster.

Alice, the little girl, nodded wearily as she watched her father prepare to knock on a door, though her expression changed when she heard the sound of a voice behind her.

The brown-haired man quickly pulled his daughter behind him, and saw with surprise a handsome blond-haired boy - "Who are you?"

"I'm the person who can help you" - Cloud replied as he motioned for them to follow him.

The door opened slightly, revealing a man holding a makeshift spear, which caused a huge change in the girl's father's expression.

"Dad?" - Alice asked, confused by how her father's face paled.

"I-it's nothing, Alice-chan" - replied her father with a forced smile, though not before throwing a grateful glance at the young blond, after all, he had saved her life - "Thank you very much for your help."

"You're welcome, now follow me quietly because those things have some keen senses." - Cloud said as he shook his head. A part of him, wished to break the door of that home and cause them to die a slow death by the zombies, however, he desisted from doing this because they too were looking to survive.

The trio quickly arrived at Shizuka's friend's home, only to see how a beautiful purple-haired girl was waiting for them.

"Is something wrong?" - Cloud asked with a frown as he noticed the girl's serious expression.

"This place isn't safe anymore, the zombies are starting to split into multiple groups, Cloud" - Saeko said seriously - "That's why we're putting all the supplies we can into the vehicle we found."

Cloud nodded when he heard this as he led the father and daughter duo inside the home to take a well-deserved rest.

"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, my name is Ken Maresato, and this is my daughter Alice" Ken said as he watched his daughter seem to have woken up.

"My name is Cloud Strife, the leader of this group" - Cloud replied calmly, although he quickly noticed the change in the brown-haired man's expression when he heard his last name, which meant that he had recognized his identity - "It's just as you think."

Ken quickly pulled his daughter behind him, though he was embarrassed when he noticed the blond's amused look - "I-I'm sorry, I acted like a jerk to the person who saved us."

"Oh, you don't have to apologize, I understand your motives and I find them logical" - Cloud replied as he shook his head and saw how Kohta was frowning as he looked towards the bridge - "Is something wrong?"

"Busujima senpai didn't tell you?" - Kohta asked as he looked at his fellow survivor - "The zombies are slowly spreading through the area, the military left the bridge and are barricading the other half of the city."

Cloud frowned because this was stupid, there were still hundreds of survivors left in this area, and the military didn't seem to want to find them - "Are we ignoring something?"

"I don't know, but before long we'll have to move to another area" - Kohta said as he shook his head, though his expression changed to a kind one when he noticed the little girl who seemed scared with the seriousness of her conversation with the blond - "Hello... Who are you?"

"M-My name is Alice, Alice Maresato" - Alice replied as she lowered her gaze.

"Hello, my name is Kohta Hirano" - Kohta said as he stroked the girl's hair and started to ask her a few questions.

Alice seemed to relax a bit and to answer as much as she could.

Ken watched this with a smile, though his expression changed to one of embarrassment when he saw the seductive blonde nurse walking around in a rather revealing outfit, one that could hardly contain the destructive power of her curves.

"Cloud-chan ~!" - Shizuka exclaimed as she jumped into the blond's arms and gave him a kiss on the lips - "I was worried about you ~!"

"Sorry, I had to leave because this was something important" - Cloud replied as he shook his head - "What are you doing up? I thought you were tired"

"I am, but you're more important" - replied Shizuka while puffing her cheeks - "Although now I'm a little hungry".

"You're lucky because I prepared something to eat" - Saeko replied as she intervened in the blondes' conversation, though without taking her gaze off the nurse - "We have something to talk about."

Shizuka tilted her head to one side, though she quickly understood what it was about as she noticed the serious look the swordswoman was sending her - "I understand."

The two women walked into the kitchen, completely ignoring the strange look on Ken's face, who was quizzical at this interaction.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but that will be for another time" - Cloud said as he directed her to take the little girl into the room, so she could get some rest.

When he saw that the father had left the room carrying his daughter to take a break, the blond moved his gaze to Kohta, who was simply silently thinking - "What is going through your mind, my friend?"

"I'm... confused..." - Kohta replied with a frown - "I don't understand why are the military acting like this, they should be doing their best to try to save as many human lives as possible, but shooting at civilians doesn't fit this description."

"It is possible that some of the higher commanders have ordered to reduce the number of survivors" - Cloud replied with a frown - "We are a lot of survivors, so many that we could use up all the supplies in storage"

"Are you saying that the militia doesn't know how long it will take them to stabilize the situation?" - Kohta asked with a frown, though this made sense - "I understand."

"However, that doesn't matter, not when we have to survive by our own means" - Cloud said as he shook his head.

Kohta nodded again because honestly, this was the best thing for them, he could see a future for this group, not to mention that more numbers didn't always mean better, after all, the more survivors were in a group, the more chaos there would be, especially since the members would have to make certain concessions to keep the peace.

Smaller groups were more susceptible to danger, but they were also potentially more united.

"Are the others still asleep?" - Cloud asked as he decided it was best to change the subject.

"Yuuki-san is the only one awake" - Kohta replied as he shook his head - "As for Kawamoto-san and Komuro-kun..."

"You don't have to say it, I can understand it just by looking at your expression" - said Cloud while shaking his head - "Anyway, it's time for you to go take a break, Kohta-san."

"I understand" - nodded Kohta as he started to think - "I'd like to do it after I eat something though."

"Understood" - nodded Cloud as he began to survey the perimeter with his binoculars, only to frown as he watched another group of survivors arrives at that house, achieving the fate that Alice's father managed to dodge - "I understand that they wish to survive, but..."

Cloud shook his head as he thought this, however he quickly decided to put it aside because it was none of his business what others did to survive, unless of course it interfered with their survival.

* * * * *

"I saw what you did" - Saeko said as she looked at the nurse.

"And?" - Shizuka asked as she cocked her head to the side, showing a side of her new to the swordswoman - "What about it?"

"No, it's not like I'm upset, I just want you to answer a couple of questions" - Saeko said as she shook her head - "Was it all premeditated?"

"Yes" - Shizuka answered honestly - "This was the best opportunity because I know that in the future it will be much more difficult."

Saeko was silent before nodding - "Ok, my next question... Would you mind sharing?"

Shizuka was silent for a few seconds before shaking her head - "No, I think I'm in the same situation as Miku-chan."

"Miku?" - Saeko repeated as she raised an eyebrow.

"I mean I'm aware of the situation, and even if I were to get selfish, the others would try to interfere, with me ending up getting the worst of it" - replied Shizuka with a frown - "More so with enemies like you and Miku-chan."

Saeko smiled slightly before extending her hand - "I think we can be good allies, Shizuka-san."

"Allies?" - Shizuka repeated as she looked at the purple-haired girl's hand.

"Of course" - replied Saeko with a small smile.